Read The Name You Buried :: Chapter 7

The snow had died down just a bit to a small flurry, not like the heavier borderline blizzarding they had before. It's around 3 am, Eunwoo sits in front of a large window looking out into the city, it's lights dazzling like stars.

He's been up for awhile now.

"Can't sleep?" Maksim walks over, mug in hand, the hot contents inside causing steam to flow out slowly.

"Not really. Jet lag." Eunwoo doesn't look away from the window. Maksim has a nice place, a penthouse on the 9th floor. It still feels strange seeing his childhood friend living somewhere so expensive - so adult.

Maksim hums, taking a seat beside him on the floor, leaning back against the wall. A silence sits between them, but it's comfortable. They've each been doing their own thing since coming home, falling right back into the rhythm they used to have.

"Hey, so..." Maksim takes a sip of his tea. "There's this gala. And I want you to come with me as my plus one."

Eunwoo blinks at him.. "A gala? What for?"

"All the sponsors and their athletes meet up and celebrate." Maksim shrugs. "It's really just an excuse for media coverage. And you know how much celebrities love showing off."

"Aren't you a sponsor for an energy drink?" Eunwoo teases. "Why do you need to go to a gala?"

Maksim snorts. "Yeah, well, requirement is requirement. Every sponsor with an athlete has to attend."

"Then why me?" Eunwoo yawns lightly, feeling a bit more tired but still not enough to sleep. "I'm not exactly flaunting material."

Maksim sighs, head lightly bumping against the wall. "I need some emotional support. Going alone sucks."

"Why's that?"

"Because if I don't have a plus one, they stick me with my athlete and his date all night -" He takes another drink, visibly annoyed. "And I'm not doing that to myself."

Eunwoo raises a brow. "You don't like him?"

"God no." Maksim answers almost instantly, causing Eunwoo to laugh a little. "He's the worst person I've ever worked with."

"But...?"

"There is no 'but."

Eunwoo tilts his head a little, which makes Maksim sigh again, this time heavier. "...Fine. But, he's hella good at what he does, so no matter how much I hate the guy, I'm stuck with him."

"You're so cute." Eunwoo laughs. "When are you getting a girlfriend?"

"Don't change the subject," Maksim nudges him with his foot, both of them smiling. "So? Will you go?"

"Sure, why not." Eunwoo shrugs. He's not sure if he's exactly gala material, but honestly? It could be fun.

"Are you sure this isn't too much?"

"Eunwoo, I already told you - this is exactly what these gala things are for. You look perfect."

He glances down at himself, hands smoothing down the fitted suit. "It's too tight-"

"No, it's tailored," Maksim corrects, batting his hands away before he can ruin the tie he fixed for him. And it's true - the white and gray fabric hugs his body in all the right places, enough to make him look sharp and put-together.

Normally, that would make his confidence kick in. But, tonight it doesn't.

"I just don't want to catch unnecessary attention.." Eunwoo admits, voice small with embarrassment.

"Oh, if that's what you're worried about -" Maksim laughs. "Trust me. We're going to be underdressed compared to everyone there."

Eunwoo sighs heavily. Maksim glances at him, then back at the road. "I want you to stay beside me the whole night," he says finally - not sounding like a request.

Eunwoo turns to him. "Well I planned on doing that anyway... but why say it like that?"

"Because..." Maksim's jaw shifts. "I don't trust the people there."

Lights wash over them as the car slows for the turn and the venue comes into view - elegant, soft, glowing. It's cream walls laced with string lights and a warm glow spills from the archways. It's like a wedding hall, like a dream.

It's beautiful.

"Wow." Eunwoo breathes, ducking a bit so that he can see more from the window. His eyes fall onto the large group of well dressed individuals walking inside. There's more people than he thought.

A valet hurries over as they step out of the car and Maksim hands him the keys before returning back to Eunwoo, gently grabbing his arm.

The moment they hit the carpet, camera flashes explode around them like a swarm of white stars. Eunwoo flinches, instinctively ducking his head and inching closer to Maksim's side. The glam, the designer bags, and polished cars... It all feels like a world he doesn't belong in.

Maksim notices and squeezes his arms. "Here. Champagne." He thanks the butler and takes two glasses, handing one to Eunwoo.

"How much does this much cost?" Eunwoo asks, taking a sip. "It even tastes expensive. I want to guess - $20 bucks a gulp?"

Maksim laughs at that. "Mmh... maybe $40."

He pulls Eunwoo through the crowd toward the bar. Inside, the room hums like a beehive - people glittering, talking, posing and moving in every direction.

"I hate these things." Maksim mutters under his breath as he takes a sip of the liquor.

"I can see why."

Eunwoo keeps scanning the room, taking in everything: the dresses, diamonds, perfect skin and hair.

Everyone here is beautiful. Unlike him.

"Yeah it's just..." Maksim's sentence falls short, causing Eunwoo to look up at him, eyebrow arched.

"You just.... what?" Eunwoo nudges him. "Maksim?"

A faint blush blooms across Maksim's cheeks. He clears his throat but doesn't answer, gaze fixated somewhere across the room.

Eunwoo follows his gaze, landing on a woman down the way. She wears a tight black dress, the matte fabric hugging her curves, neckline cut low with a blue gemstone necklace sitting atop her collarbone. Her hair is curled in beach waves, lightly bouncing everytime she moves.

She's beautiful.

"Who's that?" Eunwoo whispers.. "Do you like her?"

"Like her?" Maksim almost chokes. "Don't be ridiculous." He forces a laugh, but the uncertainty is obvious. "I can't get involved with my clients."

Eunwoo blinks, pleasantly surprised. "You're sponsoring her? That's great! More female ath-"

"Oh, no." Maksim cuts in. "Her name's Laya." A small smile softens his face. "She's the head mechanic for my racer. One of the reasons he's still afloat."

"Woah, That's cool."

Eunwoo admires her from afar - but then something else catches his eye. A man steps into the space beside her. He's tall, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His white hair falls into soft waves, but it's not slicked back like the others, just carelessly perfect.

"And that's Noir." Maksim voice startles Eunwoo, blinking rapidly. He didn't realize he was staring so long. "My driver. One of the best on the F1 track right now." His jaw tightens the moment he says Noir's name.

Eunwoo watches the man turn slightly, his expression flat, like someone who'd rather be anywhere but here. "Wow, he's..." Eunwoo swallows, heat rushing to his ears. "Incredibly handsome.." He murmurs without thinking.

Maksim cuts him a look, half horrified and half panicked. "Nope. No. Absolutely not."

Eunwoo raises a brow. "You get to admire someone. Why can't I?"

Maksim's jaw tenses. "Because," he mutters, "he's not your type. Trust me."

Eunwoo snorts. "You don't know my type."

But Maksim does. And that's exactly what scares him.