collateral damage 🔞 - COMPLETE

•fifty-three•

~~~~~Chul

Watching JK walk like a zombie out of the club, my heart aches for him. I know he is the medicine that Haerin needs, but Raven will fight against him. I find myself thinking about RED alot recently. The abuses that happened there scarred all of us that worked under Beom-Seok. Haerin had taken the brunt of his anger though, and if I could go back in time, I would have killed that son of a bitch myself. Now, she is broken, and I feel partly responsible.

It has been a while since she showed up here, and I was cautiously optimistic that maybe she wouldn't return. I care so much for her, like the sister I never had, and I want nothing but for her to be happy. When Naeun convinced her to move to Seoul, I couldn't let them come alone. I immediately called a good friend, and he got me the job here at Rush. It was supposed to be just bartending, but the owner liked my resume so much he made me the general manager. Is it a good thing that I excel in sex club management? *Sigh*

"Chul-ie... You alright?"

Her sweet voice pulls me back from my thoughts, and I turn to see an exhausted looking girl. I offer her a smile, but continue to examine her. The eyes that hold no sparkle, and the messed up makeup and hair. Obviously she and JK got together, but neither one of them seems to be happy after.

"I'm alright Doll... How are you? Good time with the hunk?"

Her mouth turns into a pout, and I see her fingers tugging at the hem of her dress. She doesn't meet my eyes, and I only hear a hum as a response.

"He didn't hurt you, did he?"

She snaps her head towards me, with wide eyes.

"No no... He wouldn't... I'm just confused..."

"Tell me why, and I'll tell you what I think..."

"It made me feel things... I'm not used to feeling anything when I fuck... I almost said 'I love you' to him... But I don't know why! He's not mine..."

"Hmmm... Maybe you do love him... That is the easiest explanation."

"He's in love with her though... I... Nevermind..."

"You do know, that she is you..."

She is glaring at me, but I hold the eye contact, looking for anything that can help at this point. It's dangerous to push her about this, but I need to help her if I can.

"I'm not her... She's soft!"

"Why is 'soft' a bad thing?"

"It's what gets her hurt... How she became an easy target for that demon... I won't let that happen again!"

"But why is it alright for you to be hurt? I'm sure she wouldn't want anyone to be in pain to protect her..."

"ENOUGH! I'm done talking about this..."

"Sorry Doll... I'm just trying to help. You know I love you... All of you... You look tired though... Go get some sleep."

She nods, and stands from the stool. I watch her trudge towards the exit, looking completely lost. The bouncer by the entrance speaks to her, and I watch her nod with a smile. He will give her a ride home as I requested, so I don't need to worry about her, for the time being. Pulling my phone out, I send Naeun a quick text letting her know she's on the way. I tell her that she's still 'Raven'... But that she's subdued... It's not long before I get a reply telling me that JK is home also, and he's in the same mood. We agree to meet for lunch soon, and wish each other good night. I like Naeun so much, but I heard she has a boyfriend now. I guess what they say is true... You snooze, you lose...