Meet
1650 Words
Big Supermarket
Hanuel pushed her cart slowly down the aisle, scanning the shelves for baking ingredients. Today, she decided to shop alone instead of sending her staff. She liked the calm of doing it herself sometimes.
As she reached for a pack of flour, a soft, polite voice spoke up:
Do Do Hee (12): “Excuse me, unnie… can you move a little? I want to grab that butter beside you.”
Hanuel smiled warmly.
Hanuel: “Oh—of course.”
She stepped aside, then noticed the girl’s faded lip gloss and tilted her head kindly.
Hanuel: “You like lip gloss? Yours seems a little faded. Want me to recommend a better one?”
Do Do Hee’s eyes lit up.
Do Do Hee: “Yeah! You’re a girly-girl type, right?”
Hanuel laughed softly.
Hanuel: “Something like that.”
Do Do Hee: “I’m Do Do Hee. Wanna be friends?”
Hanuel felt a gentle warmth in her chest at the girl’s innocence.
Hanuel: “I’d like that. I’m Hanuel.”
They quickly exchanged contacts, and Hanuel mentioned her bakery.
Hanuel: “My shop’s not far from here. You should visit sometime — I’ll treat you to some pastries.”
Do Do Hee’s eyes widened.
Do Do Hee: “Really? That’s near my house!”
They shared a warm smile before Hanuel continued her shopping.
Suddenly, Chang Wook rushed in from the entrance, slightly out of breath.
Chang Wook: “Sorry, sister…”
Do Do Hee crossed her arms, pouting.
Do Do Hee: “Oppa! It’s been more than an hour. You could’ve just called or texted. I waited.”
Chang Wook rubbed the back of his neck.
Chang Wook: “I know, I’m sorry. It was urgent. Forgive me, okay?”
Do Do Hee’s pout softened into a small smile.
Do Do Hee: “It’s fine. I made a new friend anyway.”
Chang Wook raised an eyebrow, teasing.
Chang Wook: “A friend? You don’t usually like mingling with strangers. Who is this?”
Do Do Hee’s shy smile grew.
Do Do Hee: “I don’t know… but I think I like her.”
Chang Wook tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes. Who could make his little sister open up so quickly? Unknowingly, fate had just begun weaving a quiet thread between him and Hanuel.
✨ “Threads of Fate”
A few weeks later
It was a busy day at Hanuel’s baking and pastry shop. The place buzzed with customers, and the scent of freshly baked bread and sweet cream filled the air.
The door chimed softly as Do Do Hee stepped inside, looking around with curious eyes. An attendant quickly approached her.
Attendant: “Good evening, ma’am.”
Do Do Hee: “Good evening.”
Attendant: “You’re free to sit anywhere you like. Would you prefer takeout or dine in? And what would you like to order?”
Do Do Hee: “Hmm… I’ll sit first and take a look at the menu.”
The attendant nodded and led her to a seat. Just as she was about to walk away, Do Do Hee called out.
Do Do Hee: “Is Hanuel around?”
The attendant paused, slightly surprised. Why would someone so young ask for the owner so confidently? she wondered.
Attendant: “Yes, ma’am.”
Do Do Hee: “Okay, thank you.”
A few minutes later, Do Do Hee placed her order. Right then, Hanuel stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands with a towel.
Attendant: “Ma’am, someone asked for you.”
Hanuel: “Who is it?”
Attendant: “A young girl… maybe around twelve or thirteen.”
Hanuel’s lips curved slightly.
Hanuel: “Oh? Where is she?”
Attendant: “Corner table, first row.”
Hanuel: “Alright, thank you.”
Hanuel walked over.
Hanuel (smiling): “Hi, friend!”
Do Do Hee: “Hi, Hanuel.”
Hanuel: “Wow, you actually came!”
Do Do Hee: “Of course. It’s my friend’s shop.”
They sat together, talking and laughing comfortably. Time slipped by without them noticing.
Suddenly, Do Do Hee’s phone rang — then died immediately.
Do Do Hee: “Oops… my phone’s dead. He’ll be worried.”
Hanuel tilted her head.
Hanuel: “Should I get you a charger, or do you want to call him with my phone first?”
Do Do Hee: “I’ll call him first, then I’ll charge it.”
Hanuel handed her phone over and went to get a charger.
⸻
On the call
Do Do Hee: “Yo.”
Chang Wook: “Yo! Where are you? Your phone’s off.”
Do Do Hee (teasing): “Wow… you recognized my voice from just ‘yo’?”
Chang Wook: “I know your breathing pattern. Where are you?”
Do Do Hee: “At my friend’s shop.”
Chang Wook: “The one you just met? It’s late. Send me the location. And whose number is this?”
Do Do Hee: “My friend’s. It’s a baking shop on Third Estate Street.”
There was a brief pause.
Chang Wook: “Stay there. I’m coming.”
They hung up just as Hanuel returned with the charger.
Do Do Hee: “That’s my brother.”
Hanuel: “Ah… brothers are always like that. I have one too.”
Do Do Hee: “Mine is overprotective.”
Hanuel laughed softly.
Hanuel: “Yes… but mine’s busy traveling around with my best friend.”
Do Do Hee (confused): “Your best friend is a guy?”
Hanuel: “No, a girl.”
Do Do Hee: “Then why are they traveling without you?”
Hanuel: “They’re in a relationship.”
Do Do Hee blinked.
Do Do Hee: “You allowed your brother to date your friend?”
Hanuel: “Allowed? They’re adults.”
Do Do Hee leaned forward mischievously.
Do Do Hee: “Then would you like to date my brother? He’s 24. Cute. Caring. Single.”
Hanuel burst out laughing.
Hanuel: “I’m 26… turning 27 next month.”
Do Do Hee: “And that automatically means no?”
Before Hanuel could answer, the door chimed again.
Chang Wook entered, scanning the shop until his eyes landed on his sister.
Then… on Hanuel.
They both froze for half a second.
Do Do Hee: “You came fast!”
Hanuel crossed her arms slightly, amused.
Hanuel: “He’s your brother?”
Chang Wook: “Yes… I am.”
(So this is the bakery owner…)
Do Do Hee: “Oppa, this is Hanuel. Hanuel, my brother, Chang Wook.”
Chang Wook: “Hi.”
Hanuel (side glance): “Hi.”
The air between them felt strangely charged.
Do Do Hee: “I’ll come back next time — and you still owe me an answer.”
Hanuel smirked.
Hanuel: “Since he’s your brother… no.”
Do Do Hee: “Oppa’s cute and has been single forever. Reconsider.”
Chang Wook looked completely confused.
“Answer to what?” he muttered.
Suddenly—
Do Do Hee: “Ow! That hurts!”
Chang Wook had lightly flicked her forehead.
Hanuel laughed, shaking her head.
Chang Wook turned to her, his tone softer now.
Chang Wook: “Thank you… for keeping her company. She doesn’t usually open up to people.”
Hanuel met his eyes briefly.
Hanuel: “You’re welcome.”
He nodded, gently taking his sister’s hand.
As they left, he glanced back once.
Hanuel pretended not to notice.
✨ Inside the Car
Chang Wook drove quietly, the streetlights flashing across his face.
Do Do Hee sat in the backseat, unusually thoughtful.
After a moment—
Do Do Hee: “Did you two know each other?”
Chang Wook kept his eyes on the road.
Chang Wook: “Why do you ask?”
Do Do Hee: “The atmosphere felt like… something.”
He exhaled lightly.
Chang Wook: “She’s the best friend of Ayan — my colleague. I’ve only seen her once before. It’s not like we actually know each other.”
Do Do Hee: “Ahhh… now I get it.”
Chang Wook: “Get what?”
She leaned forward between the seats.
Do Do Hee: “So Ayan is the one dating Hanuel’s brother.”
Chang Wook glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
Chang Wook: “She told you that?”
Do Do Hee: “Yeah. She said her best friend is dating her brother — Euntak. The famous doctor.”
Chang Wook raised a brow slightly.
Chang Wook: “Famous? I didn’t know that. I only know Ayan and Euntak are together.”
Do Do Hee: “Exactly. So her best friend is dating her brother.”
A short silence filled the car.
Chang Wook: “Good for them.”
Do Do Hee suddenly reached forward and grabbed his arm dramatically.
Do Do Hee: “Then you date her too. She’s my friend.”
Chang Wook scoffed.
Chang Wook: “No. I don’t like rude girls.”
Do Do Hee: “But you like me.”
Chang Wook: “You’re my sister.”
She folded her arms.
Do Do Hee: “All girls are a little rude. She’s just… older.”
That made him pause.
Chang Wook: “Older?”
Do Do Hee: “She’s 26. Turning 27 next month.”
He was quiet for a second.
“Hmm.”
Then he cleared his throat.
Chang Wook: “It’s late. You look sleepy.”
He parked the car.
Chang Wook: “Come on. I’ll carry you upstairs.”
Do Do Hee smiled knowingly.
Do Do Hee: “You’re changing the topic.”
He opened the door.
She leaned against him as he lifted her.
Do Do Hee (softly): “But it’s okay… I’m already sleepy.”
Chang Wook didn’t respond.
But as he carried her inside—
Hanuel’s face crossed his mind.
Just for a second.
- Writer
