Heartbreak Hotel

1 - Cloudy Skies

I had been driving for only 88 kilometres before I noticed the sky was gloomy and getting darker by the minute. I was visiting my parents in Busan but now I'm driving back to my home in Seoul. I'm used to Seoul, the buildings, the crowds, I've seen it all. By now, I've reached Daegu. I have driven for one hour straight. Four hours left to go.   

The road back to Seoul is quiet, no one to be seen for miles, no coffee shop, no petrol station. I was getting tired, fast. I could have fallen asleep at the wheel. I actually thought of parking at the side of the road and taking a nap but my thought was cut short by a sudden flash followed by thunder.

I looked out the window and saw the gale and rain. Trees were swaying. I had to think fast. I picked up the pace and looked around for a house or any place where I could take shelter. I wouldn't want to get caught out here. I drove on for a few minutes before seeing a large building in the distance.

Am I hallucinating or is that a hotel?! As I came closer I saw, it was a hotel! I quickly parked my car in the parking lot, grabbed my purse and suitcase before running up the marble steps. I probably had enough clothes for a few days. I slowly opened the door and wiped my feet on the doormat. As I entered I noticed a woman dressed in purple attire at the front desk. She was standing there as if she expected me. She had long, tied-back brown hair and was wearing burgundy lipstick. I read the name-tag.

"...Ahn Hyojin"

"Good evening Madame"

"Good evening, I'd like to stay here for a few days "

"Of course Madame, how many days?"

"3 days"

"Would you like an ensuite room?"

"No, a normal room will be fine"

"Here is your key, it is room 109, the bell-boy will show you the way."

I took the key and she called out a name.

"TAEHYUNG!!! Please assist this lady, bring her luggage to her room." She exclaimed before smiling.

A young man with light brown curly hair came up and gestured towards my suitcase. I allowed him to take it as he went forward and lead the way to this alleged room '109'. There were a lot of steps to go up. My thoughts were cut off by a deep but quiet voice.

"Sorry about this...the elevator broke down on us today"

"Oh no, it's fine...I mean I should be saying sorry to you, my bag must weigh like 20 kg..."

"Don't be, your bag is pretty light. So anyway, how'd you end up in Daegu?"

"Uhm well, I was driving and the weather was bad and I was sleepy so...here I am"

"Oh" he chuckled

He stopped and turned towards a brightly lit corridor.

"That's your room, room 109 right?"

"Yep"

I opened the door and he brought in my suitcase.

"If you need any help or want any information, you can call on that phone," he said, pointing at the black telephone.

"Or..." he began

I shot him a confused look before he answered.

"You can call this number," he said with a smile as he handed me a slip of paper.

"Okay, thank you...uh"

"Kim Taehyung but you can call me Tae"

"Thank you Tae," I said.

"You're welcome" he replied before leaving, closing the door behind him.

Wow! This room is class. No joke, the room may be small but damn did this hotel provide. The whole space was beautiful. The bedroom looked cosy and there was a small tv in the corner. The colour scheme was blue and cream. Everything looked so cute and aesthetic.

The first thing I did was keep that slip of paper beside the phone. Then I grabbed some pyjamas and went for a shower. I looked in the mirror as I brushed my long tresses. I switched off the light and slowly got in bed. I'd wake up with the alarm tomorrow, I was way too exhausted to do anything more today.