What about me?

Part 5

Tae drops me off at the entrance, and I make my way quickly down the red carpet where spectators and press have no interest in writers or music arrangers. The press and public want the stars and story makers. It's cool. Being a celebrity has never been my thing. Also, I've seen it up close. Not a life I want.

The reception is being held in the grand lobby and it's magnificent. Its old-world classic décor shows lots of exposed wood, red velvet, and marble. The twenty-foot Christmas tree in the center only adds elegance to the space. The music is soft Christmas and all instrumental. Nice touch and tolerable.

These reception dinner award things are super boring, but it's a huge compliment to be honored. I'm expected to mingle with people I don't know and then later sit down and have a meal and engage in meaningless conversation for a few hours. I have to remind myself what this award can mean for my career. It can take my career to the next level. Instead of complaining I need to be more grateful.

There must be at least five hundred attendees. I look around the room hoping to see a colleague or two, but, with my luck, the only person I'll probably run into is my asshole ex-boyfriend. Rage builds in my gut just thinking about him. I think about Tae asking me how important this night is for me. I'm good at what I do and I'm tremendously happy for the acknowledgement of this award. A fleeting warmth brushes through my chest when I recall that Tae, my friendly limo driver, will be joining me tonight. One thing for sure, it won't be boring.

I walk over to the registration desk and sign in to pick up my table number. "I'm Jeon Jungkook." A robust middle-aged woman with flaming red hair looks over her glasses examining me from head to toe with a kind smile. She goes over her list and then finds my name.

"Uh, madame I have a guest attending with me."

She looks back to her list and speaks with her head down. "Says here you don't." Her plump finger drags across my name and some other information I can't see. With a quick lift of her chin, she brings her eyes up to meet mine. "Oh, Mr. Jeon I see you're an award recipient. No problem, and congratulations sir. Looks like there's space at table seven. Will that work?" I nod and return her gentle smile.

"Uh, thank you." Wow, that felt like some real star treatment. I'm certainly not use to that. I chuckle as I walk away.

So far so good. I head to the bar and get a drink. Anxiously I scan the crowd near the entrance looking for Tae, holding my glass and putting one hand in and out my pocket. I've always been a bit socially awkward and events like these are the worst. "C'mon Tae, where are you?" I nervously fidget with the fancy silver pick in my glass that pierces two cherries and a pineapple chunk swirling it around. Oh fuck! It's Akito, my ex-asshole. Trailing close behind is a small but attractive woman.

He looks like he's trying to run away from her.

"Kookie!" He shouts as he approaches, and my expression flattens out. "How are you? It's so good to see you." What the fuck. The last time I saw him, I was a sobbing mess, and he was putting all the shit he left in my home in a small box. That's what we added up to a small box of his bullshit. I take a deep breath, and all the power in the universe won't allow me to crack a smile. He extends his hand and I ignore it.

He looks back before the woman catches up and speaks in a lower voice. "Damn, you look hot." Mother fucker. Is he kidding? And then from behind comes a meek and sweet voice.

"Hi, I'm Ming Li. Merry Christmas." The poor thing is out of breath. She's petite with a bright friendly smile. Shockingly, I experience something unexpected, a rage for what he's done to her. I had never given her much thought, but now being face to face with her is different. I was never angry with her. It had nothing to do with her. Shit, for a year, I didn't know there was a her. Her smile is inviting, and I warmly return it with my own.

He stands there drinking me in with a silly wolf on the prowl grin. Does he think we're friends? Oh, hell no. "I'm Akito's wife. It's good to meet you. He told me you were a good writer and how much you helped him." Did he tell you how much he liked banging my ass and sucking my dick? Did you know that? Probably not. I bow and shake her extended hand. That asshole didn't even introduce his own wife. Why didn't I see the black holes in his character before?

"Uh, nice to meet you too. Merry Christmas and I'm Jungkook." She seems sweet and I find it easy to maintain and soft smile. I clear my throat, biting back saying what I really think of him. Like your fuckin husband is a low life cheater and a piece of shit. I should have never helped him and allowed him to be part of my project. But of course, I don't. She doesn't deserve that. Akito just stands there checking me out like I'm on the menu. I feel his eyes roam all over me and my skin crawls.

"Ming Li, get us some drinks." He doesn't even look at her, he just commands. She smiles and scampers off to the bar on the other side of the room like a good little wife. I have no words for him.

"Kookie, it's really great to see you." He leans in to hug me and I push him off quite aggressively, shocking myself.

I quickly interrupt. "Let's get something clear. The only reason I'm here is to accept an award. Also, you asshole, we're done and don't ever fuckin touch me again." I hiss through gritted teeth. Maybe I do have violent tendencies like Tae questioned. It's that damn Sasha effect.

"Kookie, please don't be like that." What the fuck. A year ago, to the day, he tells me he can't do the gay thing and he's married with a family. He puts his shitty trinkets in that tiny box and walks out. Oh, I'm definitely being like that.

"Fuck you, Akito! Let's just get through this night and I hope to never see you again!" I spit with narrowing eyes. He snickers like I'm making too big a deal out of this. I move to step away and he moves in front of me.

"Kookie, I've missed you." His smile is fucking obscene. "God you're so hot when you get all huffy." He chuckles as if this is a game and I roll my eyes.

"I've been thinking about you, and I want to apologize. Also, I want to talk to you about a few things. Why won't you return my calls? We can work something out."

The fuck! I may have not seen the signs before, but, if I'm anything, it's clear about who he is. Without warning, a laugh burst from me. "Work out something?" Now I snicker hearing the absurd. Is he brain dead?

"Yeah, an arrangement." He looks over his shoulder like the piece of slime he is and checks for his wife and then continues. "You can't deny the sex was good. I miss you and your so hot body. We can do some things later?" He licks his lips and I nearly vomit in my mouth.

"Oh, are you referring to some gay things? We certainly did a lot of gay things before I found out about your wife and children, jerk." He then motions for me to lower my voice. For the sake of Ming Li, I do.

"I'm going to leave her, and I want you back. I've come to accept that I'm bisexual, although I've never been turned on by another man other than you. I'm sorry and..." Abruptly he stops. His gaze lifts and his mouth drops open. Before I can check my rear, I feel the gentle touch of an arm move around my waist and I startle.

"Hey baby, you missed me?" Tae's strong deep voice powers so seductively. A chill steals up my nape as his soft lips lightly graze my neck. Suddenly, I'm frozen and without speech. He takes over, to my relief, and extends his hand to Akito as Ming Li returns.

It appears Akito is as shocked as I am. His Adam's apple bobs up and down a few times, finally catching in an audible swallow. His lips part and his eyes go wide.

"I'm Kim Taehyung, Kookie's boyfriend." What the fuck. We never talked about any of this. We agreed that he'd just be my guest. A date. All this other shit is extra, but surprisingly I'm finding myself not objecting. His closeness feels good – safe and comforting. Then I see it. Akito actually flinched when Tae said the word boyfriend. Yes bitch, boyfriend. I'm not a vindictive person but this bit of payback feels so fucking good. Yeah, take that, you son of a bitch! Boyfriend!