Channing never liked places where too many people were gathered in at once. It was too suffocating, especially with reporters swarming from the outside and sketchy-looking businessmen constantly trying to curry his favor. It wasn't until about a full hour later that the main event started in the grand ballroom, and he was able to stand freely in the corner without anyone bothering him.
The huge glimmering room had the lights dimmed, so no one was able to make out who he was unless they stood within a four-foot radius from him. However, from his point of view away from the crowd, Channing able to see just about everyone due to the bright lighting coming from the stage.
And amongst all of them, a middle-aged man with a graying goatee stepped up to the stage, taking his spot in the spotlight behind the podium. He tidied up his slick black suit before clearing his throat and leaning towards the mic with a broad, toothy smile. "Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome!" he greeted loudly with a friendly wave. It was the man Channing had sponsored for his new project. "My name is Sam, Sam Liu, and as the CEO and host of today's event, I hope you all are having a good time! Now, there are many things that I want to say..."
CEO Liu's speech began its long journey, and it wasn't even two minutes into the speech before Channing was already lost back in his own thoughts, zoning out completely. "File cabinet thirteen...," he murmured to himself. "Plan number four...six p.m...tell June to feed Bree..."
About ten minutes passed before his muttering was cut off by a new weighing presence.
An arm slammed down on Channing's shoulders, forcefully drawing him out of his daze, and he looked up in annoyance to see the face of a very familiar douchebag.
Or, perhaps, he'd actually be the only one to call this person a douchebag.
Who would even dare to lay a finger on the renowned President Yue, top businessman and richest in the country, who was also well known for his outward stubborn and cold personality?
Of course, this charismatic man, with his usual bold and shameless act, was none other than the great President Yue's one and only friend.
"I finally found you!" Young Jae beamed happily, giving Channing a couple of light flicks in the forehead with his fingers. "Why are you standing here all alone in the dark, do you know how long it took for me to find you?"
Channing grumbled under his breath as his friend wrapped his arm heartily around his shoulders, using him as a wall to lean his dead-weight against as he gave passersby flirty winks and air kisses.
Still, he didn't mind this extra company...but only because Jae was his friend. No other reason.
"I didn't think you were invited to this event," Channing remarked. This was a hotel grand opening...what business did the director of the entertainment industry have coming here? Young Jae's flashy and lax style by no means fit in at all...
Compared to Channing's neatly pressed, black suit, his friend's dyed-hair, sparkling shades, wrinkled dress shirt, and chains hanging ridiculously from his belt was just too eye-catching. Attention was the last thing he needed right now.
Jae turned his head so that he was looking right into Channing's steady eyes, a smile twinkling in his own. "Of course, I came here on my own will once I found that my little workaholic has finally stepped out of his office. You think lacking an invitation will stop me from coming?" he teased.
But as he saw how Channing's expression didn't change one bit, he flashed a grin of prickly irritation, let down. And so he rolled up his sleeves before he pounced and reached for Channing's hair, catching his friend entirely off guard.
"!" Channing nearly tripped over his own feet as he was wrestled into a headlock, his hair being mercilessly tugged at.
"How you like that, huh?" Jae asked through his clenched teeth. "Huh? You haven't seen me in three weeks and this is my greeting? I even came to visit you in my own free time, and you didn't even say 'hello, Jaejae' once! Just how dense are you? Do I have to- agh!"
Jae cried in pain and quickly loosened his grip around Channing's neck to clutch his side where he was elbowed without remorse. "You didn't have to be that harsh, did you?" he wailed loudly, drawing eyes nearby.
Channing scoffed, his hair all ruffled and standing up at weird angles. "Shut up. You asked for it, you little piece of-"
Their little dispute was cut short all of a sudden when a woman with brown hair in a gradient pink dress knocked right into Channing's arms, throwing out her hands to cling tightly onto his clothes before she could hit the ground.
The two friends blinked at the woman, stunned speechless, as she helped herself stand and regain balance, all the while getting her hands all over Channing's clothes and arms, sticking unnecessarily close to him even when she could stand by herself.
Channing's wide eyes flew to Jae's for help desperately as he stood as rigid as a block of ice, flustered and confused. But all his Jae did in response was gawk at them and mouth: 'Don't ask me, I'm a virgin! How the hell am I supposed to know what to do?'
Channing scowled. What does being a virgin have anything to do with this? But desperate to get out of this situation, he started, "...Excuse me-"
"Ah!" the woman suddenly cried out, her hand moving to cover her mouth in feigned surprise. She looked up at gave Channing a nervous look before stepping back. "Oh my...P- President Yue, I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"
"You...what do you think you're doing!?" a voice interrupted before she could finish her sentence.
All three of them looked up to see another woman storming towards them, her jet-black hair and elegant dark-blue dress sent flying. The disgust and anger on her face were clear, and that authoritative sharp voice of hers said everything that was needed.
The woman jumped at the sound of her voice, the delicate expression wiped off from her face and replaced with a look of fear. "M- Miss Jenna," she stammered. "I- I wasn't doing anything...I swear."
"Jaena?" Jae lit up at the sight of his cousin, certain that she had a way to save them from this unexpected mess.
Jenna Young appeared by their sides, glaring darkly at the younger woman. "I've been watching you, girl. Don't even try to hide it. You can fool these two blockheads but not me!" she thundered. "Purposefully throwing yourself on President Yue in front of your company's director, have you no shame?"
Jae and Channing simultaneously scowled. Who was she calling blockheads?
Regret flashed before the woman's eyes, and her hands balled into tight fists at her sides, clumping up her dress. "N- no! I wasn't! It was an accident!" she insisted. "It was nothing more!"
She backed away from the three, cowering under Jenna's penetrating gaze. "I'm so- sorry! Please forgive me!" She bowed low, hoping to be pardoned.
Jenna sniffed and flicked a strand of her hair out of her face. "Once more and I'll have you fired from the industry," she warned. "Get out of here."
Without another second of hesitation, the woman scurried away to hide her embarrassment for being caught in the middle of her act.
Jenna then turned around on the two men, her demeanor taking a complete one-eighty transformation. She smiled brightly at her cousin and his friend, though both of them could see the warning behind her smile. "Don't get fooled by these small actresses," she said sweetly. Her words were pointed at Jae as she added, "Always be careful of who you hire into your company."
She gave them both a pat on the arm before she set off with a little wave. "Have fun, boys!" she sang. "Don't get into any more trouble. Good to see you, Channing."
Before Jae could get the chance to beg his cousin to stay, she had already disappeared back into the chattering crowds, leaving the two to stare after the direction she left in bafflement.
Jae glanced over at Channing, his mouth open and unsure what to say. "M- maybe we should just stay outside," he suggested.
Channing silently agreed and turned, also grateful for a reason to leave the ballroom back into the likable empty halls.
"I gotta go to the restroom, I'll be back," Jae said. He turned down the shiny marble hall, but not before flashing Channing a skeptical look with narrowed eyes. "Don't you go running off back to your office, I have a whole day planned ahead of us."
Channing rolled his eyes. As if anyone was going to stop him from going back.
Jae quickly disappeared, and Channing was just about to leave when curiosity took the best of him. In such a huge, expensive hotel that he sponsored, why not check out how well Sam Li handled the money he gave him?
He turned away from the glass panels and the exits and guided himself to the lobby using the black labels that pointed in specific directions. His footsteps echoed on the polished, marble flooring until he found the grand lobby, his shoes hitting the wavy carpet lining.
Besides the few receptionists behind the counters, the worker manning the refreshments, and the idle janitors, it was quiet, just like a library. Hanging lights brightly lit the area, glass panels gave a view of the outdoors, and cushioned leather seats in various shades of brown were spread about the carpet.
Satisfied with the view, he headed to explore a different section of the hotel when a flash of black caught his eye.
He stopped in his tracks and whirled back around, his eyes landing on an awfully familiar pale face, a line of black stretching across the eyes and under thick strands of long, midnight-black hair.
It's him.
And before he knew it, Channing was walking towards him, completely drawn by the man's calming presence.
Today, he was wearing a long, gray trench coat over a black turtle neck sweater and pressed black pants, and Channing wondered if he was also a guest to today's event. But if he was, what was he doing here in the lobby?
He appeared so relaxed, sitting with his legs crossed and his left arm propped up by the elbow on the arm of the chair, the side of his head resting on his loose, left fist. A distant smile brushed his lips, and he remained still, unmoving.
Channing frowned, blinking in confusion.
There was no reaction, none at all.
Could it be that...he was sleeping?