boy in seoul

chapter nine

Marc closed the door behind him and sighed.

He had just come out of a meeting with his boss about his statement yesterday.

The statement. He would do it again in a heartbeat. It had helped Kien but he didn't enjoy the string of people who suddenly wanted something from him. He had never had a meeting with his boss longer than an hour, but he had been in there for almost two and the next meeting was already scheduled. His boss had also lent him to multiple Radio- and TV-shows for interviews.

He wished they could just forget what happened or do their gossiping without him. At least some of these interviews were planned with Kien. But to be honest, right now Marc wanted to just have a comfortable evening with Kien watching a film or talking.

Slowly he made his way back to his desk. In the middle of this chaos, he was still the manager here. Work was waiting for him. He sighed again but stopped when he saw Youna waiting for him at his desk.

She was sitting on his chair this time fanning herself with a golden envelope. She spotted Marc and observed him coming closer.

He sat down on the desk, normally her seat.

"How was the meeting?" she asked her voice sourly.

"Exhausting."

"Well, you definitely gave everyone something to talk about," she made it sound like an accusation. Marc's nerves were running thin with her so he changed the topic quickly.

"What's with the golden envelope?"

"I don't know. It's for you. From Rubik Entertainment," she said still fanning herself. Rubik Entertainment was Kien's company. Now very interested and a little nervous Marc reached for the envelope and Youna gave it to him.

Quickly he opened it. Inside was a white card. Carefully he pulled it out. On the one side, it said 'Invitation'. He wanted to turn the card around when Marc heard Youna inhale sharply. She must have read the backside already.

He turned the card around and his eyes couldn't believe it. He checked the address on the envelope again to make sure this card was definitely for him. But there was his name and his work address.

"Ehh ... what?" He didn't know what else to say.

Youna took over: "I can't believe you are invited to that. That gala is the biggest event in the entertainment industry and it is super exclusive. Everyone will be there. A-class Kpop Idols, producers, CEOs, actors, directors."

Youna was talking some more but Marc tuned her out. He knew what the AKEI gala was. The Annual Korean Entertainment Industry gala was massive. Every year they made a special show at Radio KBS just for the red carpet.

"There is a red carpet. You can do a lot of good interviews there," Marc heard Youna say.

"I don't think I am invited as a journalist. I think I am a guest," Marc held up a little note that was sticking to the white card. It said: 'I hope you can come, Jung Lee.'

Marc was still staring at the note when Youna ripped it out of his hand.

"Who is Jung Lee?"

"Dynasty's manager."

"You know Dynasty's manager?" she almost screamed.

"Never met him."

"Then why is he inviting you?"

"I have no idea!" He stole the note back and put the card back into the envelope.

"I can't believe you are invited. I would kill to get an invitation." With a shaking head, she stood up and walked off. She continued mumbling but Marc couldn't understand what she was saying.