𝐥𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐬 ☽☔︎︎

the invitation

Jongwoo woke up in the morning and went to check the mailbox. The routine felt normal, but something was off. The air outside was thick, heavy with silence. He glanced at the houses lining his street. Shadows lingered longer than usual. No cars passed by. No children laughed. It was unsettling.

As he approached the mailbox, a chill ran down his spine. It was a simple metal box, weathered by time. But today, the mail seemed to call out to him. He pulled open the lid, expecting the usual bills and junk. Instead, a single envelope lay inside. It looked aged but very detailed like an old vintage card, the paper yellowed and frayed. No return address. Just his name scrawled in black elegant ink.

Anxiety twisted in his gut. He hesitated. Why would someone send him a letter like this? He ripped it open, heart racing. Inside, a photograph slipped out-a picture of him taken from a distance, standing on his porch. The edges were torn, the focus grainy, but it was unmistakable. Jongwoo's breath hitched. Someone had been watching him.

His mind raced. Who? Why? The photograph felt like a warning. He glanced around, half-expecting to see someone lurking in the shadows. The street felt like a trap now. He needed to know more. He folded the photo carefully, tucking it into his pocket. Jongwoo's heart pounded. This was no ordinary day anymore.

Jongwoo stared at the letter in his hand. The vintage envelope felt heavy, almost ominous, as if it carried a weight beyond its contents. He sat down on the edge of his bed, the cool morning air biting at his skin. The faint sounds from the street cars rumbling, the distant chatter of neighbors-seemed to fade away Even more. He focused on the letter. The gold wax seal glinted under the dim light, a silent promise of something significant.

He unfolded the paper. The job offer was enticing, but there was something unsettling about it. The company, unnamed, promised $30 an hour. But why was the letter so formal? Why the wax seal? It felt like he was being drawn into something he couldn't quite grasp, a shadow lurking just out of sight.

Jongwoo's mind raced. His current job barely paid enough to scrape by. This offer could change everything. But why him? He had never applied for any job that required such formality. He glanced around his small room, cluttered with half-finished projects and unpaid bills. The walls felt like they were closing in on him. Was this a chance, or a trap?

He looked at the time on his phone. The interview was set for later in that month in a building downtown. He bit his lip, considering his options. Should he go? The thrill of adventure pulsed in his veins, but so did a sense of dread. What if this was a mistake? What would he say if the interviewer asked pointed questions?

As he showered, steam filled the small bathroom, obscuring the mirror. The water cascaded over him, washing away his worries. But with each drop, he felt the weight of the letter hanging over him. Was he ready to take this leap? What awaited him in that office? The excitement mingled with fear, creating a knot in his stomach.

After dressing, he paced the living room. His heart raced. The clock ticked steadily, each second amplifying his uncertainty. He had always played it safe. This time felt different. He grabbed the letter again, scanning the details. There was no contact number, no email. Just an address. It felt like a piece of a puzzle, but what picture was it forming?

Finally, he made his decision. He would go. How could he not?

He needed to tell his girlfriend first about the job.

Jongwoo surprised his girlfriend by taking her out to her favorite restaurant to share the news with her. Jong woo, with a beaming smile on his face, excitedly shares the exciting news of the job offer he recently received with his beloved girlfriend. Over a cozy dinner at their favorite restaurant, he eagerly recounts how the opportunity first arose and how it perfectly aligns with their future plans. As they sip on their glasses of wine, the warm ambiance of the restaurant envelops them, accentuating the joy and anticipation in his voice.

Listening attentively, his girlfriend's eyes light up with pride and happiness for her partner's achievement. She takes his hand in hers, expressing support and commitment as she reassures him of her unwavering belief in his capabilities. Their conversation weaves through dreams of a shared future in a bustling city, where they envision creating a home together that mirrors their love and aspirations.

As they walk hand in hand under the starlit sky on their way back home, Jong woo playfully teases his girlfriend about potential neighborhoods they could explore near the house where he's currently working. Their laughter fills the night air, mingling with the sounds of the city around them, creating a symphony of hopes and dreams intertwined with the love they share. In that moment, they both know that whatever the future holds, they are ready to face it together, hand in hand.