Running in Parallels

v.

Nayeon was Chaeyoung's first real girlfriend, after Chaeyoung spent years in senior high school and university fooling around with random girls.  She didn't do it often, though. She was too busy studying. It was only during Chaeyoung's weakest moments, when she was feeling particularly isolated, and when a particularly beautiful girl happened to throw herself at Chaeyoung, when Chaeyoung succumbed to her innermost desires.

It wasn't like casual sex was easy for Chaeyoung either, despite being good-looking and charismatic.  She always had one thing in the way, the male appendage she kept tucked away from a normal world full of normal people.  Girls usually had one of two reactions when it came to seeing her secret in the bedroom: excitement or repulsion. Chaeyoung learned to just take what she could get, but after the same thing over and over again, unable to form an intimate connection with anyone, she became tired.  She was tired of trying, tired of chancing a pleasurable night only to risk another disgusted reaction.

Chaeyoung gave up on romance (if you could even call it that) and studied hard all through university and her medical internship.  That was when she met Nayeon during her specialised fellowship programme at Seoul National Hospital.

They were both junior doctors, fresh-faced, a little nervous, but also curious and eager to impress.  Chaeyoung and Nayeon had a lot in common, which was maybe why they got along so well. Their relationship progressed quickly and everything seemed perfect, except... perhaps they got along a tad bit too well.  It wasn't exactly fresh and mentally stimulating to be with someone who agreed with every word you said, and that was what Nayeon was like with Chaeyoung. Nayeon thought otherwise, and things took a turn from there.  Nayeon was clingy, Chaeyoung wasn't really. Their differing expectations put a strain on their already rocky relationship. The final straw was their stagnating sex life. Chaeyoung was always happy to pleasure Nayeon whenever she wanted, but she refused to take off her boxers.  She never let Nayeon see her, ever. Chaeyoung feared the same rejection she used to face from her very own girlfriend, but of course she didn't tell Nayeon that. Nayeon couldn't understand why; she thought it was an issue of trust and love. It eventually grew into such a huge chasm between them, severing their relationship entirely.

Thankfully, when they were choosing their medical practices at the end of their fellowship, Chaeyoung and Nayeon went their separate ways, eliminating potential uncomfortable workplace encounters.  Nayeon seemed to want Chaeyoung back now, though. But Chaeyoung had other things on her mind.

Or more specifically, another person.

Mina didn't call Chaeyoung over the next two days.  It wasn't like Chaeyoung was waiting or anything. Not at all.  She was just beating herself up over the fact that she'd given Mina her number instead of asking for hers.  Oh well. Now it was just an excruciating waiting game.

Chaeyoung tried not to think that she was being foolish for wishing Mina would call, for thinking about Mina long after their magical encounter.  Mina was an escort after all, even though Chaeyoung didn't see her as just that. She'd have liked to believe that what she had with Mina was special.  Mina made her feel so special. Chaeyoung dreaded to think that it was just Mina being really good at what she did.

After two long days, Chaeyoung was finally home early (or late) enough to catch Mina standing outside her house again.  Although it was a windy night and Mina was all alone again, Chaeyoung found herself smiling from her library window. At least Mina was there.

Chaeyoung debated over going out to talk to Mina, but she decided against it, thinking it was a little inappropriate.  Her smile soon faded when she saw an imitation car stop next to where Mina was standing. A greasy-looking man stepped out of it, obviously drunk.  After a short conversation, Mina got into the car with him and they drove off into the night.

It was 1am, but Chaeyoung went into her home gym to smash out a workout.  Mina wasn't hers. Far from it. They weren't even acquaintances by some definitions.  But seeing Mina leave with another man and knowing why didn't sit well with Chaeyoung.

Mina and Sana, Chanyeol's two best girls, lined up in front of him to cash in their earnings for the week.

"Nice, Sana," Chanyeol hummed, flipping through the banknotes in the envelope that Sana had slid across his desk.  That was usually the best his praise got. "I'll pass you your cut later. What about you, Mina?"

Mina gulped and handed Chanyeol a thick stack of notes, plus one cheque.  Chanyeol's eyes lit up; cheques meant big payments.

Chanyeol almost knocked over his chair when he saw the name on the cheque and the amount written on it.

"Holy hell... you got fucked by Son Chaeyoung?"  Chanyeol exclaimed.

Mina cringed at his phrasing but she nodded anyway.

"That's it.  Try to establish her as a repeat client and keep making this amount.  Sana, you'll take over Mina's position outside the house," Chanyeol ordered.

"Wait, oppa..."  Mina interjected.

"What?"

"...I think things should stay the way they are.  Don't reassign Sana unnie. Let me stay there," Mina pleaded.  In truth, she knew what the people on her street were like. Wealthy, upper-class men, mostly, from the higher echelons of society, but downright sleazy behind closed doors.  That, or they were just plain dirty. Mina didn't want Sana to have to deal with such extreme conditions.

"Then you won't be able to earn from Chaeyoung again, stupid," Chanyeol growled.

Mina dug her toes into her shoes.  "I'll try my best... she gave me her phone number so I can keep trying as long as I'm still stationed there.  I just... she doesn't seem like the usual type. Of client."

Chanyeol stared through Mina's soul for a while before relenting.  "Oh, whatever. You have to promise me to keep earning what you were while you're at it, though."

"I promise."

Mina's head slammed against the wooden headboard of this investment banker's bed she was currently providing her services to.  She bit her lip to avoid crying out in pain.

"Ah... fucking bitch!"  He spat at her as he finished, flopping down onto the bed.  Mina had gotten used to his abusive tendencies over the past half hour, but his next comment was really uncalled for.

"Tsk, last night's girl was better..."

Mina reached up to check for a bump on her head and unfortunately, she could feel a small one forming.  She'd need to ice that later.

It sufficed to say Mina didn't feel great leaving Mr Foulmouth Banker's house.  After such a rough night so far and with her body aching and sore, Mina finally caved in to the urge that had been eating at her for the past few days.  Such a sinful urge to succumb to in her already sinful life.

Mina dialed Chaeyoung's number.

"Mina?"

"Chaeyoung..."