WHELVE ↠ NA JAEMIN

↠ C . 2

The boy took a deep gulp and shook his head "It's ok Area I understand.  Can we still stay as friends? I don't want anything to change between our friendship at least. " Her eyes widened at how easily he accepted her answer. She thought he would give excuses like how he wouldn't disturb her education and would help her out. A genuine smile formed across her lips.  "Yeah .. friends"

↠

"What happened?"

"He said he liked me. Like what? ME!!" Byeol gave a Aera a are you serious look "You do realise that you're quite popular and that you literally have your own fanboys"

"Huh- I do" Of course she didn't notice. Aera has always been the quiet girl who doesn't like too much attention. Now and again she smiled at people but doesn't converse with them. she is reserved and to herself. Except for the times she is around Byeol which is when her personality shows. 

"Are you really that oblivious or are you acting?" Yep she is just oblivious. Doesn't observe her surrounding. Her head only moves from desk to the teachers board. Never to another direction. There was a quiet silence, Byeol let out a fake dry chuckle. "Of course you never notice." She rolled her eyes then flipped her hair smirking. "But you may have become popular because of me. I am quiet exotic don't you think" she raised her eyebrows letting out a smug smile. Aera couldn't help but laugh at her friends confidence. 

↠

"Park A-yeong!! Can you work properly!! You're slowing everyone down. If you don't keep up I will have to fire you. Customers are waiting!"

"Sorry Boss" the lady bowed then carried on with her work. Her boss not only makes her work past her normal shift hours, he also doesn't give a good salary for the amount of work the lady does. A-yeong's concentration was interrupted by the ringing of her phone.

The number listed on the screen was one she hoped to not see in a while. The call was accepted with her trembling fingers a rush of fear passing her mind. 

Hello

How much longer do we need to wait !!

I-I'm sorry! I will be getting my monthly salary.

In two weeks. Please wait longer-

We have waited long enough. Hand us your 

daughter or yourself!

With that said the man cut the call

My daughter? If I hand her over all the debt I have will be gone.....

↠

"Mum, I'm home!!"

Aera searched for her mother due to the lack of response. She found soju bottles and vodka scattered across the floor. "Mum!!" Aera ran to her mother who was lying down on the kitchen floor and helped her up taking her to the sofa. "Aera~" Her mouth sang her name out loud, smiling. "You hate me don't you?"

"What?  I- I don't hate you!" she glanced at her confused. Aera pursed her lips then faced the cold floor muttering some words. "I just wished that - " her quiet feelings here interrupted by her mother. She spat out the harshest words that a mother could ever say to their own child.  

"I hate you though '' Hearing her own mother say that, made the girl feel so unwanted. She was in the verge of tears, her heart was tearing apart. "Ever since you were born I never liked you. But ever since you killed your father I began to hate you"

"I never killed him!"

"Yes you did!! If you didn't ask him to take you out that night he wouldn't have died by having that heart attack! Ever since then you have been nothing but a burden. I just wish you could die and rot. You're such a pain !" Suddenly she yanked her hair hard and pushed the young girl to the floor. " Some men will come in a few days to come look at you and all you have to do is stay quiet and stay put. Understand!"

"W-why ?" hot surface emitted across her cheek throbbing with pain by the large palm of her mothers. "Don't talk back!" A-yeong grabbed her daughter up onto her feet and dragged her to the storage room.

"Stay here and don't say a word" ignoring her daughters cries she pushed her into the pitch black room and locked the door. Darkness pulled her into a vulnerable state. She couldn't make out anything around her.  Nothing but some natural light shining from the gap in the ceiling was the only part of the outside world she could see. 

The girl hugged her legs to her chest and burying her face in between her knees as streams of tears flowed fast expressing the heartbreak she was going through.