Page 101 of XOXO

“I know.”

I’m so startled by his response that I immediately shut my mouth.

Sun turns to the security guard, who’s been watching uswith a quizzical expression. Unless he can understand Korean, he has no idea what I just said.

“Excuse me, sir.” Sun holds up a card on a lanyard he’s wrapped around his wrist. Speaking in broken English he says, “I am one of the artists. She’s”—he gestures vaguely in my direction—“VIP.”

A piercing scream comes from behind me. “Sun-oppa!”

He’s been spotted. Soon, more screams join the first, and the ground literally appears to shake with the rush of pounding feet.

“Damn.” The security guard reaches for his radio to call for backup. “Take her inside. Hurry.”

I bypass the rope and follow Sun to the side entrance. The cries of “Sun-oppa” can be heard, cutting off as the door shuts behind us.

“Thanks,” I say, catching my breath. We haven’t gone far, but my heart’s still racing from the adrenaline. “I—I didn’t think you’d help me.”

“I’m not helping,” he says, completely poised. “I’m just choosing not to stand in the way.”

“That’s helping.”

He shrugs. Pivoting, he starts walking down the hall, and I hurry to follow. We pass by a few crew members who bow to him and wish him a good show, while glancing at me curiously.

“You and I both have different views on what’s best for Jaewoo,” Sun says, glancing down the corridor to check that noone’s watching, then returning his gaze to me, “but it’s his life. He should be the one who makes the decision that he thinks is best, don’t you think?”

“Has anyone told you that you’re wise?”

He smirks, then turns with a flip of his long hair, calling over his shoulder as he leaves, “They don’t call me the leader of XOXO for nothing.”

I walk swiftly down the corridor. I don’t know what time it is, but Jaewoo’s somewhere nearby, I just have to find him.

“Hey, stop right there!” Another security guard; this time one of XOXO’s crew, as he speaks in Korean. “Do you have clearance to be down here?”

Dammit! I’m so close. The corridor hooks at the end. Should I make a run for it?

“Don’t mind her,” another voice interrupts, one I recognize. “She works for the venue.”

I glance over my shoulder.

Youngmin engages the man in friendly conversation. His hair is dyed bright red and he’s wearing a black outfit with chain-like accessories. Catching my gaze over the man’s shoulder, he winks.

I seize the opportunity he’s given me, racing down the corridor, rounding the corner, and running smack-dab into Nathaniel.

“Hey, Jenny, isn’t this a surprise.” Nathaniel’s wearing a paisley jacket over loose trousers. He’s also bleached his hair since I last saw him, to a brilliant-white color, a stark contrastto his dark eyes. “What are you doing here? Last I checked, we weren’t in Los Angeles.”

“I’m auditioning for a place in programs for cello at a few New York universities.”

“Nice. How’d you do?”

“I got into my top choice.”

“Congrats!” He raises his hand for a high-five and I raise mine instinctively.

“Wait!” I scowl. “I’m not here to make small talk with you. Where’s Jaewoo?”

A small crease forms between his brows. “I don’t know.

“What do you mean you don’t know? Isn’t your concert about to start?”

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