"What's wrong?" I asked her.
She just glared at me.
"I wasn't the one who asked you to cook. It was all you," I added.
Oops. I think I went too far.
She stood up, looking like she wanted to give me a beating. But… surprisingly, she didn't. She just closed her eyes, then opened them again.
"If it wasn't because you're one of my favorite celebrities… and my friend's crush, I would have beaten you up," she said.
Her favorite celebrity? Her friend's crush? I blinked.
"Do you know that because of you I lost my groceries? All those hours standing there, listening to that stall owner preach about vegetables! If he wants to preach, he should go do it in a church. And my money… it's gone. Why is the world so cruel… utterly cruel?"
Wow. She's really obsessed with money.
"So… you don't have anything to cook for today?" I asked, suddenly feeling a little guilty.
"Oh no, I do," she said quickly. "I just came here to wallow so you'll tell your people to add extra for me when they come to get you."
She smiled.
And just like that, all my guilt vanished.
"So… what about the plate clatter I heard?" I asked.
"Yeah… I just accidentally knocked some plates down. It happens all the time."
With that, she left.
I quickly checked the cord where I had kept it.
Good. I'm not giving her this cord—even if she cries.
What will I cook for that dude? I wondered. What do celebrities usually eat?
Yes. Noodles. Easy to prepare. He'll love it—or he'll at least have to eat it. I don't like wastage.
How will I call my mom, Yuna? If I don't find the cord, I'll have to buy another one.
I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice when Minho entered.
By the time I realized he was there… he was already standing at the chopping board beside me.
Shock. Terror. I didn't even know the right word.
"What the hell?!" I screamed.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you," he said quickly. "I just wanted to tell you thanks."
I continued chopping, trying not to panic. "Don't bother. It isn't for free."
I heard him sigh.
"What's my name?" he asked.
At that moment, I looked down at the knife in my hand—and noticed a bright red stain.
Fuck.