"Hey, Joon Sung, do you want to hang out with me tonight? We can grab a couple drinks and maybe talk about our articles together." My co-worker, Soo Young said.
I looked away from my computer screen and looked up at her, smiling.
"Thanks for the offer, but i'm pretty tired. I'm just going to finish up this article then go home. Maybe another night." I said.
Soo Young nodded. "No problem. Have a good weekend." She said then walked out of the office.
I sighed softly as I sat back in my chair then looked around the empty office. I currently work at a design company. My job is to write different articles about today's fashion. I guess you can say i'm a fashion blogger. The job is pretty fun and I have really nice co-workers. When I was hired to work at the company, Soo Young became my very first friend. She helped me around the office and we both became fast friends.
As I sat at my desk, I've thought about how fun it would've been to go out for drinks with Soo Young, but lately, I've been more tired than usual. It's only because I've been tasked to write a really intriguing, but difficult article about this summer's fashion. I've been so into my work that I ended up going home later than usual and one time, I almost slept in and came to work late. My boss didn't chew me out, thank god, but instead, he just gave me a warning. My boss, being one of the youngest bosses to be working at the company, understood how stressful it is to deliver impressive articles so i'm grateful to him.
Speaking of being the youngest to work at the company, i'm also the youngest. I'm only twenty-one, but all my co-workers are at least twenty-three to twenty-six. It's pretty different to be working somewhere where you're the youngest and because i'm the youngest, i'm always getting teased for not only being young, but looking young too. That's another thing. Even though i'm twenty-one, I don't look like it. I actually look like i'm still in high school and because of it, it was a bit difficult getting a job here at the company and whenever I go out to bars and nightclubs, the managers are always skeptical about my age. Even though i'm mentally mature, I wish I was physically mature. At first, I thought it was pretty nice to still look young and not look my age, but ever since I turned twenty-one, people have been skeptical about me and don't believe that i'm actually twenty-one. Even when I pull out my license.
I let out a yawn as I popped my knuckles then stretched my body, popping my back too before getting back to work. The article is due tomorrow and I really want to hurry up and finish it so I can go home and eat a delicious dinner prepared by my dad. My mom isn't in the picture because she died when I was really little and I don't have the heart to move out of the house and get my own apartment because I know my dad is still grieving over my mom and I don't want him to feel alone.
I eventually finished up my article then I hit the send button to send it to my boss by email so he can look it over. I sat back in my chair and gently rubbed my sleepy eyes then I shut off my computer and started to gather my things, putting them into my Death Note 'L' messenger bag when suddenly, my phone started ringing. At first, I thought it was probably Soo Young, wanting to see if I finished the article, but once I saw my dad's name come up on the caller I.D., I wasn't really surprised to see him calling me. He's probably wondering when i'm going to come home since it's getting late.
I sighed then answered my phone.
"Yeah, dad?" I said.
"Joon Sung, where are you?" He asked.
"I'm at the office, but i'm on my way home. Why? What's up?"
"I...I need you to come to the nightclub right now. It's urgent." He said quickly.
I narrowed my eyebrows as I took note of my dad's voice. He sounded like he was in trouble and I could only imagine what my dad has gotten himself into now.
"Um...alright. I'll be right there." I said then I hung up.
I stood up from my desk then shoved my phone into my pocket before grabbing my messenger bag and hoisted it over my shoulder. I shut the mini desk lamp off on my desk then hurried out of the office, locking the door behind me.
***
When I got to the nightclub, I managed to find my dad sitting on the couch while four guys in all black surrounded him. I watched as the leader yelled at my dad then raised his fist up, about to hit him. That's when I jumped into action and stood in front of my dad, blocking him.
"Don't!" I shouted, staring at the older man.
The leader stood back then smirked as he looked me over.
"Who are you?"
"I'm-"
"This is my son." My dad said, cutting me off.
The older man chuckled as he rubbed his chin.
"Son huh?"
"What's the problem here? Why are you harassing my dad?" I asked, wanting to get to the bottom of things.
"Your dad here owes me money." He said.
I slowly nodded, trying to understand as I stood straight up, still standing in front of my dad.
"Okay....And how much does he owe you exactly?" I asked, silently praying that my dad only owes a hundred dollars. Maybe less.
The leader continued to stare at me, smirking before he spoke.
"He owes me five hundred thousand dollars."
All of a sudden, my eyes widen and I felt my legs go weak to the point where my dad had to stand up to hold me up. I stared at the guy in horror, hoping that I heard him wrong. Once I finally gathered myself, I stood straight up and looked the guy in the eyes.
"Okay...Um...I'm sorry that my dad owes you that much money. I'll make sure he pays it all off." I said softly.
The leader nodded, smiling.
"He better or things won't be easy for him." He said then turned towards his men.
"Let's go." He said then walked right out of the room, his men following behind him.
Once the Loan Sharks left, I finally let out a breath of relief. I knew that my dad has been having trouble staying OUT of trouble, but I didn't think he would resort to borrowing money from Loan Sharks. We don't have much money to go off of in the first place.
"Joon Sung," My dad started.
I held my hand up, stopping my dad from saying anything then I shook my head.
"Let's...just go home okay?" I said.
He nodded without saying anything else then we both left out of the night club and started to make our way home.
As we were walking down the street, I suddenly stopped and turned to my dad.
"Dad, why don't you head home first. I'll be home later." I said.
My dad turned to me and nodded.
"Okay. Don't stay out too late."
I chuckled softly as my dad tried to give me a 'curfew'. I sighed softly as I watched him leave then I started to make my way towards a bar that I normally go to with Soo Young.
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