Liza: 18 years, South Korea
Blood oozes from the cut, vandalizing my skirt in crimson red. The wound that I had before, from my encounter with father and that woman, must have reopened from the crash.
"Wait here. I'll go get the first aid kit and don't even try getting up." says Eun Woo in a demanding tone.
Before I could say anything, he rushes off to another room. I take a look around.
The place seems to be newly furnished. Glass jars filled with sweets and pastries lined the smooth wodden shelves. The flooring inside was made of pink and black check board of tiles.
The bakery had a modern yet an rustic charm to it. Aroma of baked cookies and cakes, combined with the scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. That's when I noticed it. A sign board saying "Help wanted".
"Hey sorry ....I took so long. I recently brought this place and as you can see, I still haven't quiet settled down yet." Eun Woo says opening the first aid kit.
"Yeah. I can see that". I say smiling.
"Hey ...uhh can you lift your skirt up a lil bit. I...I..I.. can dress the wound for you." He says in a serious yet shy manner.
"You're not a pervert are ya? cuz if you do, I'll just chop you up like an onion." I say, raising my hands in a fighting position.
"I promise I'm not a pervert. I just honestly want to help you out" He chuckles.
I normally never allowed strangers to touch my body, but somehow when it came to him, I strangely felt a sense of comfort and security.
"Yeah... you may... but don't try anything stupid okay. I'll just exterminate you and ...and...not even a fly would come to know about it. " I glare at him.
"Ohh....I'm not gonna do anything funny. I don't want to be a chopped onion. That's the worst way to die." He says covering his mouth, trying to contain his laugh.
"Yeah you better."
"Trust me" He says with a gentle smile.
Trust me.....Those words of his seemed to give off a brotherly vibe and in the end, I gave in to his request and allowed him to touch my body.
Eun Woo slowly lifted my blood covered skirt making sure I didn't expose too much skin.
" I think the stitch you had before, tore off from the fall...God... you lost a ton of blood too.." He says examining the wound.
I bite my lips, "Yeah...I..."
" I think we need to redo the stitches." He says in a concerned voice examining the wound.
"No...it's okay. I'll be fine."
"No...just be careful next time okay...don't just daydream while you walk on the road...haa...these kids nowadays...I can't with them...." He says cleaning the wound.
"Do you need help?"
"No ...I can dress the wound for now but I think you need to go to the hospital later to redo the stitches." He says applying an antiseptic cream to the area.
"No. It's not that. I...I...I noticed the sign board....there...help wanted...do you really need help?....I mean.... I want to apply for the job.I...I...can help you." I tell him excitedly.
"Oh that.... Yeah... I was on the look-out for an assistant to help me out here. Then....I guess...uhh...um....how do we...oh yeah.....what is your qualification? Do you have any prior experience in baking?" He enquires almost looking puzzled.
" Is this your first time interviewing someone?" I chuckle.
"Yeah...uh...." He says scratching his head.
" Yeah....I can see that...mm...I don't have any knowledge in baking but I'm a quick learner...You don't have to pay me a lot. I'll clean the whole place. I'll wash the dishes. I'll cater to the customers. Please give me a chance."
I was determined to get the job. No...More like desperate. I just wanted him to hire me somehow.
"Well....um....uhh....do you at least have a driver's licence?"
"Yes. I do. I do do do do have it." I say, jolting up from the couch.
" Hey!! Hey!! Sit down. You're hurt...." He says grabbing my hands making sure, I didn't loose balance and fall down.
"Well? I do have a license... so?"
"Well then .....you're hired. " He says trying to contain himself from laughing.
"Really? I got the job? Seriously?" I stare at him wide eyed.
"Yes you did...." He smile.
"Oh my God. Thank You so much sir. I'll do my best. Thank You. Thank you."
Just like that, I ended up working in the bakery. As the days passed we got closer and closer and just like that, one day he requested me to stop addressing him as sir and to call him "Oppa".
Meeting oppa might have been an accident but I'm happy I did so....