Chapter 40 - 10 Years From Now

"I do! I am happy I chose your box. Forget everything I said!" He declared and stood up, not realizing the waitress was carrying a tray with their meal behind him. When he stood, he banged into the large tray and their meals wobbled before it fell landing on the nice expensive carpet.

Shun's mouth hung opened and he stared at the mess for a long time, before profusely apologizing. He grabbed the tablecloth on the table and proceeded to help the waitress clean the mess.

"I am so sorry! So, so, sorry!"

"No, it is my fault, Xiong Shun. Please, you do not need to clean this. I can do it."

"No, no. Let me, please. It is my fault," Shun felt so terrible that he was willing to part with all his money just to pay even half of the mess.

Shun, as a lazy prince, barely knew how to clean anything. Wipe a spill? Sure. Pick things up? Easy. Grabbing cooked tender meat and sauce on the carpet of an expensive restaurant? Nope.

Each time he grabbed the meat, they would fall apart making more of a mess. Each time he gathered the sauce into a pond in his cloth, it dripped into a clean area of the carpet. Shun was truly a lost cause.

"Ah Shun," the waitress laughed softly and took out a napkin, "You are getting your handsome face so dirty."

Shun dropped his shoulders and watched the female shook her head. She took the white handkerchief and wiped the sauce that somehow flew up to land on his chin and cheek. Another employee came and swept up the mess and said his thanks to Shun, before spraying something into the carpet to take out the stains. Shun apologized again and sat down covering his face.

"Are you alright, gege?" Ping asked scooting closer to his friend.

"I ruined our lunch, so… no. I am not alright."

"They will bring out another order," Jin nodded over to the waitress who smiled and went to the kitchen, "There is no need to worry."

"I look like an idiot," Shun growled before slapping his cheeks, "Alright! No more looking like a fool starting right now!"

Shun was determined not to make a mess again so he sat as still as he could. This only earned laughter from his friends.

"You two are certain you wish to be idols?" Jin questioned and they nodded, "This," he waved at the people behind the curtains, "This would be normal. Do you think you can handle it?"

Shun really do not want to handle it. He liked his privacy. Even as a prince, there was always someone watching him, dotting him, making sure nothing happened to the princes and princesses of Palladia Kingdom. One of the reasons he ran away to be alone to the hills, at the lake, and under the bridge.

"If you can, then I can too," Ping nodded drinking his water.

Jin's smile softened and he let out a small chuckle.

'Only if you knew, baby cousin…'

"I think it is a little weird," Shun spoke up, "I mean, you can't eat in peace or go anywhere alone. Especially when you are super popular."

"Then what will you do?" Jin questioned and Shun shrugged unsure of the answer.

He made a promise to Xiong Shun and to Wen Dong. He had to at least do his best and not be a lazy bum about it. Their meals finally came and they finally were able to taste what an expensive meal tasted like.

Delicious.

Both Shun and Ping were swooning with every bite and Jin just chuckled watching the boys. The quirk of brows were aimed at him and the idol prince let out a sigh, joining them in eating. When Shun and Ping stuffed themselves, they sighed and melted into the couch with pleased smiles.

"Ah, to eat like this… Being an idol is worth it," Shun mentioned and Ping with his head on his shoulder nodded in agreement.

"How was the meal, sirs? Is there anything else I can get you?" The waitress asked and Shun patted his belly.

"Delicious. Please tell the cook that it was worth every coin of Jin's," he grinned and the female laughed, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Next time, you pay Shun."

"Eh? That would have to be when I am famous like you!" Shun sat up trying to calculate the years by counting his fingers, "Like 10 years from now maybe."

"Then I shall wait."

"Really?!"

Jin grinned into his milk tea and Shun found his cheeks warming. Did… did they just made a date 10 years from now?!

Coughing to hide from the excitement in his heart, he saw the total cost on the bill the waitress left them. His eyes popped out and his mouth dropped once more.

'That much for just Ping's order! I can't imagine how much it would be if Jin and I ordered a meal as well!'

Paying for their meal, they followed the bodyguard out the back side of the building. They were hoping to avoid the reporters and the fans, but unfortunately some caught wind and were waiting.

"Jin! Hello!" One of the fan waved her hand, recording them as they left.

Jin smiled and held up finger hearts, winking at the fan's cameras. They were also calling out his name and Ping's name, so they waved and smiled. A reporter tried to get past the bodyguard, but the man held an arm forward to stop her.

"Jin! Is it true you are getting back together with Gina and Lisa is just for show?"

'Gina? The female idol I met? Wait… who is this Lisa people keep being up?!' Shun blinked and looked over to see Jin stopped and turned to the reporter. The idol prince was smiling, but being this close, it was chilling and not like the perfect idol at all.

"Miss, I just had a great lunch with the contestants of Project Idol. Today is not about me, it is about them. Do you have any questions for them?"

The reporter looked miffed and there was a deep frown on her face, before she forced a smile and looked at Ping and him.

"Xiong Shun and Ping Ping, how is the competition so far? You both had breakdowns for the world to see. Was it for the show, or was it real? Can you tell the people if Heeang really sabotage you, Xiong Shun? Did he also sabotage a win for Kaiden at the ball pit obstacle race?"