Chapter 7: Beauty; a curse

~I have smiled to many people, more than a billion times but when I first saw you, my heart took over and smiled for the first time.~

Time is cruel. It never stops. It never waits for someone. We all have to adjust on our own. We have to cope up with unsteady waves of it.

In the blink of an eye another week passed by and once again Hannah was sitting on the bus stop. Waiting for the bus so she could go to the club for her part time job.

The bus finally came and she went to the nightclub. It is not a good job and she is also a minor. Still the pay is really good. After begging the owner, he let her stay here for a short while. She only serves drinks and that's it. Still, she was doing something illegal. Hannah put her worries aside and changed into a uniform.

She is more beautiful than most girls. Her porcelain and thin skin, even one can see the blood rushing under the skin, dark eyes, long eyelashes covering her eyes like a butterfly's wings of butterflies, dark long hair, thick plump lips. They were all enough to put someone on edge. But she had no time to indulge in such activities. Even though she didn't have her first kiss yet. She tried her best to keep herself safe from the dirty and hungry eyes of the world. But it isn't easy.

Beauty can be a curse too.

Since it was a weekend, the place was overly crowded. She continued to move from one table to another. She had to wear heels, so her legs were not really supporting her. She ignored the pain and indulged herself in the work.

She continued to serve the drinks. However, today wasn't her day. Hannah saw a group of hot boys coming inside the club. They were giving her ominous feelings. Her 6th sense was telling her to flee. But she had no choice but to work.

One of them raised his hand in her direction so she could come and take their order. Hannah was about to go but she saw Yuri. Yuri is also a part timer and the only person who is close with Hannah. She is almost 23 years old and in the final years of her graduation. She is a good girl and takes care of Hannah. She isn't as pretty as her but what to say... she is more sexy. Her clothing style, heavy make, and perfectly proportioned body makes many men drool over her. Unlike Hannah she enjoys all of the attention.

Hannah saw her as a saviour. "Unni (elder sister in korean) can you take their orders?" She looked in their direction and asked her.

Yuri glanced at them, then at the tray she was holding. It was filled with whiskeys and many snacks. "I would love to do that for you dear. But I have to go to the private room and serve them. I know you will never go to the private room". She told her.

Hell no..

She was never going there. Who knows what happened there? After being constantly harassed for many years unconsciously she has started to think of everyone in a bad way. These eyes scare her.

Instead of going to the private room, she better take their order in front of everyone.

Hannah took a deep breath, grabbed a menu card and went to their table. "Such a pretty lady." Among the group of 5 one commented.

Hannah placed the menu card on the table. "You can choose from here. I will come back to take your orders." She told them.

But one of them held her hand. "What's the rush? Take your time with us." He grinned hard, making her nauseous.

"I have other things to do." She tried to run away from them.

"Aren't you a minor?" Another one asked, making her halt in her steps. If they complain about a minor working here, she will be in trouble and also the club. The owner was not recruiting her in the start. Since, the salary was good. Hannah was hell bent on working here. She promised him, if anything will happen, she will fully take responsibility.

But not now. She wasn't ready at all.

"I am not a minor." She said looking in his eyes and she tried her best to hide her shivering voice.

It wasn't easy for her to be strong when she wasn't. The harsh reality is that the world scares you more when you find out you are afraid of them.

The boys laughed loudly. Even in the loud music their laughter was clearly heard by many.

"Whom are you trying to deceive?" One of them said,

"I-I am telling.... truth." She told them.

"Now baby girl, do what we are telling you to do otherwise we are gonna hand you and your manager over to the police." He threatened.

Hannah became afraid. "Wh-what do you...want?" She asked and noticed the amusement on their faces.

"Now, you came to the point." He said. The other pulled an empty seat close to himself and patted on it as a signal to sit.

With trembling legs she sat there. "They are... my working-hours." She informed them.

"You are working, my dear." The boy that made her sit close to him said while savoring each word.

Hannah fiddled with her fingers due to nervousness.

"Shall we ask someone else to bring our drinks?"

Hannah immediately chimed in, "I can do that for you." It was an escape route. But they were not going to let her go.

At that moment, the manager was already there. He saw her sitting with a bunch of guys. He walked in their direction and asked, "Hannah what are you doing here? We are short of staff. Go and work."

Hannah looked at him like she had seen a savior. But that was only for a minute. "You hired a minor at a bar. Shall we report you to the police?" One of them threatened the manager.

He listened to their threat and now it doesn't matter to him whether he has to sell her to them. He only wanted to protect himself and his business. Hannah also promised to take responsibility now she has to bear the consequences.

He bowed in front of the youngsters. It was a huge stain on his pride but he had to do it against his will.

"Now, scram." They told him.

And he immediately left her in the den of the lion. Hannah sighed internally. But to her surprise they started to play with her and pass sexual jokes. She was on the verge of tears. She closed her eyes to push them back. The world was breaking her ruthlessly. She wanted to die. Her death was only going to put her at ease.

"You there." She heard someone's raspy, hoarse and deep voice. He was not korean. Since he said it in english and his accent was totally different. In her heart, she hoped it would be her.

She hoped that he was calling her.

The finger that was roaming on her face also came to halt and she slowly opened her eyes to look in the direction of voice.

He was wearing a mask and hat. She couldn't see his face. But his eyes were digging holes in her face. She mouthed, "Me?" And pointed at herself.

He did not say a word and signaled by crooking his finger to come. She let out a sigh of relief.

Hannah was about to get up but they blocked the exit. "Who are you to leave?" They said.

Hannah looked at him again. In the lights, she found his eyes changing. He got up from his seat, walked in their direction and held her by the wrist.