"Lies”.

"So, when are you both going to start filling cups and refilling the desserts?" The manager said, scaring both Carmella and Ha-Yun in the process, "oh s-sir! Didn't see you there! Better get back to work!" Ha-Yun blabbered as she clumsily ran off to start working, Carmella greeted the manager but when she tried to walk off, "Ha-Young, can I ask you a favor?" Asked the manager, he looked sheepish with him scratching the back of his hair and glasses almost to the point of falling.

Although sir Ha-Joon was leaning on being Alpha with his muscular structure of his body giving him an intimidating appearance and being born from a wealthy family from Romania; Ha-Joon is actually quite gentle, sweet, and a bit of a flirt towards the women and men — one of the reasons on why his business was always booming with customers — the only reason why Carmella has this job was due to her little brother — Name: Choi Kyong, who suggested Carmella to work at his boyfriend's cafe —

"Sure, why?"

"Uh, um, well. My little brother finally contacted me! And he's coming here, he's back from Romania, he's going to spend a few months here so I need you to make sure that you find a private place. I need to discuss some matters with him, okay?" Ha-Joon's face beaming with thrill and excitement, Carmella literally thought she was with a 5 year old who's showing off an item he picked up from a beach.

"Wait Sunbae, you have a brother? WHEN-?" Carmella stopped herself from exclaiming more words out of her mouth, 'why did he mention this only now?! WAIT, does Kyong know about this??' Questions were spiralling around her head as she couldn't believe what Ha-Joon had just told her. Sure, he didn't enjoy talking about his parents but why couldn't he at least just mention his little brother to either Kyong or her?

Carmella took her boss to the staff room as no one was there yet, even though she was happy and also excited, she felt somewhat angry, worried, yet she brushed over those feelings for Ha-Joon to finish his reason; "Okay, firsts' thing first; you know why I'm not comfortable with my parents but my lil' bro just finally contacted me!"

"Have you told this to Kyong, Sunbae?" The wavy-champagne blond would be at ease knowing that this classic red wasn't keeping secrets from her baby brother.

"Yeah, I did, same reaction as you but a lot more calmer than you-" Ha-Joon laughed a bit.

"Eh?" Irritation was rising up on Carmella's system, "how did he react?" She questioned, raising an eyebrow, no way that her baby brother wouldn't be as shocked as her!

"Well, even though he was as shocked as you, he was more happy I guess."

Carmella gave him a blank stare at Ha-Joon — what a great bruh moment.

"Uh huh, anyways, when's he coming?" She asked him, asking more would just make the classic redhead simp just talk about boyfriend — which she doesn't mind knowing her baby bro being appreciated: telling her that he's all cute and shit but at some point Carmella's single-ass just feels irritated at this point — "He'll came at maybe 2:30 PM or 2:01 PM. He said he has an interview with some people on TV."

"Name?"

No response.

"Sunbae? What's his name?" Her voice sounded confused on why Redhead couldn't answer a simple question from Carmella.

"You'll see him anyways, he'll be wearing a mask." Carmella couldn't understand what Ha-Joon meant, sure, about the mask part was required due to the Covid-19, yeah, there's rules about the inside entrance one of the cafe, security will check the customer (only 4 people can be inside due to social distancing) saying "Please wear your mask, use our hand sanitizer, and apply gloves so that no germs won't be spread onto the food."

How would she know that person right away when every person would be wearing a mask?

"Ha-Young, could you come here? I need you" Ha-Young called. Carmella and Ha-Joon turned at the voice. "Coming!" Carmella cried.

Well, shit, now's not the time to be interrogating her boss, it's time to work.

Carmella and Ha-Yun weren't the only ones who were working, there were 3 co-workers who came in late or afternoon shift which was at 1:30 PM sharp. The day was going as usual, customers ordering: "1 large Iced-tea", "An Iced latte", "3 Macchiato, Café Latte, Cappuccino". To "Flat White, Dalgona, Mochaccino and Espresso" etc. Overall the atmosphere was chaotic but heart-warming. There were some rude customers but nothing like Carmella can't handle!

"So where's the person at?" She whispered, "He'll be here by a minute, by the way you can call me, sir Ha-Joon, right?" He said calmly. Carmella was new to this job as she'd been working only for 8 months, but she would get used to it.

Carmella finished finding a place for her manager's "private" meeting, though she wouldn't mind also having a chit-chat with her friend too there, the place was a small garden, where small flowers would grow like Roses, Azaleas, Calla Lilies, Celosia, Chamomile, Chrysanthemums, Daffodils, Daisies, Dahlias, etcetera.

— Carmella couldn't lie if she didn't want to take a picture, send it to her family or post it in her instagram — It was at the back of the cafe, something which co-workers could have access to for their breaks but it wasn't used often. Since Sir Ha-Joon hated with all his guts anyone who left their cigarette, tissues, or plastic bags thrown in his garden, in his petite-magnificent flowers. Seemed like he was a clean-freak. But he wouldn't confront that person in public, that would be too much of a hussle, it would be more of a "friendly-talk with them".

A few seconds passed, that turned to minutes and to hours, "you sure he'll come, sir Ha-Joon?" Carmella wondered as she closed her eyes and day dreamed, who was that person, what did he look like? Would he be the same as her manager?

As those questions circled around her head, the doorbell rang, "hello, welcome to The Bird's Nest, what would you like to orde-" Carmella was interrupted by a woman's voice, it sounded familiar; "I apologize, but is there anyone in the name of 'Kim Ha-Joon Victor'?" Carmella opened her eyes to see the same person on the TV. Her eyes widened as she tried not to let her jaw drop and let her position be spoiled.