Ever After

Chapter 5 | Price

Trigger warning

Mentions of sexual assault.

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. . .

It was just another day of training. Dance practice, break, vocal practice, lunch, school, home. That was our day to day schedule unless announced the day before. We always saw the same people, said the same things, did the sane things. We lived a repetitive and dull life. So it was only to be expected for us to be more then shocked when one day, in the midst of our break when our manager walked in with the president of the company trailing him. We all stood up respectfully, bowing, our mouths firmly shut. We all knew the importance of this unexpected and surely brief visit. This man could decide who stays and goes with just a single menacing look.

"Good day everyone. I'm here on behalf of the COO, Mr. Choi, who has noticed some tremendous talent from a few of you. He wants to meet with those of you, this is who you are. If I say your name follow me out. Mina, Hayoon, Seoyun, Seunghan, Jiwoo----" the voice became white noise to my ears once I heard my own name being called. I balled my fist, clenching my fingernairls into the soft and tender skin of my palm, using the sharp pain to keep my emotions in check. They called me, they noticed me. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I held them back as I mutely followed the powerful man out into the hall.

We all stood against the wall amd he stood infront of us, looking at each of us, measuring us. I couldn't help but look at him in awe. He had power, he was important, he could do anything and everything. "Each of you has something special in you that Mr. Choi admires. You all are lucky, possibly lucky enough to end the trainee chapter of your life and begin the idol chapter. Now, in order for this to happen, you each must meet Mr. Choi and his assistant at the Dying Moon bar. Your manager and one of your instructors will accompany you. All of you are expected to dress your best and act your best as well. He has high expectations, don't disappoint. That is all, please go back to what you were doing." We all bowed, each of us finding hope and joy in the words.

- - - - - - - -

It was nerve-wracking knowing that tonight my future was being decided, so much, that I completely lost my appetite and found myself spacing out throughout the rest of the day. It was late when we got to the bar, and even later than the others had arrived due to our clothing situation. As we walked in, we were ushered over to the table where our colleagues, manager, teacher, and Mr. Choi himself was sitting. They were all laughing at something one of them had said, as me and Seoyun slipped unnoticed into our seats.

"Mina, pour Mr. Choi another drink please." The woman next to him said, gesturing towards an unopened bottle of soju sitting in front of us. Mina bowed and got up, gracefully pouring him another glass. As I watched the liquid slowly glide into the small glass, I saw Mina unnecessarily push her chest against Mr. Choi's, causing him to look down with a smirk. I gagged and looked away, tapping my foot against the wooden floor. As Mina sat back down, the man who we were all hear to see, cleared his throat and spoke. "There are many of you in training, but as you all know, only a very small handful of you will even be give the chance of debut. Now, I invited each of you here for a reason: each of you has something special that I look for when I debut a group: passion and willingness. You each are in different stages of training, but I think you all have a real shot of debuting."

My heart shot up in my throat and butterflies filled my stomach. It could happen, it could actually happen. My dreams could come true. I turned to Seoyun and embraced her, both of us happy and emotional. "But, in return, one of you must do me a little favor." I pulled away from Seoyun, and straightened up, glancing around the table curiously. A girl I had seen but never talked to leaned forward and spoke the question that was on everyone's minds. "What is the little favor you are referring to, sir?" she inquired quietly. We are stared at him, waiting for an answer. He shifted under our scrutinizing looks, and adjusted his suit coolly. "The favor I need to ask is a bit...." he paused, smirking, "private, if you will. And I only need one of you." He glanced towards Mina and my eyes darted between them suspiciously, my butterflies died down and were quickly replaced with a suspicion. "Mina, I think you could help me with my favor." She smiled and bowed, a confident grin on her face.

- - - - - - - -

We all knew what had happened that night, after we all dispersed at the restaurant, just leaving Mina and Mr. Choi. We could tell by her eyes, which darted around as if she was nervous or scared. We could tell by her body language, the way she jerked anytime anyone touched her or spoke to her. We could tell by her arms and face, both covered with dark spots that were poorly concealed with powder. We could all tell what had happened and each of silently thanked God himself for letting it not be us. But we all inwardly pitied Mina and despised Mr. Choi.

I did my best to comfort Mina, in the slightest of ways. I knew she would be embarrassed if she thought we knew. We each did little things for her regardless. Helping her with her schoolwork, sharing our food with her, walking with her and making sure someone was with her at all times. We wanted her to feel safe and secure, especially at a time like this. We had all paid small prices for this chance. But she had paid the biggest price of all, she had been the unintended sacrificial lamb, she gave up her body for us all to be able to follow our dreams. We were all indebted to her, and we would be sure to pay her back, one way or another.