Loving A Triple Threat

Chapter 49: Viral

One person after another came up to congratulate her. People she rarely spoke to and people she didn't know. Gi would have preferred it was just her family, friends and teachers and they would go out to have dinner somewhere nice to celebrate altogether. But this was real life, things like that didn't happen.

Her father had tears in his eye when he hugged her. It surprised Gi because he was always serious, hardworking and disciplined. She looked at her older sister who just shrugged and her older brother stifled a yawn. At least she could count on him to remain normal.

When her sister hugged her, she whispered in her ear, "You will always be his favourite." Which was a strange thing to say because her sister was in medical school training to be a doctor, soon she would leave to start her internship at a hospital. Her brother was in law school and he was entering his final year. Surely these are the children a hard-working father adores.

Her mother was last to hug and congratulate her, "When will you be home?"

Gi smiled, "We will go out to celebrate at the after party. It's safe, our teachers will be there." Her mother scowled and Gi added, "I'll text you, I'm not sure when it ends."

"Okay, come home safe please. Call if you need us," her mother said letting her go.

Mister Gok said, "I will see you both next week?" The Talent Manager from YG had attended the performance and had made his way across to congratulate Gi as well.

Her mother bowed slightly, "Yes Mister Gok. Did you enjoy Gi's performance?"

"It was," he paused a moment before adding, "Different. I think Gi is multi-talented, and it bodes well for her future.

Gi noticed her father was angry at the comment and she moved to intervene, "Thank you Mister Gok, that is high praise coming from you." She leaned and whispered into her father's ear. "He never praises anyone it's not an insult." Which was not true, Gi had no idea how often Mister Gok praised - she just wanted her father to feel at ease.

Not far from Gi Hyuk, Seok and Sena were negotiating with Ms Ling. "We can come to the after-party, yes Ms Ling." Sena said and Seok was impressed how he talked to Ms Ling as an equal the teacher was incredibly intimidating.

"I am sure Daeil boys who are friends with Gi, Suzie and Misha can come, as long as they approve," Ms Ling acquiesced. "But I can't condone more than one boy per student. Otherwise we will be overrun."

"That settles it then," Sena said. He was thinking this would be the last time he would have the chance to spend some time with Gi. And he was doing his best to take it. And at the very least he would gain entry for Seok and Hyuk. "We will have them select us as their partners and then we can attend."

"Isn't Ren Gi's partner?" Ms Ling asked curiously. She knew that girls could easily change partners without her knowing, but she was checking anyway.

"He was," Sena said with a small amount of uncertainty creeping in. It was also possible that Gi would want Jordan to attend even though he was gay, they were close friends. "But after he allowed Jordan to get beaten…"

Ms Ling waved her hand, "I don't want the details boy."

In the end Sena did not have to worry about who Gi selected, the three boys just showed up in a large bunch and were allowed entry to the lounge which belonged to one of the school's supporters, Dr Kim.

Sena looked around at the classy lounge. It had a bar, food service and tables in the centre with long bench seats. There was a small dance floor that doubled as a karaoke stage. It was very clean, and the furniture looked comfortable and new. "This is a talking bar," he whispered to Seok and Hyuk.

They nodded, they had heard of talking bars but had never been in one and weren't sure what they were exactly.

 "The sponsor has closed it tonight and all the girls have the night off it seems," Sena added as he scanned the main room.

It did not take long for the girls of Branksome to fire up the karaoke. Most were not allowed to drink, only a few were over eighteen. And although Dr Kim might own a talking bar, he was still respectable. The serving staff were not permitted to serve alcohol to minors.

Ms Ling and Ms Moon on the other hand took advantage of the open bar. It was one of the perks of their job.

Gi danced up to Ms Ling, "Remember last time Ms Ling," she teased and scampered off Ms Ling could swipe her.

Ms Ling called after her, "You might be my favourite student Ms Reyn, but I can still punish you if you overstep your bounds."

Gi called back over her shoulder, "Oh Ms Ling, my favourite teacher," which made Ms Ling beam, "I'm afraid that you are no longer my teacher and I'm no longer your student."

Ms Ling turned her back and ordered another drink. Why not, they were free.

It was at this time Mr Tong entered the establishment and had to show ID to the security guards. "See I am YG Group Manager. I need to see Miss Reyn she is not answering her phone."

He waved to Ms Ling who ignored him. But he finally managed to convince security when the manager informed them that YG were a major sponsor of the school, so it was probably okay.

"Miss Reyn," he called as he ran across the floor and the shout caught Sena's attention. He also moved to shadow the manager.

"Miss Reyn," he called to her again and waved. She was on stage waiting for her turn at karaoke.

Gi finally noticed him, recognised him and began to walk towards him. "Yes Mr Tong, is something wrong?"

"No, no, not at all," he said while breathing heavily. "I was ordered to find you and chaperone you tonight."

"Why?" Gi asked in confusion.

"Your performance is blowing up, your social media handler sent through the stats and it already has a million views and 200k likes. And by now it's probably more."

"A million views in a few hours?" Gi queried. It was a number only possible with groups like Blackpink or Twice in such a short amount of time.

"Yes," he said, "Lisa tweeted it and shared on IG."

"Do you order her to do that?" Gi asked in exasperation. She would feel guilty if YG did such a thing.

"No, no. It was spontaneous. She must be following you," Mr Tong replied and pointed to a table. "Sit down please."

"Can't I sing?" Gi asked.

"I'm afraid not," Mr Tong answered. "I don't have this activity cleared."

"You're joking?" Sena butted in, he was eavesdropping the entire exchanges.

"Excuse me?" Mr Tong said, "Who are you?"

"I'm Sena," he said confidently and like it meant something.

"Oh, Sena, hi," Gi said. "Please sit with me, I'm sure Mr Tong won't mind."

"Ah," Mr Tong stuttered, "No boyfriends. You know your contract is very clear on that Gi."

"He's not my boyfriend," Gi stated clearly and although he knew it was the truth it still hurt Sena to hear her declare it so.

Mr Tong relented, "Okay you sit over there. We don't want any images getting out that will make potential fans think Gi has a boyfriend. But you can chat as friends, that is not a problem."

"Oh, thank you," Gi said, and it sounded very sarcastic. "So, Sena, what have you been up to?"

Sena was leaning back smiling at her sarcastic remark, but when she asked him directly, his smile vanished. "Um. Ah," everything he recalled doing recently was not fit for conversation. Whether it was his usual bag of tricks or what he did to shadow and protect her. "Well I saw your recital. Damn it was good."

Gi laughed. "I can't imagine how you always get tickets to these events. I bet you got tickets for Seok and Hyuk as well."

Sena nodded. "It's not hard when you know the right people."

"Who are your connections young man?" Mr Tong asked and Gi sent him a look. It was one thing for him to sit with them but another to intrude on her personal conversations.

Sena looked at him and grinned like a predator. "No one you would know Sir."

Mr Tong was then engrossed with his phone.

Gi had lost control of all her social media accounts months ago and it was frustrating that Mr Tong knew more than she did with what was happening. She sighed.

"What's wrong Gi?" Sena asked.

She smiled at him, he was much more attuned to her that Ren who had been her boyfriend for over six months. "I will have to get used to this life." She said. "It's everything I ever wanted, to be an idol. I knew I would have to act a certain way, and follow the managers assigned to me, but it's one thing knowing about it and another experiencing it."

"After tonight, your life will never be the same," Sena said. "I came here knowing it was the last time we could chat."

"Oh Sena," Gi's heartfelt reply came as a salve to Sena. "We can be friends, I'm sure." She reached out and took his hand.

"I wish that were true," Sena said. He could not say he didn't want to be friends – that he wanted more. But it was moot.

"Why?" Gi asked and her tone broke his heart. She was such a caring person.

"Because… I will not allow harm come to you." He said thinking that even a single photo of them together could harm her reputation. If someone dug into who he was she would be tainted by him. His tattoos alone were a dead giveaway.

"No harm will come to me," Gi said softly. "We can be friends. I'm sorry we lost touch these last few months."

Sena gulped. He had not lost touch with her. Only she with him. He pulled on his shirt, opening it at the c.h.e.s.t and undoing a single button. A large test tattoo was plainly visible, and Mr Tong gasped. Tattoos meant only one thing in Korea. Criminal.

"Mr Sena, I will politely ask you to leave before I call security," Mr Tong said.

"No!" Gi said. "He is my friend."

Mr Tong shook his head. "This is not your decision Miss Reyn."

Sena stood slowly. He looked at Gi with sadness in his eyes and it was his turn to break her heart. She thought him so handsome even with a tattoo. He was strong in character and body and she could easily get lost in his eyes. Those eyes now looked at with a depth of sadness which took her breath away.

She held his hand, "Please don't go," she whispered.

He smiled weakly and pulled his hand from her grip. "I love you Gi." His confession shocked her to her core. He then turned and walked towards the door. A moment later he was gone.