"Greetings sir, would you like red or white wine? We have Romanee Conti and Mark Collin for white wine today." In the middle of a bustling yet posh auction hall, engulfed in warm lighting, which calmed his eyes, Kang Siwoo felt slightly nauseous as he was the first at his table to arrive. "I'll have a Romanee please, red." Many people walking around from table to table to mingle, or "network".
Kang Siwoo's eyes wandered to the waiter who was pouring his wine. He didnt mean to check out the waiter but he couldn't get his eyes of him. Afraid he had intruded with his stare, he looked away promptly as the waiter glanced at him. He then handed the glass which Siwoo swirled it around, coating the glass with the drink and drank it till it finished.
The waiter noticed the glass slowly getting empty in amusement followed by gesturing his assistant to pour again after Siwoo placed it on the table. "There seems to be a crowd today." Siwoo looked around and nodded in response, "Too many people indeed."
The waiter gave a small smile, "Let me know if you need anything sir." The waiter, bow and went off to another table. Kang Siwoo, looks down at his watch. Auction for the Amour art piece will commence in 30 minutes. Kang Siwoo's plan was to sneak out after he bids for a certain piece he had been eyeing on. Everyone knows afterparty is just a nicer way to find people to bring to bed with, which was not Siwoo's cup of tea.
Never his intention to.
Instantaneously, as he was scanning the ballroom with his dark brown eyes, he spotted a familiar silhouette walking towards his direction.
Shit, that can't be who I think it is. What the heck is he doing here?
His eyes widened in shock, he knew they would stumble upon each other... but just not this soon. The black-haired, gloomy eyed man turns around and distracted himself with his phone. The organiser either can't read the room or is oblivious to whatever is going on in the music industry because not only did they sat the guy Kang Siwoo rejects doing business with together in the same table, that man happens to be the infamous notorious singer,
Go Hamin.
Famously know internally of his cassanova tendencies, the man everyone swoons over, that Go Hamin. He waltz in with a black cashmere long sleeve t-shirt, stunning high-end brand two-piece beige suit, polished black shoes, shades on his head and hands in his pocket. This man knows he's hot, goon-worthy and probably every women's wish to sleep with.
"Go Hamin-nim, the assigned seat will be here." Hamin smiles at the host and take the seat beside Eunhyuk, who had his back facing Hamin. "A waiter will come over to offer you a drink. Please enjoy the rest of your night, gentlemen." The host bows and walked away. The blonde male glances over at the guestlist placard, wondering who is the one sitting beside him:
Han Jaehyuk
Kwon Taemin
Lee Jaekyun
Lee Seunghyun
Go Hamin
Kang Siwoo
Too many familiar names, wait... "Kang Siwoo?"
Siwoo sighed at the beck of his name.
Feeling defeated, Kang Siwoo turned around anyway and gave a small smile, he didn't respond to his name being called by Go Hamin, he just acknowledged the other's existence and went about what he was doing, reading the emails on his phone.
Go Hamin on the other hand was spiralling. He didn't know what to do, how to act or why this man was here sitting at the same table in the first place. He wanted to call the host over to ask for a change of seat but Go Hamin knew being petty would make things worse for him.
Seated in between sections, nestled in the middle, Go Hamin could feel the attention on them. He tried not to make it obvious and checked Kang Siwoo out. The gorgeous man in question donned a black Velvet material suit set, paired with a black button up shirt, a silver watch on his left wrist, dark under-eye circles and slicked back hair that revealed his forehead.
Truly, still as stunning as ever.
The blonde man gathered his courage and was about to ask how Kang Siwoo was, but unexpectedly, Kang Siwoo beated him to it and asked first. "How are you?" Go Hamin didn't know how to answer, does he want to lie or pour out the truth?
He learnt the hard way that telling the truth and opening up doesn't guarantee loyalty and understanding of the listener. Go Hamin was slightly pissed but hides it well with his smile. "I've been great. How are you and your wife? Kang Younha was it?"
Kang Siwoo's expression dulled at the question. He knew Go Hamin asked out of curiousity, or formality but it still was as if a knife strucked his heart. His head was already hurting from the constant sleepless nights but this interaction actively added to his stress. Kang Siwoo looked away and sipped his wine, the crimson red liquid stained his lips slightly and Go Hamin could not take his eyes off that sight.
"Was that rhetorical or did you actually not know?" Kang Siwoo retorts to Go Hamin, who had his hands folded on his lap and was just staring towards him. Go Hamin shrugged his shoulder in responds. "I don't know what you make of me but noone around me bothered to let me know what had been going on with you. That was a genuine question." Go Hamin rebutted.
"Nevermind, since you are here it is easier to tell you this. As a creative director, your reputation does not align with my company's values. I appreciate the multiple offers for our artists, but your promiscuous tendencies could tarnish my reputation." Kang Siwoo had the talent to speak straightforwardly in a formal manner, which to Go Hamin, felt incredibly cold.
Go Hamin scoffed in response and brushed his nose slightly with his hands in, who does Kang Siwoo think he is? "Talking about tendencies, your knack for always having the last word has not changed since we were together."
Kang Siwoo glared at the blonde male, who was smirking at him with his arms folded on his chest. "Calm down, Kang Siwoo-ssi, like I said it was a genuine question. You don't have to answer and you don't have to take a jab at me." Go Hamin continued.
Kang Siwoo immersed himself in his thoughts and the rest of the attendees starts arriving one by one. Kang Siwoo watched Go Hamin networked with the rests at the table and sighed to himself.
Fuck, I'd rather go home right now.
In a couple minutes, the rest that were assigned at the same table arrived. A few were familiar faces, and one appeared to be Kang Siwoo's acquaintance, Han Jaehyuk. Happy that someone he knew came, he let out a small smile as they shook hands and had a conversation. Go Hamin noticed how Kang Siwoo could actually smile and hold a decent conversation with the exception of him, of course. Promptly, the entire ceiling lights dimmed except for the ones illuminating the stage.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome.
Thank you all for joining us this evening. My name is Yoon Heegyeol, and I will be your auctioneer for today's event. Before we begin, I would like to take a moment to express our gratitude to Mr. Jin Seungwu and the Han Stefan Foundation for making this event possible. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to all our esteemed bidders, guests, and participants.
A few housekeeping notes before we proceed: Bidder paddles are located to your right. Please be reminded that all sales are final. Payment details will be handled immediately following the conclusion of the auction. Should you have any questions at any time during the event, please feel free to approach one of our staff members, who will be happy to assist you.
Now, if everyone is ready, let us begin. Our first item up for bid this evening is Item Number One..."
The rest of the night went by and finally, the piece that Si Woo had his eyes on were up for bidding.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our last piece, the La Amour: a piece set from 2018, which was the last piece Han Stefan created during his honeymoon. The piece that illuminates the room with its flamboyance and ooze of elegance and peace, Amour. We'll start the bid at 50 million won."
Siwoo finally raised his paddle, "I have 100 million won. Do I have 120? 120 million won and it goes to Go Hamin. Let's up the stakes do we have 140 million won?" Siwoo looks over at Hamin who shrugged his shoulder and tilted his head in response. Kang Siwoo, felt challenged which he then raised his paddle to counter. Siwoo and Hamin bantered over the piece for about 5 minutes. The room goes quiet and only the pair was bidding for the piece until it went over a 200 million won.
Go Hamin eventually won the bidding and the event ended. Kang Siwoo finished his drink and looked down. What a waste of time. He thought to himself. You see, he was ready to splurge this time, stress-shopping. One of his investors bailed on his upcoming project and it slightly stressed him out.
"I apologise, Kang Siwoo-ssi. This was what I came for." Go Hamin apologised. Kang Siwoo just nodded and stood up, tugged his velvet blazer to place and pushed his seat forward. "Enjoy it then. Though I do feel you might not know a thing or two about art." Kang Siwoo retorts and walk off.
He always must be the last person to have a say. Hamin thought to himself. "As if he was the one that was left hanging." He breathes out. Just then, Lee Inkyu, an actor of the same agency as Go Hamin, approached Hamin and ask if he was coming to the after-party.
He contemplated once again whether he should go and ultimately, decides to just show his face.
"Yeah. Why not right?"
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