He found a parking spot and turned the car off, then walked up to the door and rang the buzzer of the exclusive club. Someone looked at him through a small sliding door. He showed his membership card and gained entrance.
Takumijo entered. For the next couple of hours, what he did behind closed doors was nobody's business.
Chapter Fifteen
"You look fantastic," Shaundra told Cristal once Shaundra finished styling Cristal's hair. "You must be very excited seeing him after such a long time."
"I didn't think I would be, but yes. I am. I can't wait for you to meet him."
"I've heard a lot about him. I hear he's gorgeous."
Cristal nodded. "Of course not as gorgeous as Ichiro, but he runs a close second."
Shaundra chuckled. "I still want to meet him. If he's a friend of Satoshi's he must be great."
"You mind if I ask you something?"
"Sure," Shaundra replied.
"Have you ever been in love with two men at the same time?"
Shaundra sat down on Cristal's bed. "Yes. Why?"
"How did you decide which one of them was the right one?"
Shaundra sighed. "I just followed my heart. I took a long look at both of them to figure out which one would be there for me in the long haul, and which one would be least and most affected by my decision. So, I ask you again, why?"
"I suddenly find myself in that position."
"Ah, Yi-jun and Satoshi?"
Cristal nodded.
"I thought so. You're the only woman I ever saw Satoshi look twice at who wasn't me." Shaundra smirked.
Cristal gasped. "So, it's all true. I mean, what I heard about you guys?"
Shaundra nodded. "But I made the right choice, and you will too."
"But how do I choose? They both have so much to offer."
"Ask yourself which one of them would lay down his life for you, choose you over his job, will be by your side and cry for you when you die, or would move Heaven and earth to get to you when obstacles block your way. That is the one to choose."
The doorbell rang.
"Show's on," Shaundra said. "Lucky bachelor number two has arrived."
Cristal rose. "Do I really look okay?"
Shaundra nodded. "Girl, you're rocking that dress. If you don't believe me, watch Yi-jun's eyes when he sees you."
Shaundra rose from the bed. "I'm going downstairs to meet him so you can make a grand entrance."
Cristal nodded. "I'll be down in a minute."
Shaundra left.
Cristal took one last look at herself in the mirror and waited patiently for time to pass.
"When did you get in town?" Satoshi asked Yi-jun as they high-fived each other.
"A couple of hours ago. I wanted to surprise you."
"Come on in," Satoshi said. "I thought I wouldn't see you again until we arrived in China."
"I finished up with some of my commitments, so I figured I'd take a little trip."
"Korea to Japan is not a little trip." He led Yi-jun into the den. Yori and Amaya were seated, listening to music.
"Yi-jun!" Amaya screamed, hopping up from her seat and throwing herself into his arms like a star-struck fan. "What are you doing here?"
Yi-jun hugged Amaya. "I came to see you guys."
Yori rose and pulled his wife off of the movie star. "Nice to see you again." Both men shook hands.
"I'm sorry I couldn't make the wedding, but congratulations."
"Thanks for the gift," Amaya said, still looking at him. "I'll treasure it forever."
Yi-jun chuckled. "Same old Amaya."
Satoshi showed him to a seat. "What have you been up to?"
"Signing contracts. I just got the part in an American movie."
"No?"
Yi-jun nodded. "Yes. We start filming in two months."
"Man, you've always loved the United States."
"Yes. We got into so much trouble there when we were kids."
Ichiro and Shaundra entered the den.
Yi-jun hopped out of his seat. "Ichiro, damn, man, look at you. Where did those muscles come from?" He shook Ichiro's hand.
"The gym," Ichiro answered. "When did you get in?"
"This afternoon." He looked at Shaundra. "And who is this?"
Ichiro pulled Shaundra forward and held her hand. "This is my wife Shaundra. Shaundra, this is Yi-jun Lee. He's a famous movie star and Satoshi's best friend."
Yi-jun bowed to Shaundra. "Shaundra Morrison?"
Shaundra nodded and tried to step closer to him, but Ichiro held on tight.
"I've read all of your books."
Shaundra giggled. "So you're Satoshi's friend. I think you and I will be great friends, and you'll have to fill me in on what Satoshi was like as a child."
"You are so beautiful," Yi-jun said.
"So are you," Shaundra said with a smile.
"See, definitely Satoshi's friend," Ichiro said. "He's known you five minutes and