Fate

Chapter 160

Mina's P.O.V.
All dolled up! That should do the trick. "What do you think, Mushu? Am I pretty?"
I think the wagging tail can be taken as a yes. "It should go well, right? Just smile, speak when asked. Shouldn't be that hard."

My heart pumped insanely fast, exiting the car in front of the art gallery. Smile and bow, smile and bow..
I got out, Korean embroidered high heels first and fixed my gown before crossing the door. I did as I repeated to myself, smile and bow as a few cameras flashed. Different art gallery, similar set-up as last time, lucky me. No, really. Lucky me! It was familiar to me. I got to the area where an official picture would be taken. After getting a 101 crash course by Solar eonni, I did a few natural poses she showed me and followed the directives the photographer gave me. It barely took a minute and I was off to find my seat.

I was greeted by the artist shortly after. "Miss Yoon, I'm glad you came!"
I bowed back and shook his hand. "You match the theme beautifully might I add. Most wore modern hanboks, but the embroidery on this dress is exquisite and new to my eyes. What is that technique? Wasn't it on the last outfit you wore at my exhibit?"

He was quite observant. I nodded. "I did. It's a Native American style of embroidery. I had it on my boots last time. Seeing it's almost summer, I felt bright was a better palette."

He agreed. "I'm very glad you didn't go with floral. You know.. florals in spring. Groundbreaking." He made me laugh. "This colourful embroidery against the cream of your shirt dress is perfect. The Korean embroidery on the heels is similar, yet different from the rest. Is the sash leather?"

I didn't think it was that amazing really, but then again I wore this dress without the sash quite often back home. I thought my hair being half down with my half up done in a braided, twisted and folded bun held by a hairstick Joon's cousin gifted me would be the talk. Seems not? "It is! I mean... traditional to me is different. My own heritage is traditional to me, so.. mixing Korean fashion and my traditional techniques from the other side of the globe gives a modern twist to both parties, I think."

He seemed quite satisfied, pleased even. "Think about that when you look at my work, Miss Yoon. Enjoy your night."

I bowed and thanked him before getting a drink. I'd need one. Now... Where in the world was my seat?

Namjoon's P.O.V.
"What do you mean people don't like it?" I wasn't upset... I was FUMING.

"Namjoon, chill." He grabbed my wrist. "Put that phone down and give it to Hobi, right now."

I.. reluctantly did. "F*ck, hyung. Meet me halfway here."

"I AM meeting you halfway." Bullsh*it. You're stopping me from doing anything about it. "You have the right to be angry, but people have the right to express their opinions."

It wasn't opinions. "They're being insulting!"

My youngest hyung was monitoring the situation and Yoongi hyung let out a frustrated groan, grabbing his hair. "The point is passing over your head! Didn't you say she expected shock? Controversy even? That's what it is!"

It wasn't. It's mean comments. They're being derogatory. "I did say that, but it's not controversial or that shocking-"

"KIM NAMJOON, the outrage and personal attacks may be PART OF THE ART. The paintings themselves are not shocking except maybe Sloth, but they're sins. That's what the comments are exhibiting. Are they not?"

She was feeling their wrath, their envy.. They called her greedy for their price, they called her prideful. That was the best joke of the year. They said she should choose one type of art, to stop being an attention seeking wh*re and to stop being so hungry for fame. Also one of the best jokes of the year. They had to be kidding me. "You.. Could be right about that. Doesn't change the fact that I can support her-"

"Joonie. Hyung is right. Wait until she tells you about it. She managed death threats when you got together. I'm sure she knows what she's doing." Since when did he get Moonbyul's wisdom? "I understand getting bothered, but as much as you want to be her boyfriend right now, she did that as an artist, not in a private conversation. You can't storm in like a knight in shining armor."

But I wanted to be one. For her, I would. We knew how protective Min was of people she cared about, as we were, but I knew how long she could steam alone before fighting back, and she liked to have someone to rely on. I can't say she ever had anyone solid enough to do so. That was crude. Perhaps mean, but it was my impression. "I can still check on her."

Weirdly enough, Suga hyung half smiled. "Hobi, hand him back the phone. He got it." What? "If you open any social media, we're taking it back."

"You thought I'd go rant on social media? Are you mad?" The shock on their faces.
"Of course I was going to see if my partner felt okay in that sweet heart of hers before I smashed an angry message on any platform! I'm not THAT impulsive."

"Yeah, right." Act like an adult, you're 34, Yoongi. "Wait until you see what they're saying about the vernissage she went to."

"What? Since when do you care,-"

Kookie ran to us. He was already done with his soundcheck? "Namjoon hyung! Joonie hyung! Did you see? Noona dongsaeng. The pictures. Did you?"

What in the world? "Am I the only one who doesn't know?! Why are you so excited?"

His grin was HUGE. "Because I know you'll be very happy to see Mina. I know how pretty you find her."

He'd be right about that! I saved every picture of her they took at events, those with our friends.. I couldn't hide when I crossed her face on my phone. "Since when do you call her by her actual name? Gimme that!"

I was stunned. She could be seen speaking with MULTIPLE people, smiling. There were her pictures by the entrance.. I had seen the outfit. She showed it to me, but it was now styled. I could tell Min did her own makeup, because it was the same as it was when we went out: warm pink lip stain, coral blush on her cheekbones, faint gold highlighting powder from the end of her eyes to her temples and her classic straight winged liner. Her light foundation let her freckles and beauty marks see the light. Her neutral expression showed her mouth slightly agape, letting her two upper center teeth peek through. A picture of her had her, eyes wide, small genuine smile on her face. I could imagine how the situation went.

Probably having a discussion with a guest. Someone else joining in their conversation. Her eyes going wide to capture all the information she could from that person, from their facial expressions to their mannerisms. Her lips slowly curling into a smile as they caught her interest...

The last one I saw was Mina talking, looking relaxed, gesticulating as she always did when she spoke. It seemed like she had such a good time. "She's beautiful."
In her element, comfortable, happy, entertained...

"Why am I not surprised that's all he can manage to say, huh?" Make fun of me Suga hyung. You'll regret it when you have a partner.
"Think you'll stop simping before the show starts?"

"Never will, but I can't wait to speak to her!"
I saw what she did there.. A popular hairdo with a traditional twist. I think my cousin will be touched. Could she have done a braid instead? It was traditional too, yes. This was Mina. Why make it simple when complicated is better? Did she know the significance of the hairstyle? Probably did, which made it even more significant. Argh! I had to send her a voice note about it before the concert. I opened my phone and went on her contact to record my message. "You did well, Foxy. Great job."
.
.
.
I opened her recorded message after the show. "Thanks. Everything is going better than expected!"
Smart cookie. Very smart cookie.