– What!? – They all shouted in unison.

I began to slowly chew the chicken I had just put in my mouth.

 – Are you really only nineteen? – The owner asked. 

I nodded.

My relationship with Matt started when I was thirteen. When I finished school I moved in with him and devoted myself to only working part-time every now and then and taking care of everything at home. 

– That explains why you looked so young... – The owner added frowning. 

– Didn't you ask him that when he came asking for a job? – John asked them, chopping a carrot with his fork.

His parents looked at each other and let out a knowing giggle, making her laugh too.

John just shook his head, chuckling.

– And your family? – The omega suddenly asked.

– At their house, I guess. – I replied.

The couple exchanged a glance while John chewed, keeping his eyes on me.

– Do they know you are working here... Full-time? 

I shook my head.

– What about your studies? 

I frowned and shook my head again. 

I saw their worried faces and decided to explain my situation a little.– I moved away once I finished high school, and I haven't heard from my parents since then. Now I work here. – I said, skipping Matt's part and shoving another piece of chicken into my mouth.

I didn't plan on telling them about my life, but they had given me so much that they at least deserved to know that.

Although after I said it, I felt like it would only make them worry more.

– I'm fine. – I added. 

– You're almost not legal in South Korea. – John mumbled.

I looked at him and smiled. I wasn't sure if he was saying this to divert the subject from my family, but I was grateful.

– We're not in South Korea. – I replied. 

They all remained silent and I felt that because of me the atmosphere had become tense. I could see from the faces of the owners that they wanted to ask me more questions, but they held back.

– It's not that bad. – I talked trying to sound relaxed. – How old are you, John? – I casually asked, trying to change the subject. 

He remained silent for a moment.

– I won't tell you. – He stated and stuffed a good portion of salad into his mouth.

– That's not fair. 

– He's twenty-three. – His father answered for him, causing John to nearly spill the water he had just drank.

– Oh, really? 

He was four years older than me. He wasn't that old, but I would definitely make sure to remember it and tease him about it later. 

– Don't ask us, we don't like to say it. - The omega said with a smile.

– I won't. – I responded, returning the smile.

Talking about my age, it occurred to me that Matt had turned twenty last month. I grimaced.

I had hesitated whether to congratulate or not, and in the end, I just texted him 'Happy Birthday.', to which he didn't reply. Maybe he had changed his phone number, or maybe he just didn't want to reply. I felt stupid for texting him, and even worse when he didn't reply, although I should have expected something like that. I didn't even know what I was trying to achieve by texting him.

When I came out of my thoughts, John had put a carrot on my plate, and when I looked at him, he smiled, then turned to continue the conversation with his parents.

After dinner, he insisted on accompanying me to the hotel. I flatly refused as always.

He sighed and gave me a look.

– If you don't accept, I'll tell my parents that you live there. – He sentenced.

Crap. Now he had something to blackmail me with.

– ... Fine. Let's go. – I reluctantly replied, earning a victorious smile from him.

I said goodbye to his parents and we went down to the café, then left and walked towards the hotel.

– Ah... – I started, trying to remember. – Ahju... Ahjussi? – I said doubtful. 

He looked at me in amazement. He smiled and looked away to avoid me seeing him laugh, even though it was too obvious.

So I had said it right. I smiled to myself, proud that I knew some basic words in Korean.

– Ahjussi, it's late, I can continue on my own from here. It's close, ahjussi. – I repeated.

He walked a little further and stood in front of me.

– Say it again. – He said.

I raised an eyebrow.

– Ahjuss- – Halfway through the words, he raised his hand and squeezed my cheeks with his fingers, making my mouth look like a fish's.

He looked at me, telling me with his eyes to continue.

I frowned and pushed his hand away.

– Fine, I'll stop. – I gave him a smile.

– Good boy. And I'm not a mister. – He complained, smiling and placing his hand on my head. He stood beside me again and we continued walking.

–You're too serious for being that young. – He said suddenly. – But you've been joking around a lot lately, so you look more your age. – He finished with a smile.

– You're like an old man. – I replied.

He laughed, putting his hands in his pockets.

– I'm not. We're only four years apart, more or less...

I glanced at him.

– Your birthday? – I asked.

– Oh, it was in April. – He replied. – I celebrated in South Korea, of course.

– I see. 

– What about yours? – He asked a while later.

– Hm? – I hadn't been paying attention as I was blowing on my hands to warm them up.

– Your birthday. – He repeated.

– September. 

He was silent for a second.

– ... It's October.

I stopped the movement in my hands.

– Oh, – I said. – So I'm twenty now.

He looked at me, not knowing what to say. And then he laughed out loud.

– Oh my god, I can't believe it. – He said with a laugh. – Who forgets his own birthday?

– Well, I'm sorry. – I spoke, somewhat annoyed by his exaggerated laughter.

– When was it? – He asked while wiping away a tear from laughing so much.

- Tenth.

– On the tenth you turned twenty. You didn't even remember it because of the similarity or something?

He was right. I even remembered Matt's birthday which was on September twenty-ninth, but I hadn't remembered mine. Probably because I had been nervous about his.

– I remembered someone else's. – I answered without thinking.

– Well, you should remember yours. – He said. – I will remember it for you from now on. – He added.

I glanced at him. He was assuming that we would see each other from now on. I was grateful that he said that, since it guaranteed me the job.

– Okay. – I agreed, looking at the road again. We were already at the door of the hotel, so I stopped. – See you. 

I started to walk inside when John took my arm. I turned to look at him.

– Tomorrow is your day off. – He started, looking nervous. – So... – He hesitated for a second before saying what he wanted to say. – Do you have some time?

I looked at him with wide eyes. Then opened my mouth to reply, but he cut me off.

– It’s for coffee, I just want you to come with me. Could you? – He clasped his hands in front of his face. – I need to see some things and I need a second opinion. And, well, that’s it.

I relaxed and nodded.

– Yai. – He hummed, making me smile.

– And you’re supposed to be the oldest here. – I joked.

– I am, kiddo. – He replied, trying to tease me.

I rolled my eyes and took a few steps back into the hotel.

– Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then. Don’t fall on your way back.

– I won't. And I'll take your words as a "Be careful on your way back, John." – He softened her voice for the last words.

I smiled at him and turned, entering the hotel.

– Oh, I'm going to send you a message with the hour and place. – He added behind me before the door closed. I turned to him and nodded.

I looked back to the beta at the front desk and he smiled at me, waving, and then his eyes went to me, waving his hand.

I turned my head with my hands still in my pockets, and saw John waving back.

As soon as he saw me, he dropped his hand and quickly left.

That guy made friends wherever he went.

I turned to the receptionist and smiled again.

I walked up the stairs to my hotel room and as soon as I entered, I threw myself onto the bed, face up.

I opened my eyes, staring at the ceiling.

I wasn't quite sure why I was surprised for a second when John asked me if I was free tomorrow. I had somehow misunderstood.

With him it was all about work, at least that's how it had been after that night when I was weak. But something felt off.

I tried to figure it out, but in the end, I just decided to ignore it. 

I went to bed without having changed yet. The jacket John lent me was always too big and warm, so I used to keep it on until I got warm.

My eyes went to the drawer where I had stored Matt's jacket.

Every night I would take it out and sleep with it just to feel him close. I had tried not to, but it only made me feel anxious and I lost sleep.

I observed the drawer for a long time, deciding.

My phone rang, so I looked away and picked it up.

It was a message from John.

'Let's meet at nine in the morning. I'd tell you I'll go to the hotel, but I can't lol. Sorry! So in Emancipation Square, do you know it? I hope so. That one with an empty pool in the middle lol. Rest well~~'

I let out a small snort. It was the first time he had ever texted me and I noticed that he had written something different than I had imagined, but it suited him in a way. I stared at the message for a while.

'Yeah, I know that place. Got it, rest well too.' – I wrote and sent the message.

He instantly sent me a sticker of a kitten sending little hearts. I smiled, put the phone on the nightstand, and snuggled up. The familiar smell of John's jacket made me more and more relaxed.

Eventually, my eyes closed and I fell asleep just as I was dressed.