# Chapter 45
I looked for the notice that was previously attached in front of the bookstore still under construction. It had definitely been on the door before, but today I couldn’t see it.
‘Could they have already found staff?’
I had already told Woosang that I would work here, but my plans were in danger of falling apart before they even started.
When I came last time, the place was still under construction with nothing much to see, but in just a few days, shelves and boxes had piled up inside. Just then, someone spoke to me from behind.
“Do you have business here?”
“Ah, no. I was just curious about the interior…”
“I see. We’re opening next month. Please come back then.”
A woman with a somewhat firm expression spoke to me calmly. Judging by her words, she seemed to be associated with the bookstore. If so, I thought I could ask if they were still hiring.
“Excuse me, has the staff recruitment already ended?”
“No. Are you interested? Actually, we needed a male employee to carry heavy items… Would you like my contact information?”
“Yes, please.”
The woman took out her phone and gave me her number. I clumsily entered the digits and waited for her to tell me her name.
“Your name is…?”
“Natalie. And yours?”
“…Teo.”
I entered her name in my phone and sent a text message to that number. Natalie said she received it, put her phone away, and extended her hand to me.
“I’ll contact you again soon. See you then.”
“Yes, likewise…”
“Take care.”
I thought she would ask me something more, but after saying just what needed to be said, Natalie went back inside.
I followed her with my eyes as she worked on something inside the bookstore. Seeing her make a call, I felt like I should go back and do what I needed to do.
I got her contact information more smoothly than expected. It felt strange.
With a bit of excitement, I walked quickly toward home. I wanted to tell Woosang right away. That I had managed to set up an appointment naturally on my own. Of course, it wasn’t confirmed that I’d actually be working, but I had a good feeling.
I climbed the stairs quickly, not even thinking to close my clothes against the cool air. I unlocked the door and looked for Woosang.
“Woosang.”
“You’re back early?”
“Yes. I just…”
“Wait.”
He exclaimed, looking at my hands. Wondering if there was something wrong with them, I checked with my eyes, but nothing seemed unusual. I looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“Where’s the detergent?”
“Ah.”
I just then remembered that I had gone to buy detergent and planned to check the bookstore’s number along the way. As I hurriedly tried to go back out the door, Woosang grabbed my arm.
“These days, you keep leaving your mind elsewhere… I found some leftover detergent in the corner, so let’s go later.”
I muttered in agreement and obediently went inside. After taking off my shoes and outer clothes, I checked the newspaper while drinking the tea Woosang handed me.
Only then did I recall that I had been meaning to tell him about the bookstore. Woosang was running the laundry and starting to clean busily.
‘It’s not urgent, I’ll tell him later.’
It seemed better that way, as nothing was confirmed yet. I drank the tea in my hands absentmindedly, enjoying the small flutter in my heart. I was embarrassed at myself for being as excited as a child, but I really was that thrilled.
A new beginning was not far off. There was no guarantee of success, but there was also no clear evidence that I would fail.
It’s okay, I muttered quietly to myself.
***
“I’m starting work next week.”
“What?”
Woosang, with a surprised expression, put down the newspaper he was holding onto the table. The newspaper, falling with a fluttering sound, contained news of incidents in Paris.
I stretched my neck to look at an article about strengthened crackdowns on illegal residents, which caught my interest.
Tap.
Woosang’s hand came down on the article.
“What job?”
“The bookstore job… I told you about the new bookstore opening right in front. I exchanged contact information a while ago, and when they called me to come in, we had a brief talk and they asked me to start working right away.”
“Why am I hearing this for the first time?”
I couldn’t explain that it happened when I forgot the detergent and I was too embarrassed to mention it.
Though he gave me a disapproving look, he didn’t object.
“What about Woosang?”
“Me?”
“When are you going to start working?”
“I’ve been looking at audition notices. But due to the timing, there’s nothing suitable.”
I couldn’t tell if he was being sincere or just making it up, but it seemed like he was showing his willingness to try, so I nodded and leaned back.
Woosang looked at me as if he had some complaint, then got up and headed to the living room. I wondered if I should leave him alone, but he didn’t seem too serious, so I followed him. Just then, Woosang checked my phone and, for some reason, let out a small sigh.
“What’s wrong?”
“…I was thinking about not telling you.”
He spoke after some hesitation.
“That guy, you know.”
“Oliver?”
I asked hesitantly at the sudden mention. Woosang put the phone in his pocket and spoke with a serious expression.
“…He keeps contacting you. Nothing important, though.”
The image of the man I had deliberately tried to erase from my mind came back. I remembered the man who had approached me casually and spoke lightly.
Seeing that nothing serious had happened so far, Oliver didn’t seem to be connected to Hund. Was it really because he had some interest in me?
But even so, it was strange. I felt uncomfortable with him approaching me so casually after just exchanging a few words.
He was different from Woosang. His strange pretense and seemingly fake smile made me uncomfortable. I vaguely guessed Oliver’s emotions.
He was not a person with pure goodwill toward me. That’s why I didn’t want to face him. If he wasn’t a threat to my life, I just wanted to bury it all somewhere.
It was too early to make a decision, but I asked Woosang as if expressing my frustration.
“Just, could you block him?”
“…”
Woosang nodded without hesitation. He probably thought my attitude was a relief.
When I first encountered Oliver in Switzerland, I don’t think I felt this way. But as time passed and I saw him noticeably approaching me, I felt a small sense of crisis.
Clearly, this man seemed to have something that could shake me. That’s what I thought. On top of that, Oliver’s attitude was gradually changing to match my wariness.
I looked at Woosang standing before me. Contrary to his seemingly tense expression, I felt stability. Recently, I could feel that things between us were becoming somewhat stable, and neither Woosang nor I was creating intense anxiety.
We won’t leave each other now. At least not at this time. So I had to protect what needed to be protected.
“When Woosang starts working, I’ll tell you in detail then.”
I said with a forced smile. He recognized my stiff expression and just said he understood.
I don’t want to be shaken. I didn’t want to destroy the peace we’d built with effort and all the new things about to start. Woosang probably felt the same way.
I hoped that this precarious tranquility would last. I desperately wished that misfortune would pour down only when nothing could break us apart.
***
“Your name was Teo, right?”
“Yes.”
Natalie and I stood in the messy, disorganized bookstore. Dressed in comfortable attire, we had to clean this place up nicely.
“We need to organize everything here before the opening. I’ll teach you the difficult things after we open, but for today, please move the books I’ve stacked to the storage. Oh, can I speak informally to you?”
“Yes. It’s fine.”
“Great. You can speak comfortably to me too. Please organize everything on the ground in the storage.”
I nodded and loaded the books already on the floor into a large cart. Being my first time doing this job, the books kept falling to the floor. I was anxious, fearing I might get scolded if the books were damaged, but Natalie worked without saying much.
She worked very quickly, and when I tried to keep up, it felt like the ground was spinning. Still, thanks to Natalie’s easy-to-understand explanations, the work progressed quickly.
After a few hours, I could feel that the surroundings were getting organized to some extent. As I was picking up scattered boxes, Natalie patted my back.
“Want to take a short break?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Is the work manageable?”
“Yes. I haven’t done much yet.”
She handed me a small water bottle. I thanked her lightly and drank the water, feeling her gaze fixed on me.
“What did you do before?”
Is there a problem with my work? But judging by her tone, she seemed genuinely curious. However, I couldn’t answer that casually posed question. When I made an ambiguous expression, she laughed openly.
“Well, it’s okay. You might have done nothing at all.”
“No, it’s not that… Yeah.”
Apparently, I give the impression that I haven’t done any work. Since it was better than being questioned persistently, I kept my mouth shut.
Natalie said she had worked in bookstores before and had been assigned to this place. She also said what she really wanted to be was a singer.
“Are you doing two jobs? Aren’t you tired?”
“Well, it’s about ideals and reality, isn’t it?”
It was an incomprehensible statement. Why couldn’t she do what she wanted? In a life without any restrictions, not being able to do what you want…
With her calm tone and somewhat detached appearance, she looked strong. Somehow, she seemed like someone who could achieve anything. She was a different person from me. Perhaps from Woosang too.
After organizing for a few more hours, Natalie called me, saying we should go now. My whole body was sweating from moving stuff all day.
Just then, Natalie handed me two books. I’d never seen the covers before.
“You said you like reading, right?”
“Yes.”
“Would you like to read these before the opening and create a brief recommendation? Of course, if you don’t have time, you can read them after the opening.”
I eagerly took the books and nodded.
“No, I’ll do it.”
“Good. That’s nice. Then, see you tomorrow.”
“Yes. Take care.”
I greeted her with a bland tone. I thought there would be a lot of interaction when working together, but surprisingly, that wasn’t the case, which was interesting.
Both the books in my hands and the new person were unfamiliar. Watching Natalie head toward the bus stop, I turned my steps.
After putting the books in my bag, I walked tiredly, and in front of our home stood a familiar person.
It was Woosang. I greeted him with a slight nod, and he just stared at me. I approached and greeted him. Somehow, I felt warmth pouring over me that I hadn’t felt while working.
Perhaps people work for this feeling. To find the emotion they’ll feel at the end of a hard day.
I smiled at Woosang and thought quietly.
