Page 22 of When Worlds Collide
I snorted. How flattering.
“But now it’s a legal matter.”
I frowned. “Becka said it had only been shared internally. Everyone at Pisces has an NDA; no one would share it outside of the building.”
“ENT doesn’t believe it will stay off the record.” He ran one finger up the bridge of his nose. “And they feel they already violated their contract by filming me without my knowledge, or consent.”
Ah, shit.
“What’s going to happen?”
Jihoon shrugged. “The company will handle it.”
That’s it? I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting, but perhaps something a bit more dramatic, considering all the meetings at the butt-crack of dawn.
Jihoon must have seen my confusion, because he smiled a wry smile that made my heart twinge. It was the look of a man who’d danced this reel before.
“This is not our first scandal, Ky.” He ran a hand down his face. “I’ve stopped counting how many gag orders they’ve issued.”
“Yikes.”
“It’s normal for us.” He shrugged again, and not for the first time was I reminded of the scrutiny he and the rest of GVibes – and probably every performer in this industry – lived under. The pressure must be immense. It was no wonder most artists just didn’t date. It must be so bloody lonely.
“I’m sorry you’ve been dragged through all this,” I said, focusing on the way his pulse beat against his neck instead ofthe gnawing sensation in my stomach. Despite his reassurances, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that this was my fault.
“Cheonsa,” he gently rebuked me, cupping my jaw in his now-warm hands and tilting my face so I met his eyes. “This is not your fault. This is not my fault. This is just…” his eyes flicked away for a moment as he searched for the words. “How it is.”
I nodded wordlessly and tried to conjure a smile onto my face.
How it was, was fucking bullshit.
Chapter 8
Jihoon sighed, and leaned forwards until his forehead was pressed against mine. “I really messed up with you, didn’t I?”
My brow furrowed as I looked up at him.
“I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. You’re not a problem, and you’re not an inconvenience. I am so happy you’re here. I can’t begin to describe it.” His thumbs gently stroked down my cheeks. “I still can’t believe it.”
I smiled tremulously up at him. “Do you remember our first date, when we sat on the beach?”
His smile reminded me of the sun that we’d watched cross the sky that day. It felt just as warm.
“You called me brave.”
His eyes held mine, unwavering in the conviction I saw in them. “I did.”
“You said I was brave because I moved across the world on just the idea that I might find my 'purpose'. I wasn’t sure I believed the part about being brave, at the time,” I admitted. “But I knownow that my purpose, if I have one,” I shrugged, “is not in LA. Maybe it’s here, in Seoul. With you. But if we’re going to do this, I need you to let me in.”
The look Jihoon gave me was nearly enough to buckle my knees under the weight of it, and it was only his calming hands on my face that kept me upright as he pulled me closer to him, the warmth of his body pressing against mine.
“Let me be brave for you now,” I murmured against his lips, hoping he’d finally stop shutting me out.
As Jihoon had barely eaten all day, and I was hungry again after all my swimming, we decided to order room service; a veritable feast, and mash-up between Korean and western dishes that nearly overflowed the coffee table we piled it on. We’d shunned the generously-sized dining table in favour ofcamping out in front of the giant TV and streaming movies for the rest of the day.
I couldn’t get used to the extravagance. This room alone was a lot, but looking over the pile of food we’d ordered really kind of sunk into me the crazy expense this hotel stay must be.
For someone who’d spent the past several years budgeting to afford food and be able to pay utilities, this was… a lot. I knew Jihoon was wealthy. It went without saying. He was incredibly successful and I’d seen his clothes labels. Why anyone would buy a plain, white t-shirt for $300 was beyond my comprehension, but it wasn’t my money, so whatever.
