“But I’m serious about my DMs,” Andy cut in. “The last thing in the world I need is for you to end up onK-star Dailycuz you’re talking hella shit with someone else’s fans.”
“Hey!” Noah complained. “That was one time. And you promised to never bring it up again.”
“No, you asked me to promise, but I did no such thing.” Andy’s sadness still hovered under the surface, mingling with hisanxiety, threatening to burst out right there in the middle of the airport if he wasn’t careful. “Look, I’m in line for security right now, so I should probably get off the phone. I’ll grant you access to my accounts once I’m on the plane. Okay?”
Noah sighed. “Okay, okay. And you’d better call me on your break or whatever. I want all the insider details before the public gets them.”
“Noah!” Andy called out, earning him a clucked tongue from the older woman standing in line ahead of him.
“Fine. But I want something. After all, I am the president of the official Andy Kim fan club.”
Andy barked out a sharp laugh, getting an angry glare from the older woman in return. “One day, and all that power’s already going to your head.”
Noah snorted. “I’m being serious. I’ve already got Donte and Dominic set as vice president and treasurer.”
Donte and Dominic, the twin brother assistants who were taking over his dance classes? Andy could only imagine what his brother had promised them to participate in his madness. Then again, every vote counted. Especially since he wasn’t playing with a home field advantage.
“Okay, fine Mr. President. I’ll get you something.”
“Hell yeah! Thanks, bro. Love you!”
“Love you, too, Noah.”
By the time Andy reached the security checkpoint, he had his feelings mostly under control again. He had too much excitement bubbling inside to let a little sadness bring him down. The days of Andy Kim, dance instructor from Sacramento, were almost over. Pretty soon, he was gonna be Andy Kim, K-pop idol.
“Boarding pass and ID, please,” droned the bored-looking security agent.
Andy handed over his passport and pointed his phone screen her way, waiting as the agent glanced at each before fixing him with a sudden, attentive gaze.
“Seoul, eh? Heading home?”
Andy tried not to frown as the agent handed back his very American passport. “No, Sac is home. Seoul is work. I’m gonna be an idol.”
A single, over-plucked eyebrow floated up as the agent slowly nodded. “Sure you are, kid. Have a nice flight.”
2
Kwon Min Jaeloosely wrapped the pristine white towel around his waist after climbing from the bed, ignoring the sound of gentle snoring as the other man slept. Min Jae stood silent, briefly watching the man’s chest rise and fall. Not a bad looking guy, considering his age. Kept himself fit and cared about his appearance. Turning away, Min Jae quietly crossed the plush, soft carpet of the Park Grand Hotel Suite 1222. It was always the same room with this one. A giant corner suite with a Han River view. That’s how Min Jae had him named in his phone.
Min Jae slid the bathroom door shut, engaging the lock with a clean, sharp click. A simple barrier to protect him while he scrubbed away the lingering ghost of 1222’s cigarette breath. He dropped the towel and lifted the simple black mask covering the top half of his face, setting it atop the toilet tank to keep it close to the shower. After several minutes of letting the scalding hot spray sting his skin, he stepped out, dripping on the bathroom rug as he approached the steamy mirror. He wiped a hand across it, giving him at least a partial view of his face. He’d only worn a little makeup–just enough to sharpen his round cheekbones and make his eyes look a little bigger. No gloss on his pouty lips and only the barest foundation. 1222 liked him to look natural andinnocent. Satisfied, he thoroughly dried himself, replaced his mask, and stepped back out to the suite’s bedroom.
1222 had awakened while Min Jae was in the shower. “I fell asleep again,” he joked, his voice rough but quiet.
“You always do,” Min Jae replied, walking to the side table on the opposite side of the king-sized bed to retrieve his phone. “I think it’s cute.”
“Do you really?” 1222 softly chuckled. “Or, are you angling for a bigger tip?”
Min Jae shrugged, holding out his phone with the payment app open. “Your tip’s already plenty big, thank you very much.”
With a generous laugh leading to a hacking cough, 1222 begrudgingly sat up to retrieve his own phone, resting on the side table beside him. “You know, if you really want more money, you should let me see your face. I’d pay double.”
Min Jae clicked his tongue as he climbed onto the bed on his knees, gently resting back on his feet. “You know the rules.” He reached, fingertip outstretched, slowly running it down the center of 1222’s chest. “Besides, you’ve already seen everything else, haven’t you?”
1222 reluctantly nodded. “I suppose that’s true.” He unlocked his phone, tapped something on the screen, and held it close to Min Jae’s, which buzzed. Transaction accepted.
Min Jae didn’t even look at the screen as he slid back off the bed. His clients never tried to short him. Especially 1222. “Thank you.”
1222 smiled. “No, thank you.” He groaned as he lifted his arms into a languorous stretch. Then he slid off the bed and padded over to the bathroom, pausing at the entrance to turn back. “Until next time?”
