The roads were filled with working men in suits as the women would enjoy their small breakfast time before entering their workplaces, taking their time to savor the crispy, buttery croissant with some cheese or leave it plain.
You were one of those women, but, not today.
Your appointment with your mother's lawyer is in twenty minutes and the excruciating pain from hangover hadn't been cured yet. With a bottle of warm honey water, you took a generous amount of it while hitting your head against the tinted windows to ease it.
"Young miss, we're here."
Opening the door for you almost hurriedly, your chauffeur had informed you beforehand that you might meet the lawyer's apprentice instead of her. "Preparing yourself for the worst would never hurt anyone especially you," he smiled proudly before fixing the coat over your shoulder and your brimmed hat, wishing you a good luck before driving your car to the parking lot.
Taking a stride to the receptionist, you offered her a small smile before telling her your name and appointment schedule. "Yes, Mrs. Lim will be waiting for you in her office with her apprentice—word of wisdom, eat this candy before entering or she'd know you got s really bad hangover, sweetie." She replied, holding out a piece of honey & red ginseng candy before informing Mrs. Lim about your arrival.
After getting a confirmation and permission to enter, you went straight to her office and entered after three knocks, finding a middle-aged woman sitting on her leather seat as a much younger man pouring down a cup of tea.
"Ah, young miss, hello."
Mrs. Lim smiled, placing stacks of paper on her desk before instructed the man to stand up behind her. "I'm Helena Lim and in charge for your case—well, only some inheritance and stuffs, so, nothing to be worried about." She finished before asking for you to take a seat on her sofa.
"Mr. Choi, files under Mrs. Choi-Kim, please."
The man placed it in her hands without any further questions before Mrs. Lim introduced him to you. "This is Choi Beomgyu — my apprentice, if you don't know him from the receptionist — and will take my position after I retired," she held her hand in front of him, smile never left her face as he gave you a small one.
"He's also here as my partner for your case, so, feel free to tell him if there's an inconvenience from your side."
She explained that once you had signed the paper, all the inheritance will be yours, including the debt your mom had to the bank before asking you how do you want to take care of it
"I'll take care of it by myself, don't worry, Mrs. Lim."
With a small nod, she informed you that she'd call the bank and inform them about you taking over your mother's properties also debts. "I guess we're done for today, I'll call you again to update you about this."
Giving her a subtle nod, you ended your conversation here before leaving the room as Beomgyu closed the door, offering you a small smile before you left his view.
As Mrs. Lim sat back on her seat, she was trying her best to endure the headache she got from reading your mother's will. "How am I supposed to tell her about him now?" She muttered under her breath, feeling guilty for her impulsive action that might cost you a lot in the future.
9.22 PM
You were exhausted because of the sudden increase of works after your mother's death, especially because you had to arrange for her funeral in a month and contemplating about inviting your father or not.
Despite of their divorce, both of them weren't holding any grudge against eachother, although he still decided to cut you and your mother from his life and focus on expanding his business in China and Vietnam after leaving your mother with her business and three months old you.
"Young miss, dinner's ready. Do you want me to serve it in the dining room?"
Shaking your head, you asked her to bring it into your room before leaving the tray on your desk as she nodded and placed it near the windows then left your room.
Cutting the meat into bite size, you tried your best to enjoy the well seasoned venison steak, chewing it slightly longer due to its texture. "I'll ask the chef to tenderise it a bit longer tomorrow," you muttered in disappointment before finishing your meal and the side dishes before informing your maid to take the tray.
Cleaning your desk and tidying up your books, she looked at you for the last time. "There's a small plushie and bouquet of flowers — a young man named Beomgyu said it was from your lawyer, young miss." She left the room and closed the door with her right foot, fading steps filling the corridor in front of your room as you carefully threading your fingers between the velvety soft plushie and placing the hyacinths in a small vase on your desk.
ー
Thank you for the gifts, please inform Mrs. Lim about it — I don't want to ruin her sleep for tonight
Last seen by Choi Beomgyu at 9.52 PM
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Looking inside your dimmed room, Beomgyu was beyond ecstatic when he read your message.
His head couldn't help but imagine your voice, saying the exact same words to him, in front of him and only him — imagining how cute you would look, eyes averted from his figure and cheeks getting heated as you stutter and slip on few words to thank him properly.
As you took a step inside the bathroom, Beomgyu kept his eyes glued on his multiple monitors, making sure he could watch you from every angle, every corner of the room — indulging himself in his fantasy while watching his muse giving him more inspiration on how to get to her even more.
Three, four, five o'clock — at least, that's what the clock said.
The minute hand had died at least 8 months ago and the owner of this pub didn't give a single piece of mind nor effort to replace it, knowing so well no one will pay attention to how many hours they had been here.
Including you, a girl with nothing but a piece of will, stating you'll inherit all of your late mother's belongings and savings tomorrow morning, on your right hand.
"Do you mind if I sit down here?"
Without giving any single glance, you muttered a soft 'yes', too deep inside the ocean of letters, running your thumb over the familiar names written on it — your mother's and yours, two women who live in different worlds now.
You're quite young, haven't reached your mid 20s and understood that grief will always overlook its victim — or maybe friend? — no one really knows about it until it hits them.
"Whatever, I guess."
You spoke under your breath, earning a soft chuckle from the person who sat down on the same table with you.
"Are you Japanese? Or only speak the language?"
"Language. What about you?"
"Native — here to, uhh, y'know, business stuff."
There's a hint of uncertainty lacing his words and tongue, maybe because of the alcohol. You're told that vodka can be quite strong for some people if they weren't familiar with it and would never be the first choice of any beginners to enjoy as their first time.
The man suddenly took his leave after brushing his suit from dust under the table, giving you another small smile before placing his name card beside your limp hand, taking a stride before you read the document for the last time to sign it and finish your drink, winching at the burning sensation on your throat as it left a quite nasty aftertaste.
"Never knew soju is this disgusting."
You sighed before went straight home.
As the cashier was about to call you when she realised you haven't paid for your drink, a guy came out and held out his card, offering her a small smile and asking her to put your tab in his.
"It's okay, she's my sister," he grinned, apologising to her on your behalf.
