Homeless Vain

34

It was an intense staring battle.

None of us dared to speak, as if one would be disqualified if any sound came out. Instead, our eyes squinted, brows raised - they even knitted together as a signal sent, hoping that the opponent would talk first.

But until the end, neither me nor him wanted to speak.

So, I gave up.

"What is this?" I put down the paper he passed to me as soon as I arrived in his office.

Finally, a hopeful light glimmering in both of his eyes as if he had been waiting for me to ask. Sangyeon leaned forward his desk, pointed to a particular point written on the paper situated in front of me.

"This book store wants us to supply them our masterpieces," he explained but I still couldn't understand it well.

"And what it has to do with me?"

"Nothing," he said, leaning back against his chair.

I scoffed.

I was summoned to his office while I was doing my job with a concern message of 'ASAP. Have something important to discuss', which did nothing but my anxiety jump.

I thought there were problems related to my books, so I rushed, speeding up on the road like a F1 driver, just to be told that it had nothing to do with me.

What are you thinking bro?

"You're ki-"

"It has nothing to do with you but I'm giving you the honour to be there, witnessing the moment," he cut me with a long elaboration, but still I don't get it. My head pondered as I stared at him sighing. "I want to put your books there, Ivy. Bet you want to put it yourself on the shelf."

Now only I understood.

My eyes widening and for a moment I forgot how to breathe. It was great, too great actually.

"Of course I want!" I beamed, still hadn't breathed yet. Too much questions popping up in my little head that I couldn't identify which one I should prioritize.

But all disappeared when Sangyeon laughed behind his desk.

"I know you will be ecstatic," he shook his head softly. "I made a right decision to bring you there."

Why me?

That very question had taken the biggest space in my head but I couldn't easily ask him that for an untold reason. I skimmed his face with the question constantly whispering in my ear, hoping that I could find a little hint, but none.

He will let me know later right?

"Where is it again?" instead I asked the most common one, taking the paper closer to me.

And that was when, my face scrunched up. Even Sangyeon had explained the location again, I couldn't hear him well. For the voice in my head was much louder than his.

The address seemed familiar yet foreign at the same time. It was not in this town, the journey later would probably take about 1 to 2 hours by car. I'd never been there but I swore I'd heard it somewhere.

"How's the progress of your new work?" Sangyeon broke my trance, diligently typing on his keyboard, not looking at me.

I wasn't offended - truly. Above anything, he's still a boss to me. Anything he did, or how he looked wasn't supposed to make me hurt.

But there was something about Sangyeon. He had that brotherly and almost fatherly side yet he refused to be treated all high that made me admire him. Not romantically.