Fairy (요정) ✓

Chapter 13

[Sim Daejung]

I wake up in Ida's arms. She's clung to me all night, even when I signaled her the show was over. She must've liked it. It looks like things aren't going as I want. I need to get rid of her. What if she starts demanding we become a real couple?

As much as I enjoyed the one night stand, I want it to stay as it is. I don't want it to evolve into anything more. I've already said that, but she's far from being my ideal type.

I slide a stash of bills in the pocket of her horrible coat and give her a glance. She returns it, which makes me regret my latest move. I should've been more careful. What if she wants a second round? I need to stop hesitating and get out of this motel.

The only way to do so without pissing her off is to come up with an excuse. I pretend to check my phone and let out a fake cough. "Sorry, my best friend texted me just a few minutes ago. It's an emergency. I have to go!"

She doesn't believe me. "Let me check. I'm sure you're lying." Oh, God. I have to up my game, or else I'm stuck with her. She obviously sees me as her new toy boy and can't wait to introduce me to her close circle. I can't let her have her way.

"I'm pretty sure you have somewhere to go with some other guy... What was his name?" This isn't something completely made up, but what I found out as soon as she went to sleep. She forgot to turn her ringtone off; as such, I spent the following hour worrying that she might have something urgent to do today.

Instead, it turns out she was sexting to at least sixteen other guys simultaneously. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but she should've been upfront with me. "I mean, Ida, you already have what you want. Money, connections, a lot of guys to choose from. Why do you want to add me to your collection?"

"I admit it, I treated you like my plaything. But it doesn't seem as if you were disgusted. I take you liked it, right?" She throws a coy glance at me, but I don't pay her much attention. I get dressed and insist I have to leave.

"Sorry, Ida. You'll have better luck with the next one."

***

At last, I'm out of that motel. I need to go back home, or else Perla will have good reasons to believe I've bailed on her. Too bad it'll take me at least one hour and a half to do so. The subway is packed as fuck. I hate being stuck there like a sardine, but I have no other choice if I want to be home in a timely manner.

Amidst all the chaos, I hear someone calling me with my code name. "Sim Card! What a surprise!" They must be some regular at The Stranger, or, worse, a friend of Charlene's. Said person juggles the crowd and finds a spot... on my lap. What the fuck!

I protest. "Excuse me, I'm not your chair."

"Hahahahaha. Charlene always calls me out when I sit on men's lap. I mean, this train is packed as fuck. Do you want me, a fine lady, stand with these killer heels?" She has a point. Still, I can't recognize her. I only know she's acquainted to Charlene.

"Sim Card, you look confused. You need a refresher." She pulls me into a tight hug. I close her eyes and pretend to enjoy it.

She continues talking. "I'm PP, do you remember?" I shake my head. I must've seen her at most once since I began hanging out at The Stranger.

I ask, "PP as in?"

"Pauline Pressley. Come on, you can't have forgotten my name just yet, Sim Card!" She giggles every time she talks. She's also so clingy. I think she's already drunk. How can she waste herself in the morning?

"Anyway, Sim Card, can I ask you a favor?" How can she trust me so lightheartedly? I don't even know her well enough to do as she says. I hope it doesn't involve Netflix and chill, though. I've barely dodged Ida and want to stay clean for at least a week.

"Sim Card, please take me to Perla's. We have some unfinished business." Okay, it isn't as traumatic as I thought. I'll be back home, the two women will sort out whatever kind of issue they have with each other, and that's it. Right?

"You're lucky, PP. I'm headed there, too. We can go together. One thing, though. Hands off my chest, please." I sense her hands underneath my T-shirt and am beyond embarrassed. Is she trying to excite me? The crowded subway is one of the worst places to have that.

"Oh, sorry... I just can't resist. You're handsome, you know." She winks; I, on the other hand, barely keep myself from recoiling out of disgust. This woman doesn't know constraints.

"Okay, just two stops and we'll be close. Remember. Keep your hands off me, or I'll leave you here on your own. Do you understand?" As I issue my warning, she stands up and doesn't say a word. She has all eyes on her. I do think she has drunk a pint too much this morning.

***

We walk side to side toward Perla's, maintaining some distance between one another. My hands are in my pockets; she keeps hers occupied by rummaging in her bag. She makes sure not to show me anything, which raises suspicions inside me. Is there a gift for Perla? Or a huge stack of money? Or a shit ton of make-up?

Okay, this isn't my business. I just walk, always looking forward and not paying attention at PP's steps. She struts behind me with ease. I can't imagine myself walking in those killer heels if I were a woman. Not that I'd need those, since I'm naturally tall and I doubt that'd change even if I weren't a man.

Ten minutes pass and we're inside the building. PP asks for the elevator, but I shake my head. "It's broken. Look at the sign." She mutters something through her teeth, which I catch immediately. I feel bad for her. Walking two flight of stairs in eighteen centimeters of heels (that's only my estimate, the real number might be different) must be pure hell.

I suggest she take her shoes off. She obeys and flies through the stairs. I have a hard time catching up with her. Damn, she's fast! By the time I finally pant my way to the entrance door of Perla's apartment, PP is already there, her right hand on the door knob.

I wave my keys on her face. "You seem really impatient, don't you? This undone business you have with Perla must be exciting. Let me open the door." So, here we are. Finally. PP throws her shoes at the corner and immediately goes looking for her... friend, I assume. This leaves me to lock the door.

I take my own shoes off, as well, and head to the living room. Neither Daehwa nor Sujin is here, which is good news for now. I sit on the couch and turn the TV on, hoping to find something lighthearted and drama free.

Too bad I'm like a fly on shit when it comes to trash. The first channel that pops up is airing the new season of the ump-teenth reality show. Now, I don't want to change channel. I want to laugh at the high level of stupidity and sheer ignorance the show's protagonists exude.

After all, some good laughter is good for me, isn't it?