January 12th, 2024
it's some time after 11 AM and Baekhyun is assiduously watering the barely alive plants inside his art studio, most would rejoice at such a peaceful Tuesday. However, the lack of business equated to the lack of meals towards the end of the month. Quite literally a starving artist. Maybe,
it's times like these that Baekhyun realizes his parents were right, maybe, just maybe he agrees with the friends he had cut off for calling out the delusion of using his passion to make a living, independently. But what difference does awareness make? he's too deep in to care, anyway.
He didn't have a place to stay —nowhere to live except the blanket in his studio, his only breaks are when a sponsor pays for hotel rooms or flights
His mind wondered off stressed as he unbeknownstingly overhyrdates a Hydrosalpinx until the ring of a notification snaps him back into reality and the water that had overflowed from the vase to the cheap turquoise carpet caught his eye. Which, he chose to pretend he hadn't seen as he trots over to his phone
A Gmail, from an address he wasn't familiar with that read:
“Dear Byun Baekhyun,
I hope this email finds you well. My name is Ari Lennox, and I have been following your work closely for quite some time. and to say I am merely impressed by your talent would be an understatement. I truly believe you have abilities only to be seen once a century. I am currently in Seoul, working on a project that can only be perfected with the beauty of your own artistic touch.
Please let me know if you are interested, and when & where we could meet up if so. Any time within the week works.”
He reread the gmail thrice before searching about said ‘Ari Lennox’, scrolling through the few results that had generated—it was obvious this was a figure of great power and authority; that of which held a great eye for art. Baekhyun thought he was a little cool. Just a little.
With little pondering and nothing to lose, he gets back to the mysterious email in a timely manner.
“Hello, Mrs. Lennox"
I'm honored you think so highly of me. I'd love to hear more about this project of yours.
My studio is in 1127-89-GANGNAM-GU Seoul, come by any time that isn't a Friday night after 7PM”
Not used to writing such mail—Maybe it was a little unprofessional and lacking, but does it really matter? as long as his words got across. That's what he told himself, at least.
January 14, 2024
After a few more back-and-forths (including a few more slightly unprofessional responses) Baekhyun is now expecting a knock on the door of his studio at 6 PM.
Glancing at the leather banded watch latched tightly against his pale wrist. The time reads 6:03 PM—Baekhyun bites his lip in anticipation. The mysterious, faceless deal that decided whether or not he'd be eating next month would be showing up at.. well, 3 minutes ag—
Knock Knock
Baekhyun swung the door ajar, expecting a middle aged man, perhaps a little overweight, possibly sporting an overgrown mustache alike the other men he'd meet in this area of expertise.
However, the sight that met his eyes was far from the expected— when he noticed the smaller than expected figure.
“Hey.”
The unexpectedly high pitched vocal only distraught Baekhyun further. But, he quickly snapped out of it.
Bowing his head in greeting “Hey.. Oh, where are my manners, come in!”
The luminous lady chuckles (a sound so delicate it dances on the edge of imperceptibility) at the artist's charming flusteredness within the first minute of their shared time.
Ari enters gracefully, slipping out of her exquisitely crafted Salvatore Ferragamo black dress shoes. Baekhyun gently closes the door behind her.
a warm golden glow from the somewhat dim lights bathes the studio, caressing canvases some finished and some unfinished perched on easels. White seating and a modest kitchen corner, along a door to which is assumed to be following a restroom. Beside the window stand unique plants, Underfoot lies humble turquoise carpeting.
All of which appears somewhat messy. for an artist, that is
"Wow, I take it this Is the sanctum where your art unfurls?" Ari inquires, her words echoing.
“Yeah. Uh, take a seat” Baekhyun gestures nervously, guiding Ari to the pristine white couch. Waiting for the her to settle before easing into a seat himself. “Would.. you like a drink?” He asks, his voice betraying him with a subtle, embarrassing crack.
“No no, it's fine. Thank you.” replies ari, who is seated with confident, polite posture. Her hands rested together in her lap
(along a expression that Baekhyun can't seem to read through for the life of him) “is that.. a Sansevieria?”
Baekhyun, befuddledly pauses for a moment before realizing she was just using a prestigious term
“The snake plant?”
“Yes. That! I hear they're quite hard to care for.”
“They... aren't really, I've gone a month and a half without watering them before.”
“Oh.” Ari mouths. embarrassment playing across her expression.
“So what's this mysterious project of yours.” Baekhyun breaks the awkward atmosphere that lingered way longer than necessary.
“Ah yes—The project.” Ari repositions herself. “is me.” The last words falling through her teeth with an arrogant grin.
Baekhyun's eyebrows knit together in confoundment at the audacious statement, but he quickly concluded he was misunderstanding. “The name.. is me? I don't understand.”
Ari lets out a familiar chuckle, this time more than perceptible. “No that's not what I—Let me rephrase.” She cleared her throat, coughing into her lightly clenched fist and parting her legs ever so slightly. Now, gazing into the artist's eyes with unwavering eagerness, refusing to break the intense eye contact
“I need you. and you need me, Byun Baekhyun. Respectfully, I looked into your circumstances and I couldn't help but notice you were not in the best position financially. Though, you're so full of talent and potential it astounds me. They overlook you because they don't know better. Because they're ignorant. You're a, excuse my french, you're a fucking gem. And nobody knows it. You can so easily have everyone on their knees. Worshipping you, But not without me. Not without my help.”
Baekhyun fixes Ari with a piercing gaze, an almost intimidating sternness coloring his expression. “I'm flattered. However, I still don't understand. What is it that you want me to do?” the boldness that sat too closely to rudeness of Ari's statement threw him off. But pride is too expensive for someone like Baekhyun.
“Basically, you help me. and I raise you to top limelight without anyone knowing it was I who led you there. I'll make you a star, a piece of history. Like an agent, but better?” The arrogant grin made a return, which Baekhyun would've swooned at had such a strange proposal not come out of the charmer's mouth.
“You're being too vague. How could I possibly “Help” you? and, what's to say I want that—to become a star or whatever.” Baekhyun questioned firmly.
