At this point it didn't matter whether or not the changes were made by me. As head designer, I was responsible for the boys' looks as a WHOLE. Jimin going behind my back to the assistant stylist because he was more comfortable with her was one thing, but his shirt ripping mid-performance was another. Again, as head designer, the onus was on me.
After explaining everything to the PD in great detail, I exited the lounge backstage and went to get myself a coffee. I needed a moment to myself before I had to talk to multiple people and fix the impending problem looming over my job. I was a well-known stylist and designer, having made my name and a small fortune in my own country, I ventured out and took up projects in the west for more exposure. When I was contacted by a Korean entertainment agency, I took it up- apprehensively- but imagining that it would be yet another feather in my cap. So far, it's been one of the hardest projects I've ever taken up- bound by a time specific contract, I couldn't even run. Served me right for being overly ambitious.
I hastily gulped the rest of my coffee and begrudgingly made my way to the styling room to give Mia an earful. The PD trusted me, and knew that the screw up wasn't my fault. Nonetheless, it was my responsibility to reprimand and ensure that nothing of the sort never happened again. I imagine that Mia couldn't have said no either, but someone needed to be scolded, and scolding one of the idols was definitely not covered by my paycheck.
As soon as I walked into the green room I noticed a disheveled looking Mia talking animatedly to Namjoon and Jimin. The latter had changed out of his now ruined shirt and wore a simple white t shirt that was half drenched in sweat. I walked up to the trio confidently,
"Mia, a word?" I asked, encouragingly. I was trying to be gentle.
She turned to me. "Tara, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I did everything right, I don't know what happened!" she said, rushed.
"I know what happened. Which is why I need a word." I said. My gentle façade was slipping through my fingers.
"Oh, okay, um..." she looked around restlessly. I looked at the boys- who were already watching us- and bowed slightly, acknowledging their presence and bidding goodbye simultaneously. I held their gaze for a second longer than I should've, letting them know that I was waiting for them to leave. Whispering softly among themselves, they turned around and shuffled not too far away.
"So, PD-nim called me in." I said, starting off. She should realize that this was a big deal. And so, she did. Her face fell and her eyes widened. Her fingers twitched in anxiety. "What did he say?" she asked, softly.
"I hope you realize that I am head of design. Which means that if anything goes wrong- regardless of whose screw up it is- I'm held responsible." I said, deadpan.
"Y-yeah. I know." She said, practically whispering now.
"I handled the situation this time. But there is no room for errors like this. Specially not when it reflects directly on me. So... I hope next time you'll make good decisions. Independently. Who asks you shouldn't matter." I said, naming no names. She nodded swiftly. As soon as I started to leave, she stopped me.
"but what did happen? I genuinely don't know." She asked.
"Which is exactly why you shouldn't be the one making changes," she looked at the floor guiltily. "The initial material used for the outfit wouldn't support simple stitch alterations. It has to be nipped at the seam and requires a more intricate lining. If it was for a simple press con, it would've worked. But since this was a performance, the material was being stretched and pulled and whatnot on stage. Which is why your alteration ripped the seams all the way, and Jimin ended up having to hold the shirt together for more than 30% of the finale song. Needless to say, the PD isn't happy about what happened. And neither am I." I said, letting my whole gentle demeanor go. Fuck that.
"I'm sorry. I really am. Jimin asked me to do it and I didn't know how it was... and I won't let it happen again, I promise." She said. I knew she was sincere but it didn't make me any less pissed off. But it wasn't her I was mad at.
"Good. We can't afford it. Now let's start wrapping up. I have work to do." I said, dismissing her and heading out of the green room.
Almost immediately I heard someone approach her, asking if everything was alright. I scoffed and exited the room, instructing the handlers to rack all the outfits together and cart them out to the van at the back exit. Standing and monitoring the process, while simultaneously counting the racks, I was relieved when nothing seemed out of place. Most of the outfits were Gucci and Armani, and losing any of them would be financially stressful. When the last two racks were being carted out, a changed Taehyung approached me.
"Hey, girl, all good? I saw you leave PD-nim's lounge." He said, casually leaning against some boxes.
"It was about Jimin-ssi's on stage incident. Its handled now, so... let's just not." I said, sighing.
"OOH, yeah, that," he said, laughing. "the fans loved it though, I'm sure they're showering you with blessings."
Smiling sheepishly, I responded, "that's true, even though PD-nim didn't love it that much. It would be kind of strange if he did." I said.
Wagging his brows at me, Taehyung said, "maybe he wouldn't say anything if your shirt ripped like that. None of us would be complaining."
Feigning shock in my expression, I turned around and slapped his shoulder. "Taehyung-ssi, you disgusting little pervert child! We all know my clothes are too fine to be treated like that!" I said.
"Oh man, that's true... maybe just take it off then?" he said, coquettishly, backing away to avoid any blows.
"IN YOUR DREAMS, ALIEN BOY!" I yelled after him.
"YOU DO A LOT MORE THAN TAKE OFF YOUR SHIRT IN MY DREAMS, TARA-SSI!" he yelled back, fleeing the scene.
"oh my... this kid, I swear to god..." I gave up. Marking off the itinerary and heading out to the van. The vehicle had only the driver and myself, the back being filled with costumes and makeup and hair equipment. Not being in the mood to wait for Mia, I instructed him to drive. She could get on any other vehicle heading to Bighit.
YOU ARE READING
Running In Circles // pjm.
Fanfiction"I want... I- stay. I want you to stay," I stuttered the words, admitting them softly. "You come by and then you leave. You don't stay. You don't stay with me. So I want-" He stormed onto me, taking my face in his hands and assaulting my lips with h...
