Page 15 of Idol Lives
Tae Hyun feigned shock, raising a surprised eyebrow. “Did you just admit I was right?”
A mischievous gleam wiped away Yun Seo’s worried expression. “Oh, no. You’re not getting me to say that again.” She playfully smacked his arm. “That’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Like a comet.”
Tae Hyun snorted. “Then I’m glad I was here to experience it. Should we go over my schedule?”
Yun Seo brightly smiled and nodded. “Okay. You’re the boss.”
05
The Brightstar Group’s headquarters was a 27-story monolith of glass and steel on Wilshire and San Vicente at the western edge of Beverly Hills. A monument to Gerald Park’s boundless ambition, its sheer size was impossible to ignore. Los Angeles shimmered like a mirage reflected in the building’s mirrored facade, beautiful and unsettling all at once. While the building had underground parking and a private executive elevator, Jason chose to use the front door for his first-ever visit. He couldn’t think of a more important statement to make on his first day at Brightstar than letting everyone see him arrive. If there was one thing he knew, it was how to make an entrance. He and Seong Hyeon, standing just far enough behind him to make it clear who the star was, shared a knowing look. Everything in Jason’s life had already changed. But they were about to make all that real.
Gliding through the revolving doors, Jason was struck by a wave of cool, conditioned air. The sounds of Wilshire traffic disappeared, replaced by the echoing murmurs of hushed conversations. Polished granite floors stretched towards a massive reception desk, gleaming beneath the glow of an immense, geometric chandelier. Even the sharply dressed security guards gave off an aura of quiet power.
A vast, modern interpretation of a Korean mountain landscape dominated the long wall behind the reception desk. Muted blues and greens swirled against a backdrop of textured gray, a touch of tradition in the heart of this otherwise modern space. It was a subtle reminder of Gerald’s roots and the heritage Jason had all but ignored until recently.
Jason was suddenly caught up in a strange mix of emotions. A surprising flash of pride–this was his father’s legacy. A sharp awareness of his own outsider status–he was a celebrity in a world ruled by ruthless pragmatism. And underneath it all, a hint of excitement tempered by apprehension. He’d made grand entrances before, but this stage, this audience, was brand new to him.
Before he could take more than a few steps, an older woman, impeccably dressed in a charcoal gray suit, approached with measured strides.
“Mr. Park,” the woman smoothly greeted him with a subtle cadence in her accent that hinted at her Korean heritage. “Welcome to the Brightstar Group. I’m Eunice Kim, Chief of Staff.” She paused, letting her title and imposing presence do whatever it was supposed to. She was obviously a frontline soldier sent to ensure Gerald Park’s legacy remained intact. The shadow of some unknown judgment beneath her composed features suggested she didn’t think it would. “I trust your father mentioned me?”
Jason had definitely seen her at his father’s funeral. But he had no idea who she was at the time. “He may have.” Maybe a little honesty was the best defense against her silent scrutiny. “Until recently, my focus was–” He paused, already second-guessing his choice to avoid the private entrance. “–elsewhere.”
Eunice’s lips tightened with obvious disapproval. “Of course. Nonetheless, my role remains vital.” Her subtle emphasis onmyhinted at the unspoken worry beneath her professional facade. “If you’ll follow me, I can give you a brief tour on the way to your office.” She briskly turned, her posture rigid. “It’s important for you to become acquainted with the environment–” She trailed off, but her implication was clear. This wasn’t optional. It was a test of his willingness to yield control.
Jason’s initial impression shifted. Eunice Kim wasn’t merely a guardian of his father’s legacy but a woman already fighting for her position in this new regime. And he realized it would be like that with everyone. People who’d somehow secured their stations under his tyrant father now found themselves with a complete unknown in charge of the company. Except he wasn’t really an unknown. A simple web search would reveal plenty. Most of it was unflattering. And none of it said he was qualified for the position he’d fallen into. But, whatever she thought of him, Eunice was still from the C-suite, which said something. Intrigued and a little amused, he fell in step behind her. The game had officially begun, with far higher stakes than he’d initially assumed.
After a brief stopover at the reception desk to get security badges–apparently, even the company owner wasn’t immune from that requirement–Eunice bypassed the elevators to take Jason and Seong Hyeon up the grand bamboo and steel staircase leading to the mezzanine. Jason tuned her out as she described the origins of the lobby chandelier and the giant mural. He was famously bad at building tours and didn’t care about the art at all. But he cut her off when she suggested they make accounting their next stop. “You know, I think we cansave the rest for later. I’m supposed to meet with Naomi Bell soon.”
Eunice pursed her lips, unhappy with Jason’s interruption. But he was her boss, so she nodded. “Of course, Mr. Park. You should know that Ms. Bell hasn’t yet arrived for the day.”
It wasn’t like Naomi to be late. If anything, he’d expected her to already be waiting for him, so he’d made an effort to be on time for once. Hopefully, she was alright. “Okay, then, please just take me to my office.”
Eunice nodded. “I assume you’ll be taking over your father’s office?”
Jason shrugged. “Unless you know of a better one.”
Eunice’s silent reproach said she didn’t. After using the private executive elevator to travel to the top floor, she stopped before a set of imposing double doors, their polished wood gleaming beneath the overhead lighting. “Your office,” she announced with almost reverent formality before opening the doors and stepping aside.
Jason hesitated at the threshold, stuck in a haze of apprehension and curiosity. This was the center of his father’s domain. It was also a place he never thought he’d see, let alone command. The office itself was a study in understated elegance–far less ostentatious than the mansion but still brimming with an undeniable intensity.
Floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped around two walls, offering a breathtaking panorama of the sprawling LA skyline. A heavy, granite-topped desk stood at the center, its surface uncluttered save for a minimalist lamp and his father’s trademark gold fountain pen. A bland selection of impressionist art adorned the walls, offering a bit of color in the otherwise neutral palette. The space simmered with subtle powerand calculated efficiency, a far cry from the over-the-top extravagance of his Bel Air home. And, it was the second center of his father’s power Jason had recently taken over. The thought made him a little sick.
Jason ignored his unease, straightening his shoulders and firming up his posture as he walked inside. Appearances mattered. And this wasn’t just an office. It was another example of the very real differences between him and his father. Gerald Park had built an empire from that very desk on the strength of his drive and determination, while Jason had built his stardom on his charm, talent, and good looks. It was hard to ignore his nagging doubt. Could he even fill this space, or would his father’s legacy always overshadow him?
“Here you are, Mr. Park.”
Jason had almost forgotten Eunice was still there. “Thank you.” She silently stood by, clearly expecting more from him. “Uh, please make sure Naomi doesn’t have any trouble when she gets here.”
Eunice offered a single nod. “Of course, Mr. Park. Anything else?”
“Could you have someone bring me an Americano?”
A second nod. “I will.” Eunice didn’t wait around for any additional coffee orders, heading straight for the door and closing it behind her.
Jason quietly chuckled. “Isn’t she delightful?”
“I couldn’t say,” Seong Hyeon dryly replied. “Do you need me to wait for Ms. Bell? If not, I’d like to meet the corporate security team.”
