Just My Luck

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❝Can we stay frozen in this moment?❞

—Haneul

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Haneul

Appa had called again.

This time, it was to confirm the place I was to meet him at his office!

I sighed heavily as I looked at the now blank cellphone screen, quietly contemplating what I had just agreed to.

Mr. Park also happened to be my deceased family's lawyer, in addition to being my adopted father.

What were these urgent legal matters that he simply could not discuss over the telephone?

My Halmoni (grandmother) died a few months after my parents had. But I barely remembered her, because of my condition.

Halmoni was good to me, however, because she always had classes and by my final year of school she retired, so I have foggier memories of her.

In addition to this, my Halmoni owned 'a few small businesses', as she used to say to me, though I hadn't really thought to ask her what she really did.

I do remember visiting me at school often. Because she sometimes stepped in as a substitute teacher.

And even though I had no clue what these businesses were or what happened to them after her death, I was certain that Halmoni had her reasons for her secrecy.

I didn't really mind her business.

My parents had also kept their work life private. While I was always focused on my studies at school-too busy with homework and after school activities to notice anything out of the ordinary.

Besides, I didn't go to a normal school. It was impossible for me to know anything about my family's life from the confinement of a boarding school!

It's not like my family owned anything spectacular for my mundane little life to be spied on. All I ever asked for is a nice quiet life in my tiny, two bedroom flat in the rundown parts of Gangnam, Seoul, to spend the rest of my life.

This was my chance at a normal life. I didn't need fancy. I had plenty of that and look where it got me!

After my parents' tragic deaths five years ago, I had sworn I wouldn't take over any family businesses or property. I knew there was something waiting for me in Halmoni's will.

It's a special clause she added after my parents' deaths.

Conveniently, the media had claimed that this was 'a scandalous plane crash' while they were flying back to South Korea just over Hong Kong, after a business meeting in China.

But this was a lie.

Perhaps that's what Appa wants to discuss... I groaned in agony at the thought of the long and boring conversation that awaited me.

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After I left Mr. Park's home, I became a barista to support my own studies and accommodation. A bursary wasn't always enough, contrary to common belief.

Currently, I'm still working at the café, now as a shareholder in Café de Bleu.

Seojin had handed me the documents a year ago. After the customers fell in love with the baked goodies I made when our pastry chef was off sick a few years back, I was asked to pursue a career in baking and was offered thirty percent of the profits.

It was a complete fluke. But Seojin insisted.

So in addition to my commerce degree, I am also a pastry chef.

It's not something I readily admitted to. Because Seojin and Sol loved goading me about having the perfect balance in multitasking-just because I could manage a business and cook!

My best recipes were the chocolate cake, homemade fudge and Hungarian tarts I often whipped up for our daily intake. But I also churned out banana and walnut muffins, cupcakes and various biscuits on a daily basis.

Customers made sure to let me know which ones were their ultimate favourites-especially the regulars!

So, I didn't have to worry too much about money as I made a comfortable living and I was left with a small sum of money after my parents' deaths to help me in my 'tough times'.

Which was how I managed until Seojin's offer.

People usually make a huge deal about money. I, on the other hand, just needed enough to pay my bills, buy myself good food and a lot of books!

As I often said to my colleagues: "Life doesn't have to be complicated for you to enjoy it."

I let out an exasperated sigh, deciding to meet my adopted father who now wants to act as my lawyer. And if I'm really honest with myself, my curiosity has finally gotten the better of me!

After all, it's not like it's going to make any difference to my current state right?

Oh! How very wrong I was....!!!

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It was thirty-five minutes past nine in the morning and I was somehow running a little late for the bus.

I guess it took me a while to pick something more suitable than the faded pair of jeans and lilac t-shirt I was wearing a little earlier.

Eventually, I decided on a lilac dress with boots. It wasn't too cold just yet, despite the occasional chill in the air.

As I made my way down the pedestrian crossing to the bus stop, someone's shoulder had jabbed into mine. With a disgruntled scowl, I looked over my shoulder to find a tall, blond, handsome man dressed in formal wear. His white shirt and black formal trousers were in immaculate condition.

Distracted by his appearance, I lost my footing and was about to kiss the asphalt-when a pair of strong arms caught me. I looked up to meet his eyes, their golden brown hue shining like stars.

The air around us seemed to sparkle and smelled faintly of sandalwood and clove.

I could stay there looking at his eyes forever. They reminded me of caramel cake and chocolate fudge. Perhaps I'll suggest selling caramel cake to Seojin when I get back from my meeting.

The meeting! That jolted me back to reality.

"S-sorry about that!" I stammered. "I'm in a hurry."

"Wait!" the man caught my arm, startling me in the process.

Standing there, with the autumn breeze blowing his blond fringe over his eyes, I felt compelled to stare at him a little more.

He is the definition of handsome. I marvelled silently at his beauty.

Just then, I heard my phone buzz in my handbag and shifted to reach for it. But my handbag wasn't at my side! Frantically, I scanned the pavement and found it had landed at the edge of a flowerbed of Kalanchoes. I scrambled over, but he got there first, picking up my bag and wiping it clean with his handkerchief.

The man handed it over and smiled sheepishly at me. "I'm sorry. I didn't see where I stepped," he said.

"That's okay. Thank you for picking up my bag."

"You're so beautiful, I couldn't help looking at you as I crossed the road," he murmured, brushing a strand of my hair behind my ear.

Wow! Why does he feel so familiar? I feel like we've met before.

I blinked at him, still processing his words.

"I need to go. Thank you once again," I smiled at the man realising I still had somewhere to go.

"Well, pretty girl, I hope I get to see you again soon," the man winked at me.

Why does he make my heart flutter with such simple gestures?

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One bus ride later, I made my way towards the large glass building that was the law firm my Appa practically lived in.

I entered through the the large front doors, wondering to myself why this building was bustling with so many people. Locating the reception desk, I walked over to ask for directions.

I've never been to Appa's office before. We've always spoken over the telephone or in person, at my flat.

"...yes, Mr. Kim will call you back as soon as possible sir," the woman ended the call and placed the receiver down then looked her laptop.

"Hi. I'm here to see Mr. Park Jong-dae."

The receptionist looked up at me for a second before breaking into the biggest of smiles.

"Happy Birthday, Haneul!" she said in a sing song voice.

"Why don't you just say you're here to see your Appa!" she joked as she walked around the desk to hug me.

"Thank you, Maya. But you know that he's just my adopted father. Our surnames are different."

"Nonsense! He's taken care of you for years! So he's practically your father!" her face split into an annoying, practiced grin.

Maya attended the same school as I did, but I wouldn't call her a friend or a doe. We were just acquaintances. And I liked it that way.

I can't remember the details of what happened in our first year of highschool; just that I didn't really get along with her as a person. Over the years, she's tried to be friendly with me, and while I wasn't rude, I also didn't willingly seek her out to chat.

I had no idea she worked here, or I'd have done my best to avoid her-perhaps request my Appa meet me at the door or something. Something about her didn't sit well with me.

She weaved her way back behind her desk and checked my Appa's availability on her laptop then looked back at me, smiling.

"Okay, I see he's freed up the rest of his day just to spend time with you on your birthday," her smile broadened.

As if someone from the heavens had decided to complicate my day, a familiar voice spoke behind me.

"It's the beautiful girl's birthday?" he exclaimed, wide eyed. "Wow, what a small world!"

I might have imagined it, but the look in his eyes had dulled, as if a wave of sadness washed over him. However, he seemed to get over whatever was bothering him.

"Happy Birthday!" the man smiled at me, his face brightening up again.

"Oh, do you know each other?" Maya asked, her voice had darked a little.

It was as if she feigned interest, but was hiding something.

I cleared my throat, hoping it would clear away these strange thoughts too. Maya may not be someone I want to be friends with, but I'm sure she's got more important things to do than mind my business. She's probably just being friendly.

"Yes-" the man said at the same time I said 'no'.

He pouted slightly at me, then brushed the topic of with a smile.

"If you'd excuse me, I'll just be on my way," I turned away from the odd stranger and confirmed the floor and office number with Maya.

"You're also headed to the eleventh floor? Come with me! I'll take you there!" the man grabbed my hand and steered me towards the elevators.

What just happened?

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