“It seems you haven't seen the news.” as she spoke, she gave him her phone. “It’s all over. They know you are here. They are actually camping at the gate.”
“Emma...” he started.
“No Xavion, you didn’t lie to me, what you did was tidy up the details. You are what is it called, a hallyu star? Why weren’t you completely honest? Imagine waking up and finding my boyfriend all over the news and a fleet of nosy reporters disturbing my business.”
“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to feel overwhelmed.”
“What?”
“You said it yourself, we are from two different countries and if you knew how big a star I am, you would not have given us a chance, with the reason that we are from different worlds. You think I don’t know that? I do but I don’t care. I love you and want to be with you and that’s all that matters.”
“Well, you were right to think I would react that way, Xavion. I do feel overwhelmed. What are we doing? I love you so much Xavion and I know you love me but it feels like there is a rift between us, different worlds, different time zones, that’s where we belong. How can we make it work? There is...”
Xavion interrupted her by planting a kiss on her lips. Initially she went limp in his arm but then, she broke it, muttering, “The cameras...”
“I don’t care,” he replied as he claimed her lips again. When he finally let go, he said, “Yes, our love story is not the most traveled road but we can do it. I believe in us. You just have to see that our worlds are not so different when we are in each other’s arms. Give us a chance, please.”
Emma nodded and let him hold her.
“Will you let me groom Star now? I bet she would like some grooming.”
Emma chuckled and pulled back, “All right.”
Emma was grateful that her grandfather and Maria did not ask too many questions about the situation.
“Be careful, my girl,” her grandfather had said.
Emma was hard at work in her office the next morning when her intercom buzzed. After Brianna’s wedding, they had gotten lots of events requests.
“Emma, Mr. Xavion is here,” Ava told her.
“Let him up, Ava. Thanks.”
A smile brightened her face and she stood up and headed to the door. Emma opened it just as he was about to. She shut the door behind him and kissed him.
“You are in a good mood,” he teased as he stroked her hair.
“Well, ranch traffic is increasing. Brianna’s wedding helped us a lot, and it is quite possible that a popular k-pop team vacationing here did good for us too.”
Xavion chuckled, “I see...”
“Not that I don’t love your company but what brings you here? No lessons today?”
“Yeah, uh… I spoke with my managers today.”
Emma stepped back and tilted her head, “Why do I suddenly feel chills?”
Xavion placed his hands on her shoulders and stroked her arms, “Yeah, Manager Choi can have that effect. You see, since we have been discovered here already, and we are trending greatly, he wants us to take advantage of the buzz. He needs us to go to New York for a concert.”
“I see… so you are leaving the ranch, even though you still have four weeks of vacation left,” Emma said slowly.
“Yes, and I want you to come with us, Emma.”
“What?” She gaped.
“Hey slow down, all right. I want you to come to New York with us, I want you to see me perform up close. Please say yes, love… and of course, the twins have to come with.”
“Yeah, they love you and the guys so much already,” Emma smiled and he stroked her cheek, “But I don’t think the bustle of New York will be good for them, and there is gonna be the concert. It’s really going to be hard being away from them but since it’s just for a weekend, I guess...”
