Chapter 9
We stayed silent after, and I focused on reading the schedule, but my phone suddenly rang. I checked my phone and saw the number of my parents' secretary Ms. Shin. I answered the call while massaging my temple.
"Ms. Jia?" A voice of a woman from the other line.
"Hello, Ms. Shin." I greeted her
"Are you home?" She asked in a polite voice.
"Uhm. Not yet. I'm still in school." I said to her, trying to sound calm.
"I understand. Your parents will be back tonight, and they want to have dinner with you." She said in a formal tone in addressing my parents.
"Alright. I will be home before dinner." I said and was about to end the call, but I waited for her reply.
Ms. Shin is my parents' witty secretary. She handles most of the transactions and meetings of the CEO, and she's excellent in her job. In the past, I'm not aware of her presence and not interested in her, but she was mostly the person who took care of my mess. I should treat her with respect now that I'm back.
"Anything else, Ms. Shin?" I asked because she kept silent. I thought she had already hung up the phone.
"A-Ah no... See you tonight." She said, and I bid goodbye to her. She may be flustered about my attitude of respecting the elders. Well, I learned my lesson, and I plan to continue treating her with respect because she deserves it.
I pouted after hanging up and a text message followed by. I opened Mr. Choi's message. I received information about studios I can rent out. I didn't expect him to find a place I can call a studio for a time being but...
Mr. Choi is reliable after finding it so soon. The report is detailed. I reply to him thanking him for his job. There's a place I want to visit. Itaewon and Samcheong-dong. I hope I have time after this week.
The room is awkwardly silent and I look around. Yejun is busy doing his club duties on the computer while I check the club room. I saw a guitar and picked it up.
"Do you mind if I play?" I asked him while tuning the guitar.
"You can do whatever you want." He said while looking at me without any emotion on his face. He continues working on the computer.
I strummed the guitar and started to sing the lyrics.
I asked if you are happy?
Sincerely happy? oh,
I'm singing a cover of a popular song I heard many times from Yumi. She likes this song and always plays it on her phone. I have become familiar with this song to the point that I look for it on the internet and memorize the lyrics and the chords.
Even if its a dream
I wish I won't wake up to this dream
I finished singing the song and I enjoyed it because I forgot that Yejun is with me in the same room. I halt after realizing that he's watching me. I stood up and returned the guitar and checked the time.
"Yumi is late." I retorted to him even though he's not saying anything.
"You have a great voice." Yejun complimented me after seeing my uneasiness.
"Thanks." I said and an awkward silence followed.
"How about you? Are you practicing for the competition?." I asked him since I don't have anything to say anymore.
"I'm taking care of it." He said coolly and looked into my eyes. After a moment his phone rings.
He got his phone from his pocket and answered the call.
"Penelope." Yejun said after answering his phone.
I stay there frozen and avert my eyes. I feel guilty for some reason for being with Yejun but I know to myself that I'm not doing anything bad and we're not even having a normal conversation. I gritted my teeth after reminiscing. I'm so hopeless. They talk on the phone and I don't understand their conversation since I'm fighting with my thoughts.
"Yes. I'm in the club room. I will visit later." I heard Yejun say and glance in my way.
I played with my phone and tried to search for craft designs on the internet. I stopped when I saw Yejun stand up and collect his bag.
"I will be on my way to the hospital." He said while adjusting his bag.
"Oh, okay. Tell Penelope that I say hi." I said and smiled at him.
"Are you fine alone?" He asked while frowning at me. I look at him, raising my brow.
"Of course. I just wait for Yumi." I said and told him to go.
"Alright. Bye." He said then left the room.
I let out a sigh and stretched my stiff body. I'm kinda hungry but I need to wait for Yumi. It's already 5:30 PM and there are only a few students who have club activities or studying left at school. I open my bag and take out my notebook. I will try to make crafts designs since I'm not doing anything and it's boring to wait alone.
This is the 20th design I drew and Yumi is still not back from her errands. I texted her and she didn't reply. Maybe she's that busy. I put down my pencil and massage my stiff fingers. The sunset is already gone and I'm still in stock here. I want to eat something and think of the food I want to eat right now.
I put my things in my bag aside from my wallet and phone. I left the music room and went to the lower floor because I wanted to buy a drink. There's a vending machine on the second floor and since I was on the fourth floor. It will be a long walk.
The hallway is mostly empty. The sky was already dark and the only noise was made from my shoes. I suddenly feel the chills. My brain went paranoid and I remember the ghost rumors.
They said that there's a ghost student who likes to walk in here. The rumor started that she died because she was rejected by the person she truly loved. She didn't die because of heartbreak but because of the other girl who bullied her to death. I twitch after remembering the story. I kinda scratched my hair because that story was so familiar to me.
My mood worsened and I forgot that I'm scared. I'm kinda annoyed by the rumor ghost stories. It puts salt on my wounds. I hurriedly walked to the classroom because I had already reached the second floor. I stopped after the next classroom turned off the light. What?! I startle and slowly walk by, not minding the fast beating of my heart.
The lights in the classrooms I pass by are all turning off their lights. I checked the surroundings and got scared because the whole floor was dark. I panic and tremble while getting my phone in my pocket. I need light! I need light!
I stopped after I heard the sound of footsteps. I look at the dark figure walking in my way. I shout and close my eyes. I sat on the ground feeling scared. After a moment someone is calling my name.
"Jia! Jia!." Said the voice. I slowly open my eyes and see the pale face of Haru frowning at me. I breathe heavily and my sweat is all over my face. The fear in my face is evident as I look at Haru with relief.
"Are you alright?" He asked and a smirk form on his lips.
I gritted my teeth when I realized something. I smack his arms for pulling a prank on me. He never knew how scared I was! I thought there's really a ghost!
"Wahahahhaha. I can't… Kim Jia. Your face is so funny! hahaha!" Haru was laughing so hard that I wished he choked out of his mouth.
"You really! Haru!" I glare at him and see his wide smile while wiping the tears because of so much laughing.
"Are you a kid?! Why did you pull a prank on me?" I asked him flustered. My face is red because of him.
"Because I heard the rumor of the student ghost in your school and it's just a coincidence that I found you. You realize that you're not really a human." Haru said and helped me to stand up but I glared at him and stood up on my own.
I clean the dust in my uniform while glaring at Haru. He smirks at me and crosses his arms then surveys the whole area.
"It's false news. There's no ghost here." Haru said and grinned at me.
"I don't care!" I shouted at him. I feel that my blood pressure is boiling.
"Jia... I'm sorry, okay! I just thought of you as a ghost-." He said and I twitched after hearing it.
"What did you say?" I asked and turned back to him. He stopped on time just to prevent us from clashing with each other. He towered over me.
"Nevermind. I said I'm sorry, okay? Please forgive me." His voice changes trying to act cute. I sighed at him and shook my head. This person-... This guy! oh, heck! Whatever.
We resumed our walk and I arrived at the vending machine. It's getting me stressed when his identity lurks in my mind.
"Buy me this, this, and this." I pointed out a chocolate bar and an apple juice. I crossed my arms while waiting for him to buy my food.
"Alright, as an apology. I will buy anything that you want." He said and wink at me. I ignore him.
"3 cans." I said when he handed me a drink.
"Isn't it overkill?" He asked and frowned at me but still followed my order.
"Here." I let him carry my food and I just open the apple juice and drink it straight. I finished it in a second.
"Thank you." I said and took my food from him.
"By the way. Why are you here?" I asked while we walked up the stairs to go back to the music club room.
"I have a business." Haru said and I just listened to him.
"Okay. Thanks for this." I said when we reached the 4th floor.
"Later Jia. I will go back to my work." He said and disappeared into Jia's eyes.
I got back to the music room and saw Yumi and Na Hyuk waiting for me. We cleaned the room before we decided to head back home. Yumi apologized to me for canceling our plans but I told her that I don't mind it. We went to the exit and I saw Mr. Choi waiting for me. Yumi and Na Hyuk also have their service. I bid my goodbye to them.
"Ms. Jia. Your Mom and Dad are at home." He said in a serious voice. I sigh then nod at him. I get in the car.
End of chapter 9...