Scholarship Princess | Choi Seungcheol

01.

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"Thank you so much for visiting!" Ari smiled, watching the last customer of the night disappear behind the closed doors. Checking the cashier with the money she'd made within the day, Ari felt satisfied counting bills. She looked in the owner's direction the moment she'd finished counting. "Eighty-four thousand," she grinned. "You've got to give me a bigger share today, Sajang-nim."

The owner stopped wiping the plate in hand, "Of course, kid." He eyed the money, removing a few bills from the pile, "You deserve your share of success. This tiny restaurant of mine would've never dreamed of being so popular without you." Handling her the bills right away, he added in a little extra for the tip.

Ari stuffed the money into her purse, her chest swelling in pride, "It's all marketing and business." Tidying her clothes and collecting her bag from the locker room, Ari proceeded to leave when they heard a knock on the door.

Ari frowned, wondering if they hadn't seen the closed sign on the door, "We're not accepting customers at the moment! Please come tomorrow." But the knocking was extensive. A large burly man stepped in, the lock still not on the door, a frown on his face, "I'm here to meet Miss Kim Ari. I know she works here."

Ari grew confused at the unknown man's entrance as the owner stepped in, "What business do you have with my employee?" It seemed he did not recognise her or had no picture to do so. It was clearly suspicious.

The man crossed his arms, the tattoos on his large muscles flexing from underneath his tight black shirt, "I'm here to collect the money her father owes me. Call her out now."

"I don't owe you any money." Ari intervened, "I don't even know who you are!"

"So, you're Kim Sajang's daughter." The man's eyes zeroed in on her the way that made her shiver in place. He looked strong enough to kill someone right at the moment and Ari stepped back, ready to call the police if the moment required. The unknown man took a seat in front of her, "Your father owed us quite a bit of debt before he kicked the bucket, that old man." He explained, picking his teeth with the used toothpick he found on the table, "But someone has to pay the money now that he's dead, don't you think?"

Ari felt her blood boil at the meaning of his words, "Look here, Ajhussi, I think you've got something wrong. My father is not dead. He's healthy and vacationing in the mounta—" She was cut off by the ringing of her own phone. Ari looked down at her father's name. "See?" She showed him, "He's calling right now so why don't you just go before we report you for obstruction of business?"

The man remained unfazed. Relaxing into his chair, the man spoke, "Pick it up."

Ari wanted to retaliate but the continuous ringing caused a bad feeling in her stomach. Looking in the direction of the owner who nodded, Ari brought the phone to her ear, "Dad?"

Her heart dropped at the sound of someone else on the phone, "Is this Mr Kim Jong Gun's daughter?"

"Yes?" A series of what-ifs bombarded her thoughts, a sickening feeling coming over her. What was going on?

"This is the Samshil Hospital speaking. Your father, Mr Kim met an accident earlier in the day while trekking alone. He underwent an emergency operation under the help of our program and the friend he has here." The woman spoke, her voice informative, "We would like to request your visit at the earliest convenience as Mr. Kim's guardian and family. We can only update you on the status of his recovery once you visit."

"Alright." Ari gulped, the words echoing in her head, "How is my father now? You mentioned his status of recovery... Will he be alright?" The man in front of her shrugged at the sight of her trembling structure. She denied reality. He was lying, wasn't he?