Work Text:
1.
"Morning Mr. Tak," Cha-young smiled brightly as she entered The Best Laundromat. "I'm here to pick up Mr. Cassano's work suits."
It was Monday morning, and Vincenzo had complained to her the night before that Mr. Tak never had his clothes ready on time and it was always a hassle to get proper service.
"I'll take care of that," Cha-young had said crisply.
"Well..." Mr. Tak hedged, rubbing the back of his neck. "That is to say-"
"This is the Best Laundromat, is it not?" Cha-young placed her hands in the pocket of her pants suit, looking around. "Where your customer Vincenzo Cassano had already dropped his clothes off-" She pretended to think. "-over 48 hours ago, before 5 pm, excluding the weekend?"
"Er...well, yes but-"
"He has Court this afternoon. I'd suggest getting Mr. Cassano's clothes ready." Cha-young bared her teeth as she smiled.
"But I-" Mr. Tak gestured to the pile of clothes he had waiting.
"False advertising carries a penalty of five million won," Cha-young interrupted, relishing the fight. She wanted him to challenge her so she could negotiate free dry cleaning for Vincenzo for as long as he stayed at Geumga Plaza. Maybe it would entice him to stay.
"Fine, you got it," Mr. Tak grumbled. "Your boyfriend's lucky he has you."
Cha-young blushed, tucking her hair behind her ear. "He's not my boyfriend-"
"My own wife wouldn't do what you did," Mr. Tak said. "There's something between you and that foreigner, mark my words-"
Cha-young coughed and offered to pay for Vincenzo's dry cleaning to change to subject.
Mr. Tak snorted. As if Vincenzo would let him live if he took money from Hong Cha-young.
2.
She walked briskly from the laundromat with Vincenzo's dry-cleaning in tow, proud of herself for getting it accomplished.
"Ms. Hong!"
Cha-young stopped. It was Chef Toto, the owner of the Italian restaurant that Vincenzo never wanted to eat from despite being Korean Italian.
"Hello," Cha-young smiled. "How are you?"
"Please, Ms. Hong," Chef Toto pleaded. "Give me a hint about what type of food that Mr. Cassano likes." He rubbed his hands together.
Cha-young paused as she thought about her partner. "Definitely not spicy. Not too sweet. Balanced just right. And authentic."
"Authentic?" Chef Toto's eyes widened, thinking about how he faked his culinary experience.
"Yep," Cha-young nodded. "As long as you're genuine, he'll be appreciative."
"His girlfriend would know." Mr. An, Chef Toto's assistant suddenly appeared, and Cha-young jumped.
"Aish! Don't scare me like that," she exclaimed. "And Mr. Cassano and I simply work partners."
Chef Toto and Mr. Ahn exchanged confused glances and Cha-young used the opportunity to take off.
After all, Vincenzo was waiting on her.
3.
"It's about time," Vincenzo scolded when he opened his apartment door for Cha-young.
"A thank you would be nice," she scrunched her nose at him. "I got delayed explaining to everyone that I'm not your girlfriend."
"Why would anyone think that?" he asked gruffly, taking the dry cleaning from her. " And thank you. Grazie." He'd been making it a point to speak little Italian phrases in context with Korean after she'd complained about not understanding the language he grew up with.
"Maybe because I'm getting your dry cleaning, and facing off with old shopkeepers on your behalf?" she glowered, taking her shoes off and stepping into the new pair of house slippers that he'd bought for her.
"That doesn't mean we're dating." Vincenzo suddenly became busy inspecting the clothes she'd brought. "Mr. Tak did a good job this time."
He looked up at Cha-young, his face becoming soft, his mouth curving upward in a small smile and Cha-young almost forgot how to breathe. Tears pricked at the back of her eyes because she was completely and irrevocably in love with this man and he didn't even know that he owned her heart.
"Do you want to get some coffee?" She hoped she sounded casual and not like she was asking him out on a date.
"No grazie," he replied. "I have the Kim deposition this afternoon and I want to read up some more."
The rejection stung, but Cha-young had a sudden moment of clarity. She was understanding that Vincenzo was too scared to move forward in a relationship, but he was perfectly fine allowing her to act in the role of a girlfriend. He was having his cake and eating too; he had her but without a confession and commitment. The unfairness of it all burned.
"See you at the office, Mr. Cassano," she said bitterly. "Arrivederci."
"You sound upset, are you okay?" Vincenzo wasn't even finished with the sentence when she slammed out the door.
He was too perturbed about their quarrel to be happy that she'd bid him goodbye in Italian.
4.
"Double espresso and an Iced Americano, double sugar?" the pretty barista smiled at Vincenzo. She was used to his order and seeing him was the highlight of her morning.
Vincenzo nodded. "Please add a slice of cheesecake. The salted caramel one." It was Cha-young's favorite. He wanted to introduce Cha-young to tiramisu, but he hadn't found a Korean cafe that served a good one.
"You're such a thoughtful boyfriend," she gushed, ringing up the order.
"We're work colleagues," Vincenzo clarified, as he gave her his bank card.
"In that case, can I give you my number?" the barista smiled coquettishly as she swiped his card, and handed him the receipt.
Vincenzo blinked, taken aback. "Absolutely not." He plucked his card and receipt from her hands, making sure there was no physical contact. "Don't ever bring that up again." He waved her off as she stammered apologies.
The audacity of that girl, he fumed as he waited for his order. As if he'd want anyone besides Cha-young at his side.
5.
Vincenzo always needed to see Cha-young before going to Court; she centered and grounded him. He was wearing an outfit that she'd complimented before, monochromatic grey with C cufflinks. She'd told him that it was stylish yet conservative just like him which made it perfect, and his heart had fluttered at her noticing how he dressed.
He walked over to Cha-young's desk with a spring in his step, only to stop on his tracks.
Cha-young was at her desk laughing with Jeon Soo-nam, the tall gangster who was the second in command to Park Seok-do at Ant Management and was now Seok-do's assistant at Bye-Bye Balloon.
Vincenzo scowled. Did he have to dangle this punk out of a window too just like he'd done his boss?
"Ms. Hong, is this gentleman bothering you?" Vincenzo glowered.
"We're good," Cha-young smiled warmly, but not looking at him. She was still looking up at that thug in the ridiculous sweatshirt with hot air balloons on it.
"Cha-young and I were just making plans for after work," Soo Nam smirked. "We have a date."
Vincenzo was so shocked he almost dropped Cha-young's coffee. The first time he'd met Cha-young, Jeon Soo-nam was harassing her in the Geumga Plaza's hallway, and now she was chatting him up?
"Ms. Hong. This is for you." Vincenzo inclined his head and deposited her coffee and cake at her desk, and then immediately left. No need to stay where he wasn't welcome.
"A date? With that punk?" he muttered as he exited Jipuragi.
Whatever. It was Cha-young's life.
If she wanted to fuck it up with some wannabe gangster, that was her problem.
1.
Vincenzo had a horrible time in court.
He was rude to the judge, and the only thing that saved him from being held in contempt of court was that he'd only just gotten his license to practice law in Korea.
When he left, the urge to light a cigarette was strong, but he resisted it. He hated being beholden to anything, which is why he'd quit cold turkey, and also why he'd never take things further with Cha-young.
Wait, what?
"Sono un idiota," he chastised himself. He was an idiot.
He was head over heels for Cha-young which was precisely why they needed to remain friends. He couldn't risk being vulnerable to someone who could leave him.
Sure, she'd proved herself time and again, but she was everything he was not. Funny, outgoing, carefree. Able to strike up a conversation with anyone and make friends, but would kill if need be. He could lose himself in a person like that, who made him feel special and wanted and loved.
She was too dangerous.
By the time that he got back to Jipuragi, Mr. Nam and Cha-young had left.
Vincenzo's heart ached and his anger flared to cover the hurt. How could she leave without seeing him? They always met after court appearances. Pulling out his phone he dialed her number from speed dial.
"I'm getting ready for my date," she said, answering her phone, sounding distracted. "See you tomorrow." And she had the gall to hang up as if he was some annoying telemarketer.
Narrowing his eyes, he glanced at his watch. He wanted to watch opera when he got home and needed to stop at the wine store near her house.
Hopefully, she wouldn't mind if he stopped since he'd be in the neighborhood.
Hong Cha-young's house
"Mr. Cassano?" Cha-young opened the door with a questioning look. "Is everything okay?" She beckoned him into the house, but Vincenzo was too shocked to move.
No, he was not fucking okay.
Cha-young was wearing a short black dress that hugged her curves with a plunging neckline that showed off her cleavage and it was entirely too short for winter. Was she trying to date or get pneumonia? He grudgingly took off his work shoes then followed her into the house.
"Do you want something to drink?" she offered, her long hair bouncing as she walked into the kitchen.
That's when Vincenzo noticed her hair was different. It was bone straight and shiny, setting off her makeup and full red lips. She was always beautiful to him but right now she looked downright sexy.
"You came just in time. I was about to head out," she said, reaching up in a cupboard to get a glass. Her hemline crept upward and Vincenzo inhaled at the exposed flesh of her stocking-clad thighs. Retrieving two glasses, she made her way to the pitcher of water on the counter and began pouring.
"You're going on a date? Dressed like that?" He hoped he sounded casual.
"Do you think Soo-nam will like it?" she asked innocently, handing him the glass of water.
Vincenzo's heart started beating double-time as he noticed the mischief sparkling in her eyes. Was she teasing him? They always skirted around the thing that was between them, covering it up with casual touches, and lingering glances, and an intimacy that rivaled any married couple. For Vincenzo, it was nice that way. He could bask in her company and enjoy her at a distance, without the worry of being hurt.
But right now she was looking at him like she wanted to unravel all of his secrets.
"Your dress is too short." Vincenzo loosened his tie and looked away, as she moved closer. He gulped some water.
Cha-young pouted. "It's the style right now." She smoothed her dress down, drawing his attention to her full breasts and small waist. "Don't you like it?"
Vincenzo's mouth grew dry, and his heart raced. "Yes. I like it."
"I'm glad." She smiled slowly, her face lighting up, and Vincenzo's breath caught in his throat.
"You look beautiful," he said, softly. "As always."
She blushed, tucking her hair behind her ear, and it was such a sweet movement, that Vincenzo had a pang of anguish. That she didn't know how much she meant to him, and he never made her feel beautiful.
Inhaling deeply, he spoke up before he lost his nerve. "Call off your date. Stay home tonight. With me."
Cha-young pursed her lips and crossed her arms. Really, trying to get Vincenzo to admit his feelings was like pulling teeth and she was losing her patience. She didn't just want him to ask her to stay home, she wanted him to say why.
"I don't feel like working overtime tonight," she said, pointedly. "So I'd rather not spend the evening with you."
"You know what I mean," Vincenzo grumbled. It's not like they haven't spent evenings drinking and watching TV and then staying up talking and drinking some more.
"Am I psychic?" Cha-young threw her hands in the air. "No. So I don't know what you mean."
"Aish, Ms. Hong-"
"Speak casually, dammit!" she exploded, advancing on Vincenzo. "My name is Cha-young." She pushed his chest lightly. "We aren't in the office now."
Vincenzo grabbed her hand tightly. "You are brave with matters like these," he said softly. "But I am not. It's hard for me."
And just like that, Cha-young's anger subsided. "I'm not brave," she inhaled shakily. "I made up this whole ruse of a date just to get you jealous." She bent her head and looked at the floor. "If I was brave I would've just told you the truth."
"What's the truth?" Vincenzo pulled her close, wrapping one arm around her waist, and using the other to lift her chin. His chest tightened at the tears shining in her eyes, threatening to spill over.
Cha-young mustered up her courage, meeting his eyes. "I'm in love with you, Vincenzo." Her voice broke as she said the words out loud. "And I want you to stay. With me." She bit her lower lip to stop crying, but to no avail. She had been holding in her feelings for Vincenzo for such a long time, that there was a torrent of emotion that needed to come out. "I'm sorry," she whimpered. "I keep saying I will stop crying in front of you."
"Cara mia," he murmured, wrapping both arms around her and tucking her onto his chest. "Tesoro mio. Ti amo."
"I don't know what that means," she cried, hugging him tightly.
"It means I love you, too," he whispered, closing his eyes. "My darling. My treasure. I love you."
Cha-young cried even harder.
They spent the night at home, curled up on the couch under a thick quilt, getting reacquainted, no longer just friends, or partners, or co-workers, but as lovers.
Their first kiss was tender as Vincenzo gently kissed her forehead, then her cheek, then her lips. He took his time, not wanting to scare her or himself because he dreaded change. Thankfully he dreaded losing her more, and soon their soft kisses deepened and grew more passionate and they explored each other.
"Come upstairs with me?" Cha-young whispered as Vincenzo eased the straps of her dress down, kissing her neck and collarbone, leaving love bites to claim his territory.
"Are you sure?" he groaned. He didn't want to rush things and then they'd regret it in the morning.
"Sure like how much I love you," she replied, her eyes hooded with desire. She fixed her dress and tugged him to stand. "Let's go."
Vincenzo smiled and leaned in for a kiss, thankful that he'd found this treasure that drove him to move forward and do better.
"I love you too, tesoro mio," he said, as he let her lead him up the stairs.
He's found his treasure in Korea, and it wasn't gold but Hong Cha-young.