lilacs on a warm spring day 𝐀𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐳 𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚

III - sorry

Wednesday, 3rd November 2021

"Have you meet your soulmate?" his Mom wanted to know. It was always the first the she would ask. "No, I haven't. Mom I really can't talk right now. The store is full. Seonghwa and Yeosang are stressed and I am to. It's November. The people want presents for Christmas." he told his Mom. She clicked her tongue.

"That's why you haven't met him, her or whatever. You're always in that damn store. I know you love books but isn't it a bit exaggerate?" she asked. Hongjoong massaged his temples. "No, it's not Mom. How else am I supposed to live?" he mumbled, almost cursing at her.

"Young man! I just want you to be happy." his mother told him. Her voice goes from sharp as a knife to soft as cotton candy. He sighed bit still nodded. "Listen. I'm sure I'll meet my soulmate soon. But not now. Right now I don't have not time for this. Christmas is coming and I'm needed here." he explained to his mother. As she wanted to speak, Seonghwa interrupted. "Hongjoong! The applicants are here." he bursted into the room, also known as Hongjoongs office. He nodded, trying to come to an end with the call: "Sorry, Mom. I have stuff to do. Talk to you later. Love you." He hung up after his Mom said goodbye.

"Send them here." The white haird male was under so much pressure right now. It was like that every year. The first two years he was alone. But then someday Seonghwa came into his store asking for a job. Hongjoong didn't know what to do. So he accepted.

Another year later they searched together for another member. So they welcomed Yeosang. Today they have two positions to assign. They needed them badly or else they would drown in work.

So Hongjoong decided to interview the candidates. Discussing them with his co-workers. He planned this out for four hours. Gave the twenty candidates twelve minutes each.

Sighing he asked for the first applicant. Asking the same questions over and over again. Some really were interested in this job, others weren't. They sat their. With their arrogant selfs, chewing a gum loudly. Not answering Hongjoongs questions probably. Just nodding or snorting.

One even told him his parents turned off the money faucet for him. So he just wanted money but no work. Some didn't even showed up. Hongjoong was fed up.

He really wanted it to end. He was losing hope. A light knock was heard. Hongjoong massaged the bridge of his nose. Annoyed he pressed out a, "Come in."

"I am so sorry for showing up so late. I forgot that the job interview was scheduled today and yeah. But uh I still came." the young man opened the door and apologized immediately. "It is okay. There were people here today that didn't even cared. Urgh, I want to go to my store." Hongjoong mumbled and heard a laugh.

"I know how you feel. You look so tired of sitting here. Anyways, let's get started. I'm the last one and the sooner finish the better it would be for you." the younger said smiling. "You're right. So let's get started." Hongjoong smiled for the first time in these four hours.

"So, your name is Choi San, right?" "Yes, it is, Mister Kim." "Call me Hongjoong, Kid." The white haird smiled fondly at San, seeing him nod politely.

"So, tell me about yourself."

A few minutes later they both stood up and shook hands. "So, Choi San. It was a pleasure to meet you." "For me it also was a pleasure, Hongjoong Hyung." Both smiled.

"So, I'll contact you as soon as my coworkers and I decided. So, see you around." They both bid their goodbyes.

Hongjoong was tired. And as soon as he walked into his store his co-workers closed it. San was walking down the street, earphones in. "Oh my god, Hongjoong. You look so tired." "Feeling like that, tho." the white haird yawned. "Let's discuss this tomorrow, okay? I have no energy left."

And like that they parted ways until tomorrow morning to walk through their routine again.