Soo-Ha's POV:
After learning the truth, I was feeling embarrassed for suspecting their behaviour. I felt really pity for her too! I even doubted that she will throw me from balcony... Shit!
"I understand everything whatever you are telling Miss Ma-eum! I-I am thankful that you thought so much about me so that I won't be misguided here! Thank you!" I gently held her hand while replying. I was really touched by her kindness.
"So what do you decide? I bet you want to run away now? That's the best decision! Go on! That witch must be in her cabinet, just go there and submit a resignation--"
"I still want to work here Miss Ma-eum!" I interrupted her boldly. She was looking at her with a terrified expression. She must have been very shocked to know my answer!
"Hey? Have you gone nuts? I told you everything still you want to work here? If someone had guided me like this then I would have never choosed this hell! I am the living example here for you! Listen, you won't have any working hours limitation! It was written on the prospectus as 12 hours but I am working here from 5 years! Most of the time I even had to work for 18-24 hours without even a break! Don't you love your life? Why are you making your life miserable?" She was impatiently shaking me while explaining everything by grabbing my shoulders so that I can regain my senses!
I smiled at her desperation. She indeed wants me to lead a happy life! How strange! We met for the first time today and she wants a happy life for me!
"I just don't have anything left in my life, anymore!" I slowly answered her.
"What?" She was amazed at my indifferent reaction.
"To be honest, when I came here and saw you all working here with a gloomy atmosphere, I misjudged everyone of you. But, after hearing your helplessness, I am embarrassed to judge everyone here before even starting my work ..." I continued.
She removed her hands from my shoulders and was staring at me with curious eyes.
"Atleast you all have your families... To support them you have chosen to work in this miserable environment. I don't know why but I feel so jealous of everyone here! I don't even have that option left! I don't even have anyone in this world to call my own!
Han Publications has been always my dream company, I have worked too hard for this job! But I really don't have anything to do except this job! Yes, my life sucks, I admit that!
I never even thought about dating, marriage and all stuffs because I never got the time, as I was always working too hard to provide food and rent for myself. Though, I had everything with me in my childhood but suddenly one day I lost everything...
Even though you told me to run for my life but sadly I don't have any life...
If I die here from overworking, I guess there will be no one to cry over my death! So, it's okay for me to put my life on stake and work here..." I tried to explain everything with my poignant eyes. I really never felt so lonely in my life ever before! I have always endured every hardships of my life with a smile but in deep heart, I- I always wished to have a lovely family and a beautiful future...
Miss Ma-eum was listening everything attentively.
She slowly approached and hugged me all of a sudden.
I was a bit surprised with her action.
"Um, Miss Ma-eum?" I tried to communicate.
"Gosh you are the saddest one here! No one has such pathetic life story like you here! Atleast we all have someone who will mourn over our death! I feel so bad for you!" She spoke very gently while patting my back.
I have always hated consolation in my life but I don't know why, those kind words from Miss Ma-eum were enough to make me teary! I hugged her tightly with a small smile. It was, so warm...
Miss Ma-eum wiped my tears and gently caressed my hair. "No need to cry anymore, let's go to our office." She grasped my hand gently and walked to the office. My eyes were red and swollen.
When we reached there all the editors were looking at Miss Ma-eum. She held my hand and boldly replied to them, "she has suffered a lot already! I am sure she will be the most closest one to our hearts!"
I didn't expect her to say something like that but all the editors seemed to be relieved with her words.
Some of them gently came to us. I was still nervous around them.
A gentleman, probably in his early 40's slowly extended his right hand towards me for a welcome greeting, "I am the oldest one here. You can call me brother Min-Ki! Welcome to our Cursed Editor's Club little sister!" He replied with a warm smile.
"Cursed Editor's Club?" I mumbled as I was quite curious with the name.
"Yes, it's the name we kept for our editorial group. We are members of this club as we all are somehow cursed! Consider it as your new family from today Soo-Ha!" Miss Ma-eum gently patted my shoulder with a big smile on her face.
I was so overwhelmed with their kindness! I wasn't wrong! It's indeed my dream job which gave a new family today! I am not alone anymore! I have my own people!
"Yes of course! Thank you for welcoming me!" I gently held brother Min-Ki's hand and accepted his greeting with teary eyes.
"Well is their any welcome ceremony going on?"
We all were interrupted with this sudden voice. I looked back and saw a tall handsome man probably in his early 30's, all suited up, gently walking towards me. All the other editors seemed to be panicked with his arrival.
I was staring at him with my eyes wide open. Suddenly, I felt a terrible pain in heart while looking at his face. I don't know why but he seemed very familiar to me, as if a person I lost a long time ago...
All of a sudden a blurry image came before my eyes- someone was lying on a road fully covered in a pool of blood! It was shivering to watch his injuries! There were bruises all over his face and he seemed to breathe very heavily, probably it was his last breath! His eyes were half closed! It seemed like he was looking at me for the last time...
The picture made me dizzy! My feets staggered and I was almost about to fell down, but luckily Miss Ma-eum grasped my shoulder.
"Soo-Ha? What's wrong?" She panicked while holding me tightly.
"Miss Soo-Ha what's wrong?" That person came towards me hurriedly. He looked very worried to see my condition.
My heart was heavy! I never had any experience like this before! But why it feels so painful to see him? And who was that in the picture? What's happening to me?