Salmon Bagel and a Hot Chocolate

15 - The Art of Forgetting

The next day was rough. Minjeong woke up with a pounding headache, it was a Sunday, and she was late for work.

With a lot of effort, she got out of bed and got dressed, keeping in mind to be a little quieter since Yizhuo and her mother were still sound asleep.

Since she arrived home the previous night, Minjeong hadn't spoken to or heard from Karina, but then again, she figured the woman was probably knocked out. Minjeong didn't plan on initiating a conversation. Not before work.

Minjeong didn't say anything to Yizhuo or Taeyeon about what happened and she did not plan on doing so ever.

It was already hard enough to stop thinking about, so Minjeong did not need anyone in her ear reminding her about what happened.

Her goal for the day was to not speak or think about Karina. She figured she shouldn't even go to the café, which was why she told Jihyo she'd speak to her again today and prayed it extended until the evening.

Minjeong walked into her office building, smiling at Yerim with great struggle. The lights were way too bright.

"Good morning," Yerim chuckled. "Big night?"

"Yeah." Minjeong huffed.

"Ooh... you look like shit."

"Great to see you here, Heejin." Minjeong let out a sarcastic smile.

"Do you want my hang-"

"No I do not want your hangover cure ever again," Minjeong cut Heejin off. "I almost died the last time."

"You're being dramatic!" Heejin said. "Yeah, it tastes horrible, but it works."

"It does not." Yerim muttered while occupying herself with a couple of papers.

"You're jealous it's better than your garbage cure."

"Yerim's always works." Minjeong shrugged.

"You're ganging up against me?!" Heejin gasped.

"Yes, that's exactly what we're doing," Yerim laughed before looking at Minjeong. "Yunjin was asking for you."

"I'll check what she needs, thanks." Minjeong smiled, bidding goodbye to Heejin before entering her office and putting her things down, heading over to Yunjin's right after that.

Minjeong knocked on the door and waited for a signal to enter before doing so, smiling at the pair in the room.

"Good morning," Yunjin greeted. "You look... very hungover."

"I am," Minjeong nodded, glancing at the other woman. "Hi, I'm Minjeong."

"I'm Eunchae." the woman let out a bright smile.

"My daughter," Yunjin said, Eunchae laughing at that while Minjeong looked at them in confusion. Her head hurt too much to register jokes so early in the morning. "Oh God, I'm kidding! She's just an old friend."

"Oh, whoa," Minjeong laughed lightly. "I really thought for a second."

"You are so out of it," Yunjin shook her head lightly. "What's up?"

"Yerim told me you asked for me?"

"I told her to tell you..." Yunjin muttered under her breath. "I'll be leaving early today."

"She couldn't have told me that herself?"

"Girl, you know how she gets when Heejin shows up." Yunjin reminded.

Minjeong only chuckled in response, "Anyways, I'm seeing Jihyo in a bit. I've just got one session today, so I guess we close early?"

"Tell Yerim at least three times so she knows to lock the doors," Yunjin said. "Good luck for today."