Mi-Jin takes the drink, holding it delicately between her fingers. "Oh, we're not for sale," she says, her smile never wavering. "But we might be... persuaded."
Choi's eyes narrow, his interest piqued. He leans in closer, his hand brushing against Mi-Jin's leg. "What do you have in mind?"
Mi-Jin's smile widens, a hint of challenge in her eyes. "We have something very... unique," she says, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But we only share it with those who can appreciate its true value."
Choi's hand tightens on his drink, the smile on his face never faltering. "I'm sure I can appreciate it," he says, his voice thick with greed. "Tell me more."
Mi-Jin leans in closer, her eyes locked with his. "It's an... experience," she says, her voice a seductive whisper. "One that's worth far more than money can buy."
Choi's hands start to wander, his fingers tracing the curve of Mi-Jin's neck, then sliding down to her waist. Soo Young feels his touch on her own skin, a slithering discomfort that makes her want to recoil. But she stays still, her breathing even, her eyes on the prize.
The club's lights reflect off the gold of his teeth as he smiles, his hands moving with a sense of entitlement that makes Soo Young's skin crawl. She can feel the rage bubbling beneath her surface, the memory of her own degradation at the hands of these monsters. But she doesn't flinch, doesn't pull away. This is the dance she has chosen, the role she must play to win.
Choi's fingers trace the bare skin of Soo Young's shoulder, his touch a violation that sends a shiver of revulsion down her spine. But she holds his gaze, her own hand moving to rest lightly on his thigh, a silent warning that she's not as helpless as he assumes. Mi-Jin's hand slides closer to her knife, her eyes flicking to the side to confirm that Soo Young is ready for the next part of the plan.
Just then, a burly bodyguard in a black suit appears at the edge of the booth, his eyes scanning the room before landing on Choi. He leans in and whispers something in his ear, his voice urgent and low. Choi's smile falters for a fraction of a second, his eyes narrowing. He glances at the bodyguard, his hand lingering on Mi-Jin's leg before he stands, his movements abrupt.
"Ladies, it seems business calls," he says, his voice a slick apology. "But I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to... discuss our arrangement later." He slides a business card across the table, his eyes never leaving theirs. "Call me. Soon."
Mi-Jin's smile doesn't waver as she picks up the card, slipping it into her clutch. "We'll do that," she says, her tone promising more than just a meeting.
Soo Young stands, her knees trembling slightly, but she maintains her poise. As they navigate through the throng of club-goers, she can feel the weight of Choi's gaze on her back, like a physical presence that won't let her go. She grips the knife tighter, imagining the feel of his skin parting beneath the blade. But now isn't the time. The game isn't over yet.
Back in the alley, the cool night air is a welcome relief from the stifling heat of the club. They lean against the wall, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins. "We've got him," Mi-Jin says with a smug smile. "Now we just need to reel him in."
But as the words leave her lips, Soo Young's eyes start to feel heavy. She blinks, trying to shake off the sudden drowsiness. "What's wrong?" she mumbles, her voice slurring.
Mi-Jin's smile falters, her eyes widening as she too begins to sway on her feet. "The drinks," she hisses, her hand flying to her mouth. "They must have been drugged."
Soo Young's vision swims, the neon lights of the alley becoming a blurry haze. "We have to get out of here," she mumbles, her legs feeling like lead.
Mi-Jin nods, her movements jerky. "We can't let them... we can't..." Her words trail off as her eyes roll back in her head. Soo Young tries to catch her, but her own strength is waning. They both crumple to the ground, the concrete unforgiving against their backs.
The world spins around them as unseen hands hoist them up, their legs dragging lifelessly. Panic claws at Soo Young's chest as she fights the encroaching darkness, trying to remember the protocols, trying to call out to Jung-Ho and Min-Ho. But her voice is nothing more than a whisper, lost in the din of the city nightlife.
They're shoved into a waiting van, the doors slamming shut with a finality that sends a jolt of terror through Soo Young's system. Her mind races, trying to piece together what went wrong, why they didn't see the trap. The van lurches forward, sending them tumbling into the cold, metal floor.
Mi-Jin's eyes are glazed, but she fights the sedative with every ounce of her will. "Choi knew," she manages to murmur. "It was a setup." The words hang in the air, heavy with implication. They've been played, and now they're back in the clutches of the monsters they thought they had outsmarted.
The van's interior is cold and dark, the only light coming from the occasional streetlamp that pierces through the tinted windows. Soo Young's thoughts are a jumble, her body feeling as if it's sinking into quicksand. She tries to keep her mind sharp, to remember every detail of the night in case it's useful later. The van hits a pothole, jolting her out of her thoughts.
Her head lolls to the side, and she sees Mi-Jin's eyes, usually so full of fire, now glazed over with the same drugged haze. The fear is palpable, a living, breathing thing in the enclosed space. She tries to speak, to reassure her newfound comrade, but all that comes out is a slurred whisper. "It's okay," she says, or at least she thinks she does.
The van's engine growls, the only sound in their world as the city's cacophony fades away. The drugs pull at her, trying to drag her into oblivion. But she fights it, her mind racing, searching for an escape, a way out of this new hell. The darkness closes in, the edges of her vision blurring into black.
When she opens her eyes, the world is a blur of lights and shadowy figures. She's upright, but she can feel the cold steel of the pipe digging into her back, her hands and feet bound tightly to it. The van's engine has stopped, and she can hear the murmur of voices outside. The drugs haven't fully claimed her yet, she's still conscious, but barely. Soo Young's mind races, trying to piece together what happened. They've been captured again, and this time she's not sure if they'll escape.
Her eyes slowly focus, and she sees Mi-Jin tied alongside her, her head lolling forward, the red dress now a sad parody of their earlier confidence. Soo Young tries to speak, to ask if she's okay, but her mouth feels like it's filled with cotton. She can only manage a weak groan, which seems to echo in the cold, metal space.
The doors of the warehouse swing open with a metallic screech, and the sound of heavy boots echoes through the space. Two figures are dragged in, one slumped over the other's shoulders, and dumped unceremoniously on the concrete floor. Soo Young's heart skips a beat as she recognizes them through the fog of the drug. Eun-Ji and Min-Ho, their faces slack and eyes closed, are brought in by two of Choi's men. The fear in her chest grows, a tumor fed by the sight of their lifeless forms.
The men laugh cruelly as they tie Eun-Ji to the same pipe that holds Soo Young and Mi-Jin. She tries to struggle, but the sedative has sapped her strength, leaving her limp and helpless. They secure her with the same ruthless efficiency they had used on Soo Young and Mi-Jin, leaving no room for escape. The cold steel feels like a prison against her skin, a stark reminder of their failure.
Min-Ho is brought in next, his tall frame slumped over like a ragdoll. They dump him unceremoniously into a chair, the impact jolting Soo Young out of her daze. She watches, her vision swimming, as they bind his wrists and ankles with thick, industrial zip ties. His head lolls back, a trickle of blood seeping from his nose, painting a gruesome picture of their defeat.
Choi emerges from the shadows, his smile twisted into a sadistic grin. "Welcome to my little reunion," he says, his voice a knife slicing through the air. "I've been waiting for this moment." His gold tooth gleams in the stark light of the warehouse.
The sound of a ringing phone pierces the silence, and one of the guards rushes over to answer it. He whispers something into the receiver before handing it to Choi with a trembling hand. The atmosphere in the warehouse shifts as Choi's smile fades, his eyes flicking to the bound figures with a hint of unease. He takes the phone, pressing it to his ear with a forced calmness.
"Yes," he says, his voice tight. "We have them all. No, there were no complications." His eyes dart to Soo Young, Mi-Jin, and the unconscious forms of Eun-Ji and Min-Ho. "They're all here except one... Jung-Ho." He listens intently, his knuckles whitening around the phone. "Understood." He hangs up and turns to the others, his smile back in place. "Boss man's on his way. He's quite eager to see who's been playing cat and mouse with him."
Choi's words are like a bucket of ice water, jolting Soo Young's foggy mind into alertness. Jung-Ho. Where is he? Her thoughts are a tangle of fear and anger, the need to act overriding the sedative's grip. But her body won't respond, betraying her with every sluggish beat of her heart.
Choi's gaze lingers on her, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent. He approaches, his steps measured and deliberate, the sound of his polished shoes echoing in the cavernous space. "Let's make sure you're all cozy," he says, his breath hot on her face as he leans in. His hand reaches for her dress, his intentions clear.
Panic surges through Soo Young. She's unable to move, her body a treacherous prison as Choi's hands start to roam over her, searching for the knife she's hidden. She can feel his breath on her neck, his fingertips probing the fabric of her dress, seeking the cold metal of her weapon. Her mind screams for action, but her muscles refuse to respond.
Mi-Jin's eyes fly open, the same horror reflected in her gaze as she watches the scene unfold. She tries to struggle against her own restraints, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. The drugs are wearing off, but it's too late. Choi's hand slides down Soo Young's leg, his touch a violation that sends bile rising in her throat. Her eyes burn with fury, her teeth clenched so hard she's afraid they'll shatter.
Choi's grip tightens around her thigh, his thumb brushing against the knife hidden in her garter. Soo Young's pulse skyrockets, her heart pounding in her chest. His eyes widen with glee as he pulls the weapon free, holding it up to the light with a grin. "Look what I found," he says, his voice a taunting sing-song.
Mi-Jin's eyes narrow with fury as he turns his attention to her, his hand reaching out to trace the line of her collarbone. "Let's see what secrets you're hiding," he murmurs, his fingers moving down to the zipper of her red dress. With a sickening jerk, he starts to pull it down, exposing her bare skin to the frigid air.
Eun-Ji stirs, the sound of the zipper echoing through the warehouse like a gunshot. Her eyes fly open, the haze of the drug lifting slightly. She tries to struggle against her bindings, a silent scream of rage etched on her face. Choi laughs, his eyes glinting with sadistic pleasure as he watches her futile attempts to escape.
Choi turns to the guard, his smile never wavering. "Take your time with her," he says, his voice a low growl. "Make sure she doesn't have any... surprises for us." The guard nods eagerly, his leer making it clear what he has in mind.
Mi-Jin's eyes blaze with defiance as the man approaches her, his hands already reaching for the zipper of her dress. She spits at him, the saliva landing on his cheek with a wet splat. The guard's hand recoils for a moment before coming back to slap her across the face with a crack that echoes through the warehouse. Soo Young's heart sinks, the helplessness of the situation weighing heavily on her.
Choi laughs, the sound a chilling counterpoint to the horror unfolding before her. He turns to Min-Ho, his smile a twisted mockery of human emotion. "Ah, our little mole," he says, his voice dripping with false affection. "Let's not forget to give you a thorough inspection." He nods to another guard, who steps forward with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
The guard approaches Min-Ho, his meaty hands reaching for the unconscious man's pockets. Soo Young's eyes are glued to the scene, her mind racing for a way to warn him, to save him. But the drugs still hold her in their grasp, leaving her a silent witness to the unfolding nightmare.
Min-Ho's eyes flutter open, the light from the warehouse piercing the darkness of his mind. He blinks rapidly, trying to focus on his surroundings. The pain from his nose and the tightness of the zip ties bring everything into stark reality. He sees Soo Youn, Mi Jin and Eun Ji, bound and defiant, and his heart sinks. He tries to struggle, to fight, but his body refuses to respond.
Min Ho's eyes are glassy, but the flicker of anger in them is unmistakable. He tries to form words, but his tongue is thick in his mouth, the sedative stealing his voice. Choi laughs again, a sound that sends chills down Soo Young's spine. "Don't bother," he says, his tone mocking. "Your little game's over."
The sound of a distant engine grows louder, the vibrations echoing through the warehouse. Choi's smile falters, and he looks towards the entrance, his grip on the knife tightening. The guards exchange nervous glances, their confidence slipping like the shadows on the walls. The engine's roar reaches a crescendo before abruptly cutting off, the silence that follows thick with tension.