“So, you really came Hera or should I say Mira?” she said. I glared at her and smiled.

“I thought you’re at Yeosu?” I asked

“You really thought I won’t welcome you? Come on it’s me Shin Ae ra.” She smirked as she shrugged her shoulders. I rolled my eyes on her and headed to my car’s compartment.

“Well I’m glad, wanna grab some brunch?” I asked as I struggle to put my suitcase in my trunk, ‘ugh why did I pack so much.’ I said to myself

“So, are you just gonna stand there? Get your ugly ass here and help me out will ya?” I hissed, she laughed sarcastically and assisted me in putting my suitcase in the trunk.

“Seriously you can’t even do this on your own and you dare to continue your revenge plan?” she said in a monotone. I looked at her with a shock on my face, how did she know about my plan? I never told her about this and as far as I’m concerned, I honestly never intended her to know about it as she’s the first cousin of his. Ae ra seemed to have noticed my reaction of shock from the revelation.

“I found out a long time ago, you were acting strange ever since the breakup. So, I decided to investigate and honestly, I get why you never told me about it especially since their technically family. However, you don’t have to worry about those kinds of things, I won’t stand on your way. Of course, I don’t support your plan fully but not because they’re my family or relative it’s because I don’t want you to get hurt even more.” She said. I can hear that she’s sincere with every word and I feel bad that she had to be related to the people I despise in the world. I gave her a faint smile and gave her a nod.

“Let’s go and pick up Maya then. I heard it was an emergency surgery but I think she should be about done by now right? Let’s all grab a bite and maybe head to the mall, I still have yet to get a new phone.” I said as I start the car and searched Maya’s clinic on the GPS

“Sure, I haven’t seen her for a while now. You know Seoul being far from Yeosu.” She replied. I can feel the awkwardness between us and quite frankly I don’t blame her…. I did technically lie to her about everything. I just didn’t feel like it’s right for me to tell her that I’m planning to bring her uncle’s family, down right? Ae Ra grew up as an orphan as her parents died when she was 6 years old and it was the Jung’s that took her in. So, I know she feels deeply about them and I don’t want her to get involved.

The duration of the ride was silent, I can feel her trying to say something but she always stops herself. She was mostly looking at the window or on her phone, I think I should not bring it up and just let it go for now. Ae Ra had been a very good friend to me ever since we met in high school, she easily became close to Maya and I. I think we all became really drawn to each other due to our situations that became a good foundation and a stronger bond between us. During university days Ae Ra took care of us as if she was a mother to us, we lived in a beat-up studio and eventually upgraded into condominium, it was all her ideas if it wasn’t for her we wouldn’t have been able to survive.

“Hey, Maya said she’ll catch up and we can just meet up with her at the café near her clinic.” Ae ra said.

“What’s the café called?” I asked trying to update the address on the GPS

“She didn’t say she said it’s newly opened so we’ll find it right away. Maybe just park in front of her clinic and we can walk from there?” Ae ra said as she gave me smile, I know this smile she’s trying to assure me everything’s fine. I’m pretty sure she knows I’m still thinking about earlier. I gave her a faint smile and focused on driving.

“Hera? Aren’t you tired though?” she asked as she goes through her phone, I sighed Ae Ra’s always busy I feel bad she had to come up and take the day off at work for me.

“Mira.” I said strictly “No, I got plenty of sleep on the plane.” I said still keeping my eyes on the road. I took a quick glance at the GPS. “I think we’ll be there in 2 minutes. Can you message Maya?” I asked as I end the GPS as I can spot the clinic on the next block.

“I’ll message her when we get to the café.” She said as she straightens her dress.

I parked the car in front of Maya’s clinic and got off. As I got off I realized that I had prepared a gift for them from New York. I accessed my suitcase from the trunk and grabbed two paper bags, I felt Ae Ra’s presence behind me “Omg is that Tiffany and Co?” Ae Ra squealed, I chuckled and handed her one of the bags.

“Yeah these came out a week ago and I thought it was pretty and thought of you guys. Mine’s in my suitcase.” I explained. “Omg! It’s a friendship match? Thank you so much Hera.” She said excitedly. I gave her a glare “Oh Mira. Sorry I’m not used to it yet.” She said as she looked down.

“It’s fine, you’ll get used to it. You can call me Hera when we’re not in public if you want. Let’s go I think I’m starting to get hungry.” I said as I looked around the area. Maya said the café is easy to spot. “Mira, I think it’s that café look.” Ae Ra as she looked acrossed the road on the next block and was pointing on a café that with a big speaker in front and some balloon stand. Finally remembered Maya did mention that it’s newly opened, it must be under a week.

We started walking down the street and I noticed people staring at me as I walk by “Hey do I have something on my face?” I asked Ae Ra, she looked at me and laughed “No dude, it’s your outfit.” She said “What about it though?” I asked as I look down my outfit. “Mira this is South Korea, they don’t really wear too fit and such mini dress at this hour.” Ae Ra whispered. Oh, right I remember them saying it’s more liberated in New York than in Asian country. “I forgot about that.” I said.

When we entered the café, the staff greeted us and gave us a table beside the window, the whole café interior feels like home for some reason. I can see why this café is packed it just have the vibes that makes you drawn to it. I once had a dream of owning a café like this very open and fun type of café, this place even has claw machines and a tiny library at the corner. Wow it feels like I have seen this café before, whoever’s the owner must be so smart, to have a café that’s appropriate for every age good way to pull customers. I can feel the staffs looking and staring at me but I decided to ignore them as it might be the same issue as Ae Ra mentioned. I should probably shop for new outfits to avoid eyes… one crew handed us the menu. “Hi, I’m Ji Soo I’ll be your server for today.” She smiled brightly, I noticed her name tag says manager, they might be so busy that the manager had to help on the floor. We ordered two americanos and a fruit tart.

“Hey, I’m sorry I’m late.” Maya as she grabbed the chair in front of me and slammed herself on it. “Dr. Maya why are you so rude.” Ae Ra teased and Maya glared at her. “What are you doing her dentist?” Maya annoyingly replied “Did you invite this cavity?” Maya asked me as she point to Ae Ra. We all laughed, ah I missed them so much. “Shut up. You won’t get this if you don’t” Ae Ra replied as she dangled the bag I gave her earlier, Maya gasped and pouted. “Yeah as if it’s from you.” I said as I rolled my eyes and handed Maya hers.

“Thank you so much my dear dentist. This is why you’re my favorite.” She said as she glared at Ae Ra as she munches on the fruit tart. Maya looked around the café as she scanned for a server to come take her order. The same girl from earlier approached us and greeted Maya “Hi doc would you like the usual?” said Ji Soo and Maya nodded. When Ji Soo walked away, Maya turned her attention back to me

“Don’t you feel like this whole café gives you a Hera vibe?” She said.