POV: Hae Na Ri
The poster comes off the glass with a sharp rip. I get inside the cafe and slam it on the counter in front of Jieun.
I mean Miyoung.
"I want this part time job!"
She gives me a guarded look, watching me the way one watches a stranger about to rob them.
"Alright, but put that back on. I need two part timers," she says.
I turn, then whirl back, flipping my hair. "The other one is also me. I can do the work of two people. Pay me." I hope it looked hot and graceful.
Her gaze moves up and down, judging me openly. "You don't look like you need two part time jobs."
"Why?"
"You have that rich look about you."
I pout and stop blinking. Tears start to well up in my eyes. "Look closely. I have that poor look about me. Very poor."
"And you are going around in a car. A Page 61 that is." Must be a car model here.
"It's not mine. Someone lent it to me with a driver."
"Your boyfriend must be rich."
"He isn't my boyfriend. And I can get kicked out any day now." If I don't get sent to prison.
She takes off her glasses and cleans them before putting them back on. "Alright, start. I don't care if my workers are poor or rich, as long as you work."
I sniff, wipe away my tears and grin. Gotta take off my coat and get started. There are a few high schoolers here today.
"You know, in another life we were friends," I tell her.
She chuckles, going around the counter and taking an apron from a hook behind it.
"You believe in past lives?" She asks. That tone is so akin to Jieun's, the way she would tease Minho and play around when we were younger. It sends an ache through the crevices of my heart.
I close my eyes, will away the memories and put on a smile before taking the apron from her. "Well you can say. I believe in everything now. Ghosts, aliens, time travel, past lives, future lives, everything. Don't be surprised if I disappear suddenly."
"I would prefer it if aliens don't abduct you while you are working."
"It's not in my control, just like coming to this world was not in my control." Look at me, working part time, doing the work of two people at a cafe after all those lectures, study nights, exams, and training and all.
"Have I told you that you are a peculiar person?" She asks, squinting.m
I tilt my head, thinking back to our last meeting. "Yes, I think you did the last time I was here."
"Just don't scare away the customers." She stares at the group of high schoolers perched on a table in a corner, huddled over books. It's a sentimental, protective look. "Finally, I have some precious customers."
"Scare? Me? I am not a scary person."
"I can see that. Try to bring in more customers. If you can do that, I will give you a bonus."
"Bonus?!" The word instills a little bit more energy in me.
★☆★☆★☆★
POV: Hae Na Ri
My shifts are over at night. When I get out of the cafe, the sky is the colour of smoke, real stars hidden by all the fake lights.
Sunwoo appears out of nowhere and startles me.
"He is here. Follow me."
With the way she is always glaring at me, I am afraid to follow her anywhere shady. But she leads me to the next street to a car with a royal crown emblem at the front. Though it's not the same car I have travelled in before.
A bare faced guard standing near it opens the passenger seat door for me.
Hajoon is still in that periwinkle sweater but with a white coat.
I get inside and greet him lazily. As the car starts rolling, I lift my arms above my head and stretch my body. My back arches, a light relieving sigh escaping my mouth. The soft seat is inviting me to take a nap. It's only when I unfold and fold my body again that I become aware of his warm and heavy gaze.
It's following my every movement, lingering on my neck.
Heat creeps up on it.
It makes me conscious of myself and I sit up straight. His heavy and unblinking gaze fades as he looks ahead.
Maybe I am imagining things.
"I heard from the driver that you have been here all day. Thought we should pick you up on our way home," he says. This close, I smell his strong musk like expensive perfume.
Aiyo, he's made me conscious of him too.
"I got a job here," I explain, avoiding eye contact.
"A job?"
"A part time job, paying 31,000 won an hour. The work and pay of two people. If I bring in more customers, I can get a bonus too. I am going to be rich!" I couldn't have sounded less enthusiastic.
His eyebrows rise as if impressed. "You are going too fast. At this rate you might be building another palace in front of mine."
I smile ruefully and release a sigh from the depth of my soul, and continue to act like I don't feel his glances throughout the ride to the palace.
At the palace, we get in the elevator together. Sunwoo has not followed us. I reach to press the first floor button.
"Second floor," Hajoon says. "I have something to show you."