Cinderella - Angel JJ [chapter 2]

Chapter 2

“One black coffee...sir...enjoy.”

“Thank you...”

They both smiled. Angel sat down and sipped on her own orange juice while observing Min woo. He sipped his coffee and gave her the thumbs up sign. Two years ago, he had stepped into Angel’s café and also stepped into a brand new world. He was wrapt over her coffee making skills and complimented her which progressed to them talking and becoming friends. Every single day at 4.30pm min woo would step into the café and search for her familiar face. She would have cleared up most of the tables and sat down waiting for him. Maybe it was coincidence but every day at 4.30 the café would become deserted or had just a couple of people coming and going which left min woo and Angel by themselves for at least half an hour. It was surprising how their friendship had grown and Angel was now amongst the minority of people who could chat with min woo. He was still as distant as ever but she understood him, more than he would have expected. He still expressed himself in less than five words most of the time but somehow, they both felt comfortable and at ease with each other which was the reason why they became good friends in the first place. Min woo felt she could sense his emotions and feelings without his need to express them to her directly and this led to him wanting to share everything with her. Sometimes when he felt particularly down, just sitting in silence in front of Angel made him feel better.

Angel had always been there for him through these two years, even when she went back to America to finish off her last semester in university, they still kept in touch. He was the reason why she was still here and the reason why the café was still here. Her plans for after uni was to stay in America and find a steady job, with her education levels a richly paid job wasn’t hard, but that was all before she had met him. Angel figured she could always find a job when she really needed it, the café was bringing in enough for her to not live on the streets and she could see him every day, that was all she needed right now. Maybe it was habit or maybe a part of her relied on him, she didn’t know.

“So did soo jin like the present?”

“Loved it, as always.”

Soo jin was min woo’s sister, but they weren’t blood related. Kim soo jin was the daughter of min woo’s father’s friend. Her parents had died in a car crash when she was five and so min woo’s father felt responsible for her and brought her into the family. Min woo instantly fell in love with the small and innocent looking girl when he laid eyes on her. Her big eyes, long black hair...she was the sweetest thing to him. Min woo cherished her and took care of her, only she had ever had the privilege in seeing him smile or laugh freely. He loved her, it was love at first sight, and in the back of his mind he was always waiting for her to grow up. He expected they would get married when she was old enough, his father was very happy with soo jin too. She had grown up to be a charming girl, with perfect features and her naïve personality, no one could resist wanting to protect her. Soo jin was the 16 year old girl that Angel had picked out a present for two years ago and just the other day, Angel had gone out of her way to purchase her 19th birthday present with min woo. It seemed almost like a routine, picking out soo jin’s present for min woo. He relied on her to pick out the perfect gift, every time. She did, she always picked out the perfect present. She had met soo jin not long after becoming friends with min woo. Min woo introduced her to soo jin and wanted her nod of approval in a sense. Angel loved the dongseng she had met two years ago, she was so delightful and attractive Angel understood immediately the reasons behind min woo’s affection for the girl. Who wouldn’t love her? Even Angel thought she was the perfect girl. Soo jin grew to rely on her Angel unnie after meeting her and looked up to her for everything. Angel was everything she wanted to be and whatever troubles soo jin faced, she was sure Angel could find a way to solve them. Two years flew past and things were the same. Angel would always be there for min woo and soo jin without a word of regret, she didn’t even realise she was being taken for granted, or she didn’t want to admit it.

“You always pick out the best presents for soo jin. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it...”

....I know her so well....and it is because of you.

Angel looked down while taking another drink from her glass.

“It’s soo jin’s graduation next week and I’m planning to throw her a big party, do you think you can make it?”

“Did you want me to choose a present for her?”

“Really? That would be great...I wanted to choose something myself this time but I want everything to be perfect and I know she’d be much happier if you chose it for her.”

Angel stared into his smiling face, only the words soo jin could ever light up his face like that. She envied soo jin in some ways, like now when min woo smiled. Angel always wished she could see him smile and laugh but that privilege was only reserved for his soo jin. Only soo jin.

“No problem...oh look at the time, don’t you have to go back to the office?”

Min woo glanced at his watch and saw it was 5 already so he stood up and picked up his suit jacket from behind. Angel also stood up and walked him to the exit, wanting to be there when his back disappears into the crowds of people.

“So it’s set right? Next week?”

“Of course.”

Angel smiled and ushered him outside. Smiling, she waved him goodbye ad turned back to inside the café. Immediately, her smile vanished and a pained expression replaced.

It’s always been like this...why are you letting it affect you still....why...can’t you let go of him....why.......I wish I knew...I really do...