Behind the Mask - Hyunjin x reader

The next day, I woke up to a very passive-aggressive message from my boss requesting an explanation as to why I had disappeared the day before, and left the artist like that in the gallery. 

Apparently, he expected a very, very valid reason. Saying stuff like I was ruining their contract opportunity with the 'talented Hwang Hyunjin' and that I better get my ass to the office right now. 

Great, I was already loosing my mind. Now it looked like I was also loosing my job. 

I dragged myself out of bed with a groan, trying to mentally prepare myself for whatever was awaiting me at work. 

Ji had texted me a simple 'good luck' followed by three crying emojis, after I briefly explained to him the mess I was in, which honestly summed up my mood perfectly.

By the time I got to the office, my boss was already pacing in his office, phone in hand, looking like he was about to loose his mind. 

Well, at least that made two of us. 

The second he saw me, he hung up mid-conversation and shot me a glare so sharp I literally stopped breathing for a while 

- Do you have any idea what kind of mess you caused yesterday?

I sighed, shifting my weight uncomfortably.

- Sir, I-

- Do you know how important this deal is? We are talking about one of the most promising contemporary artists of his generation, and you just- you just vanish on him?

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm.

- I had a personal emergency.

He scoffed.

- And would you care to explain what kind of emergency would justify leaving an artist in the middle of a meeting? Without even alerting your superiors?

I hesitated. 

Obviously, "Oh, I had a mental breakdown because I haven't seen this man in years, and he used to be my friend, or situationship or whatever, until he disappeared off the face of the earth after our other friend died" wasn't exactly a professional excuse. 

- It won't happen again, I said instead, keeping my voice level.

- It better not. Because we have a second meeting scheduled this afternoon, and guess who's in charge of making sure it goes smoothly?

My stomach dropped.

- You're kidding.

- Oh, I wish I was. But since you've already made quite the impression, you're going to be the one making up for it. Mister Hwang has personally requested you. 

That fucker. 

- Needless to say, my boss pursued,  if this deal falls through because of you, don't bother coming back to this office.

I bowed politely before he waved me off, muttering something under his breath about "unprofessional behavior" and "goddamn kids."

I let out a slow breath, my heart pounding loudly as I closed the door of his office. 

A second meeting. With him.

The universe was really out to get me.

I sat awkwardly at the table of the restaurant. We weren't meeting at the hotel, no. 

That would have been too easy. I didn't realize the luck I had yesterday with the setting