CH 10.5

“It’s just, I don’t think I can work with the new worker.”

“Seems like Ms. Jinhee treats you really well.”

He touched my cheek, smiling. It wasn’t a lie. I could work without trouble because Seo Jihee was nice, so it was true that I worried about how it would be when the new person comes. But it doesn’t mean I can stay unemployed, so I’ll look for another job. A job I can do. A job I can like even a little bit.

Seo Jihee, who makes a dreamy face while talking about exhibitions, and Yeon Woojeong, who looks happy when his work ends well. I also wanted to feel that emotion for once.

So, if only I can overcome this trouble well…

“Fine. Let’s give it a thought. But…”

Yeon Woojeong grabbed my chin and looked straight up at my face. I adjusted my expression at the searching gaze.

The sudden misfortune that man brought was something I’m very used to, so it wasn’t hard to pull myself together and hide it. This was only, a daily life.

“I had a bad dream this morning…”

“You said no though.”

“A thing didn’t happen if you said no.”

“I could comfort you if you said yes.”

Yeon Woojeong’s fingers ran down my cheek to my neck. I liked the touch tickling my neck. I really liked it that I didn’t want to ruin this moment at all.

“Anyway, I woke up, but your room was far away.”

“How about we use the same room?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Your alarm is noisy.”

“Meany.”

He laughed. Looking at him laughing, I recalled the story of that day.

About Yeon Woojeong who recalled his youth days while looking at me. If so, then I’d hope he only saw me being happy.

So, whatever it is… there must be a way.

***

—Ah, Jiho. What’s wrong?

“Good morning, sir.”

This was my first time hearing the voice of the convenience store owner since that day. It was not easy to speak out because I rarely said anything despondent to others.

—Did something happen?

“No. It’s not that… I have a favor to ask, sir.”

I gave it a thought, and for now, the easiest way possible was to ask for an advance on salary. If I got a month’s worth of salary, I would worry half less.

—What is it?

“I was wondering if I could get my next salary early.”

—You want an advance on your salary? Erm…

There was silence. My lips dried. What should I do if he refuses? My head was complicated. The silence felt exceptionally long.

—I’m sorry. I think that will be difficult.

“…”

—The salary payment was just recently, and you haven’t been working for a while… You can understand me, right?

“… Yes.”

—Yeah. How’s work going? Does Jihee treat you well?

“Yes.”

—Well, I’m sorry for this one, but tell me if you have other problems. Keep up the good work.

I thanked him and ended the call. A sigh burst out. After brushing up my hair, I covered my face with my hands for a while. The flowed-out breath warmed my palms.

I picked up my phone again. Even if I searched the job site, it was hard to find a million, let alone two million won in a week. Besides, if the pay was high, most would have to work for a full week, not one or two days. I couldn’t take that. It was obvious that Yeon Woojeong would think it strange.

“Hah…”

My head hurt. My chest felt stuffy. What am I capable of doing? What should I do to get that money?

Should I pickpocket like usual? Two million. If I do it for a week…

But it’s a waste of time if I can’t get that money. The time was too short for the risk. I sighed once again.

“If it’s your face, I’m sure there’s a demand for both the front and back.”

Suddenly, I remembered a voice. I removed the hands that were pressing on my face.

“You’re reeking of a meat smell. Are you working in a barbecue restaurant?”

“…”

“Why? I wouldn’t do it if I were you.”

It was a guy I shared a room with. His name, was it Han Juhyeok? He entered the youth shelter around a month before I left. The room I used was narrow, so it could only fit two people, but I could hardly see him because he always wandered around. 

Then, it was on the day I first saw him. I got annoyed because he suddenly talked to me and was nosy. I ignored him and sat on the bed, but he continued on.

“Do you want to work in the place I work in? Everyone will welcome someone like you.”

“…”

“It’s a bar where a lot of rich bastards come, and I’ve made over a million in tips a day. Those bastards tip by check.”

Certainly, I thought it was a weird place. That it was no different from selling bodies like what the bastard who was kicked out of the shelter did. He also looked like a thug. His hair was dyed brown, his eyebrows were scratched, and he wore three earrings. The pants covering his trembling legs were all ripped, exposing his knees.

I lay facing the wall because I didn’t want to talk with him. There was laughter from behind.

“It’s not a weird place. Well, you can do that kind of work if you want, though. If it’s your face, I’m sure there’s a demand for both the front and back.”

“…”

“Anyway, I just feel sorry for you. You won’t make much a day even if you work hard in a barbecue restaurant. I only serve there, seriously.”

I pulled over the blanket at the approaching voice. He didn’t bother me anymore and left after showing his presence only.

“This is the bar’s business card. Give it a call if you’re interested. I won’t stay in this shelter for long. Things got a little twisted, so I don’t know how long I’ll be here.”

As if he was bored, he blabbered things I didn’t even ask and then turned off the lamp after asking if I was asleep. Since then, I ran into him occasionally, but we mostly had a not-so-conversation like that day only. He talked unilaterally, and I ignored him. Then, one day, he disappeared.

I, of course, threw away the business card. But I remember the shop’s name. J. Without memorizing it, it remained in my head because it was just one letter of the alphabet. The location was in Cheongdam-dong. I searched it on the internet, but there were too many places popping out. I clicked and looked at each one, but they were beauty salons or galleries, so it wasn’t likely the place Han Juhyeok was talking about at the time. Time has passed, so the name has changed, or maybe it has disappeared.

It was time to go out. I wore my jacket and left the house.

Before going to the convenience store, I entered the café and bought a cake. I should have bought it with my own money, but since I was in a tight situation, I couldn’t help but use Yeon Woojeong’s card.

“Good morning!”

“Good morning.”

After wearing my vest, I gave Seo Jihee the box of cake. She accepted it with her eyes open wide.

“What is this?”

“Cake. It’s for you.”

“Woah, really? Woah, thank you.”

Seo Jihee took a look inside the box and was happy, saying it was the cream cake she likes.

“Thank you. I just happen to be low in sugar these days.”

It made me embarrassed because she liked it more than I thought. Looking at her humming, I said.

“I might quit the job.”

“Eh? Suddenly?”

Seo Jihee’s jaw dropped. I felt regret after saying it. Although it was a short time, this job was a part of my daily life. It was the first time that I didn’t have a problem with my coworker and to hear that I was good at work.