Chapter 1
Club Pentagon pulsed with neon lights, a dizzying assault of music and chaos that stretched into every corner. Kim Sooyoung wiped down the bar counter, her eyes darting between customers demanding cocktails and the clock. It was already 2 a.m., but her shift wouldn't end for another hour. Debt had a way of stretching time.
Nam-Gyu strolled up, his usual swagger exaggerated by whatever cocktail of substances he'd indulged in that night. His eyes were wild, bloodshot, and framed by dark circles that hinted at days without proper sleep.
"Sooyoung!" he yelled, leaning onto the counter as if the bar couldn’t exist without his presence. "Got that ‘special’ drink ready for me? Something that'll keep the night going?"
Sooyoung didn’t look up. “You know the rules, Nam-Gyu. No freebies, especially for you.”
He scoffed, slamming his hand down on the counter. “Come on, don’t be such a buzzkill. You’re already working off your debt; you should be grateful they even keep you around.”
Her hands tightened around the rag she was holding. She wanted to throw something at him—anything. But she couldn’t afford to lose this job. Instead, she forced herself to meet his gaze.
“Grateful?” she said, her voice low and cutting. “Grateful for what? You harassing me every night? Management breathing down my neck for money I don’t have?”
Nam-Gyu grinned, his teeth bared like a wolf who smelled blood. “Relax, bartender. Life’s not that serious. You should really try letting loose for once. Here—” He reached into his pocket and slid a tiny plastic baggie across the counter.
Her stomach dropped. She snatched the bag off the counter before anyone else could see it. “What the hell is this, Nam-Gyu?”
“Something to help you chill. Consider it a peace offering.”
She leaned in, her voice sharp. “Get this off my bar. Now.”
“Suit yourself.” He shrugged, slipping it back into his jacket pocket. “But maybe if you weren’t so uptight, you wouldn’t owe the club so much. Ever think about that?”
Before Sooyoung could respond, the club manager, a sharp-eyed man named Mr. Kwon, appeared out of the shadows.
“Nam-Gyu,” Mr. Kwon said, his voice cold. “Why are you distracting my staff?”
Nam-Gyu straightened up immediately, the cocky grin slipping from his face. “Just having a little chat with Sooyoung. You know, boosting morale.”
Mr. Kwon’s eyes narrowed. “Boost morale on your own time. You’re here to promote, not cause problems.”
Nam-Gyu nodded quickly. “Got it, boss.” He turned to Sooyoung, his grin returning but faltering under Mr. Kwon’s glare. “Catch you later, Sooyoung.”
As he slinked away, Mr. Kwon turned to her. “You’re behind on payments again.”
Sooyoung felt her throat tighten. “I know. I’m trying—”
“Trying isn’t good enough.” His voice was sharp. “You have until the end of the month. If you don’t pay up…” He didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t have to.
“I’ll get the money,” she whispered.
“You’d better.”
As he walked away, Sooyoung leaned against the bar, her head pounding. Nam-Gyu’s baggie still haunted her thoughts. She looked out at the sea of people dancing, laughing, and forgetting their problems.
For her, forgetting wasn’t an option.