Flashback: Euna's Cafe Shift (4)
Anyway... 'She must've been doing this part-time gig because bit parts don't pay the bills.'
Yeah, I'd heard that actors who couldn't break through often juggled two or three jobs like this. Scrounging through each day on next to nothing, just hoping for that one big break—it's no easy feat. That's why so many drop out halfway and switch careers... or at least, that's what my limited knowledge told me.
"Euna, what are you... Oh?"
A middle-aged man emerged with a sour expression, freezing the moment he spotted me.
"Ahem... Euna, go inside for a bit."
"Huh?"
"I said go inside. I'll take the order."
"No, it's fine, boss. I can handle the customer..."
"Tch! This isn't even your job anyway. Go on."
Why was he acting like that?
"But I..."
"Hey now. Inside."
I naturally reached to wrap my arm around Euna's waist... but she smacked it away with a sharp thwack.
"Got it."
She scurried off in quick little steps. The clink and rattle of ice hitting a glass echoed as she started making coffee.
'Predictable.'
So he had his eye on her, huh. But judging by the boss's face, he had to be in his forties at least... and the way Euna brushed off his hand so smoothly? Looked like it wasn't her first rodeo.
"What can I get for you?"
"I just ordered an iced Americano."
"Yes, sir. Please have a seat over there and wait."
There was an empty spot right in front of the counter, but he pointed to a table way off to the side. His intentions were so obvious it was almost funny.
No reason to sit far away when there's a spot right here, so I plopped down at the counter. The boss's eyebrow twitched, but I ignored it.
He hustled back pretty quick after making the coffee—like he wanted me to drink up and get lost. What a childish move from a guy his age.
Just use the app? 'Nah, forget it. Time to bounce.'
It left a bad taste, but I grabbed the coffee and hailed a taxi outside.
"W-Welcome back, Geon-woo-nim."
Joo Hye-eun greeted me with a flushed face.
"Y-You'r... Ow."
Ha Joo-yeon bit her tongue mid-sentence.
"……"
Baek Hwa-yeon just dipped her head in a quick, silent bow, saying nothing.
They were all acting glitchy, like something was wrong with each one. None of them could even meet my eyes.
Why were they like this?
"Y-You're okay, right?"
"Y-Yes!"
"W-We-We're fine!"
"No need to worry about us, Geon-woo-nim!"
This was weird. They'd been off since morning. What was going on?
"Huh?"
I spotted a puddle on the floor.
"Hey. You spilled some water."
"Y-Yes?!?!"
"I-I'll clean it up!"
"P-Please, come inside quick!"
They reacted like kids caught red-handed doing something naughty. It was total chaos—sound effects of crashing and banging practically rang out. Baek Hwa-yeon shoved at my back, Ha Joo-yeon yanked out tissues to mop up the spill, and Joo Hye-eun jumped in too, scrubbing at the spot that had just been wiped clean.
She was gonna slip at this rate... And sure enough, my hunch was spot on. Joo Hye-eun misplaced her foot and slid right into a skid.
"Eek!?"
"Whoa there."
Thud.
I reacted fast, slipping my hand under her back to catch her gently.
"Gotcha."
Her stance was wobbly, so I scooped under her knees and lifted her right up—classic princess carry.
"You okay?"
"F-Fine... Yes."
I flashed a soft smile, and her face exploded beet red, words failing her completely.
"I-I-I've n-n-never been held like this b-b-before. Really, first time ever. P-Please be gentle... a-a-and if possible, my sisters too hohoho j-just in case I g-get pregnant we'll raise it without a hitch no problem."
"Pardon?"
She mumbled something, but it was too quiet to catch.
"Ah, n-no, that's not..."
"Couldn't hear you—too soft. Doesn't sound like a big deal anyway, so I'll set you down. Back to work."
I gave a light hoist and eased her back to her feet. Joo Hye-eun couldn't even stand, just hung her head like she was broken.
With broken Hye-eun out, Ha Joo-yeon piped up.
"A-Are you heading to the study?"
"Yeah. Wanna read a bit."
"Th-Then we'll bring dinner there..."
"Thanks."
"Y-Yes!"
Had they all eaten something funky? I was starting to worry. Maybe I should get them some ginseng or something good for the body.
"But that'd cost money..."
I picked out a philosophy book and cracked it open, but barely got past a few pages before new worries hit. Money wasn't just for buying ginseng sets for the hardworking maids.
'Gotta get Heena a gift too.'
Sure, Heena would be thrilled with nothing but a good pounding—eyes turning to hearts in satisfaction. But I wouldn't be okay with that.
Hit up Coupang again? 'Tch. Even that's starting to feel off.'
Back then, it was the only option to scrape by. But now? I could breathe easy, and they'd cook for me. Tired? Crash in Heena's bed. AC/heat? Perfect year-round. Gifts for Heena or tonics for the maids mattered, but my situation had changed big time. No need to default to Coupang.
Plus, Heena was chaebol royalty. Would a trinket from a couple Coupang runs even measure up? She'd love it, sure. But I wouldn't.
'Is this some kind of inferiority complex...? Think on it later.'
I shook my head and tried finishing the philosophy book. It was brutally tough, so I swapped for something else.
"The Tall Guy?"
Unexpected. Figured it'd be all dense textbooks, but a novel? Huh.
"This might work... Oh."
I chucked the book away. It was the original English, not a Korean translation. Damn, why print the cover in Korean then?
Sorry, Heena, but... this explained why the chairman only had eyes for Lee Heeyeon. She could breeze through stuff like this no sweat—top-tier level.
I slotted the tossed book back and pulled out yesterday's math text instead.
How long had I been reading when the knock came?
"It's Joo Hye-eun. I've brought dinner."
"Huh? Time flew already?"
"Two hours have passed."
"Didn't even notice..."
Dinner was bibimbap—red gochujang mixed with colorful veggies in perfect harmony.
"Ooh, bibimbap!"
"I-I worked hard... on it."
Joo Hye-eun tucked her hair behind her ear, avoiding my gaze.
"Mm, but it's a pretty big portion..."
"Is it? Here, I'll take some back."
"Right. Have you eaten?"
"Planning to after my shift."
"What time do you clock out?"
"Eight... sir."
"Huh? You can't eat here?"
"Miss Heeyeon instructed us not to use the mansion's ingredients for our own meals."
What the hell?
"What about breakfast and lunch?"
"We eat before coming in, and lunch is packed bentos..."
Why not just let them cook here? No idea if they got lunch allowances.
"You start at eight, fine, but getting home takes time. Can't eat out every night."
"It takes about an hour."
"So nine o'clock. No time to eat."
"It's f-fine..."
"Nah. From now on, I'll eat four bowls. And no more bringing dinner to me—set it up in the dining room. Four bowls, got it? I'll polish 'em off."
"Y-Yes?!"
"Not 'yes?'—yes, four bowls. I'll eat them all."
"B-But..."
She caught on to my plan and stammered, but I pushed through firm.
And so, four bowls of bibimbap graced the dining table.
"Stuffed. Do whatever with the rest."
I emptied just one of the four bowls the maids had set out. The other three? Shoved them her way.
They exchanged glances. Ha Joo-yeon sneaked a hand out first, grabbing a bowl.
"Th-Throwing it out would be a waste, so I'll eat it."
"Go for it."
One started, and it spread like wildfire.
"W-Well, then... I'll dig in."
"I-I'll eat too."
Even big sis Joo Hye-eun. They all grabbed bowls and started chowing down. Eating heartily—nice to see.
"Gonna step out for a bit."
"Wh-Where to...?"
"Digest with a hike."
My body felt stiff; needed to move.
"Not the back hill—I recommend Cheonseongsan, even if it's a bit farther. Great for a light climb."
Baek Hwa-yeon's tip. No wonder her legs looked sturdy—she must hike a lot.
"Cheonseongsan?"
"The nearby back hill's rough, easy to trip. Cheonseongsan's gentler. Side note: lots of folks go there to make wishes."
"Got it."
I changed into training clothes, headed out, and searched for Cheonseongsan. Definitely farther than the back hill, but not taxi-worthy. Round trip with the hike? Two hours tops.
Then a random thought hit: Hiking...? Did I like hiking?
Nah, never had. Back in school, field trips to mountains? I'd whine immediately.
So why was I suddenly thinking about it? Why did I wanna go?
Reading too—same deal. Books and I hadn't mixed since elementary school.
'Must be the extra leisure in life now.'
Yeah, before, survival left no room for hobbies.
Cheonseongsan entrance: paths were well-paved from the start. The info board said summit in under an hour. Might as well sprint it.
Phone timer on—go. Result: 9 minutes, 58 seconds, 9.
Conquered a one-hour hike in under ten. Ho-ly.
"Huh, easier than I thought."
My breathing barely ragged. A few quick huffs, and it steadied right back.
"Hey, aren't you that customer from earlier?"
"Huh?"
I turned. There was Euna, waving shyly in her red Adidas gym clothes.
Why was Euna coming out from there?