Tattoo salon

@Zhou Mi [ sorry for the late reply ]

After finishing, I cleaned everything and accepted my pay. The guy left and I put a few more things into it's place before taking everything I needed, locking the door and following the tall male outside. "Fancy." I mumbled as soon as I lied eyes on the lambourghini Zhoumi parked in front of my tattoo shop, though much more of a reaction didn't come from me. A small nod showed my gratitude to him holding open the passenger's door before I sat down, resting my bag between my opened legs.

"So, a restaurant? Or where were we going?" I asked the other as soon as he entered his own car.

@Kim Jonghyun News didn't really interest me, so I kept sitting on where I was. News seemed to strange for me. They were from their world, not mine world. It was like reading something about unfamiliar planet. All those economy news, politics and terrorist attacks. I didn't care even a less about them. I was just going to live my own life in my own bubble.

I waited him to finish his work. Luckily tattoo machine and customer's gasps were loud enough to keep me in this world. Getting back from my thoughts always took few moments. Finally, when some picture was illustrated to man's skin, and JR had done his final things, we finally got to leave.

I walked outside to my car. Luckily, my lovely lambourghini was still on it's place in one peace. I opened door for the passenger seat and smiled to younger one.

When the male in front of me started looking around, I returned my attention back to the male who was calming down. "15 minutes. Maybe 10." I said, shrugging my shoulders as I started preparing myself to ink again. The guy strained his muscles again, though I tried to calm him down, before taking my machine; ready to continue.

"You can read the newspaper or something. I have a few in the waiting room." I pointed towards the entrance door, a couch with a basket full of books and magazines.

zhou mi. 1 day ago Reply
@kim jonghyun. I listened younger one's long passionate talk about tattoos. He seemed to care so much about something so irrelevant. I let him preach about it, and then nodded with a smile on my face.
"Interesting", I said. It was really not; tattoos wouldn't help you rule the world. "Maybe I should think about it, right?"; I said and looked at the art work on the walls, as if I was considering some of them to be illustrated to my skin.

I went back to my seat, and asked:
"How long do you think finishing him will take?"

kim jonghyun. 1 week ago Reply
@zhou mi. After having been denied the suggestion, I shrugged my shoulders; having expected such an answer. "You can think about it in different ways. To me, it's a piece of art. Your body is a piece of art, and you can choose how to decorate it. Could be with clothes, accessories, piercings, ... or tattoos." I put the machine down on the table as I leaned my back against it, crossing my arms over my chest as I looked at you. "Just like a painting, you could ink a face. Like most people, you could go with an animal. Your favorite animal or your zodiac. Some people also put a date, a name, a poem. It's something to complete yourself with. It's something that makes yourself." I stretched one of my arms in front of me, staring at the calligraphy letters 'J' on my ring finger and 'R' on my pinky. They weren't the only tattoos I got though; my whole body was full of them - though hidden by a piece of clothing. Only a small part of my big tattoo that started on my chest, was visible on my forearm. It was a dragon, combined with some instruments. Only the end of a trumpet was visible from underneath my sleeve.
zhou mi. 1 week ago Reply
@kim jonghyun. I actually got surprised by JR's suggestion. I looked the man, then at the tattoo machine. If I got tattoo, what would it be... Something that I'd love. Well, there was only one answer to that. But what symbol would express that. K? Yeah, little K letter to somewhere nice. I could show it and-

Then I realized. There would never be that kind of situation. I smiled for my own stupidity.
"Thank you for the offer, but I'll pass. Tattoos are for people who believe there is something so eternal they want it to their skin. I think nothing in this world is so lasting, that I'd need picture of it".

kim jonghyun. 1 week ago Reply
@zhou mi. The way Zhoumi came to stand right next to me didn't distract me, but the sudden face so close to mine surely did. I stopped the machine for a bit and wiped a tissue over the inked skin, cleaning the wound and giving a relaxing touch to the raw shoulder. "Ask my friend about that." I related to the male on the chair, who had broken out in sweat just a few seconds ago. The pain was bottling up slowly inside of him and I was noticing that. "If you want a small break, tell me." I talked to the rather small looking male with a pat on his free shoulder. It was his first tattoo, so I couldn't blame him. After getting a silent nod, I turned my attention back to the tall male next to me. "Though if you'd like to see for yourself, I can always give you one." A teasing grin formed on my lips as I looked at you expectantly, though knowing you'd probably say no for now.

zhou mi. 1 week ago Reply
@kim jonghyun. I nodded.
"Thank you, but I'm fine", I said for the offer of coffee. I never really enjoyed drinking caffeine drinks, they just made metabolism to work differently and I didn't like that. I just kept sitting, and JR kept doing his work.

I had been looking at him for a while, before I got up. I slowly walked behind him, looking at the fox being illustrated to the skin.
"Pretty", I said. I looked time from my watch. Why did I really get here so early?
I bend over, and looked the work a lot more close. Actually, my head was right next to younger one's.
"It looks painful", I said with soft and slow voice.

kim jonghyun. 1 week ago Reply
@zhou mi. It was half past 7 and I was working on my last patient for the day. I had closed the door already, though didn't lock it yet, so people wouldn't enter any more and extend my closure time. Though I remembered you'd come today, I hadn't been expecting you so early. So I had to stop in the middle of the small fox tattoo I was making on a male's shoulder. I brushed my bangs backwards, my sleeves rolled up already.

"Oh, you're here." Were the simple words that escaped me when dropping an eye on your presence. "You can get some coffee in the back." I told you in case, pointing behind me to a door, where a very small kitchen was present. I grinned at your words, appreciating the word 'magic' you used to describe my work, though didn't say much about it. In the meanwhile I leaned my knee on the table-bed the male was seated on. I pressed my fingers against his shoulder blade to keep the skin straight as I continued my artwork. It was half finished and I wouldn't want to keep the guy here much longer, because his face was starting to grimace in pain already.
zhou mi. 1 week ago Reply
@kim jonghyun. I took everything under consideration. I knew what to wear: dark purple suit. I knew exactly how I needed to put my hair: waved to the left side. I knew what cologne to use. I looked to the mirror same time I put my watch to my wrist. I knew this was really invested, but it would pay me back, if everything went like I was planning to. I looked at my dog.
"You can't be petted today", I told him "Your fur can ruin my imago".

I walked to my car. It was nice, black lamborghini. It was few years old, but it still served me well. I hopped onto it, and drove to the destination the young man had given me. I parked in front of his shop. I normally didn't like the idea of leaving my car in a place like this, but this time I had no choice. I guess it would be fine...

I walked onto the shop. It looked small to me, but I guess it was enough for me. Of course, I could always offer way more.
"So, this is where the magic happens?", I said as I walked through the door. I looked around me. Looked like... tattoo shop.
I sat down nearest object I could find and smiled. I knew I was a bit early, but better that way.

kim jonghyun. 1 week ago Reply
@zhou mi. Though I was feeling slightly suspicious about the situation, I couldn't help but nod my head and return to my car. As soon as I sat inside and put the package on the free seat next to me, I texted the address of my shop to the male who had just asked for it. For a few seconds longer I watched how Zhoumi entered his boat again before leaving. The curiosity was rising inside of my body, but I wouldn't let it take away my concentration. I had a lot of scheduled people to ink, and who knew, maybe there'd be some random people as well; those who hadn't planned a date. As soon as I arrived at my shop, I parked my car at the side of the road and declared my shop open for today.



zhou mi. 1 week ago Reply
@kim jonghyun. I listened young man's voice and nodded. I slipped my hands onto my jacket pockets, and smiled.
"I'll see you then", I said "Text me your shop's address".
I looked at sky for a few seconds, before continuing:
"If you excuse me now, I'll have to get back to my work".
I once again nodded at him and left inside the building. I was relieved he accepted my first offer to even listen me. Next step could be harder, but not impossible. Young men were always easy to manipulate if needed. I ignored few my assistants and locked myself to my work room right away. I had to use whole day to make everything ready.



kim jonghyun. 1 week ago Reply
@zhou mi. It got one of my eyebrows raising once more. Was this job related? Or something friendly? What was the reason this male asked me out for a dinner? He'd pay and he'd even come and get me? What was this? The curiosity kept rising within me.

"It would be easier for me if you come pick me up though, if that was your plan from the start." I decide to say, because honestly, I wouldn't feel like driving after my work hours. My concentration wouldve disappeared and the risk of getting into an accident would get higher.

I held the package on my left arm, leaning on my forearm as my right hand rested in my side. "I guess I'll see you at 8:15 then? There's always a possibility I'm still working on a tattoo at 8, so I'd finish later. But you can always enter my shop and drink a coffee, if you don't like waiting outside." I suggested, the tone in my voice sounding carefree.



zhou mi. 1 week ago Reply
@kim jonghyun. I took the money out of JR's hans, same time as I handed over his stuff.
"Good", I said and smiled a bit. I tried to sound as neutral and normal as I could. I wanted my offer to seem as relaxed evening, something that I'd do often.
I counted money he gave to me. I believed he had given me right amount money, but never could be too sure. If you once let it slip, everyone will think my prices are even cheaper than they are now. No, I needed to maintain my imago.
"It is one restaurant in the middle of city", I said my eyes on the pile of cash "I go there a lot". I loved that place. It was fancy and expensive one, had the best wines. But it was still chill and anonymous, not one of those that had all those celebrities to come and go.
I finally counted all the money and stuffed them in my pocket. I looked up, right to JR's eyes smiling.
"I would have offered ride to come and get you, but judging from the tone of your voice you want to come alone. That works for me, I can send you the address".



kim jonghyun. 1 week ago Reply
@zhou mi. [ OMG O.O WHAT WAS THAT ]

It didn't take long for the tall and slender yet chic man to exit his boat and make his way over to me. I shifted my weight to my other foot as I watched him approach. Somehow I started wondering how my friend got to know this male, but I was having no regrets he did. He was indeed a trusted male and always accepted my orders, filling them out perfectly without a single hesitance or protest.

I looked into the package quickly, scanning the few objects to make sure he got everything I asked for; which he did, without a doubt. A smile crept upon my lips and I almost took hold of my stuff, but stopped mid-air when the other closed the package again. A single eyebrow raised and my head lifted to connect my eyes with Zhoumi's. Right. Money. Instead of going for the package once more, my hand reached into my pocket and fished out a few money notes. I counted the amount before holding them out to the taller male, asking him whether it was enough or not.

Though it was then that something happened what I hadn't been expecting at all. A question. A suggestion. Or maybe an invitation. My lips opened slightly, about to give him 'no' as an answer, but something made me change my mind. "My shop closes at 8. Depends on where you want us to eat, but I could be there earliest at 8 and half." I told him, feeling kind of curious of what he had to tell me and why we had to go to dinner for it. We were alone now too. He could just as well tell me know, but it seemed more important than that.

zhou mi. 1 week ago Reply
@kim jonghyun. "I can't believe you did it", he said to me. No.
"Zhoumi no... stop...", I heard him crying. Where are you?
"Don't come close to me....", his voice was filled with fear. I am not a bad person.

***

I woke up, heart bounding on my chest and sweat draining down my neck. This wasn't the first bad dream that went like that, but it still shocked me.
"", I whispered. 5 year old husky next to me lifter up his head. I put my hand onto his head. Good boy. I looked around my room. Full of wine bottles, newest one lying next to me. I sighed. My nightmares went worse every time I drank wine, but I still couldn't stop. Wine made the worst nightmare disappear: reality.

***

By the time I got myself to my work place, the horrible feeling didn't get any better. I hurt physically and mentally. I just leaned on my table and tried to get myself through it. I should've just not come...
Then my phone beeped. I looked at it. The only reason that could lift my mind up, had arrived.

I had already made package ready previous day. I grabbed it with me. Before leaving the building, I looked to the mirror and straightened my tie and tidy my hair.
I walked outside and saw young man already waiting for. I walked towards him a small polite smile on my lips.
I opened the package, to show the boy I had everything he got ordered. I know I shouldn't be so carefree with my business, but I was pretty sure no one would watch us. My lands were supervised, and no one walked into there.
I closed the package. My politics were always to get money before giving anything. People were not to be meant trusted.
I tilted my head and looked at JR. Suddenly I opened my mouth:
"I have something to say to you. Do you have free time tonight? Would you let me buy you dinner?"
I wondered how young man would take my words. We didn't really know each other, we never met in other situations than sell business. He was still the only person I knew that would fit in my plan.



kim jonghyun. 1 week ago Reply
@zhou mi. As soon as I got the message saying my stuff had arrived, I checked my schedule to see if I had some free time soon. It wouldn't hurt to delay the opening of my shop tomorrow morning, right? At least I would have the time to pick up my goodies. They had arrived today and to be honest, I couldn't wait for much longer, because my ink was running out.

It felt good to have connections. Because of this reason, I was able to get my stuff a lot cheaper than usual. It was easy too, because I wouldn't have to travel from the north to the south of Korea to get what I wanted. And to top it off; it worked just as good as any other expensive object.

So the next morning, I woke up early and packed my wallet to drive towards the shore. It wasn't too far, so I wouldn't even be needing 2 hours to get there and come back, but I always calculated possible traffic problems in my time. I wouldn't want to be late, and neither did I want to extend the openings hour of my shop any more. So my feet mercilessly pressed down on the gear, all the way until I arrived at your spot. I rolled my head from left to right as I got out of my car, locking it before making my way over to your boat.

"Arrived." He typed out a single word to you, which didn't need any more explaining, because there was no reason for that. I waited for you to come outside, as I wouldn't want to enter the wrong ship, and lighted a cigarette.



zhou mi. 1 week ago Reply
@kim jonghyun. I sat on my office room, watching wall. It's been some time now. How long? I don't know. Maybe 1 hour? 2 hour? Time felt always so different on depending what I was thinking. Even thought happy memories made time fly faster, I tried to focus on boring things like work or what to eat next. Happy memories always ended to sadness. It's been 4 years, but his smile still made me happy. The way he introduced our dog. Or when he was swimming just because he felt like it, but then he felt cold. Or the...

Luckily someone knocked my door before I could get too busy with my thoughts.
"In", I mumbled, and grabbed some papers in my hands, trying to look busy. One of my assistants handed me over some forms.
"New order came, sir", he said and then quickly left the room. I looked over to the papers. First paper was the actual order form. Some electronics for company called SK Hynix. The second was informal, secret paper. I looked through it. After seeing what I got, I took my phone for my pocket and texted guy called JR.
"Got your stuff. Pick up when you want".
Kids nowadays had all these weird nicknames. JR. Made it him look cooler in the eyes of other street kids? Stupid, name didn't give you anything. The way you handled your things, gave you power. If you were useful, you were powerful. Otherwise, no one would care of your existence.