001-Fateful Encounter
The sound of her alarm brings Lea back to her senses.
Her neck hurts from sleeping on her desk after finishing her homework.
Its thirty minutes past Six in the morning, and its still dark outside.
Lea made her way to her kitchen and prepared a three-meal food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Living alone to fend for herself, she can't afford to eat out. Although her part-time job as a barista offered meals, she don't want to get sick from lack of nutrition.
After making her food, she went about her daily routine- eating breakfast, taking a bath, brushing her teeth and tidying her apartment.
Lea attends a local public college near her apartment. Luckily she's smart and got a full scholarship for her course. She's taking business management course, hoping that she can build her own cafe someday.
Lea
Hey. You're unusually early today.
Pia struggled to catch her breath as she cling on Lea's arms.
Pia
I forgot my textbooks yesterday so I didn't make my homework!
Lea
You really think your puppy eyes work on me?
Pia
No, but its worth a try.
Lea knew Pia will beg to copy her homework because Pia is notorious for being forgetful, that's why she made a separate copy of her homework for her. She modified a few calculations just to make sure the teacher won't find out.
While Pia hustled to copy the answers on her textbook, Lea busied herself reading.
Reading books became habitual for Lea as soon as she was admitted in the orphanage. The sponsor for their orphanage loved donating books for them to read. While other children prefered playing outside, she became obsessed with reading and learning.
As a result, she never got any chance to make friends. She casually converse with them, but the other children felt that Lea has put up a wall around her which made it difficult for them to approach her.
This is true until now. Pia may seem close to her but in all honesty, she only treats Lea that way because she's convenient.
They only talk when Pia needs something. Lea knows her personality, but doesn't really mind because Lea don't really care much about others.
After class, Lea went to the bathroom to pee.
While she sat on the bowl, she heard some girls talking.
Eve
Lea's really convenient at times like these. I totally forgot my homework. How'd you even persuade her to let you copy?
Pia
Cause I'm cute. I think Lea's a lesbian and got a thing for me.
Eve
Wah! Really? That's creepy.
Pia
Well, as long as I talk to her, I can ask her anything I want. Since she's a loner and all.
Eve
Do you notice that she only wear two pairs of clothes everyday? Like how poor is she?
Pia
I know! She's even on a full scholarship. I had to swallow my pride every time people see me talking to her.
Lea contemplated whether she'll wait for them to leave before coming out of the cubicle or she'll just come out while they're still trashtalking her.
But Lea felt gross and wanted to wash her hands immediately so she silently came out and washed her hands.
Eve looked like her blood's drained as soon as she realized Lea was beside them.
Pia went on her talk but then stopped when Eve pointed at Lea.
She was dumbfounded and nervous. Inside her head, Pia was preparing for a cat fight if Lea decided to fight.
But after washing her hands, she went for the paper towels and left.
Pia ran after her and grabbed Lea in her arms.
Pia
You think you're mighty ignoring us?
Lea blinked in confusion.
Lea brushed her aside, and continued to walk away, but Pia's persistence is getting on her nerves.
Pia
...i'm ready to fight-
Pia didn't get to finish her sentence because she blacked out from Lea's punch.
Eve gasped from the shock and went immediately over to Pia.
Lea's eyes had murderous glint on them, which only made Eve tremble as she craddled Pia on her lap.
Lea cornered Eve and backed her on the wall.
Lea
I can do much worse if you report this to the administration.
Lea
Do you understand what I'm saying?
Eve
Y-you think you can threaten us?
Lea
Yeah. But if you want your scandalous relationship with one of our professors to come out, then by all means, report away.
Lea showed a copy of Pia and Eve's sex tapes on her phone.
Eve
I will remember this Lea!
Lea
Good. Remember me well, Eve. Even if you forget, I will always remind you until you the day you die.
Lea grabbed Eve's face forcefully. Digging her nails into her cheeks until it marked. After Lea determined that she won't get in trouble because she effectively scared Eve, Lea left and attended her next class without any worry.
Lea's classes were done at four thirty in the afternoon. She had enough time to walk to her part-time which was only a fifteen-minute walk from her college.
She clocked in at five and started her shift right away.
Regular costumers in their cafe are mostly girls because of her only workmate and boss, Ken.
Ken Park, 32 years old.
Cafe Owner
Divorced
Lea efficiently made the orders and swiftly moved on to the next task.
Before Lea, Ken didn't hire any employees since he started his cafe business because they fall for him easily as they work together, whether it be man or woman.
He took a chance with Lea after she applied and its been smooth sailing since she started. Ken became asexual and inactive in the field of relationships. He finds it hard to commit again after his ex divorced him for another man.
Though their regular costumers are single, Ken focused only on making sure that they come back and make his business going.
An hour before they close, a group of young men came in.
They are the country's most famous boy band. Arcana.
Arcana is a six-member boy band that was apparently treated as a national treasure.
Jae Kim, 25 years old
Main Vocal
Known as the Playboy in his group
Jim So, 25 years old
Rapper
The Cool and Aloof but really Shy member
Ren, 25 years old
Main Dancer
Also the Playboy
Harry Liu, 24 years old
Rapper
Bad Boy exterior, faithful lover internally
Theo Chen, 23 years old.
Main Visual
The youngest and the group's little cinnamon roll
Zeke, 25 years old.
Leader
Mysterious but one of the most popular.
As they settled inside the booth, costumers flock at a safe distance from them.
Brent, 30 years old.
Arcana's Manager
Single
Brent approached the counter and ordered the group's beverages. Lea noticed how Brent was looking intently at Ken.
Ken
Can I have your name for the cup, Sir?
Kent smiled politely while writing on the cup. As soon as the payment was done, Lea also finished working on their orders.
Brent carried their order to their table and Ken signalled Lea to come over. Puzzled, Lea reluctantly go. Impatiently, Ken pulled Lea's hand and whispered as soon as her ears are near.
Ken
One of the boys over there looks just like you.
Lea
Are you saying I look like a boy boss?
Ken
More like they look feminine.
Lea
Haha. That's a good one boss.
Ken rubbed his chin, low-key staring at the group, thinking.
Ken
Now I know you still look pretty even if you become a boy.
Lea grimaced and made a face.
Ken chuckled and pat Lea's head. He didn't say anything more and they both went back to work.
Lea
Yes Sir? What can I do for you?
Zeke
Can you make me another one of this?
Zeke showed his cup to Lea.
Lea
Right away Sir. I shall bring it to your table shortly.
Zeke
Can I watch you make it?
Lea didn't know what to say but quickly responded with a calculated smile.
Lea immediately crafted his salted caramel macchiato. Zeke watched her intently and the boyish glint of amusement in his eyes felt foreign and strange for Lea.
Zeke immediately consumed his second cup, not leaving the counter. He savored the flavor right then and there.
Lea waited in anticipation for his review.
Zeke
This is the best I've had so far.
Lea
I'm glad you liked it.
Zeke
This cafe is kind of secluded, wouldn't it be better if you move into a busier area?
Lea
I don't know the details even if you ask me Sir.
Zeke
Sorry. I just spoke my mind. You make good coffee, that's why I thought it'll be a waste.
Lea
A waste that people won't get to try my coffee?
Lea smiled genuinely. Its a first that someone complimented her work.
Zeke smiled back politely as soon as he saw Lea smile, and left the counter. He was immediately teased by his members who only made more clutter.
Lea felt more tired than usual as she ended her shift. Her brows furrowed as soon as she recalled the mess Arcana made before leaving.
Lea
Those bastards are too rowdy for their own good.
Lea
I hope they don't visit again. Those fans of them even broke one of our chairs just to take a picture of them.
Lea stopped on her track as she bit her lip.
Lea
Theo's all grown up huh.
As soon as Lea finished taking her evening bath, she lay down on her bed, thinking about Theo. She tinkered with her phone and searched his name.
Theo became an idol when he was sixteen and he's the youngest member of Arcana.
Their songs always dominates the charts and they even made their US debut three years ago.
Lea browsed his official social media accounts. In doing so, Lea felt a pang of pain when she saw an uploaded family picture in his account.
Her eyes slowly pooled tears, but soon wiped it away as she nuzzled her face down her pillow.
Lea soon felt sleepy and dozed off.
Mina
Lea, honey, time to wake up.
Mina
You need to get out of here before your Grandpa wakes up.
Lea reached out for Mina but she can't see properly.
Her surroundings is a blur and its as if Lea's head is underwater. The next thing she knew she's being forced inside a sack.
Grandpa Joo shoved Mina aside and continued to beat Lea with his cane.
Grandpa Joo
Shut up! I told you, your wife is the only woman allowed in this household! How dare you birth a female child!
Grandpa Joo hates women. He's a mysoginist who only views women as weak, unreliable and useless people.
He would either physically assault Mina and Lea or verbally abuse them depending on his mood.
Lea had to leave their house everyday before Grandpa Joo wakes up to avoid any chance that he will flip a switch and beat her to death.
Grandpa Joo
You should just die! Filthy kid!
Grandpa Joo strangled Lea.
Lea jolts herself awake, catching her breath. Its been a while since she had that nightmare. Her body's covered in sweat. Lea groaned in agony as she came out of the bed and head for the kitchen to drink some water.
She drank directly from the pitcher and gulped the whole content. Relieved from her agony, Lea combed her finger through her long wavy hair.
Lea
I'm not someone that you can easily hurt anymore. I want to forget all of you. Why must I recall this again?
Lea went back to her bed, changed her clothes because she was drenched in sweat. Soon she curled herself in a ball, hugging her feet.
The loneliness of being alone made Lea emotional. She tried hard to prevent her tears from falling, but it was the only way to relieve herself from grief.
Hopefully, tomorrow will come out better.
Comments
♤♧♢Queen of Black jokes♡~
Very realistic very nice theme different from others I like it
2020-07-22
1
Paulinna_MTN(LTP)
Nice work.. Liked the story.. Great characters...👍
2020-07-08
1
(◍•ᴗ•◍)∆IP @ PRÏYÅ (*˘︶˘*).｡*♡
poor girl 😔
2020-06-30
2