Chapter 3: The Unfortunate Happenstace

"Shin?"

She came back to her senses after hearing her name. She faced the person and saw Alex with a worried face. She hides the truth about what happened the other day, that she encountered a mishap that nearly got her limping on her way home, or much worse, got a broken bone. But aside from the danger she faced, she was puzzled about the man. She knows she saw him before. She just can't figure out where.

"Are you okay? You look a bit off for days now."

She sighed before turning herself to speak. "I'm okay. I'm just worried about Yeori and Eunice. She didn't come home again last night."

"Do you want me to do something? I can spy on her. I have contacts."

"Thank you, Alex, but no. Don't risk your job trying to mole on someone else's personal relationship. Eunice will get back to her senses, not today, but I'm sure one day she will."

"If you say so. Just give me a head if you change your mind. You know I'm just a door away."

"Sure do. Thanks for the walk. I'll be heading inside now."

"Shin, wait..!"

She turned around with bumping eyebrows. Alex will still have to walk few blocks more to reach his place of work. Shin glanced at her watch and answer back.

"You're late. Spill it now."

"I'm just thinking, are you...?"

"What's up, Mr. Reporter. What's the hottest news today?" Suzy cuts him off . She just came out of nowhere.

Alex froze and was appalled. His tongue receeds for a moment. "H-Hey, Suzy. I think it's safe to say that I'm going to give it to you later, so better stay tuned."

"I can't wait. Break a leg, Alex."

"Thanks. I'll get going, Suzy. I'll see you tonight, Shin."

Shin waved back to Alex and rolled her eyes at Suzy. Her friend is such a flirt and she can't help not to cringe. She'll probably hold that smile for the rest of their shift.

"Hey, Suzy. You're hair's too long, it got caught in the door," she jested.

Even if her mind is pre occupied with the things that have happened for the past few days, Shin took the counter and gets ready to assist her very first customer for the day. She practiced that wide smile in front of the mirror for hours last night, and if ever she encounters toxic customers, she promised herself to hold her patience thread - long, strong and steady.

"Good morning, Mrs. Lim!" she greeted the manager nicely.

"Ms. Park, today is VIP day. Suzy and Anna are in charge with the walk in customers today. You go take the counter. I'm highly worried you'll lose another VIP."

She don't know if Manager Lim is trying to get her jinxed or what, but she quickly obeyed. Being on the counter is a relief. It's is a like a shield protecting her from unexpected rendezvous.

Shin took her rightful spot with a heavy heart. Being on the counter means you're far from being promoted. But on the other hand, it's way better than getting fired.

She's in the middle of sorting the bills when she heard a low footsteps coming her way. VIP's walked differently and their footsteps has some elegance on it, maybe because of the comfort of the shoes they wore. Shin looked up and saw a woman in her 50's approaching the counter. The woman walks elegantly, making other customers stare at her with eyes full of admiration. She was covered with the lightest cashmere and the comforts of fur. She is dashing and highly intimidating. Shin clutched her hand and felt a strong, sudden tension.

"Good morning. How can I help you, Ma'am?" she greeted, trying hard not to make her voice shake.

The lady puts a bag right in front of her sight and speaks, "I came here to return this item."

Shin was surprised. Returning the item is uncommon for VIP's. She widen her smile and asked again. "What's the reason of returning it, may I ask?"

"I realized this is too ordinary for me," the lady answered straightly.

Change of mind. It's understandable. But the store has protocol to follow.

She cleared her throat before saying another word. "We don't usually accept returned items unless you change it to something of the same price. And receipt is needed to do so.", she starts to explain.

She saw the fine lady raised her eyebrow. Shin stopped when she begins to throw a splat.

"Am I a fool to you? Of course I'm aware of that," the lady answered back, quite pissed. "And I don't keep recepts. Ever heard of online purchase?"

Shin was shocked for the lady's sudden burst. These crazy, rich people have dominating attitude and most of the time, they're annoying. It's like their personal riches depend on dominating her. They don't like the idea of someone having free will because all they see for low class people are maids - serve them, clean their house and make them dinner.

"I have returned items before and this do not cause me any problem at all. Only now.", she continuously stressed out.

"I'm sorry. But yes, you can certainly return the item, Ma'am. Can you hold for a second while I check for the reference number?"

Shin starts to panic and couldn't focus. Manager Lim saw the stirring argumentation that's happening and is now running towards the counter. Shin hands shakes as she tries to search for the code. And yet the lady is still not done with her whining.

"You know what, you're taking too much of my time! You don't want this back to your store?! Fine! It will be better if I throw this trash away anyway."

Shin was baffled and is now immovable. What the hell have she done wrong? Their brewing tension created a buzz to the whole store. Customers are looking at them and Suzy is also glancing worriedly from afar. The situation is getting worse and she was intensely scared for the outcome.

"Mrs. Jeon! Oh, you want that returned? No worries. I got something you will surely love. And it's limited edition!" Manager Lim cuts them fast with a nervous smile plastered on her face.

She moved closer to Shin and furiously whispered "What are you doing?! She's a top VIP!"

Top VIP. That word scared her big-time. And then the fear came. It's unusual and covered her it's tightest grip. She's scared, and when she is, those old fears run through her head, she hears the taunting cries of years past. She knows she's scared when those bad memories cut loose their chains and invade her confidence, eroding the person she have built since those dark days. Shin bowed her head down, fearfully accepting the fact that it was really her mistake, even if her mind is grasping for the opposite.

"I'm so sorry.," she shamefully hushed.

Apologizing for a blunder is easy. But owning a mistake to something you are clueless about is tormenting. Shin stood right there and wished the earth will divide and swallow her whole. The shame is slicing, and she screams on silence. These powerful people are downright scary. For them, poor people like her are nothing but puppets they wanted to control.

"You got an amazing store, Manager Lim. But too bad, you got a lousy employee."

Adding insult to an injury is unacceptable but the lady feels no remorse over her. Manager Lim stopped the customer from leaving but the lady slid her away. The lady calmly walks out but stopped before she could finally reach the exit. She looked at Shin one more time, and even in the midst of unstable disposition, Shin bravely meet the lady's eyes. If all else fails that very moment, she won't forget that scowl face as long as she lives.

"Manager Lim, I can explain."

"Better save it for yourself. Because you're fired!"

Shin cannot see a single empathy on her manager's face. She felt ridiculous saying those words. And was shattered from the answer she had got. The damage has been done. Manager Lim judged her so fast without scrutiny.

Her worst fear finally came to life. It hit her at the very moment she wasn't armed and ready. That lady made it happened.

Mrs. Jeon

She will remember that name. The world is small and life is full of surprises. She's doubtless their paths will cross again one day.