I pass by Namdo's to check the exhibit that they showcased for their weeklong 20th anniversary celebration. I know that the event tonight will conclude the celebration, so I decide to check how the week has been. I called Han-nah to know if what time she's going home.
I wasn't particularly feeling well. Remembering how last night unfolded. Hearing his proposal to moved in, remembering the personal space he created for me, my confession at the restaurant and my non-response to his proposal gave me sleepless night. I left his apartment at dawn break with the excuse of preparing something.
"Miss, everyone at the office are permitted to go home by 3 in order to prepare for the event." I was woken up frpm my stupor when I heard Hannah's response at the other line.
"I am here at the lobby right now. I'm checking the exhibit; I'm just wondering whom I can get the full program for this week's celebration?" I figured I needed to check how it is for my research.
"I can secure a copy for you from the PR team, but you can also just email to the team leader…" of course, why didn't I think about that.
"Ok. I would do that."
"But Miss, why did you call?"
"I'm just wondering how you will prepare for the event?" I have to eventually ask for help.
"Do you mean hair and make-up, Miss?"
"I have never been to this kind of public events before. I was thinking of calling Chris or Simon, but they would probably just tell me to hire some hairdresser. I haven't asked Soo-ah yet since I was thinking she is busy. I actually just plan to do it myself, but looking how big the event is, I might go underwhelmed."
"Relax, Miss…" she started. "Do you want me to call the make-up artist who did your hair and make-up at the book signing?" she asked.
"Isn't Lisa the one who secured that?"
"Soo-ah is the one who asked me to call her actually. I bet she will be so happy to come and do your make-up again…"
"Han-nah do you want to prepare for the event with me?"
She came down after 15 minutes. She already called the make-up artist who will do my hair and make-up. The thing is I have not tried the dresses I have to wear yet. I know how they look like base on the designs my sister gave to Michael Cinco and Mark Bumgarner. I knew them through my sister, of course, my sister is the one who always needed dresses, since she's the one who always needed to dress up for our company's events.
"Should we pick up some take-away before we go home?" I asked her.
"That would be great, Miss, but could we pass by Cheongdam-dong?"
"Do we need anything in Cheongdam?"
"Actually, Miss, I still need to buy the dress that I will wear tonight. I have been so busy the past week and I haven't got time to pick it up yet…"
"Aw, sorry…it was my fault was it?"
"Don't apologize, Miss. It's my job …" She smiled. I looked at her and examine her.
"Do you want to try the dresses I have?" She was shocked.
"Miss, I didn't mean that…please…don't feel like you need to…." she stuttered.
"Oh no, no offense meant, please. I'm really just offering a more practical solution. I actually have 2 dresses sent to me by my sister that I have not tried yet. I can see we probably have the same size, you might be a little taller than me, but I can see we have definitely the same size, not on the chest area, but that is not really a big deal isn't it?"
I manage to convince her to try my dresses at home. Aside from the gowns that the designer's sent, I have probably 5 other dresses that can be worn to this kind of events. Not as extraordinary as wearing custom made one but they are still elegant, nonetheless. We pass by my favorite sushi place to pick up something to eat. The hairdresser is already by the lobby when we arrived.
We arrived at the loft half past 3. I offered them to eat before we go down to business. The event will be held at Grand Hyatt Hotel and the welcome reception starts at 6pm. I knew I agreed with him that Joon will be picking me up, but I haven't told him yet that Han-nah is coming with me. I invited Han-nah and the make-up artist up to my closet. The walk-in closet of the loft is as big as my bedroom and is a separate room altogether, so it is really spacious. It has also it's dresser to do our make-up. I opened the package of my gowns and arrange them at the tailor's dummies in my closet. My jaw dropped, so as Han-nah and the make-up artist's.
The first gown from Michael Cinco is a royal blue mermaid gown with a slit that shows most of the right leg all the way to your thighs, with bodice applique covering the chest and my whole arms, covered with blue Swarovski crystals. I knew how Michael Cinco can be bold into putting a lot of Crystal in his designs but this one is out of this world, they are shimmering. The one from Mark Bumgarner is a wine red off-shoulder with bow wrap-around, satin gown with 2 revealing slits and deep V neck and back and a gold stud in the waist. It is more elegant and simpler.
"Han-nah dear I guess you'll have the red dress tonight…" I declared.
"I guess you fell in love with the blue one, Miss." She stated.
"Didn't you?"
"I'm more into simplicity." She informed.
Han-nah finished getting ready before me. But I asked the make-up artist to polish her make-up after she does mine. Han-nah seemed more easy-going than Soo-ah, it maybe because she's older. Although, she had been telling me all night how grateful she is, she is not the one to refuse something being offered to her. It really is simple yet very elegant, it suits her well. Unfortunately, her shoe size is bigger than mine, but she prepared a black ankle ribbon lace-up stiletto.
"You look so fantastic…" I exclaimed.
"Thank you. But I needed to go before you, Miss. We have to help with the guests and to prepare for the program."
"I am waiting for someone to pick me up. Do you want to take my car?" I offered.
"Oh no, Miss, I would prefer taking the cab. It'll take max 10 minutes from here to the hotel."
When she left, I was still in a daze, the intial excitement I felt in dressing up and attending my first ever grand banquet has died down because of all the thoughts lingering in my mind.