I almost want to pinch myself to prove that this is actually happening. But in order to do that I would have to drop either Jimin's or Taehyung's hand, and I definitely would rather feel our fingers entwined together and the warmth of their palms against my own. We pass through the doors that the security guard had directed me to earlier. It seems like a lifetime ago I was stepping through that entrance, but it couldn't have been more than an hour at most. Candace is there, right where she said she would be. She is keeping herself occupied by messing with her phone.
She must hear our approaching footsteps because she looks up, and her jaw immediately drops. "Holy shit, Daze! You hit the soulmate lottery!" She exclaims as if she didn't already know that to be true.
I can't help but laugh at her outburst, and I'm immediately pleasantly surprised when nearly all of them join me. Only Yoongi remains quiet but I still glance at him and catch a brief glance of his gummy smile. The look in his eyes before he glances away warms my heart.
"We are waiting on Namjoon to meet with their managers before I know what is happening for certain. Sorry, that you have had to sit here and wait for so long." I quickly explain and apologize to her.
She shakes her head. "It's not a problem. I mean a security guard kind of gave me shit, but when I explained to him why I was staying behind he seemed to be at least mildly appeased." She snorts. "I did have to assure him that I wasn't going to go backstage though. One of the dance crew members assured him that he would watch me for a bit. He sat down beside me and we talked for awhile, so I wasn't bored the entire time. He only left about ten minutes ago."
I'm thankful she didn't get thrown out. I would have made it work if she had to leave, but I really didn't want to have to arrange for transportation to get me back to my apartment.
Suddenly Namjoon is standing nearby. I turn to him to find out what my fate is for tonight, and possibly the rest of my future. "Regarding the interview we are still working that out. We probably won't know until tomorrow for certain on what that decision will be. However, I do have something else I need to discuss with you."
I nod at him. I think I must be too nervous to verbally encourage him to continue.
"The managers had a contingency plan in place in case we did actually meet our soulmate while on tour. They had already organized plane tickets, room accommodations, and the entire staff have signed NDAs and will be immediately made aware of your presence. I don't like to admit it but it is required that you sign one also."
"Oh, of course. I wouldn't expect anything less." I find myself nodding reassuringly.
"I don't want to put you on the spot, but are you prepared to live the life as our soulmate? I'm hoping with seven of us you will never be lonely, but life on the road is never easy, and we work long hours. Not to mention you would need to quit your jobs, pack up all your personal belongings, get a passport, and tie up any other additional loose ends regarding your life here."
I almost find it humorous that he is concerned about asking me this. I mean it is a tad embarrassing that I already have this all done, but it does make things hellaciously easier. I smirk over at Candace for a moment before I explain. "When I learned who my soulmates were I immediately applied for a passport." I pull it from my wallet to show them. "It came in a week and a half ago." I tuck it back in my purse. "Two weeks ago I went to both my employers and explained to them that my soulmate would be arriving soon, and he was from out of town. I told them I didn't know our plans, but I wanted to go ahead and put my two weeks notice in just in case he wanted me to move in with him. My apartment is a month by month lease and I have already paid for this month. My bags have already been packed except for my toiletries, but that's easy enough to fix. I transferred my bank funds to a prepaid account yesterday. I have a temporary card for the time being, but the bank assured me that they would have my permanent card sent to their address and let me know when they received it. So, all I have to do is go back to my apartment. I can be with you all tomorrow morning, or I could even turn in my key tonight. The super has a drop box outside his door. I don't even have to bother him except perhaps to write him a quick note to explain the situation."
"Wow! Pinch me. I have to know this is really happening." Hoseok mutters.
Jimin and Jungkook smirk at each other before doing exactly that. His wail of pain is one of the most humorous sounds I have ever heard. I find myself nearly out of breath from how much he has made me laugh, or perhaps I should give credit to the other two for doing the pinching.
Namjoon draws closer to me when my giggles have subsided. He touches my cheek tenderly before handing me an envelope containing two key cards. I inhale deeply when I see the name of the hotel on the envelope. It's not the most expensive hotel, but it is definitely up their pricewise.
He surprises me when he asks to see my phone. I quickly unlock it, and he promptly programs each of their phone numbers into it. He also creates a group text chat so I can let them know when I have arrived.
Candace agrees that she will stay with me to pack up, and take me to the hotel after I get everything situated. I am amazed she is willing to stay with me longer. Luckily she doesn't work at the cafe tomorrow, but I was sure she would want to go to bed and rest at this point.
Before running around the room to get everything done. I type up a quick text to Rebecca simply letting her know that everything went smoothly.
Afterward, It doesn't take long for me to get my toiletries together and put them in my carry on. Gathering all my luggage together and carrying it out to her car, however, is a different story. Because of the size of my apartment I didn't really amass many personal belongings due to space, but the luggage does contain everything I own so it does fill all four pieces. I have already written a note to the super so once I lock the door behind me I put the key in the envelope and drop it in the box by his door. I don't have to worry that it might be stolen because the box has a built-in lock.
"Good, we're done! Now let's get you to your men!" I grin at her. I doubt the thrill when thinking of my soulmates will abate any time soon.
I send a quick text to the guys letting them know that I am on my way. I imagine some of them might already be in bed since it's now midnight. I find myself smiling when Namjoon sends a response letting me know that there will be someone in the lobby to help me with my stuff.
The guy waiting introduces himself as Hyunsoo and he is one of their managers, although I know from research that Sejin is their main. I take a few minutes to thank Candace profusely and tell her goodbye. "You better not forget about me! I expect to receive a text from you at least once a week!"
I smile and promise before we hug each other goodbye. We may not have hung out often, but I am definitely going to miss her. I wait until she drives away before turning to Hyunsoo and asking him to lead the way.
Once we get in the elevator I find myself expecting for him to select the top floor, 33. Instead he selects floor number 25. I can only assume that is because it would be overly obvious if they stayed on the top floor.
It takes a few minutes but once the elevators open I am pleasantly surprised to find three of my soulmates waiting for me. A part of me wants to scold them and point out that they should be in bed, but I'm too happy to care. I smile widely at Jungkook, Taehyung, and Jimin. "My kind of welcoming committee."
They have a couple quick words in Korean with Hyunsoo. I think that he probably scolded them for still being awake since they each have a look of contriteness written on their faces. Everything must be okay though because only moments later the three of them are grabbing my bags and escorting me to my room.
After the door shuts behind us I take a seat at the end of the bed. "What does your schedule look like tomorrow?"
"Practice at 10am. Then we have to be at the stadium at 3pm for soundchecks and to prepare for the Army meet and greet." Jungkook responds.
I turn to find Jimin frowning. A frown grows on my own face. "What's wrong?"
"I don't want to interview more Army. But we can't have them waste money." Jimin tries to explain. His English is honestly better than I expected, but it is obvious he is still having a bit of trouble explaining himself.
I think I am pretty sure of what he is worried about though. "Because the passes have already been sold you still have to go through with the meet and greet with the fans claiming to be your soulmate?" He nods, and I smile reassuringly at him. "I understand. Um... Will that be the case for the rest of your tour though?"
"No." Tae simply states.
"Those particular meet and greet passes for interviews are traditionally sold during the meet and greet we have before the concert. We can't go back on selling them tomorrow since no one knows we found you yet. But we think we should do the radio interview with you the following morning after all. We are trying to convince the managers of why it would be a smart idea. Or rather Joon-hyung is." Jungkook explains to me.
"Is everyone else asleep?" I ask.
The trio nod. "Yoongi-hyung went to bed only a few minutes after we got back to the hotel. Jin-hyung followed not long after. Hobi-hyung hung out with us for a little bit. He only went to bed a couple minutes ago, but since he didn't come out of his room when you sent the text I imagine he was already asleep at that point." Jungkook eloquently explains to me.
"Did you want to hang out here for a little bit longer before going to bed?" I ask them.
The three look at each other and frown. "We do, but we really shouldn't."
"Okay then. I will send a group text when I wake up in the morning." I don't tell them that it will probably be on the early side since I am used to waking up for my job at the cafe. I walk them to the door and before I can school my actions I quickly give them each a huge hug. "Good night!"