Page 10 of Idol Lives
Jason let Seong Min grab Tae Hyun’s last suitcase before following him to the plane. Smaller than a passenger plane, it was still large for a business jet, allowing for long-distance travel like crossing the Pacific. He’d never been aboard. His father had bought it long after Jason struck out on his own. And he had no idea how much it cost–or even a frame of reference. But it meant Tae Hyun would only be traveling with Seong Min and the plane’s crew. At least Tae Hyun and Seong Min got along really well.
Tae Hyun stood at the rear of the main cabin, speaking with one of the flight attendants. Jason caught his eye, earning him another embarrassed grin.
“Excuse me, Mr. Park.”
Jason turned to see the pilot behind him. “What’s up?”
“We’ll need to taxi to the runway soon to keep to our flight plan. I’m afraid that means you’ll have to deboard.”
Jason wanted to protest, but there was no putting off the inevitable. It was time for Tae Hyun to leave. “Alright. Gimme two minutes, and I’m gone.”
The pilot offered a quick nod before returning to the cockpit. Jason approached Tae Hyun, who stood holding a half-full champagne flute. “They’re giving me the boot, so I guess this is it.”
Tae Hyun quickly set his glass down and wrapped Jason in a firm embrace. “I’m going to miss you, hyung.”
Jason enthusiastically returned the hug, relishing in Tae Hyun’s warmth and enjoying a last whiff of his scent. “I’m gonna miss you, too. But I’ll see you as soon as I get everything taken care of here. Okay?”
“I know.” Tae Hyun squeezed Jason again. Then he surprised him with a quick kiss, something he usually wouldn’t do in front of others. “I love you. Now, go.”
Jason reluctantly let his arms fall. “I love you, too.” He let his gaze linger for a few moments more before turning toward the cabin door. Seong Min offered Jason a confident nod as he walked by. He’d barely made it three steps from the stairs before a flight attendant retracted them and closed the door. He kept going, not looking back until he reached Seong Hyeon, standing beside the open passenger door of their SUV. Jason quietly snorted as he climbed inside. Seong Hyeon only made him sit in front when he wanted to talk. Seong Hyeon closed Jason’s door, dulling the plane’s jet engine scream. Once in the driver’s seat, Seong Hyeon started the engine, letting it idle as the plane slowly taxied toward the runway.
“They’re gonna be okay, right?” Jason hadn’t meant his question to sound so hesitant, but there was no taking it back.
“Yes, sir.” Seong Hyeon, for his part, sounded utterly sure of himself. “I have every confidence.” He put the truck in drive and pulled away, heading for the airport exit. “I saw you speaking with my brother.”
“Just reminding him of what’s at stake.”
Seong Hyeon pursed his lips enough for Jason to catch it from the corner of his eye. “Are you concerned about Seong Min?”
Jason shook his head. “No way. He’s the perfect man for this job.” He turned toward the airport as they sped away, hopingto glimpse Tae Hyun’s plane taking off. “But Tae Hyun is who he is.”
Seong Hyeon nodded. “Of course, sir. I understand. And I appreciate your faith in my brother’s abilities.”
Jason frowned, catching Seong Hyeon’s obvious omission. “But?”
“Well, sir. We’ve had–” Seong Hyeon paused, drawing out the drama of what he was about to say. “–disagreements about what’s important.”
Jason turned away before Seong Hyeon caught him rolling his eyes. “If this is about Seoul, I already apologized for that.”
“You did, sir. And I understand why you acted the way you did. But your security needs have dramatically changed.” Seong Hyeon paused again, letting his unspoken thoughts dangle between them. “I need to know if you have the same faith in me.”
Jason turned back to Seong Hyeon. His typically impassive expression gave nothing away. “What’s this about? Is there anything I need to worry about?”
“No, sir. But I–” Seong Hyeon trailed off, leaving Jason hanging.
Jason huffed, unable to contain his sudden frustration. “For fuck’s sake, Seong Hyeon. I know you like to do your strong, stoic thing. But, just this once, could you drop the formality and just tell me what the fuck’s on your mind?”
Seong Hyeon pursed his lips again, as close to a dramatic reaction as Jason had ever seen from him. “Very well. You’re reactionary and hot-headed, sir. And you’re also a chaebol now, which makes you a much bigger target than before. Unless you want Mr. Woo to endure what you did when he was taken in Seoul, you must be smarter about how youact.”
Jason listened to Seong Hyeon’s outburst with his brows aloft. His security chief hadn’t raised his voice, but it was one of the few times Jason could recall being candidly scolded like that. He chuckled, impressed. “I wish you always talked to me that way.”
“Sir, if you’re not going to take this seriously–”
“No, no,” Jason interrupted, waving off Seong Hyeon’s protest. “I hear you. And I get what you’re saying.” He’d asked the man to speak plainly and got exactly that. The last thing he needed was to insult the person keeping him safe. “Alright. I’ll tell you the same thing I told your brother. When it comes to my protection, what you say goes. Good enough?”
Seong Hyeon, against all Jason’s expectations, cracked a smile. “Yes, sir. Thank you.”
Jason relaxed in his seat, wondering if he’d regret empowering Seong Hyeon like that. Then again, he was probably right. Jason’s father had been surrounded by security guards for as long as Jason could remember. Before he’d moved out, Jason had even had a team trailing him everywhere he went. Returning to that life–where he was constantly under watch and never in control–was secretly one of his biggest fears. People often imagined that having so much wealth was liberating. And there was no denying that it made many things so much easier. But it also came with impressive constraints.
