Chapter 8
As I chased after the thief, I couldn't believe what was happening. This was a school that exuded wealth and privilege, with state-of-the-art facilities and impeccable architecture. Yet, here I was, running after a thief who had just snatched my phone. The irony was not lost on me.
But what really caught my attention was the reaction of the other students. Instead of helping me catch the thief, they seemed to be clearing a path for him to escape. It was as if they were cheering him on, rather than trying to stop him. I found it bizarre and frustrating.
I kept running, my feet pounding the ground as I shouted "My phone! My phone!" But my cries seemed to fall on deaf ears. Nobody was willing to lend a hand, and the thief was getting further and further away.
I wasn't running because I couldn't afford a new phone. I was running because that phone held so many precious memories. Pictures of me and my parents, special moments that I had captured over the years. If I lost that phone, those memories would be gone forever. The thought of it was unbearable, and it fueled my determination to catch the thief.
As I ran, I felt a mix of emotions: anger, frustration, and desperation. Why wasn't anyone helping me? Didn't they care that someone was stealing from me? I pushed aside my doubts and kept running, my eyes fixed on the thief's fleeing figure. I was determined to get my phone back, no matter what it took.
As I chased after the thief, desperation began to creep in. But just when I thought all hope was lost, a hero emerged from the shadows. A guy, seemingly out of nowhere, tripped the thief, sending him tumbling to the floor. The thief's arms, flailing wildly, as he struggled to regain his balance. But the guy was quick, and he grabbed the thief by the collar, holding him in place.
I panted heavily, my lungs burning from the exertion, as I caught up to the pair. I grabbed my phone from the thief's grasp, relief washing over me. But my anger wasn't so easily assuaged. Without hesitation, I slapped the thief across the face, the sound echoing through the air. The students around us gasped in shock, their eyes wide with surprise.
The guy who had helped me looked taken aback, but I didn't care. I was consumed by rage. I kicked the thief in the butt, and he stumbled away, whimpering. But the guy who had helped me intervened, grabbing my arm and holding me back. "Hey, hey, hey, it's enough," he said, his voice calm and soothing. "You don't want to kill someone here."
I glared at the thief, who cowered in fear. "Look at my face," I spat, my voice venomous. "Avoid me anywhere you see me. How dare you steal my phone?" The thief frantically took off running, disappearing into the crowd.
As I turned to my savior, I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. "I'm really thankful," I said, my voice sincere. "Really, really grateful." The guy smiled, and I was struck by his good looks. Korean guys, I thought, were just too cute. This one was super duper handsome.
He looked at me with a mischievous glint in his eye and said, "If you're thankful, then treat me to dinner or lunch." I laughed, feeling a spark of attraction. "Okay, fine," I said.." He smiled and stretched out his hand. "I'm Jo.....Yong jo sang," he said, introducing himself with a charming smile.
"Sarah!"
As I stood there, my stomach growled loudly, a cacophony of rumbling and churning that helped to punctuate the silence. My stomach was a bottomless pit, and I couldn't remember the last time I'd eaten. "I'm just about to go and have lunch," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I haven't eaten anything yet."
Jo chuckled, a low, throaty sound,"Well, I have eaten," he said, his eyes glinting with mischief. "So, probably you should treat me to dinner." He turned to walk away, but I stopped him, my hand reaching out to grab his arm. The touch was brief, but it sent a jolt of electricity through my body.
"Sorry, please can you just lead me to the nearest restaurant?" I asked, my eyes pleading with him. "Or is there a cafeteria here?" Jo looked at me, his expression sympathetic. "Well, the cafeterias are closed till tomorrow which is a monday" he said. "It's a new semester, and everybody is just coming back to school from the long holiday."
I nodded understandingly, my mind racing with questions. "Which year are you in if I may ask?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. "I'm a final year student." I felt a surge of excitement, a sense of connection that I couldn't quite explain. "Me too," I exclaimed. "I just relocated, and I'm also a final year student."
As we talked, exchanging small talk and getting to know each other, I found myself feeling more and more at ease in his presence. Jo was charming and easy-going, with a quick wit and a ready smile.
As I sat down at the table, I had to practically beg Jo to join me for lunch, but he eventually relented with a charming smile. "I want to pay my debt now, since I don't know what will happen tonight. Maybe I won't be able to come outside or so"
"You must be an introvert!"he said raising an eyebrow.
"maybe!"I laughed
The Korean waitress arrived, and Jo leaned in to whisper, "Do you understand Korean?" I shook my head, and he proceeded to order in fluent Korean. The waitress responded,and I felt a pang of envy at Jo's language skills.
When Jo turned to me and asked, "Would you like maybe raw food and you cook it yourself?" I was taken aback. "Jo,I came here to eat, not to cook," I replied, incredulous. Jo explained that some patrons preferred to cook their own meals due to concerns about food preparation. I shot him a disbelieving look. "It's not like I have a choice. I'm damn hungry. I want cooked food, not raw." Jo chuckled and whispered something to the waitress, who nodded and departed.
As the waitress left, Jo turned to me with a disarming smile. "Tell me, you're a new student, right?" he asked, his hand resting on the table. I nodded, and his eyes crinkled at the corners. "You're pretty I must confess," he said, his voice low and smooth. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, and I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you," I said, trying to play it cool.
Jo's eyes sparkled with amusement, and I felt a flutter in my chest. There was something about him that drew me in, something that made me feel like I was walking into uncharted territory.