Blood stained roses

CHAPTER 1

San

I suddenly wake up after another of the countless nightmares about my family. Even 16 years later, that story still haunts me every night, I'm really wondering if I'll ever be able to get over it.

I reach for my phone and check out the time : 6:17am. Much earlier than usual but I guess it's time to wake up, I won't be able to go back to sleep anyway.
I wouldn't be asking myself that kind of questions if I was able to get a job, I graduated last year and found a very good gig but the company I worked for went out of business and I found myself being jobless two months ago. Ever since, it's been impossible to find another job and it's getting very difficult to hold both ends by the end of each month. All of my economies went into college and what I won by working paid my rent.
Thankfully, I live with a roommate so I didn't have to pay the full rent and he helped me not getting expelled.
But I'm still stuck in a pretty shitty situation and I really need to get out of it.

I gather up all the little motivation I can find in myself and I finally get out of bed. I join my roommate and best friend, Wooyoung, in the kitchen where he's already pouring himself some hot coffee.

Wooyoung : Well you're up early.
San : Couldn't sleep anymore.
Wooyoung : Another nightmare ?
San : Yeah, unfortunately.
Wooyoung : You sure you don't wanna see a therapist ? I'm pretty sure they'd help you and you could finally get some normal sleep.
San : I'm not ready to talk about it to a perfect stranger, and they'll probably send me away to a psychiatric hospital.
Wooyoung : Don't you think you're being dramatic ? You just need some help with getting over your traumas.
San : A dead family trauma.
Wooyoung : Just think about it, will you ? And I got you a job interview today.
San : Really, where ?
Wooyoung : You remember my friend Yeosang from work ?
San : Yeah.
Wooyoung : Well his sister's workplace is hiring so I placed an application for you, you have the interview at 10am today.
San : And you didn't think it would be a good idea telling me before ?!
Wooyoung : You would've refused.
San : Why would I ?! At this point, I could take any jobs !! Where does she work ?
Wooyoung : A florist.
San : But Woo, I don't know shit about flowers.
Wooyoung : You wouldn't touch the flowers or even talk to clients, their accountant retired so they need a new one. It would just be counting bills and stuff like that. And you studied economy in college, how bad could you be ?
San : I guess you're right, fine I'll do it.
Wooyoung : Good, I'll call you at lunch to know how it went. Anyway, I gotta head to work, good luck on the interview !! I'm sure you'll get it.
San : You say that everytime.
Wooyoung : I know but I have a real feeling about this one.
San : If you say so.

He leaves and I end up alone in the apartment. I take my time to get ready and when the time comes, I head out to the interview.
When I get to the address my friend sent me, I find myself in front of a small boutique made of dark brown wood with lots of flower pots out front. When I get inside, I'm greeted by a small bell ringing melodically and a strong tulip smell.
A brown haired girl who was very focused on organizing a rose bouquet lifted her head in my direction and smiled at me.

??? : Hi, welcome in ! How can I help you ?
San : Hum, I'm here about an interview for an accountant job.
??? : Oh yeah, you're Wooyoung's friend, right ?
San : I am, my name is Choi San.
??? : Nice to meet you San, I'm Kang Younha. You can come with me, I'll take you to see my manager.

I follow her behind the counter and in the back of the shop. She stops in front of a white closed door and turns to me.

Younha : He's inside, waiting for you.
San : Thank you.
Younha : You're welcome, good luck !

She smiles again, a ray of sunshine heartwarming smile, and goes back to her business.
I shyly knock on the door and a masculine voice tells me to come in.
Inside, there's on one side of the room a very messy desk with papers and files everywhere and on the opposite side, there's a completely tidied up desk where everything looks strategically organized and classified. There's a blonde man sitting behind that desk, smiling at me and signaling me to sit down on the chair in front of him.

??? : Hello, my name is Park Seonghwa, I'm the manager here and I'll be interviewing you today. You're San, right ?
San : Yes, exactly, thank you very much for meeting me.
Seonghwa : Of course. I looked quickly at your profile, you have an economy major ?
San : Yes, I graduated a year ago.
Seonghwa : Have you ever done accounting jobs ?
San : I wasn't exactly an accountant but I worked in a private corporation that was funding and managing the funds of small businesses.
Seonghwa : I see, why don't you work there anymore ?
San : It went out of business two months ago, there were illegal activities from the owners.
Seonghwa : Oh, that's terrible. You've been jobless since then or have you done anything else ?
San : I had a lot of interviews but nothing real.
Seonghwa : Okay, do you think you'll be able to manage the numbers, budgets, bills and all here ?
San : I do, since you're not a big corporation it'll be doable for me.
Seonghwa : You seem confident, I like that.

Suddenly, his phone starts ringing, interrupting us.

Seonghwa : Sorry about that, I need to pick up. Thank you for coming, I'll show your profile to the owner and we'll get back at you before tonight. Have a nice day !
San : Thanks, you too !

He picks up the call as I leave the room. I go back to the front of the store where Younha is now selling lilies to an old lady. Once she's done, she turns to me.

Younha : How did it go ?
San : It seemed fine, we just got cut off by a phone call.
Younha : I see. Was he smiling when you left ?
San : He was actually.
Younha : Not to give you pointless hopes but that's usually a good sign with Seonghwa. And honestly, you seem much nicer than all the other people we interviewed so I hope you'll get it.
San : Oh, thank you for your kindness.

A guy enters the shop, Younha greets him and whispers to me.

Younha : Sorry, gotta get back to work. See you soon, I hope.
San : Yeah, see you.

She adresses me another one of her beautiful smiles and turns her attention to the customer. I allow myself to look at her just a few more seconds before heading back home.
It's almost midday so I start making myself lunch and around 12:30, my phone rings.

Call from Wooyoung

Wooyoung : So, how was it ??
San : I guess it was good, your friend's sister told me it was good sign if the manager was smiling.
Wooyoung : Great, when will you get an answer ?
San : Tonight.
Wooyoung : Okay, you have to keep me updated.
San : You'll harass me anyway.
Wooyoung : True. Well, see you tonight !
San : Yep, see ya.

I hang up the phone and finally eat my lunch. After that, I spend around two hours doing all and nothing around the house and I end up in my room, letting my heavy body fall on my bed. Why are interviews so exhausting ? The anxiety I always get from it just tire up my body.
I stare at the ceiling for three long minutes before automatically falling asleep.
After what felt like an eternity but was actually an hour, I wake up from my unexpected nap. I reach and grab my phone, look at the time and read the notifications on the screen.
I got a text from the manager I saw this morning.

Hello, this is Park Seonghwa, the store manager. I have the pleasure to announce that you passed the interview, you will join our team as soon as you can contact me back. Please call me as soon as possible so we can sign the contract and decide your hours.

I got it. I got the job.

I hear the front door open and Wooyoung calling that he's home, he comes to my room and see me just staring at my phone in shock.

Wooyoung : You okay ?
San : Woo, I got it.
Wooyoung : No way ! That's great, did you call them back ?!
San : Not yet, I just saw the text.
Wooyoung : What the hell are you waiting for ?? Call !