That Boy In The Cafรฉ | Jikook
Jungkook Can't Catch A Break II
Just after a few seconds of peace, the manager pops in the cafรฉs and starts frantically looking for something.
Jungkook doesn't quite notice her entry as he was focused on cussing Heena out in his head while preparing the latte.
Manager
I am 200% sure some scallywag took it when I was in the bathroom.
Says the manager while searching for something she lost back from her cabin, about the cafรฉs counter.
Manager
Where the hell did it-...FOUND IT!
She exclaims as she rushes around the counter and bends over to grab a bundle of bills from a plate in the display section where there were muffins displayed before Jungkook took it out.
Manager
You rascal you stole the bills!?
The manager yells not caring much about the fact that there were patrons in front of them enjoying their order, consequently having their heads turn to watch the scene.
Meanwhile Jungkook only notices her presence when she yells. He turns around amid withdrawing the heated muffins from the microwave, with his brows furrowed in confusion.
Manager
You rat! you disgusting thief you stole the bills when I was in the bathroom! look! (shows the bills she drew out from the counter showcase)
Jungkook
What? Why do you think I would do something like that ma'am??
Manager
Simple!! Because I cut down your wages! I knew you were a liability but a thief too? I never thought you were this lowly, boy!
Jungkook
This is absolute bullshit!!! I never stole any bills! I don't even know what you're talking about ma'am! And where did you even find them!!?
Manager
Well, from the showcase!!! (points at the plate)
Jungkook
Wow (chuckles humourlessly) you're saying that I stole your bills and chose the most exposed spot to HIDE IT???
Manager
Do get cheeky with me brat! Of course your absentminded @ss would do that. I KNOW YOU VERY WELL!
Jungkook
I DID NOT DO THAT!!!!
Jungkook yells back, not caring about the patrons having a field day watching the fight take place either. He doesn't care about anything anymore. His self-respect comes first. The responsibility to prove himself innocent comes first. Being wrongly accused of doing something that he absolutely didn't do was what Jungkook hated the most.
Manager
You son of a b!tch...
She says in a subdued voice, with her eyes widened in disbelief.
Manager
You dare talk to your boss like that you insolent brat!!!?
Next thing Jungkook receives is a slap across his face, and a collective sound of "oooohh" from the patrons of cafรฉ who had been watching the whole thing unfold.
His ears ring right after, condensing the outer noise, not only because of the impact of the slap but because it happened in front of everybody, and some of them were regular too, meaning they'd come back again and he'd have to face them after this incident.
He was so lost in thought and dazed by shocked that didn't even realise the manager was shaking him by his collars while yelling at him, questioning his behavior aggressively.
Manager
YOU. ARE. FIRED!!!!
That's it. His ears regained their hearing when she yelled that.
Manager
YOU HEARD ME! YOU ARE FVCKING FIRED!!
And that's when Jungkook processes the whole thing. Did he just get kicked out of the only paying job? The only source of income using which he was paying back the debts? This has got to be a nightmare.
Jungkook
wait...w-wait..hold on..Im-..I'm sorry okay? I didn't mean to-
Manager
PISS. OFF. RIGHT NOW!!!
Jungkook shuts down, realising that no matter how much he requests, even begs, the woman is not going to change her mind. His hands hang loosely on either of his sides as he looks down at the manager, still fuming with rage, with tears welling up in his eyes again.
He blinks away his tears, feeling completely defeated, was just about to take off his apron, when he heard someone.
Heena
Awe...don't you think it's a bit harsh? He's going through it, poor boy. He must be in real need of money, no? Can't you please forgive him for this once?
The manager turns around and sees heena standing with her hands clasped back with a sympathetic look on her face.
Manager
Miss Heena, I know, your dad promoted him for the job, but you see, I don't tolerate such immoral activities like stealing and worse yelling at me like I'm some lowly staff member.
Heena
Ah I understand, that was very very ill-mannered of him, but think about it, he's an orphan, drown in debt, what could he have done? Just let it slide this once, manager.
Manager
(sigh harshly) fine. But only because you interfered Heena, and your dad handles this outlet. Otherwise I would have dragged him out of the cafรฉ by his hair
Heena
oh my god! You're so sweet! Thank you!
Heena
Jungkook baby say thank you to her?
Jungkook was silently listening to the whole conversation before him. He was silent because he lacked any energy to argue anymore. To defend himself and correct Heena, saying that he really didn't steal anything. He just stood motionless.
Jungkook
uh-..yeah..thank you very much..ma'am. (bows slightly)
Manager
Humph. Consider this your last chance, idiot. (storms off)
Jungkook eyes follow the manger until she vanishes with a blank face and teary eyes.
Heena
Cheer up baby it's over! Are you okay?
Jungkook
(looks at heena and nod) yeah..and..thanks..
Jungkook had never imagined there would come a time where he'd express his gratitude towards this girl, but well, here we are
Heena
(waves dismissively) ahaha don't thank me baby (leans closer and speaks in a lowered voice) just make sure you don't disobey me next time..yeah? otherwise I'd go lower than framing you as a thief.
She gives Jungkook a smug smile before turning around to go back to her friends, leaving Jungkook in the worst state of shock, disbelief and...something he hadn't felt in a long time, breakdown of trust and deeply, very deeply hurt. Pain and loss of the hope for a bit of humanity.
He then lowered his head as he placed his hands on the edge of the counter and..chuckled. He started laughing at his own naivety. Did he really, really think Heena wouldn't be this petty? Did he really think that she'd let go of the school incident? That she "gained maturity"? What a fool he was.
Instead of questioning his fate, he started to believe may be he actually deserve it. Of course boy as stupid, trusting as him deserved every whip flogged by life. May be he was really an idiot, an absentminded dumbass, a rat, a disgusting lowly brat.
Maybe he did deserve to get harassed every single day by this girl, exploited by his boss, pressurised by his creditors. Maybe he deserves to get enslaved by these rich fellas, he thought.
He had lost faith in humanity long ago, but this time, he lost faith in himself.
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