She was one of those pretty , young ladies , born as if through an error of destiny, into a family of clerks . She had no dowry , no hopes , no means of becoming known , loved and married by a man either rich or distinguished; and she allowed herself to marry a petty clerk in the office of the Board of Education . She was simple , but was unhappy.
She suffered incessantly, feeling herself born for all delicacies and luxuries. She suffered from the poverty of her apartment , the shabby walls and the worn chairs . All these things tortured and angered her .
When she seated herself for dinner opposite her husband Jeon Jungkook, who uncovered the tureen with a delighted air, saying , “ Oh! The good potpie! I know nothing better than that....”, she would think of elegant dinners , of shinning silver ; she thought of the exquisite food served in marvellous dishes . She had neither frocks nor jewels , nothing. And she loved only those things .
She had a rich friend , a schoolmate at the convent , who she did not like to visit — she suffered so much when she returned. She wept for whole days from despair and disappointment.
One evening Jungkook returned elated bearing in his hand a large envelope.
“ Here ”, he said , “ here is something for you.” She quickly drew out a printed card on which were inscribed these words :
THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTIONS
AND
MADAME GEORGE RAMPONNEAU
ask the honour of Mr and Mrs Jeon's company . Monday evening , at the Minister's residence.
Instead of being delighted, as Jungkook had hoped , she threw the invitation spitefully upon the table murmuring,
“ what do you suppose I want with that ?”
“ But , my love , I thought it would make you happy . You never go out , and this is an occasion, and a fine one ! Everybody wishes one , and it's very select ; not many are given to employees. You'll see the whole official world there”.
She looked at him with an irritated eye and declared impatiently,“ what do you suppose I've to wear to such a thing as that ?”
Jungkook had not thought of that ; he stammered ,“ Why , the dress you wear when we go to the theatre . It seems very pretty to me ....” He was silent stupefied , in dismay , at the sight of his wife weeping . He stammered,“ what's the matter ? What's the matter?”
By a violent effort , she had controlled her vexation and responded in a calm voice , wiping her moist cheeks ,
“ Nothing . Only I've no dress and consequently I cannot go to the affair. Give your card some colleague whose wife is better fitted out then I. ”
He was grieved , but answered ,“ let us see , Y/n . How much would a suitable costume cost , something that would serve other occasions , something very simple ?”
She reflected for some seconds thinking of a sum that she could ask for without bringing with it an immediate refusal and a frightened exclamation from the economical clerk . Finally she said , in a hesitating voice, “ I cannot tell exactly, but it seems to me that 4000 won ought to cover it .”
He turned a little pale , for he had saved just this sum to buy a gun that he might be able to join some hunting parties the next summer , with some friends who went to shoot larks on Sunday . Nevertheless he answered ,
“Very well . I'll give you 4000 won but try to have a pretty dress”.
YOU ARE READING
THE NECKLACE || jungkook ff || Oneshot
Short Story" I wish I was never so greedy " Y/n Matilda is invited to a grand party . she has a beautiful dress but no jewellery. she borrows a necklace from a friend .....and loses it . what happens then? ------ NO TRANSLATIONS NO REPOST NO REPORT
