[Sim Daegwang]

I'm bored. Usually, when I'm bored, I drown myself in trashy TV programs. My passion for reality shows is something I took from my parents, especially my father. He'd binge watch one in a couple of days, sometimes even two a day.

He once told me that's a way for him to observe human relationships. While I have to admit such shows represent the high level of degrade characterizing our society, they can be entertaining. Seeing people create drama over the house chores, or because someone steals a lipstick, is also a way to see through their nature.

Tonight, however, I don't feel like watching TV. I'd rather go out and take a walk. I haven't left home much lately, especially after losing my job as a car dealer. Actually, I didn't see it coming. I found out the store I'd been working at for four years and a half was facing bankruptcy.

Seeing its owners lose their assets despite their efforts to be competitive in such a saturated market is a reason of discomfort for me. It's not about myself-I mean, Mom and Dad can cover my ass financially for a few months until I find a new job-but my now ex colleagues. To many of them, the dealership was their way to make ends meet.

To be fair, car dealerships are facing a lot of competition, especially from the online market. The latter doesn't require in presence work or hard labor. I won't be surprised if artificial intelligence takes over car sales and even production. Damn, it makes everything look much easier, all when that's far from the truth.

Anyway, enough with wallowing over a job that could turn dead end. I need to clear my mind.

***

I walk at a slow pace, stopping every few minutes to stare at the dark sky. There aren't many visible stars tonight, even though it isn't cloudy. It's good to step out of those blinding lights. A shockwave of colors that turns my mind into dust.

I stop again after ten minutes. I notice an empty bench not far from the path I'm walking on and take a seat. I let out a deep breath. I run my hands through my hair and look at the sky, hoping that more stars come out. No chance.

I curl my lips out of disappointment and switch my focus on a shadow coming out of the trees. It seems to be running. I'm sure there's someone else here, but I have no clue of who it could be.

The shadow comes closer, before it eventually dissipates. Instead, a woman with long, straight red hair and fair skin shows up. Maybe she's the one who appeared out of the blue. She stops running and leans on the bench where I am with both hands. She pants.

I try to catch a glimpse from her. She realizes she isn't alone, and is startled. "Oh! Sir! I didn't notice you! You gave me a jumpscare!" she exclaims. I offer her an apology, which she quickly accepts.

I reply in turn, "Don't worry. I expected to be alone. Anyway, you were really fast. Are you running away from someone, or?" She must be in danger, based not only on her facial expression, but also on the fact she's still panting-and sweating.

She dismisses my theory with a smile. "No, no. I'm just doing my usual night run. I run here at least once a week. You should try." Her offer seems tempting. My physical shape is quite good, so it wouldn't be too difficult for me. Considering that I have so much going in my mind, it can help me clearing it.

"Thank you. I think it's a good way to get rid of negativity. Do you agree?" She nods, after which she checks her shoe strings to make sure they are still tied tightly. It looks like they are, so she turns back to me.

"What's your name?" she asks.

I hesitate before answering, "Daegwang. Daegwang Sim." Unsurprisingly, I say my first name before my last name. I mean, Mom and Dad introduce themselves with their surname first. That's a matter of customs.

"Cool. It sounds unique." She offers me a hand, which I shake gently. "Rose Dugan. Nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine." She gives me a faint smile. As I let go of her hand, however, her expression turns darker than the night.

"Are you okay?"

She shakes her head. "Sorry... I know I shouldn't trust strangers on the get go. But..." She hesitates. It looks like she has a heavy burden to get off her chest. I wonder how she managed to cope with it, only to pick me as a confidant over people closer to her.

She continues. "Well, it's a huge secret, and I've never told anyone. Not even my parents. I don't even have the courage to tell them, anyway." That seems a big deal. Does it have to do with herself, or with someone close to her? Or is she fighting some corporate but keeping it all under wraps?

No, it isn't a mystery action movie. It's fucking reality. I have to stop fantasizing. Rose approaches me, sits next to me and whispers something close to my ear. "Well, I want to disrupt a wedding. I want to make sure it never happens."

Wow! This is crazy! It's something I'd expect coming from a drama with hints of thriller. But, in real life... That's a major shock. I ask for more details, but Rose signals at me to be quiet. She explains, "I can't tell you much, not now. You'll know more when that time comes."

I don't know why she's so mysterious, but I think it's for the best. What if she's actually in danger? Am I ready to rescue her? I'm no hero, of course, but I always help who faces struggles. Or, at least, seems to.

"Will you help me?" As Rose asks with a hint of expectance in her voice, my answer is obviously yes. I'm deep in it, so there's no more room for backing down.

"Good." Her face brightens again as she smiles. "Remember: a promise is a promise, and a secret is a secret. Oh, one last thing. You mustn't tell anybody, okay? Not even your family or closest friends."

Behind that smile, she hides an ominous warning. It's like her own life is on stake. Except, we aren't fighting villains. And we barely know each other. That's intriguing, but I think that anything could go wrong, leaving Rose exposed to the pieces she'll have to pick.

She gives me her number. "You can call me. We can chat, get to know each other. But, remember what I've just told you, and don't ask questions on what I revealed. You'll learn more soon, I swear." I believe her. If she tells me this secret must be kept like the most precious item ever, so be it.

She dashes off back in the darkness, leaving me on my own with a burden I won't be able to get rid of easily. I decide it's time to go back home, so I hum my way out of the area.

Now, I'll have to find a new distraction. It's time to pick a show to keep me company through the rest of the evening.