(This chapter was previously titled Hiding Him in Your Green Room)
You laugh. Yeah, sure. They were a little too big to come to these festivals now.
Finally, there is some peace and warmth for you in the green room. Lily can't stop beaming, "it was brilliant! It was brilliant! They were so ready for you!"
You're still feeling emotional, so you start crying again.
"I just - it was good, right?"
"Of course it was," Monica gives you a rare smile.
"They were responding to everything - ah, it feels like I just lived through a dream..." you sigh.
"Go and clean up now. I'll get your dinner."
"I'm starving! Also, I think I pulled a muscle somewhere..."
The hot shower soothes your tired body. You put on woven trousers plus a caramel-coloured pullover and crash onto the sofa. A generous spread of salads, chicken, kimchi ramyeon, juice and a chocolate cake is in front of you. You attack it without grace.
"Hold it, Y/N. Get your face done first - Ju-kyung - get on it please."
Ju-kyung, a shy makeup artist of about twenty, stands waiting with a blending brush in her hand.
You shift to make space for her on the sofa.
"Am I makin' yo 'ob 'iphicult?" you ask her, your mouth full. She laughs.
"Y/N, chew, please, don't just - hang on," Monica, who was watching you eat critically from the makeup chair, is diverted by a phone call.
"Sorry. I just needed to take one bite," you swallow hard and face Ju-kyung like a good school kid.
There's a bottle of Chateau D'Yquem 1980 in your bag, you suddenly remember. Tonight feels like the perfect time to open it. Everyone has been working really hard for the past two weeks, and all of that effort just paid off.
"Guys. Tonight. Party in my room!" you announce.
"Er - I've got plans already. I thought we were free..." Lily looks from you to Monica and back.
"Ooh is it a date?" you tease. Lily has ditched her glasses for lenses today and is wearing more makeup than usual.
"I wish - but no," she answers.
You're mildly disappointed that she isn't free but you hide it well.
"Y/N, I'm sorry, but I'll have to head back to the hotel."
"Now? Is it Rhea?"
"Yes, she isn't feeling well -"
"Oh no, you should go then. Tell her I missed her today!"
"I will - Lily, stay here, okay?"
Lily's face falls. "I - yeah,"
"You also go. Don't cancel plans because of me," you command.
"No, no -" Lily begins, but you cut across her.
"Seriously, you two! Go! We got through the most hectic part of the week. I can manage this on my own - no, shut up get out, Lily you deserve a break!"
"Okay, okay, I'm leaving, thank you, Y/N!" Lily gives you a tight hug.
Monica is standing by the door giving you a slight nod of approval. You owe your team management skills to her. You walk up to her. "There are a few people you need to meet," Monica says, "just the usual crowd - you're new, everyone's curious. Seyeon will be with you the entire time. There won't be any reporters but follow her lead anyway. We still don't know how things work here. Be good, okay?"
"Yes ma'am."
"And call when you leave - and when you reach the hotel."
"Yes ma'am," you chortle, but you appreciate her concern more than you show.
"Also, Y/N. Call your mother."
"Did she call you again?"
"No, but it's her birthday." Monica would force you to call her if she could. But this is one of those few areas of your life she doesn't have control over.
"Oh. I will."
You don't mean it and she knows it. It's an impasse.
You break the silence. "Tell Rhea to get well soon, her auntie is waiting to visit all the cool places in Seoul with her."
"Ah, she is looking forward to that," Monica smiles sadly and leaves.
Monica and Lily are gone. Ju-kyung did your makeup and left as well.
The room is very silent. You glance at the food on the table. It looks inviting enough. Slouching on the sofa again, you stuff some ramyeon into your mouth.
The wine will have to wait for another day.
"Ah, Y/N. Why are you like this?" you talk through your full mouth, "You put on an amazing show, didn't you? So why -" you hold back a sob, "do you have to be sad now?"