49 Liza: Saviour

Liza: 18 years, South Korea

I wake up the next day to the pitter patter of the autumn showers. The gentle rain drops hit the window and I watch them race down to the clear glass pane.

Grrr...Grr...Grrrrrrr....

I hear my stomach growl. I get up and slowly try to make my weak wobbling legs walk upto the refrigerator. As I expected, there was nothing left to eat. Just an empty fridge.

Knock..Knock...

I open the door to see the motel manger. "Sorry ma'am, we have a new customer waiting to check in. Can you please make it quick?"

"Yeah...give me five minutes"

I quickly stuff my belongings inside the bag and get out. It had been raining cats and dogs since morning. I see the streets filled with busy people and heavy traffic, just the everyday usual sight.

Everyone's trying to survive. Everyone's running to make money. I've come to realise that money and greed were the root cause of all evil. It was for money that my so called father pretended to love my mom. It was for money that he killed her.

Grrr...Grrr....Grr....

My stomach growl again. It had been two days since I had a proper meal. I feel my head going into a swirl. Something had to be done. I take a look at the gold bracelet that hung around my wrists.

Maa...I'm sorry...I have no other choice...

I need to make quick money and the only way to do that was to pawn the bracelet. This way I would be able to buy it back once i get a job.

Drip...Drop...Drip...Drop...splash...

I see people open their umbrellas, some put on their rain coats and jackets while others run to take shelter from the heavy rain. I see the side walks, the streets ,the road alchemize into a watery mirror. As I didn't own any umbrellas or raincoats, I too join the crowd with no protective gears and run to take shelter.

After sometime, the rain got even heavier. I was finding it difficult to see of what was in front of me and because of my poor vision, I accidentally hit someone and fall down onto a muddy grass patch.

"Hey idiot, stop daydreaming and get out of the way." Yell a random man riding his bicycle over my bag and documents.

"What the?Hey!!!!" I yell back at him. I take a look at my clothes. It was covered in mud. My documents and bag were drenched in rain water.

I had finally reached my breaking point. No job. No money. No place to stay. No food and now ruined documents and possibly muddy clothes. I take a deep sigh and try to get up. Just then I felt something grab my arms.

"Hey are you alright?" whispered a soft voice from behind.

The owner of the voice held onto my arms and was attempting to lift me up. He wore a mask, so his face was not clearly visible but his eyes showed signs of concern.

"Are you hurt anywhere? Can you get up?" He asks again frantically.

"I think I'm okay."

I try getting up but it was of no use. I realise that I have sprained my ankle.

"Ouch. Ah. Ah. Ah. Aigoo. I think I sprained my ankle. Ahh it hurts." I cry in pain. Things couldn't get any worse.

"Please let me help you"

I look up. The stranger and I lock eyes. His hazel eyes sparkled like that of a starlit sky. I wanted to look away but I couldn't. We look at each other and stay like that for a while.

"Hey love birds. Get a room. Move out of the way." Shouts a random taxi driver.

"Oh sorry sir. Come on, grab onto my hands. I'll help you. "

I did as he requested me to do. I didn't want to create a traffic block. Besides that, something in my heart kept whispering to trust this stranger and I did.

The mystery guy wrap his strong arms around my waist and pulled me up in one swish. I rest my arms in his shoulders.

"My home is just around the corner. I'll take you there" He says in a concerned voice.

We lock eyes once again. His eyes seemed to narrate a silent tale and for a moment, I felt my pain wash away. It was a strange feeling, of comfort and care.

"Yes..." I reply. I had no other choice other than to accept his kind offer.

Just as he promised he led me to what seemed to me like a bakery. The drawing room, warm and cosy, smelled like chocolate, caramel and roasted nuts. Potted plants, antique sculptures, and a board saying, "Cake It", was held up on the wall painted pink.

"I think you'll be comfortable here. " He says leading me to sit on the couch.

"Thanks." I reply with a smile.

"Welcome to my humble abode. I'm Lee Eun Woo. Nice to meet you. " He says with a gentle smile removing the mask. I examine his face.

Lee Eun Woo seemed to be in his late twenties. Tall, over six feet with handsome features. Broad shoulders, long legs, strong jawline, thick eye brows, strong hands, perky nose, pink full lips and snow white teeth. All in all, a beautiful young man.

"I'm Li-. I mean Aera."

After arriving at Korea, I was forced to take on a new identity in order to escape from my father's men who were on the lookout for me. I chose the name , "Aera" and cut my hair short in order to disguise myself. I was still not used to the new name and frequently made mistakes, at times almost revealing my true identity.

"May I take a look at your ankle?" He says with a straight serious face.

"Are you a certified doctor?" I say raising my eye brows in doubt.

He looked startled by my unexpected response and reply ,"No... but I can help. You're hurt. "

"I'm okay now.I'm not gonna trouble you further. Thank you for helping me." I say bluntly. I didn't know what kind of person he was. I didn't know if I could really trust him.

"Wait is that BLOOD!??" He shouts, pointing to my legs.

"Blood? What blood???"

I look down at my knees. Turns out he was right, I was bleeding.