Chapter 175
Seoul, Korea
Hotel’s World Cuisine Restaurant
Evie shook her head, dabbing tears of amusement from her eyes with a napkin. “You are so much like your father that it is eerie,” she said.
Riku merely shrugged. “It is the bane of the later years of his reign. As amusing as it was to see my sister chase her tail when it comes to the heart of ice and lack of affection from Kita Yasuhiro, I did not entirely mean to ruin the evening. I will admit, I was in need of a well overdue vacation, one I am glad Luci invited me to take.”
Lucien smiled, ignoring the glare from his sister; he was still on her sh*t list over that security breach. “Everyone else had someone to play with, I wanted that as well.”
Pan Jin raised her hand. “Ew, and not everyone had someone to play with. I was taking pictures and video. Kita is going to kick your butt once he finds out you were the reason why his past was there,” she parentally scolded.
Lucien shrugged as if it didn’t matter, because it didn’t.
What was done is done, and his brother already knew.
“You are a troublemaker,” Pan Jin said, wagging a scolding finger at him and he smiled. “Did you pick which photos I can post now, Chairman Hu?” she asked, turning to him.
Chairman Hu nodded.
Truth was, he was blown away by the pictures and videos the young President took. They were professional quality and needed no editing. The pictures and videos showed nothing more than young couples and family that cared about each other and enjoying a vacation together.
Seeing Rain in the arms of her bodyguard-turned-fiancé for the cameras was different and concerning, but the smile on her face and the happiness she was radiating with was all Chairman Hu had wanted for his niece.
But at what cost?
Dae-Ho thought he was surprising his father with the identity of his new boyfriend, but Chairman Hu had already seen the truth of who it was his son was entertaining in the pictures and videos.
That was an entirely different problem to deal with and prepare for.
One of the founding members of the biggest Korean Pop bands in history coming out of the closest with his boyfriend, which was Chairman Hu’s only child, wasn’t something any father would want for their son. It would put Dae-Ho in the very spotlight that Chairman Hu’s struggled to keep Rain and Dae-Ho out for their entire lives.
Throwing his son to the very tabloid wolves that he had protected him from for years didn’t sit right with him, regardless of his son assuring him that it was okay.
Yes, Chairman Hu was unbelievably proud that his son was thinking with his heart for once, but it would only end in heartache in the end.
There was no way it wouldn’t.
That was the curse of their family, it seemed.
Heartache and misery was all Fate had instore for them when it came to matters of the heart. Rain and Dae-Ho’s mothers were the perfect example of that; one tried to kill their child and the other abandoned him.
“Dad?” Dae-Ho asked, stealing Chairman Hu’s attention. “Are you okay? I didn’t give you a heart attack with the announcement of my relationship, did I?”
Jae-il shook his head, squeezing Dae-Ho’s hand. “Be nice to your father. This has to be a rather surprising dinner. Never did Chairman Hu imagine dining with a member of the Imperial Family and the love of your young life,” he teased.
Chairman Hu nodded his agreement. “It is a surprise. Dinner with my son and Jae-il from BT5, the Prince of the Imperial Family, a tech billionaire dressed in pajamas and slippers, a beautiful Frenchwoman that I can tell has a story, the Driver, Oversight, and the President all at one table. The only thing missing is my niece,” he said.
Lucien made a face. “They are watching black and white martial arts movies and enjoying sake and sushi,” he said. “They’ll call when they need a ride. You have control over the photos and how they’ll be released. William provided security while on vacation just in case anyone was caught on camera without our knowledge.”
Chairman Hu hadn’t thought of that. “Were they caught?” he asked in a panic.
Will nodded then shook his head before shoving a pile of French fries dripping in oyster sauce in his mouth. “Leon took care of it,” he mumbled with his mouth full. “They were nothing of concern, just a fan that thought they saw their favorite actress on the streets of Spain, another in France, twice in Italy. Photos were lost and never saw their social media accounts.”
“That’s good,” Chariman Hu said, grateful they had a hacker in their pocket that had extensive reach in order to protect his niece. “You are a very talented photographer,” he said, turning to Pan Jin. “Your parents must be very proud of you and what you have accomplished in just a few weeks with your new job.”
Pan Jin shrugged, looking away from him and to her plate. “I’m not looking forward to when Mister Lucien drives me home tonight. I left the new clothes Mister William bought for me with them because I know what she’ll do when she sees them… Sorry,” she said, catching herself then blushed. “I speak of things that none of you should be bothered with hearing, again.”
Evie reached over and patted her hand. “Those you dine with, even the Prince, have a story to tell, much like you do. You are a wonderful young woman, and you will achieve so much in your life. Do not allow anyone to tell you otherwise.”
Pan Jin wiped her eyes. “Thank you, Madame Blanchar. You are much too kind,” she humbly said with a bow.
“What about your father?” Chairman Hu asked, concerned about the young woman’s home life all of a sudden.
Lucien choked on the drink he had just taken, stealing their attention. “Swallowed wrong… Don’t even,” he warned, giving Riku a look and the Prince blushed.
Pan Jin shook her head. “I think he’s dead. I’ve never met my father. Mom only told me that he’s dead and never offered a name. He isn’t even on my birth certificate. My current stepdad is a trucker so he is on the road most of the time and I think he forgot I even exist. I suppose that’s the only way to tolerate her,” she mumbled the latter before taking a drink. “Growing up, watching Myo Mi-Sun on the television and in movies, it gave girls like me that didn’t have a mom and dad or a functional family someone to look up to. If Myo Mi-Sun could overcome that, so could I!” she beamed, giving them to enthusiastic thumbs up.
Chairman Hu chuckled. “You and Myo Mi-Sun could be twins,” he said with a smile. “There will always be a place for you at NuStarr in whatever capacity you want. Though, if I may say, your photography is really, really impressive. If you like, I can set up an internship with one of the photographers we represent when school is over.”
Again, Pan Jin bowed. “That is very kind of you, Chairman Hu. But I really want to go to the university and study business management. I want to be a talent manager, like you.”
Again, he chuckled. “I didn’t go to school. I just kind of fell into it.”
“For not having formal training, Chairman Hu, you have done the unimaginable,” Pan Jin humbly said. “It will be an honor to learn from you.”
Dae-Ho snorted. “Keep up that ass kissing and he’ll leave the company to you when he dies since I have no interest in it,” he said.
Pan Jin glared at him. “Keep it up and I will post the most unflattering pictures I have of you,” she warned.
Dae-Ho gasped. “You wouldn’t?!” he shrieked.
Chairman Hu laughed. “Yes, yes she would. Feisty, the young President is, and I approve.”
She smiled wide.
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