Episode 5

“…Collateral?”

Sohee stared directly at Gye Wonho, taken aback by his unexpected words. She couldn’t read any expression on his face.

She had expected him to demand both the interest and the principal, but the mention of collateral was bewildering, especially since she had nothing of value to offer.

“How much do you owe, my little debtor?”

Gye Wonho brought the key he was holding close to Sohee’s chest. Before she could step back, he started winding a loose thread from her cardigan around the key.

The beige thread tightened as the key drew closer to her chest, and Sohee found herself involuntarily holding her breath.

“I should at least be able to come and go from your place.”

He said, his voice low and threatening.

Sohee’s shoulders tensed and hunched forward. The man pressed the tip of the key against the spot where the thread was wound, precisely over her nipple, and then released it.

“Your nipple is hard, little one.”

“Gasp…!”

Sohee inhaled sharply, her face flushing with a mix of shame and fear.

Gye Wonho abruptly snapped the thread wrapped around the key, leaving Sohee frozen in place, unable to make a sound. He grabbed her hand and forcibly placed the remaining key in it.

“I’m taking the keychain that looks like you.”

He said, his large, hot hand briefly enclosing her smaller one, leaving a lingering warmth even after he let go.

“See you again, little one.”

He said before she could respond. He turned his broad back to her and descended the stairs, the cat-shaped keychain dangling from his hand.

The sound of keys clinking together grew fainter and fainter.

Sohee stood rooted to the spot, watching him disappear.

“My house key…”

She murmured. Only after the large man had completely vanished from sight did Sohee slowly blink and open her hand. The single yellow key, now without its keychain, lay forlornly in her palm. It dawned on her what he meant.

Collateral.

As long as she was bound by her debt, he could enter her home whenever he pleased.

* * *

The Korea Nightclub, with its garish neon signs flashing and outdated idol songs blaring through large speakers, was Sohee’s other workplace. Even on weekdays, it was as busy as the weekends, with reservations fully booked.

“Jjangu, are there a lot of choices tonight?” a customer asked.

“Boss, you know it! Only picked the ones with big chests and round hips,” the waiter replied enthusiastically.

The waiters actively facilitated bookings, and patrons could even call in hostesses employed by the club, making it a paradise for lustful men. Rumors circulated that the owner had connections with local police, but nothing was confirmed. Regardless, the kitchen work at the bustling nightclub paid well, and Sohee spent every evening to early morning there, toiling away.

“…Ah,” she sighed.

Sohee was mindlessly washing dishes when she felt a sharp pain and pulled off her rubber glove to inspect the injury. She had cut herself on a broken glass hidden among the dishes.

“Sigh.”

If she had been more careful, she wouldn’t have gotten hurt. Lately, Sohee found herself often distracted, her mind preoccupied with the brief visit of the man who had stayed at the rooftop room last week. His short stay had disrupted her entire week, and even though it was already Wednesday, almost a week later, she couldn’t shake the memory of that day on the rooftop.

As the day of his next visit approached, her anxiety intensified, leading to mistakes like this.

“Hey, be careful! There’s ointment and bandages in the small drawer over there. Go use them,” said Aunt Kyung-hwa, noticing Sohee pressing down on her bleeding wound to stop the bleeding.

“Yes, Aunt. Thank you.”

Aunt Kyung-hwa left for the restroom, and as Sohee was putting on a bandage, Park Kyung-min, one of the waiters, burst into the kitchen, reeking of alcohol.

“Shit, I’m so damn hungry.”

Kyung-min, shaking his bleached yellow hair, noticed Sohee applying the bandage and started eating from a plate of fried food meant for the customers.

“That’s for the customers.”

Sohee scolded, unable to stay silent any longer. Kyung-min, looking sheepish, sucked the grease off his fingers.

“That’s going to room 7 anyway, right? Those guys are busy messing around with the girls they booked. They won’t notice if there’s a bit less food.”

Kyung-min’s waiter vest and name tag, which read “Jjangu,” were covered in crumbs. Sohee, finishing with her bandage, handed him a napkin.

“Still, don’t touch the food meant for the customers. If you’re hungry, let me know in advance. I’ll fry some extra for you.”

“Hey, since you’re frying stuff, how about some chicken? But make it with thighs, not breast meat.”

Sohee sighed internally but nodded. She wanted to keep the peace and avoid any more trouble.

“Alright, I’ll fry some chicken thighs for you.”

As she moved to prepare the food, she couldn’t help but think about how chaotic her life had become, all thanks to the unsettling presence of the man who held her debt.

Sohee suppressed a sigh and moved back to the sink to resume washing dishes, slipping on her rubber gloves without responding.

“Hey, Park Kyung-min!”

A loud voice echoed through the kitchen, followed by a smack on the back of Kyung-min’s head, making him jump.

“Ah, shit! What the hell?”

“Jjangu, you lazy bastard! Are you loafing around here again? The manager is looking for you outside and causing a scene!”

Sohee turned her head towards the commotion. Standing there was Haemi, dressed in a tight-fitting purple evening gown.

“Shit! No Haemi, what are you doing here?”

Haemi, who used to work as a hostess at the nightclub and often scrounged snacks from Sohee in the kitchen, had left for another place more than two months ago. It had been a while since Sohee last saw her.

“Don’t tell the boss I was here. I came to hand out business cards because the doctors from Samjin Hospital are visiting tonight.”

“Trying to steal regulars, huh? How much do they pay you there?”

“It’s a place you couldn’t even set foot in, so mind your own business, you bum.”

“You bitch.”

Kyung-min muttered as he sulked off, brushing crumbs from his waiter vest and nametag. Haemi turned to Sohee, her expression softening as she approached with a grin.

Wobbling on her high heels, Haemi looked unsteady, and Sohee watched her warily, then greeted her awkwardly.

“Hello, unnie. Long time no see.”

Haemi fluttered her heavy, false lashes and put a hand on her hip, feigning anger.

“Why haven’t you been in touch? Ignoring my messages? I think I texted you at least once a week, and you never responded.”

“I’m sorry, I’ve been really busy,” Sohee replied. It wasn’t an excuse; her life had been so hectic that she barely had time for herself, let alone for others.

“So, how do you plan to pay off that debt with such a small hourly wage? It’s a few hundred million won, isn’t it?”

Haemi had once pried into Sohee’s life, learning about her debt, and since then, she had repeatedly tried to persuade Sohee to join her in her line of work.

“I’m managing to pay the interest. If I get more work, I can start paying off the principal too….”

Sohee’s voice trailed off, weighed down by the promise she had made to the man to repay the debt.

“Do you even get three hours of sleep a night?”

Haemi shook her head and pulled a black business card from her designer clutch.

“Overworking yourself isn’t worth it. Why not come work where I do? You can only get in through a referral. I had to beg someone I knew to get an interview. But you’re pretty, so if I refer you, you’ll get in easily. Your big chest will make you an ace.”

With Sohee’s hands occupied with the dishes, Haemi slipped the card and a few condoms into her pocket.

“Consider this a gift. My card and….”

“Unnie, I told you, I’m not interested.”

“Think about it. The referral fee is really good. Oh, and I borrowed your name.”

“What?”

Haemi chewed her gum loudly, laughing.

“Everyone uses an alias in this business. Other girls use the name of the prettiest girl they know. It’s supposed to bring good luck. Let me ride on your luck for a while.”

Before Sohee could respond, Haemi’s phone rang.

“Guys! Sorry, I’m coming. What room number? Mm-hmm.”

Haemi mouthed, “Call me if you change your mind!” before clicking her high heels out of the kitchen. Sohee sighed deeply and put her rubber gloves back on to resume washing dishes.

She couldn’t afford to waste energy on fleeting matters. The night at the nightclub was long, and there was always an endless list of tasks waiting for her.