I quickly dig it out of the front of my bag and answer, “Hello?”
“Park Lee-ann, come home,” Mom says, sounding short as aways because she hates talking over a phone.
“Why? Are you feeling sick again? I can still go manage our food stall on my own.”
“No, come home. I closed the stall. Don’t take long.”
I let out a sigh, thinking about the money we’re going to lose because we’re not open tonight. “Yes, Mom.”
I put the phone back in my bag and getting up, I press the button for the bus to stop. I move to the door and hold onto the pole, and when the doors open, I quickly step off the bus.
I shrug on my bag as I begin to jog in the direction of my neighborhood. Mom struggles with asthma and working with the burners all day long, isn’t good for her health. If I can get a part-time job at the restaurant, then Mom won’t have to work so hard. With the two jobs, I’ll have then, I will be able to make enough for our rent and food.
When I reach our neighborhood, I weave through narrow alleyways and dart up painted stairs. Nearing my home, I notice two men dressed in suits standing out front. As I turn up the short path and head to the steps, leading up to the rooftop where our room is, I nod slightly. When they ignore me, I pull a face, and mumble, “Rude rich people.”
I let out a tired breath when I get to the top and kick off my shoes before I open the door and walk inside. “Mom, I’m home. Why did –”
My eyes widen when I see a man sitting across from Mom by the table in our small room. Mom climbs up from her knees and gestures with both hands to the man, “This is your father.”
I frown and pull my backpack off, but bow low, before I ask, “My father?”
“Come sit, Park Lee-ann,” he barks.
My eyes dart to Mom, but she’s already sinking down to her knees. I walk closer and kneeling, I place my hands on my legs and glance at my mom.
“You will be eighteen in two years,” the man says. “I have arranged a marriage for you with an American man.”
“What?” The word explodes from me. It takes a moment for my tired mind to catch up with what the man said. I turn to my mom. “What is this?”
Her shoulders slump. “Chairman Park Je-ha is your father. He allowed me to raise you. You need to listen to your father.”
I shake my head and climb back to my feet. Pointing at Chairman Park, I say, “I don’t know this man. How can you tell me to listen to him?”
“Please forgive her behavior, Chairman Park,” Mom says hurriedly, bowing her head even more.
“Mom!” I cry as a desperate feeling crawls into my heart. Grappling for reasons why this is happening, I kneel back down and grab Mom’s arm. “Is this about money? I applied for another job. If I get it, you won’t have to work anymore.”
She shrugs my hands off and gives me a strict glare. “Your place isn’t with me any longer.” Even though her face is set in hard lines, I don’t miss the heartache in her eyes.
“You don’t mean that,” I whisper. My heart begins to pound in my chest as worry and fear swirl inside of me.
“You have to go with the Chairman,” she says, sounding so very exhausted.
I shake my head and fight to keep the rampant emotions from swallowing me whole. “You don’t mean that,” I repeat. “He’s a stranger. You won’t let me go with him.”
“He’s your father.”
I want to fall to the floor and cry until I can drown myself in my own tears, but pride keeps me from giving in to the emotion.
“If you swear to marry the man of my choosing, I will leave you with your mother until you are eighteen,” the Chairman says.
That will give me two years to find a way to save both Mom and myself.
“I will also allow you to move into one of my buildings, so you don’t have to live in this…” disgust ripples over his face as he looks at our precious few belongings, “room.”
“We don’t –”
Mom slaps the back of my head. “Forgive her Chairman Park. She’s still young. We will be grateful for the two years.”
His eyes settle hard on Mom, his mouth pulling down at the corners. “My secretary will be in touch. Park Lee-ann will have to be groomed, so she doesn’t bring shame to my name.”
“Yes, Chairman,” Mom obediently answers.
I always thought my biggest problem would be making sure Mom and I don’t starve. But as I watch the man stand up, and his cold eyes glare down at me, I realize dying should’ve been the least of my fears.