Stay Stay Stay ||Choi Yeonjun||

03

My alarm rings jolting me awake. Rubbing away the remnants of sleep, I get out of bed. Once out of my bedroom I see my Mom cooking eggs, while Mrs. Sim Jake's mother rummages through my cupboards.

"I swear my daughter lives on junk. I don't see any food other than the tubs of ramen and packets of chips you're taking out. "

"Atleast you found rice, sausages, kimchi and eggs. I swear there's nothing edible in my son's house. I have to go and restock it every week. Well not anymore I guess. "

I clear my throat as an announcement of my presence. The two ladies turn around and soon rush over fussing about me.

"Aigoo! I tell you. You need to eat more. Just skin and bones. "

"Are you not sleeping well? You have such dark circles. I heard rice water paste helps. I'll make some, okay? "

"That boss of yours worked you like a mule. I would skin him if I ever see him on the street. "

"Yah, that Buffalo. Doesn't give our Rinnie time to cook meals. I hope he starves! "

When the exclamations take a more violent turn, I stop them by asking what they were doing here. I only got a rattling slap on my back from Mom as my reply.

"We're here, to help you, to motivate you for your interview. "

Mrs. Sim smoothed my hair, flattening out my bedhead. Mrs. Sim had become my Mom's steady best friend and a second mother to me.

"Now off you go! Get ready. Breakfast will be ready by then. "

So I rush off, showering and dressing in formal shirt and trousers. Breakfast was a rushed affair and with many kisses, hugs and good wishes, Mom and Mrs. Sim send me off.

◦•●◉✿✿◉●•◦

I get out of the cab and pay the driver before turning to look around at the handsome building, the big glass panes catching on the sunlight. People walked in and out, some wearing suits, some looking casual. The inside I walk up to the receptionist who was talking on the phone. Noticing me, she raises her eyebrows questioningly.

"I'm here for the interview. Can you kindly tell me where is it supposed to be held? "

"Sure, it is on the seventeenth floor, fifth room. Just turn right and take the elevator. "

I return her warm smile with a smile of my own and head to the elevator. My eyes widen taking in the sleek, minimalist beige and grey interiors. As the metal doors of the elevator begin to close, I see a guy running towards signalling me to stop the elevator. I quickly press the button and doors reopen. The man gets in panting after all the running. I look at him, he was Hueningkai, the man who gave me so much hope of escape.

He seems to look at me while squinting. Recognition lights up his eyes as he says,

"You're here! "

"I'm here for interview. I can't express my gratitude enough for giving me this opportunity! "

"Psshh...I train interns. I know talent when I see it. What I did was more for us. We would be glad to have you. Anyways good luck for your interview! Ace it! "

"Thanks! "

I shout my reply as the elevator doors open and he heads out. But before the doors close completely he turns back showing me two thumbs up with a wide smile. I feel myself smiling back at the guy who I could only describe as ball of warm sunshine.

I finally reach the floor. There are already more than twenty interviewees sitting or standing. Few of them were muttering information under their breath. I grab a seat as a woman starts calling out names. The process starts.