I'm In Trouble

Clip 6

His gentle touch on the microphone had eyes gazing towards him. His voice, deep yet able to hold a tune echoed in the small bar. The crowd was small but he enjoyed it nonetheless. Performing to him was always a matter of joy for himself rather than the satisfaction of the masses. Not everyone will like what you have to offer after all and there was simply no way of satisfying everyone. He was happy just like this until his eyes caught sight of the man seated in a corner. Lips curled up in a smile. It almost made him stop his performance when he recognized the figure tucked away in the corner. His fingers curled around the microphone tighter. Why was he here?

"Why are you here?"

"I came to meet my old dear acquaintance. What else?" Minhyun cooed as Jonghyun had approached him after his session was over.

"How did you even know I'm here?"

"News travel far and wide, JRie," Minhyun chuckled, knowing the other hated it when he called him that.

"If you're here to pick a fight, go somewhere else. I won't have you taking this place from me."

"Right. It's a real bundle of joy here. I just came to talk. Care to take a seat?" Minhyun asked while looking around at the empty tables. Jonghyun sighed and sat down.

"What do you want?"

"Simple. I just want to make a deal with you."

"A deal?"

"Mhhmmm." Minhyun beamed and Jonghyun was immediately on guard. He knew that Minhyun was always up to no good even though he had never been caught publicly before.

"Go on. But if I refuse, I expect you to leave immediately."

"Fine. Party pooper." Minhyun crossed his legs and lowered his sunglasses. "I'll put in a word for you with the director and get you a high paying gig. All you have to do in return is answer a few questions I have."

"Huh. What are the questions?"

"Do you accept or do you not?" Minhyun urged instead. Jonghyun clicked his tongue and stood up.

"I know you, Hwang. You're up to no good and I don't want any part of it."

"Hmm... Ever heard of Kwak Aron or maybe the Choo corporate?"

"What do you want to-" Jonghyun gasped and his eyes widened. Minhyun smirked and Jonghyun frowned.

"So you do."

"You... Don't know who you're messing with. I suggest you stop before you get in any deeper than this."

Minhyun pouted and shrugged. "I can't stop. Not when things are finally becoming interesting again. A new apartment in Gangnam street paid full in cash. Is that rumor true?"

Jonghyun took a step back. "Enough."

Minhyun stood up and took his sunglasses off, folding it and sliding it onto his shirt. "What are you hiding, hmm? Something illegal perhaps?"

"Don't spout nonsense. I have nothing to do with the accident." Minhyun pursed his lips and Jonghyun realised he screwed up again. "Crap. Get out of here."

"What accident?"

"I'm not telling you anymore!" Jonghyun rushed and Minhyun gave chase. They stormed out from the underground bar and Minhyun grabbed his arm, pulling him back.

"Tell me everything you know."

"You'll regret this!"

"Not if you don't tell me what I want to know. What's your relationship with the two? Jonghyun, tell me," Minhyun urged him but the singer pulled his arm away.

"No, I won't. Nobody should know about this."

Jonghyun hurried off and Minhyun gritted his teeth. He didn't think investigating was this hard but he guessed it made sense. He wasn't so close to them that they would spill all their secrets but at least he gained a little something that he hoped was useful to Baekho. He just wanted to be of help. He texted Baekho to meet up and despite it already being late in the night, Baekho replied him almost immediately. There was an address attached to the message and Minhyun wasted no time in getting into a taxi.

He reached a shop lot area that seemed a little rundown. It was quiet and honestly spooky at night with only LED signboards still flashing and flickering weakly. He made his way to the address and realised it was an old bar that was probably closed since the shutters were all locked. He texted Baekho that he was there and waited, hugging his coat tighter to his body. It took him awhile to realise that he didn't even bother confirming what or where the address was. He sighed and wondered if he had already sunken too deep into something before it barely even begun. The shutters rattled and he flinched a little before they were pulled apart. The reporter poked his head out and looked at Minhyun with a dissatisfied face.

"Hello. Sleeping already?" Minhyun chirped and Baekho sighed.

"No. I was writing. Come on in," He said and motioned Minhyun to enter. The moment the other stepped in, the shutters were shut again and darkness surrounded them momentarily before LED lights flickered on. Minhyun blinked and tried to adjust his sight to his surroundings but it was difficult since there wasn't much light. The inside of the place was probably even more run down than the outside. He was startled to find broken glass on the ground as he stepped on them, making them crunch beneath his feet.

"Don't tell me you stay here," Minhyun spoke with slight disdain in his voice.

"I do. Got a problem with that?"

"How do you live in such a condition?"

"Upstairs is my living quarters. Here is just for my photos," Baekho replied, feeling the urge to just ignore the busybody who was probably poking his nose everywhere now.

"You were washing them?" Minhyun asked and raised a brow. "That's a little old school, isn't it?"

"Probably but it feels nice to do it. I do have digital copies too but when I do it this way, it just feels nicer." Baekho clipped up a picture and let it dry before turning to Minhyun who was already standing beside him. "So, what was the information you wanted to give me?"