The Gentlemen's Club (BTS AU)

IV

Not being able to fall asleep, Evangelina gets out of the bed and walks to her messy desk, moving the clothes she left on the chair and resting them now on the bed. It's a habit she developed back in high school and even though she's in her mid-20s, she still does it.

She sits back and opens her laptop while holding Hoseok's business card in one hand. He said she knows what sort of services he offers but she's not exactly sure if she really is. He always praised her, told her how smart she is but really... She's pretty dumb. She's just good at hiding it.

"No" she tells herself and shakes her head. No, she's not dumb.

She tries to catch herself before her thoughts become too negative, too dark, too heavy to handle. No, she's stronger than this.

While looking at the name of the company, she quickly types it into a search engine. On the first page she can see websites for social clubs for wealthy men in various parts of the country. None of them are even remotely close to the city. There are also online clubs and a website that sells high-end suits.

She knows that store. It used to be called Gentlemen's Clubwear but about a couple of years ago they renamed it to Olympians. It's located near her company's building. Recently they started selling business and formal wear for women as well, which got a lot of Evangelina's co-workers excited. She heard them talk about going there together last week.

She didn't even consider asking them if she can join them. She can't afford things like this right now. But one day she will. She has a Pinterest board of all the future outfits she will wear, once she becomes an industrial psychologist. She just has to gain enough experience for graduate school, get her masters, and hopefully find an open position.

Such a simple plan but it's been two years and she's been rejected from all the grad schools she liked. But she's not giving up. She moved away from home and found a place in the city to find a better job and build a better life for herself.

Because she deserves better.

~~~

"Sorry, I don't think we can be this close"

Evangelina blinked at the face that slowly became less and less familiar. Suddenly, her friend from high school, right before graduation, approached her with a sad expression on her face. "I just don't think we can be friends anymore"

"Huh?" Evangelina raised an eyebrow, still confused and taking in the entire situation.

"I need to focus on myself. I can't carry my own struggles and carry yours. I need to focus on myself, college, and my life."

It's not the first time she was told something like this. But she truly hoped that this girl would be different. They became friends during freshmen orientation and while Hoseok pushed her away, she became closer to this girl whose face she can't even recall right now. Her brain erased the image of the girl but Evangelina can still hear her voice, loud and clear.

"I get tired whenever I'm around you. I say that because I care and I hope you get better soon. Maybe it's something you can work on?"

"Yeah, right" was Evangelina's only response before she watched another person in her life walk away.

~~~

"Miss Barton?"

She looks up from her computer screen, only to see her supervisor's concerned face.

"Is everything okay?" she asks, pointing lightly under her eyes. Evangelina blinks and she suddenly realizes there are tears running down her face. She quickly erases them and fixes herself.

"I'm impressed" Mrs. Miyashi says while resting her hip on Evangelina's desk. "I don't think I have ever seen someone cry and continue to work as if nothing is happening"

Evangelina sits back on her chair, wishing she could turn into liquid. Of course she embarrassed by what happened. How can she explain to her boss that she didn't even realize she was crying?

"Is something going on? Do you need to talk with someone?" she asks, lowering her head a bit as if she wants to look closer at Evangelina's face.

"Ah yes. I just have dry eyes and I forgot my drops today. I'm sorry if I worried you."

Mrs. Miyashi looks at her for a few more seconds before she takes a step away from her desk. "Alright, if you say so. Take care of yourself, Barton. You are one of my favorite receptionists and I like to see you by your desk every morning. I don't like changes."

"Yes, Mrs. Miyashi. I will." she gives her a comforting smile. Her boss satisfied with the answer turns around and walks back to her own world and reality.

Evangelina lets out a deep breath, looking at the computer screen where she was working on Mrs. Miyashi's schedule for next week.

Why did she think about that girl? Why go back to that memory? It only hurts to think about how another person truly felt about her. Maybe it's because of what Nate said. Perhaps his words triggered that memory. That would be one reasonable explanation.

Her phone notification goes off, bringing her back to the present. She checked her phone and blinks a few times, not believing her eyes. Maybe it's not that she has dry eyes. Maybe her sight is going bad?

Because there's no way that she just got a deposit of $10,000 from... her company.

She gets up from her chair and as she's about to walk into Mrs. Miyashi's office, her boss walks by her in her coat, her assistant walking right behind her, both of them heading towards the elevator.

"Mrs Miyashi" Evangelina follows them, until she catches up as they wait for the elevator to arrive.

Her boss looks at her from the corner of her eye and raises one eyebrow.

"I-I think someone made a mistake. I just got a random deposit from the company and-"

The elevator doors open and Mrs Miyashi with her assistant walk in, both of them now looking back at the confused, young girl.

"Think of it as an act of appreciation for your dedication to the company and your hard work. I heard you are looking into graduate schools but I think you should stay with us for a couple more years."

"But-"

"Treat yourself tonight. Maybe buy yourself a good bottle of wine." those are her last words before the doors close again and Evangelina is left behind, still in minor shock.

She hears someone scoff from her side and she looks at Mina, Mr. Miyashi's secretary, her desk across from Evangelina's and closer to Mr Miyashi's office.

"Of course you got a pity check. You're lucky Mrs. Miyashi has a soft heart." she comments before getting up from her chair and walking away with a file of papers in her hands.

Evangelina goes back to her desk, looking at her phone screen again. She can't tell Kris about this. If she does, she will beg her to pay rent again since Nate probably took most of her savings again to buy himself something completely unnecessary.

She smiles to herself, celebrating this little accomplishment by herself.

---

Hello beautiful people.

I honestly wanted to end this chapter in a different way but then I realized this chapter already has 1100 words. Yikes!

Let me know if you guys prefer and are more comfortable with shorter or longer chapters.

As always, thank you so much for supporting this story!

- Author-nim