Page 51 of Bliss & Her Idols

“I’m just being kind, humble, and polite to the press,” Jin somehow manages to reply with a straight face.

I’m equally impressed with how Jin appears to be a master at weaponizing what’s clearly an Idol rulebook.

“Thanks,” I whisper.

Jin meets my gaze and smiles. “Love your style, by the way. Leather suits you.”

My cheeks are on fire.

April is glancing between us with seething jealousy. “But that Omega isn’t even a real music journalist.”

Jin’s expression instantly becomes as cold as any Ice Dragon’s.

My Ice Dragon warrior.

“Is that why I’ve read her articles, when I haven’t readyours?” He bites out. “I loved hers on rebellion in rock. Insightful.”

Shit, he’s actually heard of me? More than that, he’s read my work.

I barely thought anybody had.

I never expected the biggest singer in America would have.

Why are nerves flooding me?

I gape at Jin. “You read that…? But it was published in Omega Weekly.”

Jin laughs, musical and unrestrained; I’m instantly wet. “They stuff those magazines behind the scenes at venues like this for tours and photoshoots. Sometimes, those are the magazines with the most fun pieces in them. Yours are great.”

“This isn’t a date.” Zoe finally loses her cool, slamming her phone onto the table. “This is why Omegas shouldn’t be allowed VIP passes.”

I snort.

It was only a matter of time, before someone like Zoe would say something.

The memory of how she treats Jin in his vlogs flashes through my mind.

How she forced him to eat a Carolina Reaper…ruined his magic trick, dimming his joy and turning his smile fake…Pay attention to your posture…

I study her face to remember it because somehow, I will find a way to kick this woman’s ass.

Yet this is my first and best chance to learn about Jin.

April may be a journalist but she doesn’t truly know about investigating like I do. You don’t need to ask simple questions to learn about someone, along with their situation, and everybody around them as well.

I’ve learned a lot already.

I slip my fingers to the back of Cricket’s neck, giving a light squeeze and hoping that he knows to play along.

“Please,help me.” I look up, meeting Jin’s startled gaze. “He’s breathing too fast. He feels trapped. Can youhelp?”

Jin’s dark eyes have widened, before becoming searching.

This is a man who has been hiding codes in smuggled letters, the lyrics of his songs and song titles like “Caged Dreams”, and even tonight’s costume.

He’ll be able to work out that I’m repeating his code back to him.

Jin glances between Cricket and then me again.

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