The Last Boy Scout

37

"... and this is my girlfriend, Han Jihae. She's joining me tonight,"

"Annyeonghaseyo; Jeoneun Han Jihae-imnida. Cheoeum boepgesseumnida," Jihae introduces herself and bows to the couple in front of her.

"See you inside," She and Taehyung walk into the ballroom where the gala was being held. "Hae-ssi," he whispers.

"What is it?"

"Do you see those people over there?" Taehyung gestures toward a group of people sitting at a table near the podium. They were conversing and laughing.

"Yeah, what about them?" The two reached their assigned table.

"Avoid them," Taehyung pulled out a chair.

"Why? They don't look too bad," Jihae pointed out as she sat down.

"They are really nosy and they snoop around in other people's business," Taehyung looks over his shoulder before sitting down. "Besides, they don't like me, and when they see you, they'll want to ask you lots of questions."

"How do you know all this?" Jihae asks.

"I used to... work with them. They think they are better than other people and put them down. Just don't engage, and if they come up to you, ignore them or tell them you can't say anything."

"But wouldn't that make them want to find out more?"

"Just... ignore them, then." Taehyung glances in their direction. "There will be awards tonight, and they will most likely win them; just act happy and don't say anything that will piss them off."

"I'm not good at acting, and pissing people off is what I usually do,"

"Yeah, I know, I'm good at pissing people off too, but I'm good at acting. Just follow my lead." Taehyung has an uneasy look on his face. "Acting is what brought me here in the first place,"

The gala began, and it was more like a banquet. The couple that Taehyung introduced Jihae to say with them at their table, along with another, older couple. There were musical performances and entertainment provided, and a very fancy dinner was served. Taehyung was being picky and said that the food was too plain-looking, and he didn't want to touch it. Jihae only ate a little bit because she didn't know what half of the food was.

Like Taehyung said, there were awards and honorable mentions, and most of the awards were granted to the people sitting at that one table. Taehyung kept a straight face the whole time, but Jihae could tell that something was bugging him.

Jihae tapped his arm. "What's wrong?" She whispered as someone was giving an acceptance speech.

"Nothing, I'm fine," Taehyung stared at the wine glass in front of him.

Jihae looked at him with concern; he looked like he was going to puke. She held his hand tightly.

"- Kim Taehyung,"

Both of them looked at each other in surprise. "Did they say my name?" Taehyung's eyes went wide.

Taehyung's friend patted him on the back. "That's you, go up!"

As Taehyung accepted his award and gave his acceptance speech, Jihae saw the sharp looks and obnoxious stares coming from the people at that one table. They rolled their eyes and shook their heads in dismay, but when Taehyung got off the stage and sat back down, they all applauded and even gave him fake smiles. Jihae saw it all.