BANG PD : (-looking at him-) How about returning home now? It's already time.

In that moment, altitude breeze blowing their hair lightly, Namjoon couldn't utter a word but only stare at Bang PD with softened eyes.

BANG PD : When the company was almost drowning. All our trainees were leaving. It was you who stuck with us. I do acknowledge everyone else's valuable contribution to building the BigHit people know today. But, your presense at that rock-bottom stage sure made a difference. A big difference.

NJ : Ah, I didn't know you were taking it this way.

BANG PD : (-briefly after-) I never wanted you to leave, you also know that well. But, the last few months I started to finally see your absense here, and more everyday.

Namjoon felt apologetic for some reason and stood quietly letting PD have all the space.

BANG PD : Once, I called you around this time, if you remember. Almost 3 months ago, was it?

He was mindful of that day. It had been the same afternoon Seol Ah first came in for the management interview. He had to take Bang PD's call after busing Seol Ah to run a thorough scrutiny over their contract.

BANG PD : Honestly, I wanted to have this conversation then. But, the voice I heard from your line rejected my request even before I placed it. You had just said 'hello' but it reached to me as 'PD-nim, I am not ready yet.' So, I couldn't say anything that day.

Having not smelled the scent of his feelings then, Namjoon grew more indulgent to pay attention to his words, as he was finally being open about it.

BANG PD : After the mess you've been through and suffered all alone. I feel like now I know, why you chose to stay distanced.

NJ : Pd-nim.

Before he could form out a sentence to stop him from getting any wrong impression about his situations and choices, Bang PD had already absorbed the guilt.

BANG PD : I feel really incompetent. You were once again the one to keep BigHit safe, and protected it.

NJ : It's not like that. Without your support, we wouldn't have given the world, BTS. If you had shut down the agency then, things would have been different today and maybe not like we wanted.

BANG PD : Don't comfort me. I want to be at guilt for some time atleast.

Namjoon chuckled and they breathed the fresh air quietly for a moment before Bang PD spoke again.

BANG PD : I am not asking you to take a decision right away. Take your time, think about it. BigHit will always be waiting for you. (-dabs his shoulder-)

Bang PD, leaving Namjoon in momentous ruminations, walked past him and stopped at Seol Ah near the stairway.

BANG PD : Take good care.

SEOL AH : (-smiles-) Sure, PD-nim. It was a pleasure meeting you.

BANG PD : (-smiles back-) You too. Hope to see you again.

SEOL AH : (-nods-) Yes. (-bows slightly-)

Bang PD, with a smile, climbed down the stairs while she looked back at Namjoon's direction.

SEOL AH : (-seeing him approach her-) Where do you want to head now?

NJ : Home. It's time to return home.

Namjoon smiled and his words had a very subtle metaphorical feel to it. Seol Ah returned a smile, not questioning his figure of speech and just played along.

SEOL AH : Lead the way.

NJ : We left it together, we must return together as well. We are both leading the way.

Seol Ah enjoying the metaphorical Namjoon was totally an understatement. She was having a blast inside.
Heart skipping a beat, she finally realized what it was perceived like.
And that it doesn't necessarily have to be something romantic or cheesy, or even between lovers.

They were both wandering around their recent thoughts, walking synchronized with smiles under their mask- returning home.

.

.

NJ : (-in the car-) By then. Did you really mean it? (-looks at Seol ah sitting on his left-)

SEOL AH : It? (-clueless-)

NJ : That.. about punching in the eye.

SEOL AH : (-casually-) Yes, I did mean it.

NJ : (-looks at her terrified-) Okay, fine. If that really eases you, go ahead. Get your punch. (-gulps looking away-)

SEOL AH : (-laughs-) You seem a little scared.

NJ : (-forces a chuckle-) Seol Ah-ssi, I am strong enough to take a punch, alright. How hard can it be?

SEOL AH : I am trained in martial arts though.

Namjoon choked on air again, readjusting to his seat while Seol Ah‐with a humorous smile‐ uncapped a water bottle and forwarded it towards him.

SEOL AH : You're choking again. Don't worry. I wouldn-

NJ : (-drinks fast and cuts her off-) Go for it. I kind of deserve it anyway.

SEOL AH : (-giggles-) Still. I wouldn't do it now.

NJ : Why? Did you change your mind? (-places the water bottle in the door storage-)

SEOL AH : Imm.. No. But, you can say I stalled it for the time being, since you cannot afford to have a bruised face now.

NJ : (-flustered-) Huh?

SEOL AH : (-smiles-) Well, while you were with others. I received a call, from the MV director earlier.

NJ : Oh, what did he say?

SEOL AH : He is willing to start the shoot by tomorrow if you want to. I guess, it will be great if you do not further delay about the music video. But of course, it's your call. I will completely side you.

NJ : (-nods-) Right. It should be out soon.

SEOL AH : Then, shall I give him your confirmation on tomorrow? Or do you want to reschedule it some other day?

NJ : (-shakes his head-) Have it tomorrow. Let's get it done quick.

SEOL AH : (-nods-) Okay, as you say.

From her, Namjoon's eyes casually caught on Kim, who was busy driving unbothered.

NJ : Kim, how's your sister?

KIM : (-attentive-) Oh, yes. She is much stable than before.

NJ : It's going to be a heavy schedule from tomorrow. Are you sure, you will be fine?

KIM : Yes, do not worry about it. You can rest assured.

Kim's confident words were enough to completely ease him about the concerned matter for how errorless he was. If he feared a possiblity of any kind, he would be prepared to get Namjoon his substitute driver and also report to his family at any second.

The rest of the ride went pretty quiet and smooth.

To their ignorance, Kim, never with an intention to eavesdrop, happened to listen to their small talk without a choice. He was completely aware of his boundaries, and was mindful not crossing it either.

However, the ambience inside the carriage was a little too unusual and uneasy to ignore. As he drove through, Kim only wished that they don't end up hurt in the road they were unconsciously walking.

• Black Mansion •

Seol Ah, in the evening, walked out of her room only to notice Namjoon in the artificial garden drinking some coffee.

She slid the glass door with least sounds and marched to him. Although, he registered her arrival, with a brief glance, he stared back at the sight before them.

SEOL AH : Will you be fine with the caffine at this hour? Aren't you going to need a long and interrupted sleep for tomorrow?

NJ : (-looks at the cup-) You do have a point. But, since it was a long day, I would be able to sleep regardless.

Seol Ah slightly nodded and with smiles; they watched the restful sight of the far stretched sea.

NJ : About you. (-gaining her attention-) What are you going to do after the contract ends? Have you thought about it? (-sips his coffee-)

SEOL AH : (-casually-) When did I have the time to? I guess, now I will be on it. Think about my new place to be.

The fixation on the countdown seemed to bother both, but were too unaware of the cause to address it out.

SEOL AH : (-changes topic-) Do you have binoculars here?

NJ : (-flustered-) Bi-binoculars? Well, I don't remember buying any. So, I suppose I don't have it.

SEOL AH : Ah, I see.

NJ : But. Why binoculars, out of nowhere?

SEOL AH : (-looking ahead with a smile-) The Sea. It would've been really nice to watch it closer from here. Frankly, when I first came in and was looking around with curiosity. Discovering the sea sight from here, was the best thing in those days.

Although, Namjoon blamed it on the coffee, he felt a bitter taste at the mention of initial days of her coming in. Something about that recent past held a certain wasteful feeling. Maybe they could've spent a better time if he wasn't entirely and/or solely engrossed in his work.

SEOL AH : (-continues-) It always relieved my stress and would always calm me down.

Having almost a month that he hardly worked on his music, they made more memories together— ironically against the greater number of days spent before that. Although, they couldn't see it through and might have felt being distant amidst the court chaos. Yet, it was the only time, both of them could step out of their placement in each other's lives and have a company of equal status.

Namjoon could be himself and Seol Ah could be herself. The suspension of work, also suspended the Boss and Manager duties they had.

If only, they could see it.

NJ : If you have anything more you're curious about. You can ask me now. It's going to be hectic from tomorrow.

"And we would hardly see each other," he continued in his mind wondering the reason of restraint he pulled off from voicing it out loud.

SEOL AH : Imm. Nothing really major. But, there's one thing, I can't help be curious about.

NJ : What is it?

SEOL AH : Will you answer it though? I doubt.

NJ : Is that something you had asked me before, but I did not give you an answer to?

SEOL AH : Rather than putting it that way. It was more like, I tried finding it out on myself, but you stopped me right away. (-points inside the house-)

Namjoon curiously followed the direction she was pointing at as he sipped his coffee.

SEOL AH : That Black Curtain. You never told me what was under that.

Namjoon broke into a light grin and looked back at her.

NJ : You were that curious about it?

SEOL AH : Well, you can't help that. And since you restricted me, I was naturally drawn more towards it.

Namjoon with a sad smile joined Seol Ah, looking ahead at the distant waterbody again.

NJ : It's a picture. Picture of a moment, I might never have in my life again.

Seol Ah, never held her hopes high even after his offer a while ago. But, having him actually tell her about it, she gratefully stared at him, feeling he had more to say.

NJ : People would laugh at it. So, I kept it shrouded under the curtains. It isn't something others would want to see or enjoy anyway.

SEOL AH : (-smiles-) But, it does mean to you, right? That's enough of a reason to never hide it. You don't have to feel anxious about other's opinions, do you?

NJ : Honestly, you can call it an excuse. It isn't actually or entirely about other's. That picture is what makes me anxious. It's like a bitter truth and the curtain— a sweet lie— that covers it.

Seol Ah stayed silent, the dark completely spread through the sky and they were now standing under the moon light. It highlighted their sharp features as they shared a brief gaze.

The rays of the sun that the moon reflected through the night stood as a perfect epitome of the reality they were living.
It has always been Seol Ah who reflected the shine reaching from him. Not well addressed it was, Namjoon had also been a constant screen to reflect her lost existence.

The increment of self esteem and confidence after she had started working under him, was exemplary. He rightfully fished out her commendable qualities and worth by just being unprejudiced and liberal towards her. Giving the spontaneity that one needs, sometimes helps them in an exceptional sense. What was it for Seol Ah?

—Acceptance.

She never received any from the places she had been around before. Say it at school or at work. Having constantly nagged about her incompetence and shortcomings, Seol Ah didn't realize when she started to adjust herself into different societal norms. And 'a good-for-nothing self' became her only truth.

It was Namjoon, who was completely honest with whatever and wherever he could see in her.

Maybe it was not just a coincidence, but a design of destiny. A wise plan of the universe to mirror their truths and show the mirage of who they really stand as.

NJ : But, if you were so curious, you could've just seen it when I was out.

SEOL AH : Ay, no matter how curious I am, I wouldn't invade your privacy blatantly. If you haven't shown it to me, I believed, you must have a reason to keep it hidden. Of course, I would respect that.

Something about her honesty and faith brought in him the guts to face the picture and a want to feed her curiosity to the brim.

NJ : Let's go, I will show it to you. (-walks towards the glass door-)

SEOL AH : (-surprised-) Ah, you don't have to.

NJ : (-stops sliding the glass-) Do you mean that? It's your last choice.

SEOL AH : Well, I want to see it but only if you are comfortable.

Namjoon smiled to himself and walked inside as if it was enough to convey his words. Seeing him actually go for the curtains, she felt a little nervous as she followed him hesitantly.

He shoved the black heavy cloth to an extreme, exposing the entire wall, and stood with a distance. Namjoon looked at it with a big yet wistful smile, after a long time.

It wasn't completely visible from the side to Seol Ah, so she further marched to the lounge to view it with a full eye.

SEOL AH : (-astounded-) Wow, it's beautiful!

NJ : (-admiring the view-) Right? This was a day when I was the happiest. And the saddest as well. It's from . . .

______

💅🏻☕

Was anyone still curious about those curtains?
Well, a few more days of wait.😌