Jia stood in front of a middle-aged woman who sells gimbap. She wanted to get for Arianna and take it to her place. Maybe that would calm her a bit since she loves them. She bought the gimbap, and thought of buying rice cakes as well. But the price she bargained for wasn't what she got. Trying to reduce the price, she and the seller resulted into an argument.
"Miss, if you won't buy this at that price then you can leave." the woman said.
"I can't just leave, my friend needs it. Please just give me for that price" Jia said. She decided to beg as arguing won't help. She didn't bring enough cash, and she woman doesn't use credit cards.
"No, that price is too low" she said "I can't sell it that way"
"Please, I beg you "
"I already said no. Move aside if you won't buy" the woman waved her hand, gesturing for her to leave.
Jia pouted her lips. Why won't she just consider? She had begged already. Why is she still adamant?
"Can I have these?" Jia heard someone say. That manly voice sounds a little familiar. She turned her gaze towards the direction of the voice and that was when she saw him. The man at the restaurant! She can't believe she's seeing him again.
"Sure" the woman said "How many?"
"I would like five" he replied. He wasn't even worried about the price and here she was, worried sick. Although, she didn't bring enough cash.
"Are you still here? Won't you leave?" The woman yelled again, while Jia kept her lips pouted.
Shin woo looked at her, he remembered her. No, he followed her. Jia let her shoulders drop. She wouldn't be able to these for her friend. Too bad.
"Give her as well, I'll pay" Shin woo said. Jia was shocked. Did he offer to pay for her?
The woman package the cakes for both of them and handed it over, after which Shin woo paid.
"Thank you" Jia slightly bowed with a smile.
"Don't mention it" Shin woo said "You're the lady at that restaurant, right?"
"Ah...yes. It was me" she replied. She really wasn't expecting him to remember her.
"I've been coming there but.....I haven't been seeing you" he said.
Has he been looking for her? "Ah...I really don't work there. It my mother's restaurant" she replied. Jia could feel her heart knocking wildly against its cage. Why is she nervous?
"I'm Kim Shin woo" she heard him say, with his hand stretched for a handshake and proper introduction.
She took his hand "Oh Jia" she said with a smile.
"I work at Han group. The art and gallery. This is my card" Shin woo handed his business card to her and she took it. "Call me at any time. I'll be heading home now. It's nice meeting you." He smiled.
"It's nice meeting you too"
Shin woo nodded and walked to his car. He got in while Jia stood there watching him leave. He waved her goodbye and drove away. Jia couldn't believe what just happened. If this is a dream, somebody pinch her. Too good, it's not.
She walked towards Arianna's house to be with her. Her mother told her what happened. She couldn't imagine the pain Arianna's going through right now. But one thing she knew was that it's deep.
Soon, her phone rang and when she saw the caller, she picked immediately.
"Anna..."
"Jia...." Arianna cried.
"Anna, are you okay?" What kind of question is that?! She can clearly hear she's crying.
"My life is a mess, Jia" Arianna said
"No, Anna don't say that. Mum told me what happened. I'm coming to house right now" Jia said as she increased her pace.
"No, don't go there. I'm not home "Arianna said between her cries. Jia could feel the pain from hearing her cries.
"Where are you?" She asked.
"They're giving me away, Jia... They're giving me away to CEO Han" she blurted as she cried.
"What?!" Jia was so shocked. How could they do this to her? How could they give her away?
"I don't want to leave anymore...."
"No...No! Don't say that. If you kill yourself then I'll kill you" she broke into tears.
"My life is ruined already, so what's the point?" Arianna cried. Her throat was dry from all the crying.
"What about me then?! What do think would happen to me?!" Jia yelled. She was angry that Arianna thought that way.
They both cried, but Arianna cried the most. "Where are you?" Jia asked.
"I'm by Han River" she managed to say
"Stay there, don't do anything foolish or else I'll kill you" Jia said "I'm coming now" she hung up and ran as fast as her legs could carry her.
*....*....*.....*.....*.....*...*.....*...*.....*...*
Shin woo keyed in the passcode to his house, and then he walked in. He pulled his shoes by the door and wore the slippers.
"Jana!" he called while doing so. "Jana, are you home?"
Jana walked out of the kitchen, with a bottle of water, she gulped it down.
"Hi, brother" she said. Shin woo smiled. She looked fine and wasn't carrying her sad face like before.
He walked up to her "Have you been well?"
"Hmm" she nodded
"Here, I got this for you" he handed the cakes to her. To be frank, he doesn't like rice cakes, but since his sister does, it wasn't bad putting the show.
"Wow..." she exclaimed as she peeked in the bag. "Thanks brother"
Shin woo patted her head "Don't mention it" he said.
Jana went to the couch immediately "I've missed this" she smiled
"I know you do, that's why I got it" Shin woo said.
Lies!!
"Really?" Jana asked skeptically "Since when did you start buying rice cakes for me?"
"Today" Shin woo replied immediately. He didn't want to look suspicious.
"It feels suspicious. You never buy even if I ask you to"
"I...I just thought maybe....if I buy it then it will enlighten you mood" he stuttered.
Jana peered at him "Don't worry, I'm fine" she replied with a grin. Shin woo made his way upstairs, but then he stopped halfway.
"Uh.... Jana?" He called.
"Hmm?" She turned to him with her mouth sucked, making a pout.
"You should stop staying at home. Go back to the salon." He spoke sternly.
Jana chewed swiftly and swallowed. "But what if people see me? I mean....those who might have seen me at the club. They know I'm not a club person." She said
"Does that matter now?" He frowned "I thought you've gotten over it?"
"It does" she pulled a sad face.
"Well, it's an order. No staying at home from tomorrow "
"But..."
"No buts, Jana " without waiting for a word from her, he walked up the stairs.
Jana sighed. "I'm scared. How would I tell him?