Beloved Existence

(1-episode short story)

"phew, what a day.." I sigh out of tired after the last customer leave. "indeed- today are quite hectic" my workers agreeing with me. We clean up everything before going home.

"Manager Ha, arent you going home" ask one of my workers.

"Im going to stay here a bit longer" I said while while arranging the decoration on the table.

"I want to help you but- " said my workers quite free right now" "just go back first" I said to Bomi since I dont want her to feel guilty abt leaving her employer doing all the work alone.

"but-" Bomi looking at me. "The gentleman outside must be cold waiting for you, You should go quickly" I cut Bomi words. The gentleman outside notice that we are talking abt him waved to us. Bomi wave back shyly. I giggled seeing them, seeing the young people in love sure made me smile.

"I will make sure to help you tommorow manager Ha!" Bomi said while showing her determined looks. "Sure" I said to reassure her.

Bomi take her coat and bag and leave the cafe. "see you tommorow manager Ha" said Bomi while running to her lovers. I nodded to her.

"what an energetic kid" that's what I thought after seeing her running to her lovers like a child.

"We are going back first manager Ha" my other workers said while waving back to me.

"Safe trip everyone" I said with smile watching all my workers leaving the cafe. All of them was getting picked up by their partners after work.

Somehow I envy my workers with their partners while Im doing work here alone. "How lucky" that's what I thought. Also I wish them a long-healthy relationship since I doesnt want them to be hurt.

I have been working with them for almost 5 years.

They are basically my younger siblings and they are the one who stayed with me when the cafe faced with many crisis. So yes, I wish them to be happy more than anyone else

Suddenly, the bell door ringing saying that someone has enter the cafe.

"Im sorry, but we are closed" I said to the man who just enter the cafe wearing a full office working suit.

"Could I just get an americano?" said that man.

"we already clean most of the essential" I said to the man.

"What a tall man- " that's my thought when he standing in front of me.

"I will double the pay" said that man with serious looks.

I cant help but feeling a little annoyed to this man. It's clearly showed in front of the cafe that we already closed. Also, it's 11.30 p.m right now.

"Im sorry sir but-" before I manage to refuse him, that man already sit down and put down his black cards.

"I will triple the pay" said the man.

I am so speechless. I cant believe his understanding sense right now- It's not abt the money but it's about my working time already done-

"Im sorry for still ordering although your working shift already finish.." said that man after he notice that Im looking at him in disbelief. well, Im glad that he knew he is wrong right now.

"but, please- Im in the middle of smtg important right now" said that man with hopeless expression.

what could it be till you need an americano in the middle of night- that's what I thought.

That man looking at me with hoping eyes. I sighed, I really cant help when someone is looking at me with hoping eyes. It made me guilty for not helping them. I put down the decoration and get back to the counter to make his beverage.

I cant believe myself for helping someone right now. that man expression changed happy when he saw me doing his drinks.

"An Americano sure can make people happy" that's what I thought when I saw his delight expression.

few minutes later, Im done doing his beverage and he also pay the beverage according his words.

"Thank you very much! " He take his americank and cards back. I just nodded since I refuse to have any conversation anymore.

After he take the americano, he quickly leave the cafe in hurry.

"It seems like he truly in the middle of smtg important" I mumbled alone. I finish my undone job and locked the cafe doors.

The next day,

I come to the cafe as usual and do my daily job routine.

"Manager Ha, we got such a big orders today" said Minho, one of my workers.

"Ah really? When are they going to pick their orders?" I asked.

"in a few hours" said Minho while preparing to do their orders.

"Alright" I said while tying my hair and do all the beverage as orders. It sure a big orders- Maybe it's for the whole company, that's what my guess is.

Few hours later, a few people with office suit come to our cafe to pick up their coffee. They even gave us a big tip. Well, as the owner of the cafe, Ofc I would be happy.

"Manager Ha, are we going to hv a bonus this month??" ask Bomi who just coming out from the kitchen.

"Are we???" Ask Minho with sparkle eyes.

I cant help but chuckled when everyone start looking at me while hoping that I would say yes.

"Sure" I said with smile.

Everyone is so happy after hearing it. Well, since I dont hv anyone to spend my money on, I will just add bonus to my workers.

Few hours passed and it's currently 10.45p.m. Most of the workers already leave since there is no more customer around this time including Minho and Bomi. They said they want to accompany me at the cafe but smtg come up at the university so they had to go. Students surely got a lot to do.

Im thinking to close the cafe early tonight since there is no sign that any customer will come also it seems like it gonna rain tonight. I should go back quickly, that's my thought while cleaning the cafe.

suddenly someone enter the cafe.

I turn my back to look at the counter and saw the yesterday guy at the entance.

"It's not closed yet right?" ask that man.

"yes but actually no- " I answered while wondering why this man are here again.

"It said that the cafe are closed at 11 p.m, also right now is 10.47 p.m" "I still can order smtg right?" said that man while looking at me.

well, he is not wrong but- Nevermind It's lucky that I havent keep all the coffee essential again. I put down my pen and go to the coffee maker place.

"Ice Americano?" I asked

"Yes, please" said that man.

I just nodded and proceed doing his drink.

Suddenly the rain started pouring.

"Oh my, it's raining-" said that man.

I look at outside to make sure I already close all the windows.

"The forecast didnt said that it's going to rain today" I said

"Yeah, I should bring the umbrella if I knew it's going to rain" Said that man.

"Yeah" I said while putting the drinks on that man table.

"Thanks" him said. I just nodded.

I continue cleaning the cafe area while that man just sitting there with his ice americano staring outside the window.

I want him to leave as soon as possible so that I can close the cafe quickly but my kind ass cant ask him to leave in rain. Worse I also doesnt hv any umbrella to lend him.

I make myself some tea and sit with that man. I already wiped other table and I doesnt want to wipe it again

"Can I? " I asked in case he might be uncomfortable with my presence.

"..Sure" he said. He must be suprised with my sudden appearence but he just agree with it.

We didnt talk abt anything for the first few hours, we just staring at the outside waiting for the rain to stop.

Few hours later, the rain finally stop.

"Oh the rain already stops" I said while looking at my watch.

"It is, but you know what amused me right now?"ask that man

I look at him cant help but wondering too

"We really stay quiet for the whole 2 hours" said that man while chuckled.

I just smile while realizing it, I mean it's true- and weirdly it's comfortable. It's a comfortable silence. It's hard to be comfortable with a silence stranger but weirdly this man are not.

That man pick up his thing and leave some money on the table.

"eh- " before I manage to ask him what's the money for, that man cut my words

"Thanks to you, I had a peaceful night despite everything happened today.." "Take that money for extra working hours" "Thanks and it's nice seeing you again.. " said that man.

That man leave me standing cluelessly-

But I still toke the money anyway, He got me working till 12.45 p.m ofc He have to pay for my extra working hours.

The next day, I woke up pretty late since I got home late last night.

"Manager Ha, you finally here" said Minho who is wiping the table.

"I woke up late today" I said while wearing my apron.

"Did you go home late again last night??" Ask Bomi.

"Yeah, It was raining last night so I had to stay at the cafe longer" I said while refilling the newly bread from the kitchen.

"The forecast said that it will rain again tonight, should we close the cafe early today?" ask Minho.

"Depends on the todays customer" I said shortly. Well- I really hope that there will be not many customer today.

Few hours later,

Now I regret saying those- the customer are coming non stop. It seems like today gonna be another husy day.

We also got an orders from the company again. Somehow I think this month profit gonna be doubled than usual-

Without I realize, It's already 9.35 p.m and it's raining right now. The customer also leaving one by one.

Due to tired, I sat at the one of the corner table. It is my favourite spot here bcs everything abt this spot is good. When I bought this place, I already pick this spot as my fav seat.

Suddenly the door bell sounds break my thoughts. I look at the entrance to make sure that it was customer who enter.

"hello?" said the man who I saw for the straight past 2 days.

"you are here again" I said

that man just chuckled hearing me.

"come here" I said asking him to sit while I get up to make his drinks.

He just obediently nodded and sit in front of me.

While Im doing that man drinks, my workers start excitedly circling me asking abt who is that man.

"Is that your boyfriend manager Ha??" Ask Bomi. I knew it she gonna ask that- This girl-

"Nope he is not, he is just one of the customer that I knew" I replied quickly to stop them asking further question.

"Are you sure? that man looks like he already know abt you?" Said Minho. Alright so now Minho are part of Bomi gossip line too? Gosh

"Impossible- we met two days ago-" I denied Minho statement.

suddenly

"Hyeri, would it be alright if I get the cakes too" Ask that man from his table.

Everyone are quite excited hearing his question. I was caught in shocked since I never told this man abt my name nor I wear my nametag during my work or anything.

"Sure, what cakes?" I ask, my hand are a bit trembling.

"Strawbery one please" that man said with smile.

All my workers are getting excited since they knew how americano and strawbery cakes are literally my fav-

I just nodded hearing it. I dont know how to react in this situation. It could be just a concidence that we have the same taste but how come he knew my name- Is he someone that I knew-

"It seems like Manager Ha finally found someone who could match her taste" said Bomi

Everyone are agreeing with her.

I know that it's kind of weird to eat a sweet strawbery cake with a bitter americano but that is just my personal preference-

I brought the drinks and cakes to that man table.

"thanks" he said with smile

I sit in front of him and stare at him thinking is he my acquitance or smtg, why he knew my name and my preference.

that man notice that Im looking at him just chuckled.

"Anything wrong dear?" him said.

I was taken aback by his words. Dear-? first my name now dear- he is sure a weird guy- at the same time I could hear everyone excitement when they heard he said that.

"Let's talk later" I said in serious tone. I must know abt this matter by tonight.

He just smiled hearing me said those.

Somehow, I got the chills behind the smile. But somehow I kind get of the deja vu feelings. The mixed feelings right now confuse me-

Finally, all the workers has left. They be leaving quickly since they thought Im having a dates right now- No matter how much I deny it, they just wont listen to me.

I take off my apron and tie my hair take some coffee to the table. It might be long talk and If he tried to harm me, I will pour the coffee on him-

I sat in front of him doesnt know where to start or ask.

"You still looks pretty as ever" said that man breaking the silence between us.

I swear I was taken aback by his sudden compliment- Is it a compliment or it just a wimp.

"Who are you" I ask. Im not going to delay my time anymore. This is getting scarier than I thought-

That man look at me with sad smile.

"I knew it, you already forgot abt me" He said

"I dont know what are you talking about-" I said

The mixed feelings right now confused me.

He look at me and said "It's alright, we can just start it again right? "

I stand up, I cant do this anymore. This talk are not helping at all. I dont remember anything and this guy are saying that he wanna start over with me-? Just what kind of relationship we have at the first place-

"Sir, I really dont know what are you trying to tell me and-" somehow I become speechless right now. I want to say how he knew me, why I dont remember him and Who are him-

"It seems like Im being too rash" said that man.

"Im sorry, I must scared you"

You are- Im really scared right now-

"but.. The next time we meet, please remember my name" said that man

"and why should I" I said. This man literally got on my nerve-

he chuckled hearing my response.

seriously, this guy are sure crazy- That's what my thought is

"Kang Hejun, that's my name" said that man suddenly

Why he is giving me his name now-

That man look at me as if he found his beloved existence or smtg.

"I will come again tommorow" said that man leaving the cafe.

I standing there trying to process what just happened- Am I in some kind of dream or hallucination-

Just who- who is that man-

Why his gaze is so gentle towards me, Why he seems like he knew me-

most importantly, why our first meeting was so comfortable- Im not someone who easily got comfortable with strangers though.

Are the universe is playing with me right now-

The next day, as he promised. Hejun come again. In fact, it's been a week now- All my workers already starting to like him, He even brought some gifts to them. I know he is quite rich but the hell are he not busy or smtg-?

Hejun notice me staring at him.

"Is there anything wrong dear?" He suddenly ask me.

"Im not your dear" I denied his statement.

He just smile hearing my response.

This guy- he sure know how to make me feel guilty. He sure smile a lot, that's my thought is.

The next day,

"Manager Ha, look what I found!" Said Bomi excitedly.

"hm?" I tried to look at the magazine she tried to show me.

It's a magazine about business tycoon, but what it have to do with me. I stare at the magazine trying to find what exactly Bomi tried to show me.

"Manager Ha, arent this is Mr.Kang???" Said Bomi.

"Who-?" I ask, I literally confused right now.

"Your husband ofc!" Said Bomi.

My what?! Many thoughts are lingering in my head right now. Since when I did I get married-

I tried to take a closer look at the pic Bomi showed me. It was that man picture- Kang Hejun picture

"I knew it I have seen your husband face before this"

"He is really a successful business and a chaebol?? oh my, you are really lucky Manager Ha" Said Bomi excitedly.

"How did you know he is my husband" I ask

"Well, Mr. Kang tell everyone yesterday when we ask your relationship with him" "He even show is your wedding and honeymoon picture together!" said Bomi

Suddenly, everything hejun said abt knowing me for too long and those affection make sense. but since when.. When did I get married- I genuinely asking my head to find any memories abt it. Im sure I never got married to anyone. I also never been in relationship for my 27 years old-

Suddenly there is a man claimed that he is my husband. Dear Universe, what kind of trick are you playing right now.

I keep dazed off during my work today even my workers ask my to get some rest.

CLANG!

"Oh my- Manager Ha, are you alright?!" Ask Minho while running to me

I just slowly nodded while looking at the vase I just broke.

I really make a lot of mistake today. I look at my trembling hand.

Those thoughts really playing with my head right now.

Some of workers are helping me to sit down calming my shock.

"Manager Ha, are you alright?" Ask Minho while bringing a cup of coffee for me.

"I am" I said while take the coffee.

"Should I call your husband?" Ask Bomi, her expression clearly show how worried she is right now.

Well not only them who are being worried now. Almost everyone who saw me today ask me to get some rest. My hands keep trembling and my face already turn pale

I tried to calm myself while slowly processing those thoughts.

"I have to meet him tonight"

Speak of devil, Hejun come. Some workers are glad seeing him since he might can help with my condition right now.

"Hyeri?, Are you alright?!" Ask Hejun while running to me.

Little did he knew, he is the reason why Im trembling right now.

"Im fine" i said to stop everyone worried

"You are clearly not!!" Said Hejun.

This is my first time him being ragged. For the past few days, he always talk softly and gently.

".. and what about it."

"why do you even care" I said while glenching my hand.

Everyone was shocked hearing my words. Well, they thought Hejun and I is some of romantic relationship but we are not.

Hejun grith his teeth, try to calming himself.

"...That's it" I know he just flirting around me and stalking me. Im really crazy to think that Im married to this man. We dont even know each other.

I stand up from my seat since I doesnt want to handle this anymore

Suddenly, Hejun is grabbing my hand.

"You! what are you doing?!" I yelled at him. Is thjs carzy- Why he suddenly grabbing my hand-

"You.. you are really cruel Hyeri.." said Hejun while holding his tears.

I am what- While I was caught by this confusion. Everyone are looking at Hejun and I right now.

"Im sorry for not looking at you for the past 2 years.. but how could.. how could you forget abt me.." Said Hejun.

"What-" Im genuinly confuse right now.

I really doesnt have any clue on what are he saying right now.

"Hyeri, we have married for 5 years.." Said Hejun while looking at me.

I want to tell myself that everything is a dream but everything seems real right now.

I look at Hejun who desperately holding my hands hoping that I would remember him.

But I dont- I really doesnt have any clue on what are he talking about..

"Manager Ha.. could she lost her memories or sumn-?" Said one of my workers.

Memories lost- Im starting to rethink about everything.

This man who holding my hand right now are abt to cry, everyone are looking at us with some worried expression.

Literally.. literally, I dont know how to said abt this moment.

Suddenly the sharp pain start to hit my head.

"Argh!" I shouted while shaking my hands off from Hejun grip.

"Hyeri-?" Ask Hejun worrying abt me.

All the memories start to flash in my head. Is this my memories- I keep contemplating with myself.

Is that really me- I keep asking myself after seeing all the memory abt me and Hejun, also my so called family- All my happy memory suddenly here-

Suddenly, I lost my balance and close my eyes

"Hyeri?!" Shouted Hejun while holding my cheeks

Slowly, my vision are getting blury

"Hyeri, answer me!!" shouted Hejun

I want to answer him, but smtg is holding me from saying anything.

"I..I.."

"Hejun dear.."

I could feel that Hejun expression change. He suddenly holding my hands tightly.

I could feel smtg drop on my face, is it tears

"Hyeri..Please.. please stay up a little longer.." Hejun sttutering his words, he cant convey his mixed feelings right now

All of workers already start to call the ambulance

"I dont want to lost you again.." said Hejun while crying.

My head is getting hurt, I cant think of anything righf now

I slowly closed my eyes as I cant endure the pain anymore.

"HYERI!"

"MANAGER HA!"

A lot of voice ringing my ears, It must be chaotic out there.

Im tired to think anymore, All those thoughts keep hurting my head.

To think that Im a married to someone I cant even remember is definetly crazy- my parents would definetly-

For a while, I realized I dont remember anything about my parents too

Nor Family or friends

Even Myself

I dont have any memories about the past years other than my two years working here.

For some reason Im start thinking that I really lost my memories

--The End--

Hello guys, I hope you guys like this poststory

As a new Author, I appreciate all your comments and Likes

Also Im sorry if the story is not into your liking, hv a bad grammar or storyline.

English is not my first langguage 😭

That's all from me, Byebye <3