Chapter 26: Final Shoot
Seo-yeon entered her apartment, and began making herself dinner. While going about her task, she replayed the days events. She recalled the invitation extended to her by Jungkook. Her original plan was to turn him down, but she could see that they were genuine about wanting her there. Once confirming that she also wanted to attend the party, all of that confidence was broken down by Ae-Cha's verbal attack. Perhaps she was right and Seo should take a step back. She was becoming closer with the members of BTS during this process, and hadn't considered that others would see her as a opportunist.
She did not Yoongi to be in the same area as them. She especially did not expect him to intervene. At first she was angry that he had interfered, but she was full of gratitude given how kept to himself he usually was. A little smile broke across her face when she replayed his last words before walking back down the stairway, out of her sight. 'We aren't going anywhere.' Those four words brought so much comfort to her. Yoongi's support for her reassured her that she was welcome, and that they were indeed friends.
Grabbing her food, she walked to her couch and sat in front of her laptop. She pushed play on the latest episode of a current drama.
***Thursday***
Seo-yeon and her crew were completing the set up for the final shots of the entire group. They were in a time crunch, as the group still had final interviews with the journalist at the company to complete. She was given the entire morning, and would release them for lunch before heading out for the interview. Arriving at the studio at four in the morning had been a struggle. Excitement at getting to see them all together for the first time was enough to push her through her morning routine. She glanced at the clock. 'They should be arriving soon.'
Sure enough, all seven members walked in. The room lit up with their presence. All staff members prepared to carry out any request given to them. Namjoon and Ho-seok headed straight to the planning board, and discussed ideas. Jimin and Jungkook began inspecting the props and clothes for the day, while whispering to one another in secret. Yoongi gave a small wave in her direction, and joined Namjoon and Ho-seok. Jin and Taehyung approached her the moment they spotted her.
"Yun-Yun, here!" Taehyung extended a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Jin shrugged his shoulders at her when she gave him a curious stare. She thanked him and took the cup.
"You really didn't have to."
"We already stopped to grab drinks, but I said we should get you coffee. It is our fault you had to wake up so early." Tae broadly grinned.
"Thank you." Taehyung nodded in approval then walked to join Jimin and Jungkook.
"He basically adopted you as his sister. He even started taking pictures and wondering if 'Yun-Yun' would approve." Jin laughingly told her.
"I'm honored that he thinks so highly of my skill." Seo-yeon faced the maknae trio near the props. They were whispering to each other, and quickly turned away when they caught her staring. Not sure what they were discussing, she turned questioning eyes at Jin. He was about to speak when another presence stopped him.
"Ms. Park?" Ae-Cha was slowly approaching her and Jin. Seo-yeon instinctively met the eyes of Yoongi. He silently nodded his head as if telling her to hold her own. She took a deep breath and braced herself for whatever Ae-Cha had planned.
"Yes, ma'am."
Jin was not sure what was going on, but he could feel the air shift. Seo's posture suddenly became tense, and her usual friendly personality became shut off. He briefly greeted the other photographer and joined the other members.
"I had some time to spare, and came to observe how it's going. I hope you don't mind." It was not a request, and the obvious challenge was not missed by Seo-yeon.
"Of course I don't mind. We're about to start. You can stand and watch, or sit on any available chair." Seo and Ae-cha plastered on smiles, and went about their roles.
Seo approached the members and they all began discussing the photos for the morning. Jin and Yoongi having been the only two that witnessed the interaction between the two women, attempted to help lead the others. They wanted to make this last session as easy as possible for her. Both men, without each knowing, vowed to secretly assist her.
***Lunch (end of session)***
"That's a wrap, everyone!" The studio burst into cheers from the staff and BTS. They spent the entire morning perfecting the group pictures for the recreation set. The environment was lively as usual. Everyone working as a team, while the members continually switched from professional poses to playful images.
Seo-yeon worked as best she could with Ae-Cha's occasional questions or comments as short distractions. Fortunately, the session went smoothly thanks to the group's professionalism, and photogenic appearance. Of course, she was not aware of Jin and Yoongi playing a part in the easy flow of transition during the shoot.
"It has truly been a pleasure working with each of you. Thank you for being so cooperative, and sharing your creative abilities. I cannot wait for the finished product. Thank you so much!" Seo-yeon bowed in thanks to the group of men who return her gratitude with wide grins.
"You are a wonderful leader, and I look forward to the release of the magazine issue." Namjoon, the professional leader, said.
"It was fun recreating old pictures. It really made me happy to remember previous moments of our career. Thank you for making this experience memorable." Ho-seok gleefully said.
"I hope we get to work with you in the future. You are a professional, and extremely creative." Jimin sweetly said.
"I really don't see this as good-bye. I hope to get your professional opinion on my own pictures." Taehyung stated with a friendly wink.
"It was great to see you in this new light. You're going to go far in this profession, Seo." Yoongi surprised the other members by addressing her with his own nickname. Ignoring them, he bowed in thanks to her. Seo-yeon, although surprised herself, was happy that he accepted her as a friend now.
"Thank you for being so patient with us, especially with the younger ones. I hope to work with you again." Jin kept his thanks short, as the other staff were still present.
"It was a blast, Yun-Yun. It's going to be fun to get to hang out with you at the party Saturday." Jungkook gave her the biggest grin of the whole group. They all waved good-bye and headed out for their lunch.
Once they were all out of the room, Ae-Cha spoke.
"Make sure you have all your final images chosen and sent to the editors before you attend any party."
"Of course."
"Seeing how you got invited, I guess I'll see you Saturday." With that last comment, Ae-Cha left the studio.
Seo-yeon sat down, exhausted from the long morning. It had be an easy shoot, but her nerves were all over the place. She didn't want to make things weird by being hesitant with Jin, and especially with Yoongi's face of with Ae-Cha. He didn't have to say much, but Seo could tell that it bothered him that Ae-Cha stayed during the entire session.
Shaking herself out of the day's tense presence, she began finalizing the month's issue.
***Bus stop that evening***
The bus was running late by ten minutes. Being close to ten, Seo-yeon wondered if she should take a taki home instead. She wrapped her coat around herself tighter as a breeze blew. Hoping to not have to work late Saturday, she worked later today. Not realizing how late she stayed, she had quickly locked up her studio and ran to the bus.
She stood deciding it would be better to take a cab home. She looked down the road but the traffic was already light. No available cabs seemed to be in her area. A black truck pulled over, right in front of her. She took two steps back, not sure who this driver was. The window rolled down, and a man with a white mask, and blue cap greeted her.
"Hey, Yun-Yun!" The driver lowered the mask. Seo-yeon gasped at Taehyung's smiling face.
"What are you doing here?"
"I forgot something and just picked it up. You want a ride?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
"Ah, come on! I don't mind."
"Tae, it's not smart to be alone with a girl, especially this late."
"I'm just going to take you home, and no one is around." He dramatically looked around their surroundings. "It's getting cold, come on."
Not wanting to draw attention to the truck, and then themselves, she got in. He turned the vents her way, and raised the heat. Once satisfied that his "sister" was warm, he asked for her address. Address given, Tae began the drive.
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