Chapter 33: Between Moon and Spotlight
The Chef x The Celebrity
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~ Date: June 27th – Interstellar Year 2422 ~
~ Location: In transit from Luna Bellflower Moon to Terra Anka PXD2422 ~
~ The Golden Dragon Star Nexus Intergalactic Empire ~
✨─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───✨
🐦🔥 [ Phoenix ☯ POV ] 🐦🔥
Phoenix sat in the main cabin of the luxury ship production had sent for him, one hand resting lightly on the snack box Nuna had packed. Through the observation window, Luna Bellflower Moon slowly fell away beneath them, its pale atmosphere thinning into silver-blue haze as the ship angled toward Terra Anka proper.
To anyone watching, he probably looked absorbed in the view.
In truth, his mind had not stopped circling the morning. Bai Yu Ning's arrival. Yong-Jae's suspiciously still reaction. Eomeoni noticing everything. Solaris humming with amusement through the bond. It was all far too entertaining for a man being delivered toward contract review, cameras, and an empire-wide production schedule.
Phoenix's mouth curved before he could stop it. His hyung might be in trouble. Possibly wonderful trouble.
The reflection in the observation glass caught that expression: amethyst eyes bright with mischief, lips curved in a sly little smile, the exact sort of look that had probably inspired Solaris to compare him to a nine-tailed fox.
The thought made him huff softly. Unfortunately, his amusement did not last.
The curve of his smile faded as an older, quieter ache rose beneath it. Matchmaking other people was easy. Recognizing affection in someone else's eyes was easy. Believing it could ever belong to him was something else entirely.
Phoenix looked back out the window. He had lived too many lives behind walls built for survival. Some wounds no longer announced themselves with pain. They simply changed the shape of what felt possible.
Knowing did not always feel like forgiveness.
A faint heaviness settled in his chest. How was he supposed to let anyone close when some part of him still flinched from the idea of being truly seen? How was he supposed to believe someone could look at every broken, stolen, and scarred piece of him and still choose to stay?
His fingers tightened briefly against Nuna's snack box. Then he closed his eyes.
Not now.
He had promised Solaris he would not keep tearing himself open in silence. He had promised he would try to stop treating old wounds like proof that he was unworthy of warmth. The thoughts still came, but he did not have to follow them all the way down.
So he breathed. Once. Twice. By the third breath, the sharpest edge had dulled.
When Phoenix opened his eyes again, Luna Bellflower Moon was smaller beyond the glass, and his reflection looked calmer than he felt. Good enough. For now.
He turned away from the window and glanced toward Bai Yu Ning. If the morning had taught him anything, it was that his new assistant was far more interesting than her calm professional face suggested. And if she really might become connected to Yong-Jae someday, then Phoenix had every reason to get to know her properly.
"Bai Yu Ning-ssi," Phoenix said after he had steadied himself, turning away from the observation window, "if you do not mind me asking, how would you prefer I address you while we are working together?"
Bai Yu Ning looked up from her tablet, visibly surprised by the question. "Whatever makes you comfortable, Phoenix-ssi. I am older than you, but not by enough that I would expect anything particular. That said, I gathered from production notes that your family still maintains Korean honorifics."
Phoenix nodded. "I would normally use Bai Yu Ning-ssi unless you prefer something else. Since your family has ancient Chinese roots, I could also use xiǎo jiě, or simply Miss Bai if that feels more comfortable. Your preference matters as much as mine."
Her professional expression softened by a fraction. "Thank you. You are the first person I have technically worked for who has asked so directly. My family does trace its lineage to China from ancient Earth, and I appreciate the offer, but Bai Yu Ning-ssi is perfectly fine. Since your family honors Korean roots, it feels respectful from you rather than presumptuous."
She hesitated, then added with a small, rueful smile, "Please do not call me nim, though. That would be far too formal, especially when you have already made it clear you prefer a more comfortable working relationship."
Xiǎo jiě means "Miss" in Mandarin. Ssi is a Korean honorific similar to Mr., Mrs., or Miss, while nim is more formal and respectful.
"Then Bai Yu Ning-ssi it is," Phoenix said. "And I am sorry you have worked with people who looked down on you because of position or status. I will not do that. No matter how long you work with me, I will treat you with respect so long as you do the same for me."
Bai Yu Ning bowed her head, the gesture small but sincere. "Thank you, Phoenix-ssi. I will respect your trust and assist you as fully as I can, so long as it does not conflict with my core beliefs."
"That is all I would ask," Phoenix replied. "Also, for production, please call me Phoenix. Beyol Bong Tae-Hwan is fine for documents, but on The Chef and The Celebrity, I would rather staff and viewers get used to Phoenix from the start."
"Understood." Bai Yu Ning made a quick note on her tablet. "I will update the working name in production communications and make sure anyone interacting with you directly uses Phoenix unless legal paperwork requires your full name."
Phoenix watched the smooth efficiency of her hands, then lowered his voice slightly. "Since you were assigned to me personally, I assume you know about my secondary status."
Her expression turned serious at once. "Yes. The file was restricted, but I was given the necessary information because of my assignment. Part of my role is public support, scheduling, and coordination. The other part is quiet protection."
Phoenix's eyes softened, though his voice stayed firm. "I appreciate that, but I do not want you putting yourself in unnecessary danger on my behalf."
Bai Yu Ning's chin lifted. "I may be a female beta, and people may underestimate me because of that, but I can say with conviction that I will protect you if circumstances require it. That said, I am not only a bodyguard. I truly am your assistant as well, so please rely on me, Phoenix-ssi."
"Then I will," Phoenix said. "But I also hope we can become comfortable with one another before the show ends. Friendship would be nice. Family would be even better, if that ever feels natural to you. Until then, please use whatever form of address makes you comfortable."
For the first time, Bai Yu Ning's smile reached her eyes. "I will call you Phoenix-ssi for now, especially in front of others. I will work on dropping the honorific later. Some habits are harder to change than others."
"That is true," Phoenix said, smiling back. "We have time."
Phoenix continued getting to know his new personal assistant and possible future friend—perhaps even future sister-in-law, if Yong-Jae's suspicious tea-cup performance meant anything. He had a strong feeling Bai Yu Ning and Yong-Jae were at least aware of one another in a way that had nothing to do with production schedules. Apparently, his brothers were doing decently in the romance department. Or, more accurately, they were already swimming in circles around their own fins and would probably need help eventually.
Phoenix might lack personal romantic experience in any healthy sense, but he had lived long enough to recognize love birds when they were pecking awkwardly around the same branch. He would not interfere unless necessary. Probably.
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