An Escort in Seoul - Chapter Four

Transcript

Chapter 4 Missing The doorbell rang and I quickly rolled down my shirt and wore the rest of my rings, taking a quick look in the mirror as I tried fluffing my kinky curls. It had been weeks since I was able to get my deep hair conditioner, so I resorted to a quick water and coconut oil mix to free the tangles. The bell rang again and I dashed out of the bathroom, sprinting to the sitting room and throwing the door open.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Minjun, happy birthday to you, they cheerfully sang, Hyunjae holding up a pretty yellow cake with candles shaped into the number 2 and 7. Ah, you guys couldn't wait till you were inside? A big grin stretched across my face as I playfully scolded them.

Blow it, Hyunjae and Yeseul yelled with laughter. I blew off the candles and they cheered and clapped. Hyunjae handed over the cake to me and walked into my apartment, followed by a smiling Yeseul who simply pecked my cheeks.

Congratulations, young- Minjun said as we shared a hug and I shut the door. Oppa, I'm taking water from the fridge, Yeseul announced with the water already in her mouth. Okay, I put the cake down on the kitchen counter.

Uh, oppa, isn't that one of your clients? Yeseul pointed at the kitchen's TV screen. I turned to it.

A TV presenter was reading the news with a picture of Beomseok blasted on the screen behind her. I picked up the remote and turned on the volume. CFO of controversial biotech company has been confirmed to be missing.

The family of Mr. Park Beomseok has officially filled a missing persons report this morning as there has been no sight of him for a week. Close friends and family relations say it is out of character for the CFO to stay out of contact for this long and they're seeking the support of the police force in finding him.

The dutiful Christian father of two young boys ages three and six is married to a deaconess. Wow, Yeseul clicked her tongue. You should accept the agency's protection like the rest of us, Hyunjae advised leaning by the kitchen door.

I had not seen her come in. Why? Oppa, what happened last time might happen again.

You might not be able to fight your way out. If you ever get assaulted, you can't press charges. They will walk away scot-free.

I know. Yeah, you choose to keep seeing clients without a bodyguard. It's risky.

I smiled, shuffling my legs over to her and patting her by the shoulder. I promise I'll be fine, huh? Opp, I'll be right out.

I walked past her. Over the years, it became something of a tradition for us to show up at each other's houses on our birthday with cakes. Sometimes we'd stay in, play games, cook meals.

Other times we'd hit the streets of Itaewon or Hongdae, wherever the fun took us. First, it was just Hyunjae and I. I had already been working with the agency for a year when she joined in.

I was one to keep my social life outside of my career after being warned about how isolating and lonely the lifestyle of an escort would be. But then Hyunjae joined the agency and practically forced her way into my life. She was tall, red-haired, walking sunshine who struck up a conversation each time she saw me, inviting me everywhere.

Soon, I was attached. We were inseparable. The perfect duo until Minjun showed up, and then Heeseung, who was the youngest among our merry little band.

We kept an eye out for each other. Her worry was not baseless, but I did not need it. It didn't take long to get ready, and soon we were hitting up different karaoke bars.

It was Minjun's favorite thing to do. He'd put on a show and blast every girl's generation and 2NE1 songs he could find. We were just his backup dancers and singers.