Six

The next day, at the office, Karin is busy redesigning Vian's cafeteria. The girl drew some sketches and went back to drawing the building model with the computer.

"What is this?" said Edwin who walked into the room. He knew Vian's cafeteria project was almost over, but he didn't understand why Karin still looked busy, even though there was no new project for the girl after refusing to move from Vian's project.

"Vian didn't agree and wanted to change the previous concept, so I redesigned it again," Karin replied without looking back. The girl seemed so focused on the work in front of her.

Edwin pulled Karin's hand so they were facing each other.

"It's enough!" he said.

"Don't do this project again!"

"I told you, this is my project. I started it and will handle it until the end."

"Karin, he's just playing with you. He's doing this on purpose to keep you tied. Karin, stop this, I'll give you another project," Edwin said with a pleading look. The man's tone became softer. However, Karin still shook her head.

"No, I can't just stop. I have to finish this!"

"Karin, don't you understand too?" Edwin looked down and closed his eyes. He then took a deep breath and opened his eyes again and looked directly at the girl in front of him.

"You don't want to quit? Okay, then I'll be the one to lay you off from your job at this place. Karin, starting today, you're not an employee at this place anymore," he said. Karin looked at the man in disbelief. But Edwin just kept his head down. He himself took the decision with a heavy heart, but he did not want Karin to continue to be close to Vian.

"I don't agree!" exclaimed Vian who was standing in the doorway and overheard their conversation.

Edwin and Karin both turned their heads. They were stunned because they didn't notice that man's presence. Edwin then immediately approached Vian.

"You have no right to talk. Karin works here and I've decided to let her resign," his said.

"So you're not going to change your mind?" asked Vian.

"No," said Edwin curtly.

"Okay, then I also cancel the project with this place, but Karin, she will still work to complete the project," said Vian as he then grabbed Karin's hand. He then pulled that girl away from there.

***

When outside, Karin immediately pulled back her hand which was still held by Vian. That man turned and looked at Karin.

"Your revenge is over, isn't it? I've been expelled from my workplace. I don't think we need to see each other anymore," said Karin.

"The cafeteria isn't finished yet. How can you just walk away?"

"The cafeteria is just an excuse. From the start, I knew you had no interest in running the cafeteria. You were just making up excuses to get revenge on me."

Karin then stepped back. But Vian did not remain silent. He quickly followed and stood facing the girl.

"Who says I'm not serious? I'm certainly serious about that cafeteria. Right now, I'm not getting any work as an actor either. That's why I'm going to manage the place.'

"You can find someone else to solve it. Don't look for me anymore!" said Karin while walking on Vian's right side. Vian was about to speak again, but several people and reporters came over. They immediately surrounded Vian so he couldn't catch up with Karin. He only saw a girl figure walking away from there.

***

Silvi, who had just returned from work, was stunned when she saw Karin was already home. It was unusual for his best friend to be home late in the evening. Karin always comes home when it's dark and even often works late at work.

"What's this? You're not usually home late?" Silvi asked.

"I just got resign of my job," Karin said in a low voice.

Silvi, who was surprised, sat down and stared in disbelief.

"No way. Are you lying to me?"

"Do I look like I'm lying? Do you think if I didn't out, would it be possible for me to be home in the late afternoon?"

Silvi was silent and sighed.

"How come? Did Edwin do nothing? He's in love with you."

Karin just shook her head. She then lay down on the sofa. Silvi no longer asked. She knows Karin's job is the achievement of the girl's dream and now that it's all over, Karin must be very disappointed and sad.

Silvi then went to the kitchen and took out the soju in the fridge.

"Then, don't be sad anymore. I will accompany you to forget your sadness tonight."

***

Edwin's hand clasped tightly on his desk. He remembered what happened when he fired Karin. Who would have thought that Vian would come and take Karin away in front of him?

'I can't even stand still. I should have kept her from going with that man,' she mumbled to herself.

'But why? Why Karin chose to go with him? Why am I so stupid, just standing silently and let it happen?'

Anna opened the door slightly and lifted her head then smiled with her trademark smile.

"Why? Not willing to let her go or can't forget because she's gone with another man?" She asked, walking over to Edwin. She then grabbed the man's clenched fist that was on the table.

"Don't worry, even if she is no longer around, I will always be with you. I will not leave you," she said.

Edwin suddenly shook his head and pulled his hand from Anna's grip.

"Why? What is Karin's advantage over me? Why can't I surpass her in your heart?" asked Anna full of emotion. Edwin shook his head.

"Nothing. You're so much more than her. Still, I can't love you. I love her and that feeling won't change."

***

Karin walked to and from at an irregular pace. After drinking a few glasses, Karin instead took the bottle of soju and left the house.

Silvi who only drank a little and was not so drunk immediately followed while calling her friend repeatedly.

"Karin, we're going home, we're going home, okay?" asked Silvi while holding the girl's hand. Karin suddenly shook her head and pulled back her hand which was held by Silvi.

"No, I don't want to. I want to go there," Karin said with a disgruntled laugh and pointed in one direction.

"Karin!" Silvi shouted again when her best friend walked towards the bus stop and got into the bus which was pausing for a moment waiting for passengers. Immediately Silvi followed her friend.

The strong smell of liquor spread throughout the bus. Some people seem to cover their noses with annoyed faces. Silvi bowed and apologized to them repeatedly.