Behind the Mask - Hyunjin x reader

- ... Oh, and make sure you get this done by tomorrow, the boss has requested that we move forward with the project. 

I nodded, rapidly typing a quick memo on my laptop as my colleague leaned over towards my desk. 

- I'll have it done, I shot her a thumbs up. 

I quickly finished my sentence before shutting my computer and letting out a sigh. This morning had been intense, with my presentation in front of the board this morning, and now new tasks to get done before I could log off for the day. 

Adulting was certainly more stressful and tiring that I had thought. 

Now don't get me wrong, I love my job. I worked as an art consultant, if you could call it this. Essentially, my role is to discover new, emerging artists, and look out for pieces for my clients. 

It was tiring, for sure. But it was all I ever wanted. 

I was able to concile my work with my passion, and even though I did not end up becoming an artist myself, I enjoyed this side of the industry just as much. My job allowed me to travel, meet new people, and most importantly, discover new artists and art pieces. 

How could I complain?

I stood up from my desk station in the open space before stretching a bit. It was lunch time, and I had an appointment this afternoon, with a new, as would my colleague describe him, 'rising artist, coming all the way back to Seoul from the US, and he's hot'. 

Her words, not mine. 

But well, if his work was as impressive as she praised it to be, we would certainly end up signing a contract, so a little bonus from me which I could not refuse. I was in charge of organizing Chae's bachelorette party, so some extra cash was always appreciated.  

I made my way to the parking lot, after saying bye to my colleagues. I had my own car now, so I was kinda able to escape the subway rat race thanks to this, and blast my music as I pleased. Though, as I was about to shuffle my playlist, Jisung's words came back in my mind and I remembered I promised I would listen to their latest release. 

Sighing, I clicked on the Soundcloud link. 

The song was called 'Hellevator', and when I tell you my jaw dropped when I heard Ji's high note towards the end, that would be an understatement. 

The song was good. Like really good. The type of song some kpop group would debut to, you know. 

Who knows, maybe in some alternate universe, my boys made it big in the industry. 

Focusing my thoughts back to the present, I parked my car in front of the hotel, leaving the keys to the concierge, and stepped into the lobby. I followed the instructions on the email to reach the conference room, where the artist I was supposed to meet had some of his art exposed. 

In the elevator, I caught myself trying to guess which style and vibe would I discover from this 'rising gem'. But as I stepped into the gallery, all those thoughts faded.

Large canvases lined the walls. Bold strokes of color, abstract emotions were captured in the paint, a mix of chaos and control. 

Some were violent, raw, as if the painter had been fighting against the canvas itself, while others were hauntingly soft, fleeting. 

Romantic. 

My breath caught in my throat. 

- Y/n, you made it! My colleague, Jiwoo, appeared at my side, grinning. Ah, you've had time to look around? I told you, he's the real deal. His pieces are already stirring up the market. Clients are obsessed.

I nodded, my eyes still stuck on the piece in front of me.  

Why did this style look so oddly familiar. 

- So he's coming all the way from New York City. He recently exposed in the national gallery and I heard one of Forbes' 30 under 30 recently bought three of his paintings for his brand new office in Manhattan. So uh, needless to let you know that we need this contract. 

I barely heard Jiwoo's words, because my eyes had landed on the side of the piece, and my heart fell in my chest. 

There, in the bottom right corner of the canvas, were two small initials, barely noticeable against the chaos of paint.

HH.

My pulse quickened.

No.

It couldn't be.

- Y/n? Jiwoo nudged me lightly. What's up? You look like you've seen a ghost.

- Wha- what did you say the name of this artist was again? I asked, trying my best to keep my voice from shaking. 

Jiwoo blinked at me, slightly confused by my sudden change in tone.

- He just goes by 'HH' professionally. Adds to the mystery, you know? But wait, let me see if I can find his real name... 

My stomach twisted.

The initials. The style. The colors. 

I swallowed hard. There was no way. 

No way this was him.

- Oh, right there! Apparently, his real name's Hwang Hyu-

But I didn't hear the rest.

Because right then, from across the room, a deep, familiar voice cut through the air.

- Didn't think I'd ever see you again.

My breath hitched.

Slowly, I turned.

And there he was.

Hyunjin.