CHAPTER 9 - I SELL LAVENDER SOAP.
666 Words
BIBI
Standing in the middle of my store is the most intimidating man I’ve ever seen.
Asian.
Tall.
Obviously expensive handmade tailored to perfection.
Sharp eyes.
Sharp cheekbones.
He looks completely out of place, but that’s not what intimidates me. What intimidates me is his aura. I can’t place my finger on it, but something is off about him.
“I have questions.”
His voice is a deep baritone. His English is laced with a toned down British accent. I hate British accents, so I immediately dislike him.
“I have answers.”, I say with all the confidence and irritation I can muster.
He lifts an eyebrow.
“Good.”
“Most of them are no.”
Now both eyebrows are lifted.
Interesting.
Most people don’t talk to him like that. I can tell. His confidence. His posture. The expectation of obedience. He practically radiates authority. Which is unfortunate for him because I hate authority.
“Do you know a man named Kim Seok Joon?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure.”
“Think carefully.”
I fold my arms.
“No.”
A pause.
“Could you elaborate?”
“No.”
The man stares.
I stare back.
The store is silent except for the humming of the air conditioner.
Finally he speaks.
“I traced a call to this location. A person is missing and you are being remarkably unhelpful.”
“You are being remarkably annoying. I know nothing about any missing person.”
His jaw tightens.
I give him an eye roll. He really doesn’t know who he’s messing with.
“Listen carefully,” he says with a tone filled with malice.
His tone immediately makes me want to fight him.
“I travelled thousands of miles to find my friend.”
“And?”
“And I need information. If you refuse. I will throw you in jail.”
“And?”
His eye twitches.
I almost smile.
“You’re difficult.”
“You’re rude.”
“I asked a simple question.”
“You walked into my shop and started interrogating me like I’m some criminal.”
“Because you’re my only lead.”
I blink.
Then laugh.
“Oh, my God.”
“What?”
“You’re serious.
“Of course I’m serious. Do I look like a f*****g clown to you? You think I’d joke about a kidnapping?”
“You’re insane.”
His expression turns cold.
“Excuse you?”
“You’re insane. You don’t f*****g know me and you’re treating me like a suspect.”
“You could be.”
I point at myself.
“I sell lavender soap.”
“You could be selling information.”
“What information?”
“And who would I be selling it to?”
“You tell me.”
“I sell lavender soap.”
“You could be doing both.”
“I sell lavender soap.”
The man looks completely unconvinced.
I stare. Then realization dawns on me.
“Oh, no.”
“What?”
“You’re one of those people.”
His eyes narrow
“What people?”
“Those scammers that try to pin s**t on people to extort them.”
His expression darkens.
“I’m not a scammer.”
“That’s exactly what a scammer would say.”
He stares at me for an eternity, and a chill runs down my spine. He looks like he’s seconds away from committing a felony.
“Get out of my store.”
“No,”
“Huhn?”
“I’m staying.”
I blink.
“What?”
“I’m staying.”
“No.”
“Until I find my friend.”
“No.”
“You have a spare room.”
“How do you know that?”
A pause.
“... I saw a door.”
“A DOOR?”
“Yes, there’s a door in the back. This place is huge. You obviously live here.”
- Writer
