Hey guys! 83
Just going ahead and dropping in with a quick update...I figure next week will be insane with work and the Holiday so I thought I'd go ahead and get an update in while I had the chance.
I really do hope you guys are enjoying this, I've really had fun working on it and I'm hoping you guys are liking it as much as I have. I'd really love to hear from you guys on what you think so far if you get the chance! I love reviews...and I promise I only nibble a little bit in a loving gentle way. XDD
Anyways I hope you all enjoy! 83
Disclaimer: Nope...still don't own anything from Mystic Messenger...well unless you count the VIP Box, or the Seven Space Pillow I ordered. Ahaha...I do however own Ari and would appreciate you asking before she's used.
Chapter 2: Familiar Faces, and The "Normal" Routine
Ari felt a wave of relief wash over has she carefully made her way through the crowd towards the figure. Getting closer she could truly make out the familiar, yet not familiar features of the person she'd only seen photos of until now.
The young woman was around the same height as she was maybe a little taller, her short dark brown hair fell just above a pair of glasses that framed her amber colored eyes. She wore a dark brown high collared dress, with a lighter brown jacket thrown over it. A yellow lanyard hung loosely around her neck, an ID Card attached to it read "RFA VIP".
She gave off a calm professional air as she glanced down at the clipboard she held in her hand as she spoke quietly with a few guests that had stopped to speak with her. She gave them a small smile and nod before her gaze turned to Ari.
"Welcome. Are you on the Guest List?" Jaehee asked giving Ari a quick once over with her amber eyes before turning her attention back to the clip board. Her voice sounded a little different in person then it did on the phone, but Ari figured that was a given.
Ari blinked taken aback for a second, forgetting that of course Jaehee wouldn't recognize her since beyond talking with her on the phone they'd never actually met.
"O-Oh! Yes...umm...Ari Foxx." She managed to squeak out blushing deeply when she realized how silly she must have just sounded.
The sound of her voice caused Jaehee's head to pop up, her eyes widening for a quick second in surprise as she once again looked the young woman before her over.
"Ari..?!" She asked the surprise clear in her voice before a soft smile spread across her face as Ari gave her a small nod in confirmation.
"You came! We've been waiting..." Jaehee said her voice taking on a happy tone as she visibly relaxed a little. She quickly scribbled something down on the clipboard before handing Ari a lanyard similar to her own.
"Of course...I wouldn't miss this for the world." Ari replied feeling herself relax as well as she took the lanyard and placed it around her neck, she smiled as she looked it over before looking back up at Jaehee.
"I'm so honored to finally meet you, I can't believe we're finally getting to meet in person!" Jaehee said happily her amber eyes dancing a little in excitement.
Ari had to suppress a giggle at seeing her so happy, she'd heard her voice take on that tone a few times during their phone conversations but to actually see her this excited made her smile.
"I know...it feels like a dream. I'm so happy to finally meet you as well...it doesn't feel real honestly." Ari said with a bit of a giggle.
"I know what you mean. And considering we've only had a week to prepare for the party it turned out great!" Jaehee said glancing around them at all the guests milling about.
"Thank you...that means a lot." Ari said blushing under her praise as she put a hand against the back of her head and smile.
"I'm really amazed at how people you've managed to gather...I can RFA's future." Jaehee said her voice brimming with pride as she smiled at Ari.
"I know I've said this before. But I am looking forward to working with you, Ari." Jaehee said the sincerity in her voice causing Ari's heart to clench a little in her chest as she smiled happily.
"Wait...is this? Ari?" Came a familiar male voice that made both women glance up as a tall man with long white hair walked up to them and stood beside Jaehee. Surprise was clearly written on his handsome face as well as in his bright red eyes as he looked at Ari taking in her features for the first time.
"Zen, you look more handsome then normal." Jaehee said chuckling a little at his expression, her amber eyes seemed to light up at his approach.
Zen blinked at her complement though his eyes never left Ari.
"And yes, you are correct. This is Ari." Jaehee said nodding to Ari as she beamed obviously happy at getting to introduce them.
"Hello, it's so nice to finally meet you in person. Zen." Ari said finally blinking out of her surprised state at having him appear so quickly.
Zen chuckled a little also finally coming out of his own surprise.
"It's good to meet you as well. I guess I don't have to wonder what you look like anymore. You're cuter then I'd imagined." Zen said flashing her a grin that caused her to roll her eyes a little.
"Oomph!" Was the only sound he made as Jaehee gave him a light nudging with her elbow.
"Owe...What was that for?" He asked rubbing his side with a hand as he gave her a confused look.
"In case you've forgotten, Ari's already spoken for. And besides I'm sure you flirting so publicly won't be good for the tabloids." Jaehee stated matter of factly as she gave him a scowl.
Zen grumbled something under his breath as he looked away from her his pride clearly wounded.
Ari couldn't help it she began to giggle at their banter.
Both Jaehee and Zen blinked as they looked at her their eyebrows going up, but Zen couldn't help but chuckle along with her as Jaehee only continued to watch them.
"Well either way, I'm so glad to finally meet you in person. You've really done an amazing job." Zen stated after he regained his composure as he gave her a wink.
"Thank you." Ari said as she smiled happily as she blushed a little bit under his praise.
"Hmm...so I take it the lady of the hour has finally arrived?" Came another deep male voice from behind Ari, making her turn around to face the tall finely dressed dark haired man that was approaching them. His dark eyes were focused on her as he finished fixing the cuff of his jacket.
Ari felt her self shrink a little under his intense gaze.
"Mr. Han, this is Ari." Jaehee stated as she looked at her boss.
Jumin nodded his head in greeting his gaze never leaving Ari's.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Ari stated giving him a small smile.
"And you as well. Congratulations...this is a great party." Jumin stated in his normally clipped tone as he glanced around the lobby that seemed to be rapidly filling with more guests.
"I'm afraid it'll be quite difficult to have a chat out here however. Perhaps we should move into the hall for the moment?" He asked turning back to look at the others. He was correct it was hard to hear over the din of everyone else talking.
Ari nodded her head a little bit at Jumin's proposition, even though she couldn't help but feel her blue eyes starting to roam over the other faces in the room looking for a a certain one in particular.
She couldn't help but hope that Yoosung would suddenly appear out of the crowd. Not that she wasn't thrilled with meeting everyone else. But she could feel the butterflies starting to swirl in her stomach at wanting to finally meet him.
Zen must have seen the longing look she was giving the crowd since he took the opportunity to ask the question she was longing to voice.
"Where's Yoosung? I thought he was coming with V..." He asked also glancing around the crowd.
"I don't think they have arrived yet..." Jaehee said looking down at her clipboard.
"Really? Ari must be desperate to see him...I can't believe their late." He pondered quietly his red eyes widening in surprise.
"I tried calling V, earlier...but he didn't pick up." Jumin stated with a small shrug of his shoulders as he crossed his arms.
Ari felt the crestfallen look cross her face before she even realized she'd made it. The others must have noticed it too.
"Don't worry, I'm sure they just got stuck in traffic or something." Zen said flashing her a reassuring smile to try and cheer her up.
Ari could only nod her head a little as she returned his smile, he was probably right getting upset or worried wouldn't make them get here any faster. And besides she was sure Yoosung was just as anxious as she was.
"Come on, let's head inside. You too Assistant Kang." Jumin nodding his head as he began to walk towards the doors of the ballroom.
"Alright, I'll find someone to take my place..." Jaehee said nodding her head to her boss as she began to look around for another staff member to take her place.
Ari blinked in surprise when she suddenly found Zen offering his arm arm to her with a warm smile, she bowed her head a little as she returned his smile and took his arm as he lead her through the doors behind Jumin.
"Oh wow..." She mumbled marveling at the lavish ballroom that greeted her her eyes twinkling a little in delight as she took in the sight.
She blinked a little when she heard a soft chuckle from beside her, she turned her head a little noticing the affectionate look on Zen's face, she also took note of the small smirk that had appeared on Jumin's face at her reaction.
"What?" She asked tilting her head a little bit to the side in confusion at her companions.
"Nothing, just thinking that your reaction is just as cute as you are." Zen stated chuckling a bit as she felt her face flush at his words.
"I-I'm just not used to all of this." She said honestly as she looked around the room and then down at the red carpet beneath her feet not meeting either man's gaze.
"Yes, the first time attending one of our parties can be a bit overwhelming, I suppose even more so for someone not used to such things." Jumin stated matter of factly as he too glanced around the room.
"Don't put it like that...you'll make her even more uncomfortable." Zen chastised glaring at the taller man.
Jumin merely shrugged at his reply.
"I am only stating a fact, come let us give you a tour and a briefing of the schedule before the guests begin filling the hall." Jumin said motioning with his head for them to follow him as he began to walk briskly.
Zen muttered a handful of insults under his breath as he glared after Jumin, before he glanced down at Ari.
"Don't let that jerk get to you. Enjoy everything while your here, Ari." Zen stated flashing her another reassuring smile as he reluctantly began following Jumin.
Ari listened intently to the schedule of events and where they would be happening as she was lead around the hall by the two.
They eventually came to a small side room where Jumin came to a stop.
"And this is the Gallery where we will be Auctioning off some of V's photography. The Auction will be taking place in a little over two hours from now." He said glancing into the room.
Ari blinked before ducking her head around the corner of the room, her eyes widening as she took in the gorgeous pictures that lined the room.
"Oh my goodness...their all so beautiful." She mumbled to herself her blue eyes twinkling a bit as she took them all in.
Being an artist herself she couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed at seeing such a professional exhibit of work.
Jumin only chuckled a little bit at her reaction.
"It is a natural reaction to seeing V's photography for the first time." He mussed quietly more to himself then anyone else.
"So this reaction is perfectly normal, but her other wasn't?" Zen asked scowling a bit at Jumin who only gave Zen the briefest of glances before pretending not to hear him.
Zen could only roll his eyes and mutter another insult under his breath as he turned back to Ari.
"Anyways, they really are something see aren't they?" He asked smiling as he tilted his head a little.
"U huh..." Ari said nodding her head enthusiastically her eyes sparkling as she continued to awe over the gorgeous photos causing Zen to chuckle more as he watched her.
He let out a relaxed sigh as he grinned at her happily.
"I'm beyond excited to get this started, at least this time I'll actually get to enjoy the party..." Zen stated giving Jumin a cross look as he crossed his arms.
"The last time this jerk decided to bring that damned fur ball...and I spent the entire party sneezing. God I can still feel how swollen my beautiful face got." Zen stated as he closed his eyes and shook his head in exasperation.
Jumin only blinked and seemed to be lost in thought for a moment.
"Ah...yes I remember that now. You really did look a mess...I suppose I'll have to make sure Elizabeth the Third minds her distance this time." He mussed slightly as he rubbed his chin.
Zen's eyes widened in horror at his words and his breath hitched a little in anger.
"You didn't...why in the hell did you bring that damned cat to the party?!" Zen demanded his eye twitching slightly as he glared daggers at Jumin.
"Because she's just as much a member of RFA as the rest of us, that and it's been almost two years since our last party. I simply didn't want to deprive the guests of gazing upon her beauty." Jumin stated nodding his head as if it was a simple answer.
"Only you would see it that way...how many times have we told you to keep that thing away from me? Oh god...I feel it starting already...just talking about that...A-A-ACHOO!" Zen didn't get to finish his sentence as an almighty sneeze over took him and he sniffled loudly.
"Hmm...Assistant Kang did seem to think it wasn't the best of ideas. But I simply thought it was because she sees enough of Elizabeth the Third's beauty as it is..." He stated shrugging gently.
"Or she was thinking of me...and what would happen." Zen snapped back wiping his nose and cursing yet again.
"Hmm...perhaps..." Jumin said tilting his head slightly as he looked at Zen.
"How many times do I have to spell it out for you, damned jerk? AA-LLL-EE-RR-GG-YY!" Zen stated in an over dramatic tone as he motioned to his already tearing up eyes.
The banter and bickering probably would have continued between the two, but they were both interrupted by a new sound. Both turned with raised eyebrows to Ari.
Who had a hand clapped tightly over her mouth, the other wrapped around her middle as she proceeded to try and hide the giggles that were escaping her.
"I-I'm sorry..." She managed to say in between her giggles.
Both men stared at her as if she'd lost her mind for several seconds until she'd gotten control of herself.
"Really I'm sorry...it's just, I was so nervous about meeting everyone. But seeing you guys just now...it felt just like the Chat Room. I'm not sure when this became the "Normal" but I'm not complaining." She said giggling again as she wiped at the tears that were starting to form in her eyes from laughing.
Zen blushed a little as he sniffled and wiped at his nose before turning away from her and clearing his throat in embarrassment.
"I hate to interrupt, but I believe the guests are starting to enter." Jumin stated not phased by her sudden laughing fit or words.
Ari blinked still wiping at her eyes as she turned to look at the hall entrance to see guests beginning to mill in.
Despite the momentary joy she'd just experienced her mood quickly sobered, and she felt a slight pang in her heart at realizing the party was getting ready to start and she still had yet to meet Yoosung. The feeling from earlier that something wasn't right ebbing it's way back into her gut.
Zen must have caught the look on her face because he reached over and gave her arm a gentle squeeze.
"Hey...don't look so sad, I'm sure he and V will be here any minute." He said flashing her a reassuring smile before he glanced at Jumin despite their animosity a moment ago they both seemed to share the same concerned look.
And that's it for Chapter 2! Ahaha...I hope you guys enjoyed this...looks like poor Zen can't catch a break. Or well...he prolly could if it wasn't left up to Jumin. XDD
Anyways! I'll try to get Chapter 3 out super soon! Hopefully work won't kill me to badly...least this year I'm not working in Toys for Black Friday! LOL...*Inserts happy crying* XDD
Anyways, please read and review! You guy's words really do inspire me and keep me wanting to write and update! Thankies so much! 8D