Absinthe

Chapter 66: Swinging Both Ways

"If he doesn't marry you after seeing this party, I will!" Minsu-hyung said jokingly, chugging down his 3rd

or 4th cocktail that evening.

"Me, too." Gunho-hyung added. "Let's make it a three-some wedding."

I smirked and smacked them both in the arms. "Don't get too drunk before Jiwoo comes."

"Hear, hear!" They said in unison.

Minsu and Gunho went all out with their clothing today – nothing but the best and the priciest. It might

look plain to the rest of the world, but to us with more discerning eyes, it's a different story.

Minsu-hyung's watch, for example, wasn't not your standard Rolex. It's actually so much more because

it's worth more than what millions of people in this country can make in their lifetimes. Half the guests in

this party weren't even familiar with the brand. And I have about two pieces from the same maker –

both of which were gifts from the ultra-rich.

Gunho-hyung's part-time banker and part-time Rockstar outfit is equally as expensive as Minsu-

hyung's. He's spotting these custom-made accessories from Chrome Hearts which, I think, is as

expensive as my mother's car. I guess... us humans can't really help but brag every time we flock

together.

The gang's here, except for Cass and Robert. There were also people I'm not familiar with – probably

guests that Faye, Derrick, Nico, and Vivi invited. I was pretty sure some of them were celebrities but I'm

too busy trying to find out if Jiwoo's already in.

"Do I look okay?" I asked Faye.

Faye gave me her infamous judgmental stare. "Hairstyle: check! Skin: bigger check!"

She stopped for a bit to study me more, before she frowned and said, "Struggling Hoe Outfit: Hmmm...

Not Check!"

I laughed and gave Faye a fake eye roll. "You know why I'm dressed like this."

"For your boyfriend's ego," Faye answered back. "I know you too well."

It took another thirty minutes of Faye and I greeting the other guests, with Faye unnecessarily

apologizing to everyone why I was dressed the way I was. It wasn't like there was something wrong

with what I had on. I was wearing something from Bean Pole – a Korean brand that's really more for

the typical masses than for the rich. It looked plain but I'm pretty sure I looked hip, nonetheless. It was

an oversized blue tank top over another tank top which was shaped rather unconventionally. I had

black sleeves hanging out which actually kind of looked like bra straps.

It did look weird, I admit, but because I'm BJ and my skin is awesome, I could totally pull it off. The

black bra-strap thingies actually pull everyone's attention to my bare arms, and let's face it – my bare

arms are out of this world! And it's not just me being arrogant and full of myself, because the moment

Jiwoo came, he startled the hell out of me by hugging me from behind and tracing his fingers against

my arms!

On cue, the host announced Jiwoo's arrival and everyone started singing happy birthday. Or at least I

could hear them singing. Jiwoo, on the other hand, paid them no mind. He continued caressing my

arms, and this time, he lowered his lips to kiss my exposed shoulders.

"You didn't have to do this, you know." Jiwoo said in between kisses. "I'd rather do you in your room. Or

in mine. Or here."

"Fucking pervert," I answered half-jokingly. I say half-jokingly because his scent is unbelievably

intoxicating. Like raw skin. Barely a hint of mint. Loaded with pheromones.

"You look good," I managed to say. "Let me guess, Hermes?"

Jiwoo pushed me at arm's length and looked at me suspiciously. "How did you know?"

I laughed. "I browsed at their Spring collection last March. Just when I got fired and had nothing to do

at home. This thing you're wearing was on the front cover. Worn by my all time crush, supermodel

Simon Nessman!"

"I have no idea what you're taking about," Jiwoo grinned.

Jiwoo was wearing this black cardigan-shirt hybrid that revealed much of his chest to the general

public. It's a v-cut shirt that closed just below his sternum. Two flaps that make up the cardigan part

were connected to the shoulders. His sleeves were pulled to just beneath his elbows and he was

wearing a couple of those $4,000 bracelets from Hermes on his left arm as well.

"From Cassie?" I asked.

Jiwoo nodded as the happy birthday song was just about to be finished. "She said she'd like to meet

you next Saturday."

I could not process what Jiwoo said because the guests suddenly burst into applause. The host was

beckoning Jiwoo to come over and I pushed Jiwoo to that general direction. And with that, the party

officially began.

We were having the time of our lives. The food was extraordinarily good, which was awesome for Nico

and Vivi. This kind of feedback was invaluable for chefs like us. Especially now that we're vying for that

3 Michelin stars.

The wine pairings were also phenomenal. Janus is, by no means, a sommelier but his pairings were

just great! I didn't know he'd spent a lot of time with Nico and Vivi to curate the perfect selection. And

the best thing about this whole situation was Jiwoo.

He was natural. I've been nervous for nothing! I thought he'd act all awkward and snappy at all these

entitled people, but he was really on top of his game. Heck, he didn't even flinch a little when I finally

introduced him to my hyungs.

"I never thought he was," Minsu-hyung said. "He acted straight. Not even the slightest whiff of

gayness!"

All of us laughed.

"Are you familiar with norebangs in Korea?" Minsu hyung added, this time speaking in Korean.

"Yeah," Jiwoo answered rather quickly. "We have a couple of them here in the metro."

"I'm not talking about your typical norebangs," Minsu-hyung continued. "I'm talking about the norebangs

where wonders happen."

I smacked Minsu-hyung to Gunho-hyung's laughter. Jiwoo looked confused. "Don't mind them," I said.

"No, please," Jiwoo said, "Go ahead. I'm all ears."

"There are posh norebangs in Korea – mind you, as posh as they could possibly be. Interior design by

the best designers in Italy, curated furniture, you name it!" Gunho-hyung began.

"And it's mostly corporate slaves like us who frequent them," Minsu-hyung added. "Not with our own

money, of course. With company money."

"That was the first time I ever touched a black card," I said longingly. "That shit is dangerous."

"Black cards?" Jiwoo asked. I could see from his face that he was genuinely curious.

"You know those credit cards that have virtually no credit limits?" Minsu-hyung said. "The cards for the

multi-millionaires and the billionaires?"

Jiwoo shook his head. "There are cards like that? Literally no limits?"

"Technically there is a limit," Gunho-hyung answered this time. "The banks can review each transaction

and may decline it ... but yeah, basically the sky's your limit."

"I used it to pay for boss' lambo, remember?" I said.

"Yeah!" Gunho and Minsu-hyung said in unison, laughing. "The one you used to bribe his kid to shut up

about boss' affair, right?"

"Yes!" I said. "That arrogant son-of-a-bitch. Getting his own lambo at 15!"

"Anyway," Minsu-hyung said, addressing Jiwoo. "As I was saying, these posh norebangs or karaoke

rooms offer more than just fine booze."

Minsu-hyung suddenly kept quiet but did not break eye contact with Jiwoo for suspense. "They also

offer fine women. By the hour."

"As in prostitutes?" Jiwoo asked.

"Yes," I nodded. "But saying they're prostitutes is a grave understatement. They're all around

entertainers. They can sing remarkably well. They can hold decent conversation in almost any field

imaginable. And... they can fuck."

"Aaand, BJ here would have no qualms taking one!" Minsu-hyung said, ruffling my hair. "That's why I

thought he was straight. He'd literally grind it with the finest ladies in the room! He'd let them fondle his

dick. He'd kiss them slow and steamy..."

"Shut up, hyung!" I complained. "You did worse! You literally breast-fed out of that lass from Gangnam!"

Everyone laughed. Well, everyone except Jiwoo who was just smiling. "Why'd you guys go there,

though?" Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Oh," Gunho-hyung said, slinging his arm over Jiwoo's. "Don't get us wrong, mate. It's part of Korea's

corporate culture. BJ's one of the best when it comes to corporate investments. The same goes for the

two of us. And unfortunately, our job extends to doing the nasty with potential investors."

"The filthy rich play filthy," Minsu-hyung added. "And before we can get that sweet yes for the owners to

partner up with us for joint ventures, we need to treat their advisors – basically our counterparts, to the

best of what money can buy."

"Unfortunately, in Korea, that translates to women. Fine women." I said.

We watch Jiwoo nod in understanding. "What about gay executives?"

The three of us looked at each other. It seemed that neither Minsu nor Gunho-hyung were inclined to

speak. "That's the reason why I got fired. You can't have gay execs in Korea."

Awkward silence followed that and my hyungs kept drinking. I figured I'd excuse myself out.

"I'll go and check on the desserts," I said. "It's time to take them out."

Gunho-hyung took me in an extremely tight hug the moment I stood up. "I'm sorry Jaeyi. We should

have done more."

"It's okay, hyung." I said, trying to pry myself out of his arms. I could also see Jiwoo eyeing me intently.

"Seriously, we're good."

"No," Gunho-hyung said, burying his face in my shoulder. "I'm not letting go of you this time."

"Minsu-hyung, a little help?" I asked, feeling exasperated at the way Gunho-hyung was still straddling

me.

"This guy here's the reason why you're not willing to go back with us," Minsu-hyung said, pointing his

half-empty glass at Jiwoo. "Lucky you, Jiwoo."

"Sorry?" Jiwoo asked, also emptying his glass in one gulp.

"Jaeyi... I mean BJ declined my boss' offer," Minsu-hyung explained. "He would have been the richest

corporate slave in the history of human kind..."

"No," I said. "Hyung, stop it! You're drunk."

Gunho-hyung tightened his hold on me and planted a kiss on my neck. "I miss you, Jaeyi. I think I can

swing both ways. Come back to us."