Fate

Chapter 155

Mina's P.O.V.
I fixed my pens, my books, and my little event banners. It started at 9 am.. I had time to fix myself in the bathroom. I reapplied my lip tint, pulled at my shirt blouse and vest before heading back to my chair.

From Moonie 💙:
Enjoy your signing, beautiful.

From me:
Thanks, it starts soon.

There were two lines outside. When the doors opened, I got to see my first book enthusiast. "Hi!"

I waved. "Hi! How are you today?"

"Great, now that I'll have my copy signed, it's getting better! I only read the first one, but I'm buying the next two today. I need to know what happens next! I really like the lead's sister. I hope we get to see more of her in the next ones!"

I chuckled and nodded. "You will." I signed her book. "You have a great day!" We bowed to each other and another came. "Hi, there!"

She smiled. "I got you a little something." It was a small pack of sour candy from my favorite brand. "I saw you say you liked them on Jessi's show. Is it okay?"

I was touched.. "I appreciate it a lot, thank you!" I signed her book and added a thanks for the treat. I kept talking with my readers for hours. When everyone with priority access had passed, I was surprised by the regular line still having people in it. I turned to the security managing the line. "Is it still long?"

He took a look. "There are about 50 people at the moment, Miss." No way! "Looks like you have more fans than expected."

Of course, some asked about Bangtan and Mamamoo. It was natural! I was close to them. But the little candy bag or small plush or other kind thoughts were for me. Only for me. That, to me, was unexpected. Just like this person. Please pinch me. "When I heard a new author had me as a role model and inspiration was holding a book signing, I figured I'd pay them a visit."

It was THE Cho Namjoo. The author of one of my, now, favorite books Kim Jiyoung, born in 1982. I got up and bowed as if she were the President of the Republic. "It's an honor to meet you, Miss Cho."

"You're too sweet, please." She put my last book down. "Meaning usually gets lost in translation, but after reading the Korean version, I do have to say it is nicely written. I would have changed a few sentences, but at the end of the trilogy, I did enjoy your different construction of some phrases."

It was one of the best compliments I could get.. "Thank you so much. I-"

She kindly stopped me. "Deep complex writing like this is difficult to manage in a fantasy piece. You did it well, but I'm not surprised it took you years to write."

I couldn't be more aware. "I did put a lot on my plate. Did you still enjoy my books?"

She gave me a smile. "I did. Hopefully, people won't have to wait too long for another story of yours." She took her book, signed by me. "Thank you for loving one of my stories as much as you do."

I bowed again. "Thank you for appreciating my work. It means the world to me."

"Maybe we'll meet at a book convention soon enough."

Miss Cho was out the door and I, for one, was speechless in such a good way.
.
.
.
"I didn't expect to stay until closing time! We had quite the crowd." I chatted with the bookstore workers while I started packing up. I learned their favorite books, favorite books to screen adaptations.. They learned about mine too! "If you like long supernatural stories, I think you'd like Kelley Armstrong. She only publishes in English here, though. When I manage to find one."

"Hey! Got time for a few more autographs?" Hearing more than one stride, I turned around. "We have priority access."

I laughed as the one who spoke showed his ticket on his phone. "Sure can, Jake! You can even pick the color of the pen."

"Ouh! Do you have green, noona?" I did!

I signed it. I looked at the other person there with him. "Want one Kai?"

TXT's maknae laughed. "I'm more of a manwha guy. I'm getting one for Bahiyyih and my noona.. And my mom. I'm very happy to run the errand!" He took out the right amount of money, as Jake had done. "If you can do a little heart on Bahiyyih's, she'd love that."

I happily obliged. "There you go~" My most recent connection kept looking at my bag. "Yes, it's full of stuff."

Jake seemed so excited. "All for you?" I nodded. "Woah! That's great! Anything else happened?" I told him. "Please tell me you have a picture."

I did not. "Miss Cho took the picture with her phone. Maybe I'll get it one day, but just her presence was quite something. She left me good tips and I'll have all the time after my surgery to reflect on them."

He checked on her website. "She seems to have done so very rarely. You did do a live where you extensively explained why you enjoyed her book. It was so detailed that your Wikipedia page has a section on your favorite books with extensive information on that one."

Wait, what? "I have a Wikipedia page?" I had more than just that kind of page. There were posts on Goodreads about it, Reddit too.. "Wow.. well, knowing she rarely does things like that warms my heart."

"Want to celebrate? We're not far from an amazing BBQ place!"

It caught Kai's attention. "I'm always up for that! I can text my hyungs to join us. Text yours too."

"On it." Jake did. "Think Sanha sunbaenim or any girls you know are free, noona?"

Thinking about it.. "I'll text Sanha and Moonbyul eonni. Hopefully they say yes!" I finished packing my things and we were off to a good time. Only Soobin, Heesung and Byuly added themselves to our group for the night, but it was quite nice! "To a great literary debut?"

"Yeah! Cheers!" We put our glasses together before drinking.

Soju tasted even better in great company. "Honestly, with the news I got Wednesday, I didn't think it'd go this well! I do have to thank Jake for posting my event on his private page. It clearly got friends of your friends through the door."

He denied. "I didn't bring in an extra 310 people. Your work did that. Aaaand posts about the event during the day."

"What happened Wednesday?" Soobin, don't speak with your mouth full!

"I was supposed to go to Japan, but it won't work out. I figured it'd be the same."

He sighed, handing me a piece of pork belly fresh off the grill. "Mina, did you really think that in a city that's as populated as the province you're from, there wouldn't be at least 300 people interested?"

My eonni who had stayed silent spoke up. "He's right, you know? You're selling yourself short, girly. I'm sure your editor will add a new event soon."

Heesung agreed and said something I never thought would come out of his mouth. "Your work brought your success, nothing else. You literally have a bag full of gifts and letters for you. That reminds me of when we debuted. Right, Jake? I'm sure you guys can relate."

Jake smiled. "It was pretty damn sweet."

"I got so excited reading fan mail. MOA were so adorable in their messages."

I got to hear about Enhypen, TXT and Mamamoo's debut. It made me realize I was a rookie author and artist here. Of course, I wouldn't reach as high as I thought, but lowering my expectations made me quite happy about my day. Even more so after my editor asked if we could print more of my books, even make a collector's edition. I'd have to get to the drawing board!