Slave Again

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4

Even underneath the blanket, Sun shivered in her new red dress. She had never seen anything so fine or even imagined such beautiful clothing existed. Min-Ho told her she looked old enough to work in Pyongyang itself. She wanted to obey Min-Ho and get some rest, but she couldn’t stop thinking about how brave he was to risk his own safety to help her find a job in China. She was young, but she’d work hard once he led her across the border.

Her arms tingled, not just from the cold but from the excitement. She felt so grown-up in her new clothes. She hugged herself, wondering what life would be like in China, where she’d have a real job, with a real employer who could pay her real money. She pictured how surprised Mother would be when she returned home with a whole envelope full of cash. And her brother, Jae. Sun smiled and envisioned him beaming at her with so much pride. Min-Ho was right. It would be selfish to stop by home first and say good-bye. Better not to let Mother know where she was going. Besides, if she did tell her family, Jae would try to stop her. Her brother never thought she was old enough to do anything important. He’d be so impressed now if he saw her in Min-Ho’s red dress. Then he’d have to admit she wasn’t a child any longer.

The door to her room opened slowly. She shut her eyes and pretended to sleep. Grinning in spite of herself, she hoped Min-Ho would think she was just dreaming pleasantly. Her arms tingled as she heard him approach her bed. It was a real bed with tall posts on each corner — proof he knew all kinds of wealthy patrons in China. How else could he afford such a soft mattress, such a puffy pillow?

“Are you awake, young one?” At his whisper, tingles raced up Sun’s bare shoulders and prickled the base of her neck. How could someone as influential and brave as Min-Ho notice such a poor, provincial girl? Why was he willing to sacrifice his own safety for her? She never felt so lucky before. She hated displeasing him, but she also knew that a giggle would soon give her away if her words didn’t. She tucked her bangs behind one ear. “Yes, I’m awake.”

“I thought you might be.” His tone was amused, not disappointed. He sat on the edge of the bed and put his hand on the section of blanket covering her leg. Her first instinct was to pull away, but she forced herself to relax. He was doing so much to help her. She had to show him how grateful she was. Min-Ho cleared his throat. “I’m actually glad you’re awake. We need to talk about something.”

She made a move to sit up, but she was more comfortable lying down, covered by that big, fluffy quilt. Min-Ho scratched his cheek and frowned at the wall. “I have friends who patrol the border. We have a certain understanding, them and me.”

“So they’ll let us cross safely because they trust you?” Sun was pleased she could grasp such a mature concept and hoped Min-Ho would be impressed, but he didn’t return her smile.

“My friends tell me crossing into China is more dangerous these days than ever before.”

She clutched the blanket and hoped he didn’t notice her anxiety. What was he saying? Did that mean he couldn’t help her?

“Don’t worry.” He squeezed her leg. “We’ll still be able to go. It’s just that my friends will want to be paid even more than usual. And I spent almost all of my extra money to buy your dress. I’m afraid I’ll need to ask for my payment now instead of once we get to your employer’s.”

“Payment?” The back of Sun’s throat tightened. She tried to swallow away the dryness. “I thought ... I didn’t realize ...”

He furrowed his eyebrows. “You mean you weren’t planning to pay me?”

Sun begged herself not to cry. She looked up into his acne-scarred face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. When my teacher told me about you, when she said you could find me work ... She didn’t mention that I would ... She didn’t say ...”

Min-Ho wiped away one of her tears. “I didn’t mean to upset you, little one. I’d love to take you to China for free, but I have expenses to worry about. They don’t let people cross over for nothing, of course.”

She lowered her head. “I don’t know about these things. My mother and father ... They don’t teach me. We don’t talk about China or going across the river.” She wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “My family doesn’t have any money at all. Nothing. That’s why I came to you.” She sat up in bed, her bare shoulders heaving with each tiny sob.

“I don’t want to see you cry, little one.” He reached over and stroked her hair. “But it’s too dangerous to try to cross the border empty-handed. As much as I want to help you, if the guards stop me, I’ll need some money to keep us both out of trouble.”

Sun’s lip quivered. Now nothing would come of her plans. Her parents would still struggle. She would never make her family proud. She would have to give the red dress back. She exhaled deeply and looked around the room. She didn’t know where Min-Ho put her school uniform, but she needed to get dressed and get home by nightfall.

Min-Ho glanced at her, his hand still resting on her leg. He put one finger up to his chin and picked at one of his pimple heads. “You know, I might have a way to make this all work out.” Sun sucked in her breath but tried to keep her expression neutral as he continued. “I just remembered a friend of mine loaned me some extra money the other day. It might be enough to help get us across.”

She clasped her hand over her mouth to hide her excitement. “You would be willing? You’d do that for me?” Her voice squeaked in spite of her best efforts.

He rubbed his chin, and his eyes narrowed. “My weakness is I can never deny a pretty woman anything.” A smile spread across his face. “Besides, it’s not your fault you didn’t know about the fee.”

Sun reached out and clutched his hand in hers. “Thank you, sir. Thank you. And you have my word that as soon as I get paid, I’ll send you whatever money I owe you.”

He shook his head and held up a hand. “No, little one. I’ve already made up my mind. Your family is poor. You’ve all struggled enough. It wouldn’t be right for me to take a single won from you. You’re young but courageous. You deserve to be treated well. I won’t take food out of your mother and father’s mouths. Work hard, little one. The money you earn will be yours to keep.”

Sun tried to slow her heartbeat and held the blanket up to her face to cover her grin. Her eyes scanned his cluttered floor, and she quickly turned back to Min-Ho. “May I serve you?”

He frowned. “What did you say?”

“Cleaning. Cooking. There must be something I can do before it’s time to leave.” She didn’t mention she never learned to cook anything but gruel and roots.

“You want to do me a favor?” He laughed outright. “As I said, I could never deny anything of a woman as beautiful as you.”

Sun wiped her cheek. At least her mother had taught her the importance of a good cleaning. And Min-Ho’s house certainly needed it. “Where’s your bucket? I can wash the floors.”

He reached over and took her hand in his. She hoped he didn’t notice the way her arm hairs stood up on end. Min-Ho caressed her palms. “You don’t want to ruin those delicate hands by scrubbing. Besides, you might dirty your new dress.”

“Then how can I ever work off my debt?”

Min-Ho smiled, and even with his face covered in acne, Sun couldn’t help but notice how handsome he was.