Chapter 20
TWENTY
KIJA
“Your coffee.” Thwack.
“Those files you wanted.” Thwack.
“Messages from while you were gone.” Thwack.
“Someone sent you lunch.” Thwack.
“Did you see that memo about Blue Who?” Thwack.
“Oh, look, your face is on another magazine cover.” Thwack.
Grace is many things, but subtle is not one of them.
Ever since I took her out to lunch a couple weeks ago—away from the company and any over-eager listeners—to explain the situation and what’s going on with Chaeji, she has not missed a single opportunity to express her displeasure.
Usually in the form of one of those magazines being slapped onto my desk along with whatever she needs to tell me, said in the fewest words possible.
She’s had a lot to say about the situation—and more than a few suggestions for where Chaeji can go and what she can do when she gets there.
Her aggravation was especially palpable when new speculation broke over the state and progress of our “relationship,” and it only increased when one of the guys from around the office started wandering in to see me.
So many of them who had never stepped foot into this corner of the building are suddenly very eager to get my opinions on everything from restaurants and hot spots to clothes and cologne, because clearly I have some secrets if I’m able to date someone like Kwon Chaeji.
But no matter what question they lead with, the last one they always ask is, “So, how is she?” with a wink and a nudge, like they expect me to just divulge all the details of her sexual preferences and proclivities to a near-stranger.
Not that I have any experience with them, but even if I did, I wouldn’t be running my mouth about it.
“I’m so tired of your face.” Thwack.
Glancing down at the piece of paper she’s slapped on my desk with her palm, I see it’s a printout from some online gossip site, with pictures from last night’s carefully planned sighting under a salacious headline.
“Honestly, I’m tired of my face, too,” I tell her. I don’t know how Sun does it—how any of them do it. I hope I never have to adjust to my face being so… in my face.
“When are you going to stop this nonsense so I can go back to liking you and appreciating how symmetrical your features are?” Grace asks, moving to sit on the edge of my desk but leaving the stupid article behind.
I wad it up into a ball and toss it toward the trash can, pleased when it sails right in.
“You love me anyway,” I argue, but a tiny part of me does worry she’s actually upset about the whole situation.
“I know you hate all of this. I promise, I do, too. But if it keeps Sun safe, I’m going to do it.
I’ll do what I have to in order to protect him. To protect us.”
“That’s very noble of you. Very sweet,” she sighs, and it has a distinct tone of annoyance. “However, you cannot keep doing this.”
“This is not a long-term solution. I understand that. For the moment, though, it’s working. Her plan at the beginning was terrible; I admit that,” I say, hands raised in surrender because I am extremely aware of how bizarre this all seems. “But I think it’s different now.”
“I don’t care how much you think she’s changed. I know you want to keep eyes off of him, but why would anyone even be looking?” Grace asks. “Aside from her crazy ass, no one has any reason to suspect anything.”
I’m not sure how to explain it. Maybe it’s just paranoia. Taking a deep breath, I lean back in my chair. “I think, because the risk is so high, it feels like the chance is always there. Does that make any sense?”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Yes, but I don’t like it.”
“As you have made very clear.” I have to laugh, because even as petite and non-threatening as she is, she’s still a little bit scary. “I’m going to get coffee; I’ll bring you some.”
“And an apology snack,” she adds.
“Obviously.” I stand up, smiling at her. “Thank you for watching out for me. And for him.”
Grace hops off my desk and holds her arms out. “Cwtch.”
“Ah, the most Welsh way to assure me things are okay.” I give her the requested hug, but I do feel some kind of relief.
“Only because you promised drinks and goodies,” she clarifies.
Of course.
??? ???
“You’re really excited about this, aren’t you?” I ask, watching Jase practically bouncing up and down on his toes.
“Yes. I am. How often do you get the chance to give people what is probably the biggest surprise of their lives?” He turns to look at me, tearing his eyes away from the window he’s been staring out of. “I’m making dreams come true, man!”
“I mean, technically we are making dreams come true, and it’s not even actually us, but sure,” I say, but Jase isn’t even listening because he’s spotted who he’s been waiting for.
“MR. KITSON!”
He shushes the three shouting girls immediately, trying to be respectful of the much more subdued atmosphere in the building, and all of them start laughing.
“Wow, old habits are hard to break, huh?” the blonde one teases him, then gives him a quick hug, followed by the other two.
“I can’t believe we’re at Task Force!” the shorter, dark-haired one to her left whispers, all wide-eyed as she scans the lobby, probably checking for any faces she may recognize.
The last girl seems to notice me all at once, giving me an extremely obvious head-to-toe inspection.
Jase doesn’t miss it either and scolds her. “Harper, no.”
Harper ignores him. “Who is this?”
“That is my best friend. You can call him Mr. Kim,” Jase grumbles.
She smiles at me. “Can I call you oppa?”
“Oh my god, Harper, stop it.” The blonde says, smacking her on the arm.
I try my best not to laugh. I know she’s the one who is Lux-biased. “You can call me Kija if he lets you call him Jase.”
“What? I mean, they graduated, so I guess they can.” Jase seems to be rethinking not only introducing us, but possibly also his invitation to them, even though his fondness for them is very obvious.
“These are The Girls,” he tells me, then points to each of them in turn.
“Harper, as you now know, Alita, and Savannah.”
“Hello, Harper, Alita, and Savannah,” I say, bowing slightly, causing them all to giggle and Alita brings her hands up to her face to hide behind.
“I really can’t believe this is your bestie, Jase,” Harper comments, looking me over again. “Well done.”
Jase points toward the elevators. “Okay, let’s go before I take back my offer to give you a tour.”
I follow behind as he leads them around the building to some of the places that might have idols hanging out—the studio clusters, the gym, and the cafeteria—ready to run interference since giving tours is not something that usually happens around here.
But I was happy to help Jase out. I know he’s been excited to be able to do this for them, and I was curious to meet them, too, after all the stories he’s told.
The way the three girls keep their heads on swivels, each of them trying to look in every direction at the same time, is hysterical. I know they’re all hoping to catch a glimpse of RYSING out and about, but I think they’re trying to be chill about it and failing miserably.
“Lalo has walked these halls.” Savannah sounds breathless as she nudges Alita, who looks just as awe-struck at the idea.
“So, Jase,” Harper begins, speeding up to walk closer to him. “Do you ever actually see idols?”
I have to conscientiously keep myself from making a remark about how he sleeps with one every night, but I manage to stay quiet while he answers.
“I mean, I work with the trainees, so I see potential idols every day. Every now and then I have a session or two with someone who is established,” he explains, turning a corner and putting a finger up in front of Harper. “And no, I cannot tell you who any of them are.”
“And that’s fine. We’re just excited to be here!” Alita hurries to say, like she’s worried we’ll kick them out if they don’t seem appreciative enough.
“I know you are.” Jase smiles at her, then points to a wall that holds an impressive array of awards won by Task Force groups from all over the world, most of them belonging to RYSING.
The girls immediately shriek and run over, pointing and squealing as they recognize specific wins, then trying to get selfie angles just right to capture the statues in the background.
Jase checks his phone while they’re occupied and practically beams when he sees the latest text. “Oh, good, everyone is here.”
As if he hasn’t done enough recently to prove that he is a stellar best friend, this moment would assure me he is one of the most fantastic people I could ever hope to know.
“Do you want to see one of the dance practice rooms?” Jase asks, nearly causing a collision as they trip over each other to say ‘yes.’ “There are a couple, so hopefully one will be open.”
“Oh my god, imagine if it’s one we’ve seen in a video,” Alita gasps once we are paused outside the door and Jase is punching in the code to unlock it. “We could be in the same place they filmed a rehearsal for VOXbox!”
“I regret to inform you they are all identical,” I tell her. “So just assume whichever one it is would be one you’ve seen.”
Jase peeks his head inside, pretending like he doesn’t know what’s waiting for them. “Anyone in… Oh, hey…” After someone calls out to come in, he leads the girls into the massive space.
Clueless, they’re right behind him, until one of them inhales sharply and stops, causing another crash, this time with me caught up in it, too.
I untangle myself and move to the side, out of the way enough to see three expressions of complete shock—eyes popped, jaws dropped—as they realize RYSING is gathered in front of them.
“Surprise!” Jase yells, so deeply pleased with himself and what he’s been able to pull off.