SIXTEEN

(Seorin's POV)

    I wiped the sweat off my forehead using the back of my hand and wished I had brought a cap with me. The sun was beating down on me and there were few people about in the square I had put up my stall.

   Business was bad and Cosmic had to go back to the conventional method of sales people in the hopes of bringing in some money. That was why I was there that hot Monday afternoon, covering up for A-yeong who was sick. Aside from the production employees, Cosmic had reduced to about 20 odd people, with almost everyone doubling as a sales person.

   Sales wasn't good. I had only five customers for the entire day. Most people just hurried past, desperate to get out of the sweltering heat and once or twice, I'd caught sight of bags from Mystique with them. Ever since Mystique had opened, they had stolen all our customers, making it even harder for us to recover from the huge losses.

   I sighed and reached for my water bottle, only to find that it was empty. Aish, seriously. The nearest food store was all the way across the square and I couldn't leave my stall unattended. If only I had an assistant, I thought, then I could send him to buy me a bubble tea.

   Assistant. I was reminded of Sehun with a sudden pang. It had been nearly 6 months after the fashion show. I was no longer his assistant. The company had to let him go since they couldn't afford a celebrity muse. I didn't hear from him after that. I wonder if he's forgotten all about me... For some reason, that thought filled me with sadness.

  A shadow fell over my stall and I looked up. A kindly looking old lady was smiling down at me. A customer! I got up hurriedly and bowed.

  "Good afternoon ma'am," I said politely "How can I help you? Are you looking for cosmetics or perfumes? All the products here-"

  The old lady interrupted me with a laugh. "I'm afraid I'm not at an age for dressing up anymore," she said "But a young girl like you should take care of your beauty. You shouldn't be standing around in the hot sun." She held out what looked like a piece of cloth. "I got you this."

  I reached out and took it hesitantly. It was a cap. Black and oddly familiar. "Thank you," I bowed politely.

  The old lady smiled. "You look parched so I got you this too," She handed me a bag. I looked inside and saw a bubble tea.

  "Thank you! Please, let me pay you," I started scrabbling around for my purse but the old lady shook her head.

  "There's no need for you to pay," she said "Just think of it as a gift someone wants you to have." Before I could protest, she gave me a wink and started walking away. I stared after her in surprise for a moment.

  The sun was still blazing mercilessly so I put on the cap and sat down. I took a sip of the bubble tea and closed my eyes in bliss. The bubble tea was ice cold and it was my favourite flavour too- rose and lychee. I sent a silent prayer of thanks to the kind old lady who had turned up with exactly what I needed at that moment.

(Sehun's POV)

  I watched as the old lady left Seorin and walked towards me. I was standing at the edge of the square, partly hidden behind an advertisement board. "Thank you for your help," I said as the old lady came up to me.

  "You're welcome," she said, her eyes twinkling. "Though next time, you shouldn't be so shy to show your love to your girlfriend."

  I went red and said, "Oh, she's not my girlfriend." Yet. The old lady smiled and patted my arm like she read my thoughts.

  "I know this is none of my business," she said "But a word of advice- if you wait for the perfect moment, you might never get a chance. By the time you show her your love, it might be too late." She let that sink in. "Listen to your heart," she said after a moment and walked away.

  I turned and looked at Seorin across the square. She was still sipping the bubble tea, my cap pulled down low over her face. It was months since I had last seen her. Her hair was longer- twisted into a ponytail at the top of her head, but she was still the Seorin I remembered. 

   I felt bad for not even texting her for so long, but I had been busy with our comeback. I had just got back from a tour two days ago. But the real reason I hadn't called her was because I was scared that she had forgotten all about me - that she was happier without me.

  I had not been expecting to see her there today. I happened to spot her as I was on my way to a broadcast and I had told the driver to pull over. I had got out of the car, wanting to rush to her but holding back all the same. 

  She looked beautiful, even at a distance. She had seemed so tired and thirsty so I had bought her a bubble tea. But I was too shy to give it to her myself. And scared too. What if she wasn't happy to see me? So I had asked a passing elderly lady to give it to her along with my cap since the silly girl apparently hadn't brought hers. 

  I watched as Seorin finished her drink and tossed the empty cup into a nearby dustbin. I smiled to myself as she cheered when she managed to score in one try. 

  By the time you show her your love, it might be too late.  

  I took a step towards the square but a voice stopped me. It was my manager, who was poking his head out of the car.

   "We really should get going or we'll be late," he said. "Sehun?" he asked when I didn't answer. I tore my gaze from Seorin and turned to him.

  "Oh," I said reluctantly "Ok then..."

    The manager ducked back into the car and I glanced back at the square once, before following him.

.  .  .  

(Seorin's POV)

  I wearily twisted the doorknob of my house and stepped inside. The house was dark. I switched on the lights and dumped my handbag on the kitchen table. It had been a long day.

  My stomach grumbled as I crossed the kitchen and opened the fridge, already knowing what I was going to see. It was empty. I sighed and closed the fridge. I had been craving for some Japchae or some Bibimbap, but it looked like I was eating instant ramen again.

  I opened the cupboard and got a packet of ramen. I tore the packet open, dumped the contents into a bowl and poured hot water. I took my food to the table and sat down. I used to love instant ramen, but eating it 24/7 for weeks makes its novelty wear off.

  When Yun Hee was there, she would cook for both of us. But she wasn't there. She had got a new  job on the other side of town and moved into an apartment closer to her workplace. I didn't know how to cook and even if I could order take- away everyday, I couldn't afford it. The cost for electricity and water was already deducting so much from the little salary I got.

  Just then, someone knocked on the front door, pulling me away from my miserable thoughts. Who could that be? I went over to the door and pulled it open. It was Mr. Yang, the landlord. Crap.

  "Miss Park, you know why I'm here," he said. "Do you have the rent ready?"

  "Ah Mr. Yang... about that...haha.." I trailed off nervously. I didn't even have money to feed myself, let alone pay the rent that I now had to bare alone.

  "Look here, you can't keep doing this," Mr. Yang said sternly "This is the 4th month you haven't payed me."

  "I know Mr. Yang. I'm so sorry. But I really don't have the money right now," I pleaded "Please just give me a few more weeks. Please."

   Mr. Yang snorted exasperatedly. "How long do you want me to wait?" he asked "I have a family to feed too, you know."

  "Just give me a little time," I begged "I'll pay you rent for all 4 months. I promise."

  But Mr. Yang shook his head. "I'm sorry but I've waited long enough," he said "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

  "Leave?!" I cried "Please don't evict me. I don't have anywhere else to go!"

  "I can't help with that. I'll be back in 1/2 an hour, so be packed and ready," he said firmly and walked into the darkness as I stared after him helplessly.

  I didn't have a choice but to bundle my belongings into a few suitcases and wait for Mr. Yang who arrived 1/2 an hour later.

  "Stay with a friend until you find a place to stay," he said as he locked the front door "And you might want to leave that company of yours and find a better job." I said nothing as he nodded at me once and walked away, leaving me in the dark street.

  What do I do now? I thought helplessly. Call Omma and Appa? No, I couldn't bother them and make them worry. They were already stressed about my brother who was still in hospital and I couldn't add more to their burden.

  A-yeong? No, she was sick. Yun Hee? She lived on the other side of town and I didn't have money for the transportation. Ji Hun? He was a close friend, but it would be weird. Who else? I thought desperately. Maybe...?

  Before I knew what I was doing, I was calling Sehun. He picked up after a few rings. I could hear a lot a noise in the background.

  "Hello? What is it?" he asked over the noise "It better be good cause you just interrupted an epic action scene."

  "Um... well I got kicked out of my house," I said hesitantly "And I don't have anywhere to go." There was silence at the other end- he must have switched off the TV.

  "So what do you want me to do about it?" he asked after a moment. He doesn't care. I felt my heart thud. 

  "Nothing. Just forget it," I said and hung up before he could say anything. What was I thinking?! That he'd come running to help me?  I rolled my eyes at myself and dragged my suitcases to the place where my street met the main road.

  It was nearly 9pm. I didn't know what to do. I stood around for a few minutes and finally decided that I didn't have any choice but to call my parents. I was just dialing the number when a car pulled up next to me and a voice called "Seorin!"

  The window of the car slid down and a familiar face smiled at me.

.  .  .