A Million Dollars for a Drink

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The first time I saw Finn, he was working a shift at my dads karaoke bar. I fell for him, hard and fast. After six months of relentlessly pursuing him, he finally said yes.

One day, nearing his graduation, he invited me to a cheap motel near his university, just like he always did. After wed finished, he lit a cigarette and, without preamble, asked, Girls like you, when youre done having your fun, youll probably just go back home and marry some decent guy, right?

I felt a surge of confusion. What exactly do you mean by decent guy?

He took another drag, exhaling slowly. Someone who wont care about your past, whos willing to support your younger siblings, and whos thick-skinned enough to just take it.

I walked out of that motel and broke up with him on the spot.

It was four years before I saw him again. My dads old karaoke bar had since been upgraded to the best club in the city. I had just finished a staff training session when Finn walked in, ushering a client through the door. He saw me, raised an eyebrow, and said with a mocking edge to his voice, Still here? Youth doesnt last forever in this business, you know. How about you join us tonight, with Mr. Green?

He paused, then added, Your rate used to be a hundred and fifty a night. Now, at your age, how about I offer you a hundred?

I looked up at the man beside him. Mr. Green, a knowing glint in his eye, drawled, A million dollars, and youll share a drink with me tonight?

Finn turned to glance at his important client, then looked back at me, a flicker of bewilderment in his eyes. Seeing that I didn't respond, he quickly ushered Mr. Green into the private room. But the man lingered, giving me a pitiful look until I glared at him, and he slowly retreated inside.

I turned to head back to my office, but Finn popped out again. He waved me over. Do you get a commission for setting up our private room and drinks? The cut here should be better than a karaoke bar, right?

Given he was a paying customer, I answered him honestly. No, I dont. If youre talking sales, then yes, the commission is better than a karaoke bar. But he still didn't seem to grasp that I wasn't in sales.

Honestly, four years wasn't a short time, and Finn had changed immensely. He still had a face that could make you fall in love at first sight, but his once clear, earnest demeanor had become well, a little sleazy. His expression was now tinged with worldliness and cunning.

The client in there is a very important guest. My entire years performance depends on him. Hes loaded, but he loves to put on airs. Dont take what he just said seriously; you dont want to give away your services for free. He finished speaking, then suddenly chuckled as if something just clicked. Youve been working in places like this for years. What kind of people havent you seen? Its pretty funny that Im still worrying about you, isnt it?

Alright, go open a few good bottles of wine for us later, and find some pretty girls. Make sure they take good care of Mr. Green. He emphasized, Get some young ones. The older ones, like you, just phone it in.

I gave him a tight, humorless smile. My appearance fee is probably more than you can afford.

He scoffed. A million for a drink, huh? You really think Id fall for that.

Watching his retreating back, thinking about what hed just said, and then remembering so many things from the past, I felt a sense of stark dissociation. I knew, clearly, that all those words came from the same persons mouth. Whether they were sweet nothings, solemn vows, or those utterly hurtful remarks.

After we broke up, I was devastated. The same person who had once brought me so much happiness now plunged me into despair. I cried myself to sleep on countless nights until time, like a cleansing rain, washed it all away.

I stared blankly at the door hed entered for a moment, then called a salesperson to arrange their drinks. If the guest in that room asks for me, just say Im not available. Dont say anything else unnecessary.

It was precisely at that moment, as I turned around, that someone clapped me on the shoulder, beaming. Hazel! It really is you! Youre still working here?

This karaoke bar totally transformed into a top-tier club. You must be a manager by now, right? Did you just see Finn? Hes here tonight entertaining a big client. My dad actually helped him get the connection. He might be really taking off.

She leaned in conspiratorially. You know, if hed stayed with you, do you think hed be where he is today? He wouldnt be entertaining important guests; hed be working as a hostess, just like you. She heavily emphasized the word hostess, seemingly trying to convey a suggestive, double meaning through her tone.

I never quite understood it. Finn and I both worked part-time at the karaoke bar, coming and going together every day. How was it that his job was considered a commendable example of working his way through college, while mine somehow became a stain on my record?

Alright, I wont keep you. You shouldnt go in there tonight. Your perfume smells a little cheap.

This girl was Finns junior, Chloe Vance. I heard her family was quite well-off; her father was a businessman. If I remembered correctly, they owned a contract manufacturing plant that produced pet-related products under various labels. From the moment I started pursuing Finn, I knew she was around. After all, he was the renowned star of the business school; it would have been unusual if he didn't have a few admirers circling him.

But at first, I honestly didn't pay much attention to her. Back then, we were all still quite immature, operating on the principle that beauty equaled righteousness. And no, Chloe wasnt particularly pretty; she was very average. The kind of person you could lose in a crowd and struggle to find.

I, on the other hand, strongly resembled my mother, who was a minor actress known more for her beauty than any significant roles. She retired after marrying my father.

When Finn finally accepted me, the first thing he said was, Youre truly beautiful. I actually noticed you the first time we met.

He was my first love, so I was completely devoted once we were together. I wanted to be with him every moment, but his time wasnt entirely his own. He had classes, student council meetings, and various part-time jobs. He was incredibly stubborn; though he never spoke about his family, and never applied for financial aid, his everyday clothes, spending habits, and general demeanor hinted at his poverty.

To spend more time with him, I started attending his major classes, accompanied him to student council events, and even got a part-time job at the same place he worked. Perhaps it was this constant, seemingly desperate scramble for work that made him mistakenly believe I was just like himsomeone who needed to work part-time to sustain my studies and life. Our hearts grew closer, and it became increasingly difficult for me to open up to him. I gradually missed the best time to be honest.

As graduation neared, Finn grew even busier. He was swamped writing his own thesis, and taking on ghostwriting assignments for classmates. He also had to deal with constant harassment from his family. His parents had just had another son, a baby brother for him. This new arrival added immense stress to his life; his mother could no longer work and placed all her hopes on her eldest son, who was about to graduate.

I once overheard him on the phone with his family, his mother earnestly telling him, You are the firstborn son and grandson of the Miller family. The familys future glory depends on you.

After you graduate, you need to send five hundred dollars home every month. Dont just casually date, dont be a fool buying gifts for everyone, and make sure to be frugal. She continued, Your father and I have finally made it this far. Once you marry, our family will truly be set.

After those calls, Finn always became unusually quiet. During that period, his mood was particularly somber. He often spaced out, sometimes staring at me, sometimes at the ground. His contact with Chloe Vance, his junior, also increased, as she helped him secure many ghostwriting gigs.

To cheer him up, I bought him numerous gifts. To my surprise, it only made him more upset. He frowned, asking where I got the money. Before I could answer, Chloe interjected, This clearly looks like a knock-off. Girls who work at karaoke bars love to buy these fake luxury items to make themselves look classy and boost their value, dont they? She smirked. Your little bag has pretty good stitching. Where did you get it? Can you tell me your source?

Finns gaze was strange. I could almost imagine that if I told him these were genuine, he would suspect me of some illicit activity. So I simply said, If you dont like it, Ill return it.

The more stressed a person is, the more they need an outlet. During that time, Finn often invited me to the cheap motel. He showed a fervent obsession with my body, which often gave me the illusion that he truly loved me.

It was after one such encounter, before I even had time to get dressed, that I heard him say, Girls like you, when youre done having your fun, youll probably just go back home and marry some decent guy, right?

I felt a surge of confusion. What exactly do you mean by decent guy?

He took a drag from his cigarette and said, Someone who wont care about your past, whos willing to support your younger siblings, and whos thick-skinned enough to just take it.

And what do you mean by girls like us?

He scrutinized me from head to toe. Girls who come from the countryside, who struggle to survive by any means, and who are good at using their bodies as resources.

I looked up, surprised, and asked him, Have you always thought I was selling my body at the karaoke bar? All this time weve been together, is that what you thought of me?

I thought I was sharing countless firsts of my life with him. In his eyes, it had become cheap, insignificant leftovers. Everything felt surreal, and utterly ridiculous. I got dressed and walked out. After sending a breakup text, I never saw him again.

Just as I finally snapped out of my memories, an employee rushed in and said, Ms. Hayes, the guests in Room 512 are fighting!

Room 512 was the one Finn had booked.

As I hurried over, I instructed the employee, We dont know the full situation yet, so dont call the police. If things get out of control, Ill tell you immediately.

The employee looked flustered. Shouldnt we call the police first? Or maybe I should tell the big boss? It might not be safe for you to go in alone.

Its fine. Theyre acquaintances. It shouldnt be too bad.

I pushed open the door and saw Finn clutching his head, standing in a corner. On the floor lay a shattered glass. Before I could even speak, Blake Green started playing the victim. I really didnt mean to cause trouble, but I couldnt stand their foul language anymore! If Id known they had such low standards, how could I have come out to discuss business with them?

This wasnt even on the schedule. An old partner kept insisting I meet them, and it was hard to refuse. The location was here, so I eagerly came over. He added, Let me reiterate, I really didnt mean to lay a hand on anyone, nor did I intend to cause a scene on your turf. I was just defending myself.

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone else, having clearly reached their limit, spoke up. Can you stop talking nonsense? Did I even touch you? You call that self-defense? He sneered, Everyone comes to places like this to chat and talk business. Why are you acting like some innocent saint?

Chloe Vance also joined the fray. She pointed at me and said, Here, as the manager here, you need to resolve this conflict. Were paying for your private room to discuss business, and someone got hit. Shouldnt you be responsible for this?

Blake suddenly stood up, looking somewhat aggrieved, and turned to me. Honey, they were spreading nasty rumors about you, and I couldnt stand it, so I got into a fight. I really didnt mean to.