Siren Song | KNJ ✅

Chp. 23: Oh Hey, You Pretty, Yeah, Come On

Ari's POV 🌸

Joon is coming with a car to pick me up again, but I have no idea what we are doing this time.  I do, however, feel like this most definitely is a date.

It's a date...right?

He's kissed my hand, sometimes he texts randomly and asks how I'm doing; he followed through with a good list of therapist referrals...

Okay, that's some friendship shit right there, but he followed through, and for some reason, it felt like one of the most romantic gestures I have ever experienced -a man caring about my personal well-being; and now he is coming to pick me up for another outing. 

He cares, right?

This time he picks me up in the afternoon, and we have a driver and a car with tinted windows. Joon said we would be doing something special, so I chose to wear a blush-colored dress that hugged me in all the right places but still was modest enough not to be too revealing in mixed company. When I slide into the backseat, I am glad I chose my outfit carefully; Joon is handsome in a pair of black dress slacks and a white button-down shirt.

"Hi there, you look so pretty," Joon greets me warmly as I glide into the backseat.

"You do too," I smile, and he chuckles, but I honestly mean it. His smile may be one of the prettiest I've ever seen, making my heart feel full whenever it appears.

As the driver maneuvers the car to the city's outskirts, I wonder where we are going, but I don't dare ask as not to spoil the surprise. Before long, we drive up a long driveway lined by trees and greenery until we are greeted by what looks like someone's home.

"We're here. Are you ready?" His voice is laced with excitement that only a holder of secrets understands.

"I think so!" I laugh as he comes around the car and offers his hand to help me out of the vehicle.

I accept his hand, reveling in the smoothness of his skin. As I step down, Joon doesn't let my hand go, and I am thrilled by his touch.

Okay, this is certified dating behavior. Right? Arrgghhhh. Why am I like this?

"Joon, where are we?" I whisper as I observe the deep greenery shielding this little hideaway of a home. It feels like we've stepped into a secret garden, and I'm mesmerized. He leads me down a stone pathway that leads to a door on the backside of the house.

Grinning at me, he knocks on the door with his other hand. The door opens, and we are greeted by a lovely woman in denim overalls that are splattered with paint. Her short pixie cut shows off her delicate features. She is tiny, but her smile is bold.

"Namjoon, welcome. It's good to see you. You must be, Ari," she says sweetly, and I smile, wondering where I am. "It's good to meet you!"

"Ari, I would like to introduce you to my friend Iseul. Iseul is fast becoming a well-known artist worldwide, and she agreed to give us a private tour of her studio today as well as a sneak peek of some of the pieces she is showing in her upcoming exhibition."

To say I am shocked is an understatement. "It is so nice to meet your acquaintance!" I can't help but keep the excitement out of my voice. 

I can't believe I am about to see a real professional artist's studio and her work. I've always wondered how other people work and create their art, and now I get to see one of my dreams come to fruition.

I squeeze Joon's hand, and he smiles down at me, "After you," he lets go of my hand and allows me to proceed down the narrow hallway in front of him as we follow behind Iseul.

The hallway opens up to a beautiful room flanked by windows on one side. There is a lovely view of the luscious green treescape outside. A bench and a water feature in the garden create a zen-like experience.

On the opposite wall is a worn workbench that stretches the length of the entire wall. It's covered in paints and brushes. Shelves full of canvases and canvas rolls. Various framing supplies. Drop cloths are scattered, and many different easels are strewn about the space. I breathe in deeply, feeling at home as the smell of fresh paint permeates my nostrils.

"This is amazing," I share, and Iseul giggles.

"Joon showed me some of your artwork online. It's beautiful. If you ever need a place to come talk about art, my door is always open, you know!"

"That is so kind of you!" I remark with surprise. 

I look over at Joon, and he is beaming. I can't believe he showed my work to a real artist. I'm truly a hack compared to this!

"Artists need to lift each other up. Art is a mirror to the world; it's important. We can't let our artform slip away," Iseul explains.

I feel like I'm in a dream as I walk over to the wall on the short side of the room and start looking over Iseul's work.

"Wow, this is beautiful. I'm not really an artist; what you do, though....I have no words." I don't know how to convey my admiration properly. It's incredible what she does.

Iseul's work is lovely, "I don't know how you seem to have mastered Surrealism and Impressionism in the same painting...and yet...here we are!" I'm delighted. "I don't think I've ever seen anything more beautiful...." I breathe out as I walk about the room, taking in all her different masterpieces.

"She's very sweet, Namjoon," I hear Iseul murmur.

"I mean every word. I wish I had an ounce of your talent. Your work is so unique. The way you play with color and the depictions displayed. I feel like you're telling a story about our past and our future."

"Iseul's work bridges the gap between normative behaviors of the past and breaking barriers for a more equitable future for everyone. I knew you would enjoy her incredible work," Namjoon explains with a look of pride, and I feel that familiar blush on my face that probably matches my dress. It pleases me to no end that he's happy with my first impressions.

We spent the afternoon with Iseul speaking about the importance of people from all cultures, races, and sexuality having the right to experience equality and equity and what those words really mean. Over tea, we talk about how Iseul's work reflects her thoughts on these matters, as well as other ideas about the greater global society. I feel so mentally stimulated by the conversation, and it feels so good to speak so deeply and openly with these fine minds.

I feel like I'm floating on air when we get back in the car. "Oh, Namjoon. That was...that was amazing! Thank you for bringing me here. I feel so inspired!"

"I had a feeling you would enjoy an adventure like this," he smiles as the car takes us away from the enchanted studio and down the street.

Namjoon's phone chimes and he glances down at his messages. "Hobi just texted that everyone is meeting over at the restaurant Ha-Kun owns. The restaurant was scheduled to be closed down for a private event, but the event just got canceled at the last minute. Apparently, the place is decorated and paid for, with all the food about to go to waste, so Ha-Kun decided he is now throwing an impromptu party for his closest friends. Want to go? It's not often I get to do things like this..."

"I'd love to keep hanging out with you..." I reply quickly, laughing inwardly at how fast I answered him.

He slips his hand back into mine and gives it a little squeeze, and I am almost giddy, pleased as I feel his finger rub gently over my knuckle.

I don't want this day to end.