Eclipsed Ink | TaeJin

Behind the Screen, Before the Eyes

After an intense meeting with the director of the Musée d'Art Moderne de Séoul, Taehyung stepped out into the night, the cool air wrapping around him like a well-tailored suit. The vibrant lights of the city shimmered against the backdrop of a darkening sky, and the rhythmic sound of jazz still lingered in his mind, a comforting echo of his creative world. As he approached his sleek Porsche, parked amidst a lineup of luxury cars, he felt the weight of the evening ahead pressing against his shoulders.

With a flick of his wrist, he unlocked the car, the soft beep resonating in the stillness. He slid into the driver's seat, adjusting the mirrors with a practiced hand. The leather was cool against his skin as he turned the ignition, the engine purring to life. Tonight wasn't about art; it was about an arranged meeting, something he had put off for too long.

The drive to the restaurant was a blur of lights and reflections, but as he parked and stepped out, Taehyung took a moment to compose himself. He was known for his charm, for captivating an audience with his charisma, but the thought of sitting across from someone he didn't know felt draining.

As he entered the restaurant, the ambiance wrapped around him, a fusion of soft light and muted chatter. His eyes quickly scanned the room until they landed on a woman already seated at a table. She had long, shining brown hair that cascaded over her shoulders, framing her face in a way that suggested elegance and sophistication.

"Sorry I'm late," he offered, settling into the seat opposite her, the tone of his voice polite but distant.

"No problem! I'm just glad you could make it," she replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm Hyeri. It's nice to finally meet you."

"Taehyung," he said, offering a polite nod. He could see the eagerness in her eyes, but his attention drifted momentarily as he pulled out his phone to check his schedule. The screen illuminated his face, revealing notifications about upcoming exhibitions and messages from his assistant, but he barely registered them.

"So, Taehyung, what do you do for fun?" Hyeri asked, leaning forward slightly, her voice full of warmth.

"Art," he replied flatly, his gaze flickering back to the phone. "And, you know, exhibitions and stuff."

Hyeri's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "That sounds amazing. What's your favorite medium?"

He paused, his mind elsewhere. "I paint." His tone was kind, yet there was an undeniable hint of disinterest.

"Oh, that's intriguing! I've seen some of your work online. You have a very emotional style," she continued, trying to connect. But Taehyung was lost in his own thoughts, scrolling through messages that seemed far more important than the conversation unfolding in front of him.

"I appreciate that," he replied, glancing up briefly before returning to his phone. Hyeri's enthusiasm began to wane as she noticed his lack of engagement.

"Do you always check your phone during a date?" she asked, her tone edged with irritation.

He looked up, catching the slight bite in her words. "I'm not—" he started, but the words faltered on his tongue. There was an unspoken understanding between them: he was not interested in this arrangement, and she was beginning to realize it.

"You seem... busy," she said, her voice tinged with disappointment. "I thought this would be more enjoyable."

He sighed, finally setting the phone down, feeling the weight of the awkward silence. "I'm sorry. I've just had a long day." He felt compelled to be kind, but the connection simply wasn't there.

"Look, if this is too much for you, I understand," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly, frustration creeping into her expression. "But you could at least pretend to be interested."