Galileo's Moon | KSJ ✅

Chapter 19: Comet

Jin's POV 🌙

"Are you sure I look okay? I had the stylist help me."

"You look perfect," Hana says as she walks me into her parent's house.

I'm struck by the sheer size of their mansion. It's in a gated neighborhood just outside the city that I didn't even know existed. Large homes of the ultra-rich -incomes far more than Idol money, exist in this neighborhood. Even with all the experiences I've had throughout my years with the rich and famous in different cultures all over the world, I was not prepared for this.

Following Hana through the cavernous home with its high ceilings and ornate styling I'm shocked at how clinical it all feels. This doesn't feel like a home, but rather a museum full of relics. It does not at all resemble how Hana has so expertly made her large apartment feel cozy.

"Father?" she calls out into what looks like an office, but it is empty.

We finally find our way to a large room that seems to be a sitting room and that is where we find a sizeable group of people meandering about with drinks in their hands while in the throws on conversations.

"Oh!" Hana breathes out quietly. "I'm sorry, Jin. I didn't know this was going to be a dinner party. I thought it would just be us and my parents," she trails off.

"It's okay," I whisper back, knowing that we are both caught off guard. Unconsciously, I run my fingers through the hair above the back of my head and stand up a little straighter.

"Hana! You're here! Perfect!" a woman who looks like an older version of Hana says while hugging her briefly.

"Mom, this is Jin," Hana says as she presents me. "He's my bo..."

"Jin! Jin, nice to meet you. Come in, come in," her mother says, cutting Hana off. "Get in here and start mingling. I need to go check in with the kitchen staff to make sure dinner goes off without a hitch. Enjoy!"

Hana looks at me and rolls her eyes. "She wasn't always like this," Hana says, exasperated as she scrunches her nose at me. "She used to be more...focused...and polite."

I appreciate the careful way Hana tries to explain what has occurred. She seems embarrassed, which she doesn't have to be, but before I can comfort her, a familiar-looking man approaches us. "Hana, I'm so glad you are here. I have people that you should meet."

"Dad, this is Jin. We work at BH together," Hana begins.

"Ahh, yes, you must be the Idol. Welcome, Jin. I'm sure you won't mind if I steal Hana away for a few moments to meet some business associates of mine. Feel free to indulge in a drink," he says while waving at a bartender who is stationed at an ornate bar at the end of the room.

"Thank you, and nice to meet you," I say politely as I sneak a wink at Hana to put her panicked expression at ease.

Making my way to the bar, I ask the bartender for a drink. His eyes widen with the telltale signs of recognition. "What can I get you?"

I give him my order, smiling appreciatively. I'm amused that of all the people I passed by in this room only the bartender has taken a second look at me. I'm a small fish in a big ocean with these people. "Idol" means nothing here.

A few moments later the bartender slides my drink across the smooth wooden bar top. "Good luck out there. It's a umm...a tough crowd," he says with an arched eyebrow as if warning me.

"Thank you. I appreciate the information," I smile gently as he nods and walks to the end of the bar to help another partygoer.

My eyes scan the room until I find Hana. I watch as her father guides her from person to person until he introduces her to a handsome young man around our age. My heart twists in a knot. Even from afar, the young man reeks of old money like he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.