𝗺𝗮𝗳𝗶𝗮 ᶜˢʸ

thirty one

LEE HYERIN

the next few days i tried to avoid seungyoun. when i woke up, he wasn't there next to me and my bed felt weird and empty. the only time i would leave the apartment went to the grocery store and make my usual walk around the town.

thats what im doing right now. i clutched my side as the chilly wind blew through the streets. its been really cold lately and i kinda hate it.

" hello hyerin! " i heard someone call from the corner of the store. he's a nice and kind middle age man.

" hello mr. oh! " i approached him. " how's your day? "

" everything is good! except business is running a little slow. i got a latter from my boss yesterday in the mail saying that if we dont pay our bills un the next two months, we need to close the shop. " he exclaimed running a hand through his black hair.

i placed a hand on his back and led him inside the store. he always felt more open when behind its safe walls. " don't worry mr. oh, i'll figure out some way to help. maybe, i could start working here for free so you could drop one of your workers. "

he glared at me and waved his hand in the air. " no, never. i couldn't get rid one of my workers just because we're low on money. the workers are like family to me. "

it was true. everyone who worked here were very close and acted as they're siblings though they weren't joined by blood.

a door behind the counter opened and revealed mrs. choi walking out from the room. " hyerin! " she coming up to me and gave me a warm, welcoming hug.

" hi mrs. choi. "

we talked about a few minutes before i looked down to my phone. " well, i have to go now. i will come by and help with the cleaning. "

she gave me a big smile. " thank you so much hyerin. " i waved to them and stepped out the door.

🪐

i rounded the corner and skipped happily since i just bought some candies and chocolate from my favourite store. now, im making my ways back to mrs. choi's store.

i looked through the dirt stained glass doors to the store and noticed a commotion going inside. i burst through the doors and saw a gun be fired at a random customer.

the bell at the door jiggling as i enter. the guy that had shot the bullet, whipped around and put his gun at mrs. choi's head while putting her in a headlock.

he was wearing a mask as he stared at me. i looked at his familiar eyes through the narrow slit in his mask. they were glossed with fear, and what i think was sadness. this strange emotion took over me when i saw a familiar bracelet on the guy's wrist.

and it was the bracelet i gave him. the one he wears all the time.

[ ooh ]