Chapter 12-1
1833 Words
12
“Lola, I don’t understand why you need to stay with me and Jackson.”
Hae-in and I walked in on Lola and Anna in the lobby, having what I think is the strangest conversation.
“Oh, Indy, you’re finally here. Maybe you can talk some sense into your cousin.”
“I can try.”
“Wait. Who’s this?” Lola asks, placing her hands on her hips. She gives Hae-in the once-over, and a grin slowly appears across her calculating face. “You brought me a snack.”
Hae-in drags a hand through his hair and looks to me for help. It’s the first time I’ve seen him look unsure.
“Don’t even think about it, Lo, this is my friend from South Korea, Hae-in. These are my cousins. Lola Danvers and Annabelle Macon.”
“I remember you,” Anna says, stepping forward with a warm smile on her face. “It’s been a few years, but you were just starting out and so was I. I’ve seen a couple of your dramas.”
Hae-in bows slightly. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Macon.”
“It’s Storme now, but I still use Macon for work purposes. So, you’re the one that’s been keeping our Indy smiling?”
“I try.”
“Hold the f*****g phone. This is the guy that put you up in the fancy hotel suite?”
“Lo,” I warn. “Take it down a notch.”
Hae-in faces Lola and bows before extending his hand. “Hello, Lola. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Oh, honey, the pleasure is all mine. You can just sit down right there in that chair, and I’ll be with you in a moment. I have an issue I need to discuss with my family. You understand, don’t you, sugar?”
“Lola.”
“Lo.”
Anna and I say at the same time. “Mind your manners. He’s a guest, and eventually will be a client.”
“Really?” Anna asked. “He wants to work with us?”
“India was telling me how you were trying to meet with the directors of the hotel. I’m one of the partners. I can make that happen.”
“Well, today is looking up.” Anna gestures toward the conference room. “Right this way, please.” As she leads Hae-in into the conference room, she turns and hisses at Lola, “Lo, you’re not staying with me and Jackson. There’s nothing wrong with your house.”
“There damn well is. Bear was in that house. I can’t stand to be there anymore. I need to stay somewhere else, and I can’t stay with Chantelle’s dirty a*s, and India doesn’t have the room. You’re the only one with a big enough house. Your brother even turned me away. Can you believe him?”
“Yes, I can. You were always hitting on Trent.”
“Well, he is one fine-a*s piece of specimen.”
“Lola, as you can see, Anna and I have a client. Can you please let us work?”
“Fine, but be warned, I’m showing up with my bags later tonight, Anna, and if you and your husband even think of turning me away, I’m going to tear the roof down.”
I roll my eyes and head to the coffee machine to pour myself a cup. I wait until I hear the front door of the office close before I enter the conference room.
“See, I told you drama.”
Hae-in waves his hand. “It’s fine, really. I’ll admit she comes on quite strong.”
“That’s not strong. Trust me, you’ll know when she’s coming on strong.”
Anna and I both laugh.
“Can you guys show me the proposal for the partnership?” Hae-in asks. His face is serious. He looks completely different. His eyes are stern and laser-like.
Anna stands and walks out of the conference room toward her desk. When she returns, she hands him the proposal along with our photo book. “This is the proposal, and the binder has pictures of our past events and customer reviews. Take your time looking at them. I have some things to discuss with India about an upcoming event we need to work on.”
Anna and I leave Hae-in in the conference room, and I follow her into her office.
“Your friend Hae-in is Wook Hae-in,” Anna says smiling wildly. Her hands are doing a silent clap of praise as she nods her approval. “Girl, you go from hot and hotter, to gorgeous. If I had known you were talking about the Hae-in, I would have dressed up a bit more.”
“You talk as if you follow his career or something.”
“I don’t, but when I say he’s huge over in Asia, he’s huge. I’ve only done one shoot with him, but photographers talk. Not to mention they featured him in the Asian version of M magazine of having perfect bone structure and physique. If I’m not mistaken, I think he was like in the top twenty.”
“Out of how many?” I ask, curious.
“Dude, out of a hundred.”
“Dayum.”
“Dayum is right. And you’re just friends?”
“Well, I’d say we’re a bit more than friends.”
“How much more?” Anna raises her brows in a cheesy gesture.
“Stop, Anna, I haven’t gone there yet. I’m not ready.” Anna stands straighter and gives me a soft smile.
“Honey, there is nothing wrong with seeing someone, whether it’s just for fun or even if you two are serious. Live your life, and no one is going to fault you or say anything if the two of you decide to take things further, it’s no one’s damn business. Do what you do.”
“You’re right. But I’m hesitant.”
Anna reaches out and grabs my hands in both of hers. “Honey, why?”
I don’t feel like crying today, but fresh tears threaten to spill.
“Because everything is still raw on the inside. I may smile, and even seem like I’m okay, but it’s day-to-day with me.”
Anna’s eyes are bright with tears now and she pulls in a deep breath. “Honey, you’re going to be all right. Even if this thing with Hae-in doesn’t work out, take the distraction, and live your life. I get your heart is hurting, everyone does, but life goes on, and I know you’d tell me the same thing if I were standing in your shoes.”
She’s right.
But I’m still wary.
“What if something happens?”
“Like what?”
“What if he’s serious and wants to have beautiful little babies? It’s not something I’m ready for or even want to happen.”
“That’s what protection is for, stupid.”
“Accidents happen.”
“Be extra careful then.”
“What if I don’t know how to let myself go?”
“Try it out, no one is saying you have to marry Hae-in, although, in hindsight, y’all would have some beautiful-a*s babies, but no one is saying that is what’s going to happen. Why not just take it one day at a time? You haven’t even defined your relationship with him, right?”
Anna is right, of course. Hae-in and I haven’t discussed what sort of relationship it is we’re having.
“Maybe I should get that out of the way first?”
“Or maybe, just sit back and enjoy the ride.”
My eyes get big and Anna laughs. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Danvers. I didn’t mean that kind of ride.”
“Oh yeah? Then why is your face flushed?”
Anna grins at me before pulling me into a hug. “Get yourself some and worry about the rest later.”
Is Anna right? Am I making it more than what it needs to be? We both make it back to the conference room, and Hae-in is on the phone. He’s speaking in Korean. His voice is melodious and deep. The tone resonates throughout the space, leaving its own signature. Something I’ll never forget.
“My team will be here in about thirty minutes, does that work for you? I hope I haven’t intruded on today’s plans.”
Anna and I are both flustered for a moment, but it’s Anna who bounces back first. “Hae-in, you’re a miracle worker for doing this. I think the partnership will be fortuitous for both parties.”
“I have zero doubts, Anna. Especially with the two of you involved. I know the hotel will prosper, making my uncle happy.”
“Good deal all around,” I say, pulling in a sigh of relief. Having a prestigious hotel right outside of Beauville would be beneficial to everyone. We’d have more local clients making it easier to stay close to town. I know, Jackson wants Anna close to home for the kids’ sake. “The twins will be here soon to grab coffee. I’m going to let them know to wait until after the meeting is over so that we can be better prepared.”
Hae-in stands with his phone still in his hand. “I have a few calls I need to make; shall I order anything for the meeting?”
“No, that’s something we can do. You can use the guest office down the hall to make your calls.”
“Thank you.”
It doesn’t take long for Hae-in’s directors to arrive. I think Anna is more shocked than I am when we see Vivian walk through our front doors. She’s dressed in an all-white pantsuit with bright yellow pumps and a string of pearls wrapped around her neck.
“I wasn’t expecting you to show up.” Anna’s voice is anything but nice. These two women have a long history of hate for one another.
“You and Vivian know each other?” Hae-in asks, walking back toward us. He still has his phone in his hand with his uncle on the line.
“Yes, Anna is married to my little Ava’s father.”
“Yes, well, when it’s love, it’s love,” Anna says cheerfully. “If you two will please follow us into the conference room, we can start our meeting.”
“No meeting necessary,” Hae-in interrupts. “I have seen the details and discussed it with my uncle. They are just here to sign the contract. You’ll be dealing with the directors, but final say so comes from my uncle.”
“That’s fine by us and thank you for the opportunity.” I almost forget where we are, because I walk up to him and I’m about to hug him when I halt in my steps.
“Why’d you stop?” Hae-in asks, pulling me into a tight hug. Someone clears their throat. It’s Finn, and Sawyer is standing behind him. Neither of the twins looks happy.
“Indy, you knew we were coming, right?”
I’m still in Hae-in’s arms when I answer, “Of course, I didn’t forget. We can go grab a coffee.”
Both men give a firm nod, and it doesn’t surprise me when Finn walks right up to us and tugs me away from Hae-in. I don’t resist because there is no reason to make a scene. But Hae-in responds like a gentleman, but also with a bit of sarcasm. I’m standing between him and Finn, and Hae-in gives me a back hug. His arms cross over my chest, and as he speaks, he talks directly in my ear, but loud enough for everyone to hear. “I have things to do back at the hotel, but I will see you after work as planned, Miss Danvers, don’t disappoint me.”
I’m grinning from ear to ear, and I can’t help it. I didn’t expect him to come off this aggressive and in front of his associates and the twins. “I’ll finish around six.”
This time, his lips and his words caress my ears. “See you soon, beautiful.” Hae-in releases me and looks over at his associates and tells them it’s time for him to leave. I look up at Finn and over his shoulder at Sawyer. “You two ready to go?”
- Writer
