Chapter 20: Pink Feathers and German Onions
Lukas had outdone himself. He had rented a luxury karaoke bar and transformed it into a sparkling fever dream. The decor consisted of flashing gold balloons and pink feathers that seemed to get stuck in everyone's drinks. Lukas himself was the centerpiece: he wore a gold three-piece suit, a pink feather boa, and a shimmering pink top hat.
"Okay people, positions! He's almost here!" Lukas barked, waving his boa like a conductor's baton.
The moment Mr. Kim stepped through the door, the room erupted. "SURPRISE!"
Mr. Kim stumbled back, clutching his chest as if his heart might actually stop. "I... I think I'm having a heart attack," he gasped.
Lukas stepped forward, ignoring the medical emergency, and belted out an incredibly emotional "Happy Birthday" that somehow morphed into a high-energy rendition of Hit Me Baby One More Time.
Mr. Kim, still pale, stammered, "But... my birthday was weeks ago."
"I know, Kimi-bear!" Lukas chirped, adjusting his hat. "That's why it's a surprise party. You never know when it's coming!" With a flourish, Lukas presented his gift: a pair of fluffy pink handcuffs. "I thought we might test them out together later, Kimi-bear."
Mr. Kim's face turned a shade of red that rivaled a sunset. Without a word, he grabbed a glass of Soju and downed it in one go.
Min-ho, watching the chaos from the shadows, leaned down to Clara. His breath hitched against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "Should I buy us a pair of handcuffs too, Ji-soo? So you can't run away from me anymore?"
Clara felt her face heat up, but she managed a shy grin. "That won't be necessary. I don't plan on running."
Min-ho's eyes darkened, smoldering with a fire that had nothing to do with the disco lights. "Then maybe," he whispered, his voice dropping an octave, "we should find somewhere a bit more... private to finish our talk?"
Clara felt the pull of his desire, but she knew the eyes of the entire crew were on them. She handed him a glass. "I think it's better if we enjoy the party for now. We can talk another time."
Before Min-ho could protest the "torture" of waiting, Lukas hijacked the stage again, screaming the lyrics to I Will Survive. The atmosphere was electric—everyone was laughing, except for one person.
Seo-yoon sat in a dark corner, her eyes like cold daggers as she watched Min-ho and Clara. The sight of a mere assistant outshining her was a bitter pill to swallow. Rage bubbled in her gut. This isn't over, she thought, her knuckles white around her cocktail glass. Every shadow has a secret, Ji-soo. And I will find yours.
Meanwhile, Lukas had reached the "peak" of his intoxication. Having exhausted his English repertoire, he switched to German party hits. "Ich hab 'ne Zwiebel auf'm Kopf, ich bin ein Döner!" he roared at the top of his lungs.
Nobody understood a word, but Mr. Kim was standing right in front of him, looking up at Lukas with an adoring, Soju-induced glow. It was, without a doubt, the best birthday he had ever had—even if it was three weeks late.