Vows and Bullets
Chapter 87: Chung Seo-Hyuk (Part 1)

Chapter 87: Chung Seo-Hyuk (Part 1)

[Music Recommendation: "Autumn Leaves" by BTS - instrumental version by Smyang Piano (LoFi Edit]

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[Still at Yoon-Ah POV]

Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump!

My heart throbbed the moment I saw him.

It wasn’t the throbbing that people in love felt.

It was the kind of throbbing you feel when... you’re scared.

’Relax, Lee Yoon-Ah. It could all be just your imagination. He could be an innocent person, you know! It just so happened that he wore the same perfume. I mean, what are the odds, right? And most of all, why would he go after you? He should and would be going for Ye-Ji’ya, right? Or, more logically, he should be running away from her.

’Yup. That’s right. There’s no way Ye-Ji’ya’s enemy would go after me. Besides, we’re protected by Mythos. One wrong move, and they’re doomed!’

Thinking that, I managed to calm myself. I’m pretty great at acting calm despite dangerous situations.

I then breathed in and greeted him with a dashing smile.

"Oh, it’s you again. Good morning, sir!"

"Good morning to you as well," he smiled at me, the same way he smiled yesterday. "You look lively. Did something good happen?"

"Yes! My best friend visited, and we had a long chat. I really missed her," I replied casually as I made his drink.

"How nice to have a close friend."

"It really is. Don’t you have one, sir?"

He sat on the counter and laid his arms on the countertop. His movements were as gracious as ever—from his posture to every single movement were flawless, kind of like those people who grew up in luxury.

If that wasn’t enough, just look at how beautiful his hair was—shiny but not in an oily way, healthy, and carefully set like the hair of idols or celebrities. And his skin... waaaah, so white and flawless that it looked like it was glowing. Oh, to have skin like that.

’Lee Yoon-Ah! Stop looking at him! I know you like observing beautiful things or people, but it’s rude, so stop staring! He might notice you.’

"I do," he answered. "Does my younger brother count as a friend?"

"Of course! In fact, that’s even better. You live in the same house as your friend. How I wish I could stay all day with my best friend. I really wanted a sister, but my parents gave me a jerk brother instead," I complained.

Realizing I was being too open again, I slapped my mouth and laughed awkwardly.

"I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to talk too much. I’m kinda like this... sometimes."

"Ha-ha-ha. That’s quite alright. It’s nice to be honest. Truthfully I prefer such people. They are easy to get along with, and they don’t put up pretenses."

"He-he. Thank you. That must mean you like many people. Most people are honest."

"Hm... I’m afraid I beg to differ. Not many are. In fact, only a very few stay true to themselves and live honestly. I like to call such people as... a true gem in a pile of rubbles."

"Eh? Is that so? But most of our customers are nice people! Well, except for a few who are hard to deal with and some freaky perverts. Ugh."

"I see. In that case, let’s say it’s a 50-50. Different people would have different personalities and would have grown in completely different environments."

"Okie! On that, I’ll have to agree. It still depends on the person and the experiences they have in life, that’s true" I said, handing him his drink. "That will be 3,000 won."

"Thank you," he smiled again and paid with his phone.

After that, he remained seated there and drank his strawberry frappuccino while tapping on his phone. I, on the other hand, stayed standing by the counter, waiting for the next customer. Silence fell between us—which was normal. Customers usually wouldn’t chat with the barista or any staff.

’See Yoon-Ah? He’s just a normal person.’

Feeling relieved, I took my phone from my pocket and started reading my favorite manhwas! The next Chapter of the greatest manhwa of all time will be released in a few minutes, and I’m eagerly waiting for it. I’m so excited!

Soon enough, the Chapter updated, and I almost jolted from my seat. I read it so fast that I wasn’t even sure if it had been a minute or not. Why do good things always last for a short period of time?

"Waaaaahhh... I want more," I murmured to myself and slumped my head on the counter as I sighed, completely forgetting I still had a customer with me.

When I remembered, I quickly got back up and slowly looked at him to peek if he didn’t find that weird or disturbing or something.

I then saw him with his eyebrows raised and eyes widened in surprise. Did he think I passed out or something?

We blinked a couple of times, and then... we laughed.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha!"

His laugh looked genuine, unlike his bitter smile yesterday. Maybe he was just having a bad day that time?

"I’m so sorry. I know, I can be weird sometimes. It’s just—my favorite manhwa ended too soon. I want more Chapters and—ha-ha-ha. Never mind me, please. I’m really sorry."

My words jumbled up, trying to explain my side.

He shook his head and waved his hands, saying, "It’s alright. I should apologize for laughing at you."

"Not at all! It’s normal. I mean, it normally happens to me. Wait, now that you mention it... doesn’t that mean I’m like a clown? People laugh at my clumsiness or weirdness or what it’s called. Actually, not a clown... but maybe... Oh my goodness! You don’t think I’m a crazy person, do you?"

"Ha-ha-ha!" he laughed again. "No. I think it’s funny. Let’s just say you’re a vivacious and entertaining person to be with."

"Aishhh... You’re just being polite. It’s ok to call me crazy. I embrace my craziness," I replied confidently and shrugged.

"Alright. If you say so."

He held back his laughter, but I could see it as clear as daylight.

"I’m Lee Yoon-Ah, by the way," I introduced myself, pointing at the nameplate on my uniform.

He smiled back at me and introduced himself as well.

"And I’m Chung Seo-Hyuk," he said. "A pleasure to know you, Ms. Yoon-Ah."