S I X
1479 Words
The Hall
Roseanne took a deep breath before entering the huge restaurant. She checked her simple semi- formal dress and fixed her hair one last time. Regret was written all over her face but she shrugged it off.
A waiter approached her right after entering the door.
" Hello ma'am, can i have your name?" she asked with a smile.
" Roseanne Park."
" Ma'am please follow me." she walked inside passing tables with elegant dressed people and stopped at a table by the window. Mr. Jeon and jay had already arrived.
" Hello Mr. jeon." Roseanne bowed with a smile.
" Hello Roseanne. Have a seat dear." he said pointing at the seat beside jay. It had been so many years since they had a dinner like this. Mr.jeon's kind smile hadnt changed a bit and it made her feel a little less nervous.
" Hello Roseanne." jay gave a weird smile.
Roseanne just faked a smile and turned her head quickly.
" So, how are you doing nowadays, Roseanne?" Mr. jeon asked kindly.
" I'm doing pretty well Mr. jeon. How about you?"
" Pretty okay i suppose?" all three of them gave a light laugh.
" And what about your mother?"
Roseanne stopped laughing, " She's doing better Mr. jeon." she replied with a tight smile.
After a few talk their food arrived and they continued talking some more.
" Please excuse me, i'll use the washroom." Mr. jeon said getting up.
After he was out of sight, jay turned to roseanne.
" Roseanne, I have something to tell you about the incident." he said.
" I said to never bring that topic infront of me,didn't i?" she said slamming her fork on the table.
" Listen, it's important...."
" I don't wanna listen."
" That man..." he shifted towards Roseanne on his seat, " that man.....he died."
Roseanne froze in her spot after hearing him." How'd you know?" she asked still looking at her food.
" I've been doing secret followup of that person....with ezra."
" Oh, so ezra is still engaged with this incident?" anger was evident in her tone.
" He has been keeping it a secret and..... he was the one who found about that man's death."
Roseanne was just silent.
" That man died 3 days before." jay continued.
" Good for him." she replied flatly.
" No."
Roseanne turned to him confused.
" No, it's not roseanne. We've lost one evidence." he stared in her eyes. " I've been doing this secret followup for 5 years now. Roseanne, can we work together again?" jay said looking at her.
She didn't say anything,looking down at her food. She thought if she forgot about the incident then maybe it would all just go away. But she was wrong. Here after all these years, it still came up in her life and she couldnt escape it no matter how much she wanted to.
" Okay?" he asked again expecting her answer.
She could see the determination in his eyes. Jay never gave up unlike her. Looking at him, she couldnt say no," I'll think about it."
" Ok, text me alright." he looked a little relieved.
After a while, mr. jeon came back and they continued eating.
---
They were standing infront of the entrance of the restaurant.
" Hope you enjoyed the dinner." Mr. jeon said smiling, Jay standing behind him.
" Ofcourse Mr. jeon. It was a pleasure meeting you after a long time." Roseanne replied.
" Let's meet again next time dear."
" I will Mr. jeon. I guess i'll head now, its getting quite late."
" Sure sure, go ahead."
Roseanne bowed to him and smiled at jay going back to her car. After getting in her phone buzzed, lighting the dark space. It was from the secretary.
"Hello?"
"Hello miss.Park, your mother wants you to come to the office right now. She said it was urgent."
" Why?"
The line cut before she could get an answer. Roseanne looked back at her phone, annoyed.
She reached her mom's office in few minutes. Pushing the door angrily, she stood there arms folded.
" Why'd you call me??"
" Why did you meet with the Jeons?" her mom said with equal anger.The personal hate she had towards the Jeons was unbelievable sometimes.
" Can't I?"
" I said you to never meet them, didn't i?"
" You cant tell me what to do everytime " Roseanne rolled her eyes.
" Your credit cards will be temporarily disabled-." her mother spoke.
" What???" Roseanne shouted with anger.
"- and you will come with me for a dinner tomorrow with Mr.Kim and charles. Got it?" her mother continued sternly.
She just sighed heavily with disbelief. "What the hell??"
---
Redd Fragrance Building
The next day.
" Nothing is working out!! The demands keep going down and the shares just keep dropping EVERY DAY!!" There was a loud bang on the table.
Julia and the other people around the table flinched.
" I can't see any improvement. All i have is a useless daughter and a crappy team with no new ideas." Mr. Kim, Julia's father shouted in anger.
All they could do was droop their head low, scared to speak.
"Also Julia." her father pointed at her. She quickly glanced up to her father.
" Didn't i tell you to make more connections with the top tiers?? Do you think sticking with that bestfriend of yours only is enough?? I gave you the responsibility to take care of gaining more partners and you've done nothing." her father said in frustration, " This is the last time I'm saying it to you. Don't be a disappointment to our family."
" Yes father. I'm really sorry but i won't disappoint you. Please trust me this time." Julia's eyes showed determination.
After the meeting, Julia ran to the washroom and cried silently inside the cubicle. Her head were filled with all kinds of thoughts.
Why can't i have a normal life? Can't i give this all up and run away? I hate this place and i can't stand it anymore. I f*****g hate this and everybody.
She grabbed her hair, muffling her cries. The pressure her father gave was getting worse than before but she couldnt say or do anything. Instead follow whatever he said because she was scared what her father might do to her.
After a few minutes, she finally came out. Collecting herself,she stared at the mirror wiping her tears and did a touch up of her makeup.
She quickly took her phone out and searched a name through her i********:.
Gerald Kim: Follow request sent!
Taking a deep breath, she faked a smile leaving the washroom.
----
Lounge Cafe
Liliane was sitting at their usual place by the window. She was typing messages on her phone.
To:
dumbo: Where are you??
dumbo: ?????????
dumbo: answer me and stop ignoring me. just call me back please
There came no reply. Liliane put her phone down with a bang and sipped her iced coffee.
Julia arrived after a few moment and sat at the chair beside her.
" What took you so long?" liliane asked without looking at her.
" Just the meeting." julia replied sighing, " Jennie isn't coming?"
" I dont know."
" I think Roseanne isnt coming either."
Liliane just shrugged.
" I called her yesterday and her mother actually blocked her cards."
" Really?" liliane finally looked at her.
" Yeah, cus she met with Jay and his dad."
" What? She met with him again??That weirdo??"
" Yepp, that girl is full of surprises." julia raised both her brows.
Liliane nodded approvingly. She thought they had stopped talking completely.
" Also seems like her mom created some kind of relationship with Kim technologies." Julia continued.
Liliane's expression changed, her eyes focused " How?"
" Apparently, Roseanne is forced to attend a dinner with charles and his dad." Julia said calmly.
" No f*****g way." Liliane was wide- eyed.
" Lilie dear, seems like her mom is doing some matchmaking with the two of them."
" This must be some kinda joke, right?"
" I wish it was." julia rested her chin on her hands, " Her mom really is the worst."
Liliane didn't know what to say. It was all so sudden and....unexpected?
Julia's phone buzzed showing a message from Jennie. She read it squinting a little while liliane patiently waited for her to say something. Ever since the party, they hadnt met or talked with her. Liliane was still salty over her friend ruining the party.
Julia finally looked up, " First of all, she says sorry to you."
Liliane rolled her eyes. By time she actually apologized. " What was her reason?"
" Well....she hasnt mentioned that but says she will be busy this week because of her company promotions or something and...." Julia stopped,still staring at her phone, ".....says she is gonna talk to Charles again."
Liliane sighed and looked out the window. Even they had never guessed Jennifer being connected with Charles. Also looked like they werent in good terms. " What is exactly going on?"
Julia rested her chin on her hands. " Something to do with their past? or is it connected with Roseanne...."
This made Liliane raise her head, locking eyes with Julia. She couldnt piece the puzzle as she didnt know enough which made her frustrated.
Julia spoke again, " Or maybe...its something more than this?"
.
What is it that you are hiding?
.
- Writer
