• Falling For You • |A JongSang love story|

1 - Daily Grind.

The soft chime of the bell echoed through the small café as Yeosang slid behind the counter, tugging on his apron. His shift had just begun, and he mentally prepared himself for the steady stream of customers that would come through the door. It was a routine he had come to appreciate—an escape from the chaos of schoolwork and the uncertainty of his future.

As Yeosang wiped down the counter, the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mixed with the scent of pastries cooling on the display rack. He glanced outside, noting the usual morning rush beginning to stir as commuters headed to work. Among them, a familiar figure appeared, walking with purpose.

Jongho.

Yeosang's heart gave a small, nervous flutter as he watched the man approach. He was a regular, always coming in around the same time each morning, impeccably dressed in tailored suits, exuding an air of quiet authority. Every day, Jongho would order the same thing—a simple black coffee, no sugar, no cream—before heading off to whatever important business awaited him.

Today was no different.

Jongho entered the café with a nod to the barista at the front and made his way to the counter. Yeosang tried not to stare, focusing instead on getting his order ready. It had become almost second nature, knowing exactly what Jongho wanted without needing to ask.

"Your usual?" Yeosang asked, his voice soft, almost timid.

Jongho's eyes flicked up to meet his, and Yeosang felt his face warm slightly. He had never spoken to Jongho beyond taking his order, and yet there was something about the man that captivated him—a quiet confidence that made Yeosang feel both nervous and intrigued.

"Yes, thank you," Jongho replied, his tone as polite as always, but distant.

As Yeosang prepared the coffee, he couldn't help but wonder about the man's life outside these brief encounters. He imagined Jongho in his office, commanding attention with the same calm demeanor he displayed here. There was something almost magnetic about him, even though he never lingered to chat or engage in small talk like other customers.

Yeosang handed over the coffee with a shy smile, and Jongho gave a nod of thanks before heading to the door. Just like every other morning, he disappeared into the bustling city, leaving behind the faint scent of his cologne.

Yeosang sighed, turning back to the counter just as Wooyoung strolled in, his apron slung over his shoulder and a mischievous grin on his face.

"You were staring at him again," Wooyoung teased, sliding next to Yeosang. "You've got it bad, huh?"

Yeosang flushed, shaking his head. "I was not."

"Oh, please." Wooyoung bumped his shoulder playfully. "You've been eyeing him since the day he started coming here. You know, you could just talk to him instead of admiring from afar."

"It's not like that," Yeosang mumbled, though even he knew that was a lie. "He's just a regular."

"Uh-huh, a regular you stare at every single day."

Yeosang rolled his eyes, moving to refill the coffee beans in the grinder. He wasn't about to admit that Wooyoung was right. Jongho was handsome, and there was something about his quiet presence that Yeosang couldn't ignore. But it wasn't like he could just strike up a conversation out of nowhere. Jongho was a customer—nothing more.

"Anyway," Yeosang said, trying to change the subject, "I'm finishing my final semester soon. I've been thinking about applying to some companies after I graduate."

"Oh? Finally leaving the café life, huh?" Wooyoung grinned. "Where are you thinking of applying?"

Yeosang hesitated for a moment. "Actually... I've been looking at a company nearby. The CEO seems like a good guy. It's called J-Tech."

Wooyoung arched an eyebrow. "J-Tech? Isn't that Jongho's company?"

Yeosang felt his face flush again. "Yeah... but it's not because of him. They have a good reputation. I've heard great things."

Wooyoung smirked. "Sure, it's not because of him."

Before Yeosang could respond, the bell chimed again, signaling another customer. Wooyoung gave him a final teasing smile before returning to work, leaving Yeosang to his thoughts.

As the day continued, Yeosang found his mind drifting back to Jongho. He had always admired the man's composure and quiet strength. In his head, he had built up an image of who Jongho was—kind, successful, and a little mysterious. Working for someone like him would be a dream come true.

But dreams, Yeosang reminded himself, didn't always match reality.