Faulty Hearts (aka "Tara & Belle") [Dreamcatcher | SuYoo | Sua x Yoohyeon]

Chapter 17

Author's note:

Hello! I actually finished this chapter a week after I posted my last chapter but I held on to it so that Chapter 18 can catch up lest you want to wait another couple of months again. lol Then I realized I should've posted this on the 1st because it was Siyeon's birthday and this chapter is about... her!

So here's a little cute and humorous chapter to give you a break from the drama (but don't get used to it lol).

Note: the English names were chosen randomly.

------------------------------------------------------------------

[3 months ago]

The manager looked on at the group of young women before him. He was a burly man with thin, greasy hair that seemed to be dripping on to his already sweat-stained shirt, and it's not even hot in the room. He dipped his stubby hand into a jar, drawing out pieces of paper.

"Wendy, room one." He shouted.

"Ne!" A girl with a tiger-striped uniform answered then left the room.

"Suzy, room two."

"Ne!" Another girl with a zebra printed uniform answered then followed suit.

"Nicole, three."

One by one a girl was called and assigned to a room. Each left the backroom donning garish animal printed uniforms. Siyeon was applying her third layer of red lip tint using the front-facing camera of her phone as a mirror. She mentally hummed a melody that she came up with just minutes ago.

"Daisy, six."

"Ne!"

"Mo-, Mo-ni, ka? Monica?" The manager flubbed over the name.

"Hey, is that you?" A girl had nudged Siyeon with her elbow.

Siyeon looked up from her phone and answered, "Oh, ne?"

"You couldn't pick an easier name?" He asked slightly annoyed.

"And Amber is easier to say?" She bit back.

"Am-beo." He said with his Korean pronunciation.

"Am-ber..." Siyeon said clearly. "Errrrr...." She rolled her tongue but the manager was not amused.

"Ne???" The girl who was assigned the name Amber spoke up.

Siyeon had been working at the noraebang bar for at least a month now and the manager still messes up her name, at least the name she chose. The other girls' names were drawn from a jar, all in English and double syllabic so it'd be easier to say. Plus the manager thought it would give the bar a more foreign-friendly vibe. But it's most likely because the girls working there don't stay long anyway so why go through the trouble of learning their actual names? Siyeon must have met at least three different Nancys this month alone.

"Anyway, you're in room seven. Get going."

"Ne." Siyeon sighed halfheartedly.

She walked out of the backroom and her senses were immediately bombarded by blaring music, laser lights, and cigarette smoke. The halls were bathed in red light like narrow arteries clogged with drunk patrons and other hostesses. She maneuvered around them, holding her tray like a shield as she squirmed for a clear path.

She reached her room where she could already hear a ruckus going on inside. Number seven. She hoped she'd get lucky tonight and make that money. She glanced through the little window on the door and saw a bunch of suited men inside. Great. Hopefully, they won't be too rowdy. Bora would prefer her to find a more suitable job, one where drunk salarymen wouldn't ogle over her. But this was one of the only few places that offered late-night work that fit her schedule. It was a gritty place and sketchy at times. But it was either that or the red light district and the latter was definitely a no-no.