12. Hello, New York!

                                    

                                          
10/4/21


"Good ol' New York!" Kyungmin exclaims while we are pulling up close to the deli Sooyoung had suggested we pick up lunch.
I called Sooyoung last night, after I first made it into my hotel room, informing her that we had arrived. She and I discussed our game plan for today. I asked her if we could bring some lunch over and spend some time at their home before we head to reservations I made at 5:30pm. I told her I made arrangements to this surprise location ahead of time so that we would have this location after hours, to ensure privacy and safety, a couple days ago. At first, she said it seems like too much, but I told her that it really is something I knew Moonsik would enjoy after talking to him for the first time, so she caved. 
It's currently 11:30am, on a Saturday, in Manhattan. Our plane landed last night. It was around 10pm by the time we arrived at our hotel, so we all agreed to have a late start to our day, today, in order to get as much rest as possible.
"Did you all get enough rest last night?" Sejin-nim asks us all. Chulsan and I nod groggily, while Kyungmin answered him with a lively 'yes,' looking alert and ready to take on the day. 
"Chulsan and I will go inside and pick up the food, and then we can all make our way to see my nephew!" Kyungmin squeals while being the first to jump out of the SUV, followed by Chulsan. Sejin and I remain in the vehicle for safety reasons.
In no time, we eventually make it to Sooyoung's current residence. She and Moonsik live in a lavish five bedroom apartment with her sister, Inna, and Inna's wife, Lucy. What I know about Inna, career-wise, is that she's a well-to-do fashion design director and met her wife, through the industry. Sooyoung said that Lucy is a seasoned and sought-after fashion art director. So, it's no wonder we are walking up to quite the extravagant apartment building. 
Once Sooyoung is aware of our arrival, she gives us access to enter the building. My heart is pounding out of my chest while we ride the elevator up.
"Namjoon, you okay?" Kyungmin asks me, concern in her face.
"I am. I just... I can't believe I'll be meeting my son," I say, my words coming out softly.
"Just take deep breaths, Namjoon-oppa," my sister tells me with an encouraging tone which causes me to smile back. I'm really grateful she was able to come with me on this trip to help keep me calm.
We finally make it to their floor and walk towards their apartment door. Kyungmin is ahead of me, with Sejin-nim and Chulsan right behind me. Sejin-nim, Chulsan and I are all carrying bags of food.
As soon as Kyungmin gets to the door, she hits the doorbell, and quickly turns to me with a bright smile. We hear the door open and Kyungmin swings her head back to look forward again.
"Hi, Sooyoung! Look at you! Amazing as ever!" Kyungmin cheerfully greets my ex-girlfriend.
"Ah! Kyungmin! Just as bubbly as ever! I missed you!" The two women giggle and give each other a tight hug. After they release, Sooyoung and I lock eyes.
"Namjoon, hi," Sooyoung says in a demure tone.
"Hi, Sooyoung," I reply back, matching her tone.
Holy shit. She looks as beautiful as ever. I'm not shocked. But, I missed those eyes, those lips, her voice, and everything, really.