Four

"It's now or never," I say to myself while pushing inside the old wooden door. The smell of alcohol mixed with female perfume hits my nose. Nothing unusual for a place such as this. But none of that mattered. Starting today, this will be my first workplace. I walked by a few drunk customers, doing my best to avoid eye contact with them. The last thing I want right now is to get in a fight with one of them and arrange myself a trip home without even getting to stand behind the counter. I had to keep to job to help my family. And, of course, to see him.

Behind the counter was the same girl from yesterday. She greeted me with a smile before disappearing in the crowd of people. On a small chair next to the refrigerator I found a black apron, probably left for me to use once I arrive. Putting it on, I unbuttoned my sleeves pulling them all the way up to my elbows. 

"Waiter!" a voice shouted right behind my back. "I guess it's time to start working," I reminded myself before turning around to take orders.

Time passed by quickly having something to focus all your attention on. Before I even knew it, it was already time for my first break. It wasn't a long one, but having fifteen minutes to catch my breath and drink something surely felt nice. While sitting on one of the chairs in the back of the bar, I noticed that most of the waiters here were girls. It made me a bit uncomfortable now that I've realized that I'm the only male employee here.

"Get yourself together Jimin! Something like that shouldn't matter." I scolded myself mentally while taking out my notebook to finish the assignment for Ms. Sung's class. If I don't finish it now, then I'll fail history for sure. I won't have that much free time when I get home like before. And like that, each other break went by with me revising or completing assignments.

Day went by quickly and it was already time for me to go home. Today, he didn't come by. I was looking forward so much to meeting him again, but he did not show up. I packed up my things, said goodbye to everyone, and made my way home.

"Why do you torture me this way? You made me go crazy for you and now you're nowhere to be seen. This game isn't fair at all." with a heavy sigh, I kept complaining although no one was there to hear me out.

The next day went by the same as previous one. Nothing special happened even on the day after that. Day by day kept passing, but my mysterious peppermint never showed himself. Eventually, I gave up on waiting for him.

I closed my book and placed it on the table in the backroom of the bar. Looking at my wristwatch, I noticed that my break time will be over in a few minutes. I packed my things and went to help out Alice before she overworks herself again.

Entering the bar, I scan the place with my eyes, looking for her in the crowd. Today, there weren't that many customers as usual. Seems that the rain outside stopped them from coming here.

"Waiter!" a black-haired guy waved at me, signaling that he was waiting for someone to take his order. I made my way over to him, taking the small notebook from the pocket of my apron, ready to write down whatever he wanted to have.

"Vodka," he said and I nodded. "Also, add up some ice to it," he added, lifting his head, having our eyes meet. At that moment, I realized who these eyes belonged to. It was him. My peppermint, but with back hair this time. He must have dyed it. Regardless, he still looks stunning.

God knows how long have I been staring at him before he coughed to get my attention. I apologized and rushed back behind the counter. I took my phone out of the pocket and dialed Jungkooks' number. It didn't take him more than 3 seconds to pick it up. "Kookie he's here! What do I do?" I panicked.

"What do you mean he's here? Who's here?" asked Jungkook, his voice grumpy as if he just woke up.

"Peppermint Jungkook. Peppermint is here."

"Oh, him. Why are you asking me what to do? Weren't you waiting for him all this time?"

"I was but I never thought about what should I do if I really encountered him again."

"There isn't much to think about Jimin. Just tell him how you feel."

"Jungkook are you out of your mind! I can't tell him that. He will think that I am a weirdo."

"Isn't that what you actually are?"

"Jungkook!" I whisper shouted at him, now feeling like crying since he isn't helping at all.

"Alright, alright. Just be normal. Ask him for his number or something."

"As if that's easy Kook. You know h-"

"What are you doing over there?" a deep voice interrupted me. I quickly ended the call and shoved my phone back in the pocket. I turned around and a pair or brown orbs were starring at me. "What's taking you so long to bring me my drink?" he asked, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "Could it be that you forgot what I order?" he asked jokingly.

"No, no. I'll bring it right away. Just give me a moment." I mumbled, feeling my whole face turning red. I opened my notebook only to be greeted with an empty paper. Damn, I forgot to write down his order. What was it again?

"Ohh, it's you. The orange-haired guy. How are you now? Are you still scared?" he asked making me turn redder. Why would he suddenly remember that?

I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. My hands started shaking and I was no longer able to feel them. Like there was no blood going through them. My heart started beating faster and louder making me feel like everyone around me was able to hear it.

"Cat got your tongue?" he chuckled once again before extending his hand to me. "Suga..."

I stared at him, my mouth opened, eyes blinking, brain trying to process what was going on.  I blinked a few times before taking his hand for a handshake. Surprisingly, they were cold but gentle.

"Ji-mon... Ji in I think.." I took a deep breath, closed my eyes for a moment before speaking up again. "Jimin. Park Jimin. You have an unusual name Suga... Is that your real name?" he let go of my hand, moving his gaze to the bottles of wine that were placed on the shelve against the wall.

"No. That's my artistic name."

"So, what's y-your real n-name?"

"That's none of your business."

I nodded my head, swallowing down the ball that got stuck in my throat. Wait! His order! I forgot about it again. What did he order? Tequila? Vodka? Shit... I'll give him both and hope it's one of these. I filled up both glasses and placed them down in front of him.

"I only asked for vodka" he replied, smirking.

"Eh... It's on the house." I felt my ears going all red again and I wanted the earth to open up and suck me in.

"Then I shouldn't drink alone. Wanna join me?" he asked pointing at tequila.

"I don't dri.. I mean, sure." I smiled and sat on a chair next to him.

He drank his drink in one go and then looked at me. I swallowed hard and started panicking. What now? I never drunk any alcohol before. Not to mention that I'm not of the age to be able to do it.

"Are you alright? Something wrong?"

"N-no... Everything's fine." his eyes are so cold. Emotionless... Like a deep dark ocean, trying to swallow me up. But I feel like there's some light at the bottom of that ocean. I just need to be brave enough and keep diving until the end.

Suddenly, I saw a glimpse of light in them. It was only for a moment, but I was able to catch it. Is that happiness...? Or was it because he smiled. Oh my God... That smile-... It's so beautiful.

"You have something on your cheek," he said, but I felt like I didn't hear him. He came closer and I stared at him in shock. Using his thumb, he traced my cheek which made my heart stop beating.

"It's from a pencil. It won't go away that easily."

I shook my head a bit before hurriedly cleaning the pen line on my cheek. He just smiled at me.

"So... Jimin, will you take your drink?"  he asks and I looked at my glass.

"Waiter!" someone yelled from the crowd and for the first time, I was glad that the actually called for me. 

"Maybe some other time! See ya!" I stood up, bowed politely to him, and left to continue with my work.

My heart is going to explode. What just happened?!  Someone, please take me to the hospital!!! This was the best 6 minutes of my life! I took a deep breath and tried to continue with my work but it didn't go the best. I wasn't able to focus at all.

"Waiter!!" once again, I looked at the man that was still waiting and trying his best to get my attention.

Shit!