Page 31 of Idol Lives
Naomi pointedly tapped her new desk, a mischievous gleam in her eye. “Oh, I think I do.”
“Good.” Jason held his thought when Justice returned to deliver two perfectly made Americanos. “So, enough about me,” he continued, sipping his coffee. “How are you settling in here? Everything going alright?”
Naomi enthusiastically nodded. “Couldn’t be better. I’ve learned enough about Brightstar in the last two days to almost feel like an expert.”
Jason chuckled. He didn’t doubt it for a second. He knew that should’ve made him feel insecure. After all, she wastalking about his family business. But he was mostly relieved. And proud. “Great. So, what’s the verdict?”
“Your father was a busy man,” Naomi mused, her tone subtly shifting to something like awe. “Had his hands in a lot of different pies.”
Jason nodded. “Yeah, he sure did.” Gerald Park had built the Brightstar Group on a foundation of cheaply made Korean imports and hefty markups. But his reach eventually extended far beyond that into a complex network of subsidiaries and holdings that Jason barely understood. “It was his way.”
“You’ll get a closer look at some of it today,” Naomi continued. “I’ve been reviewing some of the more recent contracts and pulled a handful I’d like to discuss with David.”
Jason automatically frowned at the mention of David’s name but quickly covered it. “Okay.”
Naomi wasn’t fooled. She knew Jason too well. “What was that look for? Is there something about David I should know?”
Jason had debated sharing what he’d learned from Seong Woo. But it was all just gossip. And Gerald Park had undoubtedly been ruthless in building his business. Why wouldn’t the Sohs be the same way? Ultimately, he decided he didn’t want to burden Naomi with any unfounded accusations until he had something more concrete. “Nah. You know how I feel about lawyers.”
Naomi snorted. “Do I ever. Bernie’s still grumbling about how you kept dodging him at the funeral reception.”
Jason casually shrugged, happy to have deflected the question. “I am who I am.”
Naomi pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Are you, though?” She gestured towards his chest. “You’ve worn more ties in the last few weeks than in all the years I’ve knownyou.”
“I’m a businessman now. Gotta look the part.”
Naomi nodded in that motherly way she always used when she humored him. “You’re drinking coffee in the morning instead of bourbon. You’re on time for our meetings. You haven’t been in an unprovoked fight since you were filming with BigCloud.”
Jason nervously fidgeted, suddenly self-conscious under her piercing scrutiny. “What’s all this about, Ms. Bell? Can’t I grow and mature like everyone else?”
Naomi’s bright laughter softened the edge of her critique. “If you’d asked me that a year ago, I would’ve said no.” Then her expression warmed. “But I’m not trying to make you feel self-conscious. I’m genuinely impressed.”
“If you’re not trying to make me self-conscious, you’re absolutely failing,” Jason grumbled.
Naomi nodded, her eyes narrowing further. “Do you miss him?”
Him, meaning Tae Hyun. Jason should’ve seen that one coming, but Naomi had a way of disarming him. “Of course, I miss him,” he admitted, hoping that would be enough. But her unwavering gaze demanded more honesty. “Okay, I really fucking miss him. I thought I’d be okay being apart for a little while. I mean, I’ve been alone my whole damn life. But, no.” He dramatically sighed. “It’s been way fucking harder than I thought it would be, and it’s only been days.”
Naomi frowned in a way Jason had always wished his mother would have. “I know, sweetie. You fell hard and fast for that boy. Sure, it’s hard to be separated like this. But you know what they say about absence, right?”
Jason scoffed. “My heart’s already as fond as it’s gonna get.”
Naomi nodded, her eyes heavy with understanding. “Can I share something personal?”
Jason furrowed his brow, intrigued. “Always.”
Naomi nodded, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. “I think what you two have is incredibly special. And I’m jealous because it will never happen for me.”
“What?” Jason shook his head in disbelief. “You’re absolutely–”
“Don’t,” Naomi interrupted, holding up a hand. “Let me finish. Years ago, I decided to prioritize my career over my love life. At least until I reached a certain level of success. It’s already hard enough being a Black woman in a white man’s world without having a relationship to hold me back. And I’ve been fine with that.” She sighed. “But, when you offered me this position, I knew I was at the point of no return.”
Jason frowned. “I don’t get it.”
“Of course not, sweetie.” Naomi’s smile was bittersweet. “You’re a handsome, talented, extremely wealthy man. You’ve never had to fight for things the way I have.”
Jason wanted to protest, to claim he knew all about discrimination, being Asian and gay. But his arguments would’ve rang hollow. Those experiences, however painful, didn’t erase his privilege. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
