24K Magic for a Perfect Illusion

Ch 4: I'm A Dangerous Man with Some Money in My Pocket

Sunday afternoon, Hestia and Vest were on the road to Vegas from Hollywood, they’re meeting Ves parents at the hotel.

After a few stop overs for snacks and drink as well as toilet break, the two finally arrived at their destination.

“Wait!” Hestia grabbed Ves’ hand. “How do I look?” she tidied up herself, shook off the invisible dust on her rainbow-colored, long sleeves corset dress.

Ves looked at Hestia from head to toe even though he wanted to say that she’s beautiful as always.

Her hair is tied into bun, with a curl end and bangs that she put on emphasis while she fixed her hair at home.

Those big round eyeglasses in golden rim that occupies almost half of her pretty face, even though her eyes have perfect sight.

Though her dress only shows her slender neck and hands, he doesn’t agree with the skirt length as it’s only up to mid-thigh.

Her long and white legs should be for his eyes only but how can he reprimand her with her clothes?

She already compromised with the size of her heels as she doesn’t wear shoes above 4 inches heels, for her not to be taller than him.

Unfortunately, Ves is short of one inch to be a six-footer, he’s only 5’11”, he stopped growing taller at 180 cm.

As for Hestia, though she’s shorter than 10 cm with Ves’ height, she’s considered as tall among typical women heights, she’s 5’7”.

“You look presentable enough.” Ves replied perfunctorily.

“Really? I’m not overdress, right?” Hestia walked hand in hand with Ves. “I don’t want to leave a bad impression to your parents.”

“Relax. You’re not.” Ves squeezed Hestia’s hand gently. “You’re likely underdress than over with that length of your skirt.”

“Duh, it’s just legs. No big deal. I covered what shouldn’t be exposed.” Hestia rolled her eyes.

“I’ve got nothing else to say.” Ves sighed heavily.

Ves mother works as the hotel’s restaurant manager while his stepfather is the head chef.

“What can I get for my handsome son and his beautiful friend?” Jung Ji-woo (Lesley), Ves’ mother, greeted the two as soon as they settle on a table in the common dining area of the restaurant.

“I’ll have what my Mom wants me to eat.” Ves replied with a smile.

“Your pretty date might think you’re a mama’s boy.” Lesley said.

“I love my Mom and that’s a fact so why should I be ashamed?”

“This kiddo.” Lesley rubbed Ves’ head without ruining his hairstyle.

“I’m about to curse if you made a wrong move.” Ves joked.

“I raised you better than that.” Lesley pinched Ves’ cheek. “You’re getting more beautiful, Hestia.”

“Thank you, Aunt Ji-woo, you’re not even ageing a bit. Still you look 40, will you share some beauty tips to me. I’ll tell it to my Mama; she’s still looking for the right skin care products to use.”

“Such a sweet talker, it should be me asking for your mother’s beauty secret. Specially your Aunt Tethys, she’s a goddess!”

“I can’t disagree to that; Aunt Tethys is a legend in terms of beauty. Age is really just a number for her; thus, my mother is trying every method available to keep up with my auntie.”

“I’ll tell Aunt Rhea that you’re badmouthing her behind her back.”

“I’m just telling the truth though.” Hestia shrugged. “But don’t get me wrong. Mama is naturally beautiful; she just like to be more beautiful than she already is.”

“Of course, you and your siblings are the living proofs that your parents are indeed beautiful people. If I could meet a man as handsome as your father, I’ll be the happiest woman on earth.”

“If Dad heard it, you’ll be doomed, Mrs. Ahn.” Ves shook his head as he pretended to be mad at his mother. “And for the record, I don’t like another stepfather.”

“Geez, I’ll be damned if I marry again. I’m happy with Paul, he’s better than your biological father. I don’t need all those riches when I’m living like a widow … but sometimes I kinda miss the comfortable life we had before as I don’t have to worry about money.” Lesley sighed. “What am I blabbering about?” she shook her head. “No, I’m not regretting choosing happiness over material things. Don’t mind me. What can I get for you dear?” she turned her attention to Hestia.

“I would like the chef’s choice, please.” Hestia answered.

“On it. Ill leave you two for a while and be back with your orders.”

When Ves’ mother made her way to the counter, Hestia talked to Ves anxiously. “Does Auntie have problem?”

“You think so too?” Ves looking at the direction where his mother has gone. “I’ll talk to her later.”

“If there’s something I can help with, please tell it to me too, Auntie isn’t a stranger to me as she’s your mother.” Hestia squeezed Ves hand. “Your loved ones are important for me.”

“If you say it like that, I might think that you’re confessing your love to me right now.” Ves made their conversation lighter.

“I’m serious, Ves. You’re the only friend I have so you’re important, including your family. So, if there’s anything, please don’t treat me as a stranger. Let me help, alright?” Hestia looked at Ves eyes sincerely.

“You’re never a stranger to me. If there’s really a problem, whatever it is, I’ll ask for your help if I can’t solve it on my own.”

“No, even if you can solve it on your own, you need to share it to me.” Hestia said sternly. “Promise me, no secrets between us.”

“What secrets can I keep from you when you’re just like my Mom?”

“I don’t mind being a sugar mommy to you.” Hestia joked.

“I know your family is rich but you can’t just provide for any man with the money you didn’t earn yourself.” Ves reprimanded her.

“Haha you’re right. Your salary is even higher than mine, I just realize that I’m actually poor.” Hestia covered her mouth.

“Geez, if you’re poor then what I am? In a special case of poverty?” Ves scoffed. “You’re making me depress right now, Hes.”

“Hmm … should I pay our meal?” Hestia coaxed him immediately.

“No, we both pay what we ordered. I’m not a man if I let a lady pay for my meal.” Ves answered seriously.

“You and your vainglory.” Hestia shook her head in disappointment.

“You’ve said it yourself I’m earning more than you and the fact that you’re a princess justifies that you’ve got money to spend for yourself. So, let’s pay for our own meals.” Ves concluded.

“Yeah, whatever. A lot of people want to take advantage of me and here you are declining the opportunity that other people wouldn’t miss.” Hestia leaned her back at the backrest of her chair.

“I’m not other people.” Ves said flatly yet deadly serious with his words. “I’m not staying with you because of what you have but because of who you are, you’re the most wonderful person I’ve ever met and thank God, I’m lucky to have you in my life.”

“Really? Even if I’m a beggar, you will still be friends with me?”

“As long as you don’t push me away over and over again just like what you did when we first met. Because to be honest I won’t be that tolerant if you’re really a beggar. If you don’t want to be friends by then, I might give up after one rejection.” Ves replied.

“You think, I’ll still be picky when I already have nothing? It’s you who might push me away when I tried to approach you with dirty hands and greasy face.” Hestia retorted.

“Nah, you know I’m not like that. I was a loner before I migrated in Korea, I’ll be grateful to anyone who wants to be friends with me. But I must admit I’ll be devastated if even a beggar refused me.” Ves took a sip of the water after one of the waiters filled up their glasses. “By the way, you’ll be meeting with your childhood friend in this hotel too, right?”

“Mmm … I almost forgot!” Hestia wiped her mouth with the table napkin after taking a sip of water. “He told me to give him a call when I arrived here. I’m so blessed to have a smart friend like you, you always remind me of things that I should not forget.”

“I thought you already gave him a call yesterday but until now …”

“I think I should drink vitamins for my memory. Hey, don’t tell him that I forgot about him because of you, alright?” Hestia pointed at Ves but then she realized she said something that shouldn’t be said out loud and better to be keep in herself.

Ves smiled triumphantly. “Alright, I won’t tell him that you forgot about his existence because you’ve been thinking about me all the time. That will be our little secret.” he leaned over to whisper.

“W-What the hell are you blabbering about?!” Hestia stammered because of Ves shamelessness. “W-Why are you adding words to my statement and making it like I’m fantasizing about you?!”

“Oh, so you’re fantasizing about me.” Ves responded excitedly. “I hope it’s not that wild, I may not live up to your expectation.”

“I’m not having this conversation with you.” Hestia stood up abruptly from her seat. “Geez, you’re infuriating!”

“Hey, where are you going?” Ves called out to her.

“Find a phone. Don’t start eating without me.” Hestia replied over her shoulders as she walked towards the hotel’s lounge.

Hestia has Sunggyu’s work number as the former gave it to her.

Little did she know that the call will be directed through the secretary’s office of the hotel.

“What can I do for you, Alexandra?” the woman on the line answered the phone. “Oh, before I forget is President’s VIP guest have come to the hotel already? He’s been waiting for this distinguished guest since this morning and we both know that he doesn’t come to the office on weekends but he’s here like it’s an ordinary workday.”

Hestia checked the phone number that she dialed whether she got it right or not, the woman who answered the phone took her as Alexandra which happened to be the name written on tag of one of the hotel staff that is staring at her at the same time.

“Excuse me …” Hestia covered the mouthpiece of the receiver. “Is Hearthof Goddesseth the name of this Hotel’s President?”

“Yes, Ma’am. You must be President’s VIP guest. Ms. Hestia Nevaeh.” Alexandra holds a picture of her in a white blouse with her straight hair down on her right chest.

It was the picture that she gave to Sunggyu few months ago when the latter asked for her photo on his birthday last 17th of July.

“Yeah, I’m her. He didn’t tell me that he’s the president of this hotel. All I know is he’s working at the Goddesseth hotel.”

“He’s indeed working at the Goddesseth Hotel … as president.” Alexandra filled her in with the information she missed and forgot that she’s still on the phone with the secretary until the woman on the line called her attention.

“Hello, on the other side? Alexandra did you just hung up the phone on me? Why aren’t you saying anything?!”

“Sorry about that, this is Hestia … Hestia Nevaeh, may I talk to Hearthof Goddesseth, please?” Hestia asked politely and she already guessed the shocked expression of the secretary after she told her name and called the hotel’s president in his name.

“O-Of course, Ms. Nevaeh, I will transfer your call to the President’s office right away.” the secretary hung up the phone immediately as if the receiver scalded her hand as she’s too quick to end their chat.

After a few beeps on the line, a hoarse voice of a man came to Hestia’s ear. “Hestia, you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for …”

“Kim Sunggyu … now known as Hearthof Goddesseth, care to explain why you never told me that you’re a hotel president now?!”

“I did tell you in a letter that my stepfather is Amadeus Goddesseth so I thought by then you figured things out.” Hearthof defended himself from Hestia’s accusation.

“Well newsflash, I don’t memorize every business tycoon’s name in the world. I just found out now that you’re the successor of Chairman Goddesseth, which is kinda my fault though as I failed to read between the lines. The surname Goddesseth is very rare, I thought you’ve been adopted by a famous musician as the name Amadeus concerned but you were indeed become the heir of ‘the Amadeus Goddesseth’ that has a private island in Hawaii and exclusively for member’s only hotel resort in Honolulu.” Hestia ranted until she realized that Hearthof isn’t making a single sound.

“Do you want to come to that resort?” Hearthof said after hearing Hestia’s paused. “I can give you a pass even without the membership card and fees. Tell me anything you want, I’ll give …”

“I’ll think about it.” Hestia cut him off once again. “Anyway, aren’t you showing up? I’ve always asked for your photo but you keep being so mysterious as if you never want anyone to know what you look like. Even Alexandra here in the hotel lounge doesn’t know what’s her boss looks like?”

“My bad, I always go straight to my office from the underground parking lot through the elevator designated for me. I should be more considerate to my employees from now on.” Hearthof put the call on loudspeaker before he stood up from his swivel chair and put on his coat as he talks.

“You must be an aloof and domineering boss.” Hestia rolled her eyes as she turned around and saw Ves making a signal to her that their meal has been served in their table. “Anyway, I’ll be in the restaurant. I won’t wait for you to show up, my stomach is more important than you right now.” she gestured back to Ves that she’ll be with him in a minute. “Oh, by the way, I’m with Ves, so be nice.”

“You’re breaking my heart here.” Hearthof said with a bitter smile as he continued. “It’s supposed to be our first date after 11 years we’ve been apart from each other. How could you bring another man when we’re supposed to have a moment together?”

“Very funny.” Hestia replied sarcastically. “I’m hanging up now, bye.” she put the receiver down and thanked Alexandra for her great customer service before she walked towards the restaurant to have her lunch, she’s really famished after five hours travel.

Meanwhile, in the president’s office …

Hearthof is still dumbfounded with the beeping line on his phone, since he has been introduced as Amadeus Goddesseth son, he has been treated with utmost respect by everyone.

For 11 years, he’s been living like a prince that no one dared to provoke because of his father that isn’t known as the hotel king of America but also a boss in the dark side of the society.

Only this woman, named Hestia Nevaeh, dared to scold him, ordered him what to do, and hung up the phone on him without waiting for his respond, not to mention that she cut his sentences off not just once.

But as the boy in love with his childhood sweetheart, he’ll make an exception for her, she’s his first love and until now it doesn’t change, only that his feelings for her grows deeper with time.

After asking his secretary to have lunch with a smile on his face, Hearthof took the elevator as soon as he stepped out from his majestic office with a black and gold theme.

Honestly, he isn’t an aloof and domineering CEO like what Hestia thought him to be, it’s just his small eyes that looks at people tiredly makes him intimidating though he doesn’t intend to scare anybody, a misunderstanding that he can’t do anything about as he’s too lazy to explain himself to everyone every time.

When Hearthof arrived at the hotel’s lobby, he introduced himself to his staffs specially to Alexandra, he only wanted for his employees to recognized him but he didn’t know that the staffs took it as a threat and they’re scared of losing their jobs.

“Mind if I join you two for lunch?” Hearthof said as he stood near Hestia and Ves table. “You must be Ves Taz, Hestia told me a lot about you in her letters. Hi, I’m Hearthof Goddesseth.” He outstretched his hand to Ves for a handshake. ‘I’m a dangerous man with some money in my pocket.’ he exuded this aura to Ves.