"This is not the time nor place."
↪ send me one for my muse’s reaction.
It was not routine for Nana to crawl into one of the bars in the bustling city of Seoul, but after feeling like she had hit rock bottom, there was no place she’d rather be than here, with a shot glass in her hand that’s been filled a countless number of times.
If she saw herself, she wouldn’t be proud of the woman who was numbing herself to the emotions she felt. She’d look at that woman, and mutter under her breath how pathetic and weak she looked.
Nana was better than this. She was a whole lot better than this, and in fact, a lot of people thought she had the kind of life that nobody could complain about. A career that some people only dreamed of, and a luxurious home that sat high and overlooked the city.
But those things meant nothing when it was all she had. And when she felt alone like this, she sought out the company of a drink. Or two. Or ten.
The doctor sat alone at the far end of the bar, attention captured by her innermost thoughts. The bartender had refused to serve her again, but she couldn’t pick herself up and leave with any dignity. No, she’d wait until the bar was closing and then crawl her way out so that she had less of a chance of being seen.
The woman did not notice the tears that rolled down the curve of her cheek, or rather she didn’t care much anymore.
“This is not the time nor place.”
A voice that was cultured, smooth and confident pulled her from the darkest corners of her mind. A pair of misty brown eyes searched for the source, and she found a man standing between her and an empty bar stool.
She would have regarded him with some snide comment, because she felt it was rude to point out a person so distraught like she was just now – but he did not look annoyed by her quiet tears and self-loathing, and instead it seemed like he was trying to help lift her spirits. It really wasn’t the time or place to shed tears; this was a bar, a place of fun.
“You’re right. I probably look silly.” There was a slur to her words, almost like they fell out all together from her lips.
With the back of her hand, she rubbed at her cheeks to dry her tears and then almost laughed, but she could only manage a small smile.
“I should just take myself home, but I’m trying to hang onto whatever dignity I’ve got left right now.”
