Stuck in Between

23. Threat

Chorong's POV

"How unfortunate can you be Chorong?" I whispered to myself.

"Did you say something?" He asked.

"Eopseo! (nothing!)" I answered pouting while still fixing canned goods.

Like what is he going to teach me? Does he even know anything about treating costumers kindly? Huh! This is really ridiculous!

A pair of shin ramyeon packs fell in front of me, or shall I say was thrown in front of me.

I glared at Grease.

He gave me an innocent face. "I thinj it fell from topmost of the display cabinet."

"Can't you do something right for a while?"

"Why?" still wearing that innocent face. "Did I do something wrong?"

I just shook my head and went back to what I was previously doing.

Minutes passed. I looked at the counter, he isn't there anymore.

"Yah!" I called but no one answered.

Where is that guy?

I stood up and looked around to see if he was hiding somewhere just inside the store, but I didn't see any shadow of him.

So that's what he said he was assigned to help me, huh?

Hey! I should be happy because he is out of my sight and no one will disturb me now.

"Annyeonghaseyo!" I greeted a girl who just entered the store. I think I've seen her in school.

Going back to the counter, I saw a post it on the computer screen.

I'll be out for basketball practice :) Don't miss me coz I'll be back!

MWOYA?! Heol.

After a minute, three girls entered. Seem like I've seen them in school as well. So many girls from school live in this neighborhood?

"Annyeonghaseyo!" I greeted them.

Creepy. Two girls stared at me like they are going to eat me alive. Bad mood?

The girl who first entered approached the counter without even bringing anything to buy.

"Yah!" She called me. "Where is Kris Oppa's Noona?"

I blinked twice before answering. "She.. went to.. school." doubting if I should tell them the truth or not. You know, they don't look pleasant.

The three girls encircled me in the counter, there is nowhere to pass.

Crossing their arms in their chests and smirking at me like evils.

Another set of bullies to go through.

My knees are actually shaking but I stood still, telling them I am not scared.

Gawd! This is my first day of work. Such a warm welcome!

"Yah!" called the girl on the left who is chewing a gum. "You are really brave girl."

"Of course I am. Why shouldn't I be?" I answered in a sarcastic tone.

She let out a forced laugh. "Flirting with oppa inside school, and now you are even following him here?!" And another forced laugh. "How did you fool eonnie that she even hired you here?"

"You know what, I don't know what you're talking about." I replied firmly. "So if you are not buying anything, get out." and a fake smile.

They moved closer to me laughing like devils. Bitches!

I tried to step backward. Eotteokhae? what if they suddenly attack and hurt me? If Kris did not ----?

Why did I think of that guy? Erase him. I can do this.

The girls on my right twirl my hair around her finger. "Tomorrow, when we come back here. You shouldn't be here anymore. If we still see you, I think you know what will happen to this store." She smiled slyly. "Tiffany eonnie won't like it."

I didn't answer. I just stared madly at them.

They all gave me fake smiles before turning their heads and got out of the store.

My knees fell as I gave a deep sigh. I closed my eyes. My tears uncontrollably fell down.

Why am I getting bullied for working here?

They are after that Grease? Why are they ranting on me?

I stood up wiping my tears away.

"Go ahead! Grease is all yours, bitches!" I shouted in anger. If I could only speak with confidence like this a while ago.

Stupid me! Brave? Me? Crazy! Yes, I am a coward.

Face on my hands.

The door sounded, open.

Kris!

"Yah!!! Kris!!! Where were you when----"

I bit my lower lip. It wasn't Kris.

The costumer stared at me with a big question mark on his face.

I bowed. "Mianhaeyo. I thought you were someone I know."

He smiled. "Kwenchanayo."

He's cute. Haha.

He then turned to the display cabinets.

I saw his name written on his cap. "B.I.?"

That caught his attention.

I covered my mouth. I didn't realized I was reading it aloud.

He gave me another smile. Then went to the counter to pay for the goods.

"Are you Kris Hyung's girlfriend?" He suddenly asked.

I was put into a halt. "Aniyo! Aniyo! (No! No!)" my immediate answer with hand gestures. "No way!"

He nodded. "Mianhaeyo (I'm sorry). I just thought..."

"It's fine." I laughed awkwardly.

"You're the only girl I heard shouting like that to him so I thought you might be someone special." He took the shopping bag, smiled, bowed and went out.

"Gomapsumnida (Thank you)" I bowed and waved at him goodbye.

Hmm?

---------