RED - III

My neck seemed too stiff even to be move around….Left arm pressed under forehead went completely numb, I woke up struggling with messed up hair….Found myself sitting on the dining table. Mild Sun rays were entering across the glass window, I looked up in the clock…7 AM… I stood up and walked near window, it was the highest floor I've had ever seen. The Seoul city appeared like a miniature game city. I opened the window and cool breeze hit my face, and suddenly made realize what I was here for… He…Did he just left me here without spending night? Why? Did he pity on me because I am a High school student? Why?

But rather than him pitying on me, what stressed me more was….Will I get the pay? No…No.. It can't happen , I have to call that lady… At any cost I wanted money.

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The interior of the building was vibrantly colored in deep maroon , Glass antiques everywhere….Mature paintings, air was filled with strong floral scent, jazz music was being played loudly, women of different age groups were chit chatting in the corners of the room, their gaze…it seemed as if their eyes were hiding painful memories under dark makeup…Did I become one of them? My mind overflowed with thoughts, until I realized that I've reached that lady's room.

"Jasmine…so her name is Jasmine…"I said softly

"Yes, my name is Jasmine. Just like yours , Rose…" She tapped on my shoulders from behind. She looked so different than last night. Clearly sleep deprived eyes, her face with no makeup looked so pale, she looked like an ordinary housewife in her late 30's…

"I'm here for…" I tried speaking but she cut me off

"Ahh I know, you see on the 2nd floor there's one empty room, you can occupy that"

"No…I don't want to live here."

"Then why're you here for?"

"Payment….Last night's Payment."

"Did you think me as a fool? You didn't even serve our client!! He walked out of room in the middle of the night. What payment should I give you for zero work?" She shouted loudly.

"How is that my problem??? I didn't tell him leave the room, I was ready to serve him! Ma'am I beg you, give my payment…." I pleaded her continuously

"I did not receive any payment transaction last night. So, how could I give you? And isn't it unfair to those workers who suffer whole night, but you've done nothing ?" She said calmly.

I kneeled down before her. That was my last option, "Please….just for once, please give me money , Tomorrow, it's the last day to pay my exam fees…I cannot get the graduation certificate unless I pay my fees….Please, the reason why I'm doing this job is because I need to complete my studies….I need to rent house… I need to make my living….Please"

"Why don't you go and ask him for the money? I'm pretty sure he'll lend you some." She said while going inside the room. I followed behind her.

"I don't even know his name, address…nothing…How could I…"

"Shim Daniel. Just check on the Naver site, you'll find him."

"I don't have my cell phone…I sold it to buy some groceries…"

She looked at me in utter disbelief, Pulled out her mobile from purse and handed over to me.

I immediately searched up his name and surprisingly there was his whole bio written on Naver.

"Shim Daniel, owner of Red Moon bar, Itaewon? Do I need to find him in Itaewon?"

"Yes, and here take some money for your traveling…. You might have thought this lady is so cruel, but the amount you were going to get was big…very big…So that's why cannot lend you money, but at least I can afford you travelling expenses."

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I got down the bus. The only information with me was, Red Moon Bar. The address was correct , Road no.32, Itaewon…. I was standing in front of a Classic, wooden entrance with wooden engraved board on the top, written 'RED MOON'….. I pushed the door and stepped inside, as expected the bar had no customers in broad daylight. I looked for someone to enquire about Daniel….

"May I help you ma'am?" A girl on counter called me, I guess she was the manager.

"Yeah, can I meet Shim Daniel-nim? I have some important business to do with…"

"Shim sunbaenim? Did you have his appointment? Because last night he left for Daegu, we have a branch opening there." She looked quite surprised that a high schooler like me was looking for a Bar owner.

"Where can I find him In Daegu? Can you please give me address?"

"Are you sure, you wanna go there? Because it's not a cocktail bar, something like Alcohol bar….you know…" She hesitated a bit. I smiled , Would I be afraid of alcohol bar when I've pushed myself to do prostitution?

"It's okay, just give me the address."

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It took me 2 hours to reach Daegu. Thank God, Jasmine had given me some extra money or else travelling to Daegu would be impossible. I got into taxi and handed him the chit of paper manager had written address on. Driver looked at me with shock in eyes, while driving he asked me

"Does your Father or brother works there?"

"Nope" I replied

"You're like daughter to me….That's why I'm being concerned….That place.."

"Is a Alcohol Bar or I should say….Drugs bar?? Hmm I know. And Uncle, your daughter will never be like me, so please don't worry." I said with a smile on my face.

I got off at the Entrance of Bar. "BLUE MOON" The place was decorated heavily, after all it was the opening ceremony.

"How whack….RED MOON, BLUE MOON…what's next YELLOW MOON?" I cringed at his name choices.

I went inside the bar, just to inhale loads and loads of cigarette, Alcohol smell…. Still I struggled my way through the nasty youngsters who were dancing on some EDM music… My god…The vibe here was completely crazy than RED MOON….What the fuck is wrong with these people? Don't they have assignments to complete? Look at me…a person with real life…Has studies to complete, Assignments are pending, got a job to do and find Mr. Daniel, who left me alone last night bringing a chaotic day like this….

"Daniel…" I spotted him near bar counter. I rushed towards him , tramping every feet in my way I reached at the counter.

"Shim Daniel-ssi, give me payment for last night!!" I screamed at him

His pupils dilated at sight of me…He was confused.

"You???!! Why are you here? How did you get here? You've got no limits right??"

"YES!!! I've got no limits!! Just give my money, I can do anything and I can go any far to fulfill my ambitions"

Just when I was saying this, a drunk kid from the crowd rolled upon me and I got pushed over Daniel on the counter table with the destruction of shot glass pyramid behind him. Great…here I don't even have money to return back to Seoul and here comes more money loads over me….Simply great.