CHAPTER 11

Laying in bed, you toss and turn. The moment you cried in front of Yoongi in this room kept replaying in your head. It was hard to fall asleep.

Meanwhile, Yoongi was at the stadium rehearsing with his crew.

You felt as though he didn't care about how you felt at all. But that was only selfish thinking.

Of course Yoongi has to rehearse tonight. No celebrity goes on stage before practicing.

Hugging your pillow tightly, you bury your face in it. Tears start to build in your eyes, making them burn as you fight to resist the pain.

Why did I have to meet you like this? You sobbed.

*********

Flashback:

You were dancing on the disco floor with your girls. It was midnight on the dot in Daegu, Korea, and you were having the time of your life. You were shocked by how embracive the people in the club were as the citizens of Daegu were rather conservative. But tonight was different.

You originally wanted to remain in Seoul, but the girls wanted to visit other cities and spend the night there. And what's a better place to be than one of your core BTS member's hometown?

Taking your final breath on the dancefloor, you ballerina your way, in your high heels, to the tall table that had your drink waiting for you. Kyla, one of the good girls you hung out with was laughing because you were visibly done and ready to head back to the hotel.

"Take another drink, (Y/N)!" She holds your shot glass to your lips.

You reflexively reject it, putting distance between you and the cup with your hand. "No girl, what I need is some water!"

She rolls her eyes, grabbing the fresh bottle of water she received from the bartender. "Drink up, you party animal!"

You gladly take the water, gulping away. Your thirst speedily quenched, you wince at how hard the last gulp of water went down your throat. You slam the bottle down on the table. "Thank you. I truly needed that."

Looking around, you search for the rest of the girls who were busy mingling with the Korean men. You roll your eyes, shaking your head. "I can't believe they're actually pulling some of these guys!"

"Hey there."

You could see the look on Kyla's face, prompting you to face the voice that spoke near your ear. You were stunned to see a handsome man with a nice haircut smiling at you. "Visiting?"

"Um…" You turn to Kyla with an awkward stare.

She sips her cup and looks away, obviously trying to mind her business.

You roll your eyes even harder. "Hey, I'm sorry. But I'm not interested. I'm just here for a good time." You say in Korean.

"Aww, that's a shame." The man replies back in Korean. "I actually wanted to show you a good time." He takes your hand, smoothly sliding the other one down your waist.

You were flustered by his bold gesture, moving back. "Hey, I just told you that I'm not here for that!"

Kyla noticed how irate you were becoming, stepping in between you two. You were ready to knock the guy off his feet if he tried to touch you again.

Some of the other people there glanced to see what was happening but ultimately minded their business.

The music in the club was booming. And a headache overcame your senses. With a now throbbing brain attacking you, you clench your fists thirsty to vent your stress at something.

The man lifted his hands in defeat. "Black girls really are feisty like in the movies huh?" He laughs, but still speaks Korean.

"Excuse you?" You flare your nose at the man, moving Kyla aside.

"(Y/N), whatever he's saying, it's not worth it!"

Ignoring her, you step up to the man's face. You take off both of your heels, just in case he decides to throw hands.

You just lost an inch in height.

The man's eyes gaze down. He smirks.

No matter. You didn't care.

"(Y/N), let's just leave." Kyla pleads.

The man commits to a stare off with you. You were absolutely riled up to beat any guy's ass who thought you were easy, especially from a country you were visiting.

Despite all that, you couldn't help but notice everyone's eyes staring hard at you. It embarrassed you.

"Geez, (Y/N). What's got your panties in a twist?" Another one of your girl friends, Leah, came over.

"This asshole thinks that he can just touch me without permission."

"What?" Leah gawks. "You sure he's not just trying to be friendly?"

"Leah." You look at her with stern eyes.

In English, the man says, "You're really cute. And short. You sure you don't wanna have a good time with me? It'll be worth your while."

You step away from the man. "No. I'm leaving." Retrieving your purse from where Kyla originally stood, you put your heels on. "I'm heading back to the hotel."

"Alone?!" Kyla gapes.

"I'll be fine. I'll text you when I reach."

Walking over, Leah places a hand on your hip. "(Y/N), we're here to enjoy ourselves. Why let some creep get you down like this?"

"Because he violated my space. I already stand out enough as it is, Leah. You, Kyla, and Bailey don't have to worry about sticking out like a sore thumb. I'm just a sex toy to that guy through his eyes."

"Geez, (Y/N)..."

You couldn't take it.

You hurry out of the club, trying to control your anger. You stop for a moment, contemplating if you truly wanted to go. You really didn't. But it was too late. Going back in would make you only look stupid.

You decided to walk to a bar that was closer to the hotel. It was a idiodic idea, of course. You knew that traveling alone, especially as a woman, was very dangerous in foreign lands. But you have been here for about seven months. You were studying abroad for a time but flopped. However, luckily, your agency allowed you to spend the rest of your year there.

Entering the pub, you sit at the bar. When the bartender approaches, you request for the strongest liquor he has.

He furrows an eyebrow at you and asks, "Visiting? Let me see your ID."

You frown at his comment but offer it to him.

He scans it, looking at your photo and then at you. He hands the ID back. "This is the strongest we have." The bartender whips out Blue Soju.

It was a pretty average looking soju bottle, clear with a blue label on it.

"16% alcohol…" You squint to see the fine print. Gazing up at the man you raise an eyebrow. "You don't have anything stronger than this?"

He laughs. "I guarantee you, you may want to start off with this before trying something stronger, little one."

"Little one?" You repeat offendedly. "Give it to me."

Gladly, he gives you a shot of Blue Soju, watching as you down the little cup.

Slamming the glass down, you wince at the cool but burning sensation traveling not only down your throat, but through your nostrils which burned your eyes.

"Holy shit." You blurt. You cover your mouth, struck by your vulgarity.

The bartender continued to wipe a glass and walk away.

You sit there, idle, processing how strong the soju was for your liking. It was definitely different from what you were used to.

Your hand still shielding your mouth, you close your eyes.

You need to text Kyla where you are.

Quickly, you pull out your phone and send a text. After putting your phone away, you lay your head on the counter. Why were you putting yourself in a vulnerable situation?

Well, you felt like shit.

After blowing up on that guy from the club and everyone staring at you like an alien, you realized how out of character you were.

Kyla and the others were definitely embarrassed by you.

Well—at least that's what you convinced yourself to believe.

A labored breath escapes you. Lifting your head, you smack your lips, searching for the bartender. Seeing him tending to two other guys, you snap your finger to get his attention.

He pardons himself and approaches you.

"Another shot please."

His eyes narrow. "Are you sure? You look buzzed."

"I don't give a fuck." You deadpan.

He was obviously concerned for your well-being.

But you insist on another shot.

He sighs. "Fine. But you better stay here until the drink wears off."

"Yeah, yeah…I'll just get my girls to come get me."

Taking the next shot, you drop your head back and swallow the soju.

This time, it burned like hell.

You cough uncontrollably for a few seconds.

The bartender offers you water but you wave your hand at him, rejecting the help.

You wanted to feel every last bit of this pain course through your veins.

The two guys from the other end watch you in disbelief and curiosity.

You couldn't bother noticing the audience amused by your shenanigans.

"Look at her go." One of the guys snickers.

At this point, you were tipsy. And the bartender now had a twin. A twin that matched the exact movements he made.

"Oh god…" You groan.

"I knew this would be too much for you." He sighs. "Here, let me help you to a seat over there.

"Oh, fuck off." You sneer, pulling away from the bar.

You stumble with the strap of your purse being dragged along. Your footsteps heavy like weights, fumbled from one side to another, trying to keep you from toppling over.

The two guys from the bar bussed out laughing, taking out their phones. They were mocking you in Korean.

No matter how influenced you were by the soju, your anger came hurling down from the heavens. You look at them with vengeful eyes. "Do you want to die?" You question them in Korean.

Now they were nervous.

They didn't expect the black girl to know what they're saying.

They quickly hide their phones and look away.

"Nah, don't hide your phones now!" You shout. "Take them back out so I can have a reason to beat both of your asses!" One foot took a detour, leading the other to charge at them.

Right when you were about to attack, an arm swiftly took you by surprise, wrapping around your waist. It pulled you away from the two men who you were going to rip apart.

"Who the hell is this?!" You flail your arms about, trying to fight the perpetrator off.

"What are you doing acting up in my bar?"

You lift your head to see a very distinguished handsome man giving you a stern stare.

Suddenly your legs became noodly.

He lifts you up over his shoulder, earning a cry from you. "What are you doing? Put me down!" You slap his back repeatedly.

The man tosses you onto the couch and folds his arms.

Your cheeks were red like tomatoes. You were overwhelmed by all the eyes staring at you. Especially this one.

He tilts his head to one side. "You're pretty cute." He speaks. "But why are you here by yourself?"

You remained silent.

Two other guys in suits show up behind him speaking in Korean. "Boss, let's just kick her out."

Keeping his eyes on you, he says, "Nah. Let her chill. I saw those guys being assholes to her over there. Picking on a woman who's on her own? How low can they be?"

"Who are you calling an asshole?" You grumble, fighting to stay awake.

"She's clearly drunk, boss."

"Enough." Lifting one hand, he continues. "Give me your phone, Miss."

"My phone? What phone? Who has your phone?"

He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Your phone. Not mine."

"I lost it."

"Lost it?"

You stare blankly. "Lost what?" And then you cackle.

"She's losing it…"

Feeling that it was hopeless, the man decides to take your purse to find your phone for you. And lo and behold, it was there. He breathes heavily, trying to maintain restraint and patience.

He pops up your lockscreen seeing that you have a few messages from someone.

Kyla:

Where are you???

What the hell do you mean you're about to get fucked?!

(Y/N)?!?!?!?!

That's it!

I'm on my way RIGHT NOW!

DON'T. GO. ANYWHERE.

"...it looks like one of her friends is coming." He mumbles.

"Really?" The other guys ask.

You lay on the couch sprawled like a blanket, unbothered by how unladylike you were behaving. You were nearing half asleep when your best friend came bursting through the door.

She looks around frantically searching for you. Her eyes look to the left, seeing a group of guys huddling around you. Stomping over, she pushes the main guy back. "Get away from her, you pervert!"

"Pervert?" He raises an eyebrow.

Kyla's eyes widened. Covering her mouth, she took a step back and gasped. "No way, you can't be…!"

Exhaling, he runs his hand through his hair. "I can't be what?"

"Y-You're…are you? No…but you wouldn't be here! Not like this!"

"Boss…" One of the men interjects. "We should just leave."

"I'm actually curious to hear what this woman has to say."

"Are you Yoongi from BTS?"

Not saying a word, he smiles.