On my way back from work, I stopped at a convenience store to buy my favorite ice cream. I started craving it so badly. I had a bad day at work and I needed to get it off my mind.
While walking home, I noticed being watched. I started to feel like strangers from before began to follow me again, but this time from the shadows of every nearby alley.
I kept my head down and pretended not to notice, but while walking I decided to stop and confront them. Before I could turn around and confront them, my phone buzzed with a message:
"Don't look behind you."
Frightened, I quickened my pace home, slamming my door and locking it immediately. I tried to distract myself with work, but the text from the private number kept looping in my mind.
I finally gathered courage to put myself together. I stood up from where I was trying to distract myself with work, I prepared for bed and went to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up feeling a strange sense of calmness, as though the storm had passed. But that feeling didn't last long.
I started noticing small, eerie changes in my room, my belongings out of place, faint scratches on the bathroom tiles that weren't there before, and my phone showing text I never remembered sending. I didn't know how to feel about it, so I prepared and went to the office.
At work, my colleagues acted strangely distant, some avoided my gaze, while giving me cold looks. I started to think of what I may have done seriously to make them behave that way to me. I started to assume it was because of the drama that happened between me and Yoo woo, but it wasn't that big of a deal to cause such behavior, so I started looking for Yoo woo, and he was nowhere to be found.
A moment later team leader Go-hey-shin summoned me again, "What on earth had I done dis time." I said.
As I walked in, before I could finish greeting him, his voice and tone sharper than usual.
Team leader Go-hey-shin started accusing me of sending inappropriate messages to my coworkers, a claim Kim-min-hyun, didn't do.
Min-hyun what the hell is wrong with you How could you do such a thing, with how stupid you are if you had a problem with all ur coworkers, why would you send such irritating and unprofessional things to them? the worst part was that you didn't hide it, you used your office email to do so and also bad-mouthed the company, putting us at serious risk…woman put yourself together what's wrong with you?
"Go-hey-shin said."
But bu but sir, I don't know what you're talking about, I never did such a thing not to think of. I said. I was so confused because I had no idea what he was talking about. I was in shock.
You better find a way to fix everything you have done before it reaches me having you fired. Team leader Go-hey-shin said.
Not knowing what was actually going on or what exactly to say, but I stood still while Go-hey-shin was still talking.
I felt my blood steel, my head was feeling too heavy for me to carry, my heart hurt a lot, I could feel tears gathering, I had no strength to stop myself.
I found myself crying in front of Go-hey-shin, but he didn't seem to notice, he looked so mad he kept talking, and I couldn't take it anymore. I bite my lips while tightening my eyes.
I screamed, enough! I said I won't do anything you are talking about. Why don't you listen to me? I couldn't believe how I spoke to the team leader when I realized it. I started apologizing while looking at him. He looked in shock at the reaction on his face. I could not look at him any longer, my head went down, I closed my eyes in shame.
I am so sorry, team leader, but I didn't do anything I am being accused of. It must be a conspiracy. I said
I stood quite, I could feel my hands and feet shaking while tears were still in my eyes.
I knew I was not meant to be standing in front of him after shouting at him in such a manner, but my legs could not move, so I decided to wait for him to throw me out, but in a calmer and more powered tone, he called my name, "then said." kim min-hyun, so who most have done it? Who must have wanted to put you in trouble so badly and drag the company with you?.. I was speechless, I could not think of anyone.
We both stood for quite a moment before he broke the silence.
Min-hyun, you can leave my office. I will take proper investigation into this matter, and I won't apologize to you untill I know you are truly innocent, but who ever did it will be sorry. And I don't want this discussion heard outside. You may take your leave.
I went back and sat down processing everything. I could still hear small small talks, I felt eyes on me. I was not comfortable in my own skin. I tried to ignore it and it worked.
Time passed slowly, it was time for me to go home. On my way home I couldn't shake the feeling of being worried about the text I was accused of sending to everyone, so I decided to go through them, but what I saw was just a draft not already sent messages. I checked my email address and saw nothing. I wondered why Yoo woo wasn't at the office today.
As I reached my apartment, I was approaching my door when I noticed someone waiting for me. I got closer and noticed it was the team leader, Go-hey-shin.
What the hell was he doing or looking for there!!? Was he lost or something? I approached him and greeted him.
Min-hyun, how are you doing today?