At the bus station, the sky was gray and the rain poured heavily, hitting the pavement with a steady beat. A girl sat alone on a bench, her hair damp from the mist that blew sideways with the wind. Suddenly, the bus stopped with a loud squeak. She stood up quickly and stepped onto the bus, her shoes splashing in small puddles.
Inside, the bus was almost empty. The soft squeak of the seats and the low hum of the engine were the only sounds. She took a window seat and pressed her forehead against the cold glass, watching the city outside blur into brown, wet buildings. Water ran in little streams down the windows. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the cold, wet air, and let it out slowly, a sigh full of all the sadness she carried inside.
She put in her earphones and turned on her phone. The soft music played:
"You betrayed me when I need you " (instrumental).
Her eyes were full of sadness as she watched the rain slide down the window. The bus moved a little over a puddle, making a soft splash sound. Another passenger got on—a man in slightly loose pants and a warm jacket, the hood covering his head. Water dripped from his hair. He walked slowly down the aisle and sat in the middle of the bus, the floor squeaking under his shoes.
Her phone rang. She looked at the screen: "Biological Mother." She stared at it for a few seconds, then pressed "ignore." It rang again. This time, she answered, holding it to her ear as the bus rocked gently.
"misa, why aren't you answering? I've called many times," her mother said, her voice sharp and worried.
Misa cleared her throat and spoke quietly, "Mom… I didn't see it."
Her mother shouted, "What happened between you and Jin? What did he do?"
Misa's lips trembled, and tears formed in her eyes. She said, crying, "What did I do to him? He betrayed me, hit me, and tried to rape me." She sobbed harder. "Do you know who he cheated on me with? Sura, my best friend." Her sobs grew louder. "Mom… they bullied me and spread rumors that I was the one who cheated on him! What should I do with myself, ahhh!"
Her mother yelled harshly, "It's your fault! If you had cared for him and given him what he wanted, he wouldn't have done this. You say he tried to rape you … if you didn't give him what he needed, why are you surprised? No one stays with a cursed girl. Hurry, apologize to him."
Misa, shaking, cried, "Mom, do you think I'm that kind of girl who satisfies someone's… needs?" She continued, her voice breaking, "Were you even my mother? You and dad left me as a child. My family called me a ghost. No one wanted to raise me because my skin and hair were fair and my eyes blue. If my cousin hadn't taken me and took care of me, I'd be dead now. And when I turned sixteen, you came back with a rich fiancé older than me and ask why I didn't give him what he wanted? I'm still a child! How could I do anything like that?"
Misa hung up and buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. She bit her hand to stop herself from crying, but the tears kept coming. When she lifted her head, she saw a shadow offering her a tissue. She jumped back, then looked at him.
She took the tissue, bowed her head a little to say thanks, and wiped her eyes.
The man spoke softly, his green eyes calm, water dripping from his black hair. "In life, you can't make everyone happy. So do what makes you happy, not others. Focus on your future and your studies—they will help you get a job and take care of yourself. Don't lose hope, and don't listen to what people say. You can do it."
Misa listened quietly, still with wet cheeks, absorbing his words.
The bus driver called from the front, "We've reached the last stop. Aren't you getting off?"
Looking around, they saw they were far from the city, streets empty and mist rising from puddles under the streetlights.
Before she could speak, the young man said, "I'll go back to the city."
She looked at him, trying to see his face under the hood, and nervously said, "Me too."
The driver looked at them, surprised.
Misa held onto the bus railing, tense. "Are you… also taking the bus to think before going back?"
He was checking the bus. He looked at her carefully, notebook in hand. "No. Don't do this again—it's dangerous, especially for a girl at night."
She said softly, "But it helps me feel less sad and think while I watch the road."
He is still examining the bus with his eyes and talking to her. "You can do that during the day," he said.
She shook her head. "There will be too many people. I'm more worried about men bothering me than the crowd. I wish the bus was separated—women and men."
He studied her. "Do you think staying alone with the driver at night is safe?"
She looked at the driver, then at him, tension clear on her face. "You're right. It's dangerous, but I wish even the driver was a woman."
He nodded slowly, understanding.
Five years later, Misa walked confidently into the office building. Her white legs were in black heels with red soles, her skirt reached her ankles, and she wore a white blouse under a blue vest. Her loose white-blonde hair framed her small, delicate face, and her bright blue eyes drew attention as she moved. Her handbag looked expensive, and her steps were calm and balanced.
Her phone rang. She took it from her bag and heard a soft, excited voice:
"Misa, did you accept or not?"
With a smile full of excitement, she replied, "Mimi, I passed!"
The voice on the phone sounded thrilled. "I knew my girl would succeed! Come home and let's celebrate!"
She hung up and entered her apartment. The place was modest but clean, with a pleasant smell filling the air.
"Mimi, I'm home," she called. A woman appeared—fair-skinned, light brown hair, soft hazel eyes, looking young and holding a cake that read "Congratulations on your job."
Misa laughed and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you so much, Mimi!"
Mimi tapped her head playfully. "I told you, don't thank me! And where did you get 'Mimi'? I'm older than you. Call me Aunt Mila."
Misa laughed mischievously and teased her, running around the room. Mila laughed too, pushing her gently. "Stop, Misa. Call me whatever you want, just stop."
They sat down to eat the cake, still smiling.
Mila said seriously, "Are you happy with this job? If not, stay until you find the one you really want."
Misa smiled reassuringly. "Mila, you don't have to worry about me anymore. Focus on yourself. You raised me since I was little, giving up your own life for me. I want you to focus on your life now."
Mila looked away, sadness in her eyes. "You're the center of my life. Seeing you happy makes me happier than myself. But it seems like you don't want me."
Misa put a finger on Mila's lips. "Shh… don't say that again."
Early the next morning, Misa stood in front of a tall office building. She wore blue trousers, a white blouse with a blue vest, high heels, rectangular glasses, and carried her handbag. Her light makeup and neat hair made her look professional. She took a deep breath and entered the building.
Inside, the office buzzed with whispers as she walked by.
"Who's that?"
"She looks rich."
"Look at her hair—blonde, is it real?"
"She's wearing blue contacts. Does she think she's American?"
"I can tell her bag's fake."
Misa set down her bag and turned to the whispering employees. Standing tall, hands held gracefully, she said,
"My name is Misa Hart. I'm 21, just graduated. I'm the new employee in the design department. I hope we can work well together."
They smiled politely, but a tall man in a black suit with half his black hair falling over his forehead and the other half combed up, green eyes calm, remained serious.
He said coldly, "Have you all left work to gossip?"
All employees quickly took their seats. Except for Mesa, she looked at him and started thinking, "Who is this and why is he talking so harshly?"
Misa sat quietly,
He stepped forward, then stepped back and made a gesture with his hand, signaling her to come over.
She pointed to herself Confusingly looked at the others, who were all focused on their computers, working.
followed him confidently to his office after he gestured her forward.
She noticed him removing his jacket, leaving a white shirt and tie, and placing the jacket on the chair. She raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Does he think he's the boss here?" she thought, looking at the office. "Why did they give him the biggest office, all alone?"
He waited for her to notice him, but she kept inspecting the room, her expression showing her thoughts.
"Won't you sit?" he asked quietly, raising one eyebrow.
She hesitated, then said, "Ah… yes, yes, I'll sit."
He opened a file and looked at her. "Miss Misa, why did you choose our company when your university opens many opportunities?"
She replied casually, "If I accepted any company, they'd ask the same question—why our company? Isn't my need for money enough to join?"
He raised one eyebrow, smiling slightly, as if amused. "So, you don't have any dream or ambition here. Money brought you to us?"
She looked at him for a few seconds, then said, "Actually, I applied here because this company achieved one of my dreams—buses for women and buses for men, making travel safer for women. That's why I chose mechanical design to join this field."
He quietly closed the file and gestured toward the door. "You may leave and return to your work."
She stood, her expression still defiant. "Do you think you're the CEO to speak this way? Who are you to question me?"
He calmly pointed to the door again. "The door is waiting for you, Miss Misa."
She left, still carrying a defiant look. She noticed a small office in front of his, with a girl wearing a badge labeled 'Secretary' working there.
She looked at the office door and saw a sign that read " CEO" Her expression immediately showed that she felt she was in trouble.
She turned to the secretary, asking, "Is the one in the office the CEO?"
The secretary smiled. "Yes. Do you want me to tell him something?"
Misa's face showed panic. "Is the green-eyed man the CEO? Are you sure?"
The secretary looked at her, confused.