MOONSTRUCK | PSH

01 | UNEMPLOYMENT

"YOU better get this job, young lady. Do you know much money I have wasted every second you're in this house? You're nothing but a burden!" Ouch. Her heart stung. Perhaps, it was true. She had been unemployed for so long because trying to secure a job in this economy was not as easy as peeling an orange. However, her hands still tremble while she was wearing her formal shoes. She didn't respond, fearing that she might end up tearing up right there and then.

She wasn't facing her mother. Chloe took some deep breaths to calm herself down before replying, "Pray for me, mom. I have a feeling I will get this one." She didn't really think so, but there was no way she would admit it. She had tried so many times but none of the jobs that she interviewed for actually called her. Somehow she regretted ever pursuing her degree, maybe she could have used those times to fill in her resumes.

Her mother didn't say anything afterwards. Maybe she realized her words were a bit too far. Chloe left the house, still trying to justify those words. It was nothing new. Her words may hurt her, but she never once stopped cooking those warm meals, or sewing her blazer that she was currently wearing. She was tired, and money has been tight this month. She still loves me. She does. Right? Yes.

The moment she arrived at the bus stop, her phone rang. She smiled upon seeing the name on the screen and then picking it up. "What's up?"

"Girl! Today is the day right? Are you wearing the shoes I bought for you? How do you look? You didn't even send me a picture!" Without giving a chance to respond to each of the questions, Sooha blurted them out first. Chloe giggled, sensing that she was sulking because she did ask her to send a picture yesterday but it slipped her mind. She was glad Sooha called her, at least it got her distracted for a while.

"Yes, yes. Of course I'm wearing it. Your taste is always top notch. About the picture, I kinda forgot about it so why don't you meet me there instead?"

Surprise, surprise. The company that offered her an interview was the same company Sooha had been working at for almost a year. Fate was playing its games, it seemed. Chloe didn't even know that it was the same company. Sooha never really talked much about her job, and Chloe never seemed to bother asking (she was scared that she would feel inferior). When they both learned about that, Sooha was so happy that she insisted into buying her a pair of shoes.

"Hm... Let's see. Okay, yeah. I'll try. Or if we couldn't, let's meet at lunch alright? My treat!"

The bus arrived just on the right time. "You're always treating me, Sooha. I'm grateful but I truly don't feel good... You know what I mean?" Chloe jumped into the bus, taking a seat close to the window while still talking to Sooha. The bus was filled with people that were going to work and everyone was busy doing their own businesses.

"C'mon babe, I don't really mind! If it bothers you, you can do the same thing when you got the job!"

Chloe frowned when hearing that. How was she going to tell Sooha that she didn't feel so confident about getting this one? It was not because of her skills or what not, but it's the fact that she had tried so many times but to no avail. She was starting to feel like giving up. Her last resort would be working as a maid in a crazy rich family.

"Okay, Sooha. I hope I get the job. I'll see you later, alright?"

"Okay! Good luck, just be yourself. Mr Park looks scary but I promise you underneath all that, he's a softie. Bye!" Beep. Chloe stared at the phone for a while, eyebrows furrowed. Who the hell is Mr Park?

-

TAEKWANG GROUP.

She gulped. The building was huge and tall, standing proudly in the middle of Gangnam. A lot of people came in and out, plus she could make out the amount of security just at the entrance. Chloe felt small all of a sudden. Maybe she should have thought twice about her decision. But then, she changed her mind.