CH7- In the Club

In the Club

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Dara’s POV

It’s very rare that we go out to party in clubs but tonight, Sohee, Suzy, Sunny and I are going to have the time of our lives. Our usual hang out when we get together is to go eat and watch movies. But because it’s our last chance to have a girl’s night out before Sohee leaves for America next week, we decided to go all out and party hard. We all met up over at Sunny and Suzy’s place to get dressed and together we did our hair and makeup. We are all dressed similarly – short shimmering numbers but with different colors and high heels. We were giggling and giving each other knowing looks as we made our way from different bars. Like always, we are a sight to behold when we get together. Guys compete for our attention but we don’t give them the time of the day. Oh, they try to buy us drinks and join us when were dancing but we don’t let them in our circle. We are not the type who flirts and hook up with men. It’s all about us girls.  The four of us are an impenetrable force. 

We are now on the third club for the night and I’m a bit tipsy. I only let myself drink when I’m with the girls. Sunny is the heaviest drinker and I’m the weakest. There’s this one time when we had a sleep over at their place and they convinced me to test my alcohol limit. How else will I be able to know the extent of my alcohol tolerance, they argued. I swear I felt like dying the next day from my splitting headache. But they were right. At least, I now know how much alcohol intake is too much for me. I figured after an hour, I’ll be able to shake off this tipsy feeling.

I made a beeline to the bar while the three went to the ladies room. We’ve been dancing for 20 minutes now, I guess. I decided to order bottled water first before following them. After, we secured ourselves a table and they each ordered margaritas while I held on to my water. Not before long, a couple of good looking guys approached our table and offered to buy us drinks. Sunny gave them a firm “No, thank you” but the guys were persistent. We looked at each other when it appeared like they refused to get the “get lost message” our faces were showing. In situations like this, we do one thing. 

Sunny wrapped her arm around Suzy and gave her a kiss. “Sorry boys… but… you are not our type…” she trailed. The two guy’s eyes widened looking at them and then at Sohee and me who appear to be sucking each other’s neck. Realization reflected in their eyes and I heard one of them say “Damn Lesbos!” as they left us alone. 

We burst out laughing as soon as the coast was clear. We love playing this pretend game. I found it weird at first when I saw Sunny and Suzy did it the first time we went out to a bar before we became friends but pretty soon, Sohee and I decided to join in their little trip.

Giggling like schoolgirls, Suzy proposed a toast. “To us, girls! S4 forever!”

“S4 forever!” we shouted, not minding the cheesiness as they clinked their glasses and me, my bottle of water.

“To Sohee and her marriage!” I said.

“May they have many lovely babies!” our dongsaengs said.

“To getting rich or die trying!” That one came from Sunny.

We repeated the cheer, still laughing like crazy.

“Ehem. Ehem” we turned to look at Sohee who likes always to emphasize her presence. We are used to her quirks and still love her for it. 

She looked at each and every one of us; our arms are still extended waiting for her toast. Her face turned serious and said “To a wonderful future and may true love find all of you as it has found me!”

“Hear! Hear!” I heard Sunny and Suzy say. 

Sohee gently elbowed my side. “Hey” she said looking at me straight in the eyes. “Stop looking like that”

“What?” I shrugged, though knowing where this leads to.

“Don’t lose heart. Don’t give up on love”, she said over the loud music.

“You know I don’t believe in love” I said. Not anymore.

“Why not?!” said the guy who suddenly sat beside me forcing me to scoot over the circular red couch closer to Sohee.

I looked at him, surprised. “Blondie?”

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Jiyong’s POV

I don’t know if this is called fate or what but I didn’t expect to see her here. I went to Lucky Seven yesterday but I was told that she took a leave and won’t be back until next week. Dongwook won’t even give me her phone number. It’s not that I plan to call her or anything; I just want to personally give her the money that I owe her. That night, I left my wallet in my car so she told me to leave “what I owe” to Dongwook hyung. But I figured it’ll be better to give it in person, you know. 

She should be thankful that I’m willing to honor our agreement given that she barely talked to me that night. She focused all her attention to Youngbae. I mean, what the f*ck is that? I was the one who paid her to stay but she chose YB over me! The great Kwon Jiyong?! Unbelievable! 

I admit Bae has his charms but it has never happened … like never … that a girl chose him over me or Top hyung. Girls love bad boys and not the innocent ones like Bae. He’s too green when it comes to girls. We even asked him one time … like man to man … if he’s gay or not. He said no, he’s not gay of course and we believe him. He’s just too shy when it comes to the opposite sex and he says that he’s just waiting for his soul mate to come. Like who believes in soul mate in this day and age, right? He’s too idealistic and naïve. I swear, it’s all Youngbae’s Mom’s fault. She babied him too much being an only child and heir of the biggest mall chain in Korea and the leader in property development. The Dongs belong to the old rich. Name any business and they probably have stakes in them. Good thing that they allow him to hang out with us or else he would have grown up a wuss. I bet the only reason they do is because our families are business partners. Otherwise, their precious son will be locked up in their mansion with books and trained to be the successor of their countless businesses.

My family’s main businesses are hotels and construction and the Dongs and Kwons have been business partners since our grandfather’s era. The Choi’s, Seunghyun hyungs parent’s meanwhile were into electronics and steel and were doing really well until their car accident. After their death, hyung liquidated all their remaining assets except his shares with the Dong’s and disappeared for a year. When he came back, he became even more brooding and quiet. I know that he didn’t have a good relationship with his parents when they were alive and basically lived with me and Bae growing up. I barely remember them but from what I recall, they were cold people. I think that’s where hyung got his aura. He can be intimidating when he likes and when he stares, he can be scary. But I will not admit to that.

Thank God my parents are pretty cool although I will never tell that to their faces. They told me that I can do whatever I want to do while I’m young but when the time comes, I’ll have to settle and marry the girl that they will choose for me. That’s their compromise. I figured, being a third generation chaebol, I don’t have much choice anyway so why refuse their offer, right? It will end up that way in the end anyway. Marriages for convenience are a common thing. What of love … romance … talks of soul mate …? Ha! We don’t have those luxuries. So I am going to have the time of my life and have all the fun in the world while I can. I only have 2 years remaining to finish my degree in Management and I’ll have to start helping Appa after that. Oh and there’s 2 years of military waiting. How can I forget? Sarcasm overload.

I have an older sister but she is living in California and is helping her husband manage our hotel chain there. Being the only male heir, I will inherit the greater responsibility. But enough of depressing thoughts, I shake my head.

The night has turned an interesting turn. I see my target dancing and grinding on the dance floor with three other girls. I rubbed my eyes to make sure I’m not hallucinating. I know I’m not drunk yet. Still, I asked Kush to confirm what I’m seeing. “Hyung” I called. “Isn’t that Sandy?”

Kush is busy making out with his latest conquest. He was the one who called me here in the club earlier because Teddy is busy with his band. Bae had to go to Hongkong for the weekend for a business trip and Seunghyun just didn’t feel like drinking. So for tonight, it’s just the 2 of us. “Sandy from Lucky Seven?” he asked and I nodded. He looked towards the direction I’m pointing at, “Yeah, I think it is her.”

I smiled. 

“Who’s Sandy?” asked the lady beside me, Kush’s current squeeze’s friend. 

“No one you know.” I answered rudely. I swear this girl is turning into a leech. She can’t seem to keep her hands off me. I peel off her arms around my waist and stood up.

“What are you doing?” Kush said in a tone with a hint of warning.

I rolled my shoulders and gave him an innocent smile. “Making friends…” I answered.

“Ji, I know you. You don’t make friends with girls.”

“Hyung, don’t worry” I assured him “I know what you’re thinking about. I’ll behave.”

“I just don’t want you to cause any trouble, arasso? Think of your brother.”

I nodded, losing a bit of my smile. I didn’t need to be reminded of that. Still. It’s just for tonight, I tell myself. Just for tonight.

I made my way towards the dance floor but I noticed the girls are missing. Looking around, I saw Sandy in the bar drinking from a water bottle. I was about to join her when she moved. Following her direction, I saw where she’s headed so I decided to sit on a stool at the bar where I can see when she gets back.

A few minutes later, she and her friends got a table not far from where I am. Careful not to get noticed, I sat directly at table behind theirs. Luckily, the ones occupying the table are acquaintances of mine so I casually greeted them while keeping my attention on the table next to us.

This is totally not my style. I don’t work this hard for a girl. I feel like a creepy stalker all of a sudden. I was contemplating on giving up and go back to Kush when 2 guys approached Sandy’s table. I was chuckling to myself when they were rejected and was also surprised by what the girls did. What an interesting group of friends Sandy has. I witnessed their little girl on girl act and it was such a turn on. I wonder if they have the same line of work as she does. Knowing that she’s an escort girl doesn’t bother me at all. Dongwook hyung explained that she’s the decent kind after she left us in Lucky Seven. Top wasn’t convinced though. For some reason, he doesn’t like Sandy. Dongwook was obviously fond of her and warned us against making a pass at the girl … until Youngbae spoke.

The guys sitting at my table also noticed Sandy’s group and were discussing among them on who will try their luck with the girls but I put a stop on their plans. I told them quietly that they’re off limits and gave them a look. They know my reputation so they backed off immediately. I turned my head towards the next table. Sandy is sitting right behind me and I can hear their cheers. Time to make my move soon…

I then heard her say “You know I don’t believe in love”.

I stood and casually sat beside her. “Why not?!” I asked.

“Blondie?” her eyes slightly widened, moving away from me.

“Annyeong…” giving her my most charming smile.

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Meanwhile…

Kush was observing Jiyong from his vantage point. He shakes his head and gulps mouthfuls of beer. He’s up to no good as usual. He is girl crazy and constantly horny. Kush wonders when Jiyong will outgrow his playboy ways. Out of the three friends- Jiyong, Seunghyun and Youngbae, Ji worried him the most. 

As if on cue, his mobile phone rings and he sees that it’s Top calling. He grunts as his way of greeting.

“Hyung, is Jiyong with you? I’ve been trying to call him but he’s not answering his phone.”

“Why, is there something wrong?”

“I just want to know if we’re still up for tomorrow. We’re planning on going to the racetracks. You’re in the lineup, right?”

Kush races cars for fun as well as Dongwook.

Kush nodded, forgetting Top can’t see him. “Dongwook, too”

“Okay. Can you tell Ji to pick me up then? I left my car at the repair shop.” Top requested.

“Why, what happened?”

“Nothing. Just for a general check up and oil change” he answered. Ever since his parent’s accident, Seunghyun has been very careful on the road and his car. He’s also not fond of driving.

“Okay, I’ll tell him” Kush nodded again. “That is if I’ll have the chance to …” he chuckled “he’s quite busy at the moment.”

“Hooking up with a girl again?” he laughed.

Kush now sees Jiyong sitting beside Sandy. “Remember Sandy?

Seunghyun went silent. “Yeah…”

“He’s with her now…”

“What do you mean? You met up with her?”

“No. She’s with her friends, I guess. Ji saw her and …” Kush trailed off, contemplating what to say next.

“Where are you?” Seunghyun asked.

Kush said the name of the club. 

“Wait for me. I’ll be right there.”

“W-What?!” Kush asked. “I thought you don’t have your car.”

“I’ll take a cab. Hyung” the younger guy said, “no matter what happens, don’t let Ji leave with that girl okay?”

“Yeah, Seunghyun-nah … aren’t you a bit over-reacting?”

“Hyung, we all know GD. He’s very capable of forgetting our BRO code if he wants to…”

The bro code, Kush thought. He reminded Ji earlier. “Give him some credit. I don’t think he’s forgotten about it ...”

“I’ll still come” Top insisted. “Wait for me …” ending the call.

Kush rubbed his eyes, taking off his dark glasses. He shouldn’t have mentioned Sandy. But then again … seeing Jiyong flirt with the girl, he thought that Top coming might not be such a bad idea.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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All rights reserved by Ms/Mzbookworm4life. © April 2013.