damn
only the strong one
can mess with me

-Agust D

🌸🔪🌸

Jangmi

"Hey beautiful, wake up."

I turned around towards my mom as I remain to close my eyes because of pure laziness. Who won't be? Waking up in the midnight is the hardest thing to do.

I can smell the aroma of our food. Chicken soup! Ooh and some hot chocolate.

"Ready for your first day?" She smiled while opening the windows. I felt the chilly breeze from outside brushing my face. Sweet.

I giggled as I look at her in an awed way. "No one's having a first day today, mom."

"You are. This is your first day in becoming a manager! So, are you ready?"

"Pfft. Yeah?" I answered, unsure. "Why did you wake up so early anyway? You should've rested."

"I'm totally fine. And I need to take care of my sweetheart, am I correct?"

I laughed. "Sure."

It wasn't literally my first day in work but rather my first day in becoming a manager in Macchiato coffee shop. Before, I was just plainly, a crew but then I got promoted. Thanks to our kind boss.

And talking about coffees, everyone knows when is the time of the day people do need coffees. Early on the mornings! Mornings and midnights, so here I am, doing my job as a manager. Making my way to the shop this early.

"If I were you I'd be getting ready by now."

"Huh? Why?"

"Check the time." I glanced to my clock sitting on my bedside table.

One am? Oh yes I gotta go get ready, I should be there by two thirty.

That's what I meant when I say 'early in the morning– and midnight'.

"I think I really should."

I fixed my bed properly then started to take a bath. After that, I quickly changed into my proper uniform.

"It's kinda weird to wear a coat for work." I mumbled as I examine my reflection. Crews don't use office coats, only managers does. Oh my gosh, I really am a manager! I pray for this day to go smoothly.

After getting ready, I grabbed my bag sitting on the table and immediately got out of my room. I checked my wristwatch while getting down the stairs. 1:38 a.m.

"Mom?" It's almost time, I think I need to-" I stopped in midsentence. She woke up this early just to prepare me some breakfast, I can't just waste her effort.

"You need to what?" She asked as soon as I reached the ground. I smiled and shook my head. "Never mind. Let's go eat?"

She nodded and I got the plates ready.

"Hey you two up there! Come down here already!" Mom called to my dad and older brother.

"I'm fine. Let them sleep." I told her as I sit down on my seat.

"No we gotta have some breakfast together."

"What is this a celebration?" I scoffed at her.

"A pre-party."

"Mom, there's no such thing."

"That's great! We'll make history!"

I just stared at her in disbelief. Then we both ended laughing together.

"Wae wae wae?" My brother, Seokjin suddenly popped out of nowhere. He's now standing in front of us, scratching his nape.

"Are you ready for being a manager, our little princess?" Dad came down the stairs too. I gave him a grin and a nod. Jin shot me a confused gaze.

"What?" I asked.

He didn't answer and looked like as if he was trying to remember something. A few seconds passed then he suddenly snapped his fingers. "Oh right! You became a manager! My little kid's now still a kid! I'm so proud."

"How is that?" I asked, laughing. My parents just shrugged and walked towards the table including Jin, choosing their own seats.

I scooped my food and began eating right away. I just can't be late for today, I mean I can't be late everyday and especially, not for this day.

We all started eating and chatted a little in between our meal. Our topic were of course, mainly about my job as a manager. They asked me a few things like how will I handle the cafe, how did I became a manager. Some questions like that.

"Hey. If I invite my workers in there you should give us a discount."

"Everyone?? Of course not! Do you want me to get fired?"

"Seokjin what a stupid idea." Dad told him.

"How could you ask that question on my first day?" I muttered under my breath. Sometimes he is just too insensible.

"Okay I'll stop. I'll just get the car ready." Jin stated and finished his food. He took the keys from me and walked straight to our parking.

"Kim Jangmi, aren't you finished yet?"

"Oh." I popped out of my seat. "Yes I am. I'm gonna go brush my teeth."

"And don't forget to remove that towel on your head."

I gasped. "I forgot again!"

Yes I do forget things sometimes– mostly. Especially in removing wrapped towel around my head before leaving for work. In short, I'm a forgetful person.

I got in the bathroom and began brushing my teeth.

"Sweetie did you bring everything you need to?"

"Yeah."

"Anything else you need?"

"I'm good ommeoni." I answered and finished brushing my teeth. I got out of the bathroom and was now currently brushing my hair when Jin barged inside with a crumpled face.

"What's the matter?" Dad asked.

"Our car won't start. What the fuck happened?"

"What did you say big guy?" My mom raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing.." Jin answered in a flustered manner.

"Now what?" I asked.

"Let's just borrow Hoseok's motorcycle." He is talking about our neighbor which is also his best friend. Hoseok, he is a really nice guy. But I don't feel like going to my work with accompaniment by others for today.

And so I insisted. "No."

They all glanced at me. I shook my head and pleaded.

"Let me walk to the cafe alone."

"Micheosseo?" Jin frowned. "Why would I let you do that?"

"Come on guys, let me do things by myself. I wanna try being an independent girl."

"But walking alone in midnight outside the streets weren't counted."

"Come on. Just this once jebalyo~"

"Andwae."

"Seokjin op–"

"And if something happens to you?" He asked. Okay I hate this part when he's transforming into a serious guy. I don't like it when he gets angry at me. I just lowered my head and pouted.

"Arasso." I sighed in defeat and took my bag, wore my shoes then walked towards the door. I waved my parents goodbye.

"Annyeong  omma, appa." I shot them a smile, I'm quite sure they are worried that I'm upset which was very rare.

"Goodbye sweetie, good luck!"

"Take care Jangmi."

Jin and I headed outside the gate, revealing a very cold, dark and silent streets. Scary too!

"You want to walk straight to the cafe alone in this situation?" He asked as we walk to Hoseok's house. I just rolled my eyes even though deep inside I do think he is right. Seeing this dark road, I would have backed out immediately and call Jin to go with me if ever he let me go alone.

"Hoseok-ah! Yah Hoseok!" Jin called out, knocking at Hoseok's bedroom window.

"Don't bother his sleep! Let's just walk–"

"Yeah bro?"

We both turned our heads at the owner of the voice. Then there's Hoseok, holding his play station controller. With a very bright smile on his face.

"You stayed awake, didn't you?" He nodded at me with full of energy.

"And I just got a high score." He boasted. Wow, what a proud thing to do.

"Let me borrow your motorcycle. Our car won't start."

"Sure. I'll just get my keys." He said and got back in. I glanced at Jin as we smirked together, then we did it again, our brother-sister thing. We did a thumbs up in a slow and swaggy way, and nodded at each other as if we were saying like 'swaeg'. You know? Like a 'victory' sign.

"Here you go, brotha." Hoseok came back and handed the keys to Jin.

"Arasso. Jangmi kaja." Jin called and walked over Hoseok's motor. I waved him a goodbye before going away and he shot me his very charming and friendly smile.

We reached the motorcycle and immediately hopped in. I checked the time on my wristwatch, it's already 2:25.

"You still have time?" Jin asked.

"Got five minutes left."

"Hold tight." I wrapped my arms around him as soon as we're both on our helmets, then off we go.

"Yah! Do I look good on my new uniform?" I shouted while we're on our way to the cafe.

"Ani!"

I whipped his arm in a very harsh way. "Ow!"

"You're so supportive!" I exclaimed. And typically Jin, he just laughed at me– and he has this weird sound of laughing, um how should I describe it? Oh right, the sound of a squeaky window.

"But seriously, do I?"

"I said no!"

"Argh Kim Seokjin!"

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

I frowned and can't help but to pout and sit quietly. Fine! He doesn't look good in his chef uniform at all anyway, we're just fair. But knowing my brother, he's someone who is too obsessed with... himself. Yuck.

"I'm just joking! You look great!" He suddenly said out of the blue.

My face lit up. Really?

Oh I remember! He really suits to be a chef. He looked very cool whenever he cooks.

"I knew it!" I exclaimed. A few minutes later we already reached the cafe.

"We're here."

I got off the motorcycle and bid him a goodbye.

"Why is this thing not yet opened?" He asked with a frown.

"Oh it's okay. I'll just wait."

"I'll stay here." He said and starts turning off his engine.

"What? No I'm fine. You should take a re–"

"And leave you alone? No way young lady."

"I'm not alone."

He stopped moving and stared at me while here I am, busy waving at my friend who's walking nearer. "Hi Jae Eun!"

"What's up manager?" She waved back at me then saw Jin. "Jin oppa! Annyeong!"

"Annyeong Jae Eun-ssi." He answered with a smile.

I snapped at Jin. "You can go home now."

"Yah. Do you hate me or something?" He asked and crossed his arms. What a childish guy! I'm just asking him to go home cause it's too early in the morning and he needs to take a rest. His restaurant will open later at six am. How can he ask me this?

"Tch."

"We're good here. You should go back home and take some sleep." Jae Eun suggested with a smile, thank god I have my friend here.

"Are you guys sure?" He asked again as he turn his engine on and wear his helmet.

"Totally. Annyeong!" I waved at him. He just nodded at me- and reached for my head.

"No don't you da– argh!"

But I just fixed my hair!! How could he do this?

He places his hand down and gave a thumbs up. "You look good in that. Call me if you need anything."

I gave him a nod. Then as soon as he's ready, we bid each other goodbye before he leaves.

So, now I'm here alone with Jae Eun. We became friends since my first day here in Macchiato coffee shop. She's a very kind girl but also a bad one... I'm not used to saying bad words but, she has this bitchy attitude.

"So, manager what do we do now?" She exclaimed and began fixing my hair with her hand.

"Don't call me that, Jae Eun." I giggled.

"What? But you are our new manager!"

Typically her, she just won't stop. "Okay whatever."

She turned around and growled, seeing the cafe still closed. Looks like the guards were a bit late for today.

"Why won't this shit open?" She blurted out and kicked the roll up gates. My eyes popped out from its sockets.

"Hey stop!"

"I hate late people!"

"They can be here any minute by now so don't be upset."

Then as if on cue a van came and parked right in front of us two. Jae Eun stopped moving and stared at the black van, confused. I started talking.

"Maybe it's the guards–"

The door of the van suddenly opened and the next thing we know, there are already three guys pointing guns towards us.

Jae Eun and I screamed in horror. But a guy choked me from the back and covered my mouth with a handkerchief. I tried escaping but he's just too strong.

"Get them in, now!" The other guy shouted. They forced the both of us inside the van by pulling our hairs and we can't do anything else but to obey them.

The three guys got inside the van too and continued pointing us their guns.

"Let me go! Let me and my friend go you bastards! I said let me–"

I was startled after seeing what happened next, they punched Jae Eun on the stomach. I started panicking because of worry and overwhelming fear.

"Jae Eun?? Jae Eun! Let us go! Let us go please we can't do anything for you!"

"Sit down your ass or else you die."

"Please have mercy! Please just let me go—"

I collapsed on my seat because of pain. I just got punched too, on my stomach. And I want to cry in pain but... I'm running out of energy.

Help.

Help... Jebal.

Even though I don't want to, my eyes closed and I fell asleep.

🌸🔪🌸