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“Dad”
Nari’s hand circled around the brass knob that led into a small open plan apartment situated in the lesser-known parts of Seoul. The less bright and more run-down areas that tended to be overlooked. It was quaint, with loose pieces of wallpaper beginning to chip at the seams, the roof sagging from rain, and windows tinted a sickly yellow. A small kitchen was nestled in the crook of the home. Two bedrooms and one bathroom that could only occupy one person at a time and if Nari so much as held her arms out they’d reach either end of the walls.
There was no TV, just a small radio that played low melodies that was occasionally interrupted by a breaking news alert before retreating back to instrumental hymns. Despite constantly having noise, the Byun house was always and irrevocably silent. There was no life within its walls, and she was believed to be the root of it.
“Dad” Nari called again. Dropping the green plastic bag with groceries onto the wooden countertop that had begun showing its first signs of mould before divulging further into the residence.
Nari’s father, Byun In-su, used to be a handsome man, was now the shell of a man she knew him to be. His once wispy brunette curls were ashened to a lifeless grey, strands missing revealing the aged ridden skin beneath.
He looked sickly.
Deep and heavy purple eyebags dropped down to his cheek. Pretty brown eyes now almost black that would stare emptily at the unlit hearth collecting dust. A knitted blanket draped over his hunched shoulders. Skin and bone he was, a skeleton of someone she had looked up to all her life.
Byun In-su used to be a vibrant man, who dotted on his children and adored his wife so much that Nari would grow up believing was the purest form of love one could share. Her father, who’s eyes now held a glaze obscured with sadness and grief, would not even look at her. Her father had not even glanced at her since the night they lost the fourth member of their family. He had fallen so deep into his grief, he couldn’t do anything. It then became Nari’s job to provide and try to salvage what was left of her broken family.
“Would you like something to eat?” she would say. This was how conversations in the Byun household would go. A one-sided attempt at filling the silence in the room. When Nam-gi was at home, things were a lot easier. Nam-gi usually attended to their father in conversation and entertainment. Nari could only do her best.
“Nam-gi is at his friend’s house. You remember Jihoon. He’s staying the night there so don’t worry” her voice dropped to a whisper as he remained unresponsive, just blankly staring at the wedding photo upon the hearth. ” I brought some food from the restaurant; I can heat it up and-”
As much as Nari tried, her efforts were always in vain. So, she did the remainder of her duties in silence with the radio providing some sort of comfort in the dark gloom of the apartment. Nari made quick work with cleaning up the apartment. Dusting shelves and windowsills, folding blankets and then leaving some food for her father next to the rickety stool they used as a table. She knew better then to attempt to ensure he ate. Last time she tried to coax him, it resulted in an outburst and a bloodied hand as their frame smashed to smithereens. Nari had to wake up early to go to the store to replace it.
“I’m going to give Ms Yoon some things she asked me to get. I should be home soon.” And with an afterthought. ” I love you dad”
The door closed with a creak. Nari weakly rested her head on the door, her eyes shut, and a rattling breath left her lips before she tightened her fingers around the packet and stalked away from her home to the cafรฉ where she could find a little more solitude.
“You’re my saving grace Nari ” Ms Yoon cooed as Nari waved her hand dramatically to announce her presence, the bag dangling between her fingers.
“It was enroute home Ms Yoon, not a bother” Nari dismissed as Ms Yoon gathered her baking products. It was dark out and there was no sign of Geon-woo anywhere which letft a weird feeling of disappointment in her chest. She would’ve liked to see him again.
” I would’ve asked Geon-woo but he’s either training or with Woo-jin” Ms Yoon berated as she packed the shelves.
” Hong Woo-jin?” Nari said, her voice raising a pitch. Hong woo-jin as in the Hong Woo-jin, his opponent. They were friends?
”Oh yeah. What a sweet boy. Those two are thick as thieves” Ms Yoon awed, cupping her hands at the thought of the older boy. “He’s very charming.” She said. Well that was quick.
Nari frowned when she heard slight commotion from outside. Turning around she was met with sleek black vans perched outside the cafรฉ. A spike of anxiety shot through her veins.
“Nari do you mind helping me?”
Nari’s thoughts were ripped from the window to the older woman who was rinsing some of her fine China glass, gesturing to the uppermost cabinet that was just out of reach for her. Nari reluctantly made her way to the woman, glancing over her shoulder where the vans still remained stationary.
“Something wrong sweetheart?” Ms Yoon asked, sensing her distress. The way Nari’s fingers twitched in anxiousness or the ways her eyes bounced apprehensively. Nari let out a meek chuckle, shaking her head and helping Ms Yoon finish up with the store.
Nari froze when the bell chimed, glancing down at Ms Yoon who plastered a warm smile that only seemed to fuel Nari’s panic.
“I’m sorry we’re closed” Nari said quickly, interjecting Ms Yoon whose head shot to her in shock. Nari ignored the way Ms Yoon’s brows furrowed, the way her hands crept up her arm as she glanced between Nari and the man.
Nari was on edge. The feeling of dread had crept up to her the second she saw those unmarked vehicles and the man standing before her did nothing to ease the boiling pool of terror within her.
”I see” the man said. He was adorned in a crisp suit, a blood red tie secured down his chest. Black hair parted, revealing circular gold rimmed glasses. His hands were shoved in his pockets and the air around him seemed to still. He was intimidating them, and Nari did not like it.
“I apologise but you can come back in the morning” her tone was clipped as she met his stare with an equally terrifying glare.
“It will not take long. I just need to have a word with Ms Yoon over here” he said as he tore his glare from Nari to Ms Yoon whose eyes widened in recognition. “You remember me Ms Yoon?”
Nari frowned at the familiarity he seemed to bring. The way Ms Yoon seemed to tremble under his cold stare had her gently placing the women behind her and out of sight. Nari did not like the way he was looking at her nor of his intentions which seemed anything but good.
“Again, I’m afraid-” Nari was cut off by his scoff. He took a step forward and Nari tensed. Her body seizing in alert as his face formed into a smirk.
This time he didn’t address her at all.
“You didn’t keep your promise” he tsked, his eyes seeming to bore straight through her and into Ms Yoon who remained concealed by Nari. “You agreed to pay an extension fee in exchange for a lower interest rate “
Extension fee. Interest rate. No
“Ms Yoon” Nari trailed, her eyes widening and her heart dropping to her knees. Ms Yoon took out a loan. That was her solution. No, no this couldn’t be happening.
“You needed to pay the loan extension fee, which is 10% of the principal within 24 hours of signing the contract. It’s part of the contract. “he reminded, standing before them just separated behind the display shelf and counter.
As he got closer, he saw the confusion on Ms Yoon’s face and a wave of satisfaction filled him, but the young girl looked at him in horror. Chilled to the bone as he titled his head. Why did she seem familiar? He shook it off as he glanced down at Ms Yoon, his tone nothing short of jeering. ”Because you failed to do such an easy thing your extension fee has accrued 40 million won in interest and your credit score has dropped, so your interest rate is now 20%” he spat. “We really started this with the purest of intentions. ” He said before he slammed his hands on the table, anger boiling and his tone rising. “You ruined everything dammit!”
Ms Yoon flinched back, a startled cry escaping her as Nari strengthened her grip on Ms Yoon’s arm, taking a step forward furiously. ” Get out!” she seethed. The man turned his withering glare to her but Nari remained stone faced. ” Get out of this store and don’t come back!”
“What are you going to do? ” he berated with faux care. “You don’t know anything girl. This woman needs money to cover the interest. Will you give it to her? Or can you even afford yourself. “
Nari went to lunge at him but Ms Yoon held her back, sheepishly tugging her away from the man as she shakily called out. ” I’ll call the police”.
He echoed her words. His frown stony before he shot Nari a nasty look and disappeared out the doors and into the shadows.
“Nari, Nari” Ms Yoon panicked as she saw the tears pooling in her eyes. This felt familiar, too familiar. Her breathing started to pick up, her vision blurring. Ms Yoon reacted immediately, cupping her cheeks in her warm hands. “Nari, Nari dear, look at me we’re okay, he’s gone. It’s okay” she coaxed. Nari struggled to breathe. She shut her eyes, counting to ten just like how her mother taught her. She could smell the fresh bread coming from Ms Yoon, the soft tunes of the store and the faraway words from the woman.
“Nari” Ms Yoon called as she wiped a tear that slipped down her cheek.
‘They’re not gone” Nari muttered shakily as she opened her eyes and met Ms Yoon’s equally scared and teary eyes. ” Ms Yoon I need you to call Geon-woo” she said in a panic, dropping her hands to Ms Yoon’s arms. “Call your son quickly. Please.” Nari panicked just as they heard a whizz and glass shattering.
Ms Yoon let out a sharp cry as the windows began to shatter upon impact. Glass scattering to the floor and embedding itself into the wood. Nari gasped as men emerged out the vehicles, weapons in hand and bricks in the other.
Nari lowered Ms Yoon to the floor just as Geon-woo picked up the call. Nari placed her other hand over Ms Yoon’s ears, so she was out of sight as she called her son before the call dropped.
”Nari” Ms Yoon sobbed, calling after her as Nari lifted herself from the ground, her hands balling into fists as men swarmed into the cafรฉ, wreaking havoc upon the little cafรฉ. Uprooting tables, dismantling chairs, kicking glass and screaming in her face.
“Nari don’t” Ms Yoon called fearfully as Nari squeezed her hand once, her eyes pleading for her to be okay before she grabbed the edge of the counter and hoisted herself over. There was always a reason she wanted to do boxing. Hopefully she didn’t lose any of it.
“What the hell are you doing girl?” one of the men growled as more started emerging from outside. She glanced around the cafรฉ, it looked nothing like the once cozy shop she would spend her nights in. A sudden fury burned her veins as she felt her nails dig little crescents into her palms, raising it as the man saw her stance, a deep and mocking chuckle leaving his lips. “Are you serious girl” he guffawed but Nari didn’t flinch. She just hoped Geon-woo wasn’t too far away. Her eyes narrowed, brown eyes almost black and the man’s face twitched.
“Deadly” she assured before lunging.
Nari landed a right hook to his face. So startled by her sudden attack he didn’t have enough time to block the unexpected swing. The man’s face whipped to the side, his eyes widening and everyone seemed to stop for a second.
“oops” she shrugged carelessly. The man suddenly growled and in two heavy stomps was in front of her. Nari sidestepped, her backย bending as his hands missed her frame before she pushed him forward, the momentum sending him careening into the wall. She ducked a swing that went for her head, jabbing them in the side before slamming her foot into his chest. They both stumbled back, Nari catching herself against the wall while he went sailing to the floor.
”Nari!” Ms Yoon shouted. Nari was stunned, distracted as Ms Yoon was squirming in the man with the glasses arms as he dragged her to a table that was lifted off the ground. Her moment of distraction had another man barrel into her.
“Nari!” Ms Yoon cried as her back went crashing into the wall. Nari winced as her back flared in pain. She squirmed within his grasp, her body twisting in very way before she pushed herself further into the wall, her hands holding onto his forearms before she raised both of her legs and kicked him as hard as she could.
Nari dropped to the floor with a wheeze. Hands were quick to restrain her. Two rough hands clutched at her upper arms, yanking her up and off the floor before a fist collided with her nose. Nari let out a cry, her head whipping to the side as something warm dripped down her nose. Hands pulled her back as she tried kicking, her legs flailing but she was dragged to the corner of the store while Ms Yoon was placed at a table, the man seated opposite her.
”Let her go!” Nari urged, her nose throbbing and her back aching. It didn’t help how tight they were holding onto her arms that they started stinging and growing numb. Nari’s vision blurred; disfigured shapes took over her sight before she heard commotion. A sigh left her lips, relief filling her lungs when she realised Geon-woo had arrived.
This chapter was initially 5K words long that I decided to split it. ๐ญ๐ญ
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