24K Magic for a Perfect Illusion

Ch 32: Sip & Dip

After having a blast last night, since it was a Saturday the next day, the people in the private island literally had another sip and dip night at the beach.

Hence, instead of leaving on Sunday morning, they set sail in the afternoon and returned to the city by evening.

Monday morning, the said party ended up on the news despite how private the celebration and exclusive the venue was.

“These people got nothing better to do.” Hestia sighed as she drinks her milk for breakfast. “Who leaked the party?”

The whole Nevaeh clan were present at that time so the security around the island was tight, there won’t be any paparazzi can snoop around, thus it only leaves one of the guests at the party.

“One of the students in Don’s university.” Rhea replied dejectedly.

“Oh.” Hestia had nothing else to say as the damage has been done.

Her second brother just went to serve the military a week before the said party, and their family pulled some strings to get him out of the camp to celebrate so the news about the party obviously got the public hyped and put their family on the spot.

“For sure the media is having a field day at your father’s company by now.” Rhea hold Cronus hand. “Should I come with you, honey?”

“I can use some stress reliever.” Cronus kissed Rhea’s backhand.

Hestia could only shake her head as she watches her parents display their affections to each other, since they’re always a loving couple who got stuck at their honeymoon phase.

When Hestia arrived at her office, the people around her were waiting for her to clear the news but of course she isn’t the type of colleague who likes to chit chat during working hours and the fact that she’s not the friendly type thus they could only talk about the gossip with their own interpretations.

At lunch break, Hestia went out with Bok-Joo in a restaurant near the Nam Group building.

“Are we spying on your man now?” Hestia asked in a low voice.

Bok-Joo asked for her help to enter the exclusive restaurant, though she didn’t have to do her any favor, she still agreed to let Bok-Joo used her as a pass.

“He stammered when I asked him who’ll he meet with today. He usually tells me names and a little bit of information about the people he dines with but with this one, he couldn’t even look at me in the eye which made me suspicious.” Bok-Joo explained.

The two of them are dining at the balcony of the restaurant’s second floor, while Joo-Hyuk chose the table by the window.

Not that Hestia is a busybody, whether Joo-Hyuk has affair or not is none of her business but since she already came with Bok-Joo to catch her boyfriend red-handed, she put some little interest with the issue.

A woman wearing a classic little black dress with an hourglass body shape entered the restaurant and went straight to Joo-Hyuk’s table as the latter greeted her with a hug and kiss on the cheeks.

It’s just normal greeting for Hestia but Bok-Joo’s reaction …

“Maybe she’s just a close friend of his and you’re reading too much of it.” Hestia cooed when she noticed Bok-Joo tightened her grip on her cutleries.

“That’s not how he greets his friends.” Bok-Joo retorted.

Joo-Hyuk pulled the chair for the woman before he sits on his own which reminded Hestia of his demeanor when they first met.

Watching Joo-Hyuk underneath and Bok-Joo across her, Hestia didn’t notice Hearthof came to their table.

Hearthof looked at the two and the direction where their attention at, “Isn’t this too far from your office?”

Hestia turned her head when she heard the familiar voice beside her, “What are you doing here?”

“I just had a lunch meeting with a partner.” Hearthof replied nonchalantly. “Since when did you become interested with someone else affair?” he pointed at Joo-Hyuk’s table.

“I’m not. I’m just accompanying her.” Hestia pointed at Bok-Joo.

“Your friend?” Hearthof mouthed.

Hestia shook her head. “Colleague.”

Bok-Joo tapped the table while glaring at Joo-Hyuk, “I’m going to kill that sl*t and cheating bastard!” she stood up with the knife in hand. “That son of a b*tch!”

Hestia looked at Hearthof and the latter understood what the former wanted to do.

“Miss, you need to calm down.” Hearthof took the knife from Bok-Joo’s hand as he coaxed her to sit down again.

“W-Where did you come from?” Bok-Joo got distracted with Hearthof’s sudden appearance.

“Don’t be impulsive. If you kill them both you’ll be a murderer. You’ll only ruin yourself.” Hestia stated matter-of-factly.

“She’s right. He’s not the only man in the world, you shouldn’t ruin yourself for people like them.” Hearthof chimed in.

“But I already gave him my everything.” Bok-Joo started to cry that attracted everyone’s attention. “How can he do this to me?!”

Bok-Joo cried loudly and the man who caused her tears also noticed her.

Hestia caught Joo-Hyuk’s gaze and watched the man left the woman on their table to approach Bok-Joo.

In just a minute or two, Joo-Hyuk made it to the second floor and walked directly to Bok-Joo, “Bok-Joo ah.”

“Stay away from me!” Bok-Joo roared. “How could you cheat on me?! You said that I’m the only for you but who the hell is she?!”

“I never cheat on you. It’s not what you think it is.” Joo-Hyuk said.

“Are you taking me as a fool?! I already caught you in the act yet you still denied it?!!” Bok-Joo roared.

“I’m telling you the truth. Since when did I ever lied to you??” Joo-Hyuk tried to approach Bok-Joo but the latter stepped back from him. “I can explain but not here.”

“I said stay away!” Bok-Joo has her back on the railings. “I …”

Bok-Joo suddenly lost consciousness when a dart-like thing hit her neck and the shooter is no other than Joo-Hyuk’s date.

Joo-Hyuk caught Bok-Joo in his arms and shouted at the woman, “Scarlet what the f*ck?! Why did you shoot her?!!”

“I’m just helping you out little brother.” Scarlet replied proudly.

“I’m lucky that I don’t have a big sister like her.” Hearthof whispered to Hestia.

“Let’s get out of here.” Hestia took her bag and said to Joo-Hyuk, “Take care of her, don’t make her doubt you ever again.”

Hestia paid the bill and left the restaurant with Hearthof before they parted ways at the parking lot.

‘Love can make people insecure and hysterical.’ Hestia thought as she drove back to the office.

The next day, Bok-Joo apologized to Hestia and told her that she misunderstood Joo-Hyuk.

They’re ain’t friends but they’re comfortable to talk with each other about trivial matters.

Two months later, its already June, there’s a banquet in the South Mansion of the Nevaeh residences.

It just so happened that the 18th day of June falls on Friday and even if it’s another day in weekdays, people won’t miss the party hosted by the Nevaeh family.

“Happy Birthday, Auntie.” Hearthof handed the present to Rhea as he reached the stage where the birthday celebrant is.

“Thank you, Thofy.” Rhea teased Hearthof as she already accepted him as Hestia good friend.

“Auntie.” Hearthof smiled embarrassedly. “Please don’t tease me.”

“Haha. It’s out of habit. Enjoy the party dear.” Rhea replied.

Hearthof turned around shyly and looked for Hestia in the crowd, when he failed to locate her, he went to the garden.

“You’re late!” Hestia pretended to be angry when she saw Hearthof coming to her direction.

“The meeting took longer than expected. You know the first anniversary of the hotel is only a month away from now.” Hearthof explained as he took a seat beside Hestia on the bench.

“Right, do you already have the list of the staffs to be deploy here in Korea from the branches in US?” Hestia asked curiously.

“You mean Ves mother and his stepfather?” Hearthof exposed Hestia’s meaning. “They signed up so they’ll be working in the Seoul branch next month.”

“I knew it! Their grandchildren are here so they’ll go back to Korea. I just hope they’ll settle here for good.” Hestia replied.

“You’re really concern about his family affairs, huh?” Hearthof snorted as he clenched his fist.

“Ves is my best friend just like you. I also care about yours too, and speaking of, your parents are coming over for the anniversary, right? Does your mother still like brown rice green tea? That’s what she used to drink before as far as I remember.” Hestia recalled. “Or she prefers American beverages now?”