THE HIRED BOYFRIEND

8

I woke up feeling groggy that morning, my head heavy as if filled with lead. Every fiber of my body protested as I forced myself to rise from the bed. The room was dim, the early light of dawn just beginning to seep through the curtains. I shuffled into the bathroom, my footsteps heavy and reluctant.

Staring into the mirror, I grimaced at my reflection. My eyes were puffy, framed by dark circles that seemed to have grown darker overnight. I sighed deeply, turning on the tap and splashing cold water onto my face in an attempt to wake up fully. The cold water was a shock, but it did little to erase the fatigue etched into my features. Grabbing my toothbrush, I methodically went through the motions, the minty taste doing little to invigorate me.

After about ten minutes of getting ready, I made my way to the kitchen. The house was eerily quiet, a stark reminder of my father's absence. He hadn't returned since he left with the money, and his continued disappearance gnawed at the back of my mind. I pushed the thought away, focusing instead on the immediate task of finding something to eat. Opening the nearly empty fridge, I grabbed a slice of white bread and ate it plain. The bread was stale, but I was too tired to care.

As I prepared to leave, I remembered I still hadn't bought any rice. I made a mental note to pick some up on my way back home. Glancing out the window, I noticed the sky was overcast, heavy clouds threatening to release a downpour at any moment. I cursed under my breath, realizing I had forgotten to replace my old broken umbrella. The gloomy weather matched my mood perfectly, a somber start to what promised to be a long day.

I stepped outside, the chill of the morning air hitting me immediately. The streets were quiet, save for the occasional car passing by. I pulled my jacket tighter around me and started walking, each step feeling heavier than the last. The sky seemed to darken with every minute, the threat of rain looming ever closer.

The school passed quickly with the new routine. I was still getting used to spending time with Hyeyoon and her friends, but it was a nice change. Despite the initial awkwardness, I found that the burden I had been carrying felt a little lighter, though not by much.

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of another school day, I made my way to the entrance. Stepping outside, I was greeted by the sight of rain pouring down heavily. "Great," I muttered, scolding myself for not bringing an umbrella.

I stepped back under the awning, giving space for others to make their way to their respective cars. Their chauffeurs greeted each one of them with umbrellas in hand, shielding them from the rain as they disappeared into expensive vehicles. It had become a familiar pattern, and each time, it made me feel a bit smaller.

As I stood there, watching the rain pour down and my uniform getting damp from the wind-blown drops, I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to wait it out. Just as I was about to head back inside, I heard a voice calling my name. I turned to see Hyeyoon standing in front of me, holding a large, bright red umbrella.

"Do you need a ride?" she asked, her voice cutting through the sound of the rain. She smiled warmly, a stark contrast to the gloomy weather.

My eyes slid to the shiny car waiting for Hyeyoon. Though I wasn't familiar with the brand, my commoner self recognized it as something beyond my wildest dreams. I glanced down at my wet shoes and shook my head, feeling out of place.

Ignoring my response, Hyeyoon suddenly grabbed my arm and whispered urgently, "Forget me asking, you need to come with me," before I could protest. She started dragging me towards the car.

As we moved, I caught sight of Mr. Jonho standing not far, watching us. His expression was something I couldn't decipher—part curiosity, part something else I couldn't place.