*7 Months Later*
Mun-Hee
I look at the photo in my hand, tracing it with my fingers, a familiar ache tingling away. I don't even know why I kept it in the first place. It's been seven months since we broke up so it brings nothing but bad memories and a bitter taste in my mouth.
Perhaps, I keep it to remind myself to be careful who I trust. Dong-Woo was someone I thought I could trust with my life. He was someone I gave my everything to but he betrayed that trust. He replaced me as easily as it is to breathe. He found someone prettier, someone smarter, richer – someone who is good enough for him because clearly I wasn't.
I was never part of the rich crowd. On the contrary, I barely remember a day where my family didn't struggle financially. With him I had a home which always felt warm and safe. Now, I live in an apartment that is about to fall down. It barely has any light and it's always cold. One of the windows had gotten broken because of a storm and I never got around to fixing it. There are patches in the wall where the wall paper is getting torn. The bed is old and has springs coming out. The dresser is hobbled, one foot of it broken. The geezer doesn't work, resulting in me having to have cold showers. There is mold in the ceiling since it is always leaking water when it rains , like today.
I frown as I open the drawer and place the photo there. I look up at the ceiling which is dripping steadily, creating a rhythm of drip-drop-drip-drip-drop. I sigh as I grab the almost full bucket. it to the bathroom, empty it and take it back in place. I shiver, feeling the cold air running down my back but I try to ignore it.
'I really need to fix that window.' I murmur to myself, placing the bucket under the leak just as one drop enters my back, making me shiver. I go back to the bathroom and look at the mirror which actually has a crack in it. They say that if you break a mirror, it means seven years of bad luck but the mirror was already broken. I wonder if I still carry that bad luck or maybe this place does. Nothing, I ever do seems to work in here .
I look at my reflection – pale skin, a shade of dark circles under my eyes from tiredness. I'm not one for my makeup but I do some concealer to hide those marks. I squeeze the last bit of my tube, grumbling under my breath. Just another thing I have to add to the to-buy list - I think to myself. I rub it in under my eyes and nod to myself, satisfied. I wash my hands and dry them off as I head back outside of the bathroom.
[restaurant]
【Location：restaurant】
I wait around the table as I smile at two of our regular customers – an elderly couple who comes for date night every Thursday. I swear they are the most adorable couple I have ever seen. On most days, I doubt that real love exists but seeing them always gives me that bit of hope.
Mun-Hee‘Hope you’re enjoying your meal Mr. and Mrs. Park.’
I say as I top up their wine carefully, trying not to spill over.
‘Oh yes sweetie. The food was amazing, so please pass our compliments to the kitchen.’ Mrs. Park says as she gives me a warm, motherly smile.
‘And also thank you for your services Ms. Choi. My wife almost leaves with a smile, saying how yours is just so contagious.’ Mr. Park says chuckling a bit and I can’t help but smile more.
Customers like Mr. and Mrs. Park always make our days better. They are a reminder that there are still a lot of people who good and nice. 'Thank you so much. I'll let you enjoy the rest of the night.' I say.
I keep working even though I feel tired as hell. My feet are aching but I walk into the kitchen as I go for my overtime with Yeonjun who is another waiter. Like me, he does the double shift by cleaning after the restaurant closes its doors to the customers.
'Aish I am so tired noona. I don't know how you do it.' Yeonjun whines. I can't help but chuckle. Yeonjun is five years younger than me so I am pretty protective over him. He's a student, studying software development and his intelligence always blows me away.
'The same way you do it. I have another job in the morning and you go to University. You also have assignments to do so you should be proud of yourself.' I remind him. He smiles, his fluffy blue hair moving out of place.
He decides to be cheeky as he throws water at me. My eyes go wide as I look at him. 'You little rascal.' I say as I throw water at him as well. He laughs, loudly as do I when he suddenly drops a plate. It smashes on the floor, glass shards going everywhere. We both stop laughing as we look at the glass.
