Saralise woke up, still tired from working last night. She got home late after a prolonged stroll with Jungkook. He insisted on walking her home, given that she lives in a rundown part of the Dongdaemun district. 

She got up from the bed sloppily, dragging her legs behind her.  Clearly not looking forward to going to work again today. Jungkook mentioned a strange guy that's been asking around about Saralise, trying to get more private information.

She brushed her teeth, put long pink hair in a ponytail and got a change of clothes.

"-so annoying..." she thought to herself about that man, still on her mind. It wasn't unusual for men to follow her around at the club and such. She's used to it. 

A call from Sara's boss shook her out of her thoughts. The woman looked at a clock on her kitchenette and noticed that it's already past 4 p.m. 

"Shit, not again!" the thoughts followed. Saralise has a habit of oversleeping. Results? Getting scolded by the boss - Byron.

She picked up the phone, yet didn't dare to speak first. A very raspy, deep tone could be heard on the other end.

"Sara' I swear to god, you better be in the metro right now, I need you in this goddamn club" - The man whined. - "You're losing me money, Choi." - the scolding followed - "Remember that I'm paying you by hour plus, the reason you still have this job, is that no one wants to work in your position!" Byron definitely wasn't in the mood for jokes, his tone was very serious, offensive even.

She knew very well what he meant about an unwanted position. Lots of men flirt with bartenders, some get touchy. Not many women would want this line of work.

"I know Byron, I'll be there soon enough, way before 5 p.m." She murmured to the phone, embarrassed by her action. "Promise on the priciest bottle of wine!"

"You wish!" he chuckled, absolutely amused by her statement. "I'd have to be a moron to bet on that, just come by as fast as you can for fuck's sake" the attempt of making the man go easy on her wasn't exactly working.

"Of course, I'm leaving my flat right now" She announced as she locked the door behind her.

"Fine-" Byron stopped in his tracks as a second, male voice could be heard from the phone. "-JK is here, I'm going to hang up now." And so he did, not waiting for an answer from Sara'.

Saralise was now left alone with her thoughts, clutching her bag closer to her body as she left the apartment.

The fresh air hit her like a wave, waking up her senses and goose bump giving. It was a cold, foggy morning, early days of spring. The street felt quite busy, as she passed her neighbors buying groceries from the alley market.

It wasn't far to the station, therefore in a few minutes she was already sitting in the uncomfortable, vibrantly colored seats of the metro.

Her ears filled with music from the old, worn up headphones she's got.

[listen to the attached link for a real feel!]

Saralise admires the crowds, she especially loves observing people from her point of view. It may seem strange, maybe a bit... creepy. Although, Sara' just saw something special in how everyone has their story, their own view on life. 

Looking around the train, someone caught her attention.

There, in one corner, sat a peaceful figure, quietly nestled in a worn seat. She was an old, sweet lady, her presence glowing with calmness amidst the bustling chaos of the metro.

Her silver hair, neatly coiled into a bun. Her tired eyes carried the wisdom of years gone by, yet still sparkled with a childlike curiosity for the world around her. A soft smile played at the corners of her lips, offering warmth to Sara' as she caught her gaze.

Saralise smiled simply at the woman.

To her, it's a gentle reminder to pause, to savor these sweet moments. That's what Sara' cherished about life.

A sudden tone, calling out for the Hongdae stop, had pulled her out of her pondering.

She got out quickly, once again feeling the breeze outside. This time, the air was dry, her view clear. The sun felt warm against her skin. 

The ride to work made her more motivated. She smiled to the sky and followed the big sign in front of her.

[warning! AI generated.]

Byron's building was tall and almost fully see-through, with enormous windows replacing the walls. The golden accents made Oasis look exceptionally rich and elegant.

She could softly hear music already on in the club. She watched as Jungkook appeared on the scene, swaying his hips to the rhythm. The sight was a tiny bit funny to Saralise, as she couldn't exactly make up a song from said mumble. 

She forcefully pushed the glass door with her delicate hands. Jungkook hasn't noticed Saralise yet, as she was behind his back. He was simply bumping his head, the brown fluffy hair bouncing up and down. His swift hands were placing alcohol bottles on the polished counter bar. She spoke up after a while of the victorious watch. 

 "Hey, I'm here..." Sara' stated, checking her phone, "...16:45 sharp, Byron should be proud. 15 minutes before opening." She chuckled shortly, hoping the boss didn't actually hear her. 

JK stopped his glass organization, almost dropping one. He looked at her with a tinge of embarrassment. His cheeks flushed in a faint red color.

"Oh, hey. You didn't have to watch me dance, psychopath" He rubbed his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, he should totally cherish you". Jeon just winked at her and went back to his cleanup.

"Who should cherish the slacker?" Byron rushed into the room, as if he had been snooping around, just waiting for the right momentum. 

Before Saralise could make up any words, someone interrupted:"Her new fling, boss-man." Jungkook made up a quick lie. Sara' just mouthed out the words 'thank you'. Byron rolled his eyes, yet he couldn't hide the corners of his mouth creasing in a smile. 

"Since you're finally here, please clean the tables, Sara'." He shook his head. His sight shifted to JK. "A certain someone forgot to do it yesterday..." 

Jungkook didn't even bat an eye, he knew Byron will let him off easy. 

"Wanna go for a smoke?" Jeon questioned his boss. "I finished the counter, we open in five."

"Sure, but the kid stays here" Byron pointed at Sara'. Saralise just followed up with his request and went ahead to clean the tables. Both men left the main area to go outside.

Looking through the windows, Saralise could watch both men sinking into a conversation and tobacco reverie. 

Her focus lands on Jungkook, she can't help but stare at his pale pink, soft lips.

She knew very well how attractive he was. His cinnamon gaze could sweep her off her feet any day. Sara' made sure to keep her distance for that exact reason -  they can be friends, but let that be all. But his chest... the way it rises when inhaling the smoke, the way his shirt tightens on his muscular body.

But is it that easy? Maybe. He doesn't seem to run straight into her arms, right?

"It's already complicated as it is." She thought to herself, still longing for his lips. Biting hers just from the thought.

Jeon caught her slacking, he smirks at her and winks. Both men throw out the cigarette buds and head inside.

"Let's start the night, guys." Byron exclaimed, switching LED lights on and tuning up the music.

At the peak of the night, the club was packed with people. Entrepreneurs with overly dramatic dressed women on their arm. Some enjoying champagne, some just sipping wine... 

And then, there are some men, who just come in alone, perhaps to ponder, perhaps to not feel lonely, perhaps to find some company.

Saralise moved gracefully behind the counter, expertly mixing drinks as she tended to the patrons. That's when a strangely attractive stranger walked in.

He exuded an aura of wealth and sophistication, his tailored suit hinting at a life of privilege. With a confident stride, he settled onto a bar stool, his eyes scanning the room with a calculating gaze. Sara' couldn't help, but notice his piercing stare as she approached.

"Good evening, what can I get ya'?" she asked, her voice soft, yet laced with a touch of curiosity. There was something about that man, something hypnotizing.

"A scotch, neat," he replied, his tone commanding yet polite.

As she poured the amber liquid into a glass, she stole glances at him, trying to decipher the enigma before her. He seemed out of place in this dive bar, like a predator among prey. But there was something else in his eyes, a hint of intrigue as they lingered on her.

Their conversation was brief yet charged with an unspoken tension. He asked casual questions about the bar and its clientele, but his gaze never wavered from her face. Sara, in turn, offered polite, although guarded responses, her instincts telling her to tread carefully.

She could feel Jungkook on guard. He did mention a guy asking about her yesterday.

As the night wore on, they found themselves drawn into an unexpected game of cat and mouse. He probed for information, subtly trying to unravel the mystery of Sara's past, while she deftly deflected his inquiries with a charming smile.

"So you truly are from Seoul? No other connections?" The man asked with a puzzled face. Sara' swallowed nervously, knowing that she's lying.

"Yep, I'm white, but my parents were living in Seoul way before having me." She nodded her head, sending him an unsure smile.

"I'm calling bullshit on that." Stranger put the glass down with a barely hearable clink. "If you were from Seoul, you'd be full of plastic surgeries by now, or rather - not smiling, also, keeping her distance, like the rest of them." He added, putting on his coat.

Saralise didn't speak, taken aback by the way he decrypted her tiny lie. It was true how none of her co-workers (except JK) weren't social in any way. The man stood up and put his long, checkered coat on. He slid two (consisting of roughly $20 each) 10,000 won bills over the counter. Sara's eyes went wide. Just 5000 won would pay for those glasses of scotch. He didn't have anything more to say. Said stranger nodded his head as a goodbye sign.

Just like that, his slick silhouette was gone.

The whole occurrence was uncanny to her. She took the rest of the money, of course, it was a great tip for Sara' and she could easily put it towards her rent. She smiled to herself, wiping the Scotch-man's glass and putting it away.

Authors note:

First take! Extremely grateful to those, who read through all 1800 words in this chapter! Let me know what u think in the comments <3 

Stay happy and healthy, love is all.