My fingers brushed the back of his leather jacket. Just a little more! I thought to myself. "Gotchya!" The gip I formed on his jacket yanked him to a stop but my feet were nowhere ready to come to a halt on the damp grass. I crashed into him, both of us falling to the cold ground. I stared down at Jin, his eyes fluttered open and he jolted before relaxing.
As crazy as it sounded, I relaxed with him. I haven't felt this way since I told Junso about little Raein. For a long time, I thought he was furious after learning that I was pregnant, but a year later, a year after his death I learned from his mother that he was afraid. I could never find the relaxing aura we once shared, until now.
Jin reached up, his hand grazed the back of my neck. In seconds, his lips were softly pressed against mine. For a mere second, the youthful girl I was years ago was leaping for joy at the thought of a shared kiss with her long forgotten crush. Yet, instead, my heart broke at my reaction. I shoved him back before standing to my feet and walking away.
"Sarang-ya!"
"Raein-ya, time to go," I say as I stepped around to the entrance of the rink. My head spun, all I could think about was Junso and how I've betrayed him. "Raein," I repeated,
"Sarang-ya," Jin called from behind.
Raein stepped out of the rink and untied her shoes. I stepped over and begin to help her.
"Sarang,"
"Seonbea, thank you for this amazing opportunity for Raein. It was a true gift for her." I say finishing tying her shoes before stand to face him with my daughter's hand in my own. "Thank you, but if I don't leave now I will be late for my next job." I gave a brief bow. The excuse was true yet false at the same time.
His friends began to crowd around the entrance, I tried to ignore the stares as Raein and I left.
Returning home, I changed into my work attire and waited for the babysitter to arrive. Once she did, I didn't hesitate to leave. I never get the chance to be alone, not often. This cleaning job was one of my favorite. It was a lot of work for one person but it gave me time to think and after what Jin surprised me with, I differently needed time. I arrived at the music hall and begin my job cleaning, dodging the late night artist and performers who came out tired from their late night practices.
Five hours had passed and I was nearing the end of my job when a voice surprised me, "Sarang?" Knowing the voice, I turned to face my boss with a bow.
"Sir," I'd often see him passing by as I started my shift and as he headed home. "My apologies for any disturbance I might be causing."
A weak smile spreads across his face, "You're fine Sarang," He glances around, "Where is little Raein?" he asks,
I chuckled, "She should be home asleep."
The smile on his face fades as I notice him fiddling with an envelope. "Sarang, you've done a great job being the music halls only janitor. You've always arrived on time and stayed late. Even when you've had to bring Raein with you, you were always focused." He glances down at the envelope before handing it to me, "I'm truly sorry to do this."
I bit the inside of my lower lip, holding in the enraged voice that wanted to slip. I nodded instead, "I'll finish up and be leaving soon."
"I've given you the rest of the months pay along with your Christmas bonus." He takes a shaky step back, "Goodbye, Sarange."
I tore the envelope open, seeing the check was a just enough for another month's rent and that was all. My eyes trailed my boss as he heads out the music halls doors. The darkness the lie on the other side of the glass door seemed to suck me in. I had to find another job otherwise Raein and I wouldn't be able to survive.
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