Yeseul stood outside her stepfather's study, nervously twisting her fingers together.
It was 4:00 in the afternoon. She had delayed asking Jae wook until the last possible minute. If she didn't do it now, she never would get a chance to see Fullsun face to face.
Taking a deep breath, she raised her hand. But just before she knocked, the door swung open and Jaewook nearly walked into her.
He was wearing one of his fanciest suits, adjusting the solid gold cuff links. Jaewook looked down his long nose at her. That was the only way, it seemed, that Jaewook ever looked at her.
"What is it?"
"Um." Yeseul's voice had gone very small. "I hate to bother you, it's just, um..."
"Speak up."
Yeseul gulped. "I was wondering if I could go to the Halloween dance at school tonight," she said in one rushed breath.
Jaewook paused, hand hovering over his cuffs. If Yeseul didn't know any better, she would think literal electricity was coursing through the air. Panic welled up on her chest, and the words started spilling out.
"I mean, Hyunji and Hyuna are going, practically the whole school is going, and I can get there and back on my own so you wouldn't even need to worry and besides I'd be out of your hair for a whole evening, right, I mean what could-"
"No."
Yeseul faltered. "N-no?"
"I'm going on a business trip." Jaewook continued moving. "I'll be gone all night and most of tomorrow. And I'll be hosting a meeting on Sunday." His eyes flashed. "Meaning I want this house spotless when I return."
"B-but," Yeseul argued weakly. "This is..."
"No buts." Jaewook walked past her swiftly. "I will see you tomorrow evening."
He rounded the corner. Yeseul stood there, frozen, uncomprehending. She had expected him to say no, but at the same time, she felt like a stake was being driven through her stomach. Then she took off, running after him.
She caught him in the garage, his silver car already running. Yeseul knocked on the window, breathing heavily. She could see her reflection in the glass.
Jaewook rolled down the window, an ugly scowl on his face. "Don't smear the glass," he said shortly.
"Please!" Yeseul begged. "I can go and do the chores, I promise! The house will be clean!"
"My answer was no." Jaewook growled. "I'm already late for my plane. Out of my way."
Yeseul stumbled back from the car. Jaewook reversed out of the garage, leaving her in his dust. A lump started forming in her throat, and a well of frustration and anger building up in her chest.
"Well, well."
Yeseul spun around. Hyunji was leaning against the door, a smirk on her lips. She was already in costume; a costume that consisted of a black mini dress, lime green fishnets, and a witch's hat. She opened a compact mirror and studied her face.
"Such a shame. But I thought you didn't want to go?"
Yeseul clenched her fists and ground her teeth. She kept her eyes down. She refused to let Hyunji see her cry.
