Chapter 67

2023.02.18

We came to the HUGE HIT. They were having dance practice to perform during the MMA awards. Which was just due two and half weeks. We stood at the end of the practice room for them to finish. Their practice end in another twenty minutes according to the schedule they gave us. I sat down and looked through my phone for designs and inspiration for a Stumpwork. I have to get to work on it ASAP, if not I will be left behind. Even the half work is a nice design idea, it will save me some time too. I looked up, one of the member was struggling with a package. I watched him talk in Korean to his stylist and his manager. "I have to get this to Dongmin. He has a shooting in an hour. He needs this shirt. Can you at least find someone to get this to him?" He was shuddering and was almost in tears. It is not that great to be in an artist contract sometimes. Our eyes met. I looked at his parcel and back to him and signaled with my hands 'Shall I?" He came towards me in hurry.

"Can you? Wait do you have veChat?" "Yeah." He scanned my QR code and sent me the address. "Call me if you get lost. And thank you. This means a lot." "Yeah sure. Now focus on choreo. You have lot more to do today. Do not get stressed out." "I have will give his manager a call." I nodded and said Kit that I will be here in twenty minutes. Kit said, "Why do you do these? We do not need spend time on these." "I know Kit I just want a favor in return." I said coldly and left the room.

I really do not trust Oogle maps. Instead I asked the locals for the location. It was shooting place. I was there within ten minutes, thanks to the locals. I wanted to reassure. I sent a picture of the place to the SEVEN's member – Mingyu. Within two minutes he sent me a thumbs up. I held the parcel tight because the place was crowded with fans. How to get to Dongmin? How to get in. I saw a security guard. I went up to him.

He said talked in a Korean slang English, "No fans. Out!" I raised an eyebrow at him. (In Korean) "I know Korean. I am not a fan. I am coming from HUGE HIT to give a parcel to Dongmin. Here is my ID card and here are some photos with my crew if you think I am lying. I gave him my phone. Or you can come with me." "Give it to me I will give." He tried to get the parcel. "You do not trust me and I will not trust me. Show me the way in and out. Deal? I have no time. I have to get to a meeting within half an hour." He finally agreed with my cold personality. I made him tag along with me.

Finally I saw him. I went up to him. "Dongmin?" He was slightly shuddered. (In English) "Mingyu said to send this for you. His manager could not make it." He looked at me confused. (In English), "Did I make a mistake?" I quickly took a call to Mingyu. (In Korean) "Mingyu, it is Dongmin right?" "Yeah." "But he seems to be confused." "Can you give the phone to him" I held my phone to him with no smile. He talked with Mingyu. I slowly started seeing that people were staring at me. I could clearly hear them, "Woah, she is pretty." "Are HH now recruiting foreign stylists?" "She can be an idol." I heard the fans running in to the shoot. They had surpassed the security. Dongmin gave me the phone back. (In English) "Sorry for the wait. I forgot about it. Thank you for bringing the shirt." "My pleasure" I said and quickly escaped before the fans crush me. I could see him stare at me from distance. I have to admit he looks too good in person than in photos. Wait, I just met my crush. Oh Shit! I did not even take a photo. The reality hit me. What did I do? I kicked the tree next to me. "Aurrg. It is a tree. I am sorry tree." Everyone looked at me if I was crazy. I just put on the mask and walked away.

I came back to the practice room in HUGE HIT. My crew were busy with taking the measurements. "Anna, you came?" Kit came towards me and handed me my book. "What is this color tone?" "The skin color tone." He was confused. "It is usually taken care by the makeup artist. But we have to consider it when we stitch dresses too." "Right! Cool, warm and neutral." I nodded. "Then Anna can you take them." I took my notebook and wrote the members name down. I went next to Amy who was taking measurements. I called each of them and to check their nerves color, their skin brightness next to a white A4 paper and which jewelry looks best on them, gold or silver. The boys were confused and it was quite weird actually. One of them who is in-charge of English in their team spoke, "I get others what they are doing. What is this?" "It is to check your skin tone color. Some of you look good in warm colors, others in cool colors and some who look in good both the colors." I replied. They were interested in talking with me. The manager said, "Anna knows Hangul." I saw some smiling. They started talking in Korean, "What is your color tone?" "Mine is neutral." "How is Korea? Will you settle here?" "Korea was one of the country in my bucket list. And no I want to go back to my parents." Mingyu asked "Have you been in a relationship?" "I have never been in relationship and I am not interested." They were all pretty shocked. I made a frown. I spoke in English, "Why does almost everyone get shock that when I say I had not been in a relationship?" Kit replied, "With that face, all would say that you are lying." "What is wrong with my face?" The bandmate in front of me said, "You are the most prettiest person I have ever seen." "Your sentence is grammatically wrong."

2023.02.20

"You are also a contest in the KPOP fashion right?" I nodded. Her accent was British. "I have trouble in getting the form filled. Many people are busy in our entertainment to give us a hand. Can you help me out?" "Are you not too late?" She nodded and said that today was the last day. We were shopping for fabric. I sighed. I do not want to help but then again it would be inhumane. I took some more fabric from my members and told them I would meet them in the dorm. They went to shop for Jewelry, it was Amy's specialty so did not need to worry of anything.

They had got Flamingo and one of the top 3 entertainments. There were less staff in the Flamingo. It was quite a small entertainment and it also had my crush, 'Dongmin' who is an actor and was an idol. He now mainly focuses on acting. And I met him the shooting and I could not even get a mere photo. Me and my pride. I stood near a cut out of Dongmin and exclaimed, "How can someone be this tall?" "Can they not be?" Someone stood behind me and spoke in a very romantic voice. I turned my head only and followed his torso to his head. It was Dongmin! My neck was getting sprained. 'Okay Anna, cool down.' 'Flirt! Ask how his drama was.' 'Compliment on his acting.' 'Ask when his band will release a new song.' "Sure, absolutely they can. You can." I replied. 'Oh screw it!' 'Why did I reply like that?' I feel awkward. He was about to ask something from me then the British girl called me. I ran. Yes, just like that. Ran. I did not even bother to say bye. 'I did not know what was wrong with me?' 'I lost all my crushes. Sorry singular, crush. Wait what? No, it will never happen. A flawless man like that fall in love with a shorty, colored skin and all above a girl that is not that pretty. No I am pretty.' "What should I fill here?" she nudged me. She was talking to me all along. I focused. I filled the form for her. I even helped her pick the bands that will be beneficial for her. I think I forgot that I was in a competition.

I was exhausted with all the heavy bags and walking. My feet was sore. Kit bought me some Band-Aids to treat my leg. "How long did you walk?" Amy asked looking at my feet. "It felt like eternity. So much for helping. But I got to know what one team will do. She was naïve and so was I." Tommy exclaimed, "You NAÏVE?" "I am pretty much." All of us laughed.

I started cutting out blocks for the male outfits. It was a lot. I was getting tired. Dora took the turn next and she started cutting. Tommy and Kit placed them on dummies and started with their designs. I had one of my own to do three of the outfits. The rest 10 will be taken care by them. Amy was busy with the Jewelry. I made drew some designs for her to work on. I cut the last three which were mine. I stitched the trousers overnight. My hands and legs were sore. I took some painkillers and went to sleep.

2023.03.01

I was almost over with the three outfits. I had to do the Stumpwork for only one of the jacket's sleeve. I was in-charge for making Mingyu's, leader's and the lead rapper's outfits. Mingyu's outfit had suspenders that were in bright lilac color and the suspenders had black orchid pattern which was very visible to my surprise. My fingers and whole arm was immobile after finishing the suspenders. His shirt and trouser are in white color, the trouser has some patterns that are in white which will be evident with flashes. His outfit was mostly glamourized with Jewelry, I planned on executing his masculinity more. The leader's shirt had a Lilac 3D orchid on his left shoulder on a very light whitish purple. The trousers were dark brown with light brown checked. And the rapper's I wanted to give him a jacket filled with Stumpwork and bling blings. I was screwed. It was really hard.

I kept the jacket aside and helped with the girl's dresses. One long dress, two knee length and two trousers. They all came pretty well. Amy was struggling to finish the Jewelry in time so I and Dora went to shop some more and give less pressure to Amy. Tommy and Kit were doing the final touches on the SEVEN's outfits.

"I cannot walk more." Dora sat on a bench. I was exhausted too. We could barely get anything with a fixed budget. I saw a café on the opposite road. "Dora will have a drink, it is on me." We ordered iced mocha latte, one blueberry cheesecake and one classic cheesecake. I took my notebook out and checked the notes again. "I feel bad for Amy." Dora kept her head on the table and said, "Yeah, she has no time to even call Barron." I was confused. "Why should she keep contacting Barron?" She straightened up. "I am sorry, I should have not told you. Only Amy, I and Barron knows." "Since you spilled half of it. Tell me the rest too." "They are dating. They did not want to tell anyone now. And also Amy thought it would hate you." "It would hurt if Barron was my ex. And…" Before I could complete my sentence my phone rang. It was Seven's stylist. (In Korean). "I am so sorry that could not answer. I was in a meeting. What is it about dear?" she asked me. "Unnie (Elder sister in Korean) I want to get some accessories for a cheap price or a place where we can rent?" "How about you come to the Entertainment and see my collection and if you are not satisfied I can give you some places to rent." I hung up the phone and told Dora to hurry. We quickly ate our cheesecake and took the lattes with us. As I was about to stand up I got a message. It was from the 'Wild Girls' stylist, she had sent me a place to rent.