Chapter Text
Yoo Joonghyuk was the owner of a restaurant within the populated city of Chicago. He didn’t visit the restaurant often as it was just under the Yoo Family’s name, but in terms of overseeing the place he took responsibility every now and then, especially on busy nights. Such as tonight. During the holiday seasons there were more people visiting the city, and more people reserving tables at pompous restaurants.
Saturday, November 3rd.
The last of the servers on the floor dwindled to one and the remaining bartender. Leaving only a few people left in the restaurant, Joonghyuk included. They finished up closing the place and the last server dragged himself in after coming back from outside, looking just about done with life.
“Dokja” the voice called from behind the bar, Jung Heewon was the woman’s name. “Was your bike stolen again?”
Joonghyuk watched as the server, or Dokja, walked over to the bar and sighed, “yeah..”
“I SWEAR TO GOD IM GONNA HUNT THAT CULPRIT DOWN,” Heewon declared taking Dokjas shoulders into her hands and shaking them, “how can you be okay with this?, how about when my Boyfriend picks me up you tag along, there isn’t much room but you can sit on my lap..”
Dokja gently shrugged her off, “Heewon, it’s fine I’ve walked plenty of times, I’m good”
“Dokja, it’s below freezing out and you exhaust yourself time and time again just let-“
“I’ll take him home” Joonghyuk has had enough and didn’t want a back and forth to start between them, he just wanted to leave for the night.
Before he could give Dokja time to react he broke into a fast strut towards the back of the restaurant, leaving through the kitchen, “follow me”.
Heewon threw a death glare at the man. Dokja scrambled after him, but the taller man’s pace was unforgiving, “Sir, I said I would walk-“ Dokja was cut off by bumping into the firm back as the man in front of him abruptly stopped.
Without sparing a glance at the server, “Is that how you respond to a kind gesture offered by your boss?”
Joonghyuk didn’t care how cold he sounded, but he couldn’t stand the type who refused the littlest of help, especially after watching Dokja bust his ass on a busy dinner shift, serving their patrons and refusing to be cut despite making the largest tip sales of the night. Joonghyuk valued good employees, but he also hypocritically hated stubborn people who made their hyper individualism everyone else's problem, which is what he suspected of Kim Dokja.
Joonghyuk heard a tongue click behind him, “I- thank you, Mr. Yoo..”
Joonghyuk also hated this formality,
“call me Joonghyuk”
And that is how he found himself driving one of his employees home. Yoo Joonghyuk was expecting maybe a studio, at most a full fledged apartment with a roommate or two, not a —though rundown in the outskirts of the city— two story household. Even considering it’s not tip-of- top state and in a particularly not-safe place in town (if there are any), rent here couldn’t have been cheap.
Dokja sighed, opening the door to the car. He turned just in time to say something as Joonghyuk rolled down the passenger window to hear Dokja, but Dokja’s presence alerted a short woman with a bob cut who erupted out the front door of the house.
“DOKJA, NEXT TIME WARN ME WHEN YOUR MOTHER TAKES TOO MANY EDIBLES BEFORE LEAVING HER ASS WITH ME- WHEN DID YOU HAVE A CAR?!”
Joonghyuk watched as Dokja’s breath caught for a moment as he heard her voice.
“Uh, I’m so sorry thanks for the ride Mr- I mean Joong-“
The short women’s call must have summoned the household because before Dokja could finish his sentence a stampede of children rushed out the door, crowding the poor man.
“Mister, I missed youuuuu”
“DOKJA’S BACK!!! “
“Bahh!!”
Joonghyuk couldn’t help but let out a huff of amusement. As someone who had a young one of his own he could relate to the clingy greetings back home.
The children paid no mind to him as they continued to banter Dokja, the man bent down to shush them
“Aren’t you all cold??? And isn't it past your bedtime, Biyuu?”
Dokja picked up the smallest child, ushering the other children back inside,
A young blonde tugged at his sleeve, “Mister, it’s the weekend, Biyuu can stay up like the big kids!”
The brunette boy glued to Dokja’s other side snickered, “Yeah, Bro, Biyuu’wants to be cool and stay up late with us, isn’t that right?!”
“Bahhh!”
Dokja turned his head to meet Joonghyuk gaze, muttering a soundless goodnight before turning his attention back to the kids.
Joonghyuk couldn’t help but smile, even if he didn’t know anything about the man or his family, the scene playing out was warm.
He stayed parked until the door shut, only for it to reopen as the bobbed cut women ran towards his car, rapidly knocking against the now closed car window.
So once again he rolled down the passenger window.
“Hey bastard, If you’re trying to court the Cinderella, WE’RE. NOT. INTERESTED.”
The woman stopped with a scowl
Joonghyuk grimaced, court? “My name is Yoo Joonghyuk, and I’m not trying to court one of my employees. he simply just needed a ride home,” he couldn’t hide the annoyance in his voice.
“Well that’s pretty unprofessional of you, and considering your vehicle brand you could’ve helped other ways, like ordering him an uber, LIKE A NORMAL PERSON, NOT TRYING TO GET INTO MY ROOMMATE’S PANTS WOULD DO.”
Well, she has a point, but Joonghyuk had half the mind when just his thoughts were plagued with wanting to close and leave the damn restaurant.
He decided to leave it there and not argue, rolling up the window.
The persistent woman denied him his peace as she continued as the window rolled up.
“THATS RIGHT, YOU BETTER BE OFF, I DONT WANT TO SEE YOU OR YOUR PRETENTIOUS CAR ANY WHERE NEAR..”
The woman’s voice muffled, Joonghyuk tuned her out. it was about time he got home, back to his younger sister, his Mia. He took a fresh breath of fresh air at the thought.
On his way back to his apartment, he thought about Dokja. The man seemed very nervous in front of him, nothing out of the ordinary considering he was his boss. But from his quiet demeanor, Joonghyuk would’ve never assumed he lived in a thriving household with who knows how many people. It made him rethink first impressions and how you really don’t know a person, but it made him a little interested— what was Dokja really like as a person?
He didn’t ponder it much longer as he reached his apartment building within the City. His room was on the 30th floor, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, a nicely sized kitchen and living area with a long balcony overlooking the city below; only afforded through his profits of co/owning an assortment of commodities and services, one of which he inherited from his now disappeared family.
He unlocked the door to be met with swinging black pig tails making their way towards him,
“Oppa!”
“Mia,” he couldn’t help but smile.
Unlike the children he'd witnessed at Dokja’s house, his younger sister, much like himself, was more Cool headed. She skipped over into his arms, settling into a hug. only to pull away after a moment of tenderness.
“Mia?”
Mia scrunched her face, “Oppa, you’re late,”
Joonghyuk checked his watch, his eyes widened. 2 am.
“Mia, what’re you doing up so late? you should’ve gone to bed, did Miss. Jihye not tuck you in?”
Lee Jihye was a 19 year old who was one of his clients at his gym, who’d he’d been a personal trainer for since she was in high school and would also take up a baby sitting Yoo Mia. After his break up with his ex-girlfriend, Seolhwa, there was nobody to take care of her when he was gone.
Usually he’d be on time to see Mia before she went to bed, but tonight was different as he stayed back to help manage the restaurant until it closed. And drive home a certain someone.
Mia shook her head, “No, she did… but I don’t want to go to sleep without a goodnight from Oppa!!”
Joonghyuk sighed, he patted her head and kissed her hair, “let’s get to bed, Mia.”
“THE AUDACITY!!!”
as the sleek black car dusted Sooyoung, she stomped back towards the house, walking in and slamming the door behind her. Dokja, now freshly damp and showered in loose shorts and shirt, was lounging on the couch scrolling on his phone, probably reading web novels. Sooyoung scoffed.
“You can’t be real.”
Dokja didn’t look up from his phone, his expression unamused, “what do you want, Sooyoung?”
her eyebrow twitched “For you to quit playing damsel in distress so SUITORS can STOP lining up at our door!!”
“Lower your voice, I just put the kids to bed, you’ll rile them up again” …. “And what suitors are you talking about?” Dokja’s voice soured.
Sooyoung groaned and dragged her hands down her face, “Freaking.., Sun from that one club you used to work at! That monkey still sends flowers to this address to this day!!”
Dokja rolled his eyes, “I don’t even concern myself with him, And that’s ONE suitor, or whatever you like to call it,”
“One my ass, then explain who THAT was!”… “That handsome fella said you were his em-ploy-ee,” Sooyoung spat as she plopped beside Dokja on the couch, now crowding her face into his. She raised an eyebrow demanding an explanation.
“Ugh,” Dokja shoved her face away, “I’ve never even interacted with him before this, My bike broke so I had no way of getting home”
“Oh so you just-“ Sooyoung sat back into a praying position while wearing a pouty expression, putting on the most diabolical whiny Dokja impression she could muster, “‘ Mr. Bossman, my bike broke down and I just have.. no way to get home” she fake wiped a tear, “Maybe you could give me ride in that really nice Porsche of yours, and…doesn’t my waist just look so tiny in this server apron-“
Dokja smacked her right side of the head,
“OUCH!”
“I do not sound like, that!” he snapped, “plus… he offered ME a ride, I rejected the offer but he was the one adamant about it”
Sooyoung scoffed, “so you gave in,” she squinted her eyes at him. “…like some desperate whore.”
Dokja gasped in offense,
“Offering a ride is totally out of his depth, and you accepting screams, ‘be my sugar daddy!”
“I'm pretty sure he’s the same age as me” Dokja responded, deadpanned.
“Mmm! Doesn’t matter, still can be a sugar daddy!”
Dokja turned away, “I don’t need you meddling in my situational work affairs, you work at home, you shouldn’t judge”
Sooyoung moped, shoulders dropping, “Sorry just… people are evil Dokja, I don’t want you to be stuck with anyone that might.. hurt you” They looked at each other in silence hearing nothing but the snores of the traumatized woman accompanying them.
Both their gazes drifted to the passed out Sookyung on the lounge chair, .. right. Dokja’s dad has certainly done a number on him and his mom before he left them forever.
Dokja’s gaze returned to Sooyoung who was giving him a lop sided frown, he sighed and pulled her into a hug, “I know you are just looking out for me Sooyoung” she melted into his embrace, “but I promise I can handle myself”
She sighed, and after a minute they both pulled back, giving eachother reassuring looks.
“Well anyways…. tell me what happened in your stupid novel today,” Sooyoung relented.
Dokja smirked, “do you really wanna know?”
“Oh, just another hour of hearing you gloat about how stupidly powerful and handsome the protagonist is, and how you wish he was real so he could pin you down and have his way-“
Dokja shut her up with his hand before she could finish.
Sunday, November 11th.
Yoo Joonghyuk got up early as he usually does. It's been a week since he last visited his family’s restaurant and his encounter with his male employee, Dokja. He never thought he’d find that man so fascinating, considering he thought of him as pathetic before. But here he is thinking of him now. Joonghyuk shook his head, he woke himself up with a morning workout as he usually does at his gym but while doing cardio his mind tends to drift… does Dokja work full shifts just to save up money to care for the people in his household, working at a restaurant he couldn’t possibly make enough..
He didn’t know why he kept thinking about him, he was so ordinary, someone like him would blend into the crowd. Not that he was average per se, well… he’s good looking and all and now that Joonghyuk thinks about it the apron he wore that night really accentuated his… why am I thinking this? Fuck. I need more sleep.
More sleep my ass. Because Joonghyuk went to check off the next step of his daily morning ritual, and that was his morning coffee. He usually made his at home but to apologize to Mia for being late, Joonghyuk decided to get her one of her favorites from coffee shops, and those were scones. Joonghyuk was particular about eating from outside his kitchen, reason why he pretty much never ate the food from his own restaurant, but he could make exceptions if it meant Yoo Mia’s forgiveness.
That’s why when he came to collect his goods that he ordered without sparring a glance at the register, his hands would met soft fingers paired with a familiar voice that made his gaze turn up in surprise,
“Oh, good morning Mr. Yoo”
And there he was, the very man Joonghyuk's brain refused to shut up about.
“Dokja…”
The man just flashed him a shallow smile in return, pushing his Americano and fresh scone, towards him so he would drop his daze and take it. Joonghyuk took it.
Joonghyuk snapped out of it, “Have you always worked here?”
“Certainly, Mr. Yoo, you’re the only new face around here”, Dokja had a teasing glint in his eye, did he always treat customers this way? Also, If he works here, does that mean as soon as his shift ends at this cafe he has to leave straight to the restaurant?
“You look tired” Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t mean to sound blunt, but he had a bad habit of saying the first thing that came to mind.
“Working 2 jobs takes quite the toll, Mr. Yoo-“
“I told you to call me Joonghyuk,”
Caught off guard, Dokja blinked, letting out an awkward laugh, I can’t be that bad at socializing.
“Uhm, sorry I forgot, Joonghyuk..,what brings you here today? Ive never seen you here before,”
Joonghyuk lifted up the scone, “A needed apology”
“To whom, if you don’t mind me asking?” Dokja smiled
“My sister.”
“Oh, well our Scones are freshly baked daily and named one of the best in Chicago!” If you ever need to apologize again we are welcome to provide,” Dokja said in an airy voice with a charming smile. Truly a worker of the service industry.
Joonghyuk just spat out his thanks and turned to step out of the cafe. On his way back to the apartment, on a Sunday morning Mia would just be getting out of bed by now, so when he arrives she’ll wake up for breakfast to one of her favorites. Joonghyuk hoped what Dokja said was true, about them being one of the best. Joonghyuk wasn’t much of a baker himself so he had to hunt when it came to occasional sweets if Mia wanted them. Maybe this place could be his usual, if it’s good of course, not for any other reason.
That’s when he took a sip of his Americano, and wow. With one drink in hand and his other hand on the steering wheel, Joonghyuk had to stop himself from downing the whole thing. Wtf? He said not to add anything other than coffee and water, how could this taste so good? He couldn’t imagine, Dokja, being a well versed coffee expert considering his living circumstances. Coffee was an expensive hobby.
He’d have to ask him about this expert craft, next time of course. Whenever that may be.
After clocking out Dokja had the rest of the day off, which was rare. Most of the time he’d only have an hour break between his morning work at the cafe and serving at the restaurant.
And what does one do once they are free from the shackles that are making money? Ideally laying in bed with phone in hand, consuming the newest chapters of your favorite web novels. that is unless you are Dokja and have an entire pack to take care of.
That’s why now he sits on the couch. one Biyuu in his lap, a Gilyoung on the floor between Dokja’s legs as he picks lice out of the boy's hair, and a sleepy Yoosung napping against his shoulder. The couch was quite occupied so Sooyoung took her spot on the lounge chair beside the couch, typing away at her laptop.
Gilyoung is entranced by the small TV, cartoons are the only way Dokja can force the boy still when it’s necessary.
“How does he already have lice again, it’s only been like 2 months!!” Sooyoung complained. “Quit hiding bugs in your mattress, kid!”
Gilyoung didn’t even spare her a glance.
“It’s not like you are the one doing anything about it” snapped Dokja
“Oh come on!! I basically watch over them 24/7 so you could at least take care of the dirty work!!”.. “plus you get the privilege of swooning handsome men on a daily basis apparently!”
They both jumped when they heard commotion in the kitchen.
“Dokja, you what!??”
Dokja palmed his face as a tipsy Sookyoung walked into the living room.
“Has my boy finally found love!?”
“Mom…”
Sooyoung instantly intercepted him “Sookyoung, what would you call a person who drives their employees home and— OH! Happens to show up at their other job, by coincidence…”
“Hmm, Sooyoungie, let me think about this one...” Sookyoung's voice slurred.
Dokja blurted out, “You make it sound a lot worse than it actually is.”— On second thought..
“NO! I say exactly how it is!” Sooyoung spat.
“Wait!” Sookyoung gasped, “this admirer of yours drove you home from work? When?? Couldn’t I have seen him??”
“Lady, please, if we aren’t partying up late with you, you can barely stay awake past 8 pm” Sooyoung said as she sneered “So no, you couldn’t possibly have ever seen him”.
Sookyoung frowned, “well tell me, Is he at least handsome? I won’t accept any less for my son.”
“-MOM!”
“Oh, miss, verrry handsome” Sooyoung mused “and even better, rich. His car stood out like a sore thumb in this trashy neighborhood”
Sookyoungs face lit up with joy as she turned to rush over and hug her son, “Oh, Dokja,.. my baby’s all grown up, I’ll start saving for the wedding!”
Yoosoung, now wide awake, sat straight up from Dokja’s shoulder, “WEDDING? MISTER ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED!”
“No, this is all just a misunderstanding, Yoosoungie”
“GOOD! I won’t ever let anyone take mister away from me” Yoousong pouted as the girl wrapped her arms around Dokja possessively.
“Battt!!” Biyuu worded in agreement.
Gilyoung failed to chime in as he continued mind numbling staring at the cartoons on screen.
Dokja glared back at Sooyoung, “what’s this all of a sudden, just last week you were all willy-nilly about the possibility of me having Joonghyuk as a suitor”
“AND I STILL AM”, “Just want to rile you up is all”
Dokja rolled his eyes.
“Sooyoung, remind me to stay sober so I can see my son’s handsome boss when he comes to take him home.. I have to make sure he’s to my standards..”
“Lady, I’ll feed you sedatives to avoid that exact encounter”
Sookyoung gasped “I don’t want to be snoring in front of my son's future husband!”
“Well you don’t have to worry mom because there are no more bosses driving me home, no men needing to meet your standards, and certainly no future son in laws!!”
Sookyoung pouted, “Now don’t let your old woman down like that..” her gaze hardened, “I want to meet this man, soon, in less than 1 week max”
Dokja’s eyes widened,,”Didn’t I just tell you-“
“Nope”
“but-“
“No, Dokja”
“Mommm, I’m 25, you can’t just force me to date anyone,”
“Alright then if you won’t date this boss of yours I will“
Both Sooyoung and Dokja's jaws dropped.
Sookyoung laughed at the sight, “I’m kidding of course, I’m never nearing another man in my life” that joke fell flat. “But I’m not joking about you and my rich potential son and law.”
And just like that Sookyoung left the living room, leaving a stunned audience.
Joonghyuk groaned, closing his laptop then messaging his strained temples. Another meeting regarding his family’s fuck ass restaurant was called. Brainstorming seasonal dishes, addressing food reviews, reinforcing employee protocol, everything Joonghyuk that was completely out of Joonghyuk league, staying silent as he let the ones below him take the lead,
“…how’s that sound, Mr, Yo-“
“Sounds great”
Regretfully he has long fell back on being caught up with all the restaurant's plans anyway, maybe he should just sell the damn place for those who care to please snobbish customers.
A light bulb went off in Joonghyuk's head. If he gives up the restaurant, he’d surely have enough money to get a greater share in his past coach, Minyoung’s, sports bar. He has a small share already but if he can replace that focus with the much more laid back Sports bar that he’d surely still make a good enough profit from.
Joonghyuk's shoulders felt lighter at the thought, there was no reason to keep the restaurant as his greedy parents just left him the burden while they disappeared into thin air. He doubts Mia had any interest in it anyways, still he’ll have to ask…
It’s definitely a too much of a mature question to ask a 7 year old, but Joonghyuk still wanted her to have a say in this decision.
“Mia, how would you feel if I sold the restaurant to a new owner”
“Hmmmm…” Mia gave it a thought
“I think it’d be just fine, Oppa!” she declared
Joonghyuk's eyes widened, he hadn't expected that much enthusiasm to be met with that question.
“Are you sure?”
“Oppa, I am sure! If it’s what Oppa wants to do, I want it to happen!!”
Joonghyuk let out a breath of relief before smiling, “Thanks, Mia,”
“Yeah!!! That way you can be home more! And— You won’t be so mopey,” she puts on a mocking frown and stomps her foot, “‘I hate that damn place!’”
“Mia!, no cussing!!”
Mia giggles, “I’m not saying that Oppa! You do!”
Joonghyuk relents, “I suppose I do, huh?”
Joonghyuk went to bed that night feeling refreshed, one burden of stress dropped from his chest, he would be getting a good night's sleep. That was until a sharp realization hit him, if he sells this restaurant, “…what about Dokja?”