Room 2129 (A 2yeon Fanfic)

Chapter 19: Nayeon

"Well, here we are." Jeongyeon steps on the brakes by the valet service. She looks in the rear-view mirror and gives her slicked back hair another comb through. "How do I look?"

Though I admit that I prefer her messy bob, I say, "High class. How about me?"

She eyes the sleeveless cowl bodycon dress that she bought for me, since my only presentable outfit is the one that umma made for me. "You look perfect."

Stepping out of the car, I immediately look up to the towering height of the entrance. Like some piece of Roman architecture, the wide stairs lead up to illuminated pillars. Am I ready for something like this?

Jeongyeon holds my hand, which is already clammy. "Are you ready?"

"Are you ready?" I shoot back. She lets out a nervous chuckle, as we take our first step into the party.

Upon entering the grand doors, we are immediately greeted by the receptionist. Jeongyeon swiftly flashes our invite and the receptionist directs us into the ballroom.

Overwhelming is the right word for an event of this magnitude. I could immediately tell that everyone here is from an affluent background, even without knowing them personally.

Jeongyeon tries to fill me in on the who's who as we navigate our way onto the presidential table, where Jeongyeon's family is seated. Here we go.

The stern look from her family suddenly dissipates as Jeongyeon kisses her father, mother, and her unnies on the cheek. Shocked would be an understatement; even Seo Yeon's trying to process what just happened as she holds her cheek.

"Sorry we're late," Jeongyeon starts. "This is Im Nayeon, my-"

One of the receptionists cuts in. "Sorry ma'am, your table's over here."

"There must be a mistake. She's with me," Jeongyeon butts in, holding my arm.

"It's okay, I'm just nearby," I assure her. "Go talk to your family," I add, flashing each of them a smile.

***

"I see you're on good terms with Jeongyeon now," Seulgi says, stirring her glass of champagne. Apparently, she's a friend of Seungyeon's that's why she's here, despite Jeongyeon making a doormat out of her.

"Yeah. Who'd have thought, right?" I chuckle nervously.

Define awkward: you're sharing a table with your girlfriend's former fuck buddy. I mean, Seulgi's nice and all, but I can't shake the thought that she knows Jeongyeon better than I do...at least in that department.

"So, what have you been up to?" I ask.

"Nothing much, just doing admin work at my family's hospital while joining charities here and there." God, Seulgi's such an angel. How Jeongyeon passed up on her is beyond me.

"Having fun?" Jeongyeon places her arm on my shoulder. Before I could answer, she swoops in to kiss me on the cheek. Her hand traces down from my shoulder to my hand as she sits beside me.

"Hey, Seulgi. What's up?" Jeongyeon says, her gaze briefly dipping at Seulgi before switching back to me.

I take a quick glance at Seulgi; her cold stare (brought about by her monolids, really) drops. Jeongyeon, what are you doing?!

"Come with me. I have a surprise for you," Jeongyeon whispers before getting up. I quickly bow at Seulgi, who's now staring intently at her glass. I'm sorry.

***

We make our way backstage, across the acts that performed earlier: circus performers from China and exhibitional chefs.

"Where are you taking me?"

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I tell you now," Jeongyeon replies, firmly holding my wrist.

We stop by a door near the fire exit. Jeongyeon looks at me, with a glimmer in her eyes and a smile that I admit I've yet to get used to, before turning the knob.

She walks in first. "Here's the one I told you about." She then looks at me and ushers me to come in.

Oh my God. No way. My motor functions immediately crashes upon seeing the person inside the room.

IU gracefully turns toward me and bows, which I reciprocate on reflex.

"You must be Nayeon-ssi." With her shoulders slightly hunched, IU reaches out to shake my hand.

"IU-nim," I mutter, still processing if this is real. My stomach churns as my trembling hand comes into contact with hers.

"Omo, why are you crying?!" IU rushes over, as well as Jeongyeon, to comfort me. (A/N: Omo is like "Oh my" in Korean.)

I wave my hands at them. "Sorry, I just didn't expect..." The lump in my throat prevents me from saying anything further.

"She's a really huge fan of yours, IU-nim." Jeongyeon rubs my back, stifling her laughter. Why didn't she at least prepare me for this?! Now I look like a complete mess in front of IU!

Once I finally regain my composure, IU hands me a paper bag. "Here, I have something for you. I hope you like it," she says in her meek yet deep voice. I just take a peek inside the bag and, immediately, hug her. It's her newest album-signed even!

"How about a picture of you together?" Jeongyeon suggests. I hurriedly bring out my phone and throw it to her before I might actually cry again.

***

"I still can't believe that just happened," I say, hugging Jeongyeon by the arm, as we make our way back to the ballroom. "How did you pull that off?"

"She's basically a family friend at this point, since my father taught her cooking before."

"Thank you for making one of my dreams come true tonight," I say as I kiss her shoulder. "I'll cook you something really delicious tomorrow!"

Jeongyeon shakes her head. "No, it has to be better than that," she smirks. "Because I've got two more surprises left."

"Jeongyeon-ah, how could you even top what you just did?"

***

IU just performed Palette and Lilac-one of her latest songs. I can't believe that I'm sitting just a few feet away from her.

"Tonight's a very special night. It's not everyday you get to celebrate your thirtieth wedding anniversary," IU says to the crowd. "Give it up for Mr. and Mrs. Yoo!"

The room erupts into cheering and applause. Jeongyeon's parents stand up and bow to the crowd; her sisters join the crowd as well. My eyes turn to Jeongyeon, whose eyes are welling as she claps along.

"The last song for tonight," IU continues, "is special because I'm singing it with a friend. A friend that I just met. Nayeon-ssi...?"

The spotlight suddenly zones in on me. The crowd goes silent, as IU waves me to the stage.

"This is the second," Jeongyeon whispers as she lifts me by the arm.

As I get on the stage, I faintly see the audience with the lights directly on our faces. "Jeongyeon told me this is your favorite," IU tells me before immediately starting the verse of Through the Night.

She lets me have the second part of the first verse. I start dry and flat. Shit. Eventually, I get my groove as I locate Jeongyeon near the stage. It's okay Nayeon, just imagine you're singing this to your girlfriend; just the two of you back at the apartment.

We take turns with the song. By the time I start the second chorus, I can make out that some of the audience members are swaying their heads; some even light up their phones.

Is this what it's like? To be famous? IU and I sing the last chorus in unison; sometimes, she does adlibs while I sing it faithfully. She's truly amazing.

Once the song ends, we receive a standing ovation-even from Jeongyeon's family. It feels like I just returned to my body, my being finally able to grasp that I just sang with my idol in front of a huge crowd.

This has to be the best day of my life.