"Just a minute, I will take this call real quick and then we will proceed," the representative who was sitting in front of me, picked his phone and trodded away. I sat there and my mind once again sent glimpses of that time when I summarized the novel. There is a reason why I got infatuated with that novel as well as the author named Aloha.
It was because it reciprocated the same vibe as my life. The hierarchy of systems, the recessive ones becoming laborers while the upper ones enjoying their leisure time. But one thing that fascinated me was that it came out before the policies were implemented. I was intrigued when the male protagonist accepted himself as who he was and also the world followed his ideals in the end.
Yes, Hyung was right. How naive I was and I guess I still am. Since he was the author and deliberately named his novel like that. Also, it revolved around my life. Yes, that's why it seemed so relatable, haha, hahaha.....Hyung after so many years you finally showed up but why does it feel like you were mocking me this whole time, as I was engrossed in thoughts created by my mind but not accepted by heart, my phone started vibrating.
It was an unknown number and at that moment the representative returned and I looked up at him then back at my phone. Then I looked at the people around, some were giggling while others had a romantic mood, you could see the people who just came to have fun, and the work-related ones were given a separate counter. It seemed like the pub was a place filled with emotions. Meanwhile, the only emotion I knew on that day was sadness. I ran away crying and I reached here crying. I knew after I went on to do that thing with this person I will cry in the end. We came here at night as he was the one who blackmailed me constantly since that day because he knew my dark past. He knew who I was and whom I worked for. So, the only escape left for me was to do it once with him.
He approached me and kissed me on the cheek. Then he held my hand and we headed towards the counter. I know what I was doing was wrong but why is my body just going with the flow. Have I not learned things from my past? I have encountered people like him in the past too but where is all my determination now for the better life I imagined? I didn't want to see Hyung as he was a part of my past that I wanted to forget but what about this part? This was the worst of all. What about Alex who trusted me? What will he think about me? The children at the orphanage think of me as their role model, this is no way a role model behaves.
No, I cannot do this!
I took a deep breath and bowed in front of the representative. "I'm sorry for taking your precious time but to be honest, I am not afraid anymore. If you want to expose me, feel free to do that" I spoke with all my might and moved on without picking my phone up, I left the place.
That night I ran as fast as I could, just like that time when Hyung and I ran together. I'm such a selfish person, how could I only think about myself and not even listen to Hyung even once. He also must have had a rough time. The dilemma that haunts me now must have been haunting him too. He is living alone and also has become a total loner. Who knows, maybe he tried to look for me but after that incident at the mansion happened, nobody knew where I went, not even Andrew.
.
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The day when we ran away from home
As Hyung left me there all alone, I watched his back becoming distant. I knew soon the park will be filled with children and then someone will definitely recognize me.
As I prepared my mind to leave that place, heard a sound similar to the one you hear when a person falls, I felt a sudden pull, it was as if someone was pulling my sweater. "Hy...Hyung", an innocent voice was heard from behind. I turned behind and faced the child. He didn't look much younger. He had cuts on his hands and legs as if he experienced a fall from the tree beneath whom I was resting. "Hey kid, are you hurt? Does it hurt anywhere?" I scanned his body and found no injury anywhere. "Thank god! but why are you alone kid? Where are your guardians?"
He stared at me and then tilted his head. He then held my hands and scanned them. "Are you hurt too?" he asked with curiosity. I shook my head in disagreement. "You are lying because I saw you crying just now?"
I held his hands and then caressed them slowly. Let's get you first aid? I spoke as I lead him the way to the pharmacy. Once we were done I asked him the way to his or any other information he had. But he kept quiet and hence we both headed back towards the park. We played for some time but then again I asked him where he lived. This time he came and sat beside me on the bench. "You are a kind human Hyung. Will you come with me to my place?" he asked me while he checked the time on his watch. I was surprised by his question but before I could say anything, a black car approached from behind, and then he got up and extended his hand.
"Come Hyung, I will take you to my place," he spoke and felt like he was the elder one. At that time I was not sure if I really saved this kid or this kid saved me. How can a kid be so considerate? But then the business card slipped from my hands and fell on the ground. A man, more like a bodyguard came running from behind and he held me with force.
"Stop! what are you doing? He was just talking with me and nothing else." The kid ordered him to stop and hence he did.
What the hell is going on? Who is this kid? I thought to myself.
Meanwhile, he picked up the business card and looked delighted.
"Is this the place you are going for the interview? You told me you had an interview? Is this the place?" he looked at me and hence the bodyguard and because of the intensity of the pressure, I nodded. Then without me saying anything, his bodyguard offered me a ride. The kid hugged me happily and soon we reached a mansion which was in the same direction as my school.
"You look much younger than your age and for a beta, your physique is sure similar to an omega. But since, we have already verified the documents so rest assured", a man wearing the uniform of a butler was asking me questions regarding the job.
"Do you have any prior experience regarding childcare?" he asked while an elegant lady probably the madam of this home appeared.
I, too was the youngest member of the family how can I possess an experience, I contemplated to myself but since I mostly took care of myself so I know most of the house tasks. I better be careful with my answer. After all, this is my only solace and if I get rejected I would not have any place to stay.
I gulped and the madam gave me a smile, "First, of all calm down child, you look like you saw a ghost. Why are you so worked up? You just have to answer yes or no. To be honest, my child has this habit of running away to a nearby park whenever he feels upsets so your primary goal will be to rectify this habit," she spoke and then continued, "Since we both are busy (referring to her and her husband) you need to be with him 24/7 since he has taken a personal liking in you. I would not question you anymore as it is the first time that he agreed to something like this and also thank you for tending to his wounds," she then looked towards the stairs, and there, the child was peeking from behind. The child was Andrew, my current CEO, whom I nicknamed Andy later and he was the youngest child of the family for whom I was appointed as a caretaker.
.
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Present day
My heart was beating so fast as if it was in my mouth. I was running without looking back and not caring about my job. I could always start as a freelancer. I knew this thing was not for me. How am I going to show face to Mr. Yang and Ms. Lee? They are still waiting for me to open up. As I was running and losing my breath I bumped into someone but I did not fall. I was instead in the arms of a person, a person who should not have been here right now. A person to whom I never wanted to show my vulnerable side again. A person whose encounter should never have been done and that person was the child who vowed once to make my life happy. The person was Andy.
To be continued.....