The lights turned in slow motion, with faint colors floating around the crowd. It flashed to the vibrant decors and luxurious outfits of the people. The place became warm as a bouquet of aroma filled the air — refreshing acidity, the intense and oaky flavor of wines.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We are the Viker Nights, offering you wonderful music until the sun goes down."
The live band stood at the stage as the mass cheered for them. The piano played an enchanting tune with the slow strums of a guitar and the singer uttered the lyrics of Cosmic Love by Florence and The Machine.
Min Jee gazed at the bartender, who held her waist to stop her from slumping.
"You… Mr. Bartender?"
She grinned.
"I'm hallucinating. Get me out of this place," she murmured before she lost her consciousness and fell to his arms.
"Hey, wake up."
The bartender gently tapped her cheeks but to no avail.
"Darn."
He picked her up as if carrying a bride, avoiding each person ahead of them. The girls looked at them in disbelief. He stopped outside and found her phone in her pocket. The bartender scanned her fingerprints on the phone to unlock it and scrolled down her contacts.
"Don't you dare touch my things," she said.
"You're awake?"
Min Jee stood up and balanced herself, but she fell to the ground.
"Hey, watch out," he said.
She sat on the highway, her head swinging.
"Don't you have someone to call? I need to get back soon," he said in a worried tone.
"Go on. Leave me alone like everybody does."
He sighed and sat down next to her.
"Where do you live? I'll call a cab so you can go home," he said.
"Home?"
She smirked.
"Home is where you find refuge… but that bastard betrayed me!"
She messed up her hair and bowed her head.
"Why? Why does everyone hate me? True love breaks you… It wouldn't be happy in the end. What's wrong with invoking reality? Without pain, there's no love at all," she blabbered.
"So your heart's in trouble."
He stared at the stars up above, winking at them.
"True love never ends after the relationship and even when you no longer see each other. Being apart will not take away the feeling. Your heart just learns to understand that you can't be together even when you're in love," he said.
"Geez. How can two people who are in love cannot be together? If they're firm enough, no one can pull them apart," she said while pointing at him.
A shallow smile formed on his lips.
"I wonder why, too. Maybe gravity is pulling them towards someone who suits them better," he said.
Min Jee's head fell to the left side at a slow pace, but his hand was faster and caught it. The veins in his hand appeared as he tried not to wake her up and smoothly put her head on his shoulder.
The bartender breathed a deep sigh. He's about to lose his job, but she's worthy to be taken care of.
"Where should I take you?" he whispered.
"I'm homeless… Take me wherever you go."
Her voice cracked.
Min Jee's phone rang.
"Hello?" he said.
"Hey! Who are you? Where's Min jee? What did you do to her?" Sun Hee said in a hushed tone.
"She's with me and she's totally wasted. I am a bartender. Where does she live? I can take her there for a minute."
"Really? I'm sorry. Please take care of her."
They rode down the street of Seocho-dong. Her head landed on the window while he watched her sleep. He leaned closer to her and put the strands of her hair behind her ear.
"I don't hate you," he muttered.
Some time later, they arrived at her apartment. The elevator opened with an old lady inside. He went inside and bowed his head to greet her.
"Look at you… she might be tired."
The old woman gazed at Min Jee.
"You're a handsome fine man. You must be tough," she added, shifting her gaze to his biceps.
"Ugh, yes," he replied, trying not to act awkward.
The elevator opened on the 3rd floor.
"I miss our honeymoon. I'm jealous. My husband is a fine man, too. Take care of your wife," she said before leaving.
"Y-yes. See you around," he replied.
Minutes passed by, and they arrived at her door.
"Hey, we're here."
She opened her eyes while he tenderly put her down. Min Jee pressed the passcode and opened the door.
"Thank you," she said and glanced at him, but he was gone.
A week later, the most anticipated event of the year came up. It was the reunion of their batch in High School. They filled the Seochodong Dining Pub with their presence, dressed in formal attire, and some were still wearing their office uniform.
They laughed with all the fun and embarrassing stories way back. They clanged their glasses and drank some beer paired with a lavish dinner-- beef short ribs on a sizzling plate, beef brisket salad, Cajun chicken salad, and hot stone pot Bibimbap.
"Alright, everybody. Listen up!"
A woman stood up with a mic in her hand. She has an amazing singing voice in their batch ever since.
"I'll sing for you tonight. What do you want?"
She became a professional singer and competed all over the globe. The audience made a sound in awe. They took turns shouting their favorite song.
"Alright, I'll sing My Everything by Lena Park."
Applause and hoorays pulsated all over the pub. As the pianist pressed each key, a man in a maroon tuxedo stood up. His face showed agitation as he exhaled.
"Friends, I would like to take this opportunity to make an announcement. I'm getting married," he said.
Their mouths opened.
"What? You haven't proposed to me yet. Don't tell me you have another woman?" the girl beside her said with knitted brows.
He turned to her and knelt on the floor. She gasped while the people were speechless.
"That's why… I'm not asking you to marry me because I know you would."
The audience laughed. He slid the ring to her finger and hugged her tight. Their friends applauded to the echo, and some gave a standing ovation with a whistle.
"They're so cute. I wonder when I'll get married," Sun Hee whispered.
Min Jee shook her head.
"I don't even dream about it," she said.
Sun Hee crossed her arms.
"I expect you to say that because you haven't moved on."
Min Jee raised her brow.
"How could you say that? I'm totally fine. I could kiss the first guy I'll see from the entrance."
She smirked.
"Seriously? You're getting too far."
Sun Hee chuckled.
"You don't believe me? Do you think I hate men? Oh, come on. Let me show you."
She stood up towards the entrance when someone blocked her. She scanned her eyes, from his shiny black shoes to his face. He gave off a familiar scent to her. His messy curtain hair, pointed nose, Cupid's bow lips, and light-colored eyes would lead everyone to the dessert.
"Am I drunk? Why am I seeing things? Whatever, I'll just have to kiss him, anyway."
These thoughts streamed through her mind. She closed her eyes and tiptoed to kiss him. His body tensed up as he froze. In three seconds, she moved her lips away from his face.
"Daewon! You're back!"
Someone from their batch mates yelled.
Min Jee's chest screwed up after hearing his name. She took a step backward with watery eyes.
"Dae… Daewon," she whispered.
The man gazed at her and he was no other than her ex-boyfriend, Do Daewon.