The plan to stop Changbin is well underway by the time New Year's Eve arrives. The Waldorf is buzzing, and the Hills are alive. Distant party music blares from somewhere outside, so loud that it reaches your suite at the top of the building.
You adjust the top of the silver jumpsuit you are wearing, trying to get it to flatter you a bit more. A jumpsuit isn't your first choice, but mobility feels like a priority for tonight. Plus, it's nice to not be wearing Ms. Jeong's clothes for once. Tonight's the night. You turn away from the bathroom mirror, shaking your hands before going back into the bedroom.
"Well, that looks better than I thought it would!" Wooyoung exclaims, tying his new loafers.
You roll your eyes before replying, "Wish I could say the same."
"Hey!" He calls after you as you head into the main room. As soon as you open the door, the smells of San's cooking fills your lungs. You smile at the small comfort.
"Shortie, good, you're ready." Yeosang greets as he walks over, walkie-talkies in both hands. They are pink, really pink. And as you take your own, you see the small Hello Kitty on the corner of it.
"You didn't..."
"What? They're cute." He smiles before showing you how to work it. "Everyone will have one. I don't know how Hongjoong did it, but he got them on the same radio wavelength, so we should all be able to talk to each other with them."
"Sounds good. Are they almost finished with the food?" You ask, peeking around him and into the bustling kitchen. Mingi and Seonghwa clammer to get all the food packed up and ready to go. You had remembered, about a day after your lunch with Soobin, that he'd mentioned a catering company called MIHO. All it took was one of Mingi's internet deep dives to figure out what the catering company uniforms looked like. The nine of you decided that Wooyoung and Yunho would dress up as catering staff to sneak in. That meant that they would need some kind of food to carry in, hence San's cooking.
"You really think this is all going to work?" You ask, fidgeting with the walkie-talkie.
"I'm sure of it. Just trust yourself, trust us. Even if everything goes wrong, we'll figure out how to make it right." Yeosang says, putting a hand on your shoulder before going over to help in the kitchen.
Hongjoong glances at the clock before looking towards you, "It's five 'til eight, Shortie. It's go time." He says, giving you a nod of confidence. You half-heartedly smile back before heading for the main door. "Shortie!" He calls just as you are about to disappear into the hallway.
"Yeah?" You call back.
"Turn off your walkie-talkie when you're with him. We'll be using it sooner than you will."
"Okay!" You call back, taking a deep breath in.
"You got this!" Seonghwa shouts. You smile, then let the breath go, stepping out the door.
Soon, you are in the front lobby. People push past one another eagerly in a hurry to get to wherever it is they are going. You don't have to look for long to see Soobin's head poking out of the crowd. Even at night, he has his whole sunglasses-face mask get-up on. He stands out so much more that way. You shake your head as you make your way to him.
"Are you still sure you wanna go?" He asks, offering his arm.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." You say, putting on the best smile you can muster. He leads you to his Mercedes, opening the door so you can climb in. You take the seat behind the driver's, resting your head on the glass beside you. The door shuts, and the car starts to move, almost in slow motion.
YOU ARE READING
Paradigm | ATEEZ x Reader
Fanfic"I was wondering if you could air something for me?" The boy asks, handing a piece of paper to Yunho. "Hey, I know you," Wooyoung starts looking at the boy closer, definitely invading his personal bubble, "You're Changbin's best friend, aren't you...
