V was finally there. Yes, at the RFA party. He can feel his heart beat so fast since the enthusiasm built up long time ago; ever since he planned to meet her. The feeling was so agitating, like back then during his childhood, the same feeling of excitement when he wanted to show his mother the new drawing he made.
There she is! His smile widened, then he called for her, "MC... I was waiting to see you!"
"MC turned around and saw him, shooting him a sweet smile, "Jihyun! Hi! I was waiting to see you too!" She waved.
Her smile, like rays of sunlight piercing the dawn. Her beautiful long hair looked mesmerizing. She dressed simply but somehow it was refreshing. He can feel his heart jumped but he held back from the urge to hug her.
She went to him and handed him a glass of champagne, stirring up a conversation, "So how are you?"
She stared at him and the more she stared, the more she had to fight the urge to hug him. He was so handsome in that suit and his smile made it more perfect.
He took the champagne, feeling the warmth when his fingers touched her delicate hands. The champagne must be Jumin's choice, he thought to himself then brought his attention back to MC.
There is a whole lot I want to tell you! was what he wanted to say but the words did not come out. Instead, there was a sheepish smile.
Ah, would it be boring for her to listen to such a monologue. What has happened was just a passing history. He knew that what was important was how he could express his feelings towards her.
"There is this song... I wanted you to hear." V spoke.
Her face turned a bit red which made his heart skipped a beat.
"MC, please wait here. I am going to tell Jaehee to prepare for the band." He couldn't help but smile, "I have been practicing for some time to perform this song."
She giggled and her heart beat fast when she saw his smile. "Okay I'll wait here... Also, I never thought you will do this for me." She said with a smile then he made his leave.
V approached Jumin's chief secretary, "Jaehee, now is the time. Thank you very much for preparing everything."
The meticulous lady seemed a bit surprised at V's comment but she humbled herself.
V went to the stage, taking the microphone from Zen. "Thank you, Hyun," He told the man.
The musical actor winked at him as a way to show his support. After Jaehee had introduced V, the light blue haired man prepared his guitar and he closed his eyes. It was embarrassing for V, but the yearning to express his feeling was stronger.
"I want to play this song, for an important person in my life." V's gentle voice was echoed through the microphone, enveloping the area with his sound.
MC blushed and looked down, hiding her face. She went closer to the stage so she can hear his song and his voice for the first time. She looked up and smiled at him, "You can do it."
"You could be my unintended, choice to live my life extended.
You could be the one I'll always love…
You could be the one who listens… To my deepest inquisitions.
You could be the one I'll always love."
She listened carefully to his song, every word, every syllable, even the slightest breath that he took that was projected onto the microphone, they made marks on her, some things that she wasn't sure if she could ever erase them off or if she ever wanted to erase them.
V had been the best in his choir group since he was a child; the thing that he was kind of proud as he can beat Jumin in that area. His voice reached the high pitched notes perfectly.
"I'll be there as soon as I can... But I am busy mending broken... pieces of the life I have before..."
She listened to him and fell in love with his voice. "He has a beautiful voice," she mumbled to herself as she stared at him.
Their eyes locked, capturing each other's gazes for a few seconds which felt like eternity, "Before you..." V pointed his finger at the lady who seemed to hide her face then all eyes were directed to her.
People started whispering. V can see Jumin gave him a sly smile. V saw Yoosung face turn a bit grave, but he continued. "She could never be as good as you... "
MC saw him pointing his finger at her and she looked around, seeing people looking at her. She blushed and focused on V instead. When she was with him, she felt like there were no other people around her only the two of them.
This was a strong feeling, so deep, each word was drenched in his emotions. He meant every word he said. The audience seemed to be struck by V's voice. Soft, yet strong and his high notes played the strings of the listeners' heart.
"MC," he called out as his expression turned solemn, "You should be the one I'll always love..."
She smiled and cried because of happiness. She wiped her tears away, running to V and hugging him tight.
"MC." V gently stroked her back. His fingers ran through her silky long hair. Her embrace was so warm. He could never forget the first time she embraced her.
She looked at him, "Yes?" She blushed as they were still holding each other in a warm embrace. Her heart beat fast when she felt his hands on her hair; the feeling was soothing for her.
"Thank you for everything," he whispered as he touched her cheeks, gently drying her tears with his long fingers. He wanted to kiss every drop of her tears. Those beautiful eyes, even if they were covered with her long bangs, he could see them.
Not long after, he felt a tap on his shoulder from Zen who had been playing the bass guitar for his performance. The gorgeous white haired actor winked to MC. V can hear as the actor excitedly murmured something like love advice. Then in the audience, he saw his childhood friend who was smirking at him. Their gestures made him shy.
"You're welcome, Jihyun." she smiled at him and looked at the two guys, confused, "Is there something wrong?" She started to get worried.
V sensed her worries. Oh she is so cute, isn't she? Making faces like that. It made him wanted to be with her even more. Only the two of them. V takes MC's hand and gently led her down the stage. The crowds cheered. MC blushed and hid her face in his chest. She held V's hand tightly, gently feeling the warmth of his hand.
The turquoise haired guy felt her soft body against him; the warmth he didn't want to let go. This closeness, her body, her fragrance was nice and soothing. It brought calmness and peace to his mind that was such a mess the moment before, since he can not stop thinking of her. Now, she was in his arms. He shielded her body as they walked down the stage.
They met the C&R director who greeted them and asked whether they want to have some nice wine afterwards.
"I will be delighted, Jumin. Really. But I am so sorry, I might have to pass this time. But the champagne was excellent. You haven't lost your taste, instead you're getting better at it." V said softly.
MC smiled at the dark haired man, "I like the champagne too, Jumin. And I think I'll pass, too. I have to go with V." She smiled apologetically to the director, "You still make the best wine ever."
Jumin looked a bit offended.
"I will make it up for it later, Jumin." V promised. Right now, she was the most important person that he wanted to spend his time with. V saw his friend sigh, however eventually the director showed his elegant smile.
MC blushed madly, "Am I really an important person to you?" She asked while still holding his hands.
Her question caught V off guard. Can she read my mind? Do I look really obvious? He felt his cheeks get warmer as he blushed.
He gripped her body tighter, "I think, you already know the answer to that."
She giggled, "You look cute while blushing." She took out the her phone and snapped a picture of him blushing, "I'll keep this picture." She giggled again and hid her phone.
Such cute moves. Her bubbly laughter was like a sweet note. He was stunned for second in the mix between embarrassment and adoring the cute lady who just pranked him. He noticed Jumin gave out a small chuckle but in seconds the expression fade away and returned back to his stoic face.
She giggled and sent him the picture, "Can you print it for me? Please?" She pouted a little and tugged at his shirt gently.
"IーI guess you like my face that much?" V caught himself stuttering. He was amused by this little angel's request, yet he felt somehow uncomfortable. He was just not getting used to get much attention. He preferred to avoid the spotlight, working diligently from the background.
She smiled softly, "Thank you!" She hugged him gently and laughed softly because his stuttering, "V, why are you stuttering?"
"I... I uh..." He was at a loss for words. Why should I lose my composure like this? He felt like he was unable to think for a second, "I am just... not used to it."
"Not used to what?" MC asked him curiously.
"Selfies, or the picture of my own face. Hyun, Jumin, or Luciel might be better than me at that," V admitted.
"No, you look better than them," MC blurted out then when she realized what she said, blushed, "IーI m-mean uhh..." It was her turn to stutter now.
What a cute lady. He felt butterflies in his stomach. A funny yet nice feeling. "Thank you for saying so." He held her hands, "That's why, you're special to me." That was the irony. He loved taking picture but it was different from his picture being taken.
MC blushed more and hid her face in his chest again, "Jihyun," she whined, "Stop making me blush.."
"Am I? I am so sorry... that is not my intention." V gently caressed her face, "Now, my beautiful one, is there anything you want to share with me?"
She thought for a while and then smirked, "Will you believe me if I told you that?"
V was surprised at how he missed her voice. He would listen to her intently. "Have I never believed you?" His tone was calm and gentle, "How is your life? I haven't heard about you since a while."
MC mumbled, "IーI love you..." She blushed and looked away.
The words just made him even happier. "Uh, who would be so lucky to get a second chance at love?" V mumbled to himself. Does he deserve her? This cute lady who has pulled the strings in his heart all along.
She looked at him, "I've been doing good and I won't be in danger anymore."
"MC... " his face looks grim while the past memories of Rika flooding his mind. "I am going to look for a new place. What kind of place do you like? I will ask Jumin whether he can arrange it for you," his face looked concerned, "You're a sweet girl. Do you prefer to stay in the suburb or the city?" V cupped her hand to keep it still on his chest.
She smiled happily, "I want it to be at the city."
"Good. I also think that it's easier to manage life in the city. I will contact Jumin. He has many resources," V stopped and his countenance changed. "Anyway, I am worried about Luciel," his face darkened.
"What's wrong?" She looked at him worriedly then rubbed his cheek.
"You know about Ray, right?" V felt a sharp pain in his chest.
MC hugged him "Yeah I know him." She rubbed his back soothingly.
"Is he...?" The pain became sharper, as if the old wound Rika inflicted just resurfaced but he calmly endured it, "Do you know exactly how he is?"
MC felt his pain, "He never talked to me anymore..." She looked at him and kissed his forehead, "Let's go outside."
"Is he... alive?" The guy murmured. It is all his fault. The guilt came and crept on him.
She nodded, "He's still alive, V."
Is she just trying to cheer him up? He hesitated. He could not imagine how crushed Luciel knowing his brother's condition. It was enough that he got depressed and all. He should not suffer anymore than this. "I want to find him, MC... "
"Can I help you?" She really wanted to help him because he looked so sad right now and she wanted him to be happy.
V hoped he could take Saeran and show him the love he deserved; love that the poor boy never knew in his childhood. Jihyun was lucky enough to learn about the wonderful thing from his mother. A little tragic thing, somehow the boy held some similarities to Rika's childhood.
"Yet I am clueless of what to do. I know it's a great mistake of me to fighting alone. I only made things worse back then, MC." V said.
"No, you didn't, Jihyun." She looked at him worriedly, "Please don't blame yourself."
The photographer threw his gaze to the sky. It was a habit. He always thought that God created the beautiful blue sky for people to look at when they felt agony. It also reminded him how Luciel's twin adored the sky and his own unfulfilled promise to teach the boy photography. "Do you know what makes me so good at taking photographs?" V turned towards MC and caressed her hair.
"I don't know." She laughed nervously, "Maybe because of Rika?" She asked, a little sad.
"No, I had been taking pictures even before I met her, dear." V smiled gently and continued, "Some people are good at capturing moments. Yes, photographs enable us to see from different perspectives. Great photographers know what angle they should take their shot, amount of brightness, focus and compositions. Some pictures convey messages, some deliver feelings while others serve as an evidence of things," He paused, "Everything around us have feelings, vibrations, frequencies. We're made of atoms that consists of vibrating elements. Have you ever heard about people who can understand animals? Or someone who are able to do telepathy?"
"Still a no, Jihyun." She giggled, "I don't know anything about photography." She ruffled his hair gently. The girl kissed his cheek gently, "Continue explaining." She smiled.
"Empaths... " V continued, "Are people who can sense others' energies, feelings or emotion. They synchronize with their surrounding."
She listened to him carefully while looking at his eyes
"I am not the one looking for the pictures to be captured. It is the moment and other things that invite me to capture them." The turquoise haired guy paused and took a breath. "Like the beautiful lady, here, is so cute that I wish I could get hold of my camera and snap countless pictures."
MC blushed again, "Jihyun..." She covered her face, "I said stop making me blush!" She pouted and looked away.
"You're just so beautiful, I can't help it." He smiled.