"Hey, how much longer are you planning to stay here? I need to close the shop."
I hiccupped, burped, then waved him off. "Let me stay a bit longer, Ahjussi. My head's spinning."
(Ahjussi = uncle)
The shop owner glanced at me, stopped mid-stride, and sat across from me. His nose instantly scrunched up.
"Geez, how much did you drink? You reek so bad it's making me sick."
"Hehe... I don't remember."
At first, I only meant to buy one bottle. But once the memories from earlier today crept back in, my chest tightened, and a flood of sorrow broke loose.
I couldn't control my emotions anymore. The bitterness spread from my chest to every corner of my body. Before I knew it, my hands were moving on their own, pouring liquor down my throat. I drained bottle after bottle, desperate to ease the pain.
As if sensing my troubled thoughts, the shop owner asked tactfully and curiously, "What happened?"
"Ha..." I exhaled a long breath.
"Long story short, my love confession was rejected."