chapter nine | manners // fourth email

Seven in the morning, as the sun rose up to its usual position, I found myself doing the same things for days now. And I'm slowly getting used to living alone. So proud of you, Tari.

Waking up to my alarm, fixing my bed, and getting ready for work or email objectives, that's kind of like the cycle of my life for now.

I guess this is really a part of growing.

I stretched my arms out and took ahold of my phone. I received a text message from managernim Alyssa saying that we've got a meeting for Balenciaga regarding the other day's successful photoshoot and another shoot with the brand, Chanel, later for their spring collection.

I haven't heard from my unnie but I got a text yesterday from eomma saying that my sister's been training so hard as her preparation for work and also for the advancement of our company in the near future.

Placing my hair to a messy bun, I fixed my bed and did my morning routine. I went downstairs to prepare for my breakfast.

I prepared my coffee and decided to make a toasted bread for my morning meal. I let my coffee sit for a few minutes in hopes to lessen the heat and chances of getting a burnt tongue again. While waiting for the toaster to cook my breakfast, I prepared some additional toppings and all to make my morning happy somehow.

Yesterday was fun; it consisted of me having fun with the email objectives and hanging out with Zoe Chen. She took lots of great pictures for she showed me some of it during our meal at the Thai restaurant. She's indeed talented with her magnificent camerawork. There's no doubt to why international photography companies hire her to capture things.

I teased her last night about relationships and she was in a relationship indeed. She described her as small but terrible, has a cute face, and a manager from a certain café.

I saw her walk straight into a café after we split ways in going home last night. And as a conclusion, maybe Lucy's her girlfriend. I'm super happy for the both of them.

I got back to the reality when the toaster cooked my breakfast. I happily endulged my breakfast and went to shower afterwards.

I wore a simple dress today as my work clothes and I wore sunglasses once again. After preparing for the day's agenda, I went outside and locked the door behind me, hailing a cab after the action.

----

"We are very impressed with your talent, Miss Nefertari Kim." The staff with a high position from the company of Balenciaga complimented me that everyone else in the meeting room, including my manager, clapped.

He was showing the photos that they're going to publish to magazines, advertisements, billboards, and other public relations outputs. I have to admit, they look truly amazing. The concept of the shoot and the clothes contrasted each other, resulting to one hell of a photoshooThat's not being narcissistic though.

I stood up and bowed. "Kamsamnida."

We continued the meeting until the staff overtimed and we were kinda late for my Chanel shoot.

"We are hoping to have more sucessful shoots with you in the near future, Miss Nefertari. Keep up the good work and a contract's a contract." All of us in the room shook hands with each other formally.

After the said meeting, my manager and I rushed to another place for my Chanel photoshoot and we were scolded upon our arrival.

"Miss Alyssa, pardon me but you two are already late." The staff from Chanel went to us and to our bad luck, the photographer seemed to be in the bad mood already.

"Mianhae. We had a meeting with another brand and they overtimed. We'll get ready immediately." Managernim signalled the crew and we got ready.

"Yah! Palli-palli, everyone! Chop chop!" The old photographer said in frustration. He said some words that hit me personally and to everyone as well. We didn't expect him to say such personal words.

"Why am I here taking pictures of ladies with beautiful bodies but with different personalities. Ugh, what a society we're living in."

"Uhm, ahjussi. It's not like all of them are like that. You may not know them personally and individually." Said managernim and the atmosphere began to get heavy.

"Whatever, I'll just do my job here." The rude photographer replied.

All of us were already pissed at his stupid behavior. I just continued being professional and gave him such sophisticated looks as shot backs to his ugly being.

Honestly, where were his photographer manners?

After the shoot and after getting dressed, I excused myself that I have to go home immediately. I just looked at some of the photos but I'm not in the mood of getting close with that photographer for a long time.

He shouldn't have said those words for he doesn't know everyone's life, or what everyone's going through as of the moment.

I know I should be moving on from it because he was just being an asshole and immature person, but I have a soft heart and I'm kind of sensitive sometimes, especially when it's about private reasons.

Upon pressing the elevator button and waiting for the elevator to arrive at my floor level, I felt someone hold my wrist.

"Tari-ya." Managernim Alyssa called me but I just looked at the metal walls of the elevator door. "Yah, look at me, jebal?"

I looked at her with a blank face but she offered a warm smile. She knows me too well that I cried infront of her.

"Come here to eomma, you little big baby." She said and offered a hug but a playfully punched her shoulder before doing so.

"Don't listen to what they all say because you know yourself what's the truth." She said while combing my hair with her fingers. I nodded while hugging her. "You know who and what matters in your life, so don't let these people bring your walls down. You're strong as hell, Nefertari. I know you already."

We talked for a bit until we've decided to separate ways. She also gave me another dayoff. Way to go, managernim.

----

After unlocking the front door, I went straight to my bedroom and changed for something comfortable to wear into. I changed into a white shirt and sweatpants with my hair into a messy bun again.

"You're way stronger for what other people may seem, Tari!" I said to myself as I checked myself infront of my mirror. I wiped a tear and smiled.

As if on cue, my phone buzzed. It was a new notification. An email notification.

Oh, I've been waiting for it to come around, actually.

I immediately tapped it and smiled at the format that it always has.

Am I still informed that the person sending this is already dead? No? Maybe? I don't know.

From: unknown123

"Email four.

Greetings for the fourth time.

Hi. Tough day at work, eh? Everyone goes through the same thing everyday but they're jerks to say something bad about you. They're jerks for hurting someone as soft as you. They're jerks for saying things inappropriately, especially if it's a man. No actually, if they have the balls to talk like that, they ain't men. They're boys. Anyways, I know how much of strong woman you are so don't let their words bring you down. Square up!

I smiled at this ghost's words. It's as if it was still alive and I'm just having a long distance relationship with it.

Enough of that, go get the two boxes under your bed. Oh, did you water your flowers? Open the boxes and say hello to your fourth email objectives:

I stopped reading and reached for the two boxes under my bed. Opening it, I opened my mouth in awe. The first box was a mountain-climbing bag and second box's content was climbing boots/shoes.

• Go to a convience store and buy the stuff you may want to bring for your adventure. Don't forget to buy lots of water.

• Bukhansan National Park is going to be your playground.

• You can shout your problems at the top of it and there's a buddha once you go down in an another route.

• If you find my writing near the buddha or at the railings near a rock. You'll get something from me. :)

• I'm sorry for letting you hike but I want you to do new things on your own. I'm always watching, don't worry.