CHAPTER 2   PARK EUN WOO

 

= 2 Weeks Ago =

 

I’ve been work for KDJ Publisher House for almost five years in Creative Department where we have to design the book’s cover as well as title that is very important to leave a big impression to the readers.  In other words we create the book interiors. Until today , I’ve been working for almost 87 books. Even though I’m working hard as a book designers , my heart is still in writing. I don’t have any ambitions to write a lot of book but it is enough to just write a book that can create a big impact to the readers.  I’ve approach the company strategic leader, Mr. Han Geu Rae countless times for him to accept my writing but he always said it is not strong. He also assumed that I tried to copy the style of Joo Min Kun , the famous writer of Seoul in terms of  writing. I would say Joo Min Kun is my idol but I’ve never meant to copy him. It is probably because I read a lot of his books and eventually I followed his style of writing as well. Honestly, I think my writing is the best because it was based on true events.   “ I don’t want to say the same thing again Eun Woo-ah, but your writing don’t have soul” he’s talking about soul again. I’ve put my heart in writing it but then he said I don’t have soul ?   “ Your language as well as vocabulary is very boring and no offense , I feel boring when I read your work” it’s hurts when he told me that again and again. I’m lying if I’m not trying with other publishers but only team leader Han can help me since I owe him a lot too.   “In fact, you don’t have any money to publish your book right?” yes he’s right. I don’t have money to publish my own book but that thing only will not stopping me to write my own book and achieve my own goals.   “ Team leader Han, tell me what I should do so that my writing can be improved as well as give big impact to the reader” I asked him. This is the first time I asked him like this because I’ve never like his style. He smirks while drinking a cup of coffee.   “ Experience. Write something that you see with your eyes like you record it and transfer in the form of writing. Probably write something that you’re afraid to experience” he told the idea but I can’t think any ways to obtain this. Write something that you’re afraid to experiences?   “ So, with that, you’ll accept my story?” I asked him for confirmation.   “Yes of course. Seeing you work hard like this , I don’t want your effort to go to waste” he said and then continue   “ In fact, you know our company has event of  LuckyBook right ? So make sure you grab the place” I am aiming for this spot every month because any writer will be selected and have opportunities to write and publish their own writing for free. Moreover, the writer will have their own fansign meeting and appear in Writer Daily magazines . The most important thing is, this time will be different as it was the last event means there will be no more free modal in publishing a book for next month. In short, this is my last chance.   This idea of mine is surely crazy but I’m sure it worth it.   “ Are you sure you don’t want to eat anything?” I  asked Hyun Jun and he nodded while laying himself on the bed. Feeling tired and not feeling hungry are some of the early sign of asthma attacks. So, tonight I have to sleep with Hyun Jun and take care of him. My mother is already sleeping in her room even though the time is still not passed 9pm.   My eyes lay on the asthma bronchodilators or the easy word , inhaler that stood on the coffee table besides the bed. I’m imagining myself to hide the inhaler and see what will happen next to Hyun Jun. This is all for the purpose of my writing as the team leader said I have to experience myself.   “Hyung”   “Oh, Hyun Jun-ah, why ?” I come to my senses after he calls me. What am I thinking to imagine myself doing that ?   “Water” he said and I give the water as he asked. I can’t believe myself that I could thinking like that about him. He is very healthy in front of my eyes, and this is what I want. A healthy and happy Hyun Jun.   However, that thought leave me a second as I wait for the chance to hide the inhaler. As soon as he closed his eyes, I took the inhaler and hide it under the bed. I believed this is the only way for me to experience the most scary things in my life. In fact, I need to participate in the LuckyBook event so that I can earn money from my writing and received recognition from others as well.   Before I left his room, suddenly my sister’s face popped up in my mind.   “Please take care of my son Eun Woo-ah”   “Yah , Eun Woo , what are you even thinking ? I must be crazy ” I told myself  and look at Hyun Jun straight way. I have to put the inhalers on its place.   Ring Ring Ring   It was a call from my colleague,  Young Bin.   “ Hello” I greet him first.   “ Eun Woo-ah , bad news”   “What do you mean?”   “Open your KaTalk” he asked me to open the messenger apps called KaTalk and I do it right away. I unlock it by password and saw a lot of unread messages of the KDJ Katalk Group. I scroll up the messages and saw the bad news that Young Bin talking about.    ‘ ‘ LuckyBook’ Event winner has been decided and the winner for this month is Choi Byung Ho.’   “Choi Byung Ho?” as far as I’m concern he just works with us for 2 weeks and now he won the competition? How? I’ve never thought he can write as he is positioned under my department. Well, I am from my department too it is just that he is not so obvious to be good in writing.   Actually, Byung Ho and I was never in good terms as he is arrogant type , don’t like people teaching him and he likes to look down on people even though we are more senior than him. The most disgusting side of him is , he is a two-faced bastard.   Then, I scroll down the text I saw a selfie picture of team leader, Byung Ho and several colleague at the restaurants. So, tonight they have office dinner without inviting me?   I need an explanation on why Byung Ho takes my place , as far as I remembered team leader Han had promised me to give me that place if I write something good for my book.   What the hell is happening? It is not at the end of the month yet.   I need answers.   So, I grab my coat and left my house.  I dialed Young Bin’s number to ask the location of the restaurant.   “Hello, Bin-ah, where are you ?” I heard a loud sounds and it must from the karaoke activities.   “Eun Woo..wait wait..” he said as he finding a place that are less noisy so that we will have proper conversation.   “What is it?”   “Where are you?” I asked again as I try to stop a taxi.   “The place that we always have office dinner. Eun Woo-ah, it’s not like what you think..I’m..”   “ No 148 , Simgak dong” I tell the taxi driver as soon as I ride it.   “Wait, are you going here?” he asked me nervously.   “I need to settle a few things”   “You don’t need to come here, I’ll tell you everything I know” he knew so well that I was short tempered. So, he is wasting his energy if he tried to stop me.   “What is it?”   “Promise me that you won’t come here”   “Okay I will” I lied.   “Actually, I accidentally saw Byung Ho’s father come to Team Leader Han’s office and apparently his father is someone powerful that strong enough to fire Team Leader Han” I stop inhaling air as I’m trying hard to control myself from anger.   “So, are young going to say Byung Ho get that place not because of his talent but because of power ?” I asked him back for confirmation.   “Yeah, it looks like that” I feel so angry right now as someone who is not talented and not even working hard get the job meanwhile I’m here have been working my off for years can just watching those people snatching away my opportunities. This is bull.   “But, Eun Woo-ah, it’s okay. You can try with other publisher and…” I hang up the phone without him finishing his sentence. Young Bin is my friend so he knew my style very well. Thus, he will knew that I’ll come to seek for explanation soon.   “Sir, please increase the speed”   I stood in front of the restaurant with hope that I will find the answers of my questions. Then, I push the door and saw a few of my colleagues dancing and singing around happily with microphone in their hand. I took the opportunity of my invisibility and search for Team Leader Han and Choi Byung Ho.   “Got you” I saw them sitting beside each other and laughing their off. Suddenly, something is more shocking when I saw a banner written ‘Congrats Team Leader Han for Promotion’ .   “So, this is your game” now I understand the situation completely.So, he actually gave the job to Byung Ho and in return he will be promoted.   “Eun Woo! What are young doing here?” Young Bin asked while trying to push me out of the restaurant but I won’t budge.   “It’s obvious” I push him hard and shout Team Leader Han name.   “ Team Leader Han!!!” I pass through several people before reaching them. As expected Team Leader Han looked at me furiously and it took seconds for me to grab his collar and punch his left jaw. He fall down and the women employees screaming after witnessing the situation.   “I’ve been working my off and this is how you repay me?” I’m not satisfied as I give him second punch but this time it hit his right jaw.   “Eun Woo!” Young Bin tried to pull me but I manage to kick him this time.Team Leader Han rolling left and right after experience the pain of my punch. I push Young Bin and went to Team Leader Han that was in pain then I grab his collar with my both hand and push him against the wall.   “Explain!!”   “I don’t have to explain anything”   “What ?You’re kidding me? I’ve been working hard for this job and this is how you repay me?”   “Yah! Who do you think you are?” he said while kick me at my stomach caused me to stumble and hit several tables. I think I hurt my left ribs.   “ Listen to me! I’m the leader here. How brave you are to lay your fingers on me”  he said while kick me on the stomach again and other colleague join forces too.  I can feel someone kick my back and the other one step on my hips. I won’t deny that it was hurts.   “Stop it!!! Please stop it ” Young Bin said while push the people that trying to hurt me and then help me to stand up.   “Are you okay?” he asked me but I ignore him.   “If you are Team Leader , so what ? Of course you can buy position of promotion by giving the job to Byung Ho who is not even good in writing but you can’t buy my respect” I uttered. Actually I want to say more but I think I broke one of my left teeth.   “Yah! What are you saying?” Young Bin murmured.   “What are you talking about ?” panicked Team Leader Han asked me.   “Byung Ho-ah, stop being a kid. How long you think you’re going to rely on your rich father huh ?” I asked him and I can see his pupil dilated. This is not a mannequin challenge but I realized everyone stood up without moving while observing the situation. They probably start to realize the truth. Everyone in the department knows me well and probably they will pick my sides.   “ Yah! If I relying on my father until I die , so what? Does your father is richer than mine?”   “What?” I hate someone talking about my father even though I hate him.   “For your information, all of the foods that we eat here were paid by my father. If you have any objection regarding the job, I can give to you but you have to pay for our meal first. Can you do that?” I give a stare at Young Bin first but he put his head down. How dare he compared my hard work to the value of the barbeque and soju? I walk towards Byung Ho step by step and spit my last sentences. I already have answers for my questions so I have to stop wasting my time.   “I don’t have money to pay for them but one thing for sure I won’t sell my dignity over a ing dozens of soju and meat” I send a sharp stare to him and add some finishing touch to Team Leader Han.   “I’ll resign after finish designing the ‘ Deception’ book since the author wants Park Eun Woo’s touch. In fact, I don’t want to work with vulgar leader anymore” with that I left the restaurant with Young Bin at my back.   “Yah, are you sure you want to resign?” before I can reply ‘yes’ my phone rings.   “Hello, yes omma” she sounds not very good plus. I’m anxious on what has happened for her to call me late at night.   “Hyun Jun-ah…Hyun Jun… his asthma came back. I’m at hospital right now. Please come now” I hang up without saying anything back. Why can this happen? I thought the inhaler was good enough to prevent his condition getting worse.   Wait, the inhaler.   I didn’t put it back to its place. = Present =   “What time is it?”   “ 9 am”   “Hah???” I look at the wall clock immediately.   “Don’t worry , he said he will be here on 10 am” Myung Jun said while throwing something to me. It’s a book that contains our memory.   “Yah, why you throw that book?” actually before I went to sleep I threw it away in the dustbin because I’m giving up my ambition to publish a book. I’m the kind of writer that write it first then only I type it because I’m afraid I’m doing any mistakes if I type it right away. Sometimes, I used voice recorder that I keep it at the pocket of the book. You can say, that book contain a lot of secrets.   “I don’t need it anymore” I said while sitting on the chair of the dining table.   “Tell me, what happened exactly” he asked me while take a sit in front of me. I start to  know Myung Jun hyung when I wanted to find a house that near to my workplace. There’s an advertisement of vacant house for two people and surprisingly it is for free. I’m not believe this for sure but I try to contact the owner and he said it was real. Then, I do some background check of the house since I’m afraid that the house probably haunted so that is why nobody wanted to rent that house but until today we are free from external and internal nuisances.   Myung Jun is 3 years older than me and he has decent jobs too as a ‘murse’ , terms for males in nursing. Honestly, I can’t believe my ears too but actually he helped a lot about Hyun Jun in terms of the treatment or advised on what should I do if something worse happened to Hyun Jun.   “ I didn’t work there anymore”   “Why ? Is it related to something that happened last few weeks?” I nodded and then look at my own wrists. Is this the right thing to do?   “It’s okay, you doing the right thing. Probably something good will comes from your decision to quit” he told me while enter the kitchen. He must preparing something for our ‘last’ breakfast.   “Have you pack everything?” I followed him and pour water into the cup to drink.   “Yes” actually, today we given up our house. Myung Jun hyung will stay at the staff room in the hospital while I will go back to my house. Honestly, we don’t want to let go of this house because we love to stay here. However, since I didn’t work here anymore plus Myung Jun become more busy with his work ,we don’t think we can take care of this house anymore. Ironically, everything is perfectly planned like in my case I quit my job on the day I have to move from my house. If, I stay with my job I probably stay with Young Bin but that is not the case anymore.   “Hyung, you’re not cold?” I asked him as he walk confidently with boxer only during winter.   “I’m not. I have to prepare myself since hospital is the hottest place in the world so I should enjoy myself when I can” I scoffed. This is the reason why I can’t believe he graduated from medical school.   Ting Tong Ting Tong   “Oh? He arrived already?” I asked him.   “Obviously. I will open the door” he said and I continue his job in spread strawberry jam on the bread. We and Sung Kyu hyung are like good friends so by greeting in half would not be a problem.   Suddenly…   “Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh” the butter spreader slip out from my hand when I heard Myung Jun hyung screaming. So, I rush out to the entrance door while asking,   “Ya ya ya hyung what happened why….” My jaw dropped when I saw the guest is not Sung Kyu hyung but a young lady instead. We met our eyes and I saw he observed me from head to toe then only I realized today I wore a white lose shirt with pink boxer. She’s not thinking that we are…   “Aaaaahahhhhhhhh” KIM SE JEONG

 

Today I have assigned myself with one mission. I have to accomplish it no matter what it takes.   I push the bell of  house number 401 , with new hopes. Ting Tong Ting Tong.   I don’t want to make the same mistakes again which is to give up. I push the bell again.   Ting Tong Ting Tong   I’m here to get as much information as possible to help Dr.Lee and Mr. Nam.   I am smiling  when I heard the click sound of the door and the moment my eyes lay on the person that open the door , the smiles fade away and my voices with 5 octaves comes out.That person also screaming along with me.   “Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh” I closed my eyes with my both hands and turn back against the door. What am I seeing? I’m sure I saw a male wearing only tight boxer. The weirdest thing is he only wears that during winter season ? Then, I heard another voices,   “Ya ya ya hyung what happened why….” I turn back facing the door and my jaw drops once again when I saw another guy with tshirt and pink boxer. I look at both of them and suddenly thought something. They are not….   “Aaaaaaaarrgggghhhhhh” we screamed together and he closed the door immediately. My heart beating so fast thinking that they probably had done it. How can I not thinking like that when both of them are half during the weather out there almost 5 degree celcius.  What should I do ? Is it the right house ? I check the address again , and everything was right. Honestly, I’m expecting female resident or married couple or unmarried couple but it turn out to be the worse. God, it is so awkward. Should I leave ? I heard the door clicked again and I freeze on my spot.   “Miss, who are you searching for?” it is the second guy. I observe him and he no longer wore the pink boxers but long black sweatpants plus blue hoodie. The other one probably change his clothes into something better.   “Ah…ah the owner of this house” I told him.   “Oh, you’re the new tenant? Come in , the owner will arrive soon” I want to say I’m not the new tenant but since he invites me to his house , I accept it willingly. So, this house is the one that Dr.Lee, Mr.Nam and Minguk used to live together. This is where everything started when they share a lot of moments, pain and happiness together.   A big frame that hanging on the wall caught my attention when it was wrapped nicely with white paper. Why is it being wrapped? Don’t tell me it’s the picture of marriage between these two men.   “Oh, that picture is belongs to the owner. We are not allowed to unwrap it” it’s the first guy. He must saw me observing the picture. I’m glad he was fully covered no