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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
• ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʙɪʀᴛʜᴅᴀʏ •

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Jungkook finishes his boxing session and walks up into his room. He turns the bathroom light on and stands in front of the mirror. He stares back at his sweaty figure in anger.

"You're a weak piece of shit," Jungkook tells himself. "Can't even get out of this hell hole. You're an asshole for leaving the one girl you love alone. Something you promised her you'd never do."

Jungkook punches the sink repeatedly. His chest heaves up and down and he lowers his head. His eyes look up at the mirror, looking back at his reflection through his long, wet hair.

"Fuck you."

• • • •

"You're here!" Chulmin welcomes you with open arms. "I had a few doubts about you coming."

"I don't really think I had a choice." You mutter.

He wraps his arm around you and starts to walk.

"This is the main area, obviously," Chulmin begins the tour. "Stage, bar, and down that hallway is the private rooms where you'll give guests lap dances or do other things."

Gross. No thank you.

"Down this hallway," He turns into it. "Is the dressing rooms. There are only five dressing rooms, so you'll be with other girls."

Great.

"Rose!" Chulmin shouts for the girl that was walking by a few feet away. She jogs towards you two.

A/N: not the stripper jk cheats on y/n with

"What's up, Chul?"

"This is, Y/N, the girl I told you about," He introduces you. "Rose will show you the dressing rooms, teach you a few things, and give you tips."

Chulmin pats your shoulder and leaves you two.

"Come on," She says and you follow Rose into the dressing room. "So like he said, I'm Rose, but you can call me by my real name which is Jangmi."

"Jangmi means rose. Clever stage name."

"Thanks," She smiles brightly. "You're very beautiful. You'll definitely attract many men."

"Not really what I'm looking for."

"Well, you have to to pay off the debt," Jangmi reminds. "But anyways, this is the dressing room. Locker 16 is yours and here's the key." You take the key from her hand. "You'll put all your stuff in there so when you perform, these sneaky rats don't take it."

You nod.

"You're very timid, huh?" Jangmi points out.

"Not usually. I just don't know how to act in a job I don't want to work at."

"Gotta fake it til you make it, sister," She advices. "The customers love confidence. You have to walk around and flirt with these men so they want a private dance. I know you don't want to do that, but I advise you to do those a lot. They pay ₩30,000 per song."

A/N: that's around $25/£20

"Now to how things work around here," Jangmi sits on the couch and you sit on the one across from her. "Every beginner starts with three-inch stiletto heels then you'll make your way up. Buy your own lingerie or outfits—the flashier the better. Don't, and I cannot stress this enough, take the other girls customers. It'll only stir up drama and I hate drama. Other than that, I think that's about it."

"Cool. Not too hard to remember."

"Exactly," She smiles. "I can teach you some pole dances now. Chulmin told me you're very new to all of this."

"I am." You respond.

"Great! I'll be happy to teach you some stuff!" Jangmi exclaims.

—

After what was hours of practicing on the pole and walking around in the heels, you head home, blisters already on your feet.

I haven't even started working.

You're glad you had met Jangmi. She was very sweet and encouraging. She also told you that if you ever had any problems with a customer, another one of the girls, or dancing to come to her.

"The–"

This time you didn't let the robotic voice finish the stupid words you've been hearing every day for the past two weeks.

"I'm so tired of your fucking voice, robot lady," You tell your phone. "I'm so tired of everything."

As a sigh leaves your lips, you get up and walk upstairs and into your room. You stand under the door frame for a few seconds, looking around and seeing all of Jungkook's things.

"I miss you," You whisper to yourself. "I miss you so much."

• • • •

"I miss her so much, Batam," Jungkook wipes away his tears. "God, I'm so fucking pathetic. I haven't cried since I was eleven and the first time I cry since then is over a girl?"

"You're not pathetic, Jungkook. You're human. We cry over things that matter and over things that don't," Batam tries to comfort him. "Y/N is one of those things that matter."

Jungkook looks up at him, "When are you going to help me leave this prison?"

"By the end of this week, you won't be here anymore," Batam assures.

Jungkook grins, "To hell with this place."

"I got something for you," Batam walks towards his nightstand and pulls the drawer under it. "Close your eyes."

He chuckles and does as Batam says.

"It's not much, but..." Jungkook feels something in his hands and opens his eyes.

Jungkook sees a handgun with a watch wrapped around the grip. His bunny grin appears as if he was a kid staring at his favorite candy.

"Not much?! This is the gun and watch I've been wanting for a while," Jungkook stands and hugs Batam. "Thank you. I'm glad there's someone that listens to me."

"Happy birthday, Kook." Batam wishes.

• • • •

||▹track playing: silhouette - aquilo||

Your hands pull at your hair as they run through it. Tears stain your cheeks just like every day.

You take another swig of the alcohol bottle when you hear a knock at the door. You wipe your tears and wobble to the front door to open it.

"Jimin!" You wrap your arms around his neck.

"Are you drunk?" Jimin holds you up.

"Like barely. I'm good though."

Jimin pushes you off, "You're not."

He walks in and closes the door. He grabs you and helps you into the living room. Jimin sits you down on the couch, but you push him off.

"I don't wanna sit, Jimin."

"Y/N, you need to sit and let this drunkness pass. I don't want you to get hurt, okay?"

"Hurt?" You laugh bitterly. "Hurt, Jimin? I've been hurt. I mean my life is an absolute fucking nightmare. My parents hate me and it's because I chose to stay with Jungkook. And where is he, huh?" You chuckle. "I should've known to be with a guy who's days are numbered was stupid."

A tear tickles your cheek, your chin trembling.

"And Jin! Jin. He's dying in front of our eyes and we can't even do anything! Oh, and I forgot to tell you! This man named Chulmin came to my house to tell me I have to be a stripper at his club for a month to pay off this stupid ass debt Jungkook owes!"

A flood of tears gushes down your ashen cheeks.

"Chulmin says he knows Jungkook is alive and in hiding, but who am I even trying to fool?! Jungkook is dead! If he was alive he would have come back to me already! Or maybe he just doesn't love me anymore."

Complete hopelessness overtook you as you sat down on the couch and sobbed. Jimin slowly made his way towards you and wraps his arms around you.

"Shh," He susurrus into your ear. "It's okay. You're gonna be okay."

"I'm so tired, Jimin," He hears you mutter. "I'm tired of crying. I'm tired of the pain. I'm tired of breathing... I just want to be happy. I just want to be with Jungkook again."

—

Jimin refused to leave you home alone, so he stayed in the guest room. You finish brushing your teeth and splash your face with cold water. You look at your red and swollen eyes.

You dry your face and walk into the room, getting into bed. You face the nightstand and open its drawer. You take out the picture of Jungkook laughing that you hid since you had thought it was too painful to look at.

"Happy birthday, baby. I love you."

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