38. Seventh Heaven

Friday afternoon, 3rd. April. 2015

The dolled up girl staring back at me in the mirror is barely recognisable, even to me. My short black hair and dark eyes, swept and heavy lashes, all accentuated my features much more than I'd expected. The entire black ensemble, including my dress, heels, and hair, including the sparkles against my complexion, looks almost dazzling. It's not that I was full of myself or anything, but I had to admit I was looking very gorgeous and a touch mysterious.

On the inside, though, my stomach was turning at the thought of what was ahead. The place I'd be visiting tonight was uncharted territory, and I did not know what to expect.

I had doubts, mostly I was scared that they'd recognise me. If that happened, I didn't know what they'd do seeing as the last I saw of them I escaped out of a window.

They'd been blowing up my phone with messages and calls.. I was too scared at what I might see, so I didn't open or answer any of them. Instead, I'd turned my phone off for most of the day.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Koh called out from behind it, letting me know that Mr. Kim was here and that he was ready to leave for the club.

I grabbed the black clutch handbag from off the bed, took a deep breath at a last resort to calm those nerves, then stepped out of my room.

"Wow, you look stunning" Koh's eyes widened as he saw me. Even taking a step back to take in my entire outfit.

"Thanks, you chose basically everything so, I can't take credit for any of it," I laughed.

"Don't discount yourself so easily" He shook his head, giving a kind smile before graciously offering an arm. I took it and we both proceeded down the hallway towards the living room where Mr. Kim was waiting.

They exchanged comments about how gorgeous I appeared. It may have helped calm me and gave me that little confidence boost I needed as we made our departure.

There was another person, who Koh introduced as his twin brother Yuh, who was waiting to pick us up in the car out the front of the building complex. Mr. Kim and I sat in the back seat. The sheer luxury that surrounded this man constantly had me in a state of awe. It was just so different from what I was used to. But for him, it all seemed normal. Perhaps he'd even grown up in a family with money in his younger years. I say 'younger years' but even so, he still looked deceivingly young and handsome. I wasn't exactly into older guys, but I had to admit the lavish lifestyle was enthralling.

On the drive there, he mentioned I should try not to speak unless directly addressed. I was there under the guise of being one of the casual girls he kept in his company from time to time. He nonchalantly insisted no one would pay me any mind. Just another girl he'd have on his arm out of the many he flaunted around.

I was fine with doing that if it meant I'd be able to see firsthand what the boys got up to behind my back. Finally, see what they'd been keeping from me. I needed to know. I couldn't just run away from this or pretend like it was all going to be fine, because it wasn't.

They'd played with my heart like this was all a game to them.. only for me to learn of what lay beneath all the good-willed intent. I still had trouble accepting it was real. And that's also why I needed to do this.

My breath hitched in my throat as I felt the car come to a stop in the underground car park we'd driven into. This was it. We were here. There was no turning back now. Time to put on my brave face and brace myself.

As we stepped out of the car, I was offered an arm to hold, which I took. At the other end of the parking lot, I noticed a normal, bare entrance. The only thing that seemed strange was the three huge security guards stationed by the doorway.

Koh hung back, making himself unnoticed compared to Mr. Kim. Then there was me, loosely hanging off his arm, smiling and acting like I was enjoying my night out. Even as we approached the tight security detail at the entrance, the big, bulky men stationed there barely even glanced at me and were much more preoccupied greeting Mr. Kim as though they knew very well who he was and that he was extremely influential.

They both gave a curt bow before opening the door to let us in. The 808 bass of a mellow tune vibrated in my chest as soon as we stepped through that door. Like crossing the line into an illicit, secret world of mystery.

The words Seventh Heaven glowed in purple across the lobby desk that lay ahead.

They stationed more security within the lobby, and to my surprise, Koh moved to wait there, too. As if he wouldn't continue into the club with us. The intriguing aura of the club distracted me too much to notice what Mr. Kim slipped the lobby attended before he pulled me on in further with him into the lounge.

I gazed around as the interior came into view. It was dim with neon purple, pinks and orange-yellow hues illuminating the lounge.

It wasn't huge, only seating for about 10 groups, but still felt spacious yet intimate. Half of the club was already filled. I couldn't make out any familiar faces at first glance, but the confident vibe in the air had me convinced everyone in here had a certain charisma about them.

At the front and center was a stage that curved into a semicircle, there was a pole in the middle of it, a girl with long black hair danced around it seductively, her reflection giving perfect angles in the large mirror at the back of the stage. The walls were a mixture of mirrors, curtains, and textured concrete. It was all very alluring, exactly what you'd expect an underground club for idols to frequent when they wanted to let loose.

Mr. Kim leaned in close to whisper in my ear, his voice tickling a bit. "Well, is it to your liking?"

When I turned my head to entertain his question I replied, "It's much nicer than I expected." He laughed lightly, proceeding to lead me to a quiet table tucked in the back corner, which gave the most stunning view of the entire lounge.

"Mei, after you" I quickly caught on as he pulled out the seat, calling me Mei. It wasn't my name, which I assumed he'd made up in the moment as an alias for me. I sank into the comfort of the lounge chair he'd offered before he took the seat across from me. Just as we were settling in, a beautiful waitress approached us with a drink menu. However, Mr. Kim said nothing more than "The usual."

"As you wish, sir." She gave a curt bow before leaving the two of us alone. It was much more formal than some of the other waitresses I'd noticed as I peered out to other tables. Some of the other waitresses were giggling, casually touching and talking with some guys who were here. The longer I watched, the more I felt like I was in a gentleman's club.

"Mei. Are you alright?" It pulled me from my trance as the mafioso's voice hummed.

"Sorry, I'm just. It's a lot to take in." I ran my fingers through my hair, staring at him. The suits he wore were always so well-fitting. His dark hair was pushed back, and the little crinkles under his eyes as he slipped a barely there smile gave away his age.

"It's fine. I get it. A girl like you wouldn't usually be caught dead in a place like this. Beneath you, really," he said. I blinked a few times, confused by his assumption.

"That's not.." I wasn't exactly sure how to counter that, but he cut me off, raising a brow as he did.

"Don't. You can speak candidly with me."

I was relieved as the waitress returned with a bottle of expensive cognac. Pouring us both a glass of the brown liquor before bowing and leaving again.

The small candle on the table between us flickered, reflecting off the glass on the table. I took it and we both drank.

I'd never thought of anyone beneath me, or of myself as better than anyone else. So why did he seem to think that?

"Do I give you the impression that I think I'm better than others?" Finally, I spoke, directing my gaze back to the man before me. In this moment, it was impossible not to feel that strong, domineering aura he usually masked so well.

"No, you give me the impression that you're innocent. Much too sweet of a girl to be caught up with Bangtan." His gaze became misty, allusive. I followed as he looked out into the lounge and, as though on cue, that's when I noticed them.

Namjoon, Jin, Jimin and Hoseok were all seated on a seclusion of couches and lounge chairs right by the front of the stage. They stood out, making everyone else in the room irrelevant. The surrounding air was almost ominous, the way some other idols approached to greet them, as though their mere presence demanded respect.

"That's them" the words slipped out in my shock. My heart pounded in my chest, skipping a beat. I watched them lean back into the brown leather couch and laugh, throw down drinks and chat with a few girls who were seated around them. I didn't know if they were merely there to provide entertainment or if they were actually friends. It was difficult to tell, but they were all close, touchy even.

"Who are those girls?" I asked, without bothering to beat around the bush. He'd said to speak up, so here goes.

"Oh? Their employees, I believe. I've met a few of them. Nice enough, although none of them stood out all that much" Mr Kim seemed bemused because I'd asked about them. I'd heard his answer, but as I watched on as they were flirting and chatting and having a good time, I felt my chest tighten. It hurt.

"Oh, I see.. So they're escorts? Hostesses? I'm finding it difficult to believe they are just waitresses. The girls are too.. pretty.." I ripped my gaze away and back to Kim as I asked. Quickly finishing off the rest of the glass to loosen the tightness.

"You're quite observant, I see. They provide other services. There is a private lounge on the floor below, if I remember correctly. I've had a few private gatherings there for my business meetings."

The way he said it was like he'd hired out a karaoke room for his colleagues to get wasted in or something. However, I knew he was implying something more.

"So you use those rooms to do business deals and fuck the girls?" I felt my cheeks burn from the alcohol. It was strong and it must've been hitting me already.

"More or less. You could put it that way." He laughed before pouring me another, which I took a sip of.

Since I was feeling a bit relaxed from the drink, I wanted to look back over at where the boys were. But I was scared at what I'd see.. As though Namjoon having his arm around one of those girls' shoulders or Jimin whispering things in another's ear wasn't already eating away at me.

"Fuck. Everything was a lie. I.. I see that now" I gulped down the last of the liqueur and leaned back in my chair, running my hand through my hair again.

"Was it, now? Interesting. You still haven't told me what kind of relationship you have with Bangtan yet. I really am curious." As he swirled his glass in his hand, gaze set with intrigue on me, I felt my mind spin.

Fuck it. What else do I have to lose? My entire life was a lie. Nothing was what I'd thought it was. I may as well explain. It won't do any damage that hasn't already been done. I've got nothing left to lose.

"I don't know what kind of relationship I have with them. I thought I was someone they cared about, a friend, a lover, an important person. But I don't know if any of it is true anymore." I let out a sigh, took another sip, and went on.

"At the end of 2013, I was in some kind of accident where I nearly died. I was wounded, but instead of dying, I lost my memories of the entire year. Which included my memories of them." I paused as his eyes glazed over at my story. He'd been listening intently, as if he was paying attention to my every word. To what ends, I didn't know.

"That's quite a story. So, that's why you were so apprehensive when I told you about their involvement in the criminal underground. And, now knowing this, that's also why you aren't sure if you can trust them" Mr. Kim was a very switched on man. I was certain of it. He had no problem understanding the situation I was facing and the ramifications without me having to explain it.

Of course, there was a bit more detail about it, the part where I thought they shot me. The part where I'd had relapses of memories of them.. killing.. As I sat here, drink in hand and some big time mafioso sitting across from me at this shady sex club, it all just hit me. This was reality. I was seeing it all for what it was for the first time.

"Yeah." was all I could say. As though out of reflex, I turned my head to look out at where the boys were, only to see Namjoon and Jin weren't there anymore. It was just Jimin and Hoseok side by side, talking hushed between themselves as they watched the girl dancing the pole on the stage. Suddenly, the urge to use the bathroom came over me. The drinks were catching up.

"Do you know where the restroom is?" I turned back to Mr. Kim as I asked. He tilted his head in a gesture towards the hallway beside the bar, which ran across the back wall.

"Please excuse me for a moment," I said as I stood up, taking a brief pause for the faint, dizzy spell that hit me to settle before making my way towards the hall by the bar.

As I sat in the cubicle, I took a moment of quiet to keep my composure. It's not like I witnessed something crazy. They merely had a good time with some girls in this club that they apparently owned, that was also crawling with other idols and shady characters. Fuck, who am I trying to fool?

Did I really need to see more to be convinced? This was already way more questionable than I'd ever imagined. But.. so what now? Where do I go from here?

I pushed my thoughts aside as I washed my hands and went back out down the hallway to return to my table. My head was spinning, and I collided with something hard on the way. I staggered but was quickly steadied by two arms that reached out to me.

"Shit, I'm so sorry. Are you alright?" My stomach dropped. That was Joon's voice. Fuck.

I kept my head down, desperate not to be noticed, and gave a nod before trying to slip past him unnoticed.

"Wait, are you sure-" suddenly he grabbed my wrist and spun me around to face him. Those dragon-like eyes met mine, and as soon as they did, a flash of realization crossed his face.

"Jia?" He was in shock. Absolute shock. I could see it in the way he stood paralysed for a moment. His brows furrowed. I stayed silent, panic building. I needed to get away. Right now.

"What are you doing here? Are you okay? Where have you been? What are you wearing? No. More imp-" He snapped out of it, and as though a rush of it all hitting him at once, that it was me.

But, as I glanced aside, I saw it. Mr Kim was quick. Before Joon could say or do anything more, he'd slipped himself between the two of us. Shielding me from Joon.

"Namjoon. I see you've met my new little friend. I hope you're not bothering her at all." Mr Kim spoke as though they were old friends, but not. It was the fake niceness that was actually threatening.

I felt myself breath out. I tried to peer over Mr. Kim's shoulder to catch a glimpse at Joon. He looked like all the colour had run from him. Like someone had just drained all the blood out of him and he was a ghost… Just who was this Mr. Kim if he made Namjoon look like that?

"No, not bothering her. We were just having a brief chat." Namjoon's words seethed as he forced them out. As though his shock was being replaced with anger that he was trying to hold back.

"Good. Glad to hear it. I'll be keeping this little one close by so you'd do well to keep that in mind in future." Mr Kim mused. Namjoon held his tongue, but his gaze shifted to me. I couldn't understand what was going on. But these two obviously had a history.. and Joon was pissed.

"Well, if that's all, the two of us will be leaving. It was a pleasure seeing you Namjoon, until next time" Mr Kim wrapped me under his arm. Just like that, Namjoon stood rooted to the spot as I was led away.

We talked a bit on the way home. I was still lightheaded and overwhelmed by what had just happened. When I got back, I headed straight for my room to get changed out of my outfit, shower, and then got into bed.

My head was still spinning from the turn of events, and a new question had arisen in my mind. Just exactly who was Mr Kim? And why had he had that effect on Namjoon?