" Fired!?" I screeched.
She looked down, her eyes closing in a angered manner. I cleared my throat, sitting back down in the chair.
" Y/N.. this is the 4th time this week you've been late. We gave you a chance last week..and the week before... and before! And you continue to be late. This is a professional job for professional people. It's been made clear your not fit for the job. " My now ex manager said, stapling papers together and sipping her coffee.
I sighed in anger and disappointment. I mean it isn't my fault I'm late. And she knows that. My mom fell ill and this is my last hope to get her to be healthy again. I mean, I had to skip college just to make sure my mom got her medical bill paid and the medicine she needs..
" But my mom.." I said softly, blinking the tears that were already falling.
" I know..that's why I'm giving you 900,000 won."( around 770 dollars US money)
I was silent. Shocked. 900,000 won..?
" I-I..oh...t-thank you.."
" Of course. And I wish you well with your future jobs. " She said, handing me a envelope.
I took it, clutching it and smiling softly. My mom will get better. But I mean this can't continue to cover her. I'm going to have to find a job at some point.
" Thank you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I opened the door, the smell of soup and meat filling my nose. I put my bag down, dreading the horrible news I'll have to tell my mom.
" Mom..." I said softly, walking up to her in hopes to not scare her.
She hummed, stirring the pot before turning to me.
" How was work?"
Her voice was soft. Her hair was slowly shifting into a light gray, her hands still soft but wrinkly at the same time. Her eyes drooped and her lips curved into almost a frown. But she was beautiful in my eyes, no matter how old she gets.
" Uhm.. well. I got fired today." I said, fondling with the napkin on the counter.
She turned the heat off and stirred the pot once more before turning to me. Her eyes met mine before my hands.
" Ay Y/N... it's my fault. I've been keeping you here." She said as she walked over to me.
Her steps were light, almost as if she was drifting in the air. She took my hands, rubbing her thumb in circles.
" No. Your getting old and that's not your fault. I'll find another job and I'll make sure that you and me have a better life to live. Not in this old... broken apartment."
" But we've lived here forever. I was here before I had you... This is my home home Y/N. " She said softly, looking around the apartment.
It wasn't horrible. I've seen worse. It's just that.. the windows are stained with God knows what, the carpets are more of a light brown instead of a white. The fridge breaks down at least twice a month. The toilet gets clogged almost every time we use the restroom... in other words, the apartment just extremely old.
" I know.. but we can't keep living here. Look, I've been doing some more research on line about homes in up-"
" Here you go again. Internet this, internet that. Y/N I've told you this time and time again, we're not moving. And that's final. When you can afford your own place you are welcomed to leave." She said, letting go of my hands before turning to the stove again.
