Meet Me At Midnight

4 - All That Glitters

"Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing."

--

To put it simply, Bin was bored, incredibly bored.

Like always, he had looked forward to heading straight home after work, kicking back with a nice, cold beer and perhaps check out what was on TV while perusing through the odd email or two.

So when he was instead dragged out of the office to visit whatever this fancy lounge was, the disgruntled man attempted to look at his fate in a slightly more positive perspective. It would be a good chance to check out the place a company affiliate had opened, he would get to relax with his friends and he would also be able to get the drink he would have wanted too. Maybe it would all be fine.

But oh Lord, an hour later, he regretted his decision badly. Even if they were tucked away in the most private room in the establishment, away from the hushed whispers of the what would have inevitably been, the prying crowd. Even if they had panoramic views of the city, their own bartender and waitress. One look at the state of the room and it just wasn't worth it.

"Are you free tonight?" A bleached blonde seductively asked when she approached him. She batted her eyelashes expectantly, her lips curving into a persuasive smile.

"I'm not, but thanks." He hastily, but politely declined, as he turned his attention away to possibly anything besides her. The view indeed, was quite remarkable. Out of the corner of his eye, Bin saw the blonde pout, but leave in search for better prospects.

At this point, Bin was tempted to give in and just take a nice, soothing drink like he had originally intended to, yet knowing he had drive back home later, he regrettably chose to nurse a cool glass of juice instead.

"Well, you look like you're having a great time." Bin turned his attention back to perhaps the only true friend that had dragged him to this place in the first place, a teasing smirk laced in the latter's face.

"You too." Bin laughed probably for the first time that night and reached out to give the man a comforting pat on the back. Besides him, Jang Dong Gun looked just as bored, if not a little less. After all, his knight and shining armor came in the form of his wife. One look at the beautiful Ko So Young and the glint of their wedding rings on their fingers and instantly a barrier was established.

Which, unfortunately for Bin, meant most of the attention focused on him. He had already fended off a few celebrities that had feasted their eyes on them.

Bin sighed, ruffling a hand though his hair. "Why did you drag me here?"

"Sorry," Dong Gun gave a sheepish smile, before motioning to the people in the room dramatically. "Though it would be a lot more fun if you had a... Companion?"

But the CEO of GDH simply shook his head resolutely. "Nope, not anytime soon. Don't worry about me."

And with a small nod, Dong Gun conceded, his attention turning elsewhere. "You're right, you're the least of my worries."

He then subtly pointed to another man at the end of the room, his brow arching in slight amusement. "To be honest, maybe that guy needs more help than you do."

Bin only shrugged, taking a slow slip of his juice. Among the crew that were in the room tonight, a bunch of executives eager to "cozy up" to the newest leader of GDH had tagged along. And though they had initially vehemently denied taking any alcohol once they heard their CEO wasn't drinking, the latter managed to easily change their minds with a charismatic smile and a friendly gesture... Namely ordering the first round of drinks for everyone.