Page 23 of Damian & Jun: Episodes 5-8
Jun and Émeric left off their conversation. Richard and Damian turned toward them, both in tune with their partners.
“We’re getting looks,” Émeric noted.
Jun shrugged. “There were reporters earlier.”
Damian checked his phone. There was a set of links from Mi Hi in his messages. He opened the first one: “Defiant Leader of 5N, Gang Junseo, promises new music from Chicago.” It was accompanied by a rather stunning photo of Jun with his chin lifted and fire in his eyes, the mottled bruises on his face in full view.
He turned the phone around, letting the other three men at the table see, then clicked on to the second link. That one had included Jun holding Damian’s hand and followed the picture up with a short bio on Damian including his education, the fact he co-founded a law firm, and his role as Richard’s right-hand man. They’d also included a lot of information pulled from Mi Hi’s social media posts.
Around the room, people were reading their phones and sending their table discrete looks. A few younger women were being less discrete. One tried to take a photo, and her older friend pushed her phone down, scolding her.
Buckwheat tea came to the table. Jun, as the youngest, poured for everyone and sipped at the drink.
The owner of the restaurant came over, bowing to Richard first and then Damian, Jun, and Émeric, respectively. She inquired if there was anything special they wanted, dropping a hint they had privacy screens if necessary.
Richard and Jun shook their heads. Émeric’s eyes crinkled up with amusement. Jun gave Damian a speaking look. He was going to do something and was clearly asking permission, but Damian had no idea what it was. He leaned forward, giving Jun his ear.
“They’ll stop staring if I say hello.”
Damian considered it. “You want to?”
“If you’re here and I’m going to be here, shouldn’t I?”
Damian nodded. He turned to the proprietor. “Is it all right if Jun says hello to the other patrons?”
“Take some soju to each table, our gift for disturbing everyone’s dinner,” Richard suggested.
Pride rose in Damian’s chest.
The proprietor bowed. “I’ll bring out a tray.”
When the soju appeared, Jun stood, taking three bottles in each hand, and sauntered over to the nearest table. Damian couldn’t hear what he said, but there were immediate smiles and some faint embarrassed laughter. Jun set the bottles on the table in front of the oldest members of the party. He let one of the younger members take a selfie with him and then moved on easily to the next table, coming back only to grab more bottles.
Food came to the table. Richard and Émeric started cooking meat and vegetables on the grill in the middle of the table. Damian kept his eyes on Jun.
“He’s a natural,” Émeric said. He nodded at Jun, who was standing beside one of the farthest tables now, an attractive blush on his cheeks. It was a table full of young businesswomen. One of them turned and gestured politely toward Damian. Jun’s eyes darkened. He looked across the room toward Damian and then leaned forward, whispering something, hand over heart. There was a collective outburst of sighs and “ahs” followed by nervous giggling. Jun’s cheeks flushed more, and he ducked his head. It was too much. Damian stood and crossed the room. As he approached, he realized Jun was speaking to the table in Chinese.
The young women cooed as Damian approached. Jun held out his hand and Damian took it, coming to stand behind Jun, his other hand going to Jun’s hip. “Yes, love?” he said in Korean.
“They asked if you were my boyfriend,” Jun translated.
The girls giggled. They truly looked in awe and thrilled to have Jun’s attention. This was what Bak was missing. Bak had never been progenitor of Jun’s reputation and success. Jun was his own elixir.
“Boyfriend seems so mundane,” Damian whispered just loud enough the table could hear. One of the girls translated into Chinese. He wrapped both arms around Jun’s waist, eliciting shocked gasps. “I prefer to say you are the light in my life, the drumbeat in my soul, my past, present, and future.”
Jun stared into his eyes at a loss for words. He gripped Damian’s hand where Damian held him and dropped his eyes.
One of the girls waved her hands, obviously second-hand embarrassed even though she and her friends were grinning wildly.
“Please forgive me, I’m going to steal back my man.” Damian bowed to them.
The girl who had done the translating straightened up, her eyes sparkling. “I think he would like to be stolen.”
Jun shook his head, cheeks crimson.
Back at the table, the four of them ate in companionable silence as the first round of meat and vegetables came off the grill. Jun ate with gusto, favoring one side of his mouth but not letting it slow him down. A live band set up in the main area. Damian recognized them from previous performances. The proprietor spoke with the band leader; a few moments later, the man came over. He greeted them formally, starting with Damian as they knew each other in passing. Damian introduced him to the table.
The band leader turned to Jun and bowed. “We would be deeply honored if you’d be willing to sing something with us tonight.” He offered Jun a microphone.
