PART:2

"Ahh..! Not again...!"

I shout in frustration. I walk downstairs and go through the kitchen, where my mom is cooking dinner.

"Mom, why do you clean my room??"

I ask, feeling a bit angry.

"WHAT do you mean why I clean your room? I do it because you never clean it yourself and go out leaving it a mess like a pig..!"

My mom looks at me in an annoyed manner and continues cooking.

"Mom, okay, you clean my room, BUT WHY THE HELL DO YOU TOUCH MY THINGS?"

My mom gives me a death glare because I just raised my voice and used the word "hell" in my sentence.

"I mean, Mom, I can't find my favorite novel! Where is it?"

She looks at me, then turns her attention back to the pot she is stirring.

"I threw it out!... Because you don’t study. You just read those novels all the time and waste your time...."

I freeze in shock. Did she really just say she threw my favorite novel away?

"W-what?! Are you serious, Mom? You threw my favorite novel out?!"

I walk up to her, hoping she’s just pranking me to teach me a lesson.

"Mom, you're lying. I know it. Now, please just tell me where you put my novel."

My mom turns to me and speaks in a serious voice.

"I really threw it out... and I did it because..."

She reaches into her apron pocket and pulls something out.

"SEE? I found this in your room."

I take the paper from her hands and look at it—my test paper. The one where I got 10 out of 100. I look back at my mom, who is still angry. She’s mad because I hid my score from her. I have nothing left to say.

"…Mom, but you can’t—"

She cuts me off immediately.

"See, Soo-ah! You promised me you’d get good marks, but look at this! You didn’t! So now, instead of wasting your time reading novels, you will study. Got it?"

I feel so disappointed. I slowly walk back to the hall, controlling the urge to cry.

"Mom threw my favorite novel… just a while ago. That means… there’s still a chance I can find it in the trash corner!"

Without telling my mom, I rush outside and walk quickly to the trash corner. When I arrive, I check to make sure no one is around. Once I confirm I’m alone, I start searching through the trash. After a few minutes… I find it.

"Yes! I got it! My favorite novel! Thank God you didn’t get spoiled..."

I step out of the trash area and look around carefully to make sure no one sees me. If anyone I know catches me here, I’ll be in trouble. They’ll tell my mom, and then I’ll be dead…

(Everyone knows my mom’s temper.)

"…Thank God no one saw me…!"

I feel relieved that I didn’t get caught.

"Thank God I’m safe. If anyone had seen me here and told my mom that I came to the trash corner just to find my novel, then—"

Before I can finish my sentence, someone interrupts me from behind.

"…Then you’ll be in big trouble, right, Soo-ah?"

I turn around and look at the person who just cut me off. The moment I recognize them, my mood turns sour.

"Ji-woon!"

Ji-woon is my mom’s best friend’s son… and my worst enemy.

He sees me here with my book. That’s not the problem. The problem is that he’s him.

"Ji-woon… w-what are you doing here at this time…?"

I ask nervously, wondering if he heard everything I said.

"Hmm… I’m just coming back from my classes. What about you?"

He smirks playfully, waiting for my answer.

"I… I… I came here because…"

I quickly hide my novel behind my back and continue,

"…Wait a minute. Why should I tell you? You’re not my mom or dad. I don’t have to explain myself to you!"

Ji-woon smirks wider and steps closer.

"I know I’m not your mom or dad… BUT… there’s something you need to know. I know something. And if your mom finds out… well, you know what’ll happen, right, Soo-ah?"

Hearing this, my heart sinks. He… he heard everything I said.

"…Ji-woon… did you hear something I said?..."

I look at him with doubt and fear, trying to figure out if he’s bluffing or if I’m overthinking things.

"Hmm… nah! Why would I listen to your nonsense?"

I feel relieved. Thank God he didn’t hear anything. If he did, he would have gone straight to my mom just to watch me get scolded. He enjoys my suffering for his entertainment. But now, I’m free.

"Okay, okay… I’m going…"

I turn to walk back home, feeling much lighter. But—!!!

"Can’t you wait for me to finish my sentence, Mrs. LEE SOO-AH?!"

Hearing his voice and attitude change, I stop in my tracks. Turning around, I try to act normal.

"What? Wait for what?"

I see his smirk and the shift in his demeanor. I know this look. He’s up to something.

"Let me finish my words. I said I don’t listen to your nonsense… BUT… I HEARD YOU SAY THAT YOU CAME HERE TO GET YOUR NOVEL EVEN THOUGH YOUR MOM FORBIDS IT. AND YOU’RE DOING IT BEHIND HER BACK… RIGHT, SOO-AH?"

He exposes everything. I freeze. I know I’m trapped in his game now. No use pretending. He knows me too well.

"If you knew, then why were you acting, huh?"

I ask, annoyed. But he just chuckles and steps closer.

"What? I was enjoying myself. Seeing you all tense and nervous is fun for me."

I glare at him, frustrated. He always does this. He knows exactly how to use situations against me for his entertainment.

"So? What do you want? I know you never do anything without a reason."

Ji-woon smirks, thinking for a moment before replying.

"…Be my servant. Or, let’s say… my slave."

He grins playfully, trying to act innocent. But I know his tricks. His "innocent" face doesn’t fool me.

"Stop acting innocent. I will never—"

He cuts me off.

"You will never be my servant, I know. But you’re in no position to argue with me or make me step back."

He whispers close to my ear, his warm breath making me shiver.

"Just be my servant, and we’ll close the matter here. Sometimes, you should obey me, princess…"

Ji-woon pulls back and starts walking away, as if he already knows my answer. He even smiles a little.

I feel trapped again. I follow him and stop him before he gets too far.

"Hey, Ji-woon… what if I say no? It’s not like you can force me. That’s not fair. You always do this to me…."

I already know what he’ll say. But I want to hear it from his mouth.

"You know… I will never force you to do anything. I’m just giving you options. Choose wisely—obey me, or… get scolded and punished by your mom."

Ji-woon smiles slightly and is about to say more when—

He suddenly notices something. His expression changes.

A truck is coming.

A truck is speeding right toward me.

"Soo-ah!! GET OUT OF THE WAY! RUN, YOU IDIOT!"

I hear the truck. I turn toward it. My body freezes. My legs won’t move. The lights are too bright. The truck is too fast. It’s almost here.

"Soo-ah!!!!"

Ji-woon yells and runs toward me. The truck is seconds away. Before it can hit me, he reaches out and grabs me.

The impact.

We both fall.

Blood spreads everywhere.

Ji-woon’s hand is still over mine, gripping my novel.

^^^TO BE CONTINUED....~^^^

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