New World

When I entered, a cloud of smoke enveloped me and forced its way into my precious lungs. In response, I coughed repeatedly for what seemed like forever. I also frowned at the thought of having to wash this outfit multiple times before the stench would come off. The cigarette smoke dispersed throughout the room, but its presence was always there every time I took a breath.

The man that had escorted me here had disappeared from my side and I was left alone without a single word of where to go or who to go to. I decided to follow the sound of chatting and laughter coming from the end of the short hallway.

The hallway was decorated with what looked like expensive art pieces and each one had a tiny golden plaque underneath stating the title of the artwork. Honestly with modern art, I was a lost cause. The bright colors and indistinguishable purpose made it nice to look at it, but impossible to interpret...at least for me.

Once I turned right at the end of the hallway, the origin of the cigarette smoke came into view. A group of men were seated around a poker table in the middle of a game. Each one holding a cigar.

“I’m out,” a man with visible dark circles called out. His platinum blonde hair made them stand out more.

The man seated next to him teased, “You’re always out.” He wasn’t wearing a shirt and his light brown hair was oddly damp.

Suddenly the last man across them, who was stylishly dressed, slammed his cards onto the table. “Full house.”

“You cheated,” the dark circles man accused. He immediately double checked the winner’s hand before sitting back down after realizing his defeat.

Damp hair man patted the sore loser’s back, “You always cheat yet you never win.”

“Drinks are on me tonight,” the fashionista exclaimed before turning around and noticing my entertained self. “You’re welcomed to join us as well,” he added flirtatiously.

My face instantly became red at his invitation and at everyone’s unexpected attention.

“Who are you?” The damp hair man asked as he stood up revealing his torso tattoo. Not that I have anything against tattoos, but his were intimidating and had me taking a few steps back.

Before I could get a single word out, a warm hand landed on my shoulder and a voice answered for me. “This is _______.”

It was the man from before who had escorted me here and left me to my demise. He must of heard my nervous heartbeat from wherever he went off to and came to my rescue. Not that I needed to be rescued, but his presence alone somehow eased my growing nerves.

“Again, who is she?” The damp hair man restated displeased. “You know strangers aren’t allowed here.”

The dark circles man came closer with a small jump to his step, clearly over his recent loss and eyed me from head to toe. “She can either be hyung’s girlfriend or hyung’s stalker. I’d say the latter.”

The fashionista gently slapped him behind his head for his blatant comment before also checking me out. “I like your outfit.”

My outfit consisted of an old t-shirt my mother nags me to get rid of every time she sees it, ripped jeans that were definitely over priced, and a pair of simple white sneakers. “Thank you.”

“You never like my outfit,” the dark circle man complained.

Fashionista smiled at him, “Because I like you.”

Who are these guys?

As if reading my mind again, the escort introduced the men to me. “The one who lost at poker for the millionth time is Seungri while the winner is Ji Yong and the shirtless guy is Taeyang.”

Seungri waved hello while Ji Yong grabbed my hand and kissed it. I unconsciously pulled away at the sensation of his cold lips. “I-I’m sorry…”

“She’s probably never been kissed before,” Taeyang taunted.

“He’s just upset because he got into an argument with his girlfriend this morning,” Ji Yong explained.

Taeyang didn’t fight back, but instead left the room and the sound of a door slamming shut resonated throughout. It must of been true.

“I didn’t introduce myself,” the escort spoke up. “My name is Daesung and you’re here to see our hyung, right?”

I had forgotten the reason why I was here the moment I stepped through those doors and now it was coming back to me. I nodded my head in response.

“I’ll be right back so don’t start another game without me,” he said as he guided me back to the short hallway.

He stopped in front of a black door with five white lines on it and knocked on it twice before holding it open for me. He gave me a little push when I didn’t move then closed the door once I was inside and again he left me alone. No explanation. Nothing at all.

I was in an office. There was a small seating area where single strange chairs surrounded a glass table that was oddly shaped. One wall was completely covered in artwork just like the hallway, but there wasn’t a single empty space left. Toward the back was a metal desk and the chair was facing the wall-to-ceiling window where a tall figure was standing.

How did I not notice the man standing by the window? He was holding a glass of wine in one hand while scrolling through his phone in the other. He probably didn’t notice me either.

Just as I internally told myself that Daesung had knocked so how could he not know that I’m here, he turned around and stared at me. His eyes were dark. Very dark.

I searched my bag for the reason to me being here and held it up once I found it. The crumpled and old photo was barely holding itself up in between my fingers. “T-this belongs to you.” Why was I so nervous?

He carefully set down his glass of wine and diminished the distance between us while his eyes never left mine.

“Here, t-take it.” I muttered wishing he would stop looking at me. It was making me feel like I had done something wrong and the principal had called me into his office to punish me.

“They look a lot different now.” He finally spoke.

That’s when it clicked. The picture was of five boys, smiling and posing for the camera. “They do…”

Damp hair man was sporting an ordinary dry look while fashionista was still dressed fashionably and dark circles were nowhere to be seen on Seungri. Daesung had the same warm smile. The last boy with black eyes and thick brows was definitely the man before me.

“Do I look the same?”

I nodded then shook my head.

“Well which is it? Yes or no?”

“Your eyes,” I spoke slowly. “They’re exactly the same.”

One side of his mouth rose. “Keep it.”

“I can’t. It’s an important picture, isn’t?” Having a photo of five boys that I barely know is a little weird.

“It is.” He unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat down on the desk chair. “If I want to see it again then I’ll ask you for it.”

My confused expression spilled into my words, “Then I’ll just leave it here with you.”

Before he could say anything back, someone knocked twice and Daesung walked in. “Hyung, Mr. Park is here.”

“Send him in,” he answered then looked at me again. “Daesung will send you home.”

“B-but the photo,” I mumbled as Daesung grabbed my shoulders.

He stood up and grabbed the photo from my hand. “I want to see you again.” He then stuck it inside my purse and waved us out the door.

Daesung set me aside and escorted the waiting man inside the office I was kicked out of just now. Why did I even come here if this was going to happen? This is what I get for being a kind person and trying to return someone’s belongings.

Who was that guy?

“Choi Seung Hyun,” Daesung stated.

“What?”

“That’s hyung’s name,” he said.

“Can you read minds?”

“What?”