Chapter 2

          Seongwoo and I went out to Mr. Ok's office after we settled our agreement. It's difficult to say no when you're already on the verge of giving up on everything: your family and your darn life. I am tired physically, emotionally and mentally. If only I knew our life would be like this, I probably cooperate and participate with Einstein's ideas and theories about the time machine. Even though, life has never been easy at all, and probably fate is testing us in a harder way.

          In spite of those problems, it will not stop me from changing my life. I am going to make my own one, a new better life we could start on. If you're born poor, then it's in your hands to create a difference. I'll be the living proof that every cloud has a silver lining. Giving up wouldn't feel me better, it'll make me weaker and a coward for easily giving up on these pesky trials.

          I really got to find two or more jobs before my summer break ends. I need to sort out our accumulated debts for these past three months so that I can estimate my supposed-to-be budget for paying these. And as long as there is a kind of opportunity like this, seizing this chance will be somehow good enough to appease me from more distress. It's substantial though it's insufficient. But at least, this is a driven motivation to work even better. 

          Now, what should be the best idea to entertain VIPs?

          I had entertained group of both rich arrogant and humble customers but not as VIPs. I bet they were more intimidating than the usual. My boss wouldn't call us if they were not more than just elites. Perhaps I believed when you say VIP at this place, you were the wealthiest and most influenced person who booked for dine and visited El Dorado. They must be treated so fine and well, like they were living as noble patricians in a monarchial state from the eighteenth century (believable enough).

          "Head in the clouds?"

          I eyed at him, "Got no weight on my shoulders?" and then he snickers once he got it.

          I chuckle halfheartedly to ease the shaming mood I've prompted. I never thought Western music could be used in some of my pretty lame jokes.

          "Are you nervous?"

          I shrugged, "Maybe yes or maybe no. I don't know."

          In the deepest pit of my stomach, I know I am. This antsy feeling makes my entire abdominal organs flounder, and cold sweats are dripping down to my temples. Why I am so anxious? Well, it's not that I don't have any sense of humor (only lame and corny) or can't even make a conversation alive for too long. I can hold up conversation very well, but it depends upon the person whom I'm going to interact with. I don't usually waste my time to meaningless chats.

          "What should I do now?" An urge of frustration made me gripped my hair.

          "Just be yourself," I averted my eyes at him. "You are Lee Ae-ra who can always do the impossible," and then he sent me his cutie bunny teeth and his tantalizing wink.

          I mockingly rolled my eyes, "Thanks for the 'helpful' encouragement, Hong Seongwoo."

          His smile faded away when I pronounced his name wrong. He is offended and so am I (well, not really). I always told him that he should call my English name rather than 'Ae-ra', like for how many times in these past few months I had reminded him about that. I don't express any repugnance toward to my name. It's just that I am not really fond of it.

          While in his case, it's actually Ong but if I want to piss him off and to pay back for all what he had done to me, I'll just say Hong or Gong and that makes him very upset. He enjoys pestering me in annoyance, but when I'm taking my chances to revenge, no entertainment ensues because his temper got escalated all of a sudden. It ended up it was my fault for hurting his feelings and his heavy dramas goes on and on and on.

          Apparently, there was a story behind dealing with this immature brat. In my first day of work, I was tasked by Mr. Ok to find him. Little did I know, when I unexpectedly queried and spoke his name to him, I didn't know that he was the guy I was looking for. He was rendered in speechless, standing frozen in his current location and his facial expression can't be determined whether he is fully delighted or he is an addict who took high doses of marijuana. After that moment, he hugged me out of the blue and proclaimed that I'm the only one who got it right, as if it was his first time to hear his name correctly.

          Then later on, I found him very dependable person, but the consequence of befriending him are more stresses in life, especially bearing with his childishness. One of those struggles is how to keep him away from asking me if we could hang around together. Some people look at us very differently because of it. You know, they assumed we were 'in a relationship' but we are not. Seongwoo and I had a platonic friendship, not a romantic one. No more, no less.

          "What's your deal here anyway? A part-timer like you should go home now."

          "No. I won't go home. I already volunteered," he seriously placed his hand on his pocket. "I didn't stay here for you so don't assume. And if you'll excuse me, I have a work to do."

          I just smile hilariously after he walked out. He is showing me how sulky and sensitive he was. I want to crack up but that could even fuel our silly joking. He might not talk to me again for he will seriously take it.

          I went to the bathroom to freshen up my face. My light makeup got almost disappeared and I noticed these evident big pack eye bags. My pimples were swollen and reddish like it will explode any time soon. My dark spots were also visible from the mirror and my eyes were pinkish (not too much) as though I have conjunctivitis. It pisses me off because it's the effect of makeup to my face. I am short in ideas on what kind of brand should match my skin type.

          As a matter of fact, I hated wearing multilayered makeup but my boss required it. He said we need to be appeared presentable and fresh whenever we'll meet our customers. I need to follow his rules and regulations given that it's the so-called 'standard of beauty' here in South Korea—actually not only here but also in other countries, too.

          I wash and dry my face first before applying two layers of foundation and that's it. No more additional cosmetics or whatever they call it. I had no reason to search thorough but I'm knowledgeable in some basics: concealing the dark spots and blemishes with foundation, wearing eyeliner, curling eyelashes, flushing my upper eyelid, blushing my cheeks, making my eyebrows on fleek, and putting either peach, red or pink lipsticks to my lips. After I put all of those, voila, I unfortunately turned out into a clown. It's sad but it's true. It was my frustration ever since I worked here, and I already accepted the fact that I am not used to beauty products.

          I am not conscious though. I am confidently beautiful in my own little ways. Beauty isn't always based on physical appearance but rather the content inside as a person because it matters more. Beauty expires but not the character I inculcated all throughout these years. Besides, why would you need beauty if your family's genes don't possess it? Think again, sweetie, because I've already been there and my despairing search is still ongoing.

          In the midst of the night, there are more customers arriving and heading to the left side of the restaurant. The bar site was inwardly located there where all of them were listening to the acoustic covers of our appointed band, as they also seizing our punchy beers and delightful cocktails. We, who were working at the right side of the restaurant, don't have any shifts there since it was only for graveyard shift employees. Mr. Ok prohibited us part-timers to go inside but I'm really curious how it looks like.

          "Aeries!"

          The time he hollered my name, I became dumbfounded once he held both of my shoulders and he stood before me, wearing a weird lab gown underneath with his red button down collared shirt and his cool spectacle.

          "Be ready. They're coming," he told me that with a mellow tone. "Once you hear it, it's them."

          Then he tapped my shoulder and his smirk made my spine shivers. I am not yet over with his strange outfit but I knew this feeling he imparted. It's the feeling when death is coming for me. What the heck does he mean 'once I hear it', and does Prof. Oak still finding a Pokémon after all the eight generations he had witnessed?

          After a minute or so, I heard a loud honk outside and that bolted me again. I'd die easily if these people were not cautious with their actions. I took a glimpse outside and my jaw literally drops. A sumptuous car arrived and it pulled over on the entrance. Its crystal shiny shaded white tint outshone all the other luxurious parked cars at the parking area with its shining, shimmering, and sparkling long feature and stellar wheels.

          It's a highly exceptional limousine.

          Three people come out of the car and pace the red carpet path. First, it was a guy who supposedly has the same age as my boss and an early middle age man and a woman who were doubtlessly his parents, I guess. They are wearing outstanding attires along with large jewelries and premium watches. I suddenly sense a nerve-wracking feeling once my eyes checked them. The undeniable intimidation and pressure deriving from their presence made my self-confidence to rip out into tiny pieces. I thought under no circumstances that these VIPs could easily impart insecurity at me. Unlike those normal entitled customers, they were more different from them: much greater, much more powerful and much more privileged than any usual elites. Because of my trepidation, I think I want to leave and go home. But nevertheless, I need this for me and for my father so there is no turning back.

          I am done removing those clouds from my head and went back glancing at them. I just spotted them talking to someone and that person ushered them to the VIP room. His facial expression doesn't sense any fear at all but instead he shown a vast extent of bravery. Those captivating eyes were neither daunted nor overwhelmed to their existence. He's truly none other than the 'offended one'.

          I gave them a couple of minutes to embrace the ambiance of the place. Let them feel relax and extra special in our exquisitely pampering accommodations, and enjoy our sophisticated suite room, including the aromatic candlelight dinner with its perfect jasmine fragrance that can be matched to their graceful attires.

          "You can go after a minute. That's your cue," he abruptly and bluntly told me as he passed through.

          "Ong Seongwoo," I didn't look back once I said it. "I said your name correctly. Happy?"

          He sneered, "I'm still mad at you," then he left.

          That jerk is playing hard to get. I will not apologize nor do any sweet-talk at him. In his wildest dream. I'll just let him be then. I should focus on my job rather than that.

          "Good evening. Welcome to El Dorado! Can I take your order?"

          The lady in a white Venus strapless dress with decorative crystalized gems tilts her head as she smiles and greets me, too. At first glance, I got wordless at her beauty because she doesn't look like a middle-aged lady at face-to-face. She has no trace of wrinkles at all. Her skin seems so soothed and appeared so smooth like she was bathing pure milk with aloe vera extract and tea tree oil. Her face is so fine and tight and even open pores are nowhere to find. Above all, her collarbone is more defined than mine, and her lips are thinner and more kissable than any of girls out here. If you'll compare it to my oily pimple face, let's just forget that I asked about it.

          Does this woman drink water from a fountain of youth or it's because she's rich and been pampered with plenty procedures? Whatever the answer is, money can really almost buy everything. What a lucky lady.

          "Can you kindly suggest which among these cuisines the bestselling? It's our first time here."

          I was dumbstruck again. How come that this is their first time to dine to this prestigious and exclusive restaurant in Seoul? Aside from that, I haven't heard her, his husband, and/or even his son mock my jester makeup and my not-so-fashionista-self. On top of that, she doesn't appear like the usual pompous elite customers that I had experienced.

          "Ma'am, I strongly suggest you should try our bestseller steak which is Filet Mignon," they are listening. "Here we serve it with an oh-so-tender texture, mouth-watering smell, and it is partner with our delectable savory sauce. You can also add some appetizers whether it's European-Inspired or Asian-Inspired. All of them are good and can complement the main course."

          Keep going, Aeries.

          "And, besides, there's a trivia on it," I added. "You know why it was our very popular and bestselling cuisine?" I waited for the perfect timing to say it. "...because it was made of pure love!" I sent them my big heart shape gesture.

          You know what, Seongwoo probably curse me with supreme humiliation tonight. That off-the-cuff statement took me all the way on the ground. Only if I knew I'd entirely embarrass myself, I shouldn't risk on doing this. I totally cringe once I couldn't withhold that expression. And unexpectedly, three of them chortled to my hopeless and trying hard aegyo. It works or maybe it's their way to salvage me from more awkwardly abashment. Either way, I still mortified myself thanks to my frustration and nervousness that keeps me bugging inside.

          "What do you think, honey? Is this will be all right for him?" she asked his husband.

          "I think so. We should look forward to it."

          "Yes sir. I rest assured all of you will love it."

          "Okay. So please give us four—" their son stopped from talking and looked at me, "If I were you, you should jot down our orders instead of staring at me like that," then he beamed.

          I am sorry. I got smitten with his face. I am just thinking that in his age, how does he maintain that kind of fresh looking skin? Mind to share some skin care routines, please. I began to write their orders as fast as I can. Then after, I bow and quickly let the room in order to give it to the cook. My breath became clearly as if there was a trapped fishbone that had been successfully removed in my trachea.

          On my way back to the locker room, my attention has suddenly drawn again on the left side of the restaurant. I am really curious about that 'paradise' they called. Before you could enter within, there is an entrance door that separates the restaurant and the bar, but all I can see outside of that door is darkness. There are no guards guarding the way so I went near to sneak in and find out what's inside. As I survey the area, I see the band members singing a mellow dramatic song on stage. All of the customers were moved by their performance, and even I was moved, too. I am touched to the emotions of the song, and their vocals were purely on point.

          To further keep this remarkable viewing, I continue my roam even closer while examining the whole area. It is my first time to let my eye drank up this kind of grand and marvelous setting. The surroundings were shaded of Gothic-looking theme together with golden bright chandeliers and colorful cocktails and liquors. If you'll look at first sight, you think you were in a church from twelve to sixteenth century because of its magnificent ceiling. Any guest who goes here can experience its grandeur magic. It was extremely different to the normal rowdy local bar in television. Its interior design was also stunning like the restaurant but this has more certain style and cool ambience. To think, I didn't ever expect witnessing this unusual setup as unimaginable.

          It was truly a classy stupendous dashing bar.

          But in just a split of seconds, there is a sudden spotlight aims at me. My eyes got rounded in too much surprise. I tried to hide but it's already too late.

          "Miss, do you want to sing with us?" the vocalist asked.

          I am totally shocked in a moment or two. He gathers a lot of attention on the audience, as they're throwing knives of curiosity at me to the point my heart flusters so much. Awfully enough, graveyard employees saw my usherette uniform on El Dorado (restaurant). I can't mark what was in their mind, whether they were flabbergasted, bemused or both. Well, I couldn't blame them given that a part-timer just got slipped through the unguarded door and went here without being notice by anyone of them. All that have been said, I'm starting to hate myself and my life, literally.

This is definitely the most regretful decision I've ever made tonight.

To be continued...

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