Façade

I

Han Sohee

"Thank you, Sohee! Be careful on your way home!" My co-nurse—Kitty said, waving her hand as I'm about to leave the hospital.

I gave her a smile and waved my hand for a while before finally walking away. My eyes focus on the sidewalk that I walk on, and I realize that the day has already ended. The sky has turned black, with stars and a moon shining. It seems the weather today is good.

As I was walking on the sidewalk, I suddenly felt stiff in some areas of my body. I don't feel tired, but the stiffness makes me feel tired.

"I guess I need to do some stretching later," I muttered to myself as I slightly massaged my stiff lower back.

It's been a week since I've done any stretching. That type of stretching needs a lot of muscle to move. It's been raining here in Nong Chok, one of the districts here in Bangkok, Thailand. It's been raining since last week, and I hate going out when it's raining. Let's just say rain isn't for me. It brings back bad memories to me.

After a few more minutes of walking, I finally arrived at my rented apartment. The building has five floors, and I stay on the last floor, where I can easily access their rooftop.

Before getting inside my designated apartment, I unlock it by pressing the pin code type of lock. It didn't take a while to open it, so I quickly went inside my simple yet cozy apartment.

It's a 30-square-meter room. It's a bit smaller than where I used to live, but this is better than living with a witch.

With a sigh, I put down my bag on the couch and hastily took off my scrub top. I sat down on the couch and leaned on the backrest as my inked skin was now exposed, making them breathe and felt more comfortable.

While enjoying the silence at peace, it quickly broke when a sudden phone call rang my phone. I let out a deep breath before grabbing my phone from my pocket. I took a quick glance at the caller ID, and my face went irritated when it showed a very familiar international number.

Annoyed and irritated, I click the answer button and put the phone in my ear.

"What?" I scoff.

"No, hello or hi?" an old raspy voice said in the other line with a faint satori accent.

"When it comes to you, no," I said, closing my eyes. "Anyway, are you calling me to go home again?"

"Where's your manners, young lady? How rude of you to talk to your father like that?" he scoffs.

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."

Then I heard a sigh from him. "I miss you, my dear. It's been 5 years since you went to Thailand and never came back here."

"That's because there's a witch in the house," I spoke bluntly.

"Don't call your stepmom like that," he hissed.

"No thanks, dad," I smirk. "Also, your men are following and taking a photo of me. I hope they took a good picture so you won't miss me that much."

"What are you saying? I didn't have men following you," he said, acting dumb, which made me roll my eyes once again.

"Yeah?" I said, thinking of something to provoke him. "I caught your men checking me out, dad. I don't know if he took a picture of me wearing only a bikini without my consent. He might not see me, but my instincts are strong. Why don't you check their camera? For sure they might have taken a picture of me being naked." Before I could continue my sentence, I could hear him cursing out loud. That made me smirk as I caught him.

"Those mother fuck—" he said, stop cursing and going silent. Maybe realizing he got caught lying.

"Your men can watch me. I don't care. I'm still not going home, dad. Not at least with a witch inside the house." I sigh, closing my eyes as I try to relax my body.

I also heard him sigh. "I don't know what really happened between you and your stepmother, but I'm really hoping you'll give her a chance to enter your life."

My father and I had a great relationship with each other. It's just that he fell in love with a witch after my mom died of cancer.

I hummed in response and spoke. "I can give her a chance. Only if she stops acting like a mad witch towards me."

My father let out a heavy sigh. "Alright. Just be careful, okay? Also, stop getting tattoos!" He scolds.

I let out a chuckle. "I'll be careful, but I don't seem to understand the last sentence."

"You punk!" He hissed, and I can imagine him holding the back of his head.

He let out another sigh. "Just... be careful and stop going underground. It's dangerous."

My smile went away and I went silent.

"I'll hang up now. Take care, alright? I love you, dear. See you soon." And he finally hangs up.

I guess his men followed me to the underground. But I don't care. That underground makes me alive. The adrenaline rushing throughout my body and the nerve-wracking battle I faced made my life fun and thrilling.

Or maybe I like to lash out at my unspoken feelings.

***

edited.

Chap one done!