innocence. || Vkook

XII

The charming dancer was dancing a modern type of ballet, adding few provocative steps in the choreography which made the men go wild.

The boy did a triple pirouette and grabbed a poll with his hand, finishing his act.

The older men gone crazy over the boy, cheering and clapping for him. Even though at first sight he seemed like an average pretty highschool student, at that stage he shone like a true star.

Older men were not the only ones that enjoyed the dance. Taehyung caught himself clapping to the boy not even realizing he started doing so.

"Hey, no time for that. We should be making cocktails." - Hyungwon scolded and pulled the younger by his shirt's sleeve.

¤¤¤

The majority of guests have already left the place. It seemed like they only came to see Jungkook.

It was 2:03 am and only around ten men were left. They were so smashed and looked so out of this world it felt kind of strange to count them as present.

Taehyung has already started cleaning the floor. Hyungwon was obligated to keep the bar and everything within the bar clean, including glasses and sink.

While Taehyung was cleaning the floor, he saw Mr. Gong putting his hand over dancer's shoulder, talking to one of the guests.

It was obvious what they were talking about even though they were too far to be heard.

Taehyung raised his head and looked at Hyungwon who was washing the glasses in the bar.

Taehyung approached him leaning the mop on the edge of the bar.

"I wanted to say sorry... I see you struggle as well and.. the past few years must've been so difficult to you and working here is very hard and ... I know how hard it is to make money for your family and for yourself and... I'm sorry."

Hyungwon stopped washing the glasses and looked at apologetic Taehyung. The younger was sure he saw a tear forming in the older's eye.

"Thank you... I don't want to be your enemy, I just want to make you realize where you came and what your responsibilities are, that's it." - Hyungwon sustained the tears from falling and kept looking at the sink because he didn't want Taehyung to see his watery eyes.

Taehyung was satisfied with Hyungwon's reaction and thought for a second how their future relations won't be that tragic as he first though.

He kept his sight on the dusty surface of the bar that was ready to be cleaned, wondering whether he should ask a question that was circulating on his mind.

He thought about it a little longer and decided to start up a new topic.

"Hyungwon... That boy," Taehyung said and raised his head, pointing at the boss's direction "Is he, um.. just an ordinary dancer or?"

Hyungwon noticed the suspicion in the younger's voice but decided not to make it obvious.

"Well... This wasn't his first time working here," Hyungwon said, still polishing just washed glasses "He danced here few times last year and the guests went wild every time he'd step on the stage. I've never talked to him. I don't even know his aga to be honest, though it's clear as a blue sky that he's below 20."

Taehyung was very concentrated on every word Hyungwon said and desperately wanted to hear more about the boy.

"Ok... sooo.. he's just a dancer, right?"

Hyungwon saw that the younger's eyes enlarged and started shining, desperately craving for more information or, in other words, for truth.

"Hmm... I can't lie, even last year, just like this time, Mr. Gong would make the boy talk to the wealthiest guest in the end of his performance and the boss would arrange a private meeting with that specific guest and the boy. I don't know what the purpose of those meetings are, but I don't believe he plays scrabble with those dirty rags." 

Even though the younger didn't expect a different answer to come, he couldn't help but get shivers down his spine at thoughts of dirty old men caressing the innocent boy's soft whitish skin.

Taehyung maintained a straight face as if the older told him the egg price fell for 5%.

Once again, Taehyung looked at the dancer's direction and saw a man in his late fifties caressing the boy's back of a head, laughing to something Mr. Gong was talking. There was no smile to be seen on the dancer's face.

Mr. Gong and the old man shook hands and the old man took the dancer by his hand, leading him to one of the rooms in the end of a hallway that was next to the boss's office.

Even not being quite sure why, Taehyung felt his heart could scatter in thousand pieces. He kept having that feeling until he finished his shift.

¤¤¤

It was that part of the year when half past 4 was still not enough to consider it a breaking dawn, but few rays of sunlight would shyly appear above the tall buildings of Seoul.

It was a quiet morning in Taehyung's part of city, just as usual. Birds' song accompanied the boy's ride to his home.

Even though the scenery of the very beginning of breaking dawn was very picturesque and quiet, it didn't help to calm the boy's shaken heart.

He couldn't stop thinking about what was going with the young dancer at the moment he, Taehyung, was peacefully riding his bicycle back to his home.

Who knows what that old dirty shithead might be doing to him right now... - It was hard for the boy to sustain his anger at the thoughts of an innocent boy being touched by someone who could have been his grandfather.

Jungkook was not the only name that's passed through his head.

Jiwoo!... - Taehyung almost hit at a trashcan that partially stood on the side walk. He got lost in his thoughts so deeply - You are so selfish, Taehyung...

Taehyung climbed him bike on the small stairs that led to the entrance door of his apartment and unlocked the door. Yena was in the same position as when he left the house.

Jesus, Yena... - Taehyung sighed and shook his head in disagreement at the moment he saw his mother, probably not moving a bit for more than 10 hours.

Taehyung locked the entrance door and went to the bathroom. He didn't feel comfortable looking at his reflection in the mirror. He felt very dirty. Dirty because of all the things that are going on in that disgusting club where he works.

He threw all the clothes off of himself and got under the shower. Even though hot water washed away all the dirt that Taehyung felt crawling onto his pores, water wasn't enough to wash away all the depressing thoughts that have occupied his mind.