Chapter 8 - The Host
Soo-ji felt a warm rain pouring down on her, "Thanks, I really enjoyed it. I have to say that you are a good host."
The shop owner laughed. "I just want to make sure they're happy, too."
The single guys in the group looked at the beautiful guys as they walked around the room. They are called "hosts," and people who don't have a partner can hang out with them. Her friend is single and is thinking of using their services.
Several people in the group spotted the pretty "host" and walked around them. These people are the idea of a host who will let anyone go with someone who doesn't have a partner.
Min-ho has a lot of interest. He is single and is thinking about going to them.
"Hey, guys, have you ever thought about using one of these hosts?" Min-ho points at them and asks.
"I don't know, Min-ho," Soo-ji said. "That seems a little... strange to me." I don't think I can be okay with that."
Min-ho shrugs and says, "I think this could be fun. I'm single, and I don't want to be the only one without a date tonight. In any case, they are pretty tempting. What do you have to lose?"
Soo-ji is still unsure, but he can't deny that it's an exciting thought. She watched as Min-ho approached one of the hosts and started a chat. The drinks keep coming, and the music is getting louder. The room was full of laughs and talk, and everyone was having a good time. Soo-ji leans back on the couch and closes her eyes while listening to the music.
Soo-ji is thinking a lot. She is lost in thought when someone taps her on the shoulder. He turned around and saw a beautiful woman with a charming smile. She was one of the emcees, along with the others.
"Hello," the host said, "I couldn't help but notice you're here by yourself. Do you want to buy me a drink?"
They walked to the bar after she said yes.
"You know," the host said, "I have to admit I was a little nervous when I first came up to you. But I enjoyed doing it. You listen well and are so much fun to be with."
Soo-ji said, "Thank you."
Soo-ji is preparing to leave the club. She sees the host dancing and having fun with other guests.
Soo-ji goes up to the person in charge of the show, smiling.
"Hi," said Soo-ji, "I just wanted to say goodbye before I left. Tonight was a lot of fun."
"I'm glad you're here," the host said. "I hope you're having fun."
Soo-ji nods, "Yes. The music is good and the mood is great. I'm happy."
"That way, we can stay in touch and maybe do this again someday," she said.
He said, "That sounds good."
They give each other their phone numbers, and Soo-ji repeats goodbye.
She left the bar and started walking back home. Soo-ji is suddenly at a bus stop and decides to sit down and wait for the bus.
The bus finally comes, and Soo-ji gets on. She went to bed that night with a smile, happy for the memories she had made. Soo-ji is on the bus, trying to sleep after a long night at a party when her cell phone suddenly lights up. She reached for it groggily, squinting to read the message.
Two texts were ready for her. The first one was from the girl giving out her phone number. "Hey, it's nice to meet you. Do you have time to wait until tomorrow?"
"Where were you?" asks So-rae in the second message. I just called you, but you didn't answer."
Soo-ji is about to reply to a message when her phone rings. That's up to So Rae.
"Hey, what's up?" Soo-ji answers while still trying to get out of his sleepy state.
"I was just worried about you," So-rae said. "I tried to call you earlier but you didn't answer."
Soo-ji said, "I'm fine. I was trying to sleep on the bus." Now, I'm almost home."
"Okay, great," said So-rae with a sigh of relief. "Just be careful and let me know if you need something."
Soo-ji says she will and says goodbye to So-rae. She put her cell phone back in her pocket and leaned back in her chair to rest. Tae-hyun gets off the bus after a long day at work. He is tired. He worked late today, and the long hours started wearing him down.
As he walked home, he thought about what had happened today. Mr. Park isn't at work for a few days, so most of Mr. Park's work falls on Tae-hyun. Even worse, some of his coworkers try to play a trick on him, making Tae-hyun feel even worse.
But Tae-hyun is not going to stand by and do nothing. He attempts to fight back, despite getting comments and jokes. Tae-hyun kept complaining all the way home. His stomach was growling, telling him that he was hungry. Tae-hyun eats gimbap and instant noodles for breakfast and dinner because his pay is low.
Tae-hyun thinks about how much money he has. He opened the plastic bag. He had just finished his hair and instant noodles and was feeling down.
"It looks like I won't be able to invite Soo-ji out to dinner for a few days," he said to himself. "I wish I had more money. Then I can buy Soo-ji some gifts from well-known brands. I don't have to worry about finding food."
Again, Tae-hyun sighed and felt slightly envious of people with more money. He can't help but think what it would be like to buy the things she wants, take Soo-ji to a fancy dinner, and give her many gifts.
But he quickly pushed those thoughts out of his mind because he knew he had to pay attention to the present. He wants to work hard and make a better life for himself, even if it means eating instant noodles for a few more days.
Tae-hyun is always thinking about what will happen in the future. He always wanted to go to college and study, but he had to quit school and get a job because he didn't have enough money.
"I can't believe this is my fate," Tae-hyun thought as he walked up the steps to his small flat. "If it weren't for Mr. Kim, I could be in college right now, studying and working for a better future."
"I'll save more money," he told himself. "Next year, I'll be putting away a lot of money for college."
"I won't let other people decide my fate," Tae-hyun told himself as he reached into his pocket for the keys. A person sitting in front of Tae-hyun's door scares him. He walked up carefully, squinting in the dim light to get a better look.
It was a girl who was on her knees and had long hair over her face. Tae-hyun couldn't help but worry. She dresses up, but something about her makes Tae-hyun think she's not like other girls.
As he got closer, Tae-hyun saw a bag by the girl. He had seen Soo-ji carrying the bag before, and that's when he realized he knew the girl.
"Sooji?" Tae-hyun said, shaking his shoulder with his hand. "Are you okay?"
The girl doesn't answer, which makes Tae-hyun even more worried. He gave her shoulder another shake, but this time with more force. "Soo Ji, wake up!"
Finally, the girl moved, raising her head and showing a tear-stained face. Tae-hyun could tell she was upset, which made him worry.
"What's the matter?" When Tae-hyun helps him get up, he asks. "What's going on?"
Soo-ji cries and looks at Tae-hyun with her eyes all red. "I don't know what to do," he said, trembling. "I just need some time to get away from everything."
Soo-ji was talking, and Tae-hyun could smell strongly of booze. He quickly led her inside because he didn't want her to be seen by others.
Tae-hyun led Soo-ji to the couch and said, "Here, sit down." "Would you like something to drink?"
Soo-ji shakes her head, still looking very confused. Tae-hyun doesn't want her to get sick, so he lets her sleep.
"Come on," said Tae-hyun as he got a mat and set up a bed. "Make you feel at ease."
He takes Soo-ji to a corner of the room and helps her lie down, covering her with a blanket and ensuring she is warm and comfortable.
"Try to rest," Tae-hyun said, sitting beside him. "If you need anything, I'll be here."
Soo-ji mumbles something I can't understand, and Tae-hyun leans in to listen. He asked, "What was that?"
Soo-ji says, "Don't leave me," but her voice is hard to hear.
Tae-hyun smiles and feels all warm and hairy inside. "I won't leave you," he promised. Try to sleep.
He sits there for a while, watching Soo-ji fall asleep. He was glad to have her by his side and was determined to be there for her no matter what.
Tae-hyun is so focused on moving Soo-ji that he has to remind himself of the plastic bag he brought home from the store. He went outside again and was glad to see that the plastic was still there.
He quickly brought it inside and put it on the kitchen counter. He chose to cook himself something.