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Ring.

Hyun Ae turned to the sound of the door, getting her attention from arranging mini plants on the counter. The shop wasn't open yet, so Jungkook's sudden appearance surprised her that morning.

"Oh, good morn-" Hyun Ae stopped, chuckling when he suddenly flung his arms around her neck. "Aw, Kookie. What is it?"

"We're leaving for L.A. today. I'm gonna miss you," he muttered, hiding his face by resting it against her head while rocking his body side-to-side, like a waddling penguin.

"Sheesh! You're like a baby, you know!" she laughed, getting along with whatever the boy was doing.

"Like you don't know him," Jin suddenly said out of nowhere. Hyun Ae glanced around, and he was standing by the entrance, while the other members began to enter the shop one by one.

"He ran from the company straight to here. While we, came here in a car," jin continued to explain, shaking his head when Jungkook suddenly back-hugged her, placing kisses on her head.

"Hey, that's my sister! Really, Kookie?" Hyun Wook suddenly whined, as he immediately dashed toward her, and quickly linked his left arm with hers.

But the golden maknae didn't let go of her, even though the jealous brother was there.

"Noona, you're betraying me!" Hyun Wook pouted, still hugging her arm tight but his other arm was trying to push Jungkook away, which he, of course, resisted.

"Oh, shut up. It's not like every day that he's this clingy," Hyun Ae said, playfully slapping his hand away. But Hyun Wook just wouldn't let her go. "Okay, I count to 'three', both of you let go or I'll-"

"She hasn't even counted yet. Is she really that scary?" Hoseok laughed when both Jungkook and Hyun Wook finally let go of her. "You're the best, Hyun Ae ah."

"Thank you, boys. So you guys are going this morning, right? For how long?" she began to ask the rest of the group.

"We're not sure yet, our manager hasn't told us the details to us, but we were told that it might be two weeks?" Jin shrugged, rubbing his head.

"Ah... so you're guys not gonna make it on the first day of the shop's trial days."

"What do you mean?" Yoongi wondered, tilting his head.

"My shop will become a restaurant on those days. If it's a success, we'll proceed to be café-restaurant step-by-step," she explained, right before another tall guy came in behind Yoongi. Which had her eyes widened.

"Oh, Lee Sejin-ssi," she called out with a wide smile across her face.

"Nice to meet you, Park Hyun Ae-ssi." Sejin the manager held out his hand for a handshake with her, with she took in with excitement.

"Please, just call me Hyun Ae."

"Finally. we met. The temporary manager. I've always wanted to meet you. I only hear your name from them, but never see you in real life."

"Oh, I'm just... a friend. Just, someone who could handle seven guys. 'Special' guys, I'd say," Hyun Ae snickered, giving the boys looks as they let out sighs and grunts, clearly voicing out disagreement.

"I know right? Well, I'm afraid that I need them back in the car now," Sejin said, looking at his watch.

"Oh, right," she said. One by one, each member began to give her a hug.

"Bye, guys. Take care of your health. Eat a lot," she advised each of them, but then stopped at the last member.

"Ah..."

"Sejin hyung, can you give me a minute? I won't be long," Namjoon requested from the manager.

"Sure. I'll wait in the car," Sejin smiled, patting the leader's shoulder as he left the shop with the other members.

At the same time, both Henry and Yoon Hee were just walking through the kitchen door when they saw Namjoon and Hyun Ae were now facing each other.

Without hesitating, Henry grabbed Hyun Wook away from the scene, surprising the guy.

"Uh... Hyun Wook, help me in the kitchen. Yoon Hee, I might need you to check on the beans' stocks," Henry instructed, dragging Yoon Hee back into the kitchen while Hyun Ae watched them in disbelief.

"Guys, don't leave-" Hyun Ae halted, knowing that it was no use at all. Slowly, she turned to Namjoon, who had been standing right in front of her. "Ah... Hahahaha... Hi."

Namjoon chuckled before clearing his throat. "How are you today?"

"Fine, fine. Totally fine," she mumbled, fiddling with her fingers nervously. "A-Anything you want to tell me?" she asked, meeting his eyes.

"Oh, I was just..." He rummaged through his jacket pocket, pulling out her earphones. " Your... earphones."

"Oh. Right." She was about to take it from his hand, but then she paused and stared at it.

These earphones held a memory... that I wish I could erase.

"You know what? Would you keep it first?" Hyun Ae urged, pushing his hand away softly as she looked into his eyes again. When he had this surprised look, she giggled. "I mean... you can give it to me when you guys come back."

"Okay then," he chuckled, slipping back her earphones into his jacket. "Yesterday..."

Oh no... Please don't mention it-

"Yesterday I was here to tell you about our departure today. But... I was on the wrong... timing," he mumbled, scratching his head.

"Oh. So that's why you were here," she chuckled, nodding. Then she glanced at the waiting car outside. "Uh... I think you should go now. Don't want to miss the flight, do you?"

"Right," he agreed. After giving her a bow, he turned and began to walk towards the door. Then he stopped.

Unaware, Hyun Ae was turning away when suddenly Namjoon pulled her into a sudden hug.

All she could hear was his fast heartbeat. Then she wrapped her arm around him, hugging him back.

Because she didn't want to miss the warmth he had. Even though it was just for a few weeks.

"Take care. Remember, if there's anything, go to your brother. Your smile is the first thing I want to see when we come back."

Stop saying things like that, please.

"Yeah. Bye, and take care," she whispered, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening her. After she waved him goodbye, Namjoon immediately left the shop without even taking another look at her.

The car left. And now her tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"Stupid, why am I crying? That feeling of losing someone... It's here, again."

************

Almost two weeks had passed. Enough for Hyun Ae to prepare everything for the trial days. Ever since BTS's departure, she had focused on her business more than she had ever been.

The café had gone through minor renovations, especially for the dining areas and the beverages section.

Ten more minutes to nine as Hyun Ae looked at her watch.

All her eleven employees including Yoon Hee, Henry, and Hyun Wook assembled themselves in a half-circle line. All in their proper uniforms. Hyun Ae stood in front of them, feeling nervous.

"You guys ready?" she asked, receiving an energetic 'yes' from them. She glanced behind her shoulder.

There was a long queue of first customers, waiting to enter the new café-restaurant.

"Hyun Wook. What time did you tell them to come?" Hyun Ae turned to his brother back, crossing her arms. "That's quite a long line!"

"You see..." Hyun Wook chuckled nervously, rubbing his neck. "I told them to come early. They're mostly our regulars."

"Are you sure? That they are not your fans?" she snickered. Then she stood straight in her position as she began.

"Okay, everyone. This is our first day, so we'll do our best. Don't worry, this is a small restaurant, so we won't be expecting big orders, but we still need to be prepared for any possibilities. If there's any help you need, please look for me. For the kitchen team, Chef Henry Williams is your answer. Hyun Wook, the waiters, and the waitresses. Baristas and beverage makers, Yoon Hee."

After all the employees nodded their heads, Hyun Ae smiled as she held out her hand, and all of them began to stack their hands on top of each others' hands.

"Our first day, everyone. Let's do this!" she cheered, clapping their hands together as they started to get into their positions. While for Hyun Ae, walked towards the door and pulled it open, as she said:

"Welcome... to La Dolce Café and Restaurant."

********************************************************

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