Payback - Chapter 18

t/n: hihi im pw locking this for reasons (long story)

We arrived a little after 9 pm. The employees were busily going back and forth between the hallways, probably when customers were pouring in. The waitress assigned at the entrance led us through the maze-like corridors in a complicated way, leading us to a blue door. The inside of the room is completely red, unlike the door. The wall had a protruding part in the middle as if it had been padded with a wide plank. As I sat on the dark wine-colored sofa, the two seated opposite me looked at me and asked.

“Isn’t this place cool?”

“We’ve only been here a few times, but every time we come, we’re surprised.”

As I looked around the room without saying a word, they must have thought I was amazed so the experienced people talked with ease.

“As you may have seen when entering, only members are allowed in here. It’s only for top stars, so it’s a miracle that we’re sitting here right now.”

“How did you achieve that miracle?”

“Ah, that’s…”

The yellow hair mumbled the end of the sentence, glanced to the side and exaggeratedly shrugged his shoulders.

“Just got lucky.”

If this was the place, I could guess who gave it to them without digging further. I just didn’t understand why he’s trying to become Myeongshin’s dog just to get into a bar like this. But after a while, I realized that this place wasn’t just a hostess bar. At least, not for the purpose they came here for.

“There’s something I’m curious about, can I ask?”

It seems like it has been a while since I came in and sat down, but I was wondering why there was no employee coming to take orders. When I agreed, the man with the good appearance spoke in a light tone.

“I heard that your profile picture was taken by Photographer Lee. What tricks did you use?”

“…”

“Is it difficult to say, perhaps?”

“No.”

Shaking my head, I answered lightly.

“I decided to take off my clothes in return.”

Then an equally dark smile spread across their eyes. As if they had known it.

“What, then Taemin is fine with men too?”

Of course, I didn’t have the generosity to clear up the misunderstanding between the two of them.

“Yes, I’m fine with men.”

Then I took a glass of water from the table and looked at them alternately.

“It’s the same with the both of you, isn’t it.”

The blondie flinched a bit, but the nice-looking man who had been a trainee for 4 years shed a bitter smile.

“That’s right. Men are fine too. It’s been four years and I’ve been forced to do that.”

“…”

“In that sense, Taemin is fortunate. You can just roll around with those disgusting men without feeling much.”

He didn’t hide his disgust in the words ‘disgusting men’. At that moment, even at first glance, anger showed in his eyes. But he soon returned to his original good impression and asked.

“Oh, can you not do it with women?”

“Women are fine too.”

When I responded, the yellow hair next to him chimed in, ‘I envy you’.

“What, then, when doing it with men, top or bottom doesn’t matter?”

I nodded.

“Uwah, I’m really envious. I don’t like to top, but all the old men I meet just want to bottom, I really hate putting it in their stinky chubby ass.”

He made a thick crease between his brows as if he really detested it. Then the good-looking man sitting next to him laughed and patted his shoulder.

“Because you are really unlucky. There are a lot of people who want to sleep with men out of curiosity, so there are more tops.”

As I listened to the conversation between the two, I was confused as to whether they were aspiring celebrities or escorts.

“If you don’t like it, you don’t have to do it, right.”

After my words, the room suddenly became quiet as if cold water had been poured on them. After a while, the good-looking man let out an angry retort with a hard face.

“Are you asking that because you already gave your body to Photographer Lee to take the pictures?”

“I didn’t feel dirty about the offer.”

I looked at the two alternately and respectfully added honorifics.

“Yo.”

But do you two not hate it as if you were being made to eat some kind of insect? My words had this meaning, but I wasn’t really curious about the answer. Maybe it was obvious. To survive in this industry, you have to deal with people you don’t like. That’s all. Even so, I pretended to be naive and said it because I wanted to confirm. To roughly confirm who the culprit was through this short conversation. By looking at the expressions that will be revealed soon.

“If it’s sponsors, can’t you just choose a woman?”

“Ktfgf jgf nfgs ofk kbwfc qbkfgoei fcbeut ab yf rqbcrbgr. Vb atf mbwqfalalbc lr olfgmf. Rb wjaafg tbk glmt atf klof bo j kfjiats ojwlis lr, atf gfji qbkfg lr tfg teryjcv. Pc atf fcv, jii sbe mjc vb lr fjgc qbmxfa wbcfs. Dea lo sbe’gf ubbv ja qeaalcu eq klat vlruera jcv vb la klat wfc, sbe mjc mgfjaf j mtjcmf bo wjxlcu tlw j rqbcrbg. Ccv sbe’gf jyif ab rajcv lc ogbca bo atf mjwfgj.”

The yellow hair nodded his head as if sympathizing with him. I looked at the two and agreed as if I understood them.

“As a sponsor, men are more useful and you can be successful.”

Then I asked lightly.

“Like Song Yoohan?”

Different expressions appeared on their faces. I could barely hold back the desire to laugh. Yes, so it was you.

Three glasses of water were placed on the table in front of the three people. It was a bit strange. It’s been over 20 minutes since I entered the room, and still no one came to take orders. While the yellow-haired man left to go to the bathroom, the man with the good impression spoke to me, while we waited, bored.

“Why did you bring up Song Yoohan specifically?”

“Because I know him.”

“You know him? How?”

“He’s famous. On TV.”

He frowned slightly and let out in a low voice.

“Don’t play around.”

“My manager was the CEO of Song Yoohan’s previous agency.”

Then he let out an ‘Ah~’ as if he remembered something.

“That’s right. It was like that. Taemin’s manager was the former CEO of XX. Then you must have heard that Song Yoohan had a male sponsor, right?”

Instead of answering, I looked at him and answered with a question.

“Is he not getting a chance to appear at all without a sponsor?”

“What does that mean?”

With a frown, he talked about what he heard in class today.

“This is the script that the instructor gave us today. He said that we would practice the supporting role with 5 lines of dialogue until next week and give the best person a chance to be filmed.”

Before he could explain further, a smirk appeared on his lips.

“Do you believe that?”

“Was he lying about appearing in a supporting role?”

“No, that part is true. The small role is used as bait to make us practice hard before. However, no matter how hard I try, it’s obvious who takes the role.”

He stared intently into my eyes.

“The same person took the role every time, and this time, that person will take it again. Even if his acting is the worst or has the worst face. So it’s better not to expect anything.”

Even if he didn’t say the name, the face of the ugly guy who was kicking me automatically popped into my head. Then I heard him ask dryly.

“It’s fucking sucks, doesn’t it?”

“…”

“If you go through this for four years, Taemin will know. In the end, all you need is money and power. Even for such a small role.”

“It will be different this time.”

“What?”

He stuck out his ear as if he didn’t understand, but the conversation was interrupted as the door opened and the yellow haired guy came in noisily.

“Hyung, they’re ready.”

As soon as he sat down, he gulped down the water first and talked to me.

“Is it okay if I start now?”

Start what? When I asked, he looked to the side with bewildered eyes again.

“Huh? Didn’t you explain it while I was away?”

Then the man with the good impression smiled and shrugged.

“It’s no fun if you know ahead of time.”

He got up from his seat with a smile on his face and motioned for me to get up too. Not knowing what to do, I did not stand up and just looked at him, and the yellow hair next to him encouraged me.

“What are you scared of? If you drink in an expensive place for free, it’s obvious.”

Obvious? Standing next to the wall? I didn’t understand, but at the urging of the two of them, I had no choice but to approach the wall where they stood. They made me stand on the edge of the corner and kept smiling.

“What are you doing?”

“What do you mean? Are you asking because you really don’t know?”

The good looking one answered, and he bent down and pressed the hidden button under the corner of the table. Then I heard a sound right next to me. Startled, I turned my head to see that the wall right next to me was moving. Along with the light coming in through the open space, the loud noise of the next room poured in. No way, could this be…

“It’s just sucking one time in exchange for free alcohol.”

With a belated explanation, someone’s hand strongly pushed my back. As soon as I stepped forward, staggering at the unexpected force, I heard a ‘Drr~’ sound behind my back. When I turned my head, the door was almost closed.

Finally, I heard a taunt from someone inside who was giggling.

“You know right? if you get out of there, you’ll be rumored to be a useless guy who can’t even suck. The uncles there have big mouths.”

When the door was completely closed and turned, three pairs of eyes were drawn to me in unison. Three men in their 50-60s with already half-drunk red faces, oily skin, and hazy eyes. Only then did I realize. That other room was just a waiting room. To wait for guests.

It was a similar situation to when I had faced the ugly guy with boxing gloves on. The last word that came from the voice I heard. Rumors will circulate all over the place. If you suck the bottom of those three here, you will pass by quietly, but if you refuse, your reputation will deteriorate thanks to people who have big mouths, and you may not even be able to dream of getting a sponsor. It was probably the latter that the guy who was ordered by Myeongshin was aiming for.

The problem was that it wasn’t that hard to endure getting hit while boxing, but this time it was a little different. To be honest, I could suck the genitals of those people who criticize me like a piece of meat. Because I didn’t have a lofty pride I had to protect. More precisely, I didn’t feel much self-worth. When it came to saving money to pay off debt, it was just a body that had to work, and now it’s just a body that has to keep breathing for revenge. So what’s the big deal with crawling under that high table and sucking that stinky genitals in your mouth? However…

“I heard he’s a newcomer to Dream, doesn’t he seem average? What do you think?”

“Well, personally, I’m not picky with faces. What does it matter if a male prostitute’s face looks like a bear if he’s good with his tongue and mouth? Oh, is this your first time, CEO Park? Haha, don’t dislike it just because he’s a man, give it a try. It can’t be compared to a woman in terms of sucking power. It’s great!”

The person sitting in the center was already taking off his belt and explaining to the bald man on the left. But my gaze was directed elsewhere. Dark empty ceiling, invisible with the exception of the lights. Something came to mind as I entered this place. That’s right, there was a surveillance camera here. And the presence of surveillance cameras was the main problem.

I myself wondered why I was so conscious of the madman, but one thing is for sure, if I choose to suck off the three of them here, I had a feeling that it will cause trouble later. Recalling the room where Myeongshin was filmed, I followed with my eyes the location of the camera that might be here. As I stared at the corner of the ceiling like that, I heard a loud shout.

“Hey, what are you doing?! If you’re here, shouldn’t you crawl up, do your thing, and clear the table!”

It was the man in the middle who yelled. Perhaps he was the guy with the big mouth. As soon as I looked down, a sound accompanied by swearing came out again, but in my head I was busy figuring out various things.

Were there surveillance cameras in every room? If they were everywhere, or if he sees the current situation by chance… With his personality, of course, he’ll just watch. No, there was no reason to save me like a prince with a sword out.

However, if you’re going to watch, I would like to at least receive the price of the show. I mean, I even paid the entrance fee to get into your room.

I looked up at a corner of the ceiling and muttered to myself, then turned my gaze back to the man in the center.

“There seems to be some misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding? Aren’t you a newcomer to Dream?”

“That’s right.”

“Then what nonsense are you talking about?! I’ve seen people use tricks to run away, but if you make me annoyed now and just leave, you won’t be able to step foot into this industry…”

“I have already stepped foot into it.”

I cut off his words and deliberately stood lazily and looked down. Seeing that even the rooms were prepared as if they were receiving guests, I wondered if it might be similar to something I thought of. Not allowed to touch until the exclusive owner’s permission is obtained. It seemed that the strange loyalty between the people in the night establishment would work here.

“I have a sponsor. I came to see him today.”

Fortunately, I guessed right. The man in the center was visibly taken aback.

“What? I’ve never heard of that… Who is it? You’re lying, aren’t you?”

“If you’re familiar with this industry, you should know that you can’t ask who it is.”

As I spat out firmly, he straightened his lips and became silent.

“Besides, he’s very shy, and he hates his name being mentioned. Even so, he makes sure to take care of what is his. If you cross the line…”

I turned my head and stared at the ceiling where the camera might be.

“He’s at the top and if there’s a part of his product that he is dissatisfied with, he will take action mercilessly. So if that product is about to be ruined, you will help me without feeling much, right?”

It would be nice if I wasn’t talking nonsense to the ceiling by myself. I wouldn’t have been able to do it if I hadn’t realized that he had some other reason to help me. And this will definitely provoke him.

“While on the outside you act as if you are looking out for me and helping me.”

When I looked down again, the three drunk people frowned. Their hazy eyes were asking what the hell I was talking about. I explained it easily.

“In other words, if you touch what is his, bad rumors will spread and you may not be able to set foot in this industry.”

He seemed to understand this. The two at both ends exchanged bewildered gazes. But the doubtful man in the middle did not trust me easily.

“You’re obviously a rookie, so all I heard was to have fun. I hadn’t heard from him that there was such a thing as a sponsor.”

The person who told you to enjoy the newbie was probably Myeongshin, right?

“Do you know that I’ve dealt with guys like you a couple of times? Are you lying?”

He looked at me with sharp eyes. I might have been caught if I relaxed even a little and showed an embarrassed look. It seemed that even if he was drunk, his eyes that looked at the other party were more formidable than I expected. How long could I last? If I kept insisting, I would get caught. I was worried that I might be getting more and more troublesome because I was wasting time. As I stood still with my mouth shut, he twisted his lips as he stared at me.

“You don’t know what happened to the guys who lied to me, do you? In this field…”

Rattle.

Suddenly, the sound of a door opening behind me interrupted the man. When I turned my head, the friendly manager’s face appeared through the open door.

“Oh, you were here. I’ve been searching for a while. The Director has been waiting for you since a while ago.”

He smiled kindly as our eyes met. I wanted to tear my eyes out and open them widely to appreciate the face of the man, but the manager already went out so I moved quickly so as to not miss him. As I closed the door behind my back, I breathed a sigh of relief without realizing it.

I’ve made it through one crisis, but there’s still more terror ahead of me. It wasn’t that I was scared, but I was hesitant to open the door for some reason. But the first thing he said as I barely entered was unexpected.

“What did you bribe the manager with? ”

All the tension in my body went away immediately because of that absurd question.

“Never bribed him.”

He seemed disbelieving, staring at me with half-closed eyes. I added impatiently.

“If there’s a bribe to give, I’d rather use it on myself.”

Then he mumbled ‘well’ and nodded. But there was still doubt on his face.

“Then why would someone like him who is always just doing his own work deliberately tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

“That you came here. He even kindly wrote down the room number you had entered and gave it to me.”

“He must have thought I came to see you.”

“I heard you came with another party. The manager is not a fool. If anyone comes into my room without being called, their neck will go flying off.”

“…”

“Hm, it’s strange.”

True, I also found it strange. Feeling a bit confused, I recalled the 100 won coin I had given him. Was that guy paying off his debt 10 won at a time? I was seriously suspicious, but then I heard a question.

“You’ve watched all of this?”

He leaned slightly against the back of the sofa and pointed at what was in my hand. It was the script I read over the days before and yesterday. Actually, I didn’t have to come yesterday because the manager said he wouldn’t be here, but I dragged my tired body over to endure reading it in order to finish it.

I thought he was naturally going to ask about what happened in the previous room, so I nodded, a little flustered.

“Mhm.”

“How was it?”

“I was annoyed.”

He made a smile around his mouth that I hadn’t seen in a long time. Still, his eyes didn’t seem to be smiling at all.

“And?”

“It’s out of the blue that my father comes out at the last minute. It’s funny to finally find a rich father when you need money.”

He nodded and said ‘that’s true,’ as if he agreed. But soon he sided with a boring scenario.

“However, if it weren’t for the father, the main character’s daughter would die in pain, and the main character would eventually come to a tragic end by becoming a criminal to earn money.”

“That’s the reality.”

“Yes. That’s why in a movie, people don’t want to see reality even if it’s only a two-hour duration.”

He casually threw the script on the floor and spoke dryly.

“Or do you prefer the reality of being in that room crawling on the floor sucking on men’s cocks?”

I stared at him quietly at the changed subject, and spoke an important conclusion out loud.

“Let me say this first, I don’t have any means to thank you.”

His lips twisted again.

“I know. If you just looked at the camera and signaled for help, I would never have helped. I helped you because it was the opposite. Without me, I think you would have done what they wanted.”

His slow tone, which had become accustomed to my ears, sounded indifferent, as if describing an object. Once again, I realized that I was right. He’s not helping me out because he’s interested, not because he wants to fuck me. I said this to provoke him while looking at the camera on the ceiling, but seeing him face to face made me really want to know.

“It’s the same for you, isn’t it. You’re casually trying to destroy the company’s products.”

Then he curved his eyes as if he had just remembered this.

“Oh, yeah. It was really fun when you looked at the ceiling and brought it up. Believe it or not, you’re the first one to make me so interested in recent years.”

“Why? You thought I was a fool, but I wasn’t?”

“It’s similar. I thought you would have fallen for me and couldn’t think of anything else, but it wasn’t the case.”

What on earth was he talking about? I wanted him to tell me everything that I had done so far that led to that conclusion. However, he tilted his head as if he didn’t understand whether all my actions were a passionate confession of love.

“Besides, I’m ‘shy’ so I rarely treat others with such sincerity.”

Yes, the fist that you struck me with the first time contained sincerity. I felt like my mouth was going to hurt just trying to respond. It was because his eyes were a little scary when he spit out the word ‘shy’ that I used to describe him in the previous room.

“Anyway, you also want to take down Myeongshin.”

But the answer I got was unexpected.

“I don’t care whether Song Myeongshin gets screwed over or not.”

“What? But, if he is a good product…”

“I’m saying the problem is not Song Myeongshin.”

“…”

He looked at me silently and lowered his gaze to the script that he had thrown on the floor.

“Shall I tell you something interesting? The end of the original film that the director originally wrote is like the reality you said. But no one was willing to invest, and when one place was finally found, the ending was changed like this. The movie was completely ruined.”

I frowned at the sudden change of topic, then lowered my gaze to the floor. It was already a movie. However, looking at the title of the script, nothing came to mind. Then he returned to the original topic.

“No matter how trending Song Myeongshin is or how interesting the original is, is it not a problem if there are investors who want to interfere in the making of a movie?”

I thought I was very fortunate that I wasn’t dull. I could barely give an answer to his cold, emotionless eyes. Otherwise, I had a feeling that I would have been branded an ignorant fool and as irritating in his eyes. I didn’t know why I cared about this.

“… Sponsor. So you’re targeting Myeongshin’s sponsor?”

He had a pleasant smile across his face. But it seemed to me that he was more pissed off.

“That old man gets on my nerves.”