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My next stop is Joah. Since Nathaniel and I are cohosting the event, we’re supposed to arrive together at the venue. On the drive over, my nerves get the better of me. I’ve never been to an awards ceremony, let alonehostedone. Nathaniel hasn’t either, not one of this caliber, though he has experience hosting the weekly music shows at EBC. What if I can’t read the teleprompter in a natural way or lose my place while reading? Because of the short notice, we hadn’t had time for a rehearsal.
The car service drops me off outside the building—tonight, Secretary Park is accompanying my mother—and I hurry through the front doors.
As I enter, I draw up short. All four XOXO members are standing in the lobby, dressed in formal black-tie attire.
They all turn at my entrance.
Collectively, their eyes move from the ground upward, checking me out, and I smile at their appreciation.
“Sori-yah,” Sun says, meeting me halfway as I approach them across the lobby. “You look beautiful.”
“Min Sori,” Jaewoo says with a grin. “Were you always this tall?”
I wrinkle my nose at his teasing. “Shouldn’t you be on the way to the airport?” I ask. “Jenny’s arriving at any moment.”
“I’m thinking of bailing early.” He grins. “Do you think anyone will notice?”
“We wanted to support our CEO,” Sun explains.
My heart fills with gratitude for all of them. They didn’t have to be here. Though invited, they’re not actively promoting an album, nominated for an award, or performing. But they’re showing up anyway, to support my mother, their CEO, as she accepts this year’s Trailblazer Award.
“Thank you,” I say softly.
It’s Youngmin’s turn to greet me next. “Nuna,” he says, eyes wide. “You’re gorgeous!”
I laugh at the way he keeps his eyes level with mine, staring at me almost fixedly so as not to inadvertently drop his gaze to theverydeepVof my neckline. Poor Youngmin. Maybe I shouldn’t have worn this dress and had more consideration for his innocence.
Then it’s Nathaniel’s turn. And now I’m the one who’s stunned. He’s dressed entirely in black, even his shirt beneath his jacket, but unlike the others who wear a necktie or a bowtie, the top few buttons of his shirt are undone. Nathaniel in casual wear is heart-fluttering, like your boyfriend who’s also a bit of a bad boy, mischievous and too charming for his own good. But Nathaniel in formal wear, with his hair slicked back, his gaze direct, is breathtaking, still a bad boy, but entirely grown up, and quite possibly the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
I’m vaguely aware that we match almost perfectly, without having coordinated our outfits at all.
“Sori.” Nathaniel’s eyes are warm as he takes me in. “How are you feeling?”
“Nervous,” I confess. “On the way over here, I was thinking of all the things that could go wrong.”
“They won’t,” Nathaniel says confidently. “And if they do, I’ll have your back, just like you’ll have mine.”
He grins. “We’re going to kill it. I just know it.”
My heart rushes with warmth at his words, and I... believe him. I believe him wholeheartedly.
“Limo’s here,” Sun says, leading the way out the building.
As we’re walking out the door, a deliveryman approaches holding a large bouquet of red roses. “Min Sori-ssi?”
I blink at him. “Yes?”
“These are for you.”
I gather the bouquet in my arms. Jaewoo and Youngmin tease me as I reach in between the roses to pull out a card.Congratulations on hosting the EBC Awards. I look forward to seeing you tonight.I read the name written at the end of the message. “They’re from Cha Donghyun.”
“Cha Donghyun, CEO’s Cha’s nephew?” Sun asks.
Jaewoo frowns. “Was that the guy you were with on Wednesday?”
“Why is Cha Donghyun-ssi sending you flowers, Nuna?”
I stare at them, unsure what to say. Their expressions aren’t exactly accusatory—and all of them are careful not to look at Nathaniel, but I can sense their confusion.
