Jooney: Well, when you bring Lumina into the equation… and the way they’ve patched things up with Apollo since the summer… Emerald Entertainment would need to be very, extremely stupid to ruin its own redemption arc like this.
Freddie: That’s why I keep saying there’s something shady about this whole thing. I mean, the timing? Those emails just happened to leak on this specific weekend, the day after Lumina’s MV? You can’t tell me that wasn’t strategic. Somebody wanted to start a fire.
Maisie: (clapping) Very nice that you’re using the college degree now, Freddie. Been waiting forever to see this happen. Real detective work!
Freddie: Auntie, my degree is in journalism.
Maisie: Yeah, yeah. I remember. Went to your graduation!
Freddie: I’m literally using the degree every single day.
Maisie: How? When?
Freddie: Here! On this show!
Jooney: (laughing in background)
Freddie: This podcast counts as journalism!
Maisie: That’s what you told your dad, eh? It’s journalism when you scroll the social media and boom, you see Max Lee didn’t go to dinner with the other boys after that millionaire wedding, you see Apollo back in California today—
Freddie: And I reported on it, didn’t I? So it was journalism!
Maisie: (also laughing now)
Freddie: I quit! I’m quitting, have fun finding a new producer—
Jooney: Oh, but… I hope Apollo’s okay. You know?
Freddie: (sighs) Same.
37
“EricwantsyouonStar-Connect tonight,” said Denny. “Couldn’t get you out of it, so just keep it short. Don’t forget.”
Eunjae had forgotten, although it might be more accurate to say that he’d repressed it on purpose. Prism kept pushing him to talk to the fans via livestream, insensitive to his exhaustion. Eric called it ‘proof of life’ and ‘reassuring the audience.’
Reminder issued, Denny left without another word, off to continue doing his work with the same efficiency as ever. Just his work, nothing extra. Their manager barely spoke to them these days. He’d plunged into a deep, wounded silence.
Shoulders slumped, Eunjae stared at Langley House, shining in the late afternoon sun. His gaze always went straight to Jiyeon’s window on the second floor. He looked despite knowing she wouldn’t be there.
They still had another hour of filming up ahead, even after a full day at the diner. The producers brought special guests,so it was a lot of talking and a lot of pretending to talk. Apollo managed the way they always did, drawing on dwindling reserves of energy, but it was Ezra who got the most screen time. He’d researched their visitors ahead of time. His list of questions was a mile long, and he asked every single one.
He had questions for Eunjae, too. “Why aren't you guys saying anything about Wanna Waffle?” he wanted to know, when Leila drove him to the house. “Your fans ruined everything. Shouldn't you guys tell them that was wrong?”
Their mother overheard. “The fans are customers. As they say, the customer is always right. Correcting them would be a mistake.”
“Yeah, but that was property damage. They should have to pay, at least. If I was a customer at the diner and I punched a hole in the wall, wouldn't I have to pay for it?”
“Someone did pay,” Leila replied. She sent her younger son ahead, lingering to speak to Eunjae. “Think about what you're doing to that poor family, Ari. You could do a better job of protecting them. And if they find out about the girl? What then?” She held up a hand, the fingers long and graceful. “No, don't make that face at me. I'm not telling you to put an end to whatever it is you think you have with Emma. As if you'd listen to me! I'm telling you to hide it better. Let Arthur help you. I can't believe you'd let your pride get in the way of keeping her safe.”
But he was keeping her safe. It was safer to stay apart. That’s what Eric counseled, because there had been another clip buried in that weekend’s digital wreckage, discovered on an elderly wedding guest’s Facebook page. Sunshines had zoomed in to the point of obliterating clarity, extracting footage that lasted just eight seconds. In an endless loop, it showed Apollo’s Ari reaching for someone's hand. There was nothing shy or awkward about it. He'd clearly reached for that hand before.Emma’shand, the comments screeched.Look at the way he's smiling at her. Look at how her hand fits so perfectly in his.
Prism suppressed the post before it could gain much traction. When Eric made him watch the video and read the comments, Eunjae had just one thought in his head: why would I ever want to hide this?
He was so tired of hiding. And he almost said it to Leila, right then and there, but Ezra cut between them. “Mum, stop talking to him. They’ve already started rolling. Oh, and I’m staying after. Eunjae said I can, if I want.”
Leila smiled, icy and serene. “Best friends now, are you?”
