It was another album release celebration, where there was first the music showcase for fans and then afterparty appearance at the local club. Once the required time was completed, friends of AOMG would meet at Jay Park's house to party. There were a lot of familiar industry faces, both artists and producers. As expected the party was off the hook. Dj Wegun and Dj Pumkin both spun. Occasionally they'd mix live, when someone took the mic to perform to their song.
"I'm so glad you were back in town Min, to join us tonight," Nari exclaimed happily.
"Me too!" Min yelled back, as Heechul from Super Junior, pulled her away to dance.
"Hello again beautiful," Jonghyun from SHINee greeted.
"Hi... no kissing me, I'm still Simon D's girlfriend!" Nari warned.
He laughed, "I promise, as long as you save a dance for me."
She smiled, "okay, find me later."
Mi-hi accepted the drink that Nari held to her. "This is so much fun. Thanks for inviting me!"
"Well duh, of course I'd invite you. If there is anyone here who needs to relax and have fun, it's you!"
Jay came up behind Mi-hi and winked at Nari. "Exactly! Now let's dance... you too Nari!"
"I'm holding the drinks, Mi-hi can go for me!" Nari winked and smirked, before retreating to Jay Park's kitchen.
Gray was talking to Mi-hi's sister. It was still unbelievable that she was there and actually having fun. That was Gray's magic; being handsome and a brilliant producer, were just bonuses. Nari watched, without being too obvious and grinned when Mi-Cha flirted. Mi-hi had explained about her sister's last boyfriend and how he cheated on her, but that was three years ago. It was time to get over it, to put her heart out there and try again. Gray too had a rough time with loyalty when dating. All she could do, was introduce them and let them discover each other. From what was happening at the party, the potential was definitely there.
The Quiett saw Nari and came to say hello. He reported that Min and Dok2 were dating, but keeping things completely private. She promised not to say a thing. He winked at her, knowing she had hooked the two up.
"I'm great at match making; Jay and Mi-hi, Min and Dok2, with hopefully Gray and Mi-Cha to round out a hat trick." Nari acknowledged to The Quiett.
They heard Simon D rapping and went back out into the crowd. Heechul came over, dancing her into the front and centre. Jonghyun saw and joined them.
"You're dancing much better than the last time we met," he observed.
"I learned just for you," Nari said sarcastically and then flashed a smile when he pouted. "Thanks for noticing."
"Your boyfriend is loving the spot light."
"Don't all of you guys who perform do that? He's just really good at what he does."
Jonghyun nodded, "I respect him.... and you."
She calked her head, "you don't even know me."
"My sister's friend has a kid that takes art lessons from you.... I know more than you think. All the things I hear, are good."
"Are you stalking me?" Nari laughed teasingly.
"No way... I've had to deal with fans like that. I don't wish that on anyone, not even my enemies."
"Sorry," she apologized.
"Hey, it's all good."
Mi-hi saw her and they made a sandwich out of Jonghyun. He loved it, just as much as they did. Then somehow it became a train, as Jay Park came up behind Mi-hi, then Min after him, Dok2 and so on. The train lasted two songs and then broke apart, when Simon D pulled Nari out to dance with him.
She noticed he was drunk, but Jay had already told her, they could crash at his place in their usual room. When looking around, few people at the party were sober. There were too many partiers she didn't know, for her to truly relax, so she mostly stuck to water. Gray and Mi-Cha sat outside talking, barely drinking themselves.
The party began to wind down in the early am; cabs picked up those who were unable to drive. Mi-Cha drove Gray and Hoody home. Dok2 was sober and was acting as chauffeur for Min, The Quiett and Heechul. Nari cleaned up a little, but was tired and went in search of Simon D. How she found him, left no room for guess work. Nari couldn't breath, blindly stumbling away and back downstairs. Leaving wasn't an option, hell she was so numb that her legs stopped working. Sitting down on the couch, is where Nari ended up.
Jonghyun was waiting for a cab and had seen her come downstairs. "Hey are you okay?" He got no response. "Nari?"
His cab came and he let others take it. She was alarming him. What had happened? He went to look for her friend Mi-hi and accidentally saw what she had. Jonghyun took a video clip and sent it to Jay Park, with a text notification. As expected another door opened immediately, Jay and Mi-hi came out.
"Nari saw this? Are you sure?" Mi-hi asked.
"I think so. I'll let you guys handle it and don't worry I already deleted the video. I won't say a thing to anyone."
Jay nodded, "thanks man. Do you need us to call another cab?"
"Take care of Nari, I can wait outside for the cab. A few people have crashed downstairs and outside, but I'm the last one standing." Jonghyun left after showing them where their friend sat.
"Nari... tell me what's wrong," Mi-hi tried to get her to speak. "Jay she's not breathing right."
He sat down on the other side, "I'm not making excuses for him, but give him a chance to explain."
Mi-hi looked at him. "Seriously? If that had happened with someone I loved... it's like getting your heart ripped out of your chest, stomped on and obliterated!"
"Nari internalizes her feelings and if that's how you'd feel, then it explains why she's vegged out."
"I guess going upstairs and beating them up on her behalf, isn't a good course of action for me." Mi-hi clenched her fists. "I'm sorry I failed at protecting you Nari."
"That's my line... and no, he needs to sober up first." Jay said calmly.
"Thank you for being so stable... and taking care of me. I didn't realize I was so drunk, until I puked... you could've just left me on the floor."
He chuckled, "you missed it Nari. Mi-hi was sleeping in the kitchen, head in the garbage pail."
Mi-hi groaned, "please tell me there are no pictures of that."
"Naw, I found you before that could happen.... Most people hate that I don't react more."
"I wish that was my fault. I guess you and Nari are a like in that way. I vocalize everything. I yell and get animated. My mom was like that, from what I can remember. My sister is like dad was. When we fight, she acts like they are still alive. But enough about me, Nari still hasn't blinked, moved or said anything. Should we take her to the hospital?"
Nari responded and grabbed both their arms.
"I guess that's a no." Mi-hi sighed.
Meanwhile upstairs, Simon D rolled over and said clearly, "Nari you're hogging the bed."
"Who the F*ck is Nari, your pet dog?" The girl beside him asked.
Simon sat up, "who are you?"
"Oh hell no!" The girl was offended and slapped him hard. Then picked up her clothing and went into the washroom.
"My head... where's Nari?"
The girl stomped out the door and down stairs, already on her phone to have a friend pick her up. She completely ignored the two girls on the couch, but said good-bye to Jay Park. It wasn't long before she left with her ride.
Simon D stumbled to the washroom and got sick in the toilet. In his underwear he went down stairs. The world was spinning and he had to sit down on the last step. Holding his head, he looked up, squinting to try and see who was in front of him.
"Jay?"
"Yeah. Drink some water, just don't puke on the floor."
"Where's Nari?"
Mi-hi couldn't keep her mouth shut. "You don't get to see her until you sober up. If you make her cry, I'll knock you out."
"What? What happened?" Simon asked.
"You broke her heart, you cheating bast...," Mi-hi began to accuse and then stopped when Jay shook his head negatively. "Fine you take care of him, I'll help her."
"Mi-hi you're a great friend," Jay said.
"I know and so are you. Just don't forget you're important in both their lives."
Simon puked one more time, before being able to drink water, then coffee. As he sobered up, he saw Nari and grew alarmed. "Jay?"
"Just look at this video... she saw the same thing." Jay gave him his phone and tapped the screen.
"Oh shit... I don't remember how that happened. Nari won't believe anything I say," Simon groaned.
"Well you've got to try and get through to her. We can't."
"I'll beg if I have to." Simon went and kneeled in front of Nari. "I'm sorry for hurting you. I don't remember how I ended up with that girl, not that I'm excusing anything. We were kissing in the video, but nothing else happened. I could barely see until now and thought I was with you when I went into the room."
Nari looked at him, but her stare made him flinch. As if she could see into his soul and was searching for truth. At last she spoke, "tell me what you do remember."
He explained and they all waited for her reaction. Simon D lay his head in her lap, on his knees he remained. Tears flowed. "I'd never hurt you like that. Please forgive me."
"I believe you... I just don't know if I can believe in you anymore." She moved out from under him and stood up. "Jay call me a cab please, I'm leaving."
Mi-hi put out her hand, "are you sure? I can come with you."
"Don't touch me... And no, I want to be alone.... Thank you both. Call me in the afternoon Mi-hi, if you still want me to come over and paint with you."
Jay went with her to his front door to wait for the cab. "Call me. And promise you won't ride tonight."
She smiled, but he saw that it didn't reach her eyes. "I know I scared you guys a little... too numb to do anything. I won't ride."
"Media calls us F*ck boys, but we're not."
Nari stopped him, putting a hand on his chest. "I knew my life had become too good to be true. This is a reality check. Media means nothing to me, but maybe my trust was blind.... Good night Jay."
After she left, Mi-hi asked, "what do you want from Nari? Unconditional love? That only exists in animals."
Simon nodded slowly. "I broke her trust. I'm going to have to work hard to gain it back. But I swear on my mom's life, that girl and I just kissed. I'm a drunk asshole, but even at my worst, I wouldn't have sex with a random like that."
Mi-hi yawned. "Honestly I need to sleep. Get off the couch, so I can crash."
Jay took her hand, "I'll sleep on the couch, you take my bed."
"How 'bout we share your bed. I'll sleep on top of the covers, you can go under."
"Deal. You go on up first, I promise not to wake you."
"Don't worry, I sleep like the dead."