choes of an Encounter
After finishing her small, private dance just for Jae-Hyun, Exsy finally sat down. Her heart was still beating lightly, but her face remained calm, almost dreamy. She let her gaze drift, carried by the exchange of looks and silences they had shared for a while now.
A discreet smile curved her lips before she spoke, her voice soft and sincere.
— I was sure it would be an honor for me to have the incredible Jae-Hyun, leader of the great group VERTIGO, by my side. I never imagined meeting you under such circumstances… especially in a place like this.
Jae-Hyun let out a light laugh, almost despite himself. He ran a hand through his hair, surprised by how relaxed he felt around her.
— You're right… even I never imagined I'd end up in a place like this one day. It's new to me.
He looked at her with genuine curiosity.
— And you, what do you think?
Exsy shrugged slightly, her gaze drifting away for a moment before returning to him.
— I've always known places like this, so it doesn't really surprise me anymore.
A faint, amused smile appeared on Jae-Hyun's face.
— I don't think I'll come back here, he said simply.
— Don't worry. Everyone says that the first time. Here, you meet all kinds of personalities… people you'd never imagine seeing in places like this.
Jae-Hyun's eyes sparkled briefly, curiosity awakening.
— I can imagine… I'd really love to see that.
A gentle but heavy silence settled between them. A question had been turning in Jae-Hyun's mind for a while now. He found her incredibly beautiful, intriguing, and he couldn't understand why a woman like her did this kind of work. He took a deep breath and finally spoke.
— Why do you do this kind of job?
Exsy blinked, surprised. She remained silent for a few seconds, visibly unsettled.
— Why… why did I choose to be an escort girl?
She lowered her gaze slightly, then spoke again, more composed.
— Most people who do this job don't really have a choice. For me, it's different. I chose this life. I left the United States for South Korea. I struggled for a long time before someone reached out a hand to me. So no… I don't regret it. This life is better than the previous one.
Jae-Hyun frowned slightly, trying to understand.
— Does this life really suit you?
A small, determined smile appeared on Exsy's face.
— Don't worry. I won't do this job forever. It's just to save enough money to open the restaurants of my dreams.
— How long have you been doing this?
She looked at him for a long moment before answering, slightly teasing.
— Why are you so interested in my life, Mr. Idol?
He shrugged, a little embarrassed but honest.
— I have no idea… I'm just curious.
— Ten years.
His eyes widened.
— Wait… are you serious?
He hesitated, then asked more cautiously:
— May I ask you a rather indiscreet question?
She gave a tired smile.
— Most of your questions already are. One more won't change anything. Go ahead.
— Does that mean… you sleep with men for money?
Exsy fell silent. That question had never really bothered her before. But with him, everything felt different.
— Yes… and no.
— What do you mean?
— At the beginning, yes. It was my only source of income. But now, I don't do that anymore. I know I'm not a "pure" woman. I chose this life, and I take responsibility for it.
Jae-Hyun wanted to continue, to ask a thousand more questions, but Dong-Woo approached at that moment. Jae-Hyun had no choice but to leave, his mind overflowing with unanswered questions.
They exchanged a brief goodbye before parting ways.
Tae-Ho, curious, asked:
— What were you talking about? You both looked serious.
— Nothing serious, Jae-Hyun replied. Let's go.
Exsy offered him one last smile, discreet but filled with something deeper.
— Goodbye, Jae-Hyun.
They rejoined the others, picked up Min-Jae who was already drunk, then went to say goodbye to Ethan.
— Jae-Hyun, we're leaving. It was an incredible night.
— I can't believe I'll be married tomorrow, Ethan replied. It's crazy.
— Tomorrow, no more nonsense, Tae-Ho said. Don't disappoint your future wife… and don't drink too much.
— Don't worry. If I'm drunk tomorrow morning, they'll carry me to the church on a stretcher, Ethan joked.
They all laughed before VERTIGO hit the road.
During the drive, Jae-Hyun couldn't stop thinking about Exsy, about their conversation, about all the unanswered questions. He didn't know why, but this girl intrigued him deeply.
When they arrived at their apartment, each of them took a room and went to bed.
Three days later, it was time to celebrate VERTIGO's new album — a massive success. The group gathered with their manager.
— You did a great job, guys, said Manager Wang. Your album is everywhere on the charts.
— Of course, Dong-Woo replied. We worked like crazy on it.
— That's true, Min-Jae added. We should go out and celebrate.
— I'll allow you to go out tonight, the manager said. But be back before 11 p.m. I'm counting on you, Jae-Hyun.
— Yes, Manager.
Meanwhile, Exsy was working part-time in a bar, a job she had held for two years. It helped her pay her bills and save money for her restaurant. Since the night with Jae-Hyun, she had been thinking a lot about her future.
She had saved enough to rent the place and buy some furniture, but she was still missing money for utensils, supplies, water, electricity… Just one more year. Only one more year.
To keep going, she repeated to herself: Everything will be fine. Hold on. You're almost there.
Lost in her calculations, she was interrupted by a familiar voice.
— Are you daydreaming or what?
Exsy snapped out of her thoughts and saw Henry standing near the kitchen.
— Henry? What are you doing here? I didn't expect to see you.
— I came to see how you were doing. Always doing your calculations, huh?
— Yes… one more year before a new life, far away from this mess.
— That party the other night must have paid well.
— Not really. Apart from my salary, I didn't get many tips.
Henry frowned.
— How is that possible? There were plenty of rich men… celebrities.
— Yeah, but… I was busy with something else.
He grew angry.
— Wait, I don't understand. That was your opportunity to earn big before your freedom.
— Thanks for reminding me of all that, she replied coldly.
His anger softened.
— Alright. I'll help you. Take my shift at the bar today. Even on a weekday, you'll still earn something.
Exsy was deeply moved.
— Thank you, Henry. You're a gem. I don't know what I would've become without you. I love you so much.
— Try not to fall in love with me, he joked. I only like younger—
She burst out laughing, already regretting the moment.
Henry smiled and walked away.
He was the one who had taken Exsy under his wing when she arrived in Seoul, alone, unable to speak Korean. He had been her support, her mentor. They had met when she was fifteen and he was twenty-five. Today, they considered each other brother and sister.
And he would do anything to protect her.