If You

Are You Ready?

Two months later

Emily sent her last email and closed her laptop with a sigh. It still had to be proofread and edited, but it wouldn't be long before the book was ready for publishing. Emily only had a few weeks before her contract with YG ended and she was due back in New York. I can't think about that now, she thought, shoving it away. I still have a little time.

They had another awards show in a few days and she hadn't seen much of the guys, who were now busily wrapping up recording before Seunghyun left for his military service the following week. She got up and stretched as she navigated half-packed suitcases to the kitchen. Her phone rang and she pulled it out of her pocket. "Hello?"

"Is it finished?" Jiyong asked.

"Yes," Emily replied, walking over to the window. "I just sent it over."

There was a long, wrenching silence, then Jiyong asked, "When?"

"I don't know."

"Will you come to the show?"

"Of course."

There was talking in the background and Jiyong sighed. "I have to go, they need me in the studio. I'll see you tonight?"

"Tonight," Emily promised before hanging up. She made a cup of coffee and drank it slowly, barely even tasting it as it went down. The last few months had been perfect, but now that it was nearly over she couldn't face the idea of leaving. Her stomach twisted at the thought of Jiyong standing by a boarding gate, watching her get on a plane as she disappeared from his life. I can't do that, she decided, setting her mug in the sink. I won't do that to him. A sudden idea took hold of her and she grabbed her jacket before heading down to the street. The November air was bitingly cold and blew at her constantly, making her shiver as she signaled a taxi. "Where to?" the driver asked as she opened the door.

"Rare Market," she replied, sliding into the backseat. Emily had never been to Rare Market, but she knew Jiyong's sister, Dami, had opened it rather recently and by all accounts was doing well. If I'm going to an awards show, I need a dress, she thought as the taxi pulled up beside the boutique. Emily paid him and stared up at the large building. She felt a rush of uncertainty, then she rallied herself and went inside.

She was immediately reminded of Jiyong as she walked through the doors. The decor and atmosphere were strikingly similar to his sense of style, down to the white lab coats the sales associates wore. I wonder if Dami's here today, she mused, running her fingers over a rack of clothing.

A loud squeal answered her question and she looked up to where Dami waved at her enthusiastically, hanging over the railing of the second floor. "Wait there!" she called, disappearing from view. She came flying down the stairs and across the store to where Emily stood. "I'm so pleased to finally meet you!" she gasped, bowing before giving Emily a crushing hug. "My brother's told me so much about you."

"Likewise," Emily gasped. Dami let her go immediately. "Sorry," she apologized. "Is Jiyong with you? He should've called me."

"No, he's at the studio," Emily said nonchalantly. "He's the reason I'm here, though."

"Why, is something wrong?" Dami asked, her eyebrows knitting together in concern.

She doesn't know, Emily realized. "No, of course not. I have an awards show coming up, and I need a dress. I want to surprise Jiyong by wearing one of yours."

A huge smile spread across Dami's face. "I might have something," she said, beckoning for Emily to follow her. They went up several flights of stairs to the top floor, passing display after display of avant garde fashion before coming to a door marked Office. Dami unlocked it and motioned for Emily to follow her inside. "This is where I like to think," she said, flipping a light switch. The room was filled with dress forms and mannequins, all wearing clothes in different stages of completion. The windows at the far end looked over the city, framed by opaque curtains that undulated faintly.