Chào các bạn! Vì nhiều lý do từ nay Truyen2U chính thức đổi tên là Truyen247.Pro. Mong các bạn tiếp tục ủng hộ truy cập tên miền mới này nhé! Mãi yêu... ♥

1

Life hasn't been the kindest to both Seonghwa and Hongjoong. The love that they have for each other was once forbidden, and they were pressured to act their parts.

Yeosang would always rush out to describe them as a sickly old married couple whenever he sees them being all lovey-dovey with each other, however, Seonghwa knew that Yeosang is happy to see them act more freely than they were before. Because back then, the love between the both of them was frowned upon by everyone. They went through too many hardships until they were on the brink of giving up but they kept holding on with the hope for a better future.

It all started before Seonghwa had turned into a guardian angel. It wasn't exactly a myth that Seonghwa would like to believe in and he thought of it as a ridiculous fiction that everyone had made up together with all the other supernatural creatures that he had heard from his schoolmates. That is until he got into an unexpected situation.

This was something that Seonghwa did not expect to happen at all. He met Hongjoong back when he was still human, a rather coincidental situation or maybe, it was fate to make them meet. They were bound to be pulled together, considering that they are soulmates. Hongjoong is aware of it however, Seonghwa is unaware that any of this even exists.

He sighed for the fifteenth time that night, his gaze glaring harshly at the textbook opened before him. At that time, he was a college student pursuing a degree in psychology. Which he regrets taking after all the lessons and research studies he must take in the class.

"I have enough." He slammed the book close, heaving a deep sigh. He stood up from his seat, his chair scraping the wooden floor of his apartment. "I will need some air before I go insane." He muttered to himself, leaving his bedroom to get a cup of water before heading outside.

It didn't take far for him to notice the darkening sky when he left the apartment building, his skin getting goosebumps at the sudden cold as he had forgotten to take his coat with him. When he opened his pocket watch while walking around the night streets, the time was already at about 11:53 pm which he didn't realize how long he had been studying his ass off. Then again, it is partly his fault for procrastinating all the weekends away, and now he's in the rush in all this.

He stopped when an invitingly sweet scent reached his nose, his eyes landing towards a cafe he had noticed passing by back then. The pleasant, warm atmosphere with the scent of coffee immediately welcomed him after entering. Although he doesn't like coffee, he wouldn't deny that the aroma of the sweet smell of coffee is delightful.

"Welcome!" A young-looking man greeted upon his entering. The red hair appeared from his point of view, catching his attention. He gulped, stumbling on his steps as he made his way towards the counter.

"Oh..." He blinked dumbly, inhaling a breath. "Hi." He squinted his eyes at the nametag pinned on the work clothes, Hongjoong. He'll keep that in mind.

"What will be your order?" He smiled and Seonghwa could see two pointy teeth on the upper teeth and if he was to open his mouth, he could peek into another two pointy teeth at the lower teeth. He shouldn't really be scrutinizing his teeth of all things, besides whatever that he may come up with, it couldn't be true.

"Uh... I don't really know what to take..." He trailed off, his eyes skimming the menu above Hongjoong. He completely skipped over the coffee area and let his opinion roam over the drinks, smoothies, and tea menu.

"Do you perhaps have a dislike for something?"

"I don't really like coffee." Seonghwa listed, "And I can't handle bitter things." Hongjoong nodded, listening intently with an unknown emotion behind his look. There was something that is pulling Seonghwa towards Hongjoong but he can't exactly pinpoint what it is.

"Do you prefer a cold or hot drink?"

"Maybe something cold? I'm not entirely sure..." Hongjoong flashed him a smile, a fond look filling over his features.

"I do like to recommend my favorite, a strawberry yogurt milkshake." He enthusiastically told Seonghwa, and for some reason, it made his heart double its beat.

"A strawberry yogurt milkshake..." He brought his attention back to the menu, thoughtfully thinking if he should order it or reject the offer but then again if he rejected it, he would feel really bad and...

"But, I mean if you don't like it. You can like pretend I didn't say anything." Hongjoong awkwardly chuckled, bringing his right hand to rub the back of his neck.

"Ah, no! I'm just thinking of..." He landed his eyes towards the waffle menu. "Waffles! One strawberry yogurt milkshake and a plain waffles with choco chips on top." Hongjoong raised an eyebrow, completely aware of the flustered college boy in front of him.

"Waffles at night, huh?" He let out a small laugh, entering the order on the cashier.

"We-Well..." Seonghwa felt embarrassed all of a sudden which, of course, Hongjoong took notice of.

"I'm just kidding," His eyes held adoration and fondness whenever it lands on Seonghwa, "It's cute of you." Oh wait, that wasn't what Seonghwa was expecting to hear. He could already tell that his ears and neck are turning red from the sudden compliment. He shouldn't be affected by this, however, hearing it from Hongjoong. It makes him feel a different kind of thing. A nice difference.

"Cute of... me?" Seonghwa still has his face flushed from the compliment, repeating the four words in his mind.

"What's your name?" Hongjoong has his eyes fixed on the cashier, but the unmistakable smile on his face says that he had been looking over Seonghwa. "For the order."

"It's Seonghwa." He finds himself a little bit proud for not stuttering in front of him even when he had before. Hongjoong told the cost of his order then grabbed the receipt.

"Okay, here." Seonghwa reached out for the receipt with the money in the same hand. Hongjoong grabbed the money, his fingertips grazing Seonghwa's hand then lay the receipt on top of the hand. Seonghwa could only have his attention staying on his hand when he retracts it back, the slight tingling of the touch left him wanting for more. He gulped down the urge to pull Hongjoong's hand and hold his hand, instead he crippled the receipt in his hand.

"You can go ahead and find your seat, Seonghwa." There was something in the way he spoke of Seonghwa's name, as if committing it to memory however, he didn't want to jump to conclusions and instead turned away from the counter then speed-walked away to sit at one of the tables.

He chose to sit towards the corner of the room with a window for him to look out to, away from the disturbance of the people, and also to have the counter in his line of sight.

He doesn't know why he kept looking for Hongjoong, there was definitely something pulling them together but he couldn't just tell what it was. He brainstormed whether or not he should stay in or not, then he concluded that his research studies can wait.

He looked out of the window, his gaze landing towards people roaming around the streets. If he peeked in slightly to the side, he had a clear view of the school's rooftop, the one that he goes to.

Seonghwa uncomfortably shifted in his seat, feeling eyes burning on him and he knew exactly who it belonged to. Though, it makes him feel safe and warm on the inside. A feeling that he could not decipher.

His name was immediately called, indicating that it was time for Seonghwa to receive his order, which also didn't even take very long considering he had just sat in for like a few minutes or so and only had admired the view from outside.

"One strawberry yogurt milkshake and one plain waffle with choco chips on top for Seonghwa." He could hear Hongjoong's voice calling out the order as Seonghwa neared the counter. He immediately smiled at the sight of Hongjoong, nodding while taking the tray to guide back on his table.

"Oh, I should assist you with that." Hongjoong offered, circling the counter and not giving any space for Seonghwa to argue. He snatched the tray out of Seonghwa's hands then smiled innocently up to him. "Lead the way, captain." He joked which Seonghwa should not have found cute at all.

"Oh, but what about-"

"You standing there would help the time run out." He flushed red in embarrassment, turning immediately and walking-almost sprinting back to the table he had been sitting on.

"Thank you." He mumbled out once he had taken a seat and the tray had been placed in front of him.

"No need to thank me, it's my job." Seonghwa could tell from one look that it's a complete lie, but he didn't comment on it and instead gave Hongjoong a polite smile. "Enjoy your food." His eyes followed the barista until he was gone from view. His gaze dropped down to the milkshake, sighing.

He knew exactly the signs that he was experiencing, yet there was something that he seemed to be missing. It's like a small important detail that he can't seem to track on about.

Despite knowing all these psychological aspects. He couldn't help it. It's a natural reaction for one to find someone attractive, but it's another if one finds the other wonderful.

Seonghwa promised himself that he would not come back due to his unending chanting of how he should completely erase all these feelings from a certain man, that may be the barista in the cafe, that also may be named as Hongjoong.

However, he still finds himself standing in front of a line to get to the counter, inside of the very cafe he told himself that he should avoid.

"Welcome!" As always, Hongjoong is cheerfully greeting him like the first time they have met. "Oh, Seonghwa-ssi." He froze, blinking and processing that Hongjoong, his crush, still remembers him clearly even when his last visit was about a week ago.

"Hi, Hongjoong-ssi." He mentally fist-pumped the air for successfully delivering his greeting without stuttering.

"What will be your order?"

"I would like the strawberry yogurt milkshake. Just one." Seonghwa almost cooed at the way Hongjoong's eyes lit up in happiness at the mention of his milkshake, this shouldn't affect him that much since it's just a silly little crush that will certainly not going to last—which Juyeon would like to disagree and point to Seonghwa that it could be the love of your life, the right one, the person you'll be with until the end, or your very soulmate.

He wouldn't deny that Hongjoong, with his red strawberry hair and in his white polo shirt, his sleeves rolled up slightly above his elbow, tight skinny jeans, and platform boots are kind of... hot. He snapped out of his gaze when he could hear Hongjoong's voice calling his name.

"Your payment?" Amusement and fondness were playing on his eyes, and it's what made Seonghwa flush as he handed his payment to Hongjoong.

"Thank you." He squeaked out, rushing to grab the receipt then almost ran towards the waiting counter. It wouldn't help him avoid Hongjoong, considering the waiting counter is just a few steps away from where the barista is standing.

Hongjoong let out a hearty laugh, perking Seonghwa up from where he was standing then letting out a flustered smile at seeing happiness surrounding the other. It didn't help that it tugs on his heartstrings as Hongjoong looked over at him with a shy smile before turning around to continue on his job.

Seonghwa turned around, leaning his hips at the counter with his hands inside the pockets of his hoodie. He gazes out at the cafe's windows, the sight of the university catches his attention. He briefly wonders if Hongjoong studies at the same university as he, or if he even goes to school.

He risked a glance towards the said male, the other is too caught up on his work to notice Seonghwa's eyes on him—or as what Seonghwa thought—before stopping his stare on him. Perhaps Hongjoong has seen him sometimes since the cafe is slightly near to the university and Seonghwa could have passed by it multiple times without knowing.

"Seonghwa-ssi?" A voice startled him out of his daze, he pushed himself away from the counter then turned around. At that moment, when they made eye contact, it was as if everything around them stopped moving. It was just one big blur as he focuses solely on Hongjoong.

He's beautiful. He thought before taking the milkshake, they slightly brushed their hands together and Seonghwa was sure he felt a spark when he did.

Hongjoong smiled, a knowing look on his face. "Enjoy your day." He softly spoke, leaning forward to brush a stray hair away from his forehead.

He sputtered, his body reacting at the touch as he ran out of the cafe with his flustered state.

It took a while for Seonghwa to calm down, and it took weeks for him to muster up the courage to return to the café. It certainly helped that he's been busy preparing for the nearing finals in the university, it distracted him even for just a little while.

However, his mind drifts back to that specific moment when he's not doing anything. He lies in the bed, staring up to the ceiling with his heart beating fast at remembering so. He swore that he could still feel the tingles burning in his skin.

He closes his eyes. "Is this still a silly little crush that I have?" He muttered to himself, shaking his head. "Maybe if I confess, that feeling will go away. They say that usually works." Letting out a soft sigh, he let himself be taken over by sleep.

The next day, Seonghwa stood in front of the café with shaking eyes. He took a deep breath, whispering to himself that he can do it. Once he's inside and went face-to-face with Hongjoong, his mind blanked.

"Seonghwa-ssi!" He greeted him happily, "It's been a while since I have seen you. I've been worried." The courage that he had immediately dropped and he couldn't help but only focus on the fact that Hongjoong had been thinking of him.

"Ho-Hongjoong-ssi." The barista startled Seonghwa with the way he whips his head up to stare at Seonghwa.

"You said my name." A wide smile made its way on his face, "I thought I've been flirting with someone who doesn't even know I exi-" Seonghwa halted, eyes widening at what he had just heard. He immediately went red when it processed in his head.

"Flirting?" He asked, "You have been flirting... with me...?" He quietly questioned in disbelief. As if he had misheard Hongjoong.

"I have Seonghwa-ssi, I already like you since the beginni-" Hongjoong cut himself off, suddenly looking down on the floor.

"Hongjoong?"

"Uh, I forgot I have some errands to attend to. Maybe we can talk next time!" He sprinted towards the backroom, leaving Seonghwa alone and confused.

"Sorry, it was a bit urgent." A different barista walked out of the backroom, letting out a dimpled smile. "What's your order?"

Seonghwa had sat on the usual table, both of his hands are holding on to the cup of the milkshake as he let his sight roam around the café. From the corner of his eyes, he could see Chan sneaking glances at him as if making sure that he's doing well and perhaps it was something that Hongjoong told him to do or maybe Hongjoong have told them about him at some point.

Without Hongjoong working behind the counter, his mind wanders towards the said male. He realizes a few things when he remembers every encounter they have had on the days that Seonghwa visits the cafe.

The first one, he had asked one of the baristas in the afternoon on when Hongjoong's shifts usually are.

Due to his hectic schedule, Seonghwa couldn't find the time to visit the cafe as much as he wanted to. Somehow, he wanted to make it up to Hongjoong by visiting the cafe the next morning that he was available.

However, when he had come in the morning, he was unable to spot the red-haired barista. On the other hand, he had come to meet Felix. He had made one of the best teas in the cafe, and surely, there are some secrets since it seems like Felix is not best suited in lying or covering anything up.

He also knew from that day that Hongjoong has his shift from 10 pm to 3 am, a fairly weird schedule but he wouldn't complain as he is usually free to go at night.

The second one is much weirder than the first, Hongjoong doesn't look like he's an introvert from his body language though there are times that he shies away. Seonghwa could only deduct that he's an ambivert.

That doesn't mean that this realization will not make any sense. It still does, especially that they live in a small town. He had never seen Hongjoong out of the cafe, at the day or night. There should be at least one time that they cross paths but it still has yet to happen. It is very unlikely that Hongjoong stays inside all day, even if they are an introvert.

Even so, he wishes that he would see Hongjoong before his mind goes insane with all the silly theories that he had come up with. A ridiculous thought.

The third one was when he saw a red liquid sticking on Hongjoong's teeth too many times, he thought that maybe he had forgotten to remove any stains of strawberry jam or any similar substances.

There was one time when he went inside of the cafe and saw Hongjoong with a red stain on his cheek that he didn't seem to notice.

Seonghwa still is trying to muster up his courage to actually confess to Hongjoong, he took his time and would drop by in the cafe from time to time. It has become an unspoken routine for him and it seems like Hongjoong doesn't mind it as well, he even looks like he enjoys Seonghwa's company.

When he went in at about 11 pm, there weren't as many people as usual. He could see a couple sitting in the corner, looking at each other with hearty eyes and he could also see what looked to be Chan typing in his laptop.

"He works as a producer and needs a lot of coffee to stay up." Hongjoong struck him out of his thoughts. Seonghwa turned to face him with a smile on his face, his eyes settled immediately on the red stain on his cheek.

Now, Seonghwa isn't that much of a clean freak despite what his friends like to tell him so. However, it bothers him that much to see the stain on his cheek even if it looks quite cute. Never mind that, he finds Hongjoong cute every single time.

"You have a little something there." Seonghwa pointed out, Hongjoong blinked and patted his face. "No, no, a little on the side." He fondly smiled, shaking his head before reaching out to thumb the stain off of his cheek.

Hongjoong's eyes widened, his face flaming up at the subtle touch. Seonghwa was sure that he felt some type of spark when he wiped it away. He pulled his hand back, reaching for a tissue on the counter and cleaning the stain on his thumb.

"Thank- Thank you." He couldn't help but pat Hongjoong's head especially when he's in a flustered state. "U-uh, what's your order?" Seonghwa didn't question him of the stain, especially that he seems to always be surrounded by red and that includes strawberries.

He likes to believe that it's a strawberry jam. The conclusion he had come up with other than that is senseless and unrealistic so he shrugged that idea away.

Lastly, does Hongjoong wear eye-contacts? There are times that Hongjoong isn't aware of Seonghwa coming in, he would glance up before gasping and running away towards the backroom. He tried to bring up why he would be ashamed of wearing red eye-contacts, he looks especially good in it so he doesn't mind all that much.

However, Hongjoong never got to answer that question and would always switch topics before he could even get asked. He gave up on that idea and instead waited for him to open, even if it takes a long time.

Until then, these realizations are stocked at the back of his head. In the meantime, he will focus on the present and be with Hongjoong before he could confess.

It's an embarrassing amount of times that Seonghwa had visited the cafe, he would not like to admit it but he had grown attached to both the place and the barista itself.

It didn't certainly help that all signs he had been exhibiting point to a reason for falling in love.

He's in love and in denial about it. It couldn't be helped, he found himself attracted towards Hongjoong from the very first day that they met. He would go as far as calling them soulmates, which is a big step considering he doesn't believe in it all that much.

He had picked up on the small habits that Hongjoong likes to show when they're together, and he is yet to see a whole lot more after Seonghwa mustered up the courage to ask him out on a date.

It has been exactly months... precisely six months that they had been talking, and it's a huge shame to Seonghwa because they have never really talked when Hongjoong is not  behind the counter. They never had a proper conversation, sat on the table, or elsewhere away from the cafe—not that he minds, he had begun to love the atmosphere of the cafe.

"Mhm, a big shame." Minho hummed, still focused on his phone and barely paying any attention to Seonghwa's rants. "Shame on you." Seonghwa grimaced.

"I'm in a serious talk here!" He was enraged, waving his hands up in the air.

"Yeah, and I'm in a serious conversation with Hannie." Seonghwa huffed. As usual, Minho cannot be trusted to listen to any of his rants.

"I hate you." He crossed his arms, standing up to find Juyeon instead, he'll probably be a lot more helpful than a distracted Minho.

"Sure." Minho dismissed, "Hannie!" Seonghwa rolled his eyes but he was also happy for his friend. He has never seen him whipped for someone before. It's quite an entertainment and a good blackmail use in the future—he's kidding.

"Ask him today," Rowoon says. After Seonghwa had set off to find Juyeon or any of his other friends, he failed to find them. But, Rowoon had come to save the day and showed up to greet him and was about to walk away when Seonghwa suddenly grabbed him.

"It's nerve-racking, but you won't know what will happen if you don't make any moves. He's probably waiting for you if he shows the body language as the one you just said."

"Thank you, you're such a big help!" Seonghwa smiled, taking a deep breath. "I can do this. I'll ask him out."

"Okay, I'll just return to being Haru- I mean find someone." Seonghwa blinked to process whatever Rowoon said as he walked away.

He'll finally do it today. He'll really do it and there's no turning back to it. He practiced his lines multiple times in front of the mirror and memorized them in his head. The only problem is his confidence in coming through with this plan.

He stood in front of the cafe, his palms starting to shake and get sweaty due to the nerves that are killing him inside. He doubts himself for a little while before gathering his courage and doing it for real.

He went inside, searching immediately for the familiar red hair behind the counter. He gulped then took slow steps towards Hongjoong who have abandoned his duties in cleaning the table.

"Hey, Seonghwa-ssi." Hongjoong waved, "Different order again?"

"Oh- uh, you don't have to be formal to me... and uh-" He fumbled with his fingers, his eyes flickering everywhere but Hongjoong. "Uh- I want to like- Why is this so difficult." He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a sigh.

Hongjoong chuckled, muttering a small 'cute' under his breath. "Want to grab a bite with me tomorrow?" Seonghwa malfunctioned, not expecting for Hongjoong—of all people!—to ask him what he actually wanted to ask.

"ME? Seriously? How did you know I was going to ask that? What?"

"You're quite predictable, Seonghwa." Hongjoong smiled, leaning forward so that he is inches away from Seonghwa. "Besides, I like to get to know you more," Seonghwa flushed, jumping back immediately.

"Oh- yeah! Tomorrow?"

"Let's meet here in the cafe at 1 pm then we can go out anywhere." He still couldn't believe that this was actually going to happen, that it wasn't a dream. He pinched his arm, only to be felt with intense pain. Definitely not a dream.

"Sure. Sure! I would love that. See you?" Hongjoong nodded. Seonghwa turned around and began sprinting out of the door.

He halted at the last minute, looking over his shoulder to see the starstruck eyes he had seen Hongjoong sporting before. "You know, I really like spending a lot of time with you. Tomorrow will be a great day." He smiled then ran out of the door.

What he didn't know was that tomorrow wasn't going to happen as he continued to run with his hands on his face. He was oblivious of everything around him including his soulmate screaming his name from inside the cafe and stumbling to get out, oblivious of the sound of the loud horn directed to him.

Oblivious of the car screeching to halt before it hits him.

Yet it was too late.

When Seonghwa turned his head, he was met by the fast-paced car running towards him, trying to stop. However, Seonghwa felt as if his whole body froze. Out of fear? He didn't know.

"Seonghwa!" Hongjoong sprinted, using his speed to try and catch up with Seonghwa but it wasn't enough. He could feel his fingertips brushing over the fabric of the sweater, yet he couldn't get hold of it before Seonghwa's body flew over at the top of the car, and tumbling down on the cement ground of the road.

His expression twisted in despair, he didn't care if the car kept continuing down the road. What he could only focus on was Seonghwa.

Seonghwa. Seonghwa. Seonghwa!

His eyelids felt heavy. Too heavy. When he tried opening them, he could only see a slight vision and it's all blurry. He could hear screaming, a lot of it.

Then he felt the familiar warmth welcoming him, arms wrapping around him and shrugging him awake. He could feel the coldness seep in his hands, intertwining its fingers with his.

He knows this hand. He knows this warmth. It's one that he wanted to experience for so long.

"-love you, Seonghwa." He wishes that his lips curl up a little at the confession. With all his energy left, he let his mouth move a little but no sound came out.

'I love you too, Hongjoong.'

Then everything was gone.

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro