Monsters & Movies

Hajun pretty much vanishes into his room the rest of the day, and so do I, since I don't want him to see me with a face mask on or something. I still struggle with the fact that my boss sees without makeup in the morning, so I'm miles away from showing him my face with a sheet mask on.

In the late afternoon, however, I decide to watch a movie, which is something I never take the time to do, especially now that I have a full-time job. All my friends keep referencing movies that I haven't had the time to watch, and I'm sick of feeling like a grandma when I hang out with them.

As I leave my room to walk down to the living room, I hesitantly stop in front of Hajun's door. What if I ask him to join me?

It'd be an excellent occasion for us to get to know each other better. Right now, it still feels like I'm living with a stranger.

Hajun always gets annoyed as soon as I open my mouth – apparently, he has this unsatisfiable need to bash every statement leaving my mouth – but during the movie, we wouldn't have to talk. So the risk of us bickering is much lower. Sounds like a solid plan.

Except Hajun didn't lock himself in his room all day for no reason. He'd probably rather get his nails pulled out one by one than talk to me right now.

Don't go in, Rose. He'll murder you.

The thought of angering him makes me almost pee my pants out of fear, but at the same time, I really do want to improve my non-existing friendship with Hajun.

All I'm doing is asking him to watch a movie with me. It's not like I'm proposing or anything. What is the harm in that, right?

I softly knock on his door. "Hajun oppa?"

"What?" He barks from inside.

Just his usual, cheerful self.

I decide to take that as a sign to come in and slowly open the creaking door.

In his room, it is completely dark as all of the curtains have been closed. The only source of light is coming insanely big PC screen, on which he seems to be playing Overwatch.

He oddly reminds me of one of Eun's ex-boyfriends who was into gaming. Except her boyfriend couldn't even afford his own monitor and mostly played in PC bars while Hajun's screen alone is so large most traders on Wall Street would be jealous.

The more time I spend around an insanely wealthy person like Hajun, the more I realize that the phrase "money doesn't buy happiness" came from a poor person trying to make themselves feel better. Because every rich person knows how untrue it is.

Money might not buy long-term happiness, but it can certainly solve your short-term problems.

In front of the PC sits Hajun, currently glaring at me. "What the hell is it, Rose?"

His tone is even more aggressive than usual. Maybe he just a lost game because of me and is already making a list of all possible ways to kill me in his head. I immediately realize what a terrible idea this truly was.

Abort mission. I repeat, abort mission.

My life is more valuable to me than socializing.

"Um, nothing," I stutter. "It's nothing important. I don't want to disturb you."

I quickly want to turn around and flee from this place, but he stops me in my tracks.

"You already did. What is it, Rose?" my boss asks impatiently.

Well. It's now or never, I guess. Shyly, I scratch my neck as I answer and do everything to avoid his intense gaze. "It's... I just wanted to invite you to watch a movie with me."

"Oh." Hajun seems surprised at me making such a mundane offer, and the annoyance slightly leaves his tense body. "Oh. Thanks for the offer, but I'm busy."

Then, he shuts the door in front of me.

Sighing, I stare at where he stood 2 seconds ago. Well, I can't deny that hurt a little bit.

At least I tried, right?

...

Two hours later, I sit on my couch, regretting all my life choices as I am scared out of my mind. Why? Because out of all movies I could pick, I picked a horror movie. Me, the person who's scared of everything and has recently seen a man plummet to his death.

First asking Hajun to watch the movie with me, and then picking the wrong film. Wow, I abound of good ideas today. I just couldn't pick - Netflix's abundant offer has become quite overwhelming, to be honest- and chose to watch a random one. Which, of course, ended up being the most frightening movie I've ever watched.

I decide to make my way to the bathroom to get ready for bed and to calm down. It would be the perfect occasion to take a bath, but only Hajun's bathroom has a bathtub. Should I ask if I could use it just this once?

No, no. He would decline anyway and start asking why I suddenly want to take a bath. I'm really not in the mood to explain to him why I'm scared out of my mind right now.

Besides, he would just start scolding me for watching a horror movie alone in the first place, and I'm not in the mood for him to patronize me.

It's at this moment that I start hearing a noise from another hallway I've never been to, as Hajun mentioned it leads to another entrance door he doesn't use. To my knowledge, there's nothing in that corridor except the previously mentioned door and some closets with Hajun's old stage outfits. (Which I would really like to check out one day, together with Eun. We both love idol fashion.)

Right?

Then where is that noise coming from?

I can distinctly hear something. It sounds like some very light steps.

Did Hajun walk downstairs while I was watching the movie? No, I would have noticed. Besides, he probably would have acted like his usual know-it-all self and told me to turn off the movie.

One part of me knows it's just excessive paranoia talking, but it couldn't hurt to check, right?

Yes, exactly. That's what I need to do. It's the only way I'll be able to carry on with my supposedly relaxing evening. Or else, I'm just going to ponder what's in that hallway.

With a rapidly beating heart, I quietly make my way to the hallway. I'm so frightened I feel like throwing up.

Come on, Rose, you can do this.

I arrive in the hallway in complete and utter darkness. Maybe I should have turned on the light somewhere. Where's the light switch for this corridor again?

Ugh, damn Hajun, and his huge apartment. Couldn't he have invested his money in another car?

What I heard could be anywhere, attacking me at any moment.

And it's precisely when that thought crosses my mind that something brushes my legs, and I scream my lungs out.

What the hell was that? It felt like a monster.

Shaking, I look around me to discern the mysterious thing that brushes me. Slight issue: it's still completely dark.

Until it's not anymore.

Someone turns the light on, and in front of me stands An Hajun, frowning.

"What the hell is going on, Rose? Why are you screaming like that?"