CH 6

Kwon Hee-Seong sighed heavily and pushed back his dishevelled hair. Irritation flashed across his face. His eyebrows were furrowing, and he flashed his teeth.

“I said, it’s enough Soo-chan. Think about how I would feel having to see your dick. Aren’t you embarrassed?”

Kwon Hee-Seong buried his hands into the pockets of his trousers and glanced down at Kim Soo-chan. His lips tilted to one side as if he were mocking the man for being obsessed with another man’s cock. At that blunt contempt, Kim Soo-chan’s face flashed red. He eventually let go of Han Seon-Joo’s hair.

“Today is not the only day. How are you going to live when you are lacking any patience?…What are you doing? Not leaving.”

Kwon Hee-Seong winked at Seon-Joo and pointed to the door with his chin. There was no way Han Seon-Joo would miss such an opportunity. He didn’t have time to thank Kwon Hee-Seong and left the room in a hurry without looking back. Behind the closed door, something crashed and shattered.

Han Seon-Joo winced and peered through the small panel of glass in the door. Kim Soo-chan was furiously waving his arms across the table. Kwon Hee-Seong, on the other hand, was completely unfazed by Kim Soo-chan’s cursing in front of him. He dug his ear as if looking at the dog barking with all its might, then moved his eyes to the door as if he felt Han Seon-Joo’s gaze.

Their eyes met through the glass. Brown eyes are as calm and as clear as the surface of the water in the pool. Kwon Hee-Seong smiled and waved gently. It was a gesture to “get the hell out of here”.

Maybe Kwon Hee-Seong is even crazier than Kim Soo-chan. The back of his neck was throbbing, Han Seon-Joo sighed and left the place.

***

What happened today made it clear what Kim Soo-chan wanted from me. If he lusted for my body, he would have given me money and shoved his cock in my mouth, not going down and sucking my cock.

I have had guests who were like that before. People who want love more than sexual pleasures, those who want to be real lovers. Kim Soo-chan was one of those. If I let him be he would want to get even more than what he did to him today. I have to cut him off before it’s too late.

A similar incident happened to Kang Yeong-ho in the past. At first, it was a timid and quite customer, but that person gradually became more and more demanding to make sure Kang Yeong-ho would fall in love with them. What started with simple requests to date outside the bar, gradually turned into threats to quit the establishment.

Eventually, Kang Yeong-ho rejected the guest, saying that he didn’t deserve such feelings, which drove that person mad, and one day she came to him with a knife and went on a rampage at the store. Luckily, a patrol was passing through the area and it ended up being a simple business disruption without any bloodshed. After that Kang Yeong-ho and Han Seon-Joo refused to accept customers who asked for romantic feelings, fearing that they would become a source of danger in the future.

As soon as Han Seon-Joo left the room he headed to the owner’s office. The boss, who was having his nails done, jumped out of his chair in surprise. His voice was higher than usual.

“What’s going on?”

There was no way the boss didn’t know. He was the one who pushed Han Seon-Joo into this trap because the customer was rich.

“Please block Kim Soo-chan.”

There was no point for me to beat around the bush. The boss pressed his lips together and fell back in his chair. Drawing a long sigh, the boss brought his fingernails to the edge of his mouth and blew on them.

“I thought it was something serious.”

“Didn’t I say at the beginning of the contract that I would only accept female customers?”

“Oh well, I mean, how do you separate the men and women of all ages and traits when running a business like ours? You know most of our customers are women anyways. Sometimes a guy comes along. Why are you so sensitive Ji-ho, when other kids are doing just fine without any complaints?”

Nothing is stopping another Kang Yeong-ho situation from happening. If Kim Soo-chan ends up with a knife in his hand, there is no guarantee that it would not be a bloodshed. I rushed into his office to prevent it, but he just stares at his fingernails?!

“Boss”, Han Seon-Joo called him out with disapproving voice.

“Hey Ji-ho, you know we are not doing so well these days. How many people open their wallets like that one? It’s life, just accept it. What can I do if you are that beautiful? 

For a moment, I was furious. I also didn’t want to continue working for a business that didn’t protect its employees. I tried to push down on the impulse, but the words beat me to it.

“Then I will quit.”

I have received all the advance money anyways from work, so if I don’t have that much determination, I won’t be able to cut Kim Soo-chan off.

The boss, who was preoccupied with his nails, finally looked at Han Seon-Joo through his fingers. Han Seon-Joo hunched his shoulders as he carried the burden on his back. His still-damp crotch was a source of distress. The pleasure of ejaculating was nowhere to be found. He tried to play it off by, hiding his impatience to get back to his lodgings and scrab off his skin.

“You shouldn’t say something like that.”

The boss turned his chair, which was slightly out of position, to face him. His eyebrows rose.

“If you’re quitting, where are you going? I don’t know many shops that accept betas these days. And from what I heard, you didn’t suck it, but you received a head instead.”

I knew it. The boss knew about what happened because of CCTV in the room. But when Han Seon-Joo ran into his office, he pretended to know nothing.

“I will quit after this week.”

Han Seon-Joo had nothing left but to repeat the same words as a parrot. Unfazed, the boss stopped talking and ran a hand through his hair. A hint of irritation crossed his face.

“Seon-Jooya. Think again. Is there a shop that will hire beta?”

The boss frowned, referring to him by his real name. With a frustrated look on his face, he pulls a cigarette out of his drawer, lights it, and takes a deep drag. The boss was the only one who was allowed smoking indoors.

The boss looked at Han Seon-Joo through the white smoke. A gentle smile curved the corners of his mouth as if to soothe a crying child.

“Okay. You have every right to be upset, but that’s what selling your body is all about. It’s the same everywhere. If you listen to the stories about other shops, we do really care about you guys. Elsewhere, the slightest mistake and you’re going to get hit in the head with a bottle.”

The boss gently pleaded with him. Han Seon-Joo knew it as well. Just like the boss said, there were not so many shops around that hired betas. And even if there was such a place, it was the lowest of the low, where all sorts of perverts would gather.

“…If you really don’t like it, I’m not normally supposed to, but I’ll try to block Kim Soo-chan. But you know you’re supposed to make more money instead, right? This month you’re the best you’ve ever been, but hey, it’s not going to last forever. I’m not implying anything, but you know that’s just how life goes.”

“…”

“So don’t say you’re quitting. I feel so bad for Han Seon-Joo, what will happen to our shop if you leave?”

I swallowed it with frustration, but honestly, I wanted my boss to stop me. I didn’t have the skills to do anything else, and it’s hard to find a job that pays this much overnight.

As the feelings subsided, reality set in. I was too embarrassed to admit my mistake right away. The boss flicked the end of his cigarette into the ashtray.

“Then I’ll know you’re on hold. Leave work early today. You must be tired.”

And he waved his hand in the air. When the boss took a step back, he had to take it without a complaint, so Han Seon-Joo bowed and left the boss’s office.

***

I was so tired that I couldn’t even lift a finger. I hadn’t been working all night, but my mind and body were all worn out. Han Seon-Joo returned to his lodgings. It was a cheap room given away by a shop for people who had nowhere else to go. Three people, including Han Seon-Joo, were living together here.

As soon as I opened the door and stepped inside, I headed for the bathroom. It was a cramped bathroom with one sink, a toilet, an old washing machine, and purple tiles all over the place.

I scrubbed my body harshly under the shower, with the cold and hot water pouring down on me. The delicate skin instantly turned red. I wanted my skin to peel, and I wanted the feel and memory of Kim Soo-chan’s tongue to fade.

I took a much longer than normal shower, alternating between body wash and soap. In the fridge, stained by handprints, were yesterday’s leftover chicken and a new can of beer. Just by looking at it, the smell of alcohol travelled from my nose up my throat and back down my oesophagus, and I quickly closed the fridge door. I dried my hair and curled up on the futon, an ancient remnant of my pre-work life.

Looking back, I was very fortunate. I can’t believe I yelled about quitting without a second thought. What if the boss said that he knew everything and that he doesn’t mind firing me? There was a part of me that believed that this month’s earnings would be just as good as last month’s. But such thoughts are extremely reckless.

Seon-Joo closed his eyes, vowing to be more careful next time. Then he raised his eyelids in surprise. The events of the last night flashed through his mind. He remembered the stare that was piercing his cheek like a burning arrowhead, more than the disgusting head stuck to his crotch. 

Seon-Joo slowly rubbed his cheek with his hand. He felt the gaze travel from his earlobe to his neckline and then below, even though there was no physical presence. His fingertips lazily retraced the path.

Then he stopped and slammed his palm against his face. The popping sound and searing pain brought him back to reality.

“…What am I doing…”

Am I drunk or gone crazy? Han Seon-Joo waved his hand in the air and rolled over. Feeling pathetic about this, he slammed his forehead into the soft pillow.

Kwon Hee-Seong buried his hands into the pockets of his trousers and glanced down at Kim Soo-chan. His lips tilted to one side as if he were mocking the man for being obsessed with another man’s cock. At that blunt contempt, Kim Soo-chan’s face flashed red. He eventually let go of Han Seon-Joo’s hair.

“Today is not the only day. How are you going to live when you are lacking any patience?…What are you doing? Not leaving.”

Kwon Hee-Seong winked at Seon-Joo and pointed to the door with his chin. There was no way Han Seon-Joo would miss such an opportunity. He didn’t have time to thank Kwon Hee-Seong and left the room in a hurry without looking back. Behind the closed door, something crashed and shattered.

Han Seon-Joo winced and peered through the small panel of glass in the door. Kim Soo-chan was furiously waving his arms across the table. Kwon Hee-Seong, on the other hand, was completely unfazed by Kim Soo-chan’s cursing in front of him. He dug his ear as if looking at the dog barking with all its might, then moved his eyes to the door as if he felt Han Seon-Joo’s gaze.

Their eyes met through the glass. Brown eyes are as calm and as clear as the surface of the water in the pool. Kwon Hee-Seong smiled and waved gently. It was a gesture to “get the hell out of here”.

Maybe Kwon Hee-Seong is even crazier than Kim Soo-chan. The back of his neck was throbbing, Han Seon-Joo sighed and left the place.

***

What happened today made it clear what Kim Soo-chan wanted from me. If he lusted for my body, he would have given me money and shoved his cock in my mouth, not going down and sucking my cock.

I have had guests who were like that before. People who want love more than sexual pleasures, those who want to be real lovers. Kim Soo-chan was one of those. If I let him be he would want to get even more than what he did to him today. I have to cut him off before it’s too late.

A similar incident happened to Kang Yeong-ho in the past. At first, it was a timid and quiet customer, but that person gradually became more and more demanding to make sure Kang Yeong-ho would fall in love with them. What started with simple requests to date outside the bar, gradually turned into threats to quit the establishment.

Eventually, Kang Yeong-ho rejected the guest, saying that he didn’t deserve such feelings, which drove that person mad, and one day he came to him with a knife and went on a rampage at the store. Luckily, a patrol was passing through the area and it ended up being a simple business disruption without any bloodshed. After that Kang Yeong-ho and Han Seon-Joo refused to accept customers who asked for romantic feelings, fearing that they would become a source of danger in the future.

As soon as Han Seon-Joo left the room he headed to the owner’s office. The boss, who was having his nails done, jumped out of his chair in surprise. His voice was higher than usual.

“What’s going on?”

There was no way the boss didn’t know. He was the one who pushed Han Seon-Joo into this trap because the customer was rich.

“Please block Kim Soo-chan.”

There was no point for me to beat around the bush. The boss pressed his lips together and fell back in his chair. Drawing a long sigh, the boss brought his fingernails to the edge of his mouth and blew on them.

“I thought it was something serious.”

“Didn’t I say at the beginning of the contract that I would only accept female customers?”

“Oh well, I mean, how do you separate the men and women of all ages and traits when running a business like ours? You know most of our customers are women anyways. Sometimes a guy comes along. Why are you so sensitive Ji-ho, when other kids are doing just fine without any complaints?”

Nothing is stopping another Kang Yeong-ho situation from happening. If Kim Soo-chan ends up with a knife in his hand, there is no guarantee that it would not be bloodshed. I rushed into his office to prevent it, but he just stares at his fingernails?!

“Boss”, Han Seon-Joo called him out with disproving voice.

“Hey Ji-ho, you know we are not doing so well these days. How many people open their wallets like that one? It’s life, just accept it. What can I do if you are that beautiful? 

For a moment, I was furious. I also didn’t want to continue working for a business that didn’t protect its employees. I tried to push down on the impulse, but the words beat me to it.

“Then I will quit.”

I have received all the advance money anyways from work, so if I don’t have that much determination, I won’t be able to cut Kim Soo-chan off.

The boss, who was preoccupied with his nails, finally looked at Han Seon-Joo through his fingers. Han Seon-Joo hunched his shoulders as he carried the burden on his back. His still-damp crotch was a source of distress. The pleasure of ejaculating was nowhere to be found. He tried to play it off by, hiding his impatience to get back to his lodgings and scrab off his skin.

“You shouldn’t say something like that.”

The boss turned his chair, which was slightly out of position, to face him. His eyebrows rose.

“If you’re quitting, where are you going? I don’t know many shops accept betas these days. And from what I heard, you didn’t suck it, but you received a head instead.”

I knew it. The boss knew about what happened because of CCTV in the room. But when Han Seon-Joo ran into his office, he pretended to know nothing.

“I will quit after this week.”

Han Seon-Joo had nothing left but to repeat the same words as a parrot. Unfazed, the boss stopped talking and ran a hand through his hair. A hint of irritation crossed his face.

“Seon-Jooya. Think again. Is there a shop that will hire beta?”

The boss frowned, referring to him by his real name. With a frustrated look on his face, he pulls a cigarette out of his drawer, lights it, and takes a deep drag. The boss was the only one who was comfortable smoking indoors.

The boss looked at Han Seon-Joo through the white smoke. A gentle smile curved the corners of his mouth as if to soothe a crying child.

“Okay. You have every right to be upset, but that’s what selling your body is all about. It’s the same everywhere. If you listen to the stories about other shops, we do really care about you guys. Elsewhere, the slightest mistake and you’re going to get hit in the head with a bottle.”

The boss gently pleaded with him. Han Seon-Joo knew it as well. Just like the boss said, there were not so many shops around that hired betas. And even if there was such a place, it was the lowest of the low, where all sorts of perverts would gather.

“…If you really don’t like it, I’m not normally supposed to, but I’ll try to block Kim. But you know you’re supposed to make more money instead, right? This month you’re the best you’ve ever been, but hey, you never know not is going to last forever. I’m not implying anything, but you know that’s just how life goes.”

“…”

“So don’t say you’re quitting. I feel so bad for Han Seon-Joo, what will happen to our shop if you leave?”

I swallowed it with frustration, but honestly, I wanted my boss to stop me. I didn’t have the skills to do anything else, and it’s hard to find a job that pays this much overnight.

As the feelings subsided, reality set in. I was too embarrassed to admit my mistake right away. The boss flicked the end of his cigarette into the ashtray.

“Then I’ll know you’re on hold. Leave work early today. You must be tired.”

And he waved his hand in the air. When the boss took a step back, he had to take it without a complaint, so Han Seon-Joo bowed and left the boss’s office.

***

I was so tired that I couldn’t even lift a finger. I hadn’t been working all night, but my mind and body were all worn out. Han Seon-Joo returned to his lodgings. It was a cheap room given away by a shop for people who had nowhere to go. Three people, including Han Seon-Joo, were living together here.

As soon as I opened the door and stepped inside, I headed for the bathroom. It was a cramped bathroom with one sink, a toilet, an old washing machine, and purple tiles all over the place.

I scrubbed my body harshly under the shower, with the cold and hot water pouring down on me. The delicate skin instantly turned red. I wanted my skin to peel, and I wanted the feel and memory of Kim Soo-chan’s tongue to fade.

I took a much longer than normal shower, alternating between body wash and soap. In the fridge, stained by handprints, were yesterday’s leftover chicken and a new can of beer. Just by looking at it, the smell of alcohol travelled from my nose up my throat and back down my oesophagus, and I quickly closed the fridge door. I dried my hair and curled up on the futon, an ancient remnant of my pre-work life.

Looking back, I was very fortunate. I can’t believe I yelled about quitting without a second thought. What if the boss said that he knew everything and that he doesn’t mind firing me? There was a part of me that believed that this month’s earnings would be just as good as last month’s. But such thoughts are extremely reckless.

Seon-Joo closed his eyes, vowing to be more careful next time. Then he raised his eyelids in surprise. The events of the last night flashed through his mind. He remembered the stare that was piercing his cheek like a burning arrowhead, more than the disgusting head stuck to his crotch. 

Seon-Joo slowly rubbed his cheek with his hand. He remembered how the gaze he felt, travel from his earlobe to his neckline and then down below, even though there was no physical presence. His fingertips lazily retraced the path.

Then he stopped and slammed his palm against his face. The popping sound and searing pain brought him back to reality.

“…What am I doing…”

Am I drunk or gone crazy? Han Seon-Joo waved his hand in the air and rolled over. Feeling pathetic about this, he slammed his forehead into the soft pillow.