Friday Afternoon
Tonight for work I decided to step up my game and wear something sexy. I wore an A-line black dress and heels to match. My hair was pinned up and my makeup was natural, giving my skin a fresh dew glow. Maybe it was the butterfly effect from the feelings I was left with after Jimin ate me out mercilessly earlier that day. It made me feel more fearless, gave me self-confidence, almost as if I was on top of the world.
Serina had made it apparent she was holding a grudge by the wayward glances she sent my way through the night. But I completely ignored her. I had just finished drinking with a new client. He'd chosen me as his main so I walked him to the lobby to see him off. After that, the receptionist called me to the side. The suit he wore was pristine, it matched the overall aura of the club and he fit right in.
"Jia, we have a high profile client coming tonight. I just got off the phone with his manager. He requests you" Jun waited for a sec, focusing on me.
"What? Really?" I blurted. Feeling displaced by this sudden information.
"Yeah. He'll be here in half an hour. I'll get one of the girls to prepare the VIP room." Jun clicked on the portable radio piece he wore in his ear. He said a few words into it.
"Oh one more thing, I've been emailed a non-disclosure, which you'll need to sign" Jun handed me the paper he'd been holding.
"Wait Jun, what is this about?" I questioned as I skimmed over the paper he'd just handed me. Wasn't this a bit much? Just how important was this person if I had to sign a paper that legally stopped me from talking about it..
"It's pretty standard when it comes to high profile people, you know, they don't want their private affairs getting out to the public" Jun reassured before leading me over to the lobby desk so I could sign it.
I continued to speed read through the clauses and then signed my name on the dotted line. Why did I suddenly feel unsettled, like I'd just made a deal with the devil?
Jun took the paper from me and put it away before escorting me to the VIP room. Some of the other girls glanced over in my direction, probably wondering what was going on.
That was a good question, what was going on? I felt just as confused as they looked. But, I needed to get my head together. Jun quickly went over a few things with me about the VIP room seeing as I was unfamiliar with it. There were luxurious black leather couches, a TV that took up nearly an entire wall, a one-way mirror that gave a perfect view of the rest of the lounge and a crystal chandelier the sparkled above it all. Afterwards, I went to the bar and took a shot while I waited for this so-called 'high profile' guy to arrive and be settled into the room.
I only caught a glimpse of him as Jun ushered him discreetly into the VIP room. Another man, I assumed to be his bodyguard, didn't follow them. Instead, he walked directly over to where I was at the bar. Wait, was he a manager maybe?
Now that he'd approached the bar and ordered there was an eerie vibe that floated around him. He glanced me up and down once, nothing after that. I minded my own business as I waited, that aura and the tattoos covering his arm was more than enough to rattle me.
What in reality was probably only 10 minutes seemed like an eternity as my mind ticked over. A weird instinct I felt. I couldn't ignore it.
Jun finally came out. On spotting me he came over, called out to the bartender for an extremely expensive bottle of champagne and then turned to me.
"Everything's ready. I'll escort you in, he has great taste in champagne so make sure you show him a good time" Jun grabbed the tray and I followed behind him.
As we entered my eyes instantly fell on a familiar face. I felt like I'd had the wind knocked right out of me despite holding my composure on the outside.
He was an Idol. And a famous one at that. Dae Sung from one of- No, from THE most popular group right now. Big Bang. Holy hell.
His smile was bright, aura strong as he laid eyes on me. The suit he wore made him look so clean-cut and only added the heaviness of his presence.
"Wow, you're more stunning than the pictures" He stood up and walked over to greet me, arm outstretched. I gave a slight smile as I walked into his momentary embrace. He planted a quick peck on my cheek.
"Dae-Sung. a Pleasure to meet you". He pulled away just enough so we were now facing.
"Nice to meet you too, sorry, I'm just still a bit shocked" I smiled sheepishly, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who didn't know who he was and the way he joked my reaction off I'm sure he knew that too.
The rest of my night at work was crazily energetic. Dae, as he'd so willingly asked me to call him loved to drink, sing and party. Champagne, karaoke and lots of touching. Even Cece who joined to help out sent me obnoxious glances in between forced laughs and smiles as we created the mirage of a great time. But the truth was, I half enjoyed it but at the same time, I felt a lot of pressure the entire time, up until the moment he'd been drunkenly escorted out of the club by his manager.
"Jia" Cece sat in the seat next to me at the bar as I sipped on a glass of water.
"Hm?"
"He's going to make you rich. But he's also going to drain you, emotionally" Cece rarely looked this serious, it just made me feel even more overwhelmed.
"How the fuck did this even happen. Like, I'm still beside myself" I lowered my voice so only she could hear me.
"I'll admit, it is a bit weird, like don't get me wrong you're absolutely gorgeous Jia, but still... I'm getting a weird feeling about this" Cece let out a small sigh before downing the shot in front of her.
"Me too. I felt like I had alarm bells ringing in my ears the entire time. But what can I do? I'm just gonna go with it for now." I told her, she gave a solemn nod before leaving me at the bar and heading back to work. I'd finished for the night so I should probably head home.
Part of my brain told me I should but, there was another part that was still whizzing with uncertainty. At that moment, as though on cue the phone that was on the bar table in front of me buzzed.
I clicked open the message.
Yoongi: You working tonight?
Jia: Yeah, just finished 😌
Yoongi: You hungry?
I lingered on the text for a moment, was Yoongi asking me if I wanted to go and eat with him? That was.. unexpected but maybe it was what I needed to calm my mind.
Jia: I could eat, where are you?
A few seconds passed as I waited for him to reply.
Yoongi: Outside
His replies were so short but the fact that he was already here and waiting for me hit me in the feels. I clicked my phone shut and quickly went to grab my coat and bag. I could still feel the effects of the drinks but it wasn't overpowering like usual. I'd probably built up a tolerance by now which was good.
As I left the buzzing of the club behind and entered the more quiet and slight chill of the evening I saw Yoongi standing by the bench, he looked like he'd just knocked off work for the night. His delivery shirt visibly poked out from under his puffy black jacket.
The stoic look he wore was unwavering as he saw me. My heels clicked against the pavement as I went to him.
"You look nice" Yoongi glanced down, the coat I wore didn't hide my dress underneath completely. Part of my leg and the side slit was still noticeable.
"Oh, thanks. It's part of the job I guess" I replied, hiking the strap of my handbag further up my shoulder. "You have somewhere in mind?" I asked.
"Hm, I know a place with decent lamb skewers. That alright with you?" He hummed.
"Sure, sounds perfect."
We settled down at a street food stall. There was only one other couple there and apart from the Ajusshi that I assumed owned the stall. He was cooking behind the grill and it was fairly peaceful. The allure of freshly cooked lamb wafting in the air was working up my appetite.
Yoongi ordered a plate of skewers and, after asking if I was okay to drink, a bottle of Chamisul for our table.
"So, How's life?" I asked casually.
"Tiering," The monotone he used only made it sound all the more satirical of him. He broke into a small smile as I chuckled.
"I feel ya. It gets like that.." I set out the cutlery for us on the table.
"Mm. I finally had some time to read through your lyrics" The natural rasp to Yoongi's voice always made listening to him soothing in a way. It was even more pleasing to hear that he'd finally looked through my work.
"And..?" I drawled out eager to hear his thoughts.
"Let's collab on something" He smiled faintly. The prospect of working with him made me happy. But, at the same time, I'd noticed how busy he always seemed to be.
"Do you even have time?" I questioned hesitantly.
"No. But I'll make time. Don't worry."
The Ajusshi came over and placed the dish down on the table along with a green bottle and two shot glasses. He looked directly at me for a moment and I felt a weird vibe coming from him. We both just gave a small nod of thanks in his direction before continuing our conversation in which he left.
"Okay, let's do it then" I declared.
"Just Uhh, Let me sort out a few things and I'll get back to you with details."
"Sure, no problem" I feigned, a habit of taking his time with things was starting to become apparent to me.
Yoongi reached for the shot glasses and began to pour, he slid mine over so I picked it up, trying not to spill it as I did. We both clinked and threw it back without hesitation.
"Namjoon-ah told me you're coming to our show tomorrow night" Yoongi tilted his head slightly, curiously.
"Yeah, I'm gonna come check it out after work. The club you're performing at has a good rep, how'd you manage to get a gig there?" I pried. As far as underground Hip Hop clubs went, Secret Society was well known, if that was your taste, of course.
"Joon is the manager. The CEO of our agency asked him to take care of it seeing as it is affiliated with our company. He didn't tell you?" He stated plainly as though it was common knowledge.
"No... I had no idea. Guess he forgot to mention it" I mumbled. It didn't bother me. I knew Joon always had a lot on his plate.
Yoongi gave a small shrug then reached over for the half-full bottle. We took another shot and then started nibbling at the skewers that sat on the table between us.
I felt the drinks catching up to me as a wave of dizziness hit me. A deep voice pulled my attention, causing me to focus on Yoongi.
"I told them about my part-time job" He mused, licking at the bottom of his lip almost self soothingly.
"I still haven't.." I admitted. Should I?
You should, they won't judge you" Yoongi said, almost like he'd read my thoughts.
As I looked across the table, a flushed light pink spread across Yoongis cheeks. His gaze dropped downward, part of my thigh was exposed as I sat with my legs crossed to the side of the table.
"Yoongi?" I called his name, he snapped out of his little trance to give me a questioning look.
"Are you drunk already?" I teased but Yoongi just huffed. "It's not that, It's- Are the dresses you wear for work always this distracting?" He questioned apprehensively.
"Not always, besides, a little leg is nothing. The cleavage on this dress is much more revealing" I joked even though it wasn't a joke per se.
"Oh really?" He challenged as he relaxed back into his chair. Wonder what he'd think if I just showed him...
"Well, I dono, you tell me" I slowly undid the top few buttons and opened my coat to reveal the low cut seam which easily showed off the gap between and fullness of my chest. I watched as his eyes followed.
"Mm. I see what you mean" Yoongi bit at his lip almost unconsciously. I don't know why but part of me wanted to see him react. Maybe it was because he never gave me much of a reaction to begin with that pushed me to test the waters.
The cold of the night air and the way he was eating me up with only his gaze caused goosebumps to ripple against my skin so I quickly closed my jacket back up.
"You must get a lot of attention. Can imagine it'd be jarring after a while. Having sleaze bags always approaching you" Yoongi hummed.
"Sometimes I like the attention, sometimes I don't" I admitted.
"That's elusive of you. Like trying to catch smoke with bare hands" Yoongi offered. He had a point. I knew well that I tended to be fickle and hard to pin down. Elusive, as he had put it. But it was for a reason.
"I have to protect my heart. No one else will do it for me" That was it. Plain and simple. He stared at me, how had the air between us turned so sombre so quickly.
"At least you're honest with yourself." Yoongi finally let out a sigh. "But, is that genuinely the way you feel deep down? I guess it shouldn't surprise me. We all have our inner struggles" I listened as he spoke his thoughts aloud.
"Mm... Yoongi" I rested my head in my hands and peered into his glazed-over eyes.
"I'm tired. So tired.." I mumbled. As though using telepathy he nodded slowly. He'd said the same words himself earlier.
"Let me take you home then. Go get some rest. You worked hard today." The thought of a good nights sleep sounded like heaven.
I went over to take care of the bill. Yoongi protested momentarily but I brushed it off, thanks to the new job I had money to spare. Come to think of it, a stall like this was the perfect place for two stragglers like us to drink our problems away. It was befitting in a melodramatic way.
We walked through the dimly lit streets together in the direction of my apartment. When Yoongi noticed I was rubbing my hands together for warmth he reached over and laced his fingers with mine before shoving our entwined hands into his pocket.
"You'd be the sweetest boyfriend" I giggled, he gave a small smirk back.
"Damn straight I would" he exclaimed. We both chuckled.
He dropped me at the front of my building, mentioning catching me at the show tomorrow. Winding down at the end of the night proved relaxing. I easily fell into a slumber as soon as I hit the sheets.