Priorities
Chapter 10
Important stuff for this story.
"This is Korean"
"This is English"
And I'll be writing in Spanish as I usually do, especially since I don't know a single thing in Korean but I'm fluent in Spanish :)
- Admin JT
Irene took out her files from her briefcase while adjusting her white suit jacket. "This show won't take air until around this time next year. We'll start filming in two months." She gave the papers to her assistant to give out to everybody. "I'm sure everybody knows what this show is about?" She looked up to meet everybody's eyes. When some, mainly from the group itself, gave an unsure nod, she started to explain. "We all know GOT7 is known to be a a diverse group. We have a person from Hong Kong, another from Thailand and another from America. Your fans love to see how your cultures tend to mix and match, even when it shouldn't. This show is meant to see how you would act around cultures outside from your own. The show will start off in Brooklyn, New York and move on to Los Angeles, California, Mark's hometown. But we won't be living in the American culture in these cities." Everybody looked at each other before giving her their attention again.
She smiled. "We are going to be staying in areas that are heavily populated by the Hispanic/Latino community. In Brooklyn, there are a lot of Puerto Ricans. In LA. there are a lot of Mexicans there."
"Question!"
When she looked up, she saw that it was the leader, Lim Jae-beom. "Answer," She responded.
"If we wanted to learn about the Hispanic/Latin culture, why don't we just go to a one of their countries?"
"Because it'll be easier for you to adapt. Many times, when an immigrant comes here, they have to infuse their culture with the American one. Otherwise, it would become hard for them to survive here. So their culture would be watered down. Strong, but still watered down.But the influence is still there. Many times, you'll see the neighborhoods resemble the ones from their home country. It's also why I am the host. My family originates from Cuba and I grew up surrounded by every Hispanic and Latino demographic possible. I know how the culture works and the reason why. It also helps that I know the language and will be able to help you guys as a translator. Good?"
The others nodded and she leaned back, satisfied. "Good. So like any other variety show, there will be goals and such. My real estate agent found a place for the boys to stay in Brooklyn and one in LA. You should see the pictures in the file I gave you. Any other questions so far?"
"Yes. Who is she?" This time, the question came from one of the managers, who pointed to Ana.
"This is Ana Rojas. She's in charge of the publicity for the show. She'll be around you guys as much as I am, if not more. In simple terms, if you want to have a nice, public image, be nice to her."
Irene felt a jab at her side. "No tenías que hacer eso*," Ana lowly hissed. Ana stood up and bowed, greeting herself. The others bowed back and introduced themselves. Once all the introductions were done, Irene said, "Let's talk about the minor details that will eventually give us all headaches."
It was 7 o'clock at night by the time the meeting ended. They were all tired, but mostly hungry. And when Irene has the chance to eat, she'll use it. So with that in mind, Irene invited everybody to eat at a restaurant that a friend of her owns.
Irene and Ana walked outside, where they saw two Chevy SUV's and a crowd of paparazzi being held back by security. She nodded to the valet when he showed her a pair of keys and turned towards the other group. "One of my people will drive for you guys so that you don't get lost. We'll meet you over there."
The two women left watched as the crown separated to give way to the two SUV's and another car pulled up in front of them. "He was staring at you the whole time," Irene said.
"Who?"
"He was not staring at me!"
"Oh yes he was." Irene turned on the blinker to make a turn. "He didn't even look at the papers that were given to him." Irene looked both ways before turning fully. "Our little Yugyeom has a crush on you."
"He doesn't even know me!" Ana argued.
"But you're really pretty. Besides, it could be love at first sight." Irene parked her car in front of her car in front of an apartment building. "Just go and pick up your daughter so that we can go eat."
Ana got out of the car muttering curses under her breath.
The GOT7 boys and their managers stood outside of the restaurant, waiting for a certain CEO and Chief Media to show up. Before they could start complaining about the cold, they saw a black 2017 Audi R8 pull up in front of the restaurant. Thinking it was another person, they were surprised to see Irene step out of the car and give a valet a pair of keys, getting a peek of red from the inside.
When they saw Irene step out of her car, they knew Ana, would be with her. They did not expect Ana to pull the front seat forward and grab a child from the back.
Yugyeom felt his throat constrict. If Ana has a daughter, who's to say that she doesn't have a partner as well?
When they walked towards them, Irene said, "I'm sorry we took so long. We had to go to pick up little Lara."
"Not little," a voice spoke up.
"In Korean," Ana said.
"Okay Mama."
"Why don't you be polite and say hi Lara," Ana said.
From her place on Ana's hip, Lara bowed her head quickly and let out a small hello before going back to playing with Ana's hair. The others bowed back and greeted her as well.
"We had to pick her up because my parents are gonna have a dinner party. I hope you guys don't mind," Ana supplied to the unasked question.
"That's fine," one of the managers assured. "Is her father going to join us as well?"
"Dada is with Exo. Dada don't know I'm here."
"Exo?"
Ana felt the blood drain from her face. She tried to cover what Lara said, but Lara beat her to it.
"Dyo Kyungsoo." Her pronunciation was a little off, but the name that pretty, little Lara muttered was clear.
And nothing could be heard except the rumbling of rain clouds in the distance.
Irene stepped forward and bowed. "I beg of you, don't let anybody know. Even Exo. For Ana's and Lara's safety."
Mark stepped forward and put his hand on Irene's shoulder. "Don't worry, we won't say a word."
Irene lifted her head and met his eyes. They smiled at each other. "Thank you."
"Your welcome."
Irene cleared her throat. "Let's go inside. The chef is waiting for us."
The group walked into the the restaurant known as Valgate and met a man dressed in a chef's outfit.
Irene walked toward the man with open arms. "Adam! Long time no see!"
Daniel, a man in his early 40's with a balding read head, enveloped Irene into his arms. "Two years exactly. Tell me Irene, who are your friends?"
Irene stepped out of the hug. "This is the South Korean group GOT7 and their managers. And this is Ana, my coworker, and her daughter Lara." Switching to Korean, Irene said, "This person here is my good friend, Chef Adam Dorrsey. I wrote an article about his restaurant a few years back, when I was still an intern in another company. And here we are, good friends today. "Turning back to Adam, she asked, "Is our room ready?"
"It was ready for you years before you called."
"Great."
The group followed the chef, talking and laughing among themselves. They were lead to a room that can hold up to 18 people, with a window overlooking the rest of the restaurant.
Irene sat down on the middle seat on one side of the table, with Lara to her right and Mark to her left. Next to Lara (who is sitting on a different chair since she's too small for the normal ones) is Ana and next to Mark is Jae-beom. Next to Ana, starting the left side of the table, was Jinyoung, and next to him was Yugeom followed by BamBam.
Next to Jae-beam is Youngjae, who started the right side of the table, and next to him is Jackson. The last three managers were spread out through the remaining seats.
Irene stood up and held the champagne glass that they were given in her hands and said, "Let's make a toast, to GOT7 and to JYP, for allowing me basically control your life for a few months. And for trusting me to take care of you. Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Everybody's food arrived arrived and they ate. Conversation danced in the air. Jae-beom helped Youngjae remove the cucumber and Jackson would end up eating it. Mark would make a pun and Irene would respond with a sarcastic remark, making Mark laugh, both switching between Korean and English. Ana and Jinyoung talked about how difficult it is to raise kids, with both Lara and Yugyeom responding indignantly.
"We'll see each other in two months then."
"Yes, we will."
Irene's car pulled up in front and Ana went around to put the sleeping child in the back, and went back around to say goodbye to the others with Irene. Once all the fare wells were said and done, Irene roared the car's engine to life and left speed. The maknae kept watch until it left.
"Are you still gonna tell me that he's not interested in you?"
"He's as interested in me as Mark is in you if you want to go that way." Ana was not gonna go down unscathed.
"Oh please!" Irene exclaimed. "We have the same sense of humor. Sue us!" Irene honked at a car that cut her off. "Besides, any notion he had was quickly shut down. He asked me if I was seeing somebody, and I said yes. And that was that."
"And you think he believes you? Besides, why would he ask? If you did, which we both know you do but that's besides the point, the tabloids would be all over you two." Ana scoffed.
Irene pulled into the garage. "Because in the community of the rich and famous, even the rich and famous don't know who is in a relationship. So even we have to ask sometimes."
Ana was confused. "Does he know who? I imagine he will want to know who."
"No." Irene parked the car and looked at Ana. "If a relationship is kept secret, then it stays that way. You never ask another celebrity who they are dating. That's asking for a bad reputation among the community."
Irene helped Ana to get Lara out of the car and picked up the bags. They stepped into an elevator that leads them straight to their shared penthouse. "I never knew there were so many rules," Ana said. "I thought you all talked about each other to each other all the time."
"It's not so much rules. It's mostly common courtesy to help each other keep some semblance of privacy. It's also why they agreed to keep quite about our little secret. You haven't been in the world long enough. You no longer have your job in the world of the paparazzi." Irene walked out of the elevator with Ana. "You are now in the world of the most influential people in the world. You'll learn how they talk, walk, and think. You'll learn when to talk and not to. It's a whole different ball game. You'll get used to it. And I'll help you the whole way."
Notes
Translations:*You didn't have to do that
