Take It Out On Me

Work

A squirrel-like man leads me by the hand down a long, red carpeted hall. This man who I've come to know as Jisung, my best friend, stops us infront of a large oakwood door. He turns me to face him.
"Ji c'mon, what am I doing here?" I ask for the umpteenth time. "If this is a client just tell me. I don't get what all the hush hush is about" Jisung shushes me and begins grooming my hair, floofing it up and tucking my long blonde locks behind my ears.
"Hush sweets. Y'know I can't tell you." He shrugs and adjusts my shirt collar. I groan and look at myself in the mirror lining the adjacent wall.
"If I get murdered my blood's on your hands." I sulk. Jisung scoffs, snickering.
"Oh he won't kill you- I mean, probably..." He smirks uncertainly.
"'He?' So it is a client!" I say matter-of-factly. Jisung's eyes go round. He squeeks out a quick apology, something about not wanting to die today. I watch him nervously speed down the hall, shaking my head.
I take a big breath, huffing and pulling out the key card Jisung gave me. Well I'd better get my ass in there huh.

• ~ - <◇> - ~ •

This all started with my ex. At the beginning I thought we were perfect for each other, gonna make it for the long run.
I was foolish. Stupid. Naive.
He blinded me to what he was really doing, who he really was. He racked up some pretty solid debt, and as the idiot boyfriend I felt responsible to help pay it. He forced me into a lot of things I wasn't ready for, nor wanted anything to do with. One of these was sex work.
After a year and a half he decided to drop off the grid with zero warning. This left me solely responsible for most, if not all of his debt. Subsequently, I've stayed in the prostitution industry. I don't particularly hate it. It's become more or less of a lifestyle for me. I'd be a liar if I said I didn't enjoy it on some level.

...

I walk past storefronts on my way to work, humming a cheery tune. It's nearing dusk and the streetlights are just flickering on.
I enter my workplace. I stop to great my best friend, the main secretary/advisor of the establishment.
"Jiiii" I say, hugging him from behind while he continues typing away.
"What's up sweets?" Jisung asks, sparing a glance at me. "Miss me that much?" He snickers.
"You wish, loverboy" I scoff
"Aw Lixie where's the affection? The romance?" He asks, clasping his hands and making a kissy face at me. I roll my eyes
"I don't belive in romance" I grumble, heading toward the employee quarters. I hear a sound of disapproval from my friend, but no retort.
I enter the quarters, greeting my coworkers with a bright smile. In my personal locker I see my outfit for tonight has been picked out and put there. This isn't uncommon. I'm one of our establishments' best dancers, so they tend to organize my performances much closer than most other workers. I pull out a pink pleated skirt and a white crop top with light pink letters spelling sweet. There's also some white thigh-length stockings with a pair of pink demonias.
     I pick out a pink collar with a silver heart shaped ring and some pink fingerless fishnet gloves.

     "Felix! You're on in 60 seconds!" The stage director yells.
     "Got it!" I reply. I take a look in the mirror, posing for a moment. "Damn I look good." I muse to myself. I adjust my skirt and take my position backstage.
     My friend Jeongin walks offstage.
     "Hey Innie what's up?" I smile and high five him.
     "Not much lix, now get your fine ass out there." He nudges me toward the stage. I stick my tongue out as he's walking away.
     "And now, our finest performer, our most requested dancer. Known for his feminine figure and innocent facade-" I close my eyes and walk onstage, manifesting as much confidence as i can. "Felix!"
     I smile wide as the music starts playing, assuming my starting position.
     While performing, I swear I keep spotting some familiar faces, but I can't pinpoint where they are. I think I know who I'm seeing... I must be hallucinating. He couldn't have found out where I work, right? Why would he? I shake the thought away, focusing on my performance. No distractions.
     I walk offstage, exhausted. This routine was really tiring, but alas, tonight's work is most likely not done. Once performers are finished on stage, customers bid on my 'special services'. Of course, the highest bidder gets me for an hour unless they pay extra.
     I sit in the dressing room, taking my platforms off. I sigh in relief, wiggling my toes. Innie tackles me from behind.
     "Aaaahh your performance was so goood~" Innie exclaims, poking my side. I chuckle, swatting him away.
     "Thanks Jeongin" I say. "I heard you did great as well." Innie smirks doubtfully.
     "I'm flattered, but not really. I fell onstage." He grimaces.
     "Aw Innie, everyone makes mistakes. I think you've been getting better every time I watch you perform. Don't let mistakes get you down, you're doing great!" I say with enthusiasm. Jeongin smiles big and hugs me.
     "Thanks Lix" I hug him back.
     "FELIX!" Me and Jeongin jolt at the abrupt noise. I look to see Jisung poking his head through the doorway. "Oh sorry that was loud." He smiles, embarrassed.
     "It's good Ji, what's up?" I ask.
     "You have a call upstairs. We gotta go." He says. I look at Jeongin, sharing a look of confusion. Nobody from our position ever goes above the second floor. Heck, I don't even know what's above that. I know there's something like 16 floors though. I puty boots back on and look at Innie one last time before leaving with Jisung.
     "So do you know what they want?" I ask as we enter the elevator.
     "I'm not supposed to say." Jisung says.
     "Aw c'mon. What's even on these floors anyway?" Jisung glances at me sideways.
     "I can't say, Lix. I'm sorry." I grumble and lean against the wall.
     "Well you suck." I pout.
     "Hey! Don't make this harder on meeee" Jisung whines. "You know how bad I am at keeping secrets!" He punches me in the arm. I laugh and decide to stop prying for now.

     So here I am- standing in front of this huge door with this flimsy little key card, wondering who this mysterious 'he' is. Let's do this.
     I swipe the card through the pad. The light turns green with a little beep. I open the door and step inside. 'He' turns out to be the the last person I had expected to see upon entering this room. I freeze, standing in the open doorframe.