24K Magic for a Perfect Illusion

Ch 19: I Just Want to Take You Higher

In the presidential suite of Goddesseth Hotel in New York City.

Hestia is smiling from ear to ear while staring blankly on the closed door right in front of her.

She still can’t believe that she just shook hands and had a chit chat with her idol.

She used to watch him on stage before when she followed him in every concert as an avid fan when she was only a student.

It’s just that when Ves left she also lose the craze she had for any celebrities that she adores because of their passion and art.

“Are you going to stand there all day?” Hearthof called Hestia’s attention who’s obviously still in daze.

Hestia snapped back to her senses and turned around without losing the smug look on her face. “He’s charming, don’t you think?”

“Tch. Just because he flashed you with his million-dollar smile you think he’s charming now.” Hearthof snorted. “I thought you only like his music and nothing else, hmm??”

“Well, I do like his outfits in his every concert and speaking of concert, let’s join the rest of the crowd instead of watching from backstage. You said you’ve never been into a concert before, right?” Hestia raising her eyebrows up and down with a playful smile on her face. “This will be your first ever concert to attend to so you should experience what I felt on my first time.”

“Although I’ve never been to a concert before I don’t think joining the crowd is a good idea.” Hearthof shook his head as he already pictured of standing for hours and bumping with other people while jamming to the lively music.

“Oh, come one, it’s not like you’re watching a concert every day. Just try it for once!” Hestia insisted.

“Well missy, in case you forget, you’re in my care now. You don’t have any of your ladies to secure your safety all the time. You’re my responsibility and if anything happens to you, I’ll be liable to your family, and I don’t want them to be my enemy. I can’t risk your safety just because you want to have fun.” Hearthof stated.

“Wow, you’re stricter than Papa and a nagger like Mama.” Hestia mocked. “Even Lolo isn’t boring as you. Should I call you grandpa again since you’re behaving like an elder to me?”

“I’m serious Hestia and I really am older than you for two years.”

“Alright, Grandpa, let’s do what you see fit.” Hestia rolled her eyes and walked towards the bedroom. “I’m taking a rest now. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” she waved her hand and mumbled, “If it’s Ves he’ll just say yes to me no matter what I say.”

Hearthof heard the name ‘Ves’ and he subconsciously clenched his fists. ‘She’s with me but she’s still thinking about other man!’

There are three bedrooms in the suite and there are two suites in the floor, Hearthof rather stay with Hestia than to leave her alone with a man next door.

Although he’s supposed to go home at the Goddesseth Manhattan villa, he chose to occupy the other bedroom in the suite.

The next day, Hestia woke up after 12 hours of sleep, well she just flew from Seoul to New York just to see her idol.

“Good morning.” Hearthof greeted Hestia whose hair is messy with disheveled pajamas on.

Obviously, Hestia just got up from bed without looking herself through the mirror and went out straight ahead to the common room probably to call for breakfast delivery.

Hestia looked at Hearthof with her wide eyes open from shock, she didn’t expect him to be in the suite as soon as she woke up.

“You … didn’t go home last night and slept here??” Hestia asked.

“It’s not like we shared the same bed last night. I slept on the room next to yours. So, what are you worried about?” Hearthof took a sip of his coffee as he already ordered breakfast for them.

“Give me a few minutes.” Hestia rushed back to her room and tidy herself up.

She thought that she was alone that’s why she’s too carefree with her appearance, although Hearthof is her best friend he’s still a man and she’s a woman.

A few minutes was a lie, Hestia took a long time in the bathroom and got out after making sure she’s presentable enough as a lady.

“I’ll take note from now on that when you said a few minutes that’s two minutes after an hour.” Hearthof said as a matter-of-fact.

Hestia clad in a small white t-shirt and denim pants, sat across Hearthof in the dining area. “I just did what I have to do before seeing others after getting up from bed.”

“The coffee’s gone cold so I asked for a new one but it also turned cold again. I didn’t know that it’ll took you an hour just to get ready. Next time, eat first before you do your morning routine.”

“Well, I intend to order for breakfast and do my routine while waiting for the room service. I didn’t know that you’re here and you already did it for me.” Hestia took the juice. “I don’t drink coffee in the morning anyway. I actually prefer milk or juice or tea depending on what my breakfast is.”

“I see.” Hearthof nodded. “Let me heat your meal in the microwave oven first, at least have something warm.” he’s about to take her plate but Hestia shielded her food.

“It’s alright. I can’t wait any longer, I’m already famished. It’s been 20 hours since I last had a meal.” Hestia put the sausage in her mouth.

Hearthof sighed helplessly. “I told you to eat something before going to bed but you didn’t listen.”

“Please stop nagging. I know I’m at fault, alright?” Hestia pouted.

“Fine. I’ll be in my room then to take a shower. I’ll leave the door open for you.” Hearthof teased.

“Eww. I’m not a pervert.” Hestia snorted. “As if you’ve got some abdominal muscles with that skinny frame of yours?”

“How do you know if I have or don’t? You’ve never seen me half-naked before.” Hearthof walked towards Hestia until he’s standing beside her. “Touch me.”

Hestia subconsciously looked at Hearthof’s crotch and swallowed hard before she averts her gaze and shake off her dirty thoughts.

“Why would I touch you?” Hestia’s face reddened. “Get lost!”

Hearthof noticed all Hestia’s movement and he curled up his lips into a smile when she had dirty thoughts on him. “Should I show it to you then?” he pretended to unbuckle his belt to tease her more.

“W-What are you doing?” Hestia stammered as she caught a glimpse of what Hearthof doing on her side.

“I just want to prove that I’m not skin and bones as what you thought I am.” Hearthof lifted up his shirt to show off his abdominal muscles.

Hestia was covering her eyes with her hand but there’s a partition between her fingers so she can see whatever Hearthof wants to show to her. “Oh wow! You really have abdominal muscles and there’s six of them. Though they don’t look too visible but they’re still there. Are you working out?” she poked his abdominal muscles as if she’s still not convinced that they are real.

“The fitness room in my penthouse isn’t just for decoration.” Hearthof grabbed Hestia’s hand. “That’s enough you’re tickling me. Go ahead and eat your breakfast. I won’t take long to get ready myself.”

“Yeah sure.” Hestia withdrew her hand. “You’re a man so what kind of routine will take you too long in the shower?”

“Oh, that’s when …” Hearthof was about to say m**********g but he held back because he doesn’t want to disgust Hestia.

Although he can joke to her, he still should filter what to say or not to her, Hestia looks too innocent and he doesn’t want to taint her with his words or actions.

“That’s when … what?” Hestia probed as she really doesn’t know the reason why men take long to shower.

“Nothing.” Hearthof sighed. “Just eat your breakfast.” he turned around and leave to his bedroom.

The two left the suite after half an hour, since the concert will be held in the evening, they stroll around New York City first.

Donned with white collared shirt and cream slacks, Hearthof has a low-key attire that no one would mistake him as the president of the Goddesseth hotels.

Hestia told him to change when he wore his usual business casual attire as it wasn’t appropriate for attending a concert.

“Let’s take a picture over there!” Hestia dragged Hearthof along to take pictures since he took her to famous tourist spots in NYC.

Although it wasn’t the first time for Hestia in NYC, she didn’t have time before to visit around as she only goes to New York to watch Broadway shows or concerts and attend fashion weeks.

“Done.” Hearthof shakes the photo paper after the polaroid camera printed the picture right away.

“Let me see.” Hestia seized the photo away to check how Hearthof took her picture. “Hmm … not bad, you captured the statue very well in this angle.”

“I didn’t squat down for nothing.” Hearthof rubbed his nose.

“You know what, why don’t you be a photographer?” Hestia is very satisfied with all her pictures taken by Hearthof. “You have a potential; you could probably do an exhibit someday.”

“Sure. As long as you’ll be my model. I’ll be a photographer then.”

“How much will you pay me?” Hestia showed her hand like she’s asking for alms. “My talent fee is quite high.”

“If you’ll take nudes then I’m willing to pay a million or two but of course that’s for my personal collection.” Hearthof joked.

“No way! I’m not short of money either.” Hestia harrumphed.

“I know. I’m just pushing my luck.” Hearthof shrugged. “Let’s grab some meal first before going to the concert ground.” he looked at his wrist watch, the only thing that proves he’s indeed rich.

“What do you recommend to eat?” Hestia put the camera and the picture on her bag that Hearthof is carrying for her.

“If you’re down with the New York style pizza then I know the best place to dine in.” Hearthof waiting for Hestia’s response as she doesn’t like unhealthy foods.

Hestia thinks that she never tried it before so why not give it a try although she usually refuses unhealthy meals, “Pizza for dinner then.” she finally compromised since she initiated to ask Hearthof.

“Great! I’ll take you there.” Hearthof hold Hestia’s hand as they walk across the street to get to their car.

Hearthof is driving his white 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS that he used during college years since it was left in the garage of their villa in NYC.

When the two arrived at the pizzeria, there was a long queue outside the shop which means that the restaurant is really famous to locals as well as foreigners, but Hearthof skipped the line and went straight ahead inside.

Truth to be told, the one managing the restaurant works for Hearthof’s stepfather, the pizzeria is one of the legal businesses that they run as a façade for shady transactions.

It just so happened that the pizza they make is really delicious so it became famous after opening the shop for a month.

After having dinner, the two went to the concert venue.

Hearthof compromised to Hestia in the end, thus they’re both standing near the stage along with the huge crowd.

They were standing by the rail first but as the show goes on, they were pushed to the middle but not that far from the front.

“Hmph!” Hestia snorted because of the tall man that blocked her view to the stage. “I can’t see.”

Hearthof isn’t in a good mood from the very beginning but he endured every discomfort because Hestia wants to stay until the concert ends, the only thing that convinced him is that he can hold Hestia close to his body without her being reluctant.

Instead of focusing on the show, Hearthof is concentrating more on Hestia whose standing in front of him, thus he heard her complaint with the man.

“Come here.” Hearthof made space for them two and squatted down. “Hop on!” he gestured Hestia to get on his shoulders.

“Are you sure?” Hestia looked around and other girls are doing the same thing too. “I’m quite heavy.” she said but she still hopped on and put her thighs on Hearthof’s shoulders.

“I just want to take you higher so you can enjoy the show again.”