Midnight Love

Chapter 2

I had a nightmare this evening about travelling to Seoul, and it went horribly wrong. Knowing that it was all a dream when I woke up makes me pleased. I take one final look around my room. I seize and cuddle my teddy animal. 'Having a minute?' Jimin remarks as she enjoys her coffee outside my door. I always enjoy living alone for this reason. the seclusion. 'Hey! You should at least let me know you're there,' I tell her. Jimin grinned. Jimin squeezes my cheeks while exclaiming, 'I shall miss my little sister!' I chuckle and get out of bed.

She asks me, 'What outfit is the city girl going to wear?' Since the hamlet where I live is always warm, I open my closet and discover that every piece of clothing I own is actually made for summer. January is also here! I tell Jimin, 'Jimin, I have an issue,' I say feeling anxious. Jimin giggled after checking in my closet. 'What clothing did you bring?' she queries. I displayed my bag to her, which was filled entirely with t-shirts and blouses.

'No issue! I have you!' Jimin opined. She enters her room and returns with some clothing for me. We can share clothes because we truly have the same size, which makes me quite happy. I exclaim, 'You're a hero!' She hurries me through the packing process so I won't miss my train.

'When you visit Seoul, buy some outfits,' she advised. Yes, I nodded. I went downstairs to say farewell to my parents after packing my bags. I have to contact her every night after our hugging and safety-related chat. She gives me a picture of my father and tells me that he will look out for me. I started crying as I was talking about my father. Two years have gone by since his death. Medical issues caused the death of my father. Jimin and I exchange goodbyes with my mom before getting in the car.

'Are you okay? You aspire to work as a journalist!' Jimin says.

I can't believe this. I nearly lost sight of the fact that I will be a journalist. Everything seems to be a dream. I thank Jimin for always being there for me. I get so anxious as we go nearer to the railway station that I want to turn around and return home to work at my sister's restaurant.

When we got to the station, we both went outside to wait for my train. 'Oh, I nearly forgot!' She says. 'Here, take this.' She hands me a bag with all of my favourite foods. 'What! You're wonderful' I say. Actually, I entirely overlooked the fact that I need to visit the grocery store as soon as possible because I don't have any food in my new apartment. The time of my train indicates that it will arrive in about two minutes. Jimin gives me a final hug. I cry once more before sitting down to await the train.

The train has arrived. I found a seat next to a woman in a beautiful suit who appears to be a businesswoman. I take out my laptop to look over my work schedule for the week. Today is Wednesday, and I don't have to go to the office because I work from home on weekends.

Knowing the neighbourhood is essential for me because I enjoy taking evening walks. I feel so refreshed and renewed after going for walks. I checked the train's information board to see how much time I had until I arrived in Seoul, and it says 24 minutes. I still have some time to look for places to visit near my apartment.

I look at the map and notice a cute little coffee shop beneath my apartment building. There is a park near my apartment with a bench and some toys for children. The neighbourhood appears to be lovely and peaceful. I knew Jimin would choose the right location, and it's only two bus stops away from K-News. Perfect!

Still, there are 10 minutes left, and my life will hopefully change for the better. I pack my belongings and prepare to exit the train. The woman next to me gets up as well. I'm starting to feel like a businesswoman. When I check my phone, I notice two notifications. I tried to read them, but the train was moving so quickly that I decided to read them when I got off. The train comes to a halt, and I notice a sign that says "SEOUL." I walk out, and here I am... I've finally arrived.

I can't even find the exit to the train station because it's so crowded. Many people collide, all of whom appear to be very busy. I look at the map of the station and take the exit route. I take the stairs up after following the arrows. I look around as I exit the station and see the beautiful city of Seoul. It looks even better than it does in the pictures.

I dial the taxi number and wait for it to arrive. Meanwhile, I sit on a park bench in the city and take some photos to send home. It's already noon, so I pull out the lunch Jimin made for me. As expected, it's absolutely delicious. Seoul is very different from my hometown. There is more activity here. I looked through my phone for the two notifications I had received.

It was the landlord calling me. I totally forgot about it. I have an appointment with him to get my apartment keys. I call him back and tell him I'll be there in about ten minutes. He sounded irritated, and there was still plenty of time before our appointment. When the taxi arrives, I load my belongings into it. 'Hello ma'am, where do you need to go?' the taxi driver asks. I display the address to her. I feel like I'm in a movie as I sit in the taxi, admiring the beautiful buildings, people, and culture. I take out my phone and photograph almost everything I see.

'It's your first time in Seoul?' The taxi driver inquires. Yes, I nodded. 'This is my first time.' 'Do you have any suggestions for me?' I ask her. She ponders. 'Oh, there's so much to do in Seoul, but the area you're going to is really interesting.' You should go to "Little Cupcake," which is close to the address you gave me,' I note down it in my notebook. 'Thanks! 'It's funny because cupcakes are my favourite!' I exclaim. The taxi driver chuckled.

I arrived at the apartment complex, and it is a lovely place. I thank and compensate the taxi driver. I enter the apartment building with my small luggage and handbag. My apartment is on the sixth floor. I get into the lift and look in the mirror; yeah, I look terrible right now. My hair is in a messy bun, and I'm dressed in joggers and a sweater that says, I despise Mondays, but it's Wednesday. Right now, all I want to do is lie down on my bed.

When I open the lift door, there stands a man in his late forties. He gave me a strange look and smile. I text the landlord to let him know that I arrived before the apartment. The random man I saw approaches me and taps my shoulders. 'I'm the owner!'

'You must be the beautiful Jia,' he oddly says. I looked at him, puzzled. 'Yes, sir, my name is Jia,' I say politely. He laughs and touches my shoulder once more. Jia Jia!' 'Here's the key... and how about we go out tonight?' He suggests. How can someone be so outspoken? I tell myself.

I was at a loss for words. 'Thank you, sir, but I'm pretty busy tonight,' I say. Trying not to sound impolite. 'Does that mean one day?' he asks. I slowly opened my apartment door and tried to flee behind it. He tells a story about how, in the 1990s, he was a bodybuilder champion. While carefully closing the door, I nodded and smiled the entire time. 'Uh... Thanks, Sir... bye,' I say as I shut the door. He hasn't finished his story yet, but I'm glad I'm in my apartment. I take a deep breath as I sit behind my apartment door. I take a look around and see where I'm going to live by myself. This is my area.