*2 MONTHS LATER*
(Watch this FMV before reading)
*clapping noises*
"Please accept my apologies in advance for making any of you cry by showing you this clip."
*laughter from the audience*
I walked onto the stage holding a microphone in one hand and making a clip clop sound with my heels. Because of the dazzling lights all over the arena, the auditorium, which had been set entirely black for the footage, became faintly visible, and a strong spotlight followed me through the centre of the stage. The camera flashes from the spectators nearly blinded me. I took a deep breath and smiled professionally as I looked around the arena.
"I, Aera Kim, one of the biggest band's manager, welcome you all, including press officers, business partners, the media, and, of course, armies from all over the world, who are participating online to this great, global press conference conducted for THE BTS's future schedule."
I bowed down in front of over two thousand people in the audience, as well as millions of fans watching on the internet. The audience's clapping noises filled the arena once again, and I straightened my stance and began,
"I sincerely appreciate everyone for patiently watching THE legends documentary; some of you may be wondering why we needed to watch that video in the first place. Well, almost 98.99 percent of the population is aware of THE BTS's history, but I didn't want to put those 2.1 percent at jeopardy."
The audience chuckles once more.
"I must say, not long ago, I was one of those two percent, even though I joined this magnificent firm when I had no idea who BTS or the company was."
For a brief while, I paused and gazed at the audience; everyone was paying close attention to me, and the arena was deafeningly quiet.
"After working with and for them, I've realised how fortunate I am, but not everyone is as blessed as I am; my coworkers, my boss, and the CEO of this grand company have been with them from the beginning, and if they hadn't brought those seven legends together in 2010, we might not have known who they were. For that, I can't express how grateful I am to all of the company's employees and staff."
"Now...
I'd like to hand over the microphone to Mr. Bang Shi Hyuk, the father figure for THE BTS and the CEO of Big Hit Music & Hybe Entertainment, and request him to reveal the news of their upcoming world tour"
The crowd began clapping again, and the CEO walked onto the stage with a proud smile on his face. I handed over the microphone to him, bowed to the audience and to him, and exited the stage.
I hurried over to the sound management crew and requested for a bluetooth mic, which every member of the management team was wearing to communicate with each other, as I entered the backstage area and could still hear the CEO's speech. I put on the mic and posed the only question for which I was extremely nervous—
"This is manager aera, can somebody tell me, Where the hell is BTS?"
One of the other side's staff members spoke via their mic after hearing my inquiry.
"They haven't came yet, miss manager; the last update said they were stopped in traffic and were on their way."
I screamed as I shut off the mike with a loud sigh and stomped my left leg on the ground.
"GOD! Hell!"
To calm myself down, I took two deep breaths while shutting my eyes, then took my office phone from my pocket and dialled the number. The ring was worn once, twice, thrice...
"Come on....damn it, pick it up...!!" I muttered under my breath.
And on the fifth ring, I received a response from the other side.
"Hello?"
"This is not the damn time for the 'hello' RM!! Where the hell are you guys!?"
"I apologise aera, we were all stuck in traffic, but don't worry, we'll be there in 5"
"You better hurry, and wait, what do u mean by you ALL?? Aren't you all together in a company van???"
"Uhh...."
Rm didn't respond right away, and his silence told me everything I needed to know.
"God, don't tell me HE did something again!?"
"Well, I'm sure you're all aware by now."
"Please tell me you're all together at least."
"Um. Nop, we all are coming by our car and I'm with jin hyung, he's driving"
"Aera, don't be concerned.I'll make it there in 5 minutes," I could hear Jin's voice, which was most likely shouting.
"It's all right, now hurry up and inform everyone else for me....and yes, PLEASE MAKE HIM COME WITH YOU ON TIME."
I hung up and examined the script while roaming right and left in my complete business suit, my entire body drenched in sweat.
'Only 5 minutes are left, till CEO will call BTS, it was my responsibility to make them attend on time! What am I going to do if they don't arrive on time?'
My pulse was racing faster with each passing second, and the cold sweat started to build up on my temples, minutes after minutes had passed and ceo was almost finished with his speech, the stage was too far away and we couldn't send him a message or hint to make more time.
'One minute....there's only one minute left'
By the time 30 seconds had passed, my gaze was constantly bouncing between backstage and onstage, and the moment I was most afraid of was approaching.
"Now, I'd like to welcome the legends themselves to the stage..." I could hear the CEO begin to announce their presence, and my gaze was drawn to him as he proudly announced it.
"All right, ladies and gentlemen...please welcome the stars of the night..."
And at the same moment,
"Aera!"
I turned around and saw them sprinting towards the stage's entrance, where I was standing; I sighed deeply and felt my heart settle down as I saw their faces; I heard the CEO say,
"BTS!"
I simply directed them towards the stage without allowing them to say anything.
"Hurry! Up on the stage! Now!"
Six of them nodded and walked onto the stage, while he....just followed his members, both hands in his pockets. On the other hand, I.... I kept a close eye on him, hoping for a fleeting glimpse in my direction. As they walked onto the platform, I kept a close eye on their backs; they were all dressed up, and their lovely aura made them shine like stars. . By clapping and taking pictures, the crowd began to cheer them up. The sound of shutters on cameras filled the auditorium.
Putting everything and everyone aside, what I observed was his back, which calmed my heart and sent a peaceful sensation over my entire body. I didn't understand why, how, or when, I just....felt it, and on the other side, he....he ignored me like I didn't even exist in his universe, and everything changed after that night on the beach.
We.......changed.
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