Absinthe novel Chapter 60

I barely touched my food when Vice Chairman Lee announced that he's retiring for the day. Obviously, he did not expect me to make such a demand. 10% of Samsong Holding's shares means billions and billions of dollars. No one in their right mind will give that away.

On the other hand, I wouldn't be in my right mind if I accept his offer to go back and work for him again, especially with this particular problem to solve.

If I take it, I would fail. I'm sure of it, 100%. And that stain in my career will be the talk of the entire industry, world-wide.

What's worse is that everyone will probably associate such failure with my sexuality.

So don't get me wrong. I didn't ask for 10% of Samsong Holding's shares because I want them. I just wanted a convenient excuse to not have to say no.

"I just remembered," I said, getting everyone's attention. "Is Samsong Philippines aware that you are here?"

Minsu-hyung shook his head. "This was all an impromptu decision from Vice Chairman Lee."

"I see. We'll take you to your hotel, then."

Faye footed the bill and we all filed out towards the restaurant's lobby where Faye asked for our cars. Momentarily, my trusty BMW came, looking laughable compared to Faye's brand new Benz SUV. I knew that she bought a new car a few weeks after she crashed her Range Rover against JM's. But I didn't know it was a Benz.

Vice Chairman Lee looked at my car, then to me. "We're taking Ms. Gonzales' car, BJ. We'll be in touch."

Before I could stop myself, I bowed in response and Vice Chairman Lee didn't seem to miss it.

Fuck! Old habits really die hard. "Good night, sir."

I felt Minsu-hyung affectionately tapping my shoulder followed by a light hug from Gunho-hyung. "Tomorrow, then!"

I hopped into my own car and drove back home, head full of all sorts of things. From Jiwoo, to Vice Chairman Lee, to the CEO who fired me, and to Cho Hanbi.

Wouldn't this be the best opportunity to prove to everyone, once and for all, that talent and skill have nothing to do with one's sexual orientation and preference?

That if I succeed, I can slap every single person who laughed with disdain at my termination and my sexuality. I can make headlines once again, and this time, actually get the chance to help out every single homosexual who feels oppressed in the corporate world.

But saying yes to this means saying goodbye to the Philippines once again.

It also meant saying goodbye to Jiwoo.

Ugh! I don't know what to think!

My dashboard display signaled a call from Faye. I pressed the receive button and greeted her.

"I just dropped them off. Are you home now?"

"Almost," I responded. "I'll lend Minsu-Hyung my Benz. I barely use it anyway. And it's a gift from the Vice Chairman, remember? That way, you won't be needed to drive them anymore."

"Wow! You actually thought I was driving them for charity. You might be the finance expert between the two of us, but you're forgetting that I'm the entrepreneur."

"Oh god, what are you planning, Faye?"

"Nothing," Faye said plainly, but I could still feel traces of smugness in her voice. "Just making connections, if you know what I mean."

"Whatever, Faye." I said. "Anyway, let's have lunch tomorrow. I'll cook something."

"You're not going to Maxwell's?"

"I don't think so." I said, thoughts of Jiwoo suddenly start swimming in my head again. "I broke up with Jiwoo."

"I doubt that," Faye said. "It's your first lovers' quarrel."

"Well, we're not going to resolve it if he keeps on being insecure about his financial status!" I didn't want to expose myself but my frustration just came out all the way.

"And you guys won't be able to resolve it if you keep on being insecure about your situation, either!" Faye answered back.

"What do you mean?"

"It's obvious, isn't it? Jiwoo feels insecure about his financial situation not because you're rich, but because you question yourself! You always question whether you deserve this or that! Do you know how that sounds like to Jiwoo and to the rest of the world? It's like you're questioning whether people have ulterior motives on you!"

"..."

"Sorry, BJ." Faye said. "I know you have a lot on your mind right now, so go straight home and sleep. Okay?"

"Okay."

"I'll see you tomorrow. Let's make it brunch, then let's go for some pampering immediately after."

"Sounds like a plan."

It didn't take me long to finish my drive back home, and I was basically on autopilot from the parking lot, to the elevator, up to my penthouse where I could see someone leaning his back just beside the door.

The man was pretty tall, wearing a two-toned flannel blazer, an elegant pair of black trousers and shoes to match. The shoes look familiar – probably a Berluti or a Zegna. He was carrying a sporty-looking, oversized handbag in a peculiar shade of khaki.

"Hello? Can I help you?" I asked from a distance.

The man slowly turned towards me and my panty would have vanished into thin air if I was wearing one. I actually had briefs on, not that it matters. But holy shit, it was Jiwoo and it wasn't Jiwoo at the same time.

This guy was clearly wearing designer clothing. Now that I can see his dual toned blazer, I'm sure that it was from Fendi. I now remember his bag to be the part of the Peekaboo series from Fendi as well.

And he had the sunglasses I bought for him clipped stylishly on the v collar of his wool jumper.

"Hey," he said simply. Shit, he is Jiwoo!

I walked towards him to open my door, not really knowing what to say. I could feel Jiwoo following me into the house, all the way to the kitchen when he finally spoke.

"What do you think?'

I turned to face him. "Fendi?"

Jiwoo nodded, the early traces of an earnest smile starting to build up on his face. "I'm sorry for earlier. Just so you know, I picked up the cream puffs from the trash bin and ate them."

I raised my eyebrow at him. "And that's supposed to make me feel good?"

"No," Jiwoo answered quickly. "I'm sorry for how I acted."

"Whatever," I said. "What's with the get-up?"

"When you left, I got pissed off at myself and accepted the offer I got from your friend's company."

"Huh? My friend's company?"

"Ms. Cassie." Jiwoo said. "She runs this modeling and advertising agency for luxury brands. She was trying to get me to model for them for some time now."

"What?! Cassie's alive?! Where is she?!"

Jiwoo shook his head. "She made me sign a non-disclosure agreement. I'll be fired if I tell you where she is."

I was sure my face was now red in anger at what Jiwoo just said. "Don't you dare, Mr. Jiwoo Miguel Garcia!"

"Fine," Jiwoo said, his face now breaking into a grin. "I guess I'm okay with being fired. I just accepted the job to win you back anyway."

"Ugh, Jiwoo. I don't think I'll ever understand you." I was so exasperated with all this drama that I left Jiwoo and walked towards the fridge to get myself a glass of water.

"I wanted to apologize," Jiwoo said. "But I couldn't do it wearing the same white shirt and jeans that got me into trouble in the first place. Robert was right. You deserve someone better."

"Bullshit," I said, after finishing my glass.

"You do, BJ. You deserve better. And I now I know that I could be better! I am actually better than him. I can get the same clothes, if not more expensive than his, even without a law degree! Look!"

Jiwoo took off his blazer and revealed the extremely fashionable pullover from Fendi hiding underneath. His whole fashion ensemble made him look like a chic CEO. It was the perfect amount of formal and casual clothing combined.

"I accepted the modeling job with Ms. Cassie's company under the condition that I get to keep the clothes I model. And this is the first one I got."

I gave Jiwoo's clothing another look from, frowning intentionally.

"You don't like it?" Jiwoo was also frowning now.

I shook my head and headed for the bedroom.

"Why?" Jiwoo demanded, following me.

Does he really not understand why? How does he expect me to cope up with the surefire increase in the number of people craning their necks to stare at how handsome he was?

With me walking beside him, how does he expect me to manage all the knowing looks of other people? Those looks that so obviously accuse me of being his sugar daddy? That's I'm sponsoring him in exchange for sex?

"You know what I learned from my one and only previous relationship?" Jiwoo asked, his voice loud and laced with anger.

I ignored him and continued towards door leading to the actual room where my bed was.

"I learned that problems and tension between two people in a relationship can be solved through communication."

I opened the door and proceeded inside, Jiwoo still following me.

"And if communication doesn't work," Jiwoo said, suddenly grabbing hold of my waist. "You get rid of all the tension and misunderstanding through sex."

What?! What kind of life lesson is that?!

I tried to turn to face Jiwoo but I was too late. My feet were off the ground and Jiwoo's bag and blazer were suddenly on the floor.

And Jiwoo was carrying me in long, sure steps towards the bed. The next moment I felt my back hit the soft mattress and Jiwoo's lips were on my neck, making motions that want me to take off everything right away.

And I was angry at Jiwoo for not understanding how I felt. But at the same time, I want him to lower his lips and do the same motions to my nipples.

I was angry at Jiwoo for making me feel like I made the wrong choice when I chose him over Robert. But at the same time, I want him to stop wasting his time caressing my thighs. I want him to start doing it.

And he did.

He entered me slow and steady, giving me just enough time to get used to him before he pushed further. And I didn't care about anything else – not the pain, nor the steady beat of annoyance still left in my head for what Jiwoo did, nor of the excitement I felt earlier upon hearing Cassie's name.

All I knew was that Jiwoo had the same look of desire in his eyes as he was going in and out of me, and the sound he made with each thrust, and the way that our bodies seem to fit comfortably, as if we were meant to be.

And that was enough to keep me wanting more and more.