A Piece of Cake

CHAPTER 1

Min-Jun approached the coffee machine on autopilot to make a new cappuccino. He turned and handed it to the customer, a middle-aged woman who thanked him with a warm smile and left. Min-Jun returned a smile which instantly faded when he saw another customer in line.

Not him again…

“Yo, pretty boy! What’s up?”

Min-Jun tensed and ignored the question.

His gut convulsed as he remembered that this man had followed him two days ago after his shift.

Luckily, he managed to lose him when he got on the bus, but the feeling of unease remained.

Min-Jun's face was stoic; he had to treat this person like any other customer even when he wanted to turn and disappear from his sight.

“Good afternoon. What would you like to order?” The words rolled out of his mouth, but Min-Jun grit his teeth.

“Hey, don’t be so uptight. I’d like to have a little chat with you.” The guy winked and showed his teeth. Min-Jun took a deep breath. “There’s a line behind you, sir. People who would like to order.” To prove his point, Min-Jun glanced at the two ladies who stood behind the man.

“Oh-uh! I don’t think they would mind waiting a little bit,” the customer added, turning to them with a laugh.

Min-Jun clenched his fists but didn’t want to show the growing tension on his face, even when his eye twitched. He added as calmly as he could, “I have no intention of chatting with you, sir. Next.”

“Hey! Why so rude?” The man did not give up. He even looked offended.

Min-Jun put his hands on the counter and leaned forward. “Do you want to order something or not?”

The persistent guy looked Min-Jun up and down, and smirked. “Can I order… You?”

Min-Jun's eyes widened.

That’s enough.

Min-Jun pulled away and turned to the coffee machine. With skilled movements he poured out some water and turned back to face the man. The guy didn’t even have the time to react before the glass of water ran down his face.

The water sputtered all around; the shock and confusion visible on the man’s face. “What the heck!” The customer took a step back, but confusion replaced anger. “Why did you do that?” He looked down on his soaked clothes.

Min-Jun crossed his arms. “Be grateful I didn’t use hot water.”

“Grateful? Are you nuts?” The man glared at him.

Min-Jun turned to his colleague, Mira, who appeared beside him. “What happened, Min?”

“This arsehole soaked me with water!” the guy yelled. Mira only glanced briefly at him, but turned her focus on Min-Jun.

“He deserved it,” Min-Jun said and left the counter.

“I’m calling the manager!” the customer shouted after him.

“Call whoever you want,” Min-Jun muttered under his breath as he entered the back office. He was trembling all over; he was not one of those people who lost control so easily and reacted so rashly. What’s more, it happened to him for the first time and he wasn’t sure what to do with himself.

“What’s going on?” the manager stormed through the hall, almost bumping into him.

Min-Jun barely squeezed past the man and reached the back door. Once outside, he took in a sharp inhale of the fresh autumn air and exhaled shakily. He leaned his back on the cold surface and his heart squeezed.

I can’t take this anymore. I have had enough.

He remained standing in the cold, his body shaking all over until the door opened, and the manager called, “Min-Jun! Into the office.”

The young man took a deep breath and followed the older man back inside. He already knew what was coming.

“What were you thinking?” the manager yelled and threw his hands around, his face red like a tomato.

Min-Jun took a defensive stance, trying his best to stay, or at least appear calm.

“It was his fault. He has already crossed the line many times before. I just couldn’t stand it anymore.

” He gripped the backrest of the chair in front of him and squeezed, his knuckles turning white from the pressure he put into it.

“A customer is a customer!” The manager threw his hands in the air again. “You should handle the situation professionally. Not to soak him with water.”

“He was pressing me to talk to him even when there was a line behind him. I said, I didn’t want to, but he wasn’t giving up.”

“Your personal life is none of my business! You simply can’t treat customers like this. It will ruin my reputation.”

Min-Jun had enough of the nonsense. He might have overreacted, but it was already too much.

“Fine then. I quit.”

“We don’t need employees like you anyway. You’re free to go.” The man slumped in his chair and dismissed Min-Jun with his hand. “And don’t expect a good reference!”

Without a word, Min-Jun turned and left. He knew his worth. And when an employer does not value his employees, he has nothing to look for there. After he packed his things and changed out of his uniform, he stormed out of the room, almost colliding with Mira in the hallway.

“Where are you going?” the middle-aged woman asked wide-eyed.

“I’m going home. I quit.”

“What?”

Min-Jun only shook his head.

“I’m sorry to hear that. But after this, I suspected he might fire you.”

Min-Jun smiled. “I didn’t give him the chance. I quit first.”

“It shouldn’t have ended like this…” She shook her head.

“Honestly, I don’t care. I’ll just find another job.” Min-Jun shrugged even when he doubted it would be that simple.

“It’s easy for you. You’re still young.” Mira smiled. She was already in her forties and had two young kids to take care of, and Min-Jun knew she couldn’t afford to lose her job just like that.

“Thanks for all your support.” Min-Jun squeezed her hands and they parted.

He headed straight to the exit and when he found himself outside, he turned to look at the coffee shop one last time before walking down the busy street.

As he distanced himself from his former workplace, he felt lighter.

But doubts soon began to cloud his mind.

Did I overreact? Would I be able to find a better job?

***

Min-Jun feared he would be forced to return to Korea. He knew that if he didn’t find a new job soon, he would not be able to pay his rent. And he was already a month late with the payment. Min-Jun wasn’t one to give up easily; he was determined to find a decent job in no time. But still…

He had come to England with the goal of creating a better life for himself.

He put this challenge on his life’s path, especially when he became aware of his sexuality.

His father stopped talking to him when he came out, and it was impossible to live under the same roof.

Min-Jun wanted to distance himself from everyone, and to live on the other side of the planet.

He hoped to find his place under the sun, and his romantic side also craved to find that one special person.

Min-Jun arrived at his rented one-room apartment.

With a grumbling stomach, he dropped his phone and his wallet on the table, washed his hands, and headed for the fridge.

Three eggs, a bottle of ketchup, and butter.

He knew there weren’t any leftovers but wanted to check just in case.

He closed it and turned to the cupboard and grabbed a bag of instant noodles.

His chest felt heavy as he replayed the scenes in his head.

He bit the inside of his cheek when tears gathered in the corners of his eyes.

He clenched his fists and whispered to himself: It will be alright.

This is not a definite failure. I will find a new job, and I’ll be able to pay the rent and continue my studies.

He put the noodles in a bowl and poured hot water.

While it soaked, Min-Jun slumped in the chair with a sigh.

Every day was exhausting, all that pretending in front of customers forced smiling, polite behavior when not everyone always behaved politely in return.

He remembered how some of the customers were on their phone, acting like he was a machine, or some other customers yelling at him when they didn’t like their coffee.

Min-Jun shuddered at these thoughts and wished he could send these individuals straight to hell.

But now, that was all behind him. He should feel relieved, but it dawned on him though that he might end up in an even worse place.

On his face a frown appeared.

I will have to be pickier and look for a job that will not require me to work with a lot of people. But can I find this kind of job?

He was still not experienced enough to work in an office, and he was aware that his chances were slim since he was a foreigner. Plus, he studied, so he couldn’t work full time.

He glanced at his closed laptop, knowing he should look up the job offers.

I can do it later.

He began eating his chicken-flavored noodles when he heard the doorbell. His shoulders tensed, and he got up.

It’s probably him. He usually comes at this time of day.

Looking through a peephole, Min-Jun took a deep breath and answered the door.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Hook.”

A tall gray-haired man with a face wrinkled like an old potato spoke, “You didn’t pay your rent.”

“I know, Mr. Hook. I’ve sent you a message explaining the situation…”

“I need the money by the end of the month.” The man cut him off; his voice was monotone but firm.

“What?” Min-Jun’s eyes went wide. “But I–”

“I don’t care. I warned you about this. No excuses.” With this the older man turned and left. Min-Jun stared now at the empty hallway, and it took him a moment before he retreated back inside.

***

Aidan sat at the table, looked at the gardens spreading in front of him, and took a sip of steaming hot liquid. Immersed in his thoughts, he heard familiar footsteps approaching him from behind.

“Aidan…”

“Elena?”

The woman stopped beside the table, and spoke, “You

fired our new maids again.”

“Oh!” Aidan raised his eyebrows and nodded. He put his tea back on the table and looked up at the middle-aged woman. “The statues from grandfather’s room were missing and I found them stacked up in the maid’s room. Beside the paper bags.”