Jay x Daniel - You Came With the Spring

Chapter 15: some cinnamon and spice (Daniel)

Daniel sat at the small table, the café bustling with a busy staff and cheerful customers. The vibe was beautiful, upbeat with popular music and the smell of cinnamon mixing with coffee.

The café was well known, though less frequently visited because of the unbelievably high prices. Simply put it was a café for the wealthy. Daniel didn't even dare look in its direction without feeling his nerves hum.

Daniel adjusted his posture, leafing through the menu. The man across from him looked through the contents - at home in the atmosphere. Most likely this was a common meeting place for his business.

What are these prices? The boy began to sweat. I can't even buy a strawberry without spending a fortune. . . But he knew he had to be polite. He ordered a cup of hot chocolate, holding back his little frown as the man ordered his own drink.

"Now listen. Daniel Park, right?" the man said, his voice swaying in all the easy bravado he had shown in their last meeting. "I like your face. Your body. Your style." The man pushed up his sunglasses and peered right into his eyes. "I want you."

Daniel nodded, embarrassed.

The man continued, "I don't particularly care about your talents. All I need is your name down on paper. Your face by itself will ramp up the competition, and so will your athletics. Just dance around a little - do a couple of winks here and there - and my job's done. I'll send the rules and guidelines through email. But there are a few things we need to go over first before you hand that pretty face over to the agency."

Daniel blinked, shoulders stiff as the man spoke the words calmly and slow. The drinks arrived.

"You see. . . It's rough for you newbies. Usually enter and think it's a cake walk but here's the real deal - you wake up, eat what's put in front of you, no more, no less. Dance your little asses off - then please, and please, and please the sadistic bastards keeping count of your score." The man scoops the whip cream with his finger and licks it. His lips wrap around his finger and suck. . . He smirks as Daniel's eyes follow the motion.

"Um. . ." Daniel frowns slightly. "Aren't you supposed to convince me? Not. . ."

He laughs. "I already know you're gonna sign it. No way a little cinnamon roll would pass up a contract with LKM. Now let's breeze by this. Go to sleep when they say, eat what they say - just do whatever they say. Camera's are gonna be rolling wherever you go so make sure you stay a good boy. No sex unless you want an little audience. Alcohol only when provided at special celebrations. Think you can handle it?"

Daniel sips his hot chocolate, the taste of sweet cinnamon and spice sliding down easily. His face turned flush with the bluntness of the new information. He clears his throat. Takes another sip.

Then clears his throat again. "Um-"

The man shushes him and pulls his light hair away from his face. "Oh really, now?" He pulls out of his seat and slides the papers over to the brunette. He grabs a red pen from his jacket and unceremoniously boxes a paragraph in the contract. "I've made it easy for you and circled the benefits. Considering your financial situation, I think the offer's more than tempting."

The attractive man slides the pen and a small wad of money into Daniel's shirt pocket, and pushes his glasses back down over his eyes. "Name's Jong Gun. I'll be waiting for your call."

And he's gone. Flashy as ever.

Daniel sits back in his seat, ignoring the ever-present glances sent his way. He processed the information, eyes wide and blinking.

And that's when he got a text.

He pulled out his phone and checked the message.

This is Jay

Author's Note:

Helluva lotta cinnamon. Learned how to finally spell this word today haha (: