Silent Love

Chapter 4

The next morning, I woke up to the loud slamming of a door. I rubbed my eyes sleepily and looked around. Yesterday had been such an eventful day that I had fallen asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

 I was honestly relieved that Felix and I were able to sort everything out yesterday, because I really didn't like arguing with him. Firstly, because he was the only one I could always talk to openly and honestly and secondly, because I hated seeing him sad. 

Besides, I'm seeing him in the café today. As I hadn't worked yesterday, I would probably have to make up for the lost hours today.

Loud footsteps from the hallway outside my door and muttered swearing pulled me from my thoughts. Still a little shaky from sleep, I got up and trudged to my bedroom door. I carefully opened it a crack and peeked out into the hallway. 

As the living room was at the other end of the corridor, I could see my mother sitting at the dining table, flicking through several sheets of paper and envelopes.

To avoid attracting her attention, I crept carefully through the hallway and then hurriedly locked myself in the bathroom. She looked very stressed and when my mother saw me while she was in such a state, she usually used me as an anti-stress ball. 

I'm not saying that she would hit me, but rather that she would lash out at me with words, even though she wasn't even angry with me. But in moments like these, I'm always to blame for everything.

A tired look in the mirror told me that I couldn't leave the house today without a long shower, so I wriggled out of my pyjamas, stood under the shower head and sighed contentedly as the hot water hit my tense muscles and loosened them bit by bit.

After about ten minutes, I stepped out of the small cubicle, a cloud of steam following me and fogging up the mirror. Maybe I should stop taking such hot showers all the time. Cold water is supposed to be better for your hair anyway. 

I grabbed the towel, dried myself off quickly and then looked in the mirror again. My skin was slightly red from the hot water and my hair was releasing small droplets of water that ran down my bare chest. I followed them with my eyes until a loud knock on the door made me jump.

"Jisung, have you finished? Your shift at the café starts in less than an hour. Please hurry, darling!" my mother's tense voice rang out. I had to sit down with her in the next few days and ask her if anything had happened.

 I only ever knew my mother as a happy, carefree and exuberant person. Being so exhausted and drained didn't suit her at all.

"Don't worry, I'll be done in a minute, Mum," I called out and reached for the hairdryer.

When my hair was dry a few minutes later, I opened the door and stepped out into the cool hallway, my towel tied around my waist. In my room, I tore open my closet and pulled out my work clothes. It consisted mainly of black trousers, a beige top and a small black apron tied around my hips. It had small pockets where you could put a writing pad and a pen so you could take orders.

When I had changed, I stepped into the kitchen, grabbed a sandwich my mom had prepared for me and took a quick drink of water. "I'll be at the café, see you this afternoon!"

My mother was waiting for me in the hallway and held my jacket out to me. Her look was tired, but she smiled at me.

"Please don't forget to lock up the café when you get home today, okay?"

"I never would, just rely on me Mum." I took my jacket and the key to the café from her, hugged her and then stepped out into the cold. I shivered and immediately felt the strong urge to take another hot shower and then snuggle up in my bed. But since I couldn't do that, I stuffed my hands in my jacket pockets instead and headed out.