Unexpected (16 page)

“
Fuck
his uncle,” Rachael shot
back. “Are you really willing to let that old fart ruin your happiness? I sure
as hell wouldn’t and I don’t think Kai would either!”

Noel realized that but it had to be too
late and she began to cry harder. Rachael took her in her arms and let her
friend sob her heart out.

Kai had gone to see Jin Yung. His face was
a mask and his body ramrod straight. As he made his way through the management
office’s corridors, voices paused in mid-conversation as everyone stared at the
elegant yet cool stranger making his way to Jin Yung’s office.

He knocked politely and was immediately
admitted entry. Jin Yung sat at his desk, a warm smile on his face. He rose and
shook hands with Kai, then noticed the grim look on the younger man’s face.

After the two sat down and were served
tea, Jin Yung asked Kai, “So this is a first Kai, what brings you to my office
today?”

Kai’s gaze was steady. “We want a new
manager.”

The older man tried not to let his
emotions show, but Kai could tell he was shocked. “This is not a decision made
lightly Jin Yung, nor in haste. We realize would be breaking contract and end
up having to pay him a settlement, but any amount would be worth our freedom.”

Jin Yung had been silent during Kai’s
declaration, but steepled his fingers together in thought before he spoke. “Is
this about your lady friend, Hyunki? The black woman?”

“I won’t lie and say my uncle’s
interference isn't a part of the decision, but he behaves as if we’re children.
We’re responsible adults and wish to manage our own lives. I believe it is
time.”

Jin Yung nodded. “I understand your
uncle can be quite heavy-handed, but you do understand why this is so. This is
how our industry operates. It may not be the perfect system, but we have far
less in the way of scandal compared to what happens in America.”

Kai snorted. “You also have a lot of
abuse, especially with many of the female artists. Having to sleep with their
married bosses and forced to have plastic surgeries in order to stay in the
public eye. Is that an acceptable compromise to keep some kind of ideal for the
fans?”

Jin Yung smiled thinly. “Some would say
yes.”

“What do
you
say, Jin Yung?”

“I say there are indeed aspects of this
business that do need to change. However, have T4L given thought how you would
proceed should we refuse to grant your request?”

“Then we shall file a lawsuit to leave
the company,” Kai answered calmly. “We don’t wish to, but we refuse let uncle
run our lives like a slave driver any longer.”

“A suit like that would be quite
expensive.”

“We are willing to forfeit a portion of
our profits for however long it takes to repay the company. We just want our
independence.”

Jin Yung stared at him intensely for a
few moments, mulling over his words. After a several more tense seconds he
inhaled slowly and leaned back in his expensive commander’s chair. “Well
Hyunki, T4L has presented me with quite a conundrum. You’re one of our most
popular acts and it would be a shame to lose you. The request is granted.”

Kai breathed a sigh of relief and bowed
his head in gratitude. “Thank you Jin Yung. But I cannot help being surprised
at your acceptance of Noel. After all, she is not Korean.”

Jin Yung poured a glass of water from
the crystal carafe on his desk, took a sip then pursed his lips thoughtfully.

“Unlike many of my colleagues in this
business, Hyunki, I am a realist. I see the future of K-Pop and it will not
remain something particularly Korean. When So Nyeo Shi Dae appears on popular
American television and fans from around the world are supporting Yoon Mi Rae
and her son, then one should realize that our music is becoming an international
phenomenon. That also means we need to open ourselves up to new realities.” He
looked at Kai with fatherly concern. “It will not be easy Hyunki, especially
for Noel. We Koreans can be quite insular and insensitive at times. However, I
believe that the two of you are strong enough to weather the storm. And
frankly, I like her.”

Kai blinked back the tears welling up in
his eyes. How he wished his uncle had been this understanding.

“One more thing, there will be no need
to find a new manager. I believe I shall take up those duties myself.”

The younger man was rendered speechless.
Jin Yung grinned. “Do not think for a moment I will go easy on any of you, but
I most certainly will not interfere with your private lives in the way your
uncle has. I do remember what it is like to be young and in love. Now, is there
anything else, Hyunki?”

“Yes,” and Kai went on to explain to his
new manager what he wanted. The man listened patiently and with understanding
as he re-adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose.

“Well,” Jin Yung replied thoughtfully
and with humor. “I think you had best practice like you have never practiced
before if you plan to get her back. And cancel your flight for now. I have a
feeling your Miss Wright will wait for you."

Kai took that advice to heart, pushing
himself far beyond anything he’d ever done before. Without words, the rest of
T4L were in solidarity, working themselves into exhaustion day after day. They
had something to prove and they supported Kai.

It was close to midnight and the rest of
the guys had gone home. Kai was alone in the studio when Chunhei walked in. He
heard the sound of heels clicking on the hardwood floor and spun around,
annoyed at her intruding presence.

“What do you want?” Kai didn’t bother to
hide his irritation. He took one look at the short and skin-tight dress and sky
high heels the woman could barely walk in. “My uncle sent you, didn’t he?”

She inched closer, swaying her hips
suggestively. “Not at all, Hyunki. I wanted you to see my new dress.” Chunhei
placed a hand on his chest. “I hope you like it.”

 “Actually Chunhei, you look
desperate.”

She gasped in horror as Kai glanced at
her dismissively. “I guess I didn’t make it clear the first time. I love Noel.
I plan to get her back. And you could never take her place.”

She tried to press her body against his.
“But I love you Kai. I’d never leave you like she did. Besides, she is not
Korean!”

Kai brutally shoved her away and wiped
at his hands as if he’d touched something foul as he laughed derisively. “You
wouldn’t recognize love if it slapped you in the face or you wouldn’t be
wasting your time trying to be with someone who doesn’t want you.” She looked
stricken and near tears but Kai was in no mood to be kind. “I really do not
understand what G.K. ever saw in you, but you will
never
replace Noel,
Korean or not!”

Chunhei looked into Kai’s stony face and
with a quiet sob dashed from the room. Kai watched her retreating figure for a moment
then continued to practice, music blasting him into forgetfulness,
determination in every synchronized step.

Noel returned to work with a vengeance.
Sitting at home trying not to think about Kai and the mistake she’d made would
have made her crazy. Despite the turbulence of her emotions, it was nice to see
the diner hadn’t changed since the night Kai came in and turned her entire life
upside down. It was still cheesy Hawaiian, the patrons were still mostly
locals, the leis worn by the staff were still plastic and garish, the food was
still plentiful, fattening and delicious, and Rachael was still Rachael. Noel
valued Rachael’s friendship even more, and though she knew she should have
taken her advice to heart, Noel was still in limbo.

She went home after work, showered the
grime and sweat of her shift, cooked dinner and tried to relax. Unfortunately
everything in her apartment reminded her of Kai which only depressed her
further. For the millionth time she kicked herself mentally for having been so
stupid. She’d callously thrown away the best thing she’d ever known out of
fear. No, she thought, just stupidity.

Kai’s uncle was correct about one thing.
Noel
wasn’t
good for him, but not because of her race or her economic
status, but because she was afraid to fight for the man she loved. She was
afraid to grab the happiness she deserved and to take a risk. That realization
made the tears well up in her eyes once again.

“Oh Kai, Kai, I’m so sorry,” she sobbed
into her pillow. “I’m a fool.”

She sobbed until her head hurt and her
eyes were red and raw. The cleansing cry helped a little. Noel rose from the
bed and padded to her bathroom for some aspirin and to splash cool water on her
face. She stared at her reflection for a moment, wrinkled her nose at her
swollen eyes and puffy face. Kai wouldn’t find her so beautiful now.

When she walked back into her bedroom,
she noticed the laptop sitting on the table. Kai’s gift to her so the two of
them could keep in touch. She hadn’t turned it on since her return, afraid to
check her email or instant messenger, but there was nothing for it. She had to
face the music—figuratively and literally. Noel held her breath as she powered
it up and her heart clenched at the picture of herself and Kai she’d sentimentally
set as her desktop wallpaper.

As expected, there were two dozen emails
from Kai. As punishment Noel read every single one and each heartfelt plea tore
at her emotions. There were a few emails in which he simply shared the
happenings of his day as if nothing had changed between them. The last email
sent mere moments ago had a hyperlink attached at the bottom which she clicked
on. The link was for a Korean television station that streamed the music
festival.

Noel numbly watched the other performers
for a while when the lights went down and a familiar melody began. T4L would be
taking the stage. She warred with the excitement of seeing Kai perform, and the
despair of knowing he was out of her reach.

The crowd went wild as multicolored
spotlights illuminated first Young, whom to Noel’s delight sported the
sunglasses she’d bought for him. Next came Boom and Kwan and G.K., all
harmonizing perfectly. Then her heart sped up as the lights bathed her Kai in
blue, white and red and her eyes widened like a dumbstruck owl’s.

“Oh my god!”

He was wearing the shirt she bought. He
was announcing to the world how he felt. She immediately called Rachael.

“He’s wearing my shirt!”

“What? Who? What shirt?”

In her excitement she nearly dropped her
phone. “Rachael, Kai is wearing the t-shirt I bought him when I was in Korea!
You’ve gotta come over and see and I’ll explain everything and bring pizza!”

She heard Rachael chuckle and hang up,
but her eyes were all on Kai’s gorgeous body, working the music the way he’d
worked her those rapturous nights they’d spent. He sang as if he were singing
to and for her alone. As if he knew she was watching. Right then and there Noel
was determined to do whatever it took to get her man back. Just because she
made a mistake was no reason she couldn’t rectify it. Without words, Kai was
making his feelings very clear.

When Rachael arrived in nearly record
and probably illegal time, T4L was performing their last song of the festival.
She practically dragged her best friend into her bedroom and plopped her down
in front of the laptop, almost dropping the large pizza in her haste.

“Is that Kai at a piano,” Rachael asked
mid-bite. “I didn’t know he played.”

The heartbreakingly beautiful melody
caressed her skin as she watched with loving eyes his graceful form swaying to
the music.

“I wrote this song for the woman I
love,” he began simply as Rachael and Noel watched glued to the monitor. “The
woman who came into my life and asked for nothing but who gave me such joy. She
loved me so much that she was willing to sacrifice her happiness for me, but I
want her to know there is nothing in my world without her…”

“When you left without me, left me so
cold and blue

I realized my life is nothing without
you.

My heart aches fully, knowing you’re not
here

But with just one hint of your smile,
I’d feel fine again

I wish you’d come back to me, don’t
wanna say goodbye

Baby please hear me, I have no more
tears left to cry.”

The venue went silent, everyone
seemingly overcome with emotion as he continued to sing, to plead:

“Baby please don’t give up on us

Because you should be my lady

I’ve been waiting for you so long

Please look at me now.

When the music starts, will you vow to
spend

The rest of your life with me.

How I prayed every night this day would
come

Thought it would never come…

When I’d see you in your wedding dress

Oh, baby in your wedding dress.”

“Sweetie, I think Kai’s trying to tell
you something.” Rachael meant the remark to be flippant but she was just as dazed
after the performance. “I think you need to hock some stuff to pay for a
one-way ticket back to Korea, and this time don’t come back without a ring on
your damn finger!”

“He was singing to me, Rachael,” Noel
whispered, lips trembling from the struggle to not cry again. “He loves me
Rach. He wore that shirt to show everyone how he feels.”

Rachael hugged her friend. “That’s a
hell of a guy. I have the feeling he may be coming for you and he’s not going
to want to see puffy eyes and ugly ass pajamas.” Noel hiccupped and giggled at
her friend’s ridiculousness. “Besides, think of how hot the make-up sex is
gonna be.”

Kai was met backstage with effusive
praise but the only opinion which counted was Noel’s. He knew she’d seen the
performance. He couldn’t explain
how
he knew, but he did. And as soon as
the festival ended, he was going to claim his woman, his uncle and the world be
damned, nor would he allow Noel to make excuses.

As he stepped into the dressing room
where the rest of the guys were having their wardrobes and hair refreshed, he
was instantly confronted by his enraged uncle. The staff was quickly and
brusquely dismissed, leaving just the six men and the tension thick in the air.

His uncle pointed at Kai's shirt. “Who
gave you permission to wear this nonsense onstage, Hyunki? I know I did not.”

“I do not need your permission uncle. In
fact, this band will no longer need your permission for anything.” Kai’s eyes
were hard and cold.

“What are you talking about? I’m still
your manager.”

“Actually father, you are not.”

The older man wheeled around to face his
son. “What did you just say, Gi Kwang?”

G.K. defiantly folded his arms in front
of his chest. “I
said,
you are no longer our manager. Hyunki went to Jin
Yung and asked that you be replaced. He has agreed and in fact he will manage
us himself from now on.”

Disbelief was written over the man’s
face. “You cannot be serious.”

“We are very serious uncle,” Kai said,
steel in his voice. “You should hear from the legal department soon in regards
to a fair settlement.”

For a while the tense standoff
continued. Rage suffused the older man’s features as he looked into the
implacable faces of the young men he’d shepherded for many years. He pointed at
Kai.

“This is about that girl! You’re
behaving like a spoiled child because of some foreign girl who’s not now nor
will ever be good for you.”

“This is not just about Noel.” Young’s
normally excitable demeanor took on a more serious mien. “You treat us all like
children. You tell us what to do, where to go, what to do, what songs to sing.
We get no say in anything.”

“I showed you songs that I wrote,” said
Kibum quietly. “You dismissed them without even looking at them.”

“And we all like Noel,” added Kwan.
“She’s genuine and she makes Hyunki happy.”

But the older man appeared to be
unimpressed with their declarations. “I made T4L who they are. I worked hard to
manage your careers and to make you successful, and this disloyalty is how I am
to be repaid.” He turned to Kai. “And
you
. When my brother and his wife
died, I did my familial duty and took you in. I nurtured your talent, Hyunki
and I never treated you any different from my son.”

“And I will forever be grateful to you
sir, but I do not owe you my happiness because of it. Noel makes me happy and I
will have her. As my
wife.
”

The man sputtered and just as he was
about to retort, there was a knock on the dressing room door, signaling they
had ten minutes before they went back onstage. The older man grabbed his son’s
arm tightly. G.K. gently but firmly shrugged it off.

“Gi Kwang, if you walk away from me,
consider yourself no longer my son.”

G.K. faced his father with sadness in
his eyes but resolve in his body. “As you wish father, but you shall always be
my father and I will always have a place for you should you need it.
Annyeonghi
gyeseyo
. Goodbye.”

G.K. walked away from his father in
stoic silence.

The audience at the festival and those
watching around the world had no idea the drama that had occurred backstage
moments ago. T4L showed everyone why they were one of the best bands in Korea
and Noel couldn’t help bouncing all over the place, silly dancing with Rachael
with stars in her eyes and a lightness of heart she hadn’t experienced in
weeks.

Just as she was about to pick up her
phone and call him, at Rachael’s urging, it rang. Both women’s jaws dropped.
Apparently Noel had forgotten to change her personal ring tone. She held the
phone in her hands, stared at it dumbly.

“Well answer it or I will,” and
proceeded to do just that. “Hello Kai. Yes, she’s right here looking like she’s
lost her ever-loving mind.” She handed the phone back to a still dumbstruck
Noel. “Well say something.”

“Hello?”

“Noel?
Jahgi
?”

“Yes Kai, it’s me. I watched you at the
festival. You guys were great.”

“You heard my song.”

“Yes. It was beautiful.”

“Listen Noel, I want you back here with
me and if I have to fly over there to get you I will. No more excuses
,
Jahgi.
I love you and my uncle will no longer dictate my life. Come to me,
Noel. Be my wife.”

“Your
wife
?” Noel’s heart surged
with love as Rachael grinned like an idiot. “You want to marry
me
?”

“No
Jahgi.
I
will
marry
you!”

“Oh Kai,
saranghae!
I love you so
much!”

“I love you too, Noel. Start packing
bay-bee, for our honeymoon!”