Hallway.
11:00 PM.
—
Both doors were open.
On one side, the Park family was saying goodbye.
On the other, the Han family was still talking loudly.
Laughter.
Shoes scattered around.
The smell of food still hanging in the air.
—
DING.
The elevator opened.
Letícia stepped out first.
She stopped when she saw everyone there.
For one second, she froze.
—
Park Hyun-woo narrowed his eyes.
— Weren't you going to get your sweater?
Silence.
Everyone looked at her.
—
Letícia blinked quickly.
— Ah… the sweater…
She laughed awkwardly.
— I thought I left it in your car.
— So I took the key and went down to check.
— But it wasn't there.
—
Hyun-woo kept staring.
— Then why did you take so long?
—
— I…
She got nervous.
— I stopped to buy a soda.
—
Her father crossed his arms.
— And where's the soda?
—
Letícia started sweating instantly.
She smiled nervously.
— I drank it.
— Really fast.
— I was thirsty.
—
Silence.
—
Mari burst out laughing.
— Let the girl breathe, man!
She slapped Hyun-woo on the shoulder.
— An interrogation at eleven at night is too much.
—
Min-ji covered her mouth, laughing.
— You really scare children.
—
— She needs to learn how to answer properly.
Hyun-woo replied seriously.
—
Owen yawned.
— Dad, you act like she was smuggling state secrets.
—
Jin Park laughed.
— Or running away to get married.
—
— Shut up.
Hyun-woo shot back immediately.
—
Seok-jin clapped his hands.
— Well, dinner was great!
— We need to do this more often.
—
Mari nodded.
— Next time at your house.
— And I want better dessert.
—
Min-ji placed a hand on her chest.
— So that's what this was? You only come for the food?
—
— Always have.
Mari answered seriously.
Then she laughed.
—
While everyone was distracted—
Letícia slipped into the house slowly.
She closed the door.
Leaned against it.
Let out a long sigh.
— My God…
—
— You were with Gu, weren't you?
A voice behind her.
—
— AAH!
She jumped in fright.
Turned around.
Owen was standing in the inner hallway, holding an apple.
Calmly taking a bite.
—
— Are you insane?!
—
— Answer me.
—
— Me?
She pointed at herself.
— No.
— Definitely not.
— Who's Gu?
Hehe.
—
Owen narrowed his eyes.
— Lie to me, I like it.
—
Letícia walked past him.
— I'm going to sleep.
— Stop bothering me.
—
She went into her room and slammed the door.
—
Owen kept staring.
Took another bite of the apple.
— My sister, seriously…
—
In the hallway—
The families finally said goodbye.
Doors closing.
Good night from one side.
Good night from the other.
Silence returning to the floor.
—
Han House.
—
Mari walked in excitedly.
— I loved tonight!
In the living room—
Seok-jin was trying to hug Lia.
— My favorite daughter!
— Let go!
Lia pushed him away.
— You say that to all of us!
—
Seo-yeon walked right past them.
— Don't even touch me.
—
Ji-hoon was already heading upstairs with a book.
— Good night.
—
Seok-jin opened his arms, offended.
— No one loves me in this house.
—
Mari took off her shoes.
Looked around.
Stopped.
— Wait a second.
Silence.
—
— Where's Gu?
—
Everyone froze.
—
Lia pointed upstairs.
— I thought he was in his room.
—
Ji-hoon came two steps back down the stairs.
— He didn't pass by me.
—
Mari slowly closed her eyes.
Took a deep breath.
—
— I'm going to kill that brat.
—
Cut.
—
Seoul.
Night.
11:17 PM.
—
Gu Gun wandered aimlessly.
Hands in his pockets.
Hood low over his face.
City lights reflecting on the wet asphalt.
Cars passing.
Neon signs glowing.
People laughing in bars.
—
He kept walking in silence.
Thinking.
Trying to remember.
When was the last time…
he sat at a table as part of a family.
Without tension.
Without blood.
Without running.
—
Nothing came.
Only fragments.
—
Gu lifted his gaze.
A small café.
Lights almost off.
The owner was closing the glass door.
On the glass, a sign:
NOW HIRING
—
Gu approached.
— Are you hiring?
—
The man jumped.
— Damn!
He grabbed his chest.
— Where the hell did you come from?!
—
He had a short beard.
Tall.
Thin.
Early thirties.
Tired eyes, but lively.
—
He looked Gu up and down.
— Interested in the job?
—
— Yes.
—
The man looked at the clock.
Then unlocked the door again.
— Got time right now?
—
— I do.
—
Café.
—
The two sat facing each other.
The man extended his hand.
— My name is Lorenzo Bianchi.
—
Gu shook it.
— Gu Gun.
—
Lorenzo smiled.
— I inherited this café from my father not long ago.
He looked around.
— I'm still learning how to manage all this.
—
He scratched his beard.
— So tell me…
— Why does a kid your age want to work here?
— You still study, right?
— And honestly…
— I'm the only employee.
— It'd be a lot of trouble.
—
Gu answered without emotion.
— It wouldn't.
— I've worked with this before.
— I know how to deal with customers.
—
Lorenzo blinked.
— You know coffee work?
—
Gu went silent for a second.
An almost-smile appeared.
Small.
Distant.
— Yes.
— I was a champion barista once.
—
Lorenzo's eyes widened.
— What?!
— Are you messing with me?
—
— No.
— I won when I lived in Brazil.
—
— You're Brazilian?!
Lorenzo slapped the table.
— That's awesome!
— So you know how to handle a professional machine?
— Because that one still beats me up.
He pointed at the espresso machine.
—
Gu looked at it.
— I know enough.
—
Lorenzo leaned forward.
Excited.
— You'd be a blessing sent by God.
— Or by my father.
— Still deciding.
—
Gu ignored him.
— I can work part-time.
— I study in the morning.
—
Lorenzo thought quickly.
— From 4 PM to 10 PM?
— Six days a week?
—
— Works for me.
—
— Payment…
He picked up his phone.
Did some math.
— 11,000 won an hour.
— And one meal during the shift.
— If you help save my business, I'll raise it later.
—
Gu nodded.
— Deal.
—
Lorenzo stood up immediately.
— Deal?!
— Just like that?!
— Without negotiating anything?!
—
— I need the job.
Gu replied.
—
He stood up.
— I'll be here tomorrow.
— We'll settle the rest later.
—
Gu walked to the door.
Left without looking back.
—
Silence.
—
Lorenzo stood there for two seconds.
Then took a deep breath.
Looked at an old photo behind the counter.
His father smiling beside the newly opened café.
— Thank God, Dad…
— I did it.
— I won't let your dream die.
—
Then he started jumping around by himself.
— I HIRED MY FIRST EMPLOYEE!
He did a ridiculous dance in the middle of the empty café.
— Hahaha!
— I'm saving the business!
—
The coffee machine beeped by itself.
—
Lorenzo pointed at it.
— Shut up, you're next.
—
End.