Lesson Three
"Just because it's free doesn't mean you should eat it," Jiyong said frowning with judgment.
"If you can't eat it when it's free, when can you eat it?" Felix said, her mouth full. Besides, why let a fast metabolism go to waste? That had to be a crime in some obscure country. How could it not be? She grabbed another piece of shrimp from the waiter's tray before he left.
Felix wasn't even sure how much she had eaten. Between the champagne, lobster tail, queso dip, and various meaty appetizers that floated around the room on waiters' plates, she was surprised she was even still standing.
"Ugh, I should get some water."
"Ew, Jiyong, really?" She put her hand on her hips.
"It is what it is. At any rate, hurry back because I don't remember any of these people's names." Felix rolled her eyes. He had gone around the party asking her the names of everyone at the luxurious house party. If it wasn't for her phone, a lifeline to Daesung and the internet, Felix probably would have been a highly inadequate companion. Not that she would've minded. She wished she would get fired. She was tired of walking around behind Jiyong, giving an apologetic smile to every spurned woman that had their own personal notch on his bedpost (Quite literally... There was a page in his pocket planner for female conquests, and he handed it to her for future reference).
She decided in her mind hurrying back was the last thing she wanted to do. Along
with identifying everything for Jiyong, he would nudge her with his elbow every time he wanted her to get him something. He would then wait, tapping his foot impatiently as if she were a mind reader. The worst part was, she wasn't even bad at the task, she intuitively knew whether he was thirsty or wanted a cigarette.
She shivered as she walked, creeped out by the potential of having a mind link with the insufferable G-Dragon. The last thing she wanted was to have some brain link between her and an emotionally retarded, irritable nymphomaniac. She tried to find a tray of water and almost lost her footing, bumping into a woman next to her on accident.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Felix apologized immediately, giving a small bow.
"Sorry?" the woman turned around. She had to be about six feet tall. Her eyes were small and beady and they glared at Felix with disdain, passing judgment before her thin mouth spat out, "You shouldn't even be here." She looked over Felix while scowling in disgust.
"Excuse me. I'm sorry," she repeated, biting her tongue. As if I wanted to be at this
dumb pretentious party.
"You got wine on my dress. And look at you! You could probably dream of replacing it."
"It's last year anyway. She did you a favor," Felix heard the words come from behind her.
"What did you say to me?" The woman frowned.
"I'm saying you look better with the wine than without, you cow." Jiyong said the words exasperated.
"How dare you!?" The woman said, her mouth agape.
"You have the nerve to treat her as if she's common or cheap, and you're asking
me how dare I? How dare you? The only common, cheap thing I see is you so kindly, buy some real clothes and fuck... Off."
Felix and the woman were open mouthed, speechless. "C'mon," Jiyong said through his teeth, grabbing Felix by the wrist and leading her out of the expansive house.
"I hate her stupid parties. She's such a bitch," Jiyong spat as he let go of Felix's arm and got a cigarette out of its stainless steel case.
"Wait a minute. This was her party!?"
"Yeah. Nakashima Riza. She basically runs a broadcasting network here. You don't show up to her stupid shindigs and you don't show up on television."
"What!?" Felix exclaimed.
"We grew up together. I'm not going to kiss her ass just to perform on TRL's illegitimate cousin."
"Jiyong! You can't talk to someone you answer to like that. People in those positions are basically your bosses."
"She's definitely not my boss." He spoke before lighting his cigarette. She noticed for only a second his square shoulders and how strong his forearms seemed, even though they were so slim. She remembered his tight grasp on her wrist, rubbing it. She shook the thoughts off, remembering what a pain he is.
"News flash, Jiyong. If you should be doing what she tells you too, she's your boss. You need to make appearances on television!"
"She's Japanese. I'll just send her a gift. She'll be fine. We're like siblings... Only... I hate her guts."
"Nice going. And what does her being Japanese have to do about it?"
"Dokdo is our land!" Jiyong yelled, after dropping his cigarette and stomping on it dramatically.
"Yeah, I figured it was inconsequential... Do you get along with anyone anywhere? Is it the same way at the label?" Felix said, putting her hands in her jacket pockets. Jiyong had insisted she keep the jacket on during the party. She was hot inside but grateful for it now. She looked at Jiyong who had checked his coat. They'd have to go back for it but right now she'd let him cool off.
"I get along with Youngbae. Youngbae is my best friend."
Youngbae. That was the handsome guy from the dressing room. So he worked at the label. She thought back to his muscular build underneath his clothes, his eye smile as he smiled apologetically, giving a small shrug as he handed her the keys. Why couldn't she be getting this contract signed by him instead. She bit her lip as she thought about how taxing the day had been.
"I don't envy him."
"With all that fat on your hips, he shouldn't envy you either."
Felix felt her face get hot. "Men like my hips!"
"There's men who like old ladies. Doesn't make it right."
"OOH!" Felix screamed with irritation,"Kwon Jiyong! You arrogant-"
"Self absorbed, over confident, inconsiderate jerk. Yeah, I know. I've heard it all before," Jiyong looked at his feet. Somehow Felix felt bad. She became even angrier. Why did she feel bad? He was the one who was mean. He sighed, "C'mon. Let's go get my coat. I'm cold."
"Go to the usual place." Jiyong ordered Daesung from the back of the van. The two of them had called Daesung to come pick them up after Jiyong grabbed his coat and Felix grabbed a few more hors deuvres. Felix sat next to him, the contract folded neatly on her lap, a pen in her hands. It was nine thirty. At this rate, she'd be delivering the contract at ten thirty and back in bed by eleven. She felt herself giddy with excitement to be back in her own bed sleeping at a decent hour for once. It had been a while.
"The usual place?...That's kind of..."
Jiyong kicked the driver seat hard. "Not that usual place. Don't be so stupid."
Daesung pressed his lips together, before making a left turn, changing directions.
Felix cleared her throat as she offered Jiyong the contract and pen.
"I can't take that right now." Jiyong said the words in a matter of fact tone as he held up his hand, turning to look out the window. Felix let out a short sound of dismay.
"You promised."
"...That I'd sign it before 11 if you went to the party."
"We went to the party so..."
"So... Now I have until eleven."
"I don't get you! Do you just want my company because I haven't been the best kind..." Felix thought back on the fact she had never thanked Jiyong for standing up for her at the party. Her initial reaction had been to chastise him for disrespecting the woman that had actually disrespected her.
"I'm glad you know it." Jiyong said smugly before stretching. He didn't answer her question instead staring out the window as he spoke. "I really do need an assistant... It pays well." He glanced at her causing her to look away quickly, nerved by the fact she couldn't read his expression.
"Why can't Daesung do it?"
Daesung answered quickly, his words running together, "I have more than one artist. I live far away. We have different tastes and honestly, I wouldn't have the time to do so without neglecting to give Jiyong the attention he deserves. So that would never work."
Felix looked to Jiyong and saw the frown on his face. He squinted forward at Daesung as he laughed nervously. She and him had the same impression. Jiyong had been rejected.
"It's not a bad job offer," Felix felt bad for him. Even though he deserved it, seeing as how she had seen Jiyong repeatedly bop Daesung on the head, "...but I already have a job, which is why I need you to sign this contract."
"I never offered you a job. I want to hire a hot assistant with nice legs."
"I have nice legs." Felix self consciously crossed hers, placing a hand on her knee. Jiyong looked at them with stern judgment before moving on.
"Someone with real sex appeal and a nice waist."
"I have that too!" Felix crossed her arms. She usually had a pretty healthy amount of self confidence. She was never short of dates.
"Please. Nothing says virgin louder than the awkward click of you stomping in your heels."
"You really want to go there!? You're twenty seven years old and you carry around a security blanket. You eat macaroons like a baby. You look like you robbed a mannequin to get dressed and guess what... It was most certainly from a woman's clothing department. And you know what else!? That would all be fine if you weren't the most unbearable megalomaniac to ever whore around town."
Jiyong didn't bat an eye. He was unphased by her tirade. He'd heard plenty of them before. Besides, he didn't even know what megalomania meant. "I don't care what you say. I'll hold my head up high. I'm a good person." He kicked the back of the driver seat. "Aren't I a great boss, Daesung."
"Oh. Un, hyung. The best." Daesung cleared his throat before making another turn.
"Daesung, you deserve better. You can get a job with benefits. You don't have to do this," Felix said, knowing she was being overdramatic.
"I know but... he'll find me." Daesung returned the joke, the two of them laughing as Jiyong looked down at his hands, a salty expression on his face.
"I hate you both," he muttered as he reached in his coat pocket for his sunglasses. He put them on dramatically, sliding them up his nose with his index finger before looking back in the window at his reflection. "You're a good person," he reaffirmed to his reflection, causing Felix to roll her eyes.
"Listen. Where are we going?" Felix said.
"A karaoke bar. Youngbae said to meet him there."
"Youngbae?" Felix perked up, "When? Why do I have to go?"
"He just messaged me as we left the party and I'll actually need you to pay attention if any numbers are thrown around and relay it to Daesung," Daesung gave her a nod as he looked at her in the rear view mirror, causing her to smile. He had completely won her over. Jiyong continued, "Youngbae is all work. No play. And he loves money. It's a terrible trait. No one is as stingy as Youngbae. His first date was at a food cart... He wasn't a kid either. He was twenty two... and what a prude! Did a mention he's a prude?" Jiyong laughed to himself after he had let his thoughts wander.
"I think it's nice. A guy with morals." Felix said, trying to recognize the area of town she was in as she gazed out the window.
"Yeah, right. More like a guy with no game." Jiyong rolled down his window a bit before getting out a cigarette.
"You're ridiculous. Not everyone can be like you and juggle fifteen girls at one time."
"Obviously. All this," He lit his cigarette, "...is God given," he continued as he exhaled.
"Does God also give home made sweaters and socks around Christmas?" Felix muttered. Jiyong ignored her comment.
"We're here!" Daesung exclaimed. He was probably ecstatic at the thought of not feeling someone kick his seat every five minutes.
"Daesung...I'm curious," Felix started, "What's the other place? The other 'usual' one?"
"Oh a mo...tel." Daesung had caught the deadly glare Jiyong threw at him too late, finishing his sentence by clearing his throat loudly. Felix smiled to herself surprised that Jiyong would be embarrassed by that of all things. It was common knowledge that he got around. That she had come to learn at the party. "Anyway," Daesung continued, as he put on the parking break, "This is Ribbon Lounge."
Ribbon Lounge, though upscale, was not a place Felix was unfamiliar with. Even though, she would never pay the twenty dollars it would be for just a drink and she didn't own many clothes that would get her past the door in normal circumstances, she still had been there once or twice. Her boss Seungri owned the club and had a couple staff parties there. She wouldn't be surprised if she saw him in the club right now. Her face grew hot with anger as she thought about her inability to put on a good romantic comedy and go to bed while Seungri got to party it up in his own little privileged world. Boss or no, if it was going to be this hard, he should've taken the job himself.
She gave Daesung a genuine smile when she got out of the car, coming around to his window. "I'll send for your bike. It'll be here by 11."
"I guess this it," Felix said after she shrugged. "It was nice meeting you." She heard Jiyong tap his foot impatiently but decided to ignore him.
"Felix...you really should think about coming to our company. Being Jiyong's assistant, I know it's hard but he can be fun too. You can work your way up. Being a courier isn't a career."
"Neither is being a whipping boy Daesung. You're good at what you do." Felix gave him a soft touch on the arm and a smile. "See ya."
Daesung smiled. She knew what it meant to be appreciated, to be told you deserve something good. She ran a hand through her hair as she turned around, realizing Jiyong had already gone in ahead of her. Damn... She hoped the bouncer of the VIP would let her in. She adjusted her dress nervously. If she did get inside, she'd have to find Jiyong and Youngbae, which was another problem. She walked up to the door unsure of herself.