the manager (pt. 1) | yhn
MARCH 1992
after numerous failed auditions, i think i finally got my biggest break ever!!! ah, i am so happy i could dance like a crazy person on the streets right now!!! but i do have to stop myself from doing so, of course. that won’t be a good image to be associated with my name when i’m finally on the front page of newspapers. hahaha is that a bit conceited? ah, never mind about that! i do have to go now because i’m about to meet MY manager to discuss about my CAREER. who knew that taking up that job at the jazz club could actually lead me to my dream? this universe really works in mysterious ways~
“Hana! Hey, we’re over here! Oh, my god! I missed you so much!”
Under the dim lights and crooning jazz music, Hana turned her head towards the familiar voice and smiled. She made way past the red-clothed tables and towards the ecstatic woman, giving her a hug as tight as the other as if she had longed for her as well. Hugs and kisses were showered on her. Everyone at the table gushed at her appearance. After all, she is Yoo Hana, the sweet girl next door they met in a foreign land. A beacon of light when everything seemed to be dark. That’s her to them, but she is not. After setting down the excitement in the air, she has finally taken a spot on one of the velvet love seats together with Baekhee, the giddy girl earlier and also her former college roommate.
“I still can’t believe when I got that text from you, Hana! I’ve always thought that you will never leave that place ever. But it’s okay! I’m now here with my best friend which is probably the best thing that has happened so far in this damned city,” Baekhee said as she clinked her cocktail glass with Hana’s.
"I just thought that I've been away for so long so I decided to come back," she took a sip from her sweet fruity drink. Its twist arrived sooner after that as she felt some hot sensation swimming in her insides. "And you came back for me," a tipsy Baekhee squeezed Hana with a tight hug. She has always been a touchy person, too dependent for affection and appreciation from her peers. A person with a lot of daddy issues, she discovered. The action was unwelcome, but her face showed a contradicting expression as she hugged her back.
The lively chatter went on, catching up with each other. Interesting anecdotes and inside jokes were made. Their group was the loudest among the patrons of the club, but the staff never mind as long as they keep on getting the orders in. The spotlight was on Hana, a situation she always hated. However, that wasn't how they met her. She was a huge contrast on who she was back at Cheongnam. They were unaware about her past and the faux persona she acclimated to when she first stepped on the American soil is what they were exposed to. Their Hana is sweet as candy, not sharp as a knife.
The band stopped from playing and a slender woman (or was it a man? Hana can't see well because of the distance) went up on the stage. The gems on her red dress sparkled and shined as they hit the lights. All eyes are on her, and she loved the attention.
"Good evening, ladies, gents, and anyone in between!" Her charisma was empowering. Not a single person dared to dart their gaze away from her. "Tonight is a very special night. Each month we open our doors for our dear customers who desire to be under the spotlight, to be as charming as our band members," she gestured to the crew, who played a brief piece in return. "To be as brilliant as our performers," the hostess then pointed to the singers who belted out a few notes, earning a few whistles from the crowd. "And to be as beautiful as me. Well, you wish." The audience laughed at her quip and her red-painted lips stretched to display an almost comical grin. "The stage is all yours! And if you embarrass us, we'll call the security for you. Enjoy the night everyone!" She gracefully walked off like a ballerina after she introduced the first performer who started playing the saxophone.
"Hana, you have to sing up there!" Baekhee shouted with excitement and glee after the announcement. Hana looked at her with alarm, and vehemently denied the request from her old roommate. "Oh, no time to be humble! I heard you sing from the shower too many times. I would've complained if it was like a screeching bird, but I never did! You have a beautiful voice, Hana!" The rest of the group started to chime in, urging her to be next person to perform. Baekhee was a marketing major back at the U.S. and the skills she acquired seemed to be useful as everyone in the jazz club started chanting her name.
"Okay, okay. Just one song," she stood up and the people cheered. Hana sheepishly walked towards the elevated stage. The lights were too bright, but it was helpful enough not seeing the whole audience.
A man entered the hall and she secretly smiled. She turned around and told the band a few instructions before she went back to the microphone and sang a jazz classic. It was her first time doing such a thing like this, but it felt natural. As if someone from up above was guiding her. She liked the idea that it was her mother. Despite of it all, it was only an unfounded hope for she had other plans for tonight and she knew Yoo Jian won't approve of it and have already left her realm.
The crowd gave a booming applause after her impromptu solo performance. Before she head back to their table, the man who entered earlier approached her.
"You're a very talented lady," he smiled at her, almost hungrily. She gave him a polite smile and quietly thanked him, but she knew he won't let her go just yet. "I believe that kind of skill is meant to be shown to the world, not in this dingy place. I'm a talent manager from KS Star Entertainment. I'm sure you've heard of it?"
She wondered how her own mother must have felt when the same man walked up to her and gave such tempting words years ago. He has a silver tongue, and anyone with a dream to become famous would deem him as a preacher from the heavens. A god-sent opportunity that no one in their sane mind would avoid. "I'm sorry. I'm not really interested. I already have a job," she took a few steps away from him but he immediately caught up with her. "Just think about it, okay? Here, take my card. Give me a call when you decide that you want to be on the stage where you truly belong."
A small white cardboard paper was shoved in her hands before the man scampered back to his table. Hana looked at the words etched on the card. The victory looming its head from the distance. "I finally found you, Byun Junho," Hana muttered to herself as she cast a final glance to the man. She smirked and returned to her college friends. The mask she was wearing never fell and she's not planning to take it off anytime.
