Brother's Sweat and a Night of Temptation
Splashhhh...
'Phew...'
I step out of the bathroom stall and stand in front of the sink. I wash my hands and dry them under the hand dryer. Heading outside, I walk toward the subway station.
That was close. It's the most agonizing moment when you've been riding the bus for hours. I couldn't hold my pee any longer and hopped off in a panic. Luckily, there was a park bathroom right there. I spotted the subway station on the way over, so I'll just take that. Even if I get there early, I'll have to kill about two hours anyway. I tell my family I'm heading to work and leave early every day. Part of me wants to relax a bit, but there's no helping it.
Huh?
Is that... Minwoo?
A familiar face wearing a hard hat catches my eye at the construction site next to the subway station. As I get closer, it's definitely him. This place is pretty far from home... Minwoo squats down, shoulders a cart, and trudges forward with heavy steps. Those are... bricks? They look insanely heavy... His head is bowed, and he's clearly struggling. No way... did he come all the way out here for a part-time gig? Doing work this grueling? A few days ago, I told the family I'd gotten a job, but I haven't handed over any money yet. I planned to save up a bit more first. I want to go up and talk to him, but the safety officer's keeping everyone back. Reluctantly, I stare at him for a long while before forcing myself to turn away.
I hop on the subway and get off at the station about fifteen minutes from the officetel, then walk the rest of the way. There's still plenty of time left, so I'm not in a rush, but Minwoo's weighing on my mind. After work today, I should give Mom and Yujin—and Minwoo—whatever I can, even if it's not a ton. If I give them some pocket money, he won't have to do brutal shit like that...
I pull out my phone to call him but hesitate—don't want to bother him at work—and end up not dialing.
"Good work... ah, and here."
A man in a sharp suit hands over a thick stack of fifty-thousand-won bills. It looks like quite a bit... this much...
"Checks are easier for me, but it'd just make things harder for you."
"Yes... thank you."
I bow politely in gratitude. This guy from last week is my first repeat customer since starting. He left a one-million-won check as a tip back then too. I was so shocked I tried to refuse and apologize, but he just set it down and left. When I asked Ji-an about it, she chewed me out, saying I have to take it, so I kept it. This is only our second time.
"Alright, see you next time."
"Yes... take care."
I bow once more and see him off. Counting the bills, there are twenty of them. Another million won today... How loaded do you have to be to drop this much on someone like me? Feels weird to ask. I tuck it away in the bottom drawer of the triple dresser, hidden with the clothes I came in. It's been a week now... Adding this tip, I've saved up nearly five million won. Even with the weekend off... I get why people put up with the scorn and do this job anyway.
A knock suddenly echoes. I grab the money I'd prepped and head to the door. A burly guy steps in.
"Here you go."
"Yeah, good work today."
"Yes... good work."
We exchange light greetings, and the big guy heads out. Phew... day's finally over. Ji-an's off today, so I'll head home early... I hurry to get ready and make my way back.
"You're home early?"
"Yeah, Mom... Where's Minwoo and Yujin?"
"Minwoo's not back yet, and Yujin's in her room."
He was working this morning when I left... still not done? I head to my room, change clothes, then hit the bathroom for a thorough wash. Back in my room, I pull out three million won and head to Mom's door, knocking.
"Mom, coming in?"
"Yeah."
I open the door to find her lying on the bed watching TV.
"What is it?"
I approach and hand her the envelope.
"Here... for living expenses."
Mom bolts upright, takes the envelope, and peeks inside. Her eyes widen in shock as she stares at me.
"Where'd you get this?"
"Emergency loan... I got a job, remember? Use it wisely, Mom."
"Ha... sorry. I was too harsh before, huh?"
She gently strokes the cheek she slapped a week ago.
"No... I've thought it over, and staying here seems best. Don't worry about it."
"Yeah... sorry. It's 'cause your mom's no good... Side dishes are running low, so I'll run to the market quick and make dinner?"
"Make bulgogi—I love that, Mom."
"Sure thing~"
Mom swings her legs off the bed, throws on a light windbreaker, and heads out the front door. Phew... Mom's sorted... Wonder if Minwoo'll be late? While Mom's out shopping and prepping dinner, Minwoo comes home.
"Why're you so late?"
"Uh, hung out with friends at a PC bang."
Liar. I pull some cash from my pocket and hand it over.
"What's this, sis?"
"Pocket money."
"Pocket money?"
"Yeah, spend it wisely."
He looks like he wants to say something, but heads straight to his room and shuts the door. As long as I suffer a little, it'll be fine. I've already started anyway.
"Hey, wanna hit a club? It's been forever."
"Huh? Club?"
We're chatting at a cafe near the officetel after work when Ji-an suddenly brings up clubs. I've been a few times... but not lately...
"Yeah, they say the guys there are top-tier."
"Pfft, pass."
"Come on, dealing with those asshole clients is rough... Gotta blow off steam sometimes to keep going."
"Assholes?"
"Yeah... don't even ask. Fuck, last guy was some GI type—dunno what he sprayed on his dick, but he kept poking around for an hour."
Crazy bitch.
"But... it was kinda good, hehe."
"Stop..."
"Quit playing coy. You've been at it three months now... you know everything there is to know."
Truth is, taking three clients a day, I've naturally picked up on all that stuff. They all look similar, but shapes differ, lengths vary... girths too... feels different. From what Ji-an says, guys my age come a lot, but I haven't had any yet as clients. Probably the big guy arranging that on purpose. Young dudes like the one she just mentioned are too much to handle. Dealing with daddy-age guys in their forties and up, I can't help comparing to my ex. Especially the grandpas... Ugh, hate even thinking about it. Never really enjoyed it with my ex either... These three months of clients have been worse than him. Damn... what am I even thinking? Still, sometimes... I wonder about that floating-on-clouds feeling my friends talked about...
"What're you thinking so hard about? Dicks?"
"Huh? No... hehe..."
"Knew it? No need to act prim with me... How're your clients? Seem like big tippers..."
"Just... mostly older guys, so... yeah."
"Yeah? Their dicks 'yeah'?"
"They don't even get hard properly... feels bad... some are all floppy..."
"Hehe, floppy? Floppy dicks?"
"Hey, people around..."
"So what? It's fine... gotta talk like this to cope."
"Just... never felt good, so I'm curious."
"Ooh... our Yoonseo's finally waking up to guys? Nice!"
"You..."
"Hey, since we're on it, wanna hit a host bar?"
"Host bar?"
"Yeah, there we're the ones with the power... sound fun?"
Our position? Ha... catering to clients is tough. Host bar? Heard of it, never been. Never even thought about it. No need.
"Let's go, Yoonseo... Blow off some steam. You've got a ton pent up from all that floppiness, right?"
"You, it's not like that."
"Sure it is. Who knows? Maybe some hot, rock-hard stud there'll satisfy you."
"Crazy bitch, even if, let's not go there."
Yeah, I'm not some sex maniac. She's just talking. But she's been on this since earlier... Ha... I've really hit rock bottom. Still... even without this job... kinda... wanna meet a guy who's good at it... once... Pfft.
"Kidding... but you and me? We turn heads anywhere. Let's just club it!"
Ji-an stands up. Fine. Been ages since a club. Haven't gone once since Dad died. I've suffered enough. One night won't hurt.
"Let's go."
"Hehe, knew you wanted to."
We head to the club together. First time in forever, my voice rises without me noticing. Guys approach, but we'd planned ahead with Ji-an and shoo them all off. Stress melts away. Should've come sooner. A bit dizzy from all the booze, but feeling good. We step out, and I take the cigarette Ji-an offers. Busy street, but whatever.
"Hey, look over there."
"Huh?"
Ji-an points—a small host bar flyer plastered on the wall.
"Wanna try it?"
She whispers in my ear. For real? A host bar? Suddenly curious. Remembering what she said earlier...
"Let's go, my treat."
Ji-an grabs my arm and leads the way. I mean to say no, but the words won't come. We weave through alleys into a neon-lit street. How long we walk, her steps stop. Down to the basement. Guys swarm, greeting us. Ji-an chats briefly, then a guy leads us to a room. We sit where he points. Ji-an joins me soon after. Guess we ended up here. After swearing off prostitution. Minutes later, a knock—five guys enter, bowing.
One approaches, greets, and sets down snacks.
"Hello, noona! Ace here!"
The snacks are called Ace. It's so ridiculous I snort. Another guy slides up next to me.
"Noona... how do I look?"
Ji-an shakes her head, so I do too.
"Aw... noona... you know how it is... they all look the same sitting there... I'll treat you right, yeah?"
Ji-an makes an X with her fingers; I copy. The three guys bow and leave. Soon, five more enter. Ji-an points one out she likes.
"You?"
"Huh?"
Oh... gotta pick one. I scan them. No one catches my eye... If I pass, more'll come. I point to the guy at the left end; he sits beside me.
"You're truly beautiful... noona... I mean, sis..."
His sleazy gaze locking on mine feels heavy. Once we've picked, booze and fruit trays roll in. But nothing like I expected happens. Ji-an has her guy sing, they pour drinks, ramble on. We have fun. They're just like me. For the money. Host bar's no big deal. Time passes. Ji-an checks her watch and stands. I follow her out. Street's empty—pretty late. We smoke together; she grabs a cab first. Footsteps behind—I turn, and it's the guy who sat next to me.
"Wanna grab a drink?"
Already drank plenty...
"Just feels too soon to say goodbye, sis..."
Gross, keeps calling me sis... reminds me of Minwoo... His earnest face makes it hard to brush off.
"Just one."
He bounces in place, grabs my hand, and leads. We hit a nearby convenience store; he buys a bottle of soju and snacks. We sit on chairs outside, sipping. Damn... how's he planning to seal this? Life's hard... He piles on compliments desperately. Just... ask for it already... We both know... Soju's gone. He's fidgeting, babbling.
"Wanna fuck me?"
"Yes, sis..."
"How do you even work like this?"
"I don't usually... you're making me so nervous..."
"Pfft, am I that hot?"
He gushes about my face, goddess this, angel that. Angel my ass... Ended up at a motel with him. Shower snaps me sober. What the hell am I doing? Too late to bail... Decide to talk it out and go home. Step out naked; he's sitting on the bed nude. I drop the towel covering me without thinking and approach. Then sink into his arms.
'Ah... where am I?'
I try to open my eyes, but they won't budge. Something's crawling on my stomach... Haa... what was I doing? Why's my belly so hot? A dream? Forcing my eyes open, my vision clears slowly.
Huh? Minwoo?
What're you doing?
Minwoo's face is inches from mine—so close a twitch would make our lips touch. Sensations flood back. Something's throbbing on my belly.
This is...
No way...