Abyss - Kim Seokjin AU Fanfiction

Chapter 12 - Ela

"Don't you think it's wrong to mislead people like this?" She had told Ela during a sleepover they had when they were sixteen. Arysta Zhao had a secret. The only one who knew this was Elara, of course. She wouldn't have trusted this information with anybody else. It was not that Arysta was living a lie - well, not entirely.

Her best friend lay flat on her back, staring at the ceiling. "I don't think so. People see what they want to see. And the way I see you are no different to the way others do." Ela had her hair splayed out, it looked like a sheet of black silk draped contrasting over the cotton duvet. "Besides, it isn't a big deal."

"It might be."

"Don't worry about it, Rys. Besides I'm here anyway." Ela reassured her. It had always been that way for many years between them. "Nobody asked about your brother, right?"

Arys shook her head. "It was as if he did not exist. Our -" she stopped, "my parents took out all of our family pictures with him on them, and we shot new ones. His portraits are stored in a box in the basement of our cabin." She always had to refer to things as singular now, she was the only child after all.

"Oh, Rys, I am so sorry."

"It's okay, Gus would have wanted it that way too; I think."

Augustus Zhao, the violinist who took his own life did not have an obituary written in the newspaper. There was no funeral, no formal goodbye for his friends and patrons. He was cremated quietly and housed on the center shelf of the library at the Zhao's summer estate in the south. It had been his favorite place, growing up. Arysta wished she could visit her brother more often, but her parents prohibited her from doing so.

When life takes, it gives you something greater. And for her case, she had been given Ela. Of course, her best friend could not fill the void her brother had left, but she made it hurt a lot less. Ela was a lot like Gus in a way, they were both quiet, and lost in their own minds too. There were days when Arysta feared that Ela would go over the edge, but thankfully, it never happened.

"Promise me, you will stay El." She said sitting at the foot of the bed now. She looked at her friend who lay on her side to face her.

"Of course. How could I leave you, my soulmate?" Ela smiled at her, she took her friend's hand and squeezed it.

Arysta had concluded, that when everything was gone, she could count on Ela to stay. If the world should fall silent, the first person she would run to was her best friend. They say that there is nothing stronger than a bond between two sisters. Rys firmly believed in this, and always will.

Proof of this bond would be solidified thirteen years later when Rys walked inside Lacey's that one evening for Ela and Jin's rehearsal dinner. She had returned from London, after completing a tour with the dance company she was in. As she sat down beside her best friend, she eyed Jin who sat across her, and winked at him. She raised her champagne flute to him and said in a tone full of victory, "I always knew you could do it Kim Seokjin."

Jin's gaze landed on her as she said these words. Laughing a little, and lifted his glass to hers. They toasted to the end of a decade-long bet they had silently been competing in. Ela, who was confused at this, did not linger on it and proceeded to catch up with her best friend.

All the while this was happening, a certain pair of eyes did not look at anything else from the moment she walked in. Jimin, who sat beside said owner of these eyes, moved closer to whisper, "Yah, Hoba, if you keep looking at her like that, she will either melt or think you're a freak."

* * * * * * *

The week following the brunch they had was quiet. Sticking to his promise, Jin had not called or texted her to meet. Ela was pleased that he kept his word. Although, ever since that day she had been bombarded with questions by her team on when they can expect to meet her fiancé. Ela did not answer any of these questions. She would not allow any distractions to penetrate her office. Especially now, when Amelia Barnes was set to visit in two weeks. Today was the first of many meetings they would conduct both online and offline.

Brandon had been preparing the conference room for their online meeting. Ela entered the room holding her tablet and a cup of coffee.

"We'll be live in ten minutes. She'll be on the screen in a while." He said to her as he tied the last of the cables.

"Thank you, Brandon. Make sure to record everything."

The meeting began shortly after that. Amelia and Ela had their introductions and began discussing the outline and timeline for the initial promotions of the gallery. Brandon sat beside her, taking down the minutes of the meeting.

"Elara, if it is not too much to ask, I would also like you to source an architect for the Gallery. My husband insists that we must invest in someone who can create a structure that will look like a landmark. Like the Guggenheim in New York." She said kindly.

Ela laughed nervously. "I am not sure if we have anyone the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright here."

"Oh, that's nonsense! I am sure that there are a lot! And I trust you can find one." Amelia insisted. "There was a name James mentioned to me. It was one of the prime architecture firms there."

Ela was quiet. She could anticipate what would come out of her mouth next. Though she was not entirely sure, she hoped that it was not what she was thinking.

Amelia laughed, feeling embarrassed. "Forgive me, I must have forgotten."

"Don't worry, we will create a shortlist of portfolios for you to select from," Ela said, slowly gathering her phone and tablet.

"Yes, but I would like the one my husband suggested. Just give me a moment to remem-"

Amelia did not finish, because Brandon, like the kiss-ass that he was, suggested, "Would it be Kim Seokjin of Kim Architects?"

At the sound of the name, Amelia's eyes widened. "Yes! Spot on!" She clapped her hands cheerfully. "Yes! That's the name. James and I were recommended by a friend of ours from England who had a house built and designed by them! Yes, they're the ones I want."

It wasn't enough for Brandon however, he continued, "Yes! It shall be very convenient as that is our Elara's fiancé!"

Amelia gasped and gave a little shout. "Goodness! This project is turning out well for us! I am so lucky to have you, dear Ela. I am sure you will be able to fill him in our requirements, yes?"

Ela gulped and nodded. In her mind, she was strangling Brandon and hanging him from the office balcony. This mental image of him kept her calm as she stared at Amelia who was still on a high, along with him.

"Well now, I think we're through here! I will be there in a few weeks! I expect to see him during our next meeting Ela dear!" She did not say more, and the call ended. Ela turned to Brandon who was typing up the minutes with a wide smile on his face.

When he raised his eyes to meet hers, he only said, "Would you like me to call Mr. Kim to inform him on the offer? Or should you?"

Ela smiled with her lips pressed together forming a thin line. When she spoke, her tone was hushed and calm. "I'll do it, Brandon. You've done enough for today." Her teeth ground against each other as she stormed out of the conference room.

At her table, she sat and clicked her monitor to turn it on. Then she reached for her phone and typed the phone number from the website on the dial pad and waited for three rings before someone answered.

"Kim Architects, good afternoon. May I help you?"

Ela inhaled before she spoke. "Hello, may I speak to Mr. Kim Seokjin please?"

"Yes, of course." The receptionist said cordially. "May I have your name and relation to Mr. Kim?"

Ela nodded, though she wondered why because no one could see her. "Yes, uh, this is Elara Young, his fiancée."