CHAPTER 4
The boy kept watching her, as his eyes roamed her face detailing each facet, he wondered if she was Korean. When he was almost convinced of it, some detail would make him doubt and she would seem like a western girl. He remembered how tall she was the times he was standing beside her, a few more seconds went by and he was filled with more doubt.
He also thought about her personality: bold, decisive, strong, determined. No matter how far away he pushed her by treating her rudely, she did not take the hint. His intention was to keep her away, but she showed no fear at all, it was as if she did not realize or just did not care.
Any other girl would have been scared away by the hostile treatment he had given her, or would have sent him to hell, but not this girl. She insisted, she was not self-conscious in the face of the personality that the hard rocker Moo Kyul showed or rather, purported to show, indeed, he began to think that he was the one who was scared.
Without noticing it, his mind began to wander through memories, the girl with the strongest personality that he had known was Seo Joon, but it was not even half that of this "intruder" who slept on his couch.
Soon came the memories of Mae Ri, the innocent girl who had stolen his heart nearly three years ago, the one with whom he had lasted the longest in a relationship. But she was so different from him, for her, he had even changed his musical style earning the reproach of the guys in the band.
That bothered him so much, he had the dream of every rocker: succeeding in music, but rock, real rock, so that the audience could be washed in its force, the power of his guitar, the strong rhythm of the drums, the complement of the bass.
While with Mae Ri, he was caught between two worlds, he loved her but he also loved his music. Over time he began to feel like a prisoner in the routine of that girl and his only escape were the nights of shows with the band.
She never enjoyed strong rhythms and sharp guitars, the shows that she came to while they were together were only three: That time the girl followed him to the club to sign the confession for the car accident in which they met, the show at Jung In's company, and when the drama Wonderful Day was presented to the public and he declared his love from the stage. After that, Mae Ri never attended another performance of Absolute Perfection and that had hurt. Whenever he was in his mini home studio composing, she asked him to stop making noise... Noise? The music that Moo Kyul loved, was creating and interpreting, was noise?
-It's not noise! - He exclaimed inside his mind- it's art, it's power, it's magic made melody- he reflected frowning.
His love for Mae Ri decreased to only affection after a while. He continued with her for the same reason he had started the relationship: He felt like he was part of a family, for the first time in his life he was not alone.
The loneliness that he so feared was again present when the girl began working with Jung In. At that time, the boy was trying to get home early to be with her, but she was never there, always working late and when she was in the house, she did not move from her laptop, spending all her time reading or writing, it was in those moments that it was forbidden to make "noise".
All of this had made it so that instead of a relationship, what they had was a routine and a routine was always what had made him last less than one month each time he had a girlfriend.
He still loved her, love does not stop from one day to the next, but her heart took another path.
Moo Kyul still had Sandra's cell phone in hand while watching her lost in his memories, and suddenly it rang waking him from his thoughts and disrupting the deep slumber of the girl.
She opened her eyes frightened and was met with Moo Kyul sitting on the coffee table in front of her. The boy became nervous.
-Can I have it please?- She asked holding out a hand.
-Huh?-
-My cell phone- She said, with a gesture and wordlessly he handed it to her, stood up and walked into the bathroom.
-Why didn't you answer?- Asked the voice on the other side of the line.
-I was asleep, sorry Seo Joon-
-Oh! It is true! I'm sure you did not sleep all night, I'm sorry!- The actress sounded distressed.
-Don't worry, it's okay... Is something wrong?-
-Nothing serious, but first tell me how is that idiot? Did you have any problems with him?-
-He's much better and I have not had any problems, you don't have to worry-
-Ok. Mmmm May I speak with Moo Kyul? I have something to say to him-
-He's in the bathroom, if you want you can give me the message-
-Don't worry, I'll call back in a few minutes. Darksan...- Seo Joon paused -Really thank you very much for staying with him-
-I told you last night, not to worry, I did it with pleasure- At that time the boy came back -What worries me is that he has nothing to eat. Can you tell me where there is a store nearby? I would like to buy some things, and I don't know the neighborhood, this guy must eat right to recover-
-You have nothing to worry about!- Interrupted Moo Kyul –I don't need you to buy food for me- he affirmed strongly.
-Moo Kyul! I see you've recovered! You're not even a shadow of the lump that I cared for all night- Sandra said even while still on the phone. Seo Joon was listening to everything.
-Darksan... Darksan!- The actress insisted but there was no answer.
-I never asked you to stay to take care of me, I can take care of myself-
-Yes, of course, last night you couldn't even walk, Seo Joon and I had to hold you up, and you say that you take care of yourself? HA!- The girl laughed mockingly –Don't be so ungrateful.
-Ok, THANK YOU!- He answered ironically -I appreciate it, sorry for the inconvenience, you can go now and never come back-
-I will not leave without making sure you eat something- the girl affirmed –I will go shopping and then I'll be back- At that moment she recalled that the actress was still on the phone -Seo Joon! Excuse me, I completely forgot that I was talking to you-
-Don't worry, I heard everything- The actress smiled -Ignore him, just go and I'll come later, I'll make sure that he eats something-
-No, it's not necessary, I said I was going to buy food and make sure this guy is fed- Sandra Said very confidently –You can take it easy, I got it-
-All right, you don't know the mess you're getting yourself into- warned the actress –If you make that Moo Kyul listen to you, it would be a miracle. Would you tell him that I'll call him later?-
-Sure! I let him know- Sandra glanced at the boy as she said bye and hung up the call.
-Seo Joon says she'll call you later- A wide smile graced the face of the girl.
-Thank you, now...- Moo Kyul gave a forced smile indicating the exit with an outstretched arm.
-I will go, but I'll be back in a while- The girl said as she stood up from the couch and took her things -Like it or not, you're going to eat something and I'll be sure to see you do it-
-I told you, you don't need to do it, I'll eat what I want, when I want-
Sandra smiled and shook her head, which infuriated the boy. Though he tried, the girl still didn't get angry, she laughed in his face and apparently didn't hear anything that he said.
Walking around the neighborhood, Sandra didn't find any store that sold good food, so she decided to take a taxi and go elsewhere.
The taxi driver recommended a place to her, and let her off nearby. The girl got out and started walking, when she was a few feet away she could smell the food, it was intoxicating, her stomach began to rumble very loudly, she had not had a bite since the day before.
She went in quickly and decided to grab a quick bite there and then deliver something to Moo Kyul.
-Good afternoon- She greeted the man who was in the kitchen when she entered.
-Good afternoon Miss. Welcome!- The Ahjussi answered her with a bow.
Sandra was opening her mouth to keep talking, when the man's cell phone rang.
-Excuse me -He said to the girl with a little bow -Hyung! Yeah, yeah, ooh... Yes hyung, okay... Have a good Sunday too- and hung up the call.
The girl opened her mouth to speak again, raising her hand to indicate something on the price list on the wall behind the man, but was interrupted again.
-Hello!- Said a woman entering the place.
-Aish!- He regretted- What are you doing here again?-
-Please help!- begged the woman.
-I have no money!- The Ahjissi said stated strongly–So get out of here!-
-Please! Mmm?- She begged clasping both hands and pouting -My son doesn't know the mess I got into this time Pleaaaaase!-
The man looked out the window into the street with a frown; Sandra who had been watching everything, decided it was best to go sit at a table and wait.
From where she was, the girl could still hear what the other two were talking about, even if didn't want to hear it, the place was small.
-What happened this time?- The man asked reluctantly.
-It's just... the guy I was dating cheated me - she answered almost in tears.
-AGAIN?!- Shouted the man, opening his eyes wide and drawing the attention of people passing by outside the store.
Even Sandra jumped a little and stood staring at him with surprise.
-Shhhht! Don't yell- She pleaded placing her index finger on his lips –Dae Han please let me work here for a month-
-No! Never! NO!-
-Dae Han! Pleaaase!- She kept begging him, clasping his hands again and with false tears about to spill from her eyes.
-Aish! Really- He frowned again with displeasure, he was sure he would regret the decision he was making. Without changing his expression and giving her a sideways glance he finally spoke again-Ok! I know I'll regret it but I only do because I'm a good person. Aish!-
-Really? Really?- The woman looked like a girl jumping for joy, rubbing his hands.
She immediately went to hang up her purse and jacket on a hanger that was on the side of a refrigerator. She put on an apron and took a pad and pencil.
The first person that she waited on was Sandra who had been waiting all this time during her conversation with the business owner.
-Hello!- She greeted with a slight bow and the girl responded in kind -Oh! You're so cute!- She praised - What are you going to have? -
The girl read the food chart, while the woman was waiting attentively. With a hand she tucked a lock of hair and behind her ear revealing the earrings she was wearing. One of these caught the attention of women, it was a small skull covered with bright beads.
-How cute!- She exclaimed taking the lobe of the girl with excessive familiarity.
-Oh!- Said the girl -Do you like it?-
-It's beautiful! It reminds me of my son- she said sadly.
-Son?- Asked the girl.
-Yes, my son loves those things. Also, you are very pretty, really-
-Thank you- replied the girl bowing -Emm , bring me a...- Again, she would open her mouth to tell her what she wanted to eat and again the woman stopped her mid-word.
-You know what? You'd be the perfect woman for him-
-Excuse me?-
-For my son! I told you, you are very pretty and you like these things- She was thoughtful -Do you like rock? My son is a rocker, but one of the good ones-
-Yes, I like rock, but I swear, I'm starving ahjumma - The girl's face had a look of anguish at this point.
-Then I'll bring your order right away, tell me what you want?- The woman wrote down what the girl ordered. She turned around to go to Dae Han to prepare the food, but she took two steps and stopped to turn to Sandra again -Ah! –She suddenly exclaimed and scared the girl, who swore that the woman had already left –Don't call me ahjumma-
-Hmm?- Sandra looked at her with one eye more open than the other.
-My name is So Young, Kam So Young- She extended her hand.
-Nice to meet you Kam So Young- The girl shook hands with the woman, who remained standing beside her watching her with a silly grin on her face.
- Just call me So Young, or if you want to "Ice Cream"-
-What?-
-My son calls me "Ice Cream", I love ice cream, especially chocolate -The woman kept talking, the poor girl was dizzy from the endless chatter of So Young and the hunger she felt.
-So Young?- Sandra interrupted- My food? – She begged with a look of despair.
-Oh! Right! Excuse me!- She paused -What'd you say was your name?-
-No, I didn't, my name is Sandra Park-
-Sandra?- So Young frowned as she thought about that while the poor girl, at that point, was close to fainting -Are you a foreigner? But you must have a Korean father because of your last name, and you also have Korean features...-
-So Young- The girl interrupted.
-Huh?-
-Can we talk after you bring my food? I'm really starving- She begged.
-Yes, of course, I'll bring it to you immediately-
-Make that two orders, but please, make one to go-
-Oh! Okay- smiled the woman.
When she returned with the food, So Young sat opposite the girl talking without stopping about her son, she told her that she seemed like the ideal type for him, that the poor guy had been unlucky, that he'd had a girlfriend who had left him for a guy with money and hundreds of other things that Sandra barely heard, then she looked at her watch and it was almost one in the afternoon, she worried that Moo Kyul was alone and had not eaten, she was wasting too much time.
As she finished eating, she rose from her chair, said goodbye to the woman, and went back to the house of the boy.
When she arrived, the shutter of the entrance was closed. She stood looking every way, with the bag of food in hand.
She called out his name several times but there was no answer. She decided to crouch to see if she could open it, and to her surprise the metal curtain moved away.
She didn't think twice, and fully opened it and entered the house. Moo Kyul, who had left for a moment, was on his way back but when he saw the scene, he stayed hidden, he thought that if the girl realized he was not in, she would be gone soon.
Inside the house, Sandra scoured the place looking for him. Seeing that he was not there, she thought, to avoid problems with him, it was better to leave the food on the coffee table with a note. Then she left.
Moo Kyul, seeing the girl go, waited a couple of minutes and then went inside. He had noticed that Sandra had brought the bags inside and had left without them, so he looked carefully to find them. In fact, he was starving and it was obvious that the girl had brought something to eat, as she had said before going out that she would.
When he saw the bags on the table, he rushed at them, closing his eyes he took a deep breath at the smell coming out, he ran to the kitchen to get utensils and returned to sit on the couch and eagerly devoured everything. It was like he had never eaten before.
When he finished, he saw the note that Sandra had left:
"Moo Kyul, I hope you eat well, take your medicine and don't be stubborn, you must take care, Darksan."
He stared at the note and inadvertently smiled, it had been a long time since there was someone who cared about him, then he remembered the intrusion of the girl at the show last night and he got angry again. Frowning, he threw the paper on the table, but it fell to the floor instead. As he bent over to pick it up, the bag the food had come in caught his attention, it was Mae Ri 's father's store.
He spent a long time wondering if it was a coincidence or if that girl knew his ex-girlfriend.
Sandra decided to tour the city for the following few days, it had been a long time since she had been in Seoul, the closest she'd been was when she had traveled to Tokyo last year and had met with that guy she would do business with.
That week was relaxed, she attended some shows in Hongdae, she liked the place, it felt like being home inbetween small rock concerts, she was reminded of the few months she had gone from bar to bar playing with her band before the death of her father.
She also spent a couple of days to find an apartment, she couldn't stay in a hotel forever, as soon as she found one she moved, bought furniture and arranged everything to live comfortably in her new home.
Without noticing, it was Sunday again. Sitting on the living room sofa, she relaxed a little, and was suddenly reminded Moo Kyul. How was that stubborn guy doing?
She grabbed her cell phone and called Seo Joon.
-Hello! Seo Joon, How are you?-
-Hello! –the actress answered cheerfully-and you. How are you?-
-I'm well, thank you-
-What have you been doing these days? You should have called before Darksan-
-I've been busy, I rented an apartment and with the move I had not had time. Also, tomorrow I start working on the project that brought me to Korea- She told her.
-Then call me this coming week, we can make plans to go to a show in Hongdae- suggested the actress.
-One of Absolute Perfection's shows?- The girl said excitedly.
-Your voice sounds more like you want to know about Moo Kyul- Seo Joon answered in a playful tone.
-It's not what you think, I worry about that stubborn guy. He has great talent and must take care of himself- she said earnestly -I realized that he has nothing to cook with and I know from experience that it's difficult for Indie bands-
-Don't worry about that, I was talking to him and he took a job that a friend proposed to him – she informed her.
-Great! I am very glad, if you talk to him again, tell him Darksan says hi- She spoke with a tone of irony.
-He will be happy!- The actress replied in the same tone and they both laughed heartily.
They said good bye and Sandra went to her room, she planned to watch a movie but sleep overcame her and she passed out from the exhaustion of the move.
Early on Monday morning, Sandra's alarm sounded loud in the silence of the room.
The girl got up, showered and after breakfast she got dressed to go to her meeting.
For business, she wore formal clothes, but without losing her unique style. This time she decided to wear a two-piece suit, black, with a long tight skirt that had a slit that showed off her left leg. At the top of that slit she sported a bright pin, a skull that matched the hoops that So Young had admired the previous week, which she rarely took off, they were her favorites.
The blouse was white, and the jacket was black and tight. Adorning her neck was a long and somewhat thick chain, and from it a beautiful heavy cross hung, pebbled with black stones. Her hair was in a simple ponytail.
She took her briefcase, cell phone, keys and walked towards the center of the city.
-Sandra! You arrived!- She was greeted pleasantly as she crossed the office door.
-Jung In- The girl reached out to greet him and bowed.
-It has been many months, you look great-
-Thanks!- Answered the girl -Are we expecting someone else?-
-Yes, the writer Lee and his assistant are in the boardroom waiting, the director of the drama and music producer are on the way-
-I see, are you going to sign contracts or...?-
-No, that's already settled, they've all signed, were just missing you, this meeting is to finalize the details of the project and give the final "go"-
-I brought the contract- said the girl opening her briefcase -I checked it with my lawyer before traveling to Korea and it's perfect- She added with a smile on her face- It's already signed, here it is- and handed it over.
They left the office and walked to where the others were waiting, the director of the drama had just arrived, seeing Jung In and the girl enter the boardroom, she quickly went to reach them and entered right behind them.
-She is Sandra Park, the producer of the drama- He introduced her.
-I am the writer Lee, glad to meet you- she greeted the girl with a bow.
-My pleasure- she answered.
-She- Said Jung In with an air of pride -Is the assistant of writer Lee, Wi Mae Ri- she shook hands with the girl- And she is my wife- He added.
-Your wife? Wow- The girl was thinking about that name and recalled all that Seo Joon had told her about Moo Kyul, Mae Ri and Jung In. At that moment she was not sure, but it could not be just a coincidence.
-The director and music producer have not come yet?- Asked Jung In.
-I'm here!- Said a female voice that sounded very familiar to Sandra.
The girl turned to greet the newcomer and for her it was a big surprise.
-Seo Joon!- Sandra said almost screaming in surprise.
-Darksan?- The actress also was surprised.
They both embraced very pleasantly under the watchful eyes of the others who did not understand very well.
-You girls know each other?- Asked the director.
-A week ago, by accident- The actress replied.
Jung In invited them to take a seat to start the meeting, they were all laughing and chatting happily, Sandra was sitting with her back to the door to the boardroom.
Seo Joon who was in front of her on the other side of the big table, suddenly smiled.
-At last you finally arrive!-
Sandra turned to see who had arrived. Her astonishment was doubled when she saw who it was this time.
Distorting his face with a mixture of surprise, disgust and horror the boy exclaimed -THE INTRUDER?!-