Meet Me When I'm Asleep

Chapter 35 - Reunion

Jongin's POV

A couple of minutes earlier...

"Sir Kim, your tux is ready."

"Yeah, leave it there." I ordered.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror as I buttoned up my black dress shirt. Tonight was the night. The moment I've been daydreaming since I was a little kid. Hundreds of people were invited, not only from New York, but from around the world.

My name and my face were plastered all over the museum. In fact, according to my assistant, there were already a couple hundred thousand dollar bets made on my paintings that they haven't even seen yet.

All of these renowned writers from infamous magazines and websites were coming to write about the event. I heard there were a couple of Hollywood celebrities on the guest list as well.

Earlier this morning, there were about a hundred girls lined up outside my penthouse, begging for a photo or an autograph.

"He is the new face of modern and commercial art," they would all say. "He makes all these teenage girls want to go to museums instead of pop concerts."

There were some inevitable and harsh critiques as well, saying that instant fame isn't respectable fame. It goes with the job though, and I've learned to just brush them off.

My eyes scanned the guest list, skipping through every 'big' name that I didn't even recognize. Right under Taemin' name, I saw Kang Seulgi and Bae Joohyun,  who was probably their plus one.

Then there was Jennie's name.

I never called to ask her if she was coming, that's only because we never really spoke anymore since I left for New York. I never saw the point of communication while we were apart. It was just going to break me even more.

Just last night, Taemin gave me a call and briefly mentioned that Jennie was coming along. I haven't had any sleep since then. I kept tossing and turning, telling myself that it wasn't a big deal. It was just Jennie.

She was just the girl who broke my heart into a million pieces, so why should it be a big deal?

Who are you even kidding, Kai.

I walked up to my desk and pulled out my new tie from the drawer. When I saw what it looked like, I felt a slight sense of infuriation.

"Bian!" I shouted.

"Yes, Sir?" My assistant rushed to my room.

"I specifically asked for a new black tie," I grimaced, tossing the package towards her. "This one's navy. And it's suede."

Bian immediately picked up the package and stuffed it inside her purse. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Sir. I must have picked up the wrong one. I will have a new one sent to your room immediately."

"Good." I replied nonchalantly. "Make sure it gets here quick because I don't want to wait."

"Yes, Sir. I'm so sorry for the mix up."

"Wait up!" I called just when she was about to leave the room. I handed her my guest list, with four names highlighted with a pen. "Go down and let me know if these people are already here."

"Will do, Sir."

Once I was alone in my office again, I paced back and forth, wondering how I should go about this reunion. I invited her for a very specific reason.

I wanted her to see the life she could have had with me. She could have lived in a penthouse instead of that quaint old apartment in Busan. She could have had everything she ever wanted.