Ugly Duckling » k.nj

TWO

The pain on my cheek slowly died down. But, I could still feel the strong sting on my father's hand making contact with my left cheek. I looked at my father who's face was now red with fury.

"How dare you blame your mother's death on me?! I did everything in my power to keep her safe! You ungrateful child!"

There was no need for me to apologize because I didn't feel sorry at all. For years I believed that it was his fault, and it was.

He scoffed as he got off the elevator and others had gotten on. I stepped out after him and I stayed a few feet behind as I followed him to the bar. His steps.were fast and light but it still was not difficult for me to keep up with him.

"Hello, sir." A familiar voice from beside me spoke. I turned my head to see the familiar face.

"Seokjin, now is not the time, and stop calling me sir."

"I'm just messing with you." He smiled.

"What do you want?"

"Here." He handed me a blue folder.

"What is this?" I asked, taking it out of his grasp.

"You know, the woman that came in for the interview as the new secretary..."

"The woman that came in for the interview as your new secretary came in today. That's her resumé."

"Why are you giving this to me? I told you to hold the interview today."

"Well, I told her to come back tomorrow so you could do it."

"Why would you do that when I specifically told you..." I stopped myself and took a deep breath. "Whatever. I'll just take care of it."

"You're welcome," he smirked. "Make sure you look at it, okay?" He gestured to the blue folder in my hand.

"Yeah. Yeah. Whatever." I stopped to slide the folder in my briefcase. "Do you remember what her name was?"

"No." He shook his head almost immediately. "But, I think it started with a B or maybe an S. You should check."

"Thanks for the help," I sigh and catch up with my father who has already found a comfortable table near the window in the bar and shakes hands with a friend of his, who happens to be sitting at the table.

"That was sarcasm, right?" Jin called from behind me. I keep walking, not giving him anymore attention.

I bowed to our guest and took my seat in front of the two older men.

"Hello, Namjoon." Mr. Xu acknowledged me. "Where's my daughter?"

"Do I look like her mother?"

My father threw me a threatening glare and cleared his throat.

"Why don't we get some drinks while we wait," he suggested to the other male.

"Sounds good to me," Mr. Xu chuckled.

°
°
°
I swear I only had three glasses. Or maybe it was more. I just remembered drinking and then I felt dizzy.

Why isn't Dasom here yet?

I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I picked it up thinking that it was Dasom.

That Person.

It read and I stuffed my phone back into my pocket.

"Aren't you going to answer that?" Mr. Xu stared.

"No. It's no one important." I shook my head and stood. "I'd better get going. Dasom obviously isn't coming and I have work to do."

"You're right, Namjoon. It's about time for us to leave--"

"No." I interrupted. "I'm leaving by myself." I turned and stumbled a bit before catching myself.

I headed towards the door and a sluggish feeling began to consume me. I couldn't concentrate on where I was going and I knew for certain that I was drunk.

I reached out to grab onto anything so I could keep myself stable. I grasped something and rested me head which was aching. This is what I get for drinking. I ought to know that my body can't handle it well.

The something that I was propped up against moved and I realized it was another person.

I stood on my own and walked around them. "Sorry," I apologized with a slight bow and turned to walk away when I tripped again. But, I didn't fall. I looked back to see a large blur. The person clutched my suit. I pulled away when I was steady on my own feet.

"S-- Sir. Are you okay?" The female in front of me inquired.

I blinked multiple times to clear my vision.

"Yes. I'm fine." I rubbed my eyes.

"You seem too intoxicated to drive. Do you want me to call you a taxi?"

I turned away and pushed the door which seemed heavier than usual. I stepped into the parking lot, with my eyes on my car. I parked near the building just in case things like this happened. I pat myself down for my keys but couldn't find them.

I stopped in my tracks and searched mtself, then my briefcase. Suddenly a strange light came towards me at an alarming speed. A loud noise filled the air, making my ears ring and my headache much worse.

"Stop!" The female jumped in front of me, her arms spread out as if she were trying to get someone's attention. She turned to me, her face still blurry. "Let me help you get home." She grabbed me gently by the arm and I hesitantly followed.

I climbed into an automobile and collapsed on the seat. I don't know why I trusted this stranger. But, for some reason I can't explain, I felt like we've known each other for a long time even though we had only met a few seconds ago. "Sir." She shook my arm and I turned my head towards her blurry body. "Where do you live?"

I mumbled my address hoping that she could hear me. I couldn't raise my voice to save my life at that moment. I laid there on the seat, half conscious of what was occurring around me.

The car comes to an abrupt halt and I hit my head against the back of the driver's seat. That was about the only thing I could vividly remember because it hurted so much.

The stranger helped me out of the car and to my front door.

"Keys. Keys." She kept mumbling as she searched my right pocket.

"Leftpocket," I slurred.

After she opened the door, she helped me to the couch and that's where I stayed. I put my hands together and laid my head on my arms.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?" She asks. "Some water? A pillow? Some medicine?"

"No." I groaned as I turned over on my side.

"Are you sure?" She lingered around. "I'm sorry if I'm invading your privacy, but you just reminded me of someone. I usually don't help drunk strangers, or anyone period." The room was silent for a while. "Umm... I-- I'll just leave now."

I grabbed her wrist before she could turn away and pulled her down beside me.

"You ... remind me of someone ... too." I replied as I felt my eyelids get heavy. I tightened my grip around her wrist, fearing that she would leave me as I slept.

Just as I imagined, when I awoke again in the middle of the night, she was gone.