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Hye Mi closed her eyes, the sun caressing her skin, a gentle breeze playing with her hair. She took a deep and long breath, allowing herself to relax and let her mind wander through the jumbos that her thoughts were.
Her life path wasn’t boring at all.
Her career was slowly developing into something that could last long and could have the potential to become big. She wasn't there yet, but she was performing regularly and the contract she had signed two years ago was about to be extended for another five years.
It was good, it was well paid, but was also stressful.
She liked it.
And she even got three weeks of paid vacation, which she was currently enjoying.
Well, was about to enjoy.
She would usually use these few moments of free time for resting, for massages and physiotherapies, for sleeping – but she and her management decided to do something else. She had been the one to have suggested it, and she had crossed her fingers for her plan to happen.
Her heart skipped a thousand beats just reminding herself of what she was about to do. She couldn't help but smile to herself, feeling her cheeks warm up. Her manager was a business woman who knew what she was doing and who listened to her workers when they had an idea how to mix pleasure and business well.
And Hye Mi had decided to take a step into the unknown world in order to see the boy she loved. And she would surprise him at his first big arena performance at the Grammy's in Las Vegas. She'd be a surprise host, giving away a Grammy to whoever will win it – her management successfully made a deal with Sam Dong's management to promote South Korean Pop music, boost Hye Mi's popularity and give the USA the opportunity to show how well they work with Asian music industry.
The young girl was carrying big expectations on her shoulders, but at the same time, she was excited to be here and to have managed to get this chance to travel, work, relax and see the boy who she had loved for so long.
Did he still love her? Maybe. He certainly let her know whenever they talked on the phone or made a video call or texted. She showed him she loved him a while ago when he gave her a surprise visit in Seoul; he had suddenly appeared at her door one Wednesday, when she had a few days off, and he knew she had a few days off, because she told him her whole schedule; and there he had been. In that moment, Hye Mi's heart exploded and she literary jumped him, ruined his shirt with tears and snot and a while later proceeded to take that same shirt off of him with the rest of his clothes.
It had been a good night.
He cried a lot. And he laughed a lot.
She loved him.
Hye Mi opened her eyes and continued her walk off the plane, where Sam Dong's manager was waiting for her. The woman gave her a big smile and welcomed her to the USA, Las Vegas.
''You'll have fun here. We arranged for you two to have two weeks of vacation and I'm assuming you'll use your last week to go home and get ready for work?''
''Yes, there's a lot I have to get ready for, too. A vacation is definitely necessary right now. I just hope Sam Dong will be ok with it.'' Hye Mi smiled sheepishly, making the other woman laugh. ''Oh, believe me, he'll be happy. He's hopeless, when it come to you.''
Hye Mi blushed and giggled, trying to hide her embarrassment.
''I see you're the same.'' Hye Mi knew the woman was admiring their relationship but also doubting it, because in this business, romantic relationships were very open, due to people's infidelity. And Hye Mi could say for herself that she was faithful and she couldn't be anything else because she loved him. She knew he loved her, but was he faithful? She would say that he was, because he loved her and because he didn't really have time to have any other affairs. If he weren't faithful, she'd walk away. Bullshit is bullshit.
Once Hye Mi was in her hotel, she showered, took a nap, then had to leave for the event. It was all a hush hush thing so no red carpet for her. Once she arrived in front of the big building, all dressed up and ready, it all took her breath away.
It was an amazing experience. There were so many famous people and she itched to share this with Sam Dong, to text him, but obviously that had to wait. He on the other hand sent her a few pictures from the red carpet and selfies he took with his team and Jesus Christ, with Ariana Grande. Hye Mi was invisible at the event, an unknown artist who just walked around, then sat on her seat, waiting for the Grammy's to start. She texted Sam Dong her enthusiasm, her heart pounding with excitement and nervousness of seeing him and being seen by the world.
She knew Sam Dong would open the event and she could scream in happiness. The music soon started and without any introduction, Sam Dong jumped from under the stage and on the stage, blowing the audience away with his powerful voice.
''Good evening, America!'' he shouted in-between lyrics. ''Welcome to the 65th Grammy Award Ceremony!'' and he and his dance team entertained the world for the next ten minutes, making Hye Mi shout in enthusiasm. She filmed it all with her phone and sent it to her friends who were watching it all on TV, waiting for Hye Mi to appear. Pil-sook was already crying and Jason was cheering in his Jason style. Hye-Sung, Baek-hee and Hyuuk were whistling in the background.
When the performance ended, Sam Dong went backstage to change into his suit, then went back to take a seat among the audience. Hye Mi was soon called backstage to prepare herself. They told her where to stand and what to do and then it was time.
With her heart racing she waited to be called on stage. Her stage partner Shawn Mendes walked on the stage by himself; she would go, after the camera showed the nominees. She was holding the envelope.
''Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. How do you feel tonight?''
The audience shouted with glee.
Mendes smiled. ''As you see, I'm alone on stage. There's a reason for that. My partner will soon come up with the envelope. But first! Let's see our nominees!''
The camera showed the nominated artists, one of them was K from South Korea, her Sam Dong. Korean fans on the other side of the world went wild.
''And now, let’s welcome our Envelope holder. She came all over from the other side of the world to surprise a certain someone. Let's welcome-''
Hye Mi's heart was ready to explode. She gripped the envelope in her hands a little harder.
''-having travelled from South Korea! Miss Go Hye Mi!''
Hye Mi walked on stage with a bright smile, taking in the million lights in front of her. She couldn't see, but Sam Dong jumped from his seat and the camera man caught his shocked expression and stayed on him while he was staring at his girlfriend that suddenly appeared in front of him. The audience cheered.
''Good evening, America! Thank you for having me tonight!'' The cheering was endless. ''Hey K! Surprise!'' she sent him a cheeky kiss and made the hall howl in laughter. Sam Dong, his face shown on screen, was crying and laughing and his friends in Seoul couldn't hold their emotions in check.
''I’m honoured to read out the next Grammy winner.'' She started and for a moment everyone was silent.
''And the winner for the best song is!'' Hye Mi opened the envelope, read it and smiled. Once she looked up, everyone knew. ''The reason I travelled so far! K from South Korea!''
The hall exploded in cheers, South Korean audiences went wild in Korea and their friends jumped off the couch screaming. Sam Dong pressed his hands over his eyes, his team jumping around him, finally pushing him towards the stage. Hye Mi smiled at him with tears in her eyes, watching him run up the stairs and right towards her, enveloping her into a crushing hug, lifting her up and twirling her around, giving the Grammy Awards Show one of the most romantic moments caught on camera. Pil-sook almost fainted in front of the TV, having Jason catch her and laugh, Hyuk and Baek whistled endlessly, and the others clapped in excitement. South Korea cheered with them.
Sam Dong took his time hugging the love of his life. And once he finally peeked from neck, his face glowing with happiness, he pulled her with him as he received the award.
''Ahhh, man… I don't even know what to say…'' he started, planting a kiss on Hye Mi's front head. She laughed, hugging him close. Sam Dong held the award in one hand and with the other he hugged Hye Mi, looking at her with bright eyes and the biggest smile he owned.
''This… This is one of the best nights in my life. Thank you. Thank you so much. I can't believe you came here.'' He told her and kissed her head one more time. ''I can't believe you gave me this award. We worked hard to get where we are. My team, my manager – I'll have a word with you tomorrow, how did you manage to keep this secret – everyone who worked with us, my friends from home – everyone, this is for us. Thank you! I don't know what to say, this woman here makes me lose my mind.'' He gazed at her with such loving eyes, Hye Mi thought she could die then and there. ''I love you.'' He said for everyone to hear and maybe in the USA it's a romantic but quite normal way to express one's feelings, but for South Korea, this was practically a proposal.
Hye Mi kissed him on the lips.
The world went wild.
Hye Mi and Sam Dong spent two very romantic weeks enjoying each other's company. They travelled around Nevada and California, spend long nights in each other's arms, loving each other, whispering their thoughts, talking about their life and future, talking about everything.
It was the most wonderful time and Sam Dong cried in her arms when she was about to leave. She wished they could spend more time together. She wished they could work together. And one day they would. Now it was time to build their career. And they would do it each on a different continent. But they would do it all loving each other. They would do it with a promise to be there for each other, to love each other, to see each other when they could.
The future was bright.
And they would get there.
And eventually they did.
Right now, they sang to the world and danced, and showed everyone how strong their love for music and for each other really is.