𝕭𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊───
"Dance for me." The figure on the throne said.
Her throat felt dry. Even in the dark, she could sense his eyes on her, tracking her every move.
She couldn't place what it was, but something about his intimidating aura made...
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"Alright, that's all for today." The lecturer concluded her class, as she shuts her laptop and puts it in her bag.
Students were packing and rushing out of the classroom, excited for the break. While the other half walked to the lecturer, eager to ask more questions about the upcoming tests.
Ji-ah lifted her bag over her shoulder and walked out of the class, towards the cafeteria.
People were lining up already, today they were serving Korean fried chicken.
After getting her order, she sat down on her seat and was about to enjoy her food, before a girl plopped down across her, breathing heavily.
"Ji-ah!" Her friend, Haeun called.
"Haeun, what's wrong? Did you run here?" Ji-ah looked up at Haeun who was catching her breath. She had her hair up today, tied with a pink ribbon.
Haeun was always the girl who looked like she had her life together. She knew how to make herself look pretty. Ji-ah wished to be like her.
"Do you want to go to a party after the exam ends?" She wiggled her eyebrows.
"Party? Jackson Wang's party?" Ji-ah asked.
"No! Not that one." Haeun flicked her hand. "It's supposed to be a dance party, held at a huge palace. We should join, lots of people are going too!"
"Are you sure? It's not illegal or anything right? I don't want to go to a shady place─"
"No it's not! C'mon, you've been working all the time, I feel bad, we should have some fun after the semester ends!" Haeun piped.
Ji-ah had moved out of her stepmom's house right after she graduated high school, working part-time at the cafe to pay her rent and fees. The manager was kind enough to take her in, letting her live in the shop lot.
"Not only that, it's an old palace on top of the Velvet Hill. They always hold an event every October. Don't you know?" Haeun eyes twinkled as she asked. "I always wanted to go there, it's a royal palace." She continued. "And the guy who hosts the parties is supposed to be a royal descendant. But no one knows what he looks like, he has never revealed his identity."
"So a mysterious guy? What if he's a 70-year-old man?" Ji-ah laughed.
Haeun rolled her eyes. "There's not a single elderly in that party alright!"
"Fine, but don't we need to get invited?" Ji-ah asked.
"No, it's always been open. Though of course, they do limit the number of guests, so early birds get the worm." Haeun explained.
"So we have to go early." Her eyes widened. She grabbed Ji-ah's hands, shaking violently.
"Okay. We still have exams though." Ji-ah frowned. Contrary to her friend's excitement, she couldn't help but stress about their academic responsibilities.
Haeun groaned. "Ugh, don't even mention the word 'exam'!"
Then she gasped when she looked down at the Korean fried chicken, before running off to get her serving.
☽
Ji-ah entered the store and greeted her manager. "Mr. Kang, I'm back."
The manager smiled when he glanced up from behind the counter. "Oh Ji-ah, watch the store for me, I'm going out." The middle-aged man took off his apron and grabbed his car keys, before heading towards the door.
At this hour, there were fewer customers, so Ji-ah put her bag upstairs before dressing into her uniform. Then she returned to her post at the counter.
Mr. Kang had taken her in when he saw her standing outside the store, looking devastated. Ji-ah had run out of her stepmom's house then, she had enough of the abuse she gave her.
"You bring tragedy to everyone. That's why your parents left you at the orphanage!" The woman sneered at her. "I'll see how you survive out there, stupid girl!"
That memory alone is enough to make Ji-ah moody the whole day. She quickly pushed it aside. Ji-ah was glad she left then, she didn't have to put up with that horrible woman anymore.
She is really grateful for Mr. Kang. Mr. Kang had always treated her like his daughter. He had a wife but was divorced later on, and he didn't disclose any more information about her, so Ji-ah decided not to pry.
She continued to work her shift at the cafe until closing time. She helped Mr. Kang to close the store, before returning to her room upstairs. It was time for her to revise for her tests.
She studied until late at night while chatting and ranting with Haeun on the phone, before she finally surrendered to sleep.
