Five years later, at an auction event.
"Red wine or champagne sir?" In the middle of a bustling ballroom, where everyone dresses up poshly, Kang Siwoo felt nauseous as he was the first in his table to arrive. "Red, please." The event room engulfs in warm lighting, which calms his eyes despite the many people walking around, table to table to network. Kang Siwoo watches as the waiter pours his drink seamlessly in his glass patiently. As the waiter was done, Siwoo shows appreciation by swirling the tall glass around, coating the glass with the red wine and drank it till it finishes. The waiter watch and smiles, "You must be nervous, it is a crowd." Siwoo just nods in response, "Too many people indeed."
The waiter pours the wine again, this time he poured more than before, almost after Si Woo places it on the table. "Let me know if you need anything sir." The waiter, bows and went off to another table. Si Woo, looks down at his watch. Auction for the La Favela art piece will start in 30 minutes. Si Woo had already planned to sneak out after he bid for the piece and skip the afterparty bullshit. Everyone knows afterparty is just a nicer way to find people to fuck, which is not Si Woo cup of tea. Si Woo looks around to find a familiar face, just to not feel out of place, he recognise a few sponsors and acquaintance, but since he is a man of few words, not many approach him due to his quiet demeanour.
Suddenly, as he was scanning the ballroom with his dark, almost black eyes, he spot a familiar silhouette walking towards his direction.
Shit, that can't be who I think it is. What the fuck is he doing here?
Si Woo turns around and distract himself with his phone. He wasn't ready to see him, he regret that he didn't pay attention to the guestlist and placards earlier on. The organiser either can't read the room or is oblivious to whatever that goes on in the music industry. 'Cause not only did they sat the guy SI Woo rejects giving an album to together on the same table, the man happens to be the infamous notorious singer, Go Hamin. Famously known as someone who wont allow himself to sleep alone, the man the internet swoons over, that Hamin. He waltz in with a black cashmere long sleeve shirt, stunning beige two-piece suit most probably from a high-end brand, polished black shoes, shades on his head and hands in his pocket. This man knows he's hot, goon-worthy and probably every women's wish to sleep with.
However, despite the rumour, he is popularly known to be gentle with woman, a man with manners and overall a kind person. I mean, if you were to ask an insider instead of the paparazzi, whom we've always known to blow things out of proportion.
"Go Hamin-nim, please take a seat here." Hamin smiles at the host and take the seat beside Si Woo, who had his back facing Hamin. "A waiter will come over to offer you a drink, buffet will only be available after the auction. I shall excuse myself. Enjoy the night gentemen." The host bows and walked away. Go Hamin eyes at the placard with all the guests name, wondering who is the one sitting beside him while the rest were late:
Han Jaehyuk
Kwon Taemin
Lee Inkyu
Lee Seunghyun
Go Hamin
Kang Si Woo
Six at a table, wait... "Kang Siwoo?" Si Woo sighed at the call of his name. "Oh... Hello." Hamin said monotonously. Hamin, wasn't expecting any of this. He doesn't know what to do, how to act, why this man is here sitting in the same table in the first place. He wanted to call the host over to ask for a change of seat, but knew being petty would make it worse, since his company has reached out to Si Woo for a proposal, this would put the both of them in a bad light. Consider they are quiet the figure in their respective industry.
"Hi." Si Woo greets back. As they were seated in between sections, Hamin could feel many eyes on them. He tried not to make it obvious and checks Si Woo out. Black Velvet suit, black button up shirt, silver watch on his left wrist, dark undereyes and slicked back hair revealing his forehead. Hamin had his hands intertwined on his lap, with the other thumb picking on the skin of the other. He's nervous, he badly wanted to call Jimin to ask about the seating arrangement - but he decided that would be a conversation for another time.
"How are you?" Hamin, looks up with his eyes wide and lips parted slightly. The blonde male didn't know how to answer, does he want to lie or pour out the truth? He learnt the hard way that telling the truth and opening up doesn't mean anything for the other person. He was slightly pissed, though it doesn't show in his eyes. "I've been great. How are you and your wife? Younha was it?"
Both were in disbelief of what was heard and said. Si Woo couldn't believe he heard the question coming directly from Hamin, and the latter couldn't believe what he just asked. He said without much thought, following his emotions, staying true to his remorse of how they parted. Si Woo looks away, and smiled slightly, "I guess you weren't made aware..." He mustered up the courage to look at Hamin and confessed, "We're in the process of divorce."
He then whispers to himself, "Though it's probably in the news by now." While looking down.
Hamin, unknowingly smiled slightly at what he heard while looking at the glass infront of him. He doesn't know how to react, and smiling was the most instant facial expression he could give out. Only one thought in his mind: After all that, he's getting a divorce? He realised the facial expression he was doing and straight away drop his facial muscle. "Oh... Hope you're okay then?" He expresses before reaching his champagne and took a sip.
Si Woo breathes in, mustering courage to say the following to the blonde haired male. "Since you're here, you can relay this message to your agency. I don't deal with a company that manages a man who can't seem to get the media off his promiscuous self." Hamin scoffs almost immediately. He feels that Si Woo should be the last person to believe the media. Go Hamin leaned his back on the backrest and confessed. "You were wrong about me, or you already set your mind that I'm a whore. We werent together at that point of time, which means the choices were mine." Hamin retorts at the fact that just because of that one rumour, the rejection was unjust. Hamin knows Si Woo well enough to think that what he just said was something he never thought of before saying.
He continues to drink his champagne and stayed silent. Si Woo too, immersed himself in his thoughts. I shall have a talk with management. Fuck I'd rather go home right now.
In a couple minutes, the rest that were assign on the same table came. A few being investors of the foundation, and one appeared to be Kang Si Woo's friend, Han Jaehyuk, happy that someone's here, they shook hands and had a couple conversation. Hamin noticed how SI Woo could actually smile and hold a decent conversation. Suddenly, the entire ballroom lights dimmed except for the stage.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome. Thank you all for joining us today. My name is Yoon Heegyeom, and I'll be your auctioneer for this event. Before we begin, I'd like to take a moment to thank Jin Seungwoo and the Matthew Rainer Foundation for making today possible, and to welcome all of our bidders, guests, and participants. Just a few quick housekeeping notes: bidder paddles are to your right, all sales are final, and payment details will be handled right after the event. If you have any questions during the auction, please don't hesitate to ask one of our staff members.
Now, if everyone is ready, let's get started. Our first item up for bid tonight is Item Number One..."
The rest of the night went by and finally, the piece that Si Woo had his eyes on were up for bidding.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our last piece, the La Amour: a piece set from 2018, which was the last piece Matthew Rainer created during his honeymoon. The piece that illuminates the room with its flamboyance and ooze of elegance and peace, Amour. We'll start the bid at 50 million won."
Si Woo finally raise his paddle, "I have 100 million. Do I have 150? 150 million and it goes to Go Hamin. 150 is on the table." SI Woo looks over at Hamin who shrugs his shoulder in response. Si Woo, felt challenged which he then raised his paddle to counter. Si Woo and Hamin bantered over the piece. The room goes quiet and only the pair was bidding for the piece until it went over a 400 million won.
Hamin eventually won the bidding and the event ended. Si Woo finishes his drink and looks down. What a waste of time. He thought to himself. You see, he was ready to splurge this time, stress-shopping. One of his investors bailed on his upcoming project and it slightly stressed him out.
"I apologise, Si Woo-ssi. This was what I came for." Hamin apologised. Si Woo just nodded and stood up, fixed his blazer and took his phone that was on the table. "Enjoy it then. Though I do feel you might not know a thing or two about sculptures." Si Woo retorts and walk off.
He always must be the last person to have a say. Hamin thought to himself. "Whatever." He breathes out. Lee Inkyu, an actor in the same agency as Hamin, approached Hamin and ask if he was coming to the after-party.
"Yeah. Why not right?"
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