Longing For Love [Infinite Fanfic]

Part 19

Myungsoo POV

The awards ceremony was organized very well. Each category was first narrowed down to five or six finalists that their works were displayed on the screen with a description that was narrated before the winner was announced.

Phoebe was excited to see that she was nominated as a finalist for a few of the awards. It was cute how she blushed each time one of her pictures was displayed.

"I thought for sure you would have won that one" Chris commented when she didn't win in the Historical Architecture category.

"No" Phoebe shook her head. "That photographer did better, especially with their lighting and use of shadows."

I loved how Phoebe admired others photographer's works and was able to self criticize objectively. "You probably were a close second" I commented.

She smiled and said "Maybe" as she shrugged her shoulders. "Guess we won't know unless they send me the results."

"Next is the award for the category People" the host announced.

The first three pictures were very well done and the narrations gave depth to them. When the fourth picture was displayed, everyone in the audience began chatting amongst themselves. Phoebe was shocked at first, then she turned to me and whispered angrily "Myungsoo! I told you I couldn't use that photograph!"

The narration began "This photograph is titled 'Longing for Love'. The photographer stated 'I had been in Vegas a few days and had seen him a couple of times from afar. He was always hanging around with a couple of girls and a few other guys. On the day I took that photo, it looked as though the girls had just gotten married to a couple of the guys and he was there as a friend taking pictures. The married couples were on the gondola ride below him and he was taking pictures from that bridge. He had seemed happy while facing the couples, but as I looked at his back I sensed this sad aura emanating from him. It was as though he were longing to have a love of his own. I couldn't help but take that picture."

"Myungsoo!" Phoebe whispered angrily again.

"It's okay" I smiled at her.

"How is this okay?" she tried her best not to scream out loud. "I don't have permission to use that photograph!"

I chuckled and rubbed the back of my head "Actually, you do."

"Huh?" she was surprised. "How?"

The last photograph's narration had just ended and the host came back on stage to announce the winner. "And the Award for People goes to" he opened the envelope in his hand and announced "'Longing for Love' by Phoebe Bolduc."

Phoebe POV

A spotlight suddenly shined on me and the entire audience began clapping. Myungsoo stood and held out his hand to escort me up to the sage.

I took his hand and smiled as I mumbled "You're dead meat."

"Hear me out" he smiled and mumbled back as he led me to the stage.

"Okay, it better be good" I responded. "I want something original for your tombstone."

"The man in the picture is me" he said as we arrived at the stairs to the stage.

I couldn't help but turn to him in shock "What?" I screamed accidentally.

He kissed my cheek and said "Now, go and get your award." He gestured to the stage and helped me up the stairs.

Once on the stage, Myungsoo let go of my hand and stepped backstage so as not to distract the audience. I walked over to the Host and accepted my Award. Then I turned to the audience and bowed. Finally, I stood in front of the microphone and said "Thank you for this honor. I had long debated about whether or not I should share this photograph with the world. I felt as though I had intruded on this man's privacy and was unsure if it would be appropriate to share it like this." I smiled as I looked at Myungsoo backstage. "It was actually the man in this photograph, who encouraged me to partake in the Seoul Photography Awards and to submit this Photograph for the People Category. Without him by my side, I don't think I would have been brave enough to open the door for people to see my works. Thank you." I bowed once more and then made my way backstage. As I did, I could hear the audience start to applaud and they began to gossip amongst themselves once more.

"That was a wonderful speech" Myungsoo said once I was finally backstage with him.

I hit his arm "What were you thinking?" I screamed. "Are you crazy? What if someone recognized you in that photograph?"

He smiled and chuckled "I'm sure some people did."

I angrily grunted "Myungsoo..."

Myungsoo POV

"But I don't mind" I interrupted her. I smiled as I saw the cameraman walking towards us. "When I saw that photograph in your apartment and heard what you said about it, I knew that it should be shared with the world. That is why I signed a waver and snuck it into your portfolio for the contest."

The gossiping in the audience died down as they watched the screen to see what was happening. 

I took her by the hands and smiled. "You are the most amazing woman I have ever met. I knew it in New York and even more so now that you are here in Seoul."

"Myungsoo" she blushed.

I let go of her hands, reached into my pocket and produced the ring box I had been holding on to all night. I then dropped to one knee and heard the entire audience gasp. Phoebe looked at me with shock as I opened the box and asked "I love you Phoebe, will you marry me?"

Phoebe began to tear up as she nodded and choked "Yes!"

The audience began to clap and cheer as I removed the ring from it's box and slid it onto her finger. Then I rose up and kissed her.