NEXT DAY INT- SWEET DREAM PASTRY SHOP
I balanced a tray with three saucers, each holding delicate sweets so pretty they looked ethereal. Just staring at them made me happy. One day, I'll learn to make something like this.
"Thank you so much for waiting, your order is complete" I beamed, setting the plates down. The customers smiled back.
The morning was slow, which meant a tiny break before the rush hours.
Hopefully I can sneak a peek in the kitchen after a few days… but with Ice acting like this, what am I supposed to do? He's keeping his distance! When I say something, he just answers flat and walks away. I mean—hello?? That's not normal Ice behavior. Cold, yes. Grumpy, yes. But this? This is like "I'm a polite stranger who wants nothing to do with you."
Ouch. It's too distant! Waaay too distant!
There he was now, rearranging the display case, moving like a perfect machine. Not even a glance at me.
My chest twisted. How could you!?
Hmph. Fine. This time I won't chase. My pride deserves better. I've always been the first one to apologize, but this time I haven't done anything wrong!
Why did I even start working here?
I really wanted to help Auntie.
Ever since that kitchen disaster… ugh, don't even remind me, my pride still burns like a flambé gone wrong.
Now, standing here, looking around the pastry shop—it really feels like home. Like a little fantasy world, sprinkled with sugar and frosting. Can't help but to imagine myself having a shop like this makes my heart jump.
Auntie said Keace—Ice's little sister—was the genius behind the design, and of course, Ice swooped in to help her. Because obviously, he's perfect at everything. (Hmph. Show-off.)
Honestly though… every time I see Auntie, my heart aches. It makes me miss my mom so much, and I don't even know how to explain that empty, heavy feeling.
And then there's my other personal goal.
Learning more from Ice.
…Ha! What a joke. At this rate, it's not a goal—it's the beginning of a tragic heroine arc. I can already picture it: me, clutching my apron dramatically, whispering, "Sensei… please notice me."
Meanwhile, Ice just keeps polishing the cake stands like I'm invisible. Truly, the cruelest fate in pastry history.
The lunch rush ended, and it was my turn for break. Sitting in the break room, I stared at the free food the shop provided. My eyes sparkled—okay, maybe this was another hidden perk.
But then the door closed behind me.
I turned.
Ice.
For one second, his face showed surprise. Then it vanished, replaced by his usual blank mask. He sat down at the next table without a word.
Oh, so we're doing this? Fine.
I rolled my eyes and ate noisily, pretending he wasn't there.
I can play this game. Fight me, Ice!
I stabbed my fork into the pastry and took a huge bite, chomping like a warrior marching to battle.
But of course, my brain had to betray me.
What if… he never talks to me again?
I chewed harder, stuffing the sadness down my throat along with the cream puff.
And what if… the friendship is really over?!
My eyes stung, my chest swirled with that horrible knot, and—oh no, don't you dare, Fire, don't you dare cry in front of him!
Sniff. Sniff-sniff.
I was seconds away from unleashing a full-on tragic heroine sob scene in the break room when—
Riiiiing—
My phone lit up.
Oh blessed ringtone, my knight in shining armor! Whoever you are, I owe you my life!
"Hello Ace-su!" I answered instantly, stuffing another bite in my mouth. My cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk, tears still wobbling around my nose. Not the most glamorous look, but whatever. Survival mode.
"Roses? I think the yellow ones are cute. You can try lilies too!" I nodded like a professional love consultant, trying very, very hard not to let the tears fall. Multi-tasking at its finest—sniffling, munching, and being Cupid's assistant.
"Yes, yes! That restaurant we ate in the city, I think it will be romantic." I sniffled again, but the tears weren't even flowing anymore.I probably looked horrible.
"You're welcome! Just call me when you need any advice for the gi—"
"Eh?"
SNAP.
I froze mid-sentence, spoon dangling stupidly from my mouth.
Because standing right in front of me, like some ice-cold grim reaper, was Ice himself.
Before I could even react, his hand shot forward, snatching the phone straight from mine. His thumb pressed the screen—click—and Ace's voice was gone.
"NOOOO! Aceeeeeee!" I wailed inside my head, clutching my chest. He was my only alibi! My last lifeline! My anti-crying hotline!
Now I was left with nothing but my snotty sniffles and the terrifying glare of the human iceberg.
"Give me my phone back!"
"No." His voice was low, sharp and scary?
"That's the only thing keeping me happy!" I protested dramatically, though it wasn't entirely a lie. If Ace hadn't called, I might've cried.
Ice muttered a curse under his breath. "Are you stupid?"
Ice's eyes locked on me, sharp and accusing. Like I'd just been caught selling him out to the enemy.
Wait. Wait, wait, wait. Why are YOU hurt?!
I'm the one hurting here!
You were the one avoiding me!
I wanted to shout it right at his perfectly stoic face, but instead I clenched my fists so tightly my knuckles cracked. Don't let it slip. Don't let it spill.
I bit down on my lip, hard, fighting against the sting in my chest. My throat felt heavy, my eyes prickling again.
No. Not here. Not in front of him.
If he saw me cry now, I'd really look like the problem.
"Ice, what are you doing?!" I shouted for the first time at him.
Silence.
The clock ticked louder, filling the suffocating void.
Then—footsteps. He walked closer, shadows hiding his expression until he stopped a meter away.
He held out the phone.
Was he actually… giving it back? Listening to me?
But it felt wrong.
Like he was only listening because I was a stranger.
Ice, as my partner, never listened to me.
I wanted to cry, but I swallowed it down, forcing the tears to sink back into my chest.
All my strength—every ounce of it—I poured into my right hand as I stretched it out to grab the phone.
But then… I froze.
If I took it back, what would it even mean?
His hand on that phone felt like the last straw between us, and if I touched it… maybe everything would really end.
I hesitated, pulling back once… twice… my fingers trembling in the air.
This is why I wanted to scream, right?
Because no matter what I do, guilt always sneaks in.
On my last push, I lunged forward, air catching in my throat as I reached for it—
Thud.
The door slammed. Ice was gone.
With my phone.
Thud.
My knees gave out. I collapsed on the floor, wiping tears I couldn't hold anymore.
Why do I feel relief instead of anger?
Next Chapter:
Patience was never Ice's strong suit—he knew that. But this time, it was stretched too far. He couldn't stand it anymore, couldn't bear hearing her voice break from crying. Her kindness was too yielding, too forgiving… and watching it hurt more than any wound.