A Diligent Person
Chapter One:
“Great job once again.” My boss Jeong Jaeyeong says as he walks into our pharmacy located in Seongsu-dong district of Seoul, Korea. I’m at the front counter, helping a patient decide on the correct vitamin that will further help her overall health when he shouts that. I’m startled but I don’t show it. Jaeyeong is wearing a nice black suit with a black tie to match. His black loafers are so shiny, I could see my reflection in them. His short black hair is slicked back, out his face and his clear rimmed circle glasses sit perched nicely on the bridge of his nose before he pushes them closer to his face.
“So, you’re saying this multivitamin will be the best choice? I’ve heard really good things aboutVitaChicthough. Are you sure I can’t use those ones?” The patient asks me. She looks to be in her early fifties. She’s short with gray long hair, soft brown eyes, and crow’s feet in the corners of her eyes. She smiles and laughs a lot. She’s watching me intently, waiting to hear my opinion on the vitamins she’s indecisive about.
“Gyeong!” Jaeyeong calls, waving at me. “Did you hear me?” He drops his hand to his side as he gives me a pondering look. As if to say ′Why aren’t you responding to me?′ I look away from the patient for a brief moment to address him.
“I’ll be right with you Mister Jeong.” I say politely before turning back to the patient. He lets out a small guff and I pretend I don’t hear it. “As I was saying, based on the things you are looking for in a multivitamin, I really think you’ll thrive with a more natural based vitamin.RoyalVitais one of our best brands we offer here as well.” The patient looks a bit skeptical but after a few passing moments she nods.
“Alright. I’ve heard you’re one of the best pharmacists we have in town. I’ll take your word on it.” She sits the two bottles of vitamins on the counter and I take the VitaChic one away from her and scan the RoyalVita in the system.
“That’ll be 29,129 won.” I say kindly. She hands me three 10,000 won bills and I give her change back, which is 871 won. She bows slightly, thanking me before she leaves with her brown paper bag. The door dings as she walks out and I direct my attention towards Jaeyeong. “Hi Mister Jeong. Good to see you.” I say. He fixes his jacket as he dusts the ends of it off with his hands. I notice the silver band on her left hand.Who could marry someone like that?
“You handled that patient very well, Miss Kang. As always, you exceed my expectations for all my workers.” I nod, showing a polite smile.
“Thank you sir.” I say as I give a slight bow. “Did you need something by chance?” He shakes his head.
“Oh no. I was just doing my annual check ins with each pharmacy.” He looks around, noticing how quiet it is in here. “Are you here alone?” I nod.
“Two of my workers fell ill so I told them to stay home.” I say. He narrows his eyes slightly.
“It seems they are always sick when I come in.” I force a smile on my face.
“I suppose we just have terrible luck then, right?” He doesn’t laugh at my joke and I don’t try a jab again.
“They better be here next time I arrive.” I bow down slightly once again.
“I will make sure they are here sir.” He turns his back on me and I watch as he heads towards the exit. “Thank you for stopping by Mister Jeong. It’s always a pleasure when you stop by.” I call. He throws his hand in the air as the door shuts behind him. I let out a loud sigh as I look towards the ceiling.Fuck. He’s insufferable.
The rest of my shift at Barun Pharmacy goes quick and I’m thankful because I have a drink that’s just waiting for me to consume it. Barun pharmacy is opened Monday-Friday 8:30AM-8:00PM and the weekends 8:30AM-5:00PM. Today is Sunday and the summer heat outside has cooled down since this earlier afternoon. The sun is still high in the sky but not nearly as intense. I lock the pharmacy up before making my way to the bus stop to get ready to go home. I would love some ice cream now. My phone vibrates and I pull it out to see that it’s a text from my group chat with my friends. It’s named ‘바보 바보들’ (Stupid Idiots).
keeho: yo gyeong, we r at the bar in itaewon. r u free?
I start to respond back, a smile on my face.
gyeong: im there ^^ think u can save me a spot?
harin: of course!
jiwoo: we r here 2. cant wait to see u!
The bus arrives and I make my way to the bar they texted me that they are at. The bar is a nice hidden gem that has a mixture of young and older patrons that attend frequently. They have a dance floor and a back patio with a pool table and a jukebox that can play any songs anyone wishes to hear. Currently, it’s playing a popular Dean song. ′Pour Up′
“Gyeong! Over here!” Keeho’s voice rings into the air as I stand by the door. I smile as I see him with Harin and Jiwoo. I walk over to them and squeeze into the booth next to Keeho while Harin and Jiwoo quickly start pouring me a drink.
“Still in your work attire I see. Did you come straight here from work?” Keeho teased as he pinched the sleeve of my white lab coat. I scoff, reaching over to swat his fingers away.
“Do you say that to businessmen and women that come to the bars in their suits?” I ask as Harin pushes a tall glass of beer towards me.
“Now, why would I do that? I don’t know them.” Keeho teases as he reaches for his half empty glass of beer.
“Can you shut up?” Jiwoo questioned before clicking her tongue in annoyance. I giggle as Keeho gives her the finger. Jiwoo and Keeho are always bickering amongst each other. Some people often mistaken them for brother and sister instead of friends because of how often they bicker with one another. Harin rolls her eyes as she directs her attention to me.
“Anyway girl, how was your day? Work went okay?” I take a long drink from my glass before nodding my head.
“Easy shift. My boss stopped in earlier today. He’s so insufferable. It’s insane.” Jiwoo sighs dreamily as she runs a hand through her short black hair. It used to be longer but she chopped it to a short bob. It suits the frame of her face better than the long hair.
“Jeong Jaeyeong is so handsome. I envy his wife.” She says, her gray eyes sparkling. I scoff.
“I don’t. The only person who can handle someone like him is someone who is exactly like him. I bet his wife is just as bad.” I say before finishing the last of my drink. “Pour me another one, will you?” I ask, motioning to Harin. She giggles as she takes my glass, pouring me another tall glass.
“Sometimes, people like that just need to be fucked really good. I bet they have great sex.” Harin says as she pushes the glass back towards me. Keeho makes a face, sticking out his tongue in disgust.
“Please. Do you have to be so vulgar?”
“Do you have to be such a prude?” We all laugh.
“Speaking of vulgar behavior, I heard you’re back with Mingi.” Jiwoo says, wiggling her eyebrows at me. I almost choke on my drink while Harin bursts out laughing. I sit my glass down, glaring at them both. Keeho raises an eyebrow.
“You went back to Korea’s biggest playboy? You like humiliation that bad?” He asks. I turn my glare towards him.
“Oh, cut her some slack. Hongjoong broke up with her via text. Which is like the worst way to dump anyone.” Jiwoo says.
“Personally speaking, Mingi is hotter than Hongjoong anyway. I’d say it’s still a win babe.” Harin says as she cheers to herself with her drink. I sigh loudly.
“It’s almost like I don’t even exist.” I mumble as I grab my glass. “And for the record. We are not together. If anything, he’s a sitationship that happens to be really good at fucking.” I say before bringing the glass to my lips.
“Don’t be stingy. Share details with the class.” Harin says as looks at me with hopeful eyes. I stifle my laugh.
“We should grab a bite to eat while we are here as well. How does tteokbokki sound?” I ask, sitting my glass on the table. The others groan loudly.
“We always eat ttkeobokki. Even when we aren’t drinking.” Keeho mumbles.
“How about fried chicken? We are drinking beer after all.” Harin offers. I shake my head.
“It would be my third day in a row having chicken. I don’t see what’s wrong with ttkeobokki.” Jiwoo sits her empty glass down before she reaches for the pitcher of beer that is getting emptier by the second.
“How about we have sundae and gyeran jjim?” She offers. We all agree and continue drinking and chatting about whatever comes to our minds.
After eating and drinking till we’ve had our fill, we leave the bar. The sun has just set and the sky is now a nice midnight blue with a few twinkling stars in the sky. It’s 9PM. Harin and Jiwoo decide to call it a night while Keeho decides to hit up another bar. The night is still young he says.
“What are you going to do, Gyeong?” Jiwoo asks. Harin smiled at me with her warm brown eyes as she listened playfully for my response.
“Gonna call your sitationship up?” She teased. I click my tongue in annoyance which makes her laugh.
“I’m just going to go home. Besides, he’s busy today I believe.” Keeho grins.
“I’m sure if you beg him enough, he’ll cancel whatever he’s doing to be with you.” He teases. I playfully shove him.
“Fuck off. Everyone get to where you’re going safe and sound. See you soon?” They all nod, waving and calling goodbye as they head off. I head back towards the bus stop as the three of them walk together, laughing and joking with one another. I sit on the bench inside the bus stop and pull out my phone.Would he really come to me if I begged him? Why should I beg him for attention anyway? We are just a situationship. Nothing more. We couldn’t be anything more. Mingi doesn’t want to settle down and I’m not going to be the one to make him settle.I scroll through my contacts until my fingers land on his name. I hit the call button and put the phone to my ear. It rings twice before the automated voicemail comes on. I hang up, dropping my phone into my lap.
Of course he wouldn’t answer. You know that he only makes time when it benefits him.My phone vibrates with a text.
mingi: busy. u ok?
I stare at the message, pondering if I should bother with a response.He’s probably busy screwing another dumb girl.
gyeong: im fine. just wanted 2 c if u were free.
mingi: 30 mins. is that ok?
Just say no Gyeong. Don’t give in.
gyeong: sure. ur place or mine?
mingi: urs. 🤙🏻
I sit my phone back in my lap and look out upon the street.I can’t believe I’m doing this again.
