Tell Me That You Like It

 

The following day, Anna woke up at seven o’clock. Exiting her rustling sleeping bag with her head lowered to avoid bumping into the bed’s low ceiling, she inadvertently turned to the eighth bed. Lucino was quietly asleep, exhaling evenly. Perhaps due to his large physique, the single bed he lay on looked full. 

 

Anna unconsciously took a deep breath. Lucino’s blonde hair shone like gold dust in the morning sun that streamed through the window. Her heart pounded as hard as it had yesterday. The dormitory was quiet so that she could hear her heartbeat in her ears.

 

For no apparent reason, her fingertips tingled. The shimmering hair under the sunlight seemed so unique that she wanted to touch it secretly. The blonde hair of the native English teacher she had seen at school didn’t shine with such a smooth golden color; Lucino was different. Even the contours of his face drew elegant lines without any sharp angles. His straight nose was long and high, and his sleek jawline was manly. 

 

She couldn’t believe someone could look so different yet still be the same species. If there were a god of beauty in ancient Greek or Roman mythology, Lucino would have been the deity symbolizing it.

 

Anna couldn’t take her eyes off him. She stared blankly at Lucino, then froze in surprise as he tossed and turned. It was because his closed eyelids trembled like he was about to wake up. Luckily, he didn’t open his eyes. Only then could Anna move her body. Her eyes, breathing a sigh of relief, noticed that other people were also sleeping. Beds were occupied that had been empty when everyone came in.

 

“Phew,” Anna sighed again without realizing it. 

 

By looking at him, Lucino could captivate people’s minds to the point where they lost track of time. But she couldn’t linger here indefinitely. Anna went down to the first floor with a breakfast coupon, excited to get ready to go out after changing her clothes in the shower.

 

Anna, who filled her stomach with bread and yogurt, was the first to head to the Prado Museum, one of the world’s top three art museums. It was about 1.5 kilometers away from the accommodation, so she decided to walk to take in the streets. While walking and looking at the map, Anna couldn’t take her eyes off the exotic building designs. She walked with light steps as if flying, admiring the street scenery so utterly different from Korea. 

 

On the way to the museum, she saw a woman walking two dogs that were bigger than she was. The large, obedient, and calm dogs were cute. It was less cold than in Korea, but it wasn’t warm, and Anna, filled with excitement, didn’t feel the cold. She was happy with the bright sunlight, clear air, and exotic scenery. She was alone, but she wasn’t scared or lonely—only joy filled Anna.

 

Waiting for the doors of the Prado Museum to open, just looking around filled Anna’s heart. It was even fun to line up in front of the ticket booth. Finally, Anna, who bought a ticket, entered the anticipated art museum and began to explore the art. The Prado Museum was enormous. Her legs felt like they were about to fall off from all the walking, but it was enjoyable to look around while listening to the explanation from the Korean audio guide. Anna, who had lunch inside the museum, left the Prado Museum at 5 p.m., almost exhausted.

 

Anna, who no longer had the energy to walk, took the subway to Sol Square this time. Sol Square can be seen as the center of Madrid. It is close to Anna’s accommodation, and there are many places to shop and eat. It was also near the churros restaurant Anna planned to visit.

 

Anna, who took a selfie at Sol Square next to a bear statue that serves as Madrid’s symbol, headed straight to the churros store. 

 

Dipping freshly fried churros into a sweet chocolate latte at Madrid’s oldest churros store was a naturally heavenly taste. The churros, crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, melted gently in her mouth. She gobbled them up as if possessed.

 

She emptied the plate in no time. She wanted to eat more, but she stood up. She had to leave room for other foods. Anna wanted to try as many different Spanish dishes as possible while here.

 

As Christmas approached, the streets were decorated with trees and shiny light bulbs. Even Anna, who was alone, felt excited because so many people were around.

 

The San Miguel Market, made of glass and offering a view into its interior, shone brightly in the sparkling light.

 

San Miguel Market was a place that sold simple food and alcohol rather than traditional market items. The olives, tapas, and even the unfamiliar foods sold there all looked delicious.

 

Because delicious food was everywhere she looked, Anna wandered around the San Miguel Market, drooling even though she had just finished eating churros.

 

Leaving the crowded San Miguel Market behind, Anna headed to the dotted restaurant.

 

The first floor resembled a butcher’s shop due to the bright lighting. Jamon and sausages, as well as slowly dried and salted pig legs, were hung from the ceiling, and people were standing there, ordering and eating food.

 

Perhaps because it was dinner time, the whole place was crowded with customers. The Spanish seemed to enjoy eating while standing, just as it had been at the restaurant in San Miguel earlier.

 

Everyone had drinks in their hands, ate tapas and simple appetizers, stood without chairs, and chatted with their groups.

 

“If this were Korea, I’d be shocked at how people can stand and eat without chairs. It’s amazing.”

 

There was a clear cultural difference even in the restaurant setting. If only her legs hadn’t hurt, Anna would have mingled with the Spanish people and tried eating while standing, but she couldn’t stand any longer.

 

“But it’s better to sit down and eat.”

 

Saying she was also a Korean who couldn’t help it, Anna climbed the stairs leading to the second floor to plant herself in a chair. The second floor was full of round tables covered with white tablecloths, which were also fully occupied.

 

However, the backs of three men waiting for a seat right before her looked familiar.

 

“What?”

 

The blonde man, who was turned sideways, shifted his head toward Anna. It was Lucino.

 

As their eyes met, his large eyes grew even larger for a moment and soon narrowed into a round shape. Anna’s heart began to tremble at his peaceful smile directed toward her.

 

Inside the crowded restaurant, Lucino’s presence felt very loud and clear.

 

It wasn’t just because he was big. As all time and space disappeared, the only thing that came into Anna’s sight was Lucino, who smiled at her.

 

“Hola, Anna.”

 

Lucino said hello with a pleasant voice. A thick, low note, which seemed hard to get used to no matter how many times she heard it, sweetly penetrated Anna’s ears.

 

“Hola, Lucino.”

 

Although she had only been here for a day, Anna, who had grown accustomed to the Spanish greeting of ‘Hola,’ responded to Lucino’s greeting.

 

Worried that her voice might tremble, Anna paid close attention to Lucino’s greeting. Fortunately, a steady voice came out, perhaps because of the effort.

 

Lucino introduced Anna to his friends who were standing next to him. Only then did Anna notice that his friends were standing next to Lucino. He was not alone.

 

“This is Marco, and this is Fabio. Did you see them in the hallway yesterday?”

 

“Nice to meet you, Anna.”

 

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

 

Marco, who has a black beard, and Fabio, who is short, shook hands with Anna one after another.

 

Holding hands with them reminded her of the handshake with Lucino yesterday.

The handshake with Lucino had a curiously strange feeling, and the handshake with Marco and Fabio felt completely different from the handshake with Lucino.

 

Anna, who had strong feelings for Lucino, was ignorant about romantic relationships and didn’t know precisely what they meant. She just felt nervous and tense internally.

 

Then, an old male waiter approached them and showed them that one seat was vacant.

 

She noticed it at the churros store earlier, but here, older people often served in restaurants. Usually, young people serve a lot in Korea, so it felt unusual that Spain was different.

 

“Are you in the same company as the Senorita?”

 

“What? No.”

 

When Anna denied it first, the waiter said,

 

“There is no table for two; what would you like to do?”

 

Then Lucino stretched his arm forward so that Anna could go first as if it were natural.

 

“Lady first.”

 

Marco and Fabio also nodded in agreement.

 

“Anna, sit down first.”

 

“But I came later…”

 

Anna hesitated, about to say she was sorry.

 

“It’s alright; we can wait a little longer, Anna.”

 

“Or we can go downstairs and eat.”

 

“Only two people can sit in that seat anyway.”

 

Marco and Fabio chimed in.

 

It seemed that the table full of guests would not be empty easily. Marco gave Lucino and Fabio a look. Then Lucino and Fabio turned around as if they were going to go downstairs any minute, saying it would be better.

 

“Enjoy your meal, Anna. See you later, ciao.”

 

“Yes. Thank you.”

 

Lucino and his companions, who had said their goodbyes, went downstairs. Anna, sitting in a chair where the waiter had guided her, unwittingly felt a sense of regret.

 

If Lucino had been alone, he could have used this table alone…

 

‘What am I thinking?’

 

Instead of feeling sorry, Anna was surprised at the thought without realizing it. Anna watched people order, checked tomorrow’s schedule and waited for the food.

 

But deep in her head, she couldn’t easily forget the lingering feeling of a brief encounter with Lucino.

 

When she saw a table for four, she even thought that if that table had been empty a little sooner, they could have eaten together.

 

After a while, white wine came out first. An ink paella containing jamon and seafood followed.

 

Leaving her regret behind, Anna picked up a fork.

 

The paper-thin jamon was slightly salty and savory, and the ink paella, which contained seafood, became more delicious the more she chewed. The bitter taste of the fragrant, fruit-flavored wine complemented the food well.

 

She wasn’t famished, but Anna enjoyed the food and drank wine as if she hadn’t eaten anything.

 

After she emptied her plate, she remembered the free paella and wine at 8 p.m. But now she was full, and it was challenging to eat anything more.

 

Anna, who paid the bill and went down to the first floor, looked around unconsciously. But neither Lucino nor his companions were in sight.

 

Evening in the dark Sol Square was crowded with people. It was a downtown area with a large floating population, so Anna wanted to go around the shops and visit the stores in Sol Square, but she was exhausted because she had been walking around since early in the morning.

 

Feeling her body growing languid from her glass of wine, Anna headed toward the lodging with weary steps.

 

She saw an old man with gray hair opening the door alone. The grandfather, who preceded Anna, entered the hostel where she was staying.

 

As was the case at the restaurant, staying in a low-priced, dormitory-oriented hostel seemed good to Anna because of its novel and free atmosphere. It seemed natural for older people to stay there.

 

Unlike before, she had heard on TV that older Koreans also stay in dormitories when traveling abroad, but seeing it in person was different.

 

With slow steps, she opened the glass door of the hostel, enjoying the glitzy streets of Madrid at night, when something snapped at Anna’s toe.

 

She lowered her head in surprise and saw something square in her line of sight. Anna picked up a thin notebook.

 

She knew what it was as soon as she saw it. It was a passport. When she turned to the front page, she saw a picture of the gray-haired grandfather. The nationality was written as Canada.

 

“Gosh, I’ll have to find him.”

 

In Anna’s mind, the image of the grandfather’s pure white hair, who had opened the hostel door ahead of her, naturally came to mind.

 

“By any chance?”

 

As she went further into the hostel, she saw numerous tables. There, where she had breakfast, a white-haired foreign grandfather sat in a chair, taking something out of his bag.

 

Anna opened the passport and compared the picture with the grandfather’s face. They looked similar. Anna approached the grandfather.

 

“Excuse me, are you Christian Legrotalle?”

 

The gray-haired grandfather’s eyes widened as he looked at Anna.

 

“How do you know my name?”

 

“Do you happen to have a passport?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Can you check it out?”

 

At her words, Grandpa reached into his coat pocket with embarrassment, felt around, and checked everywhere in his bag. But the passport did not appear.

 

“I just picked this passport up at the door over there.”

 

Anna held up a black passport engraved with fancy gold leaf patterns to the old man. Christian, who took the passport she handed over, hurriedly opened the first page with personal information such as a photo and name written on it. His picture and name were on it.

 

“Oh! Oh, my God, I was almost doomed. Thank you very much for finding it.”

 

“No, it’s nothing. I just picked it up because it was on the floor.”

 

“How can I repay you…”

 

“That’s alright. Have a good trip then.”

 

“Have a nice trip, too, miss. May luck be with you.”

 

Lucino, Marco, and Fabio stood before Anna, who turned around after greeting the grandfather, who was genuinely grateful. Anna was surprised by the unexpected encounter.

 

“Ciao. See you again, Anna,” said Lucino, with a charming smile. The three of them may have just come in, but they were dressed as they were at the restaurant a while ago. Fabio and Marco went to the table in the lobby and sat down.

 

“Did you enjoy your dinner?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Anna, we’re going to a seven-story club at midnight. Would you like to join us?”

 

“A seven-story club? Is the club on the 7th floor?”

 

“Yes. I heard it’s famous in Madrid.”

 

“Oh, I’ve never heard of it.”

 

“It’s going to be fun. Come with us, Anna.”

 

Fabio in the chair chimed in. Marco also nodded.

 

How big is the club on the 7th floor? Her curiosity piqued me. She was reluctant to go to the club alone abroad, but she thought it would be okay if several people went together.

 

Above all, Anna thought it would be fun to go with Lucino. She’d never been to a club, but it wouldn’t be wrong to take this opportunity to go.

 

“Okay. I’ll go, too.”

 

“Then, come here by 11:50.”

 

“Yes. See you later.”

 

Anna smiled brightly and went up to the dormitory. Going to the club with Lucino seemed to relieve her fatigue. She wasn’t sweating because it was winter, but she felt uncomfortable walking around all day. It was still 10:30, so she had plenty of time to wash up and put on makeup.

 

It was Friday night, so there was no one in the dormitory. Anna, who took out her clothes from her suitcase and put them on the bed, quickly headed to the shower room.

 

She would wash up and come out soon, so she didn’t need to put her suitcase in the locker. After all, her passport was in a small bag that Anna always wore around her neck.

 

Anna’s footsteps toward the shower room were filled with cheerfulness.

Anna, who washed up clean and returned to the dormitory feeling refreshed, picked up the clothes she had put on the bed. It was so quiet that it was almost eerie inside.

 

Suddenly, Anna noticed that something had changed. Goosebumps covered her body. It was an indescribable fear.

 

She entered the room, and it was Room 302. The bed in front of her and the items placed on top of it were all hers.

The blood in her whole body went cold as she felt like she was being strangled.

 

The suitcase that had been placed next to her bed had disappeared.

 

She couldn’t believe it. The smile disappeared from Anna’s face. She froze as cold as a stone statue. She had just washed, and the color was gone from her pretty face. Only her eyes blinked a few times, and she stood there still.

 

“What the hell is this?”

 

The ghost was supposed to sing.

T/N : Usually people used this word a lot when they don’t understand or they can’t believe it. For example, the coat I just took off and hung is gone.

 

Until a while ago, the luggage that had been here was gone in just 15 minutes.

 

With a hardened face, she rushed to the reception desk in the lobby on the first floor. Anna didn’t have time to wait for the elevator to come down. She ran down the stairs with a loud bang.

 

Anna’s suitcase was large and heavy, so if someone had dragged it outside, it would have caught someone’s eye. Wouldn’t the receptionist have witnessed it?

 

At the reception desk, she quickly approached; a different woman was sitting facelessly looking at her phone. The eyes of Lucino and his party, who were talking in the lobby, turned to Anna, who was rushing to the reception.

 

“I need help. My suitcase is missing! It was there a while ago…”

 

Anna’s voice trembled as she spoke urgently in English. Her heart raced with fear. Her mouth was dry, making it difficult for her to speak clearly.

 

Then the employee said kindly,

 

“What’s the room number?”

 

“Room 302.”

 

“You put your suitcase in the locker, but is it gone?”

 

“No, I put it beside the bed, but it disappeared while I was washing up.”

 

“Ah, in that case, there’s nothing we can do to help. Unless it’s in a locker, it’s not our responsibility.”

 

The woman with burgundy hair made a pitiful look.

 

“It’s a big yellow suitcase. Did you see someone dragging it out?”

 

“No. No one checked out.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Then Anna saw a large monitor at the reception in her line of sight. The monitor had four CCTV screens showing the entrance of the hostel.

 

“Can’t you check the CCTV?”

 

“Unfortunately, CCTV can only be viewed by the police. I’m sorry.”

 

Anna didn’t know what to do; she just stood there. She was perplexed and disconcerted, and she had no idea what to do next. Her mind seemed to stop.

 

At that time, Lucino, who had been listening to their conversation, stepped forward.

 

“Can’t you call the police now?”

 

“Well…”

 

The staff knew. The police wouldn’t come to the hostel for this. These thefts were frequent occurrences for tourists and routine for the police.

 

The police didn’t actively pursue pickpockets or thefts. Even if she reported it, that would be it.

 

“Then where is the police station?”

 

“There are police stations where you can speak English. It’s close by.”

 

She gave Lucino the address of the police station.

 

The receptionist, who spoke kindly but indifferently, responded to Lucino with soulful eyes and voice. Strangely, it was a voice that felt more feminine and sultry.

 

Anna listened to what they had to say with a blank look.

 

“Anna.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Do you have traveler’s insurance?”

 

“Yes…”

 

“Can you go to the police station now?”

 

“Police station?”

 

Lucino kindly said, looking at Anna, who was standing there with a stunned look. He looked at Anna, who was lost, with a pitiful expression on his face.

 

“You have to go and report it. And write down the lost items so you can give them to the insurance company and get reimbursed.”

 

“Ah… Yes, that’s right. Compensation… I have to get it. I’ll have to go and write it down…”

 

“Are you going to the police station tomorrow?”

 

“No. I should go now.”

 

No matter how busy and clear the lights were, this place was a foreign country.

 

Anna was scared when she thought about walking alone on a dark road. Lucino made a tender offer to Anna as if her fear had been revealed on her face.

 

“Come with me, then, Anna.”

 

“Ah… Weren’t you going to the club later?”

 

Amid her scattered thoughts, she suddenly remembered that he was supposed to attend the club.

 

“That can come later. All clubs are the same anyway.”

 

Lucino told Anna and signaled to Fabio and Marco that he would go to the police station, not the club.

 

“…Thank you.”

In this place where no one helps her and communication is difficult, only one person showed kindness to her. Anna willingly held onto the only lifeline that was extended to her.