Tangled in Heartstrings

The Encounter: Chapter one

"Ah shit" said Minjun, with a small groan and irritation growing on his face as he looked down at his phone.

His friend, Jihoon, stopped in his tracks, glancing over at Minjun. He sat down the huge box of glass bottles on the counter and walked over to Minjun.

"Something wrong?" He asked, leaning in to see what Minjun was so worked up about.

"My dad keeps messaging to meet up. I've tried so hard not to respond, but he's starting to piss me off." Minjun and his dad used to be super close, but everything took a turn once Minjun's mom committed suicide when he was only ten in the fifth grade. His dad became an abusive alcoholic who developed a severe gambling addiction. He made Minjun's life a living hell. Consequently, Minjun moved out of his house as soon as he turned eighteen and began working to support himself without anyone's help. He earned enough money to open his own strip bar, making his own profit.

"I really tried, Ji...like really tried to give him a chance. But I'm sick of always being left with a feeling of hope every time he pulls some bullshit. He's never going to change, and I've come to the conclusion a long time ago, but he doesn't want to give up."Jihoon listened in silence, letting Minjun vent his frustration. He knew how important loved ones were to him, even if his dad wasn't the best role model.

"Min, you know what I always tell you. If you want to give him a chance, do it, and if you don't, then don't, but I'm not going to let you get worked up over stupid shit. You've got your own business that you built yourself. Go out, have fun, relax; you're only twenty-four for fucks sake."

Minjun let out a small chuckle. Jihoon was right; he was still too young to be worrying about problems. Maybe tonight was the night he needed to let loose and be free. He looked at Jihoon, who was all peed up, and said, "You're right. Today we will have fun, you and me together."

An hour passed, and soon all of Minjun's workers started showing up for their shifts.

Jihoon called for a meeting once everyone was there. "Today is going to be like any other day, but all I ask of you all is not to bother Minjun. He has a lot on his plate right now, and I want him to take this time to relax and have some time to himself. If you need anything, ask me, and I'll help you guys, ok?" Everyone responded loudly with a yes and moved to their respective places.

"I've got everything set; we will open in like ten minutes, and there's already customers outside. You can leave things to me, and everything will be fine." Minjun just rolled his eyes and let out a laugh.

Jihoon then continued, "Now you go sit your ass down over there, and I'll get you a drink. If you move, I'll kill you." He then happily skipped over to the bar and let the bartender know what Minjun wanted to drink so the waiter could sever him.

Jihoon signaled the workers to start letting customers in. Soon, the place was filled with customers. Some were drinking and vidingto the music, and others were waiting for the dancers to come out. The club was full of intense energy radiating from everyone there.

Jihoon walked over to where Minjun was sitting and slumped down next to him with a drink in his hand. "I don't know how you do it. My legs feel like they're going to chip off, and it's only been like twenty minutes." Minjun chuckled and took another sip of his drink.

"It's not as easy as you thought, is it?" Jihoon raised his eyes before crossing his legs and signing the waiter to get them more drinks.

"I'm not complaining, though. I'm glad you're having fun." Jihoon smiled. The waiter came with two more drinks and placed them on the table. Jihoon grabbed his and handed the other to Minjun.

They clicked their glass cups, then brought them up to their lips, opening their mouths. They sat in silence comfortably. Taking in the atmosphere and great energy from the tight, close space.

As Jihoon looked around, he noticed a group of guys and girls eyeing Minjun, who was more focused on some people playing a lame drinking game. "You're kidding me, right?" making Minjun turn his attention back to Jihoon, who had a look of disbelief plastered on his face. Minjun just raised his eyebrow, giving Jihoon a look of 'what's wrong'.

Jihoon just face-palmed. "There's a lot of people checking you out, and you're looking at some drunk old dudes playing a stupid game."

Minjun just blinked, confused as to what Jihoon was talking about. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm just saying that there are many fine ass people eyeing you, and you're not even acknowledging them." Minjun just shook his head.

"Ji, you know I don't care about that stuff. I'm more worried about myself right now. I don't have time to worry about someone else when I don't even have my shit together." Minjun said.

"No wonder you're still single. You're so stupid." Minjun continued to cackle away while Jihoon eye-rolled and sighed.

One of the Minjun employees approached his table and said, "Excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt, but they're a guy who wants to apply for a job here. We told him to wait out back. I'm not sure what to do now."

"I'll be there in a second, thank you." Jihoon looked at Minjun in disbelief before pulling on his shirt to get Minjun's attention.

"What do you mean? I thought we agreed you weren't going to work today, so let me handle it." Jihoon stated.

"But Ji, you've never hired anyone before. I'm ok with you taking care of everything else, but I have to see who's going to be my employee. Please don't get mad." Jihoon just crossed his arms as a way to gesture that he was not happy.

Minjun got up, straightening himself out, leaving Jihoon sitting there, making his way to meet the person waiting outback. He with his employee stood right outside the door separating the two rooms. His employee cracked the door open a little then pointed at a guys sitting down.

That's him." Minjun just patted his employees back and moved towards the guy sitting on a high red stool.

"Hello, I'm Yoon Minjun, the owner of this place. Nice to meet you." He joyfully said, extending his hand out to welcome him.

The guy sitting down looks up and takes Minjun's hand while getting up from the stool. "I'm Kim Sunwoo; nice to meet you too." He smiled and bowed at Minjun.