Strings & Stitches

Chapter 3

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The time just hauled to midnight, and Bora had already started her shift. She had a longer performance for later, and before she would start getting ready for it, she still had some time, so she walked to the bar, calling Handong for an iced drink.

She wasn't sure if she would be able to continue working here if not Handong. That woman was her strength, understanding her more than she - herself, sometimes. And Bora didn't know how to show her gratitude, Handong was probably not even searching for it, so Bora continued to just be in her presence and hope that she was bringing as much peace to the bartender as she was bringing to her.

Handong turned to her as she sat on the chair and rolled her eyes at seeing that Bora chose to wander around with her stage outfit once again. "Extra ice since you're pretty hot already;" the bartender slid the glass over to her, looking her up and down.

Bora burst into a laugh, taking the drink and a rather big sip. "I still don't understand how you haven't found yourself a partner with those flirting skills." She teased, reaching for Handong's orange hair and playing with a single thread.

There was a pretty simple explanation behind that, really. "I don't think a customer to a strip club would make a good partner" There was certainly a percentage of them that were here without their partner knowing.

"That's what I mean! You should have a life outside of this bar," She commented, trying to make a point as if her life wasn't depending on this job entirely.

"Says you?" Bora being the one to tell her that was pretty ironic.

"At least I'm not trying to open my own bar? Just doing it for the money." Bora shrugged her shoulders, letting go of her friend's hair and taking hold of her glass again, glancing down at the ice cubes floating in the drink.

She got her there. But that dream was probably quite a few years away. "You nervous for tonight or not anymore?" It wasn't the first long show she did, but maybe there were still some nerves involved.

Bora thought about the question for a while, wondering what her own answer would be. "I am nervous, but I think the feeling of excitement to be done as soon as possible and sleep in my precious bed covers it fully" She gave her a smile. As the two women continued their conversation, Handong leaving and coming back from time to time since she had other customers to take care of, Bora felt a touch on her shoulder from the side as she turned to the person, seeing a customer that came here frequently.

After a few private sessions with Bora, he got a lot more comfortable around her, sitting down on the other chair. "You ready for tonight?" He asked, acting as if they were friends already.

Bora was used to everything like this already, so she was smart enough to play along his game for a little while. "Yes, I'm more than ready. Are you looking forward to it?" She smiled up at him, now almost fully turning to him. Handong was filling other customers' drinks anyway.

"I got myself a front-line ticket to your magical body."

Oh, yeah. Bora tried not to gag.

Instead, she chuckled, maybe sounding a little too fake, but at least the man didn't notice. "I'm sure you'll love this one."

"I'm sure I will."

While Bora was still fully turned to him, she lost her glass from her vision, quite oblivious that by talking to her, he was trying to take her attention off it for a little bit.

That was, until the brunette turned her body back to the counter again, not expecting to find Handong with what could be called an almost panicked and angered expression on her face. "Give me your glass, Bora."