Chapter 10 #2
Ji-Su looked at the store associate’s name badge. It was white with multi-colored 64-bit art across the top and Myles printed in bold black letters in the center. “Hello, Myles. I need to replace all of my gaming equipment.”
The clerk’s eyes went wide. “All of it?”
“Yep.”
“Even your computer?”
“Everything from my computer down to the cord control.”
“Are you looking to build or do you want a computer system from the box?”
“Definitely build.” He hadn’t had an out of the box computer since middle school.
The clerk grinned with clear excitement.
“Holy shit I get to help Ji-Su build his gaming set up.” He did a little hop. “Do you mind if I film some of this for our store’s social media?”
Ji-Su shook his head. He understood how important it could be for an electronics store having a well-known gamer come by. Plus, his followers always liked to see what he was up to.
“No, go ahead.”
Myles took out his phone and Ji-Su got ready for the camera.
RAUL WATCHED AS JI-Su smiled for the clerk’s camera, tilting his head to the side and tucking the tip of his index finger into the crease of his dimple.
“Hi, everyone! It’s Ji-Su.” His voice was suddenly pitched higher and he waved with both hands.
“I’m shopping today at Whitman’s for all new computer and gaming systems. Maybe I’ll do a live stream of the setup and build.
Let me know in Myle’s comments if you want to see that on my channel.
Annyeong! See you later!” Then he giggled and covered his mouth with his hands, the sweatshirt sleeves draped down nearly to the tips of his fingers.
Raul was stunned. Ji-Su looked and sounded so...
cute. He wanted to pick him up and hug him and give him whatever he wanted and fuck him all at the same time.
What the hell was that? He didn’t say anything, not wanting to interrupt as Ji-Su and the store employee discussed what was needed.
But when the clerk scurried off to get a small flatbed shopping cart, he had to ask.
“What was that earlier?”
“What was what?”
“That thing when your voice changed when you were on camera.”
“Oh, that!” Ji-Su laughed. “That’s aegyo.”
“Aegyo?” He didn’t understand Korean and he’d never heard aegyo as a loan word.
“It’s like showing your charm and cuteness.” He held up his hands, using them to form a little heart. “Thank you for taking care of me, Raul-hyung,” he said in that high, sweet voice. “See?” he asked with his voice dropped back to its normal pitch. “Like that.”
“It’s cute.” It was the most adorable thing he’d ever seen in his life.
“Thanks.” Ji-Su grinned. “My fans love it when I do aegyo but it pisses off the gamer bros I play against in Delta Combat Force. I make sure to do it every time I beat them.”
From what Raul knew of gaming culture, he could imagine how it must anger some of the players to have someone as cute and delicate looking as Ji-Su best them in game play.
The clerk returned, pulling the flat bed cart behind him.
“Ready to get started?” he asked excitedly.
“Yep.” Ji-Su nodded. “Let’s do it.”
Raul followed behind them as they went up and down the aisles, reviewing computer systems and specs.
They stopped in front of a display where the computer was built into the desk and covered with a clear glass top.
The visible computer parts looked like something out of a science fiction movie, especially with the interior LED lights casting a red glow over everything.
“Now the desk PC case is the coolest way to go,” Myles said. “We have red lights for the display model but since you’re doing custom you can have any light arrangement you want.”
“I do love it,” Ji-Su said as he ran a hand over the glass desktop. “I wanted one for my last system but it was out of my price range.” He leaned down to read the price card. “Yeesh. And it’s still out of my price range.”
Raul frowned at that. “What do you mean it’s out of your price range?”
“It’s eighteen hundred dollars for the base model. And that’s before we include the PC.”
“Nothing is too expensive for you when I’m paying for it. If that’s the system you want, get it.” He looked at the clerk. “And whatever custom add-ons he wants or needs as well.”
The clerk grinned. “Yes, sir.”
Ji-Su was standing there with his mouth open. “I thought you were helping me get this as a loan,” he finally said.
Raul’s eyebrows shot up. “A loan?” he asked incredulously.
“Yeah. Sort of like an advance on my blood pet payments.”
Raul pressed his lips together to hold back the smile that wanted to break free at Ji-Su’s misunderstanding.
He didn’t want to laugh and have him take it the wrong way.
“No. You’re with me now and that means I’m taking care of you.
Besides, you wouldn’t be in this situation replacing your equipment if it wasn’t for me, remember? ”
“That wasn’t your fault.”
“But I’m accepting responsibility for it. Get whatever you want. Don’t look at price tags and don’t even think about paying me back.”
“Wow. Um. Okay.”
It took several seconds for the stunned look to drop from Ji-Su’s face. When it did, he brightened and turned back to the store clerk.
“Then I absolutely want the in-desk computer. And let’s upgrade to an automatic adjustable height standing model.”
Suddenly, Ji-Su was all business as he started rattling off the options he wanted.
“The black is nice but I want to go with the white finish. And for the interior computer LED lights,” he paused to consider. “Let’s go with arctic white and gold.”
“Your team colors.”
“Exactly.”
The clerk’s phone started dinging with back-to-back notifications.
“Sorry. Let me turn this—.” He stopped and went quiet as he looked at whatever was on the screen.
“I posted that video and people are commenting. Wow. Locals are saying they’re coming in to shop and people are posting screen shots of the stuff they purchased from us on our online store.
” He scrolled up with his thumb. “Others are asking what you’re buying because they want to get the same thing. ”
“Hmm. Lots of business for your store. That’s worth a discount don’t you think?” Ji-Su asked, with his expression sharp.
The clerk nodded so hard that his curly hair flopped back and forth. “Oh, absolutely.”
“Sweet. Now let’s look at gaming chairs.”
AN HOUR LATER, THEY were back in the truck.
They’d had to place special orders for the custom builds.
Those items would be delivered to the ranch later.
But the gaming chairs—three of them—the game consoles, extra controllers, monitors, web cameras and microphones, laptop, two tower shelves to store all of his games and assorted other gadgets were all loaded into the back of the truck.
The clerk had looked a little dazed when he’d rung everything up and Raul had handed over his Black Amex without blinking at the fifteen-thousand-dollar total.
As they drove off the parking lot, Ji-Su was practically vibrating with excitement.
“I’ll be able to get back to practicing and streaming in no time. The computer parts and desk should arrive within the week. And I can have everything else set up and ready to go by then. There’s a corner in my room I can use.”
“You can stream in your room if you want. But there’s an empty spare room in the house you can have. You’d be able to set yourself up without restricting yourself to one corner.”
“Really? Thank you!”
They drove back to the ranch, with Ji-Su enthusiastically going over all of his plans.
Raul didn’t know much of what he was talking about, but he was happy to listen.
When they arrived home, Ji-Su hopped out of the truck unassisted.
Raul whistled and several servants came out to help them carry everything inside.
“Take it all to the spare room upstairs,” he directed.
“Yes, sir.”
“Raul?”
Raul turned when Ji-Su called his name. “Yes?”
“Thank you so much for what you did tonight. I felt so... violated after Cedric destroyed my stuff and that was weighing on me as much as the financial damage. You were right. He would have hurt me eventually and I’m glad I’m not with him anymore.
I feel better here with you. You make me feel safe and you took away the stress of replacing the tools I need for my livelihood. So, thank you.”
Ji-Su rushed forward and wrapped his arms around his waist in a hug. Surprised at the gesture, Raul looked down at the blond head nestled against his chest.
“You’re welcome,” he said as he returned the embrace.
Ji-Su lingered in his arms for a few seconds before he pulled back.
While he was still within reach, Raul set a finger beneath his chin, tipping his face up so that their eyes met.
He brushed a thumb over Ji-Su’s cheek then lightly touched his hair.
Ji-Su looked surprised at the caresses but he didn’t move away.
“You are safe with me. And anything you need, just ask.”
The tip of Ji-Su’s tongue darted over his bottom lip. “I’ll remember that.”
He shifted to the side so Raul reluctantly dropped his arms to allow him to move away.
He was happy that he’d been able to use his wallet and his home to help Ji-Su.
Still, he was furious that it was necessary in the first place.
Beating the shit out of Cedric last night only slightly eased his anger.
But it would have to be enough. Right now, Ji-Su was happy and that was all that mattered.