Thirty Seven : Birthday Teror

Kim Sora POV,

December 10, 2019,

"Sora~ah, Saengil Chuka Hamnida!", Said Sunmi from across the phone. "May your life always filled with happiness. I love you Sora!", Continued Sunmi in a cheerful voice

"Gomawo Sunmi~aah, I love you too", I replied as I opened my car door

"How about we have lunch today? There's a new cafe in Gangnam, I'll pick you up later, okay?," she said excitedly

"Ye, arasso. I'll wait for you", I replied smiling as I walked towards the entrance of Minerva

"Alright. See you later, bye", said Sora ending our conversation

"Bye", I replied

I climbed the stairs with a smile on my face. Today's weather is quite cold, but the clear blue sky makes me even more excited. Today is my birthday. When I was in school, usually my parents and I would go to a place, like an amusement park, zoo, etc., to celebrate my birthday. However, since studying and moving to Seoul, I only spent my birthday with Sunmi.

"Anyyeong", I said as I entered Minerva

"Saengil Chuka Hamnida, saengil chuka hamnida, saranghaneun Kim Sora ... saengil chuka hamnidaaaa", all my employees stood up to greet me at the reception desk

"Come on, blow out the candle, Oenni!", Said Song Aeri, approaching me, carrying a birthday cake in her hand

"Wow, you make me touched", I replied after blowing out the candle on the birthday cake

"Chukae (congrats) Noona, I hope you are always healthy and happy," said Yunsu approaching me with a smile on his face

I heard congratulations from my employees.

"Gomawo, yorobun. You don't need to do this," I replied while receiving the cake from Aeri

"This is all we can do for you, Noona", answered Go Minhyuk

"Ye. Eunso made this cake herself", said Aeri, patting my new employee's shoulder

"Jinjja? Woaah daebak! Gomawo Eunso~aah, I'm so happy!", I replied, staring at the tall young girl happily

"You're welcome, Oenni. Happy birthday to you ", replied Eunso shyly

"No visitors have come yet, right? Let's eat this cake together", I asked as I walked to a table in the middle of the reading room

I shared this cake to my seven employees. We enjoyed the cake while chatting and joking. I really love them. They are like brothers and sisters to me. I am happy that they can get along and work well together despite their different backgrounds and ages.

Song Aeri (24 yrs), she is a cheerful, friendly and hardworking women. She has been working since the first day Minerva opened. Her mother had passed away when she was in middle school. Her father worked as a taxi driver in Chunchon, the capital of Gangwon province in the north. Aeri had to work since graduating from school to help him to send her 3 younger siblings to school.

Park Yunsu (23 yrs), he is a very likable young man. He is a 2nd year student majoring in communications and media studies at Hanyang University. He worked at Minerva to be able to pay for his studies.

Go Minhyuk (23 yrs), a young man who is very passionate and sociable. When he graduated from school, he attended basic barista training and immediately fell in love with this profession until now.

Choi Ara (26 yrs), despite our age, Ara has a great motherly character. She has been married for 3 years, but she has not been blessed with children till now. She is very patient. She was always the one to talk to when the employees were in trouble.

Kim Sossa (22 years) comes from a wealthy family. Her father is a dentist and her mother is a teacher. But she admitted that she didn't like studying, she only go to the university because her parents told her to do it. She is studying at Seoul Women's University, majoring in Korean.

Jang Hansol (28 yrs), he is a hardworking man and a little bit shy. He is married and has a 1 year old daughter. He used to own a coffee shop in Busan, his hometown. When the shop went bankrupt, he decided to move with his wife to Seoul to find work here.

Lee Eunso (23 yrs), a tall girl with pleasant face. She is good at cooking and baking. Eunso has only been working at Minerva for 2 weeks. Previously she worked at a famous coffee shop in Daegu, but because her parents recently divorced, she chose to move to Seoul with her mother.

While enjoying Eunso's cake, we shared stories with each other.

"Oenni, what's wrong with your cellphone? We all tried to contact you but couldn't connect", asked Aeri while eating cake

"Aah, Mianhae, I forgot to tell you my new cell phone number", I replied a little guilty

"You changed your number? Did you lose your cellphone?", Asked Hansol, frowning

"Ani, I just changed my number. My cellphone is fine," I replied, shaking my head

"We will have a holiday at Christmas, won't we, Oenni?", Sossa asked me

"Ye. We're having a holiday on Christmas day, so you can spend time with your family", I replied after swallowing my cake

"Do we also have year-end holidays? Because my husband asked me to visit Jeju Island on New Year's Eve," said Ara

"Ye. We will be off for a few days until January 3rd", I replied smiling at Choi Ara.

"Whoaa daebak !!", Minhyuk replied excitedly

In an instant my birthday cake was gone. Lee Eunso never stopped getting compliments from us. The cakes are fantastic.

Then, When a group of visitors came, we hastily ended our conversation. Aeri immediately ran to the reception desk to greet visitors. Ara, Sossa and Yunsu cleaned up the leftovers, while Minhyuk, Hansol and Eunso returned to the coffee shop to prepare cakes and coffee for the day.

"Noona, there are gifts for you", Yunsu said to me when I was about to go to my room

"Eh, gifts?", I asked looking at him

"Ye. I have put them in your office. There is a flower and a gift box sent this morning", he replied

"Arasso. Thank you Yunsu~aah", I replied

I walked down the stairs to my office. I wonder who sent me gifts. My parents never send gifts without telling me first, and usually the gifts are sent directly to my apartment, not to Minerva.

I opened my office door and saw red flowers in a small pot on my desk. There is a white card among the red flowers. The plant was beautifully wrapped in gold colored tissue paper. Next to it is a black gift box with a red ribbon on it. I closed my office door and walked towards the gifts. What a beautiful flower. I touched the red velvet flower petals.

"So beautiful", I said softly

I took the white card and read it.

"Dear Kim Sora,

Happy birthday, Jagiya...

May your days filled with joy and happiness and also may your birthday be as amazing as you are.

Jagi, I still remember how my heart skipped and leaped in joy when I first met you. I never thought I would find someone so spectacular. I hope I can celebrate many more birthdays with you.

On your special day, I give you your birth flower, "Red Camellia". It symbolizes love, passion and deep desire. This flowers really suits you in every way, Jagi.

I'm sorry I can't celebrate your special day with you. I hope you understand. You have to know that right here, right now, I'm always thinking of you.

See you soon, jagiya. I have a special gift for you when we meet later.

I love you,

KNJ "

I smile reading the greeting card from Namjoon. I feel my chest tight with happiness. Camellias, beautiful flowers. I will take care of it with all my heart. I moved the flower pot to the table beside the couch. I opened my cell phone and wrote a message to Namjoon.

"Jagiyaa~, I've received your flowers. It's so beautiful, Thank you. I never felt this happy on my birthday. Are you getting ready to go to Japan? I hope your fan meeting goes well. I can't wait to see you again, I love you ", I wrote

Suddenly I remembered the last night we met. I was so tired after crying. I just want to rest in Namjoon's arms.

"How embarrassing. How could I ask him to sleep with me. You idiot!!", I covered my face with my hands when remembering that time

I don't really remember what happened after we got into bed. I just remember he caressed my head and I became comfortable and sleepy. When I woke up the next morning, Namjoon was not there.

I tried to contact him, but there was no answer until late afternoon. It turned out that he was practicing that day and only finished in the afternoon. After that he kept teasing me, saying that I fell asleep like I was passed out. He said that he woke me up, but I fell asleep so fast and I didn't move at all till morning. I felt so embarrassed.

* tring

"Have you received it? Thank goodness. I'm on my way to the airport. I'm glad you liked the flowers. Okay, I gotta get ready. I'll call you again when I arrive in Japan. Happy birthday once again, jagiya~. Saranghae", Namjoon's message

I turned off my cell phone and smiled at the little Camellias. Then I turned my gaze to the black box that was still on my desk. A large red ribbon wrapped around it beautifully. Then there is a small card with the words "for Kim Sora" attached to the ribbon, but it doesn't say who the sender is.

"Who sent this? ", I thought, frowning

I untied the ribbon and opened the lid of the box. Instantly a foul smell wafted out of the box.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !!!!!", I shouted very loudly I was shocked to see what's inside the black box

I felt my body tremble with shock.

"No! No! Oh my god! No !!", I walked backwards and closed my mouth

"Noona! What's wrong ??", shouted Yunsu, appearing in front of my office door along with Sossa and Ara

I can't say anything, I just point to the black box which is still lying on my desk. I felt my body shaking uncontrollably.

"Oenni, gwaenchana?", Said Sossa, looking worried, walking over to me

Yunsu walked over to the box and cursed.

"What is this ?! So disgusting", he said in shock

"What's in it? What's wrong, Yunsu~aah?", Asked Ara with an anxious face to Yunsu who was still standing transfixed in front of the table

"Aigo !! What is this !! Oh, how scary! Who sent this!", Said Ara in panic after seeing the contents of the box.

"What is it, Oenni?", Asked Sossa who was still holding my trembling body

" A rabbit! Its a dead rabbits!", Replied Ara frantically while holding her stomach and ran out of the room as if holding back vomiting

My legs felt weak, I squatted at the door, shocked and scared. Inside the black box is a white rabbit that has died. His neck was torn open, blood was pooling at the bottom of the box and there was "you are next!" written on the poor rabbit's body using its blood. It soaked its fur so that it turned into a hideous brownish red color.

"I'll call the police. Oenni, hang on," Sossa told me and ran towards the first floor

"Noona, gwaenchana?", Said Yunsu walking over to me, his face very worried

I shook my head and bit my lip holding back tears. Then Yunsu took me to a chair at the employee rest area in the next room.

"It's awful", said Ara who just came out of the bathroom while wiping her mouth

"What's wrong, Yunsu~aah ??", asked Hansol and Minhyuk, running in to the room

"Sossa said about something disgusting and had to call the police, is there something happened?", Asked Minhyuk confusedly when he saw me and Ara who sat limply on the chair

"There is someone who sent a dead rabbit as a threat to Noona", Yunsu replied, pointing into my office

"Huh? Rabbit? What do you mean?", Asked Hansol, didn't understand

Then the three men went to my office. I can hear them swearing. They talk to each other so fast. I couldn't understand what they were talking about because my mind was still trying to digest what had just happened.

Ten minutes later, two policemen came to see us. Minhyuk, Ara and Sossa, and Eunso returned to the first floor to serve the visitors. Meanwhile Hansol, Yunsu, and Aeri accompanied me to talk to the police.

"Who received the package first? Would you please tell us in detail?", Asked the tall policeman looking at us

"Me, sir. I came at 7 o'clock, and I saw that there was already a gift box in front of the first floor entrance. I didn't see who brought it. But because it written "for Kim Sora" on it , I thought this was someone's birthday present for Sora Noona. So I brought it in and put it on the reception desk. Then ten minutes before we opened Minerva, I brought this box and other gifts to Sora noona's room", Yunsu explained in detail

"Are there other gifts?", Asked the policeman again

"Ye, a flower in a pot", Yunsu replied again

"Did you also receive it?", This time the policeman with glasses of eyes asked

"No. I was cleaning the 2nd floor when the courier delivering flowers came. I know it because several times the courier rang the bell at the reception desk. Then Aeri noona received it," Yunsu replied

"Is it true that you received it? Is there anything suspicious about the shipment?", Asked the policeman with glasses again

"Ye, I received the flower. It's just ordinary flowers, nothing suspicious. According to the courier who delivered, it's a birthday present for Sora Oenni from her boyfriend, "Aeri replied while remembering

"Where are the flowers now?", Asked the policeman with glasses

"The flowers should be in Sora Oenni's room. Because I asked Yunsu to put the two gifts in her office", replied Aeri looking at me

"Ye. The flower is in my room", I replied in a trembling voice

Then we all headed to my office. I showed the policeman where I put the flowers and showed the greeting card from Namjoon. The box containing the dead rabbit has been put into the police car for further inspection.

"Can I talk to your boyfriend? I want to confirm this," said the tall policeman to me

"Eh, currently he is not in Korea, he is doing work in Japan. But I can give you his cell phone number", I replied

"Arasso", he replied. "Have you recently experienced something strange?", He asked again

"Huh?mmmm...", I replied hesitantly

"Ye. Something happened last month, right Noona? It's about your car tire being damaged," said Yunsu looking at me

"Ah ye! Your car tires were damaged several times, right Oenni?", Aeri joined in

I looked at them all in turn. I doubt, should I report everything that happened?

"Ye. It's true what they say. I'll tell you everything", I said looking at the two policemen

"Arasso. You can tell my colleagues, while me and your employees will check the CCTV cameras", replied the bespectacled policeman

Then he, Hansol and Yunsu went to the first floor, to the reception desk, where the CCTV monitor was located. Meanwhile, Aeri was waiting in the next room. I told him about the broken tire incident, then about the terror message I received for almost a month. I also said that I suspected someone. The police said they would ask for information from all the people involved, then they would look into this case and try to find out who the perpetrator was.

When the policeman with glasses returned to my room, he reported that it had been recorded that someone wearing black hoodie and a black mask came and put a black box in front of the door. However, because the angle of the camera and the clothes he/she wore, making it difficult for the police to find out the identity of the perpetrator.

"We will bring this CCTV footage and we will investigate it. We will notify you when there is progress of this investigation", said the bespectacled policeman ending his examination

"Ye, thank you, sir," we replied

When the inspection was over, I leaned back against the sofa. I nervously played with the crescent moon pendant around my neck. I have to tell Namjoon. But he is busy right now, is it wise to tell him now ?, my mind raged.

And who sent this? It's so scary. I tried to catch my breath. But my hands were still shaking from the incident.

"Oenni, gwaenchana? I brought you warm chamomile tea so you can feel calm", Aeri appeared while bringing me a cup of tea.

"Gomawo Aeri ssi", I replied smiling weakly at her

I accepted the cup with my trembling hands. The warm aroma of chamomile gave me a little comfort. I drank a little and the warmth spread throughout my body.

"Oenni, you're so pale. You better go home and rest", said Aeri softly

"Ye", I replied looking at Aeri

"I'm really sorry this happened to you. I hope the culprit is caught soon", she said again sympathetically

"Maybe I'll rest at home for a few days. Can you take care of the minerva for me?", I asked Aeri

"Ye, Oenni. I'll take care of Minerva, don't worry", answered Aeri with smile on her face

"Gomawo", I smile at her

Aeri then left my office to return to the first floor. Soon there was the sound of footsteps walking fast.

Slam!

The sound of my office door opening wide.

"Sora~aah !! Are you okay ??", Said Sunmi frantically

"Sunmi~aah", I replied

"Sora! Gwaenchana? I saw a police car outside and Yunsu said something had happened! Are you okay?", Sunmi came running to me with a pale face.

I immediately hugged Sumni when she arrived in front of me. I told her what had happened in a trembling voice. Sunmi looked at me in disbelief and hugged me tightly.

"Oh my God!! It's terrible!! Who did it?! Oh gosh, I don't believe this!", Said Sunmi angrily

"I don't know, Sunmi. The police are investigating at this time," I replied weakly as I sat back on the couch

"Minwoo didn't do this before, why is it getting worse?! what is the motive behind all this???", said Sunmi more to herself

I didn't answer, I massage my head because it hurts so much.

"Since you changed your cell phone number, the messages never came back, right, Sora?", Asked Sunmi sitting beside me

"I don't think they know my new cell phone number", I replied shaking my head weakly

"Therefore, they did this to you. But this is very risky, they could be caught, right?", Said Sunmi, speaking like a detective

"They are doing reckless things, I think they are desperate, because they can't bother you with any more messages. I hope the police find something", Sunmi was still talking to herself

"Ye, I think so Sunmi", I replied staring blankly at the Camellia flower beside me

"I will ask the police to check the CCTV from a shop around here, maybe they will find out where this perpetrator came from", replied Sunmi looking at me full of determination

I nod at her.

"All right, I'll take you home Sora. I will accompany you today ", said Sunmi getting up from the couch

I followed her towards the door. It is only 2 pm now, but I already feel very tired.

————————————————————

Sunmi repeatedly checked on me while we were on the way to my apartment.

"I can't believe this happened on your birthday, Sora", said Sunmi sympathetically

"Maybe they did it on purpose today", I replied

"Yes, it could be. Anyway, I've met Minwoo a few days ago, he said that he didn't do it. I almost slapped him because he talked in a complicated way. How annoying", said Sunmi with an annoyed face

"I don't think Minwoo did this, Sunmi. It wasn't his hand writing that is written on the card", I said, frowning

"Jinjja? Are you sure?", Asked Sunmi, widened her eyes at me

"Ye. I'm pretty sure it's not his handwriting ", I replied remembering

"Then whose doing this? This really bothered me, Sora", said Sunmi with a gloomy face

"I don't know. It scares me, Sunmi. I don't know why they did it", I replied, biting my lip anxiously

I've never felt like this. I guess after those messages there will be no more incident like this. We spent the rest of the trip in silence, busy with our own thoughts. When I got home, I immediately lay down on the couch.

"I'll order lunch. What do you want to eat, Sora?", said Sunmi from the kitchen

"I don't want to eat anything", I replied, closing my eyes

"You have to eat, Sora. I'll just order fried chicken and toppoki then", said Sunmi walking to the balcony while calling the restaurant to order food.

* pipipip

My cell phone is ringing. I took it from my bag and I saw Namjoon's name on the screen.

"Yeoboseyo, Jagi?", I said

"Kim Sora! Jagi, are you okay?", Namjoon asked in a worried voice

"Uh?", I straightened myself into a sitting position

"the police called me. Asking me about my gift. They confirmed whether I really sent it. They said something had happened to you. I'm really worried, jagiya~ ", said Namjoon seriously

"I'm fine. You don't need to worry. Someone sent a dead rabbit to me with a threatening message on it. I'm in shock, but I'm fine right now, jagiya~. I'm sorry, I was about to tell you, but it turns out that the police called you first", I replied while massaging my forehead

"What ?? A dead rabbit?? Ottoke? Who did it ??", asked Namjoon in shock

"Calm down, I don't know who sent it. But the police are currently investigating. Hopefully they will find the culprit soon", I replied

"This is too much. I told you jagi, they will do something terrible for you! I'll discuss this with my manager. Maybe I can hire a bodyguard for you", said Namjoon in a frustrated voice

"Ani! Don't Jagi, no! I don't need that. I can take care of myself. Don't worry too much. The police have already handled it. I'm sure the culprit will be caught soon. Don't worry too much about me," I said trying to calm him down

"I can't calm down before the culprit is caught, Sora. I don't want them to hurt you! What if they do something crazy ?!", Said Namjoon in a loud voice holding back his emotions

"Oppa, please calm down! This is the reason I don't want to tell you about this matter. You become worried and overreacting! ", I shouted

"What?! I overreacting??", Namjoon yelled

"Try to be calm! I also don't want this to happen!", I replied in a trembling voice

"I'm so worried right now that I can't concentrate. I feel like I want to go back to Korea right now. How can you expect me to be calm, while my girlfriend is in danger!", He continued in a loud voice, I heard his breath gasping because of emotion

"I'm sorry, I know you're worried about me. But I'm fine. Trust me. I can take care of myself here", I replied frustratedly

There was a whisper voice from across the phone, but I can't hear it clearly.

"Fine! I have to go. We'll talk about this later", Namjoon replied stiffly and hung up the phone

"Ani. Jagi, jagiya ~!", I called him

I stared at my cellphone screen. My heart ached, I felt my eyes grow blurry with tears. Did we just fight? Is he mad at me?? Why did it hurt so much ?.

I didn't mean to shout at him. I feel the tears running down my cheeks. And without realizing it, I started to sob.

"Sora? What's wrong?", Said Sunmi confused

Sunmi just came back from the balcony. She must be surprised to see me suddenly cry like this.

"Sora, what happened?", Asked Sunmi on her knees in front of me so that she can see my face

"We fought", I replied sobbing in her arms

"Fought? Who? Did you fight with Namjoon?", She asked, rubbing my back

"I didn't mean to shout at him, it's just that he was overreacting. He must be mad at me", I replied

"Gosh, calm down Sora. I'm sure you guys just misunderstood. Take a deep breath", replied Sunmi softly

"Why is this happening to me, Sunmi? What is my fault? Why does someone hate me so much? And Namjoon, Namjoon must be very disappointed in me", I said again still sobbing

"Calm down Sora, I'm sure the culprit will be caught soon. We'll find him. Be patient for a moment, I know you're strong. And Namjoon loves you very much. I think he's just worried about you", said Sunmi, stroking my hair gently

I spent the rest of my birthday resting in my room. My head hurts and I'm not feeling well. Sunmi is worried that I have a fever. I fell fast asleep after taking medicine.

————————————————————

I woke up when a message came to my cellphone. I saw the clock showed 8 pm. I have slept for 4 hours. My body still feels weak but the pain in my head has lessened a little. I heard Sunmi's talking with someone on the phone in my living room.

I took my cellphone and read the message my mother sent me.

"Anyyeong Sora, happy birthday my dear daughter. Appa and oemma (dad and mom) always pray that your life will always be filled with happiness and blessings. Forgive us for not being able to visit you today. Your father just finished a job in Hongkong. We just returned to Gwangju this afternoon.

We miss you so much, honey. I hope you can visit Gwangju later. Oemma will cook all the food you like. Are you eating well there? Don't miss your meal. Take good care of your health, sweetheart.

I know that you are an adult now, but for us, you are our precious baby girl. We are very proud of you, Sora. You have always been a strong girl and we can always count on. We love you, Sora"

I bit my lip holding back tears. I really miss my parents. I didn't tell my parents about my current situation. I don't want them to worry.

"You are next!!"

I closed my eyes, trying to erase the words. To be honest, I was really scared.

Who are they?

Do I know them?

what do they want from me?

I don't know what their motive is and what is their purpose ...

Suddenly, I felt very lonely. The feeling of happiness that I felt this morning just seemed to evaporated.

I opened my eyes and looked up at the ceiling.

Maybe this is what they wanted, making me feeling gloomy, frustrated and anxious all the time. But I won't give up that easily. I will fight them. I will try to find them and make them pay for everything they have done to me.