Blooming ᯓ Ateez Hongjoong

24 • Luck on sight

Hongjoong has gone nuts.

It's not a joke despite how desperate he wishes it was. The exhibition is going to start in around an hour and he just finds out his employee badge is nowhere to be seen. The security crew of this event is different from one of his company, resulting him aren't allowed to enter the staff's venue freely without the badge.

His hand drops from his forehead after few hopeless smacks. He tries to get himself together, in hope to recall where he last saw his badge.

To no avail, luck refuses to be on his side today.

"Damn it!"

.
.
.

"Mr. Kim! Why are you still here? We're about to start in 40 minutes."

Hyun's voice full of rush as soon as he sees Hongjoong. Still in his crouching posture, the young man looks over his shoulder, catching sight of Hyun who hurriedly reaches his side.

Hongjoong gets up, facing his trusted assistant. "Hyun..." His voice as if ditches his throat, making him halt.

As one who has been watching Hongjoong growing up ever since his first days at the Songs, it doesn't take long for Hyun to pick up on the unsettlement without him voices it out.

"What's wrong?"

The young man breathes out dejectedly. "I lost my badge."

"YOU WHAT?"

Hyun's reaction is inevitable at this point. Recovering from his loss of words, Hyun gives the other squinting eyes as he realises something. "Why didn't you call someone for help?"

"My phone died."

Hongjoong's reply comes with shame and guilt. Hyun notices right away. The assistant knows he can scold the hell out of Hongjoong on the spot. However, it's not the time for that. What matters the most is to find the lost badge as soon as possible.

"Let's start from the parking lot," Hyun instructs firmly. "Then up here again."

Hongjoong nods, taking bigger strides to keep the elevator door open and waits for Hyun who is just two steps behind can enter.

.
.
.

What a disaster!

They're currrently on the 9th floor. Panic in Hongjoong's stomach reaches its peak the moment he hears Hyun's voice annoucing there's nothing from his side of the hall. Time is ticking but there's still no sight of his badge.

Only the 10th floor left.

How they possibly find his badge there? It's not like he didn't go over every corner before Hyun found out about his unprofessional mistake. This is his first ever earth-shaking event where he can finally show the world what he's capable of.

All the designers should have assembled in the back room to check their final products for the last time before the event begins. Ironically, designer Kim Hongjoong is still running around everywhere but the place he's supposed to show up.