20 Shelter

So much pressure in such little time, and all because she spoke without thinking. While she pressed her lips together in complete embarrassment, the man softly chuckled and looked away. During then, the waiter came up with their order, 2 iced caramel lattes with an extra espresso shot, whipped cream and chocolate syrup, along with blueberry pancakes and raspberry cheesecakes.

Haneul looked up at Yeom Tae as the waiter placed their order down on the table, bowed down politely and walked away.

"Is this your usual?" Haneul asked, still blushing as she tried to shift the topic.

"Mhm." Yeom Tae nodded. "What about you?"

"I usually get Matcha tea." Haneul said, "Alongside chocolate muffins." She added. "This is the first time I'm trying this combination."

"That's good." Yeom Tae smiled. "You're gonna like it."

Haneul cleared her throat before grabbing the glass of the iced caramel latte. She swirled the straw inside the glass before sipping the drink. It was sweet and salty, a little bitter, creamy, fluffy and the chocolate syrup only added to the flavor.

The raspberry cheesecake was a special delicacy, there was no way she would've disliked it. The blueberry pancakes were soft and fruity. It was an enjoyable supper after all. Yeom Tae seemed to understand her palette, or he had the same.

"It's really good." Haneul said, sipping the last bits of the iced caramel latte. "I'll be getting this combo often."

"I'm glad you liked it." Yeom Tae smiled. "Next time, let's try yours."

Haneul's pick was rather simple, easy to eat and get back to work. It was understandable because she was such an occupied person. Her meals were small, compact but enjoyable. However, she didn't mind huge meals either. She was the type to try everything on the menu. Though she hadn't had the time to try this café thoroughly, Yeom Tae provided a starting push.

Haneul smiled and nodded as she forgot their conversation earlier for a second. His company was nice. Even with different words out of her mouth that became an embarrassment for her, the man always shifted her thoughts away. He was too good a man to reject but her career was too perfect to neglect.

A subtle sound appeared slowly, accompanied by the strong wind, there was a shower of raindrops striking down on the ground slowly. It instantly caught their attention. The already grim and dark café interior darkened even further. It became cozier and somehow, even better. The sound of the rain was pleasant already, the scent made it even better.

The windows around them were opened just so the cold summer breeze could be enjoyed. The waiter was very nice and asked them beforehand if they would be alright with the windows opened. The two were both surprisingly admirers of nature, so why not?

"I like snow more than rain, what about you?" Yeom Tae asked.

"I like the sun more than the two." Haneul said. "But the rain and the snow are a comfort on their own too."

"Why does the sun win though?" Yeom Tae inquired, letting his chin rest on the palm of his hand.

"It cures more than it harms." Haneul said, "But the real peace is inside the rain." She added. "I like to believe that everything happens for a reason so…"

Yeom Tae nodded, he seemed to respect her opinions, extremely nerdy and extremely poetic. But it was alright. Even Haneul wondered how she was tolerated. She was such a boring person according to herself.

"Haneul," Yeom Tae slowly said, his voice being shadowed by the fastening raindrops, showering immensely now.

"Hmm?" Haneul murmured, her eyes outside, looking at the rain.

"There's something I have to tell you." Yeom Tae said, catching her attention.

Haneul turned her head around to look at him in curiosity. She raised an eyebrow, wondering what it could be

"I'm…" He hesitated, cleared his throat and shrugged his shoulders slightly. "I'm-"

Ring! Ring!

A generic cell phone tone interrupted him, Haneul's phone rang out of nowhere. She quickly opened the small, black handbag with a golden chain, pulling her phone out and receiving the call.

Yeom Tae cleared his throat, blinked and looked at her in anticipation. Though he wasn't the type to meddle in someone's affairs, he was really curious about the phone call which interrupted his little climax.

The expression on Haneul's face changed from calm to tense as she stood up abruptly, startling the man and causing him to stand up as well.

"Where?!" She asked, her voice full of concern. "How?!"

Then she cut the call right away and started to look at the map where her friends' live locations had been shared. She couldn't believe she forgot about keeping an eye on them.

"Yeom Tae." Haneul looked at him, "I would have to leave," She said as she abruptly tried to grab her handbag but its chain got stuck inside the small space between the foamed chair's foam and wood.

She sighed deeply, trying to pull it out abruptly.

"Haneul, Haneul, Haneul," Yeom Tae called her to calm her down. "Calm down and tell me what's going on."

"My friends crashed their car, I have to go right now." Haneul said, her attention completely on the stuck chain.

Yeom Tae reached for the chain she had been pulling. He pulled it away from her so it came loose from the space and fell out of it. Haneul was clearly panicking.

"I'll accompany you, yes?" Yeom Tae said in a calming voice while handing the chain to her.

She almost stumbled but nodded. Yeom Tae quickly paid the bill to the café and walked out of the café with Haneul. It was raining heavily. Just before they walked down the steps to go outside to the chain, the waiter ran towards them with an umbrella in his hands.

"Drive safe!" He said politely, offering them a small shelter.

"Thank you." Yeom Tae bowed to him and opened the umbrella.

He put it over Haneul as they walked towards the car.