Page 45 of Idol Lives
“It’s okay. I’m not mad. Just wondering.”
Jason let out a humorless chuckle. “Yeah, well, I hated it. That should make you happy, at least.”
Tae Hyun’s frown returned. “Are you trying to pick a fight?”
Jason sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. “No, sorry. I just talked to Naomi. She’s freaking out about something, and it’s got me a little freaked out, too.”
Tae Hyun rested his hand on Jason’s thigh. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Jason shook his head. “I don’t even really understand it. Something to do with contracts and a power struggle between her and my lawyer.”
“Bernie?”
Jason snorted. “No, my other lawyer, David. Brightstar’s Chief Legal Counsel. Some young hotshot who’s been steadily testing Naomi’s boundaries.” He smiled and rested his hand atop Tae Hyun’s. “But that’s why I’m paying her such an insane salary. To deal with it.”
Tae Hyun’s frown deepened. “And you’re stuck here with me instead.”
“No way.” Jason grabbed Tae Hyun’s hand and squeezed. “I’d rather be here with you than dealing with all that.”
“Are you sure?”
Jason leaned in close, his lips lightly brushing against Tae Hyun’s. “Positive.”
Tae Hyun’s ears turned bright red as he grinned. “Okay. I love you. But I have to use the washroom.”
By the time Tae Hyun returned, refreshed and ready, the pilot’s voice echoed through the cabin, announcing their descent into Songshan Airport. Unlike their arrival in Tokyo, no fan club was waiting to greet them. Jason was fine with that, given the circumstances. After breezing through customs, they were soon in the back of a gleaming black limo, gliding along the bustling streets on the short drive into Taipei.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the cityscape, bathing the towering skyscrapers above in a molten glow. Below, a chaotic ballet of scooters darted through the dense traffic, their reckless maneuvering mirroring Jason’s racing thoughts. He fixated on the upcoming conversation with Ren. His anger and simmering resentment still gnawed at him.
Jason clenched his jaw, his fingers nervously drumming against the plush leather seat. He knew he couldn’t approach things fists-first, no matter how much he wanted to. He needed to get answers–and be certain Ren wouldn’t do it again. But first, he had to get a handle on his anger before he made things worse.
“Mina wants to have dinner with us tonight,” Tae Hyun announced, dragging Jason from his chaotic thoughts.
Jason turned to see Tae Hyun, phone in hand. He shrugged. “Sure, if you want.”
Tae Hyun nodded, his fingers flying across the screen. “Great. She reserved the private dining room at the hotel restaurant. We can meet her after we check in and get settled.”
Their hotel, the Xinyi Grand, towered over the bustling Xinyi district–right in the heart of Taipei and close to the Xinyi Dome, where Tae Hyun was performing. After using the hotel’s private VIP entrance, they were escorted to the penthouse suite, where a chilled bottle of champagne awaited them.
The sprawling suite was everything Jason had hoped it would be. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a 270-degree panorama of Taipei, transforming the city into a living work of art. Rich textures–silk, marble, and plush carpets–combined with dark woods and designer furniture to set the tone. But a modern, open fireplace dominated the living room, the highly polished slab of black granite creating a striking focal point. Even jaded by a lifetime of five-star hotels, he was a little impressed. But the fully-stocked bar was his primary focus. There was no hiding the longing in his eyes as he reached for the gleaming bottle of Kingston.
“Drink?” Jason asked, the word barely a question, as he twisted the cap.
“I’d love one,” Tae Hyun replied as he drifted towards the balcony.
Jason poured himself three fingers of bourbon, swallowed half of it, and refilled his glass. Then he mixed a gin and tonic for Tae Hyun just how he liked them, even adding a fresh-cut lime from the bar. He picked up both glasses and joined Tae Hyun on the balcony. The early twilight painted theXinyi District in a magical glow, transforming the neighboring buildings into shimmering towers of light. A gentle breeze carried the cooler evening air in a welcome reprieve from the day’s heat.
“This is a nice suite,” Tae Hyun remarked, breaking the comfortable silence. “Even nicer than the one in Tokyo.”
Jason mischievously grinned. “That’s cuz I bought the hotel.”
Tae Hyun nearly spit out the sip he’d just taken. “What?”
Jason playfully chuckled. “I’m kidding. But seriously, I called ahead and asked for the room. Privacy isn’t cheap, and this is about the best we can do in Taipei.”
Tae Hyun snorted, a good-natured roll of his eyes betraying his amusement. “Good. I’d rather not end up in some grainy new paparazzi photo looking like this. Speaking of which, I think I need a shower before dinner.”
“Or,” Jason countered, low and suggestive, “you could take a bath. I might have requested they have the main bathroom’s jetted tub ready for us when we arrived.”
