"Artist"

Rm - Chapter 4

"Would you like to see my latest work?" he asked as you studied the picture. His gaze made you uneasy. When you looked away, you caught Namjoon watching you. After a brief eye contact, you returned to the photo. "Sure, I'd love to see it," you said, picking up on his eagerness.

He led you through a door into a narrow hallway with four doors. Approaching the left door, he pulled out a key to unlock it. "Do you not allow many people in here?" you asked, curious about his secrecy.

Namjoon turned to face you and explained that he only showed his work to close friends before it was officially displayed. Yet here he was, showing it to you. The realization caught you off guard. You weren't used to this kind of attention—especially from men—and it made you pause, quietly wondering what had prompted him to make an exception.

He admitted that he'd shown you his work because he needed to ask you something. When you asked what it was, he only said you'd have to come inside to find out. The answer unsettled you, but after a brief hesitation—and despite the nerves that came with being alone with a stranger—you followed Namjoon in.

When he turned on the lights, you noticed the black walls were lined with photos of men and women posing in elegant, romantic styles. He said, "This is my new collection. I'd like you to model for me, if you're interested."

It became clear that his reason for bringing you there had nothing to do with personal interest. He had invited you solely because he wanted you to model for his work.

The realization brought both relief and disappointment. You hesitated, uncertainty settling in—he was still a stranger. Yet beneath the doubt, a familiar hope surfaced. Modeling had always been your dream, and now a successful artist was offering the opportunity you'd long imagined but never quite touched.

Your thoughts began to spiral, fixating on misplaced questions—why he had not felt personal interest, and what that implied about you. You deliberately cut the line of thinking short. This was not the moment for self-doubt.

Compose yourself, you reminded yourself. This was a professional opportunity that required a professional mindset.

The thought steadied you, though a trace of tension remained unresolved.

"So you want me to pose with someone in photographs like these?" you asked, your gaze drifting around the room, taking in the images on the walls.

"That would depend on what you're comfortable with," he replied.

He crossed to the opposite side of the room, his movements unhurried, and gestured for you to follow. At the small desk tucked into the corner, he sat down and switched on the computer, the screen casting a pale glow across the space.

"I'd like to show you some of my other work," he said, glancing back at you, "and see what kinds of projects you'd be interested in posing for."

After a brief pause, he leaned back in his chair, studying you with measured expectation."So," he asked, "what do you think? Would you be willing to visit my other studios?"

The room felt suddenly quieter as he waited for your answer.

You glanced at one of the photographs—a handsome man with high cheekbones and an open, easy smile—and then back at Namjoon.

"It's always been my dream to become a model," you said. "I'd like to see what you have in mind before I agree to anything."

Your gaze lingered on the image. The man looked entirely at ease, caught in a moment that felt unguarded, as though he hadn't realized a camera was there at all.

Namjoon's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands together. "Let's go!" he said, his voice carrying a spark of excitement. Without waiting for a response, he started gathering his things, already moving toward the door as if the next studio were calling him forward.