PLAY ME A LOVE SONG PART 8

 The next few days were hectic both for Jeongguk and Taehyung, that they hardly had any time to talk.

Taehyung had to finalize plans for his 3 month book tour by finishing his review of the book draft two weeks earlier which Namjoon was highly appreciative of.

After a month, Namjoon just got off of the phone with his boyfriend Jin when he remembered that Jeongguk was flying back from Singapore with Park Hyoshin in two days which was perfect timing because they would have a photoshoot with DJ V for his book launch.

He immediately dialed Jeongguk's number, "Jeonggukah!" "Hyung!" Jeongguk said as he stepped out of the Zall Bookstore where balladeer Park Hyoshin was signing autographs. "Jeongguk, can you send me a message what time you'll be back on Friday?" Namjoon asked.

"The usual, hyung." Jeongguk wondered why is he asking. "I am asking because I will be sending the driver." Namjoon said. "You are not picking me up?" Jeongguk pouted, clutching his heart on his chest, "are you getting tired of me?"

"No. Silly." Namjoon shook his head, chuckling. "I will be managing DJ V's photoshoot at MBC." "Wait, what?" Jeongguk almost dropped the phone from his hand. "Hyung, Hyoshinssi will drive straight to MBC because of some meeting he needed to attend. I should go with him then?"

"That's a great idea. I will see you in two days?" Namjoon said. "Yes." Jeongguk responded as his heart pounded with excitement. Will he finally see DJ V? "Okay, hyung. I will see you!" Jeongguk said as he scrolled through his message to send one to DJ V.

Hyoshin suddenly texted him saying that he's done, so Jeongguk put away his phone to attend to the artist. "Jeongguk, we are done for the day!" Hyoshin said as they walked out of the bookstore. "You had such a long line of fans Hyoshinssi." Jeongguk opened the door for him.

"Thank you for being patient Jeonggukah." He said as they walked towards the hotel. "Ummm. Can I ask you something?" Jeongguk asked a little too eagerly. "Sure, what is it?" He asked. "Umm, Namjoon would be at MBC Seoul when we get back and I know you are driving directly, +

I was wondering if I can drive there with you?" "Of course. I am excited about the meeting. It's a collab with someone I know from the university." Hyoshin smiled. "I knew you when you were at SNU." Jeongguk looked at him. "You did, how?" Hyoshin asked.

"Umm... my boyfriend..." Jeongguk started saying when Hyoshin held out his hand. "I have to take this call Jeongguk." Hyo-shin said as he walked faster towards the hotel. Jeongguk just nodded. Of course, he knew Hyo-shin. He was the TA who Taehyung was talking on and on about.

How could he forget how he looked at his best friend during that time all starry-eyed toward Park Hyo-shin? Of course, Jeongguk just realized that later when he was listening to one of his interviews. He was THE Park Hyo-shin who was graduating when they were freshmen.

Well enough about Taehyung. What he is looking forward to is spending the rest of the night hoping to text DJ V, well maybe because he would see him sooner than he anticipated. He arrived at his hotel room and immediately changed his clothes and laid down on the bed.

He stared at it because he still needed to review some books to be released in the next few months. Then he remembered, yes, DJ V. It's about time to text him.

Taehyung bit his fingernails as he called his old friend, Park Hyo-shin. "Hello, sunbaenim?" He took a deep breath. "Hi! Well, wait give me a second." Hyo-shin said as Taehyung heard footsteps. "Am I catching you at a bad time sunbae?"

"Oh no, just got finished signing autographs." He said. "Oh, I am glad then. Hey sunbae, are you sure about meeting in two days, aren't you just flying back?" Taehyung asked. "Of course. C'mon, who did you intern for?" Hyo-shin chuckled. "You!" Taehyung laughed.

"So, don't say no about guesting on my show DJ V," Hyo-shin exclaimed. "Aren't you busy with your book tour?" Taehyung asked. "I am usually back in Seoul on Thursdays and Fridays. I am only busy weekends until Wednesdays." "Oh, okay. If you insist." Taehyung smiled.

"And then we can go to dinner after?" Hyo-shin suggested. "Most definitely," Taehyung said. "We have years to catch up, Kim Taehyung, I mean DJ V." Hyo-shin said as he walked back to the hotel. "Okay, then. Listen I have to go sunbae. I will see you on Friday, okay?"

"I can't wait!" Taehyung smiled as he hung up the phone. Going back to Daegu after graduation and bumping into Park Hyo-shin at the train station was amazing. He was just rising to stardom at that time while working as a DJ for MBC in Seoul.

Hyo-shin insisted on working as a DJ. It was something he felt indebted to and with that, Taehyung interned for him. He taught him everything he knew & Taehyung was grateful. He had a huge crush on him before Jeongguk but somehow, that crush turned into a close friendship.

Taehyung smiled. As he put on his earphones and tried to find songs suited for the segment he was going to tape later. His phone buzzed with a notification. Oh, it's Justin. They've been busy but somehow, he's glad that Justin never forgot to message him.

Several times a day in fact and what he actually likes about Justin is that he was always patient with him. He smiled. What he likes the most about him is his thoughtfulness, making sure he is never a bother.

Taehyung propped his phone on the shelf and timed it to take a picture to send back to Justin. He smiled at the picture... He is guessing that should suffice as a response.

Jeongguk didn't answer right away. Taehyung went back to writing and finding songs for his taping when Jeongguk texted back. Taehyung laughed out loud. How can his feelings not grow fond of this guy when he amuses him every single day.

After two days, Jeongguk was fiddling with his fingers. He was going to finally see DJ V. He was sitting quietly at the back with Hyo-shin who was just busy smiling and texting. They were so busy yesterday that he just fell asleep when they got back to the hotel.

Jeongguk took his phone. Is it time for him to download social media? But if he does, where should he begin? His trance got interrupted when they arrived at the radio station. Deep breaths Jeongguk, please calm down. "Jeongguk, I need to rush. Don't want to be late."

He just nodded. Jeongguk stepped out of the car and took his luggage from the trunk. He dialed Namjoon with sweaty palms as he is too excited to see DJ V. "Hello, Namjoon hyung, I am back." "Oh, hi Jeonggukah. Perfect timing, we just wrapped up." "What?"

"Did DJ V leave?" Jeongguk swallowed nervously. "No, he had to meet with management." Namjoon responded seriously. "Oh. Why is that?" Jeongguk asked curiously. "Well, he's going to be featured here at the main station." Namjoon said briskly. "Where are you hyung?"

"Outside of the conference room. I need to give DJ V the final draft before printing." Namjoon responded. "4th floor." "Okay, I am on my way." Jeongguk rushed to the elevators to finally meet DJ V. Should he reveal himself to be Justin Seagull?

"So tell me, have you reviewed the books you brought with you?" Namjoon asked. "Yeah, will send you my recommendations," Jeongguk responded when he saw his phone buzzing. Seojoon. He pressed decline. He really didn't need this right now.

Namjoon looked at him. "Answer it Jeonggukah." "Why? It has been six months." Jeongguk annoyingly responded. "He wouldn't call without a reason," Namjoon said. Jeongguk rolled his eyes at Namjoon, "okay fine." He said as he walked away. "Hey Seojoon, what's up?"

"Thank you for coming DJ V! It will be an awesome episode," Hyo-shin said as he walked out of the conference room with Taehyung. "Let me see the picture again, sunbaenim?" DJ V asked. Hyo-shin smiled at him, "I will cover your face and say you are a special guest."

"DJ V!" Namjoon said. "Oh, hyung. Why are you still here?" He asked. "I was going to give you the final draft of the book." Namjoon responded. Hyo-shin smiled widely at the DJ. " I am really proud of my dongsaeng."

"Namjoon, do you think our picture would help with marketing our books?" Hyo-shin asked him. "Please send it to me." Namjoon said. "Will do. I will walk DJ V out." Hyo-shin said as they walked toward the elevator.

Namjoon looked at the picture. How cute. "Hyung, I am back." Jeongguk said. "Oh. Gukkie, you just missed DJ V and Hyoshin!" What? Why? Arrrgggghhh. Aaaahhh he is so annoyed now and it's all Seojoon's fault.

"Why did you want to see DJ V again?" Namjoon asked. "I haven't met him yet." Jeongguk said exasperatedly. "Oh. Is that so? Wait Hyo-shin just sent me a picture wait." Namjoon said as he took his phone. "Here!" He shoved it at Jeongguk.

Jeongguk just shook his head, "but hyung! I cannot even see his face." Namjoon smiled sheepishly, "oops, sorry. You can watch their live broadcast here next week." Jeongguk took a deep breath, too annoyed at missing the chance to meet DJ V.

Taehyung smiled upon seeing Hyo-shin. He had a huge crush on the elder when he was a freshman and he was a senior in college but Jeongguk grabbed his attention, and time, until he swept him entirely away. Taehyung looked at Hyo-shin earlier.

He took a look at him that maybe he could take things forward. Something that he wasn't able to do, well, because he was with Jeongguk. Maybe it is time to move on from his ex-boyfriend, something that he must have done when he found out that Jeongguk and Seojoon got together.

Hyo-shin smiled warmly at him and Taehyung smiled back. "It's nice to see you Taehyungah." Hyo-shin said as he removed an eyelash from Taehyung's cheek. "Sunbae..." Taehyung said from under his eyelashes. "Would you like to go out with me for drinks after the show?"

Taehyung nodded, too eagerly, in his opinion, "yes, I would love to." "Still not in a relationship?" Hyo-shin asked Taehyung. "No, just barely moving on," Taehyung stated, too honestly. Hyo-shin then smiled at him, "well, maybe it's time for you to move on."

Taehyung looked down as he was enveloped with shyness, would he take this chance? Letting go of Jeongguk finally would be the culmination of self-inflicted pain. The elevator opened and they both walked toward the lobby door.

They stood face to face with Hyo-shin reaching out, giving Taehyung another hug. "I am really glad to see you!" Taehyung closed his eyes, searching for his feelings. They stepped back. Taehyung waved before turning around and walking out of the building.

Jeongguk arrived at his apartment both antsy and excited. Why did Seojoon call him at the same time when DJ V and Park Hyo-shin finished their meeting? Jeongguk hates Seojoon for that interruption and for what? Telling him he needed to get some of the clothes he left?

Jeongguk placed his head in his hands with an exasperated sigh. He walked into his room and dropped off the luggage by the closet, took some clothes from the drawer, and went to the bathroom to take a shower.

He stripped himself still annoyed by the interruption, how dare Seojoon disrupt something good. He scrubbed himself from head to toe, under the warm water pelting down his body. Calm yourself Jeongguk, there are other chances.

But what if there's none? He did mentally prepare himself to meet the DJ finally but the truth to the matter is, it was just when Seojoon called that he realized that he may not have fallen completely in love with the man.

He turned off the water and toweled himself dry. There's next week right? And if he really wanted to, he could invite DJ V to dinner, well, after introducing himself as Jeongguk his manager, and maybe, just maybe, admit to being Justin Seagull.

He lay in bed and took the pillow and hugged it really tight, what is it with DJ V that makes him wanna know him more, so much more. He looked around the room and tried to remember where he placed his phone at. Excited, he grabbed it from the bedside table.

He opened the messenger app and typed a message to DJ V, hoping he is not busy. And he was not, so with a deep breath, he messaged him with boldness, hoping not to chicken out and ask him for a date.

Taehyung looked at his phone, is being candid a bad thing? It's about time that he opens himself up to the possibility of finally beginning anew. So with a certain boldness, he braced himself and texted something, more personal.

He stepped onto the train platform, seeing that his train will arrive anytime soon. Should he ask Justin for a picture? To mentally prepare himself just in case he decides to see him next week? The train arrived which interrupted Taehyung's train of thought.

Train of thought with the train arriving at the station. Taehyung, you are too much, he scolded himself. He found a seat and looked at the time. It's past 5 and with this, the station might just play one of his taped recordings just in case he doesn't arrive on time.

Taehyung pinched the bridge of his nose. It's just right, right? At least he'll have Hyo-shin who is very familiar with and he'd have someone new, someone who he is somehow willing take a leap of faith for.

Taehyung scrolled through his gallery, something revealing but not... His heart thumped furiously as he was about to do something impulsive but it's about time he did.

It's about time he did because he had boxed himself for three years with the thought of not letting an old flame go. An old flame where the embers of the flame already died, three years ago. Taehyung selected a picture that is not too revealing. Yes, he's decided...

With one quick breath, Taehyung closed his eyes and just pressed send, hoping that he was not making a wrong decision.

Taehyung stared at the text and chuckled. What a coincidence, to have sent almost the same thing. He shook his head and texted Jeongguk.

Taehyung just typed away, he was just so amused by the synchronicity of how they felt toward each other. Is Justin or whoever he is someone worth to take a chance with? He sighed. Taehyung already knew the answer. He already knew the answer the moment he sent him his number.

Taehyung just looked at the text. Who in his right mind would be willing to take a chance with him when in fact, Jeongguk didn't give him any chance at all? Stop it, Taehyung! Didn't you say you are letting him go?

Taehyung was already sweating, with the honesty, he had continued to express. How is he doing this? Lowering his boundaries to someone he barely knew. Screw it and live a little Tae! And so he did as he allowed himself to be a little vulnerable with him.