(TW//: ⚠️ Caution symbol will be placed before the triggering section of the chapter. Mentions of SA)
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Jeongin was excited, albeit a bit nervous to start his first night of work.

He was still wondering about the conversation between Changbin and Chris, but he would ask at another time.

Right now, Changbin was instructing some stage performers on where to enter.

Hyunjin the bartender was attempting to clean the ice chest.

"Stupid ice...all slippery. I keep dropping the towel.", he murmured to himself.

Jeongin heard him and went over there.

"Need help?"

"Nah, I just hate cleaning this thing. Has to be done before every shift."

"Are you the only bartender? Don't you have any help?"

"It's just me. Changbin insisted that I was the only guy back here."

"Hmm."

It was about time for the club to open, and Jeongin could see some people lined up outside. His nervousness started to grow, and he took a deep breath.

Hyunjin stood up straight and smiled at him.

"It'll be okay. Changbin won't let anything go wrong tonight."

"Yeah...I believe in him."

Changbin came over from the stage.

"Alright, Jeongin. Could you go to room one please? That's going to be your spot."

"Yes sir."

Jeongin hopped up and walked to the hall with the rooms.

Changbin watched him walk into the first door, then turned to Hyunjin.

"Take care of him for me."

"Yes sir. Are we ready to open?"

"Yeah. I'll go open the doors. Get ready, it'll be busy tonight."

Changbin walks away from the bar and heads to the front door.

Before he opens it, he takes a moment to think.

"Nothing is going to happen...nothing...so let's do this."

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The club was full of people dressed in clothing for a night out.

Men of all ages, young to old, were talking to each other and watching the performers on stage.

Felix, one of the club workers, entered the club and went to the bar.

He was dressed in shorts and a bright yellow crop top, with some boots on and his long blonde hair in a ponytail.

"Oh, Felix! Welcome. Care for a drink?", Hyunjin asked.

"Not really. I came because I heard Changbin hired a new boy."

"You heard already? How?"

"Chris contacted me."

"Oh...that's good. As long as you're here, maybe Jeongin will feel more comfortable."

"Jeongin? Yang Jeongin?"

"Yeah...how do you know his name?"

"Where is he?"

"In room one."

Felix leaves the bar and walks to the hallway. He reaches the door of room one and pauses, leaning in to listen.

Hyunjin watched him from the bar.

⚠️ (TW starts here.)

"Oh come on...just one?", a voice says.

"I'm sorry sir...I don't feel comfortable doing that."

"But you work here. You're supposed to be comfortable with whatever the client wants."

"That's...sir please don't touch me."

"Aww, you're so cute when you're scared..."

Felix's expression changed to anger nearly immediately.

He twisted the knob and opened the door.  He gasped when he saw what was in front of him.

Jeongin was backed against the couch in the room with a terrified look, and an older man had a hand on his waist.

"Hey! Let him go!", Felix yelled.

Both men turned to Felix. The older man let go of Jeongin.

"And who are you? Get out of here."

"My name is Felix, and I won't let you hurt him."

"Hurt him? He's supposed to do his job and he isn't doing it."

Suddenly, Hyunjin entered the room.

"What's going on?", he asked, "I saw you burst in here so I had to check."

"This old man was trying to get handsy with Jeongin. He's brand new! He has no idea what's going on, and he made it clear he doesn't want you to touch him!"

The man walked to them.

Jeongin crouched down by the couch.

"Why do you care huh? What is this kid to you?"

Hyunjin stepped in-between them.

"I suggest you leave."

"What?"

"Leave, before we call the boss."

The man turned back to Jeongin and slightly smiled before giving an agitated glance to Hyunjin and Felix.

He walked out of the room, leaving the three men inside.

⚠️

Felix went over to Jeongin.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Jeongin looked up at him.

"I-is that what they have to do all the time?", he asked, "Changbin said they just wanted to look at me."

Hyunjin sighed.

"Jeongin, I'm sorry. I should have went into more detail about what happens here."

Felix helped Jeongin up.

"He didn't hurt you did he?"

"No..."

"Good. Now, Hyunjin, I need to talk to Jeongin alone."

Hyunjin nodded and left the room to go back to the bar.

Felix and Jeongin sat on the couch.

⚠️ (One last time.)

"Jeongin, as you know by now, this isn't a regular club. The men here come for young men like you so they can fulfill their fantasies. I know, I used to work in these rooms."

"You did?"

"Yes. As I mentioned earlier, my name is Felix. I was Changbin's most popular boy here. Until one day...I was working in room four. A man pushed his limits with me. Far."

Jeongin looked down.

"These people don't care about us. They see us as servants who have to do what they say, even if we don't want it. It's the highest price to pay for the money you earn."

⚠️

Felix faced Jeongin.

"I'm telling you this because what just happened to you...if you stay here it'll get worse."

"I can't leave, Felix. I need this job. I have to take care of my parents."

Felix's scowl returned.

"You take care of them?"

"Yes. I need the money. If I don't get it...my parents will be angry. They might become abusive again. Even if I don't live there anymore."

"How long have you been taking care of them?"

"A few years now. Since my little brother Jiah was seven. He's 12 now."

Felix faced forward, putting his head in his hands.

"What's wrong Felix?"

"Jeongin...I am so sorry."

"For what?"

Felix took out his wallet, and handed a photo to Jeongin.

The boy stared at it.

"Is this you and my dad? Who is this lady and kid?"

"My mom, and my baby sister. Roughly four years ago."

"How does he know you three?"

Felix stared at the photo.

"Well...he's my step-father."

He points to the little girl.

"And that's his baby."