6. Coffee Must Always Be Sweet
Jihyun silently stared at the caramel latte placed before her. She had thought about it when ordering Seungho’s coffee too — it was expensive considering her financial situation. But she really wanted to try it.
A sweet coffee ordered not as an errand, but just for herself…
With a trembling heart, Jihyun lifted the cup and brought the coffee to her lips. The coffee mixed with rich milk foam and caramel syrup tasted surprisingly good.
Once, the helper lady working in the kitchen had made espresso coffee for her.
Usually, the lady of the house ordered a coffee with two shots, but that day she took only one shot, so the helper had a leftover cup and made it for Jihyun.
That coffee had been very bitter. The moment she took a sip, she couldn’t help but furrow her brow. The helper lady looked at Jihyun and smiled knowingly.
“You don’t understand the taste because you haven’t tasted the bitter life yet. Just wait. Someday, you’ll only want bitter coffee.”
No way, that couldn’t be…
But if life was bitter, as the helper said, Jihyun had vowed she would always drink her coffee sweet.
Savoring the lingering caramel aroma, Jihyun glanced around. Despite it being the weekend, there were still many customers who looked like students.
From snippets of conversation, it seemed most students were attending extra classes to prepare for exams. Thinking about the upcoming final exams and study plans, her thoughts passed from Miri and Hajun to Shin Seungho, who was known at Seomungo High School.
“Why does Seungho like bitter black coffee when there’s coffee like this?”
Jihyun couldn’t understand Seungho, who enjoyed bitter Americanos. Actually, he was a person beyond her comprehension.
Just thinking about what happened last week reminded her that Seungho was from a completely different world. On a peaceful weekend afternoon, Seungho’s call to the mansion said he was looking for her.
– “You left your phone. Come to the top floor of the cafe building near the Paradise intersection.”
“I don’t know where that is…”
– “Find it somehow. As soon as possible.”
Half reluctant, half afraid, she hesitated, and he coldly hung up.
Manager Kim said this didn’t happen often and handed Jihyun the phone Seungho left behind.
Not knowing the way, Jihyun sighed multiple times as she wandered in circles looking for the cafe. To reach the top floor, which seemed like a penthouse, she had to press the security bell multiple times.
“Who is it?”
A cute girl with short hair about her age opened the door.
“I’m here to see Shin Seungho.”
Jihyun discreetly left out the “young master” part, still holding onto a bit of pride. The girl rolled her eyes and scrutinized her.
“Seungho? The Seungho I know?”
Frustrated by the disbelief, Jihyun handed over Seungho’s phone. There was no need to stay anymore. Her part was done…
“Please give this to him. He left his phone here.”
Suddenly, a loud voice interrupted, and a boy approached the doorway.
“Oh? Who’s this?”
Startled, Jihyun blinked and looked at the boy.
He was as tall as Seungho, with dyed brown hair and mischievous eyes. Though he looked somewhat like Seungho at first glance, his vibe was completely different.
“What? Kwon Minwoo, you know her too?”
The short-haired girl’s stern gaze softened.
“To be exact, it’s Seungho who knows her, not me. Don’t just stand there, come in.”
“No, I’m just here to give this.”
“Seungho won’t like that.”
Minwoo said something suggestive, and when Jihyun met his mischievous gaze, she got goosebumps.
These rich kids treated her not like a person, but like an object. Reluctantly, she followed Minwoo inside.
The cold marble floor chilled through her socks, but there was no time to change into slippers.
Several people were inside besides them.
Some dull eyes watching her every step, an alien atmosphere naturally separated her from them.
She tried not to look around and walked straight ahead.
The short-haired girl who asked her who she was seemed to be the hostess and took care of the others lying around in a familiar way.
Minwoo, humming, walked a few steps ahead as if guiding her. Seungho sat on a sofa in the spacious living room.
Unlike the others who were unconscious, Seungho sat neatly, swirling a glass of iced water.
Though his expression didn’t look particularly good, his uniquely arrogant and dignified atmosphere was unmatched.
She naturally thought of her friends. It was a relief that pure-hearted Miri and Hajun were from a completely different world.
Minwoo circled Seungho and pointed politely to Jihyun as if presenting the finest product.
“She’s finally here. The one you’ve been waiting for…”
“What nonsense?”
“The phone. The phone.”
Minwoo’s sly attitude made Seungho frown and look away, but their eyes met for a moment. His indifferent face revealed nothing. Regardless, Jihyun pushed the phone toward him.
“Here’s what you asked for.”
Seungho didn’t take the phone, just stared at it.
“Could it be he’s glaring because I spoke informally inside the house?”
Jihyun felt a pang but, wanting to leave quickly, she set the phone down on the table.
“I’m done here, so I’ll be going.”
“…”
“Who is she?”
Relieved by the silence, she tried to turn away, but the short-haired girl blocked her path.
“Who are you? What’s your relationship that you’re bringing Seungho’s phone?”
The cute girl eyed her with a mix of curiosity and hostility.
“Judging by your clothes, you don’t look like one of us…”
The girl tilted her head, then turned to Seungho, urging for an answer. Several others also focused on them.
Clearly, they were eager for his response. Minwoo glanced at Seungho, then waved his hand loudly.
“Hey, just let her go. She’s got her own busy life.”
“Yeah, what’s she got to do with Seungho’s phone?”
The girl’s voice sharpened. Jihyun considered speaking but gave up.
It wasn’t her problem anyway. Minwoo looked between the girl and Seungho awkwardly. Feeling suddenly spotlighted, exhaustion rushed over Jihyun. She just wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.
“I’m…”
“Nothing.”
Before she could finish, Seungho cut in. His black eyes held a sneer as he leaned back and looked at her.
“…What?”
The girl who had been nagging was flustered. Seungho repeated, confirming.
“Exactly. I work here for money, so call me an employee or a servant.”
His serious tone and tilted head gave a glint to his eyes. One of the group laughed, interrupting.
“Hey, ‘servant’ is a bit much. This isn’t the feudal era…”
“Is it? If you’re paid to do chores and errands, you’re a servant.”
Jihyun’s face flushed bright red from the insult.
Though she thought Seungho’s way of teasing was childish, the word ‘servant’ made her feel utterly worthless.
She forced herself to keep a calm face, but a hot weight pressed down on her chest.
“So that’s how it is? I thought…”
The short-haired girl mumbled, deflated. She wasn’t interested in the situation, just relieved Jihyun was nothing to Seungho.
“These guys talk a lot. You better leave quickly.”
Minwoo, who had been nervously swallowing saliva while watching them, grabbed Jihyun’s arm and led her to the door. Seungho, with a slight smirk, didn’t take his eyes off her as she left.
“Sorry. They’re selfish but not so bad. Don’t take it to heart, just forget it. And about earlier, when I said come in…”
Minwoo tried to explain awkwardly, but Jihyun didn’t listen and left.
Though she wanted to state herself as someone who worked in his house, hearing it from others made her position feel utterly humiliating.
Tears, whether from sadness or frustration, welled up, but Jihyun gritted her teeth and held them back.
After that day, Seungho didn’t look for her all last week.
Jihyun concluded positively that it was better that way. She didn’t have to run errands for Seungho and had free time.
Now she could go to the library or meet friends on weekends. Finishing the rest of her coffee, she stood up refreshed.
“Next time, I’ll definitely meet Miri on the weekend.”
“Choi Jihyun?”
Startled by her name, she looked up and soon smiled brightly.
“Hajun!”
“You really are! I was wondering… What are you doing here?”
Hajun approached quickly, smiling as brightly as she was. Wearing a black sweatshirt and light jeans instead of his school uniform, he looked much more relaxed than at school.
“Just…”
Jihyun smiled faintly instead of answering. Whenever Miri and Hajun asked about her, she found it hard to respond.
“That’s a weak answer.”
Hajun laughed as if finding her cute and ruffled her hair.
“What about you?”
Shrugging, Hajun showed her a textbook he was holding.
“I’m here for extra classes.”
“You really study hard.”
“More than Miri, at least. Where are you headed?”
“Home…”
Seeing the empty coffee cup and Jihyun, Hajun looked a bit disappointed.
“I just came into the cafe. Stay a little longer.”
“Um…”
Hesitating, Jihyun was quickly offered by Hajun.
“I’ll buy you a drink. And bread too.”
His attitude toward her was much friendlier and more proactive than at school. Almost dragged along, Jihyun went to the bakery corner, hesitating over what to choose, stealing a glance at Hajun.
He looked strangely flushed and very happy.
