the lonely foreigner | 067 (kang saebyeok)

CHAPTER 3: CONFRONTATION

LILJA POV:

Walking down the streets of Seoul I decided to go to a café.

I was struggling to believe what just happened a few minutes ago. Did I really just win one hundred thousand won? The guy said if I rang the number I could get more money.

It was really shady though, I was complaining about being broke then suddenly out of nowhere a man with money just happened to be there.

The bell of Chungha's Café rung in my ears as strolled in, it felt surreal seeing somewhere look so posh and fancy. It was refreshing considering my whole life I've practically rolled in poverty.

When I sat down I eyed the nice café as the waitress came up and asked me what I wanted.

"An iced Americano please" I said happily. Today I was in a very elated mood, I was still wondering if I should've trusted that guy. He could've been working for the mafia or some other scary shit I do not want to think about.

I mean the worst thing that could ever happen to me is if  I die.

Considering the fact that I don't have a phone I'll just ask the waitress if I can use the café's one.

"Excuse me miss, Can I please use the phone, it's very important." I lied. I can't go around informing every stranger I see that I'm currently going to contact someone possible very suspicious for a large amount of money.

"Of course mam, take as much time as you need!" She said as she was wiping the red, shiny tables at the front of the café.

Bless your soul hot waitress.

I swiftly grabbed the phone as I used my other hand to pull out the card in my pocket, I dialled the number on which showed 86504006.

The number rang as my heart beat started to increase. Was this a good idea?

A deep, stern voice which was most likely a male one spoke up, "Hello, Who's calling right now?". I coughed as I said "Um, Hello. My name is Lilja and you gave me this business card earlier when you played the game with me. You said I would win more money".

"If you want to play the game please state your birth name and birth date". I managed to keep my voice down as I quietly muttered "Lilja Petrov, 30th September 2002".

"Ok Miss Petrov, a driver will be at the corner of Seyhun Street to collect you at eleven pm on the dot. The password is red light, green light. Make sure to remember it and do not be late."

"Thank you participate and we'll look forward to see you in the game." the voice exclaimed as the line went dead.

I breathed out as my heart started thudding. I dashed out of the café as I shouted a thank you to the waitress.

Struggling to believe what was happening I took a few minutes to calm down and recollect my facing thoughts. This was definitely going to be dangerous and risky. I just know Carlo was shaking his head at me right now. He always does that when he knows I'm doing something completely and utterly mindless.

"Well Well Well" a voice that creeped me from behind me said in a bone chilling way. No.

It couldn't be him.

I slowly turned around
to see Chan. This was the man that made my life miserable, this was the man that used my body for money, this was the man who took my passport and completely ruined my self esteem.

Roughly I was grabbed with his aggressive hands and shoved against a brick wall behind us. He covered my mouth with his hand as I was screaming under while they were muffled. "You really thought you could escape from me you little whore" he said with a sadistic smirk on his mouth while chuckling like a maniac who just discovered his prey.

"All because of you I haven't been making any money for months on end, all my other little bitches don't make as much as you little Lily".

My mind was triggered with seeing him as I bravely kicked him right in the balls.

He screamed in pain as he dropped to the ground. "Look Chan, I'm not a kid anymore you can't scare me like you used to". "You are a sick man who took advantage of me when I was a teenager and used me as a prostitute!" I said while tears were pouring down my eyes. I looked pathetic.

"You can't take advantage of me anymore or manipulate me! Go to hell!" I scream at him. He swiftly gets up as he punches me in the face as he pushes me to the ground. "How fucking dare you disobey me" he shouted whilst punching me in the stomach. He was bigger and stronger than me. I didn't have a chance.

A tall figure suddenly pulls Chan off me and kicks him in the stomach. Holy fuck.

It was the same girl that saved me yesterday. "Hurry up let's go" she says as she put her hand around my wrist and dragged me while running away.

"Come on, round this corner",she said as we quickly dunked so wet we're behind a wall together.

"Are you a magnet to trouble because it always seems like you need saving" she said sternly as she observed my now bleeding face and busted lip.

"I already told you a don't need fucking saved", I said in anger as a shoved her out of my grasp and tried to walk away but she grabbed my wrist again.

"You are hurt, let me help you",she calmly said to me.

We both comfy stared at each other as I finally gave in. "Ok, I'm sorry for being an asshole I've just had a stressful day", I said guilty as I stared at her enchanting face as it seemed like it was luring me in.

"Just sit down already" she said seriously as she pulled out a plaster out of her duffel bag.

I obeyed her words as I slowly sat down on the wall. "Stay still, I'll clean the blood of your face". "That's really not necessary- you don't have t-" "Shut up girl, just let me help you without being so difficult". "Sorry" I said quietly.

As her face came to an eye level with mine I couldn't help but get lost in her eyes.

I looked like an absolute freak.

Her facial expressions look like she was drawn on a manga. There was something so magical about them.

She concentrated as she started to wipe my cuts and examine my bruises. When she finished up she took the plasters to cover up my wounds.

"That's it all done now, nothing serious has happened. Just some cuts and bruises". "Well I'll have to be leaving now" she exclaimed whilst picking up her bag.

"Wait!" I quickly shouted. "Thank you for helping me, I probably would've been killed".

She looked at me as she said "It's fine, I always think women should help each other. In this universe, it's us against the world".

The woman started walking closer to me as she came really close to my face. She caressed my face as she smoothly said "By the way, your face looks nice with and without those scars". She blurted as she still had an emotionless look on her face.

Before I could say anything the strange woman took three quick strides away from me as she ran in to the distance.

At this point my face was literally a tomato.

I didn't even get that woman's name.