Moon nights - a summer romance in Seoul

Chapter 14: Ayla

I found peace within art
As the most beautiful thing about is that we can create beauty out of the pain that no everyone sees, feels and griefs
So why should I ever give it away?
I refuse to walk among the crowds, blinded by the sheer beauty in front of me due my consumed mind of reality and society

_______________________________

New notification:

Jonghyun has sent a message

I clicked on the message and immediately started chuckling. It was a gif he had made of the show's first episode of him waving frantically into the camera.  You should know that Jonghyun loved communication in gifs and memes. He has gifs of himself saved up. That he frequently uses.

I sent him a side-eye gif in return. One of my favorites.

Jonghyun: what are you up to?

Me: I was about to call my mom. What about you?

I was more than aware that he was still on set for another photo shoot, this time for an editorial with multiple male models. Fashion brands prepare collections for the next season a whole season ahead which meant he was already posing for the next winter collection on a boiling hot summer day such as today. But better than wearing a summer outfit on a cold day, right?

Today was one of the days without any filming schedule nor any lessons so everyone could catch up on their life a little bit. Tala and I had opted for a relatively slow start into the day and recharge before we would go out once the sun wasn't boiling you the second you stepped a foot outside.

Jonghyun: send her my regards! I have one outfit left sooooo

Me: sooooo?

Jonghyun: soooooo, I wanted to ask if you'd like to join me on a date later.

Me: join you on a date and be the third wheel? Come on, Watson.

Jonghyun: I am in great despair over your observation skills, Holmes. No, silly. I am dating you and you only. It's a solo date idea I had in my mind for a while, but I have yet to get to it. And now I want you to join me and make it an actual date.

An actual date.

I caught myself smiling at his message only until the voices in my head started to chime in.

He wanted to avoid taking me on an actual date.
It's probably a part of PR.
But what if it wasn't?

Me: alright, I am in. Where are we going?

Jonghyun: surprise

Me: I wouldn't say I like surprises

Jonghyun: I know. I'd appreciate it if you could meet me at the Cheongnyangni Station Transfer Center in 3 hours. Around 6 pm?

Me: Copy. Now you can put your dazzling self back in front of the camera.

Jonghyun: you think I am dazzling, love?

Me: Do not make me delete that message

Jonghyun: too late; I already took a screenshot of it as proof.

Me: Bye, Jonghyun!

As I told Jonghyun, I face-timed my mom while sipping on my third coffee of the day, live from my bed. I had yet to find the opportunity to talk with my family the past week, which marked our fourth week here in Seoul—a whole month had already passed. July had arrived. How quick did time pass by?