bodyguard ; kth

36 ; the big night!

BEEP BEEP

"hello?"

"brother, i tried calling you so many times. where are you?"

"i'm at the oscars. i'm going to take her down myself since you can't do it."

"i can do it. she just got lucky both times."

"stop lying. you just don't have the guts to do it. if you hadn't fucked up, she would be already dead and i would have my money!"

"i didn't fuck up! she's being protected by ta-."

"just shut up, i don't have time for this. the award show is about to start, i need to go."

"brother, wai-"

BEEP BEEP

today was the big night.

the limousine made its way to the event, it stopped beside the red carpet. i could hear the crowd cheering loudly, waiting to catch a glimpse of aera.

aera was sitting in the backseat, adjusting her sequin dress. she looked so beautiful, she was the main attraction tonight. junsoo sat next to her while jaeho looked nervous as he fixed his suit. it wasn't just him, everyone in the limousine was feeling the tension. jae stopped the engine of the limo, he had anxiety running across his face. gun was quiet as he fiddled with his handgun.

i released a deep breath in an attempt to calm down. the only person who didn't look nervous was aera. i knew she didn't want to think about what could happen today. she made sure that the only thing on her mind was winning her oscar.

"time to go, guys," gun said as he opened the door. i nodded and stepped out with him. instantly, i was stunned by all the flashing cameras. there were so many people here, it was almost too overwhelming.

i opened the limo door, revealing the big star to everyone. aera with a big smile stepped out of the vehicle. she was welcomed with a huge cheer from the crowd. junsoo and jaeho stood behind her as they started walking towards the building.

gun, jae and i were behind them, trying to dodge the millions of camera that tried capturing aera. in the midst of all this, aera looked calm as she waved to her fans.

a media company came up to aera to ask some questions, she smiled and started chatting with them. i waited behind her, scanning our surroundings.

after a few more questions, junsoo said, "we have to go get ready, thank you." aera waved goodbye and we left the cameras. as a group, we made our way inside.

"gun, i'm going to walk around the building. stay focused and stay with aera," i told him. gun rolled his eyes, turning his face away from me. i gritted my teeth and gripped his collar, bringing him down to my eye level.

"listen up, today is very important. one slip up and everything is ruined. i need you to stop and think about aera. she needs you and me to protect her. i don't need this stupid attitude right now, you can hate me after the oscars but right now... help me," i sternly scolded with a glint of desperation in my eyes. gun lowered his eyes and sighed, "okay, okay. i'm sorry."

i released his collar, nodding at him and walked away in the other direction. i walked around the backstage, checking the entrances and exits. there was a lot of people; several cameramen, sound management team, stage managers and directors. the killer could be anyone, i needed to stay alert.

a small voice called out behind me, i swiftly turned around to see my friend, jin. he wore a tuxedo and his hair was neatly fixed.

"oh, hey jin. haven't seen you in a while," i smiled, bringing my hand to shake his.

"yeah, last time i saw you was when aera had that modelling gig, right?" jin asked, looking at me. i pursed my lips and nodded my head.

"are you on a job?" i asked. jin pointed his finger towards the t.v monitor, a person joked into the microphone while the audience laughed.

"your client is the host?"

jin nodded and said, "his name is psy, the host for tonight." i hummed and continued staring at the screen.

"it's a short time thing but it adds up to a lot of money," jin smirked as i smiled back. we stood in silence, staring at the screen.

"when is aera's going up?" jin broke the silence. i stared at him with a questionable expression, jin smiled and rubbed his neck awkwardly.

"well, let's just say...i'm a big fan." i chuckled and replied, "she's going up after the commercials, she presenting an award."

"oh, okay. i'll make sure to watch," jin said with a smile.

i raised an eyebrow, looking at him. jin seemed to catch my weird stare and excused himself, saying, "hey, sorry, i should go." he gave a small smile, patting my shoulder and left. i didn't know why but i felt something was off with him. i shrugged at the thought, brushing it aside.

i turned on my walkie-talkie and spoke, "gun, do you copy?"

after a few seconds, i heard him reply, "yes, what is it."

"listen, i've got a feeling this is the night," i said into the mic.

"i'm with you, taehyung," he replied. i was glad there was no more competition between us anymore, it made it a whole lot easier.

"okay, i want you to-"

"excuse me? you can't use that back here," a member of the staff approached me. he reached for my walkie-talkie.

"wait, what?" i asked, confused over his actions.

"the radio signal of that thing is affecting the microphones, you have to turn it off." he took my walkie-talkie, leaving me handless. "you can have it after the show," the man said while walking away.