Secret Love Story; Heung-Min Son

Chapter One

7th December 2014

Dear Diary,

Last week I took the hardest exam I've ever studied and sat for. It was the exam to determine whether I get into the Law School I've always dream of going to, or like father say, go the 'different route'. The problem wasn't the exam itself, no. I had a gut feeling that I was going to do well and today, the mail came in and I was told that I was accepted. Of course, like any happy child, I waited for dad to come home from his night shift and told him the news which made him tear up. I knew he was proud of me, considering that he started calling all of his friends to share the news. He told me that mother had the same excitement in her eyes when she started working at one of the best law firm the city could give. He told me that he was proud, happy and relieved that I was following mother's footstep and I've never been more excited to start my new life in the new school.

Except.... I also heard him on the phone with his manager, asking for extra work hours so that he could get the extra money to pay for my school fees. Father currently works two occupations and to see him juggling between a morning and night shift, I only realized that I was being selfish if I were to continue pursuing this dream at someone else's expense. Right now... I don't know what to do.

-

The warm ball of light filtered through her thin eyelids. Rays of brightness cast squares onto the glossy stone floor, reflecting onto several objects in the room which decorated its otherwise simplicity. She blinked a few times, in an attempt to help her eyes adjust to the illumination directed right at her defenseless figure. She reached out for her phone and quickly sat up, forcing herself to be totally awake as she stared at the time displayed: 1 pm.

How did she possibly let herself sleep through her alarm clock? Not that she had school but it wasn't likely of her to let herself lose to her own body. She threw on her socks and made her way downstairs. Her father had promised to bring her out for breakfast to celebrate the accepting of her into a new college but looking at the time, he must've already left for work.

"I'm sorry I didn't wake you up, you looked to peaceful to be disturbed. We'll plan something better soon, have a good day." Marilyn picked up the post-it note on the refrigerator and then a soft smiled appeared on her lips as her eyes darted their way to the kitchen counter which had a plate of pancakes, bacon and eggs.

There was never a day in Marilyn's life where her father did not prepare her breakfast. It was either a grand one or even on days where he was rushing, he would at least put an oat bar on the table to remind Marilyn to have breakfast as it is indeed, an important meal that should not be skipped. She pulled put her phone and the first name that flashes on her screen was John Hamlin, her best friend that she's known ever since young. He had the dreamiest blue eyes and vibrant blonde hair which were complimented well with his small specks of freckles on his soft pale skin. He was everyone's dream boy but it's never felt like anything more than a friendship for Marilyn. He was strictly her best friend.

She smiled at the selfie John had sent her as he was eating breakfast and just as she was about to respond, her phone started vibrating with John as the caller ID.

"What?" Marilyn chuckled as soon as she answered the call.

"And good morning to you too," John giggled. She could hear the excitement he has through the phone.

"Are you ready for your first day of work?" he asked.

"I'm not sure. I'm ready for the work and the duties but I'm not sure if I'm in good hands, considering that you're my supervisor," Marilyn replied with a slight laughter. You could hear her sweet, joyful laughter from a mile away, it would echo through the halls and into each and every room in the house. At least, John was the only one that could make her laugh that much.

"Alright, alright. I'll see you at the cafe at 2," John said, before he hung up.

"And I'll see you too..." Marilyn dragged her feet to her bedroom and pulled out her diary from the back of her wardrobe.

Today is my first day of work, which the money I earn from the cafe might help father and hopefully, not burden him any further. John Hamlin was kind enough to offer me an open position as a barista in the cafe and honestly, I feel better knowing that I'll be working with my best friend. Father's even more excited than I am to the point that he got me a blue apron so that I would be "appropriate" for work.

Most girls grow up with girl best friends who braid their hair for them, dance to overrated songs, share secrets about their crushes and play doll with but Marilyn grew up with no one who considered her as a friend due to her constant travelling. There was even a point of time when Marilyn had to move out after two months of settling into a new town. Her father was a successful businessman who sells stocks and wherever his business needed him, he would bring the whole family along. Marilyn was an only child and she had gotten her beautiful features from her beautiful mother, Janette who passed away due to a fatal accident, a few years ago. By that time, Marilyn and her father had already settled down in a small town in Minnesota. At the news of her mother's death, her father's heart shattered into a million pieces and was devastated for months. He did not want to leave the house and he spent hours mourning over the loss of his wife. Due to being inactive in his career, his business failed tremendously and went to bankruptcy. But even then, he did not give up and then fought to give Marilyn the life she deserved. And by then, Minnesota became their home land and the friendly neighbor that lived across the street became Marilyn's one and only friend, John Hamlin.