Chapter 163
Teatro Comunale di Bologna
Bologna, Italy
“How are you holding up?” Tae-il asked over the shouts from the paparazzi.
The flashes from the cameras were seizure inducing.
Pan Jin looked up at him with wide eyes. “I am seriously on the verge of running! This is terrifying.”
He chuckled and gave her a kiss on the top of the head. “It’ll be over soon, then you can just sit and enjoy the opera. We’ll sneak out the back if needed.”
Dae-Ho nodded from next to them; he liked that idea. “It’s been a long time since Cousin has had this type of carpet to walk… Never has she walked with royalty or politicians before though. It’s kind of strange.”
The three looked down the red carpet to where Myo Mi-Sun was standing; she was speaking with a Duke and Duchess from England, and with her was Kita. His hand was resting on the small of her back and his eyes were constantly roaming, but they’d always return to the young woman that was speaking.
Security was tight, all of the paparazzi were heavily vetted and on approved lists, and every guard was armed. Lucien was whispering who was who under his breath for Dae-Ho, Pan Jin, and Tae-il; they were all out of their element regardless of one of them being a superstar in the international music scene and the other always at the side of a movie star.
“Ooh. Ooh. Ooh!” Pan Jin gasped.
“What?” Dae-Ho asked.
She pointed.
“Ooh!” Dae-Ho gasped. “No way.”
Tae-il chuckled, shaking his head. “You two are adorable,” he said before waving over the person they were freaking out about seeing. “Sir Elton, it is good to see you again,” he said, speaking in English, before they kissed each other on the cheek.
Pan Jin and Dae-Ho looked at them with wide eyes.
“These are my dates for the evening,” Tae-il introduced.
“Hello… Are you two fan girling?” Sir Elton asked with a chuckle.
They nodded, looking like twins.
“Did you want a selfie or autograph?” Sir Elton asked, amused.
Again, they nodded before fumbling to get their mobile phones out.
Lucien shook his head with a smile.
“Luci, will you wrangle our brother and the client to their seats?” Lula asked, her voice coming through Kita’s earpiece and Lucien’s implant.
“I will see what I can do,” Lucien said. “At the moment, I’m watching the kids spaz out over meeting a music icon. They are adorable… When will I have those results I asked for, Will?” he asked, watching Dae-Ho and Pan Jin sandwich Sir Elton between them before taking a picture.
“I need new samples with the root attached to the hair this time,” Will said. “When you delivery, I’ll have results. Tell them to get in here. Curtain call is in ten.”
Lucien shook his head then met his brother’s eyes.
Kita nodded that he heard them, then offered a slight bow and Myo Mi-Sun followed his example; they needed to get to their seats.
As they walked, Kita continued to rest his hand on the small of her back, prodding her along.
“I had no idea they were fans!” Rain whispered with a smile.
Kita chuckled. “Why does it surprise you that you have an international fan base?”
“That is the future king of England and his wife, that’s huge,” she said, leaning into him as they walked. “The Prime Minster of France is a fan, too! The President of the Italian Republic’s kids are fans and demanded their moms get them autographs… I had no idea I had such a European following.”
He smiled. “You have fans everywhere, Seon Rain. Never question your skill and presence, because the rest of the world does not.”
Rain looked up at him, tears flooding her eyes. “That is the nicest thing you have ever said to me.”
“I must be tired and slipping,” he retorted and she playfully smacked him in the chest. “Abusive.”
“Only when you’re being mean,” Rain pouted.
Kita wrapped his arm around Rain’s waist and pulled her into him as they headed down the rest of the red carpet, ignoring the interview and picture requests.
“I am not being mean,” Kita said. “I am merely stating the obvious. I have never slept that long or eaten that much pasta before, so I am ready for bed already.”
Rain giggled, leaning into him even more as they walked and he snaked his hand along the outside of her hip and rested it there. “Are you feeling bloated?” she teased.
“Marginally,” Kita agreed, to her amusement. “You are a bad influence on me, but your skill in the kitchen is truly impressive… Did you want to accompany me tomorrow on a little adventure?”
“Just the two of us?” Rain asked before wagging her brows, causing him to chuckle.
“Playing the role of naughty villain again, Seon Rain?” he scolded with a wink. “Yes, just the two of us. I planned a little adventure tailored specifically to your interests.”
“Wait, you want to take me on a date?” she asked, suspicious.
Kita made a face before nodding.
Rain squealed with delight then threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight.
That was, without question, a very big romantic gesture.
Kita chuckled, shaking his head. “It is not hug worthy, Seon Rain.”
Rain smiled, leaning back to look at him, and her eyes flickered over his shoulder for just a moment, but it was more than enough to know they had company. “Oh but it is,” she teased leaning into him and softly caressed her lips against his then cocked an eyebrow in warning.
Kita sighed, nodding his understanding; they had discussed this and Rain gave him an out he didn’t want to use, but if needed he would per her request. “Hello Riku, Suiko,” he said, turning to face the two standing behind them and offered a slight bow.
Riku looked between Myo Mi-Sun and Kita, confused by what they just overheard and saw.
If Kita was taking the young woman on a date, one he actually took the time to plan, there was no way she was his client. Unlike the others of the Yasuhiro bloodline, Kita didn’t mix business with pleasure.
Yes, they looked rather cozy together, and like a picture perfect couple walking the red carpet in coordinating formal wear…
But it didn’t make sense.
Instead of standing back away from the cameras, as a bodyguard would normally do, Kita was right by her side. They were photographed together, reporters asked both of them questions and Kita would answer when the young woman with him couldn’t for him.
It wasn’t right.
And Suiko was going to lose it if Riku wasn’t careful.
“May I introduce to you,” Kita said, speaking to the woman his arm was wrapped around the waist of, “Prince Riku and Princess Suiko of the Imperial Family.”
Myo Mi-Sun offered a slight bow. “It is a pleasure,” she humbly said in Japanese.
Suiko was exactly how Rain thought she’d be; beautiful in her slightly revealing French designer gown, long black hair ramrod straight, creamy yellow complexion shimmering with bronzer in the bright lights, and eyes narrowed in rage.
Riku looked much like his father, in Rain’s opinion, and handsome in his tuxedo and polished shoes that she knew had to be killing his feet since they were new.
Kita continued to hold the young woman in his arms, her body pressing against the length of his, her hand resting on his chest.
“And who is this?” Riku asked with a smile.
“This is my fiancée,” Kita said when Suiko opened her mouth.
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