Page 78 of Damian & Jun, Episodes 13-16
“Some social media posts are describing this new album as dark and anti-authority. What do you have to say to that?”
“I think all of us know there are dark times in human life. That’s the cycle. Some are darker than others. I see this album as being honest.”
“What about the anti-authority part?”
“I would ask if they’re referring to authority or to abuse. Those are two different things.”
Mi Hi signaled the reporter their time was up and they moved on, another taking their place.
Twenty minutes later instead of fifteen, Mi Hi announced it was time to start rewarding raffle winners. Jun breathed a sigh of relief and followed her away from the reporters who were being respectfully ushered out the front of the venue. The rest of the event would be private for ticket holders only.
Well, ticket holders and all the police and other law enforcement from multiple countries waiting invisibly in the background.
There was alcohol being served, and some food, a mixture of cuisines to match the palette of the guests. Jun made the rounds, greeting as many as he could. The first winner was called out and Yohei escorted them away to the karaoke room. The next idol called on was Su-jin. Then Geun and Jaewoong. Jun braced himself to go next.
An elderly couple won. He offered his arm to the lady and led them to the back hallway and out to the last room. It was more of a glass covered patio with a view. Jamal was in the room already, dressed as staff for the event. He stood back and gave Jun space. The couple didn’t want to sing with him, but they ask him for a song that was played at their wedding years before. Jun did his best and they were very happy, holding hands and nodding along to the music, mouthing the lyrics. When they were finished, Jamal signaled that the hallway was clear. Jun escorted the couple out and showed them where to re-enter the party. He was barely back in circulation before his name was called again. He recognized the middle-aged man who had “won” a song as one of the profiles Sevastyan had handed over. It took all his professionalism to smile and hold the door open, motioning the man through and pointing him to the karaoke room assigned. This time, there was more than Jamal waiting for them, officers stepping out from behind a partition as soon as Jun had the door closed. The arrest was immediate and efficient. A representative from the man’s own country was present, and they escorted him away. The entire time, the arrestee kept shooting Jun looks, as if he was confused. Jun stayed back, hands behind his back, at parade rest, letting the professionals do their jobs. According to Sevastyan and Rei, this man more than deserved anything that was coming to him.
One down, so many more to go.
Damian
Damian flexed his fingers, feeling the ache of shaking so many hands. It didn’t seem like something that should bother him. Perhaps it was in his imagination. A familiar face paused in the doorway to the event.
“Bryce.” Damian grinned and crossed the room, arms wide. “And this must be your lovely better half.”
“Most certainly my better half. Sathers, this is Julia. Julia, Damian Sathers, my never-quite partner in crime in college. We could never really corrupt him.”
“And yet you’re still friends.” Julia held out her hand. She was taller than Bryce in her classic nude heels and soft pink coat dress that complimented her dark southern Mediterranean complexion. From her understated makeup to the one ring on her French manicured fingers, she could have stepped out of a catalog for the British Royal family. Even her accent was English.
“Thank you for coming. I’m told you’ve enjoyed PentaNow for a while now.”
Julia raised an eyebrow. “5N are my boys, especially JunJun. Which I hear we have in common.”
Damian smirked.
She chuckled in return. “Perhaps not in the same way.”
“So what did you even see in Bryce?” Damian raised an eyebrow.
Bryce colored and dropped his eyes, smiling.
Julia cut her eyes at Bryce and looked back at Damian. “If you must know, this one was like a puppy. An audacious puppy. But puppies grow up. So, I brought him home. If my family couldn’t scare him off…”
Bryce cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t say I wasn’t scared, just not scared enough.”
Julia graced him with an indulgent shake of her head. “You did wonderfully.”
Damian chuckled. “Bryce doesn’t know when to be scared. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes that’s not.”
Julia smiled. “I’d love to meet Mr. Gang, if that’s possible.”
“See,” Bryce said, “that’s all we’re good for, Sathers, introducing our significant others to each other.”
Julia slapped him lightly with her silk glove.
Damian pointed Julia towards the station to buy tickets. Bryce leaned in to Damian as she left. “How goes it?”
“Smoothly, so far.”
