Beads of sweat formed on Min Jee's forehead and slithered down to her jaw. The light rays of the sun-kissed her yellow-toned skin as she jogged near the Han river at 6:00 am. The relaxing riverside route is a wonderful greenbelt. It has miles of plain paths between countless bridges and diverse loops, which is one of the most popular places to run in Seoul.
The breathtaking panoramic view of Han River from Moonlight park reminded her that being alone wasn't so bad. She passed through the Han River Park in Jamwon and saw the Sebit Islands after crossing Dongho Bridge from Gangbuk to Gangnam. Seoulites and travelers ran with her, together with the rising of the sun. It was the only public place that clears up her mind.
She paused for a moment and opened a bottle of water. Min Jee huffed and puffed as she put her hand on her hip. She pulled her phone out of her shorts' zip pocket when it rang.
"Hello?"
It was from an unknown number.
"Hello? Is this you, Min Jee?"
"Yes. Who's this?"
"This is Park Min Hyo. We were classmates in High School. Do you remember?"
Min Jee's face lit up.
"Oh, hi. I remember you."
"Great! I called to inform you about our High School reunion. It's coming up next week."
"Really? Tell me more about the details."
"We will hold it at Seocho-Dong Korean Dining Pub. Would you be there?"
Min Jee held back and bit her lower lip.
"Ugh... Can I ask for the list of those who will come?"
"Why? Are you avoiding someone?"
Min Jee was dumbstruck, unable to speak.
"Just Kidding! I'll stay in touch."
"T-thanks," she stuttered.
She stared into the heavens with downcast eyes.
"Am I really avoiding someone? What am I so afraid of?"
Min Jee held those questions in her mind, like she's burdened with a pile of hollow blocks. Someone bumped her shoulder. That pulled her away from her reverie.
"I'm sorry," they said in chorus.
The two girls gaze at her, figuring out who she was.
"You look familiar... Are you Ms. Seo Min Jee?"
"You mean she's the creator of Captivated?"
Min Jee gulped and averted her eyes.
"It's her!"
She flashed an awkward smile.
"I'm sorry, but I can't take a photo of you right now. I'm sweaty."
The girls sniggered and frowned.
"What nonsense is that? We're not members of your fan's club."
"Yeah, and we hate you. Infamous criminal," she smirked.
It bugged Min Jee out when they splattered coffee to her chest and walked out. She crumpled the bottled water with her bare hand as she clenched her fist.
"Those brats... How dare they," she uttered.
The only thing that's stopping her from holding a grudge against them was the reason they hate her. They love her major characters so much and couldn't accept the ending. Dong Joon and Eun Ae deserve a happy ending after what they've been through, but not with the hands of Min Jee.
After some time, Min Jee called her best friend.
"Hey."
"Is there any problem?"
"Let's get drunk tonight."
"Why? What happened? I'm not sure if I could come. There's an emergency here."
Min Jee sighed.
"Fine. Then I'll drink alone tonight."
"Call me when — "
She hung up the phone and sat in front of the mirror. Min Jee dabbed the foundation on the center of her forehead, under her eyes, and on her nose and chin. She spread the foundation outward until her face looked fair and glowing. She applied a flamingo colored lipstick on her lips and tied her hair.
The lonely crowd occupied the Domangja Music Town. Min Jee glanced at a drunkard wailing in front of his friends. The loud music was not enough to hide his despair.
"You'll move on from her."
"I don't want to move on!"
His friends tried to comfort him, but his tears were endless.
"What a joke," Min Jee whispered, and walked towards the bar counter.
The scent of salted peanut, jalapeno, and cracked leather dived through her nose. The dim lights and faint glass clinking were the ideal backdrops to a freshly opened beer. Min Jee sat on a stool and gazed at the back of the bartender. He has long black hair up to his chin and broad shoulders.
The women who sat near her were anticipating him to face forward with a big smile on their faces. In a few minutes, the bartender turned around and met her gaze. He gleamed a winsome smile that drew other people's attention. Min Jee glued her eyes to him with her mouth half-opened.
"Alright, are you ready?" he said in a seductive tone.
He began to entertain them with his flair bartending. He manipulated the cocktail shakers and liquor bottles in dazzling ways. The bottles flickered as he flipped them to the air.
"Such a hottie."
"The bar became famous since he started working here."
"I'll snatch his number before this night ends."
The gossip made Min Jee's ears tingled.
The audience applauded when the flairtending ended as he bowed his head. The bartender then served the guests with the liquor he mixed up. He placed a glass of wine in front of her. Min Jee drank it in one shot. The bartender was amused.
An hour later, Min Jee's eyes closed, but she fought the urge to sleep.
"This won't do," she whispered while shaking her head.
She stood up and walked to the dance floor without going in a straight line, and stumbled upon people as she gazed at her surroundings. She's the kind of introvert who doesn't care about the judgmental eyes of society when she's drunk. The upbeat music made her jump and smile together with the people around her, expressing tenderness. Her hair tie slid down through her hair and fell to the floor.
Min Jee's hair leaped with the rhythm as the spotlight directed to her. At the corner, a pair of eyes were observing her. Min Jee stopped moving, and her vision got blurry. She shook her head to remove her dizziness. She was about to fall down when someone stood in front of her and wrapped her hands around his neck.
"Hey, are you okay?" he whispered in her ear.
She narrowed her eyes.
"You... you smell like... the bartender."
She chuckled.
In a husky voice, he said, "I am the bartender."
His eyes were like pools of ink darted to her angelic glimpse.