"Let's go."
He looks confused when I stood up and prepared to leave.
"Didn't you say you, we'll stay here?"
"I say a lot of things. But I kind of wanted to see where you're taking me..."
She smiled at him and wave her hand. "So, you're invitation is still on or you already regret it?"
He walked towards her by the door and picked up his coat by the rack on the hallway. He followed her towards the elevator while his eyes are still on her.
"Where are we going?"
They were already driving out of the basement parking.
"To experience, Korean culture that you are only seeing on TV dramas. But let's pass by my place and get the suitable gear for it."
"This experience can be done in 2 hours?"
"More than enough..."
We passed by a Rapha store to get biking clothes before going to his apartment to change and bring 2 bicycle. I didn't notice it this morning when I woke up, but his penthouse is huge. It has 5 rooms, his bedroom, a guest bedroom, a fitness area, a study and a mini conference area. It has 2 full bath and 1 toilet and open dining and living and a narrow balcony that surrounds the whole apartment with an open garden terrace by the mini conference area. I checked my phone to see why it had been vibrating earlier. I saw calls and voicemail from Lisa, my secretary. I called her to know the urgent calls, she just usually leaves a voicemail saying call back when there's an urgent thing that needed to be discussed.
While waiting for Jae-woo to finish getting ready, I called Lisa. I wwandered around and finally settled in the balcony to have the call.
"Ara, have you read about the email I sent? It's about the publication of your book…I needed to have an answer immediately because it should be printed by Monday…also, Belle ask me to send you the copy of the new proposal for franchise…"
"Ok wait, I have to open my email first."
"Just get back to me when you've read the emails but review the manuscript first." She informed and I hang up.
I am already going back there tomorrow anyway, why the need for her to rush me with it. I shouldn't have get ahead of myself. Because what I didn't expect is the big problem waiting for me as I stepped back inside the room.
"Hi Joon, long time no see." I greeted the unexpected other person in the room, his assistant.
I alternately glance at them and I am not mistaken to assume that there's a big problem that came up.
"Hey. If something came up, you don't need to bring me out. We can always schedule it when I come back." I am oblivious of the look they're giving me. Like as if they are worried , while the other one is more nervous.
"I'm afraid you can't get out for the moment either..." Jae-woo informed, a little hesitant in his voice.
"Why not?"
"There are reporters outside…" he causally informed.
"What?! WHY?!" my voice suddenly raised due to total surprise. They are also shocked and before they can say anything, there is a ring from the doorbell.
How long was I out at the balcony? Why does it seem like time had been fast forwarded?
"Come in…this is Amy and Jun-ki, meet Ara", he informally introduced me to the new faces. He ushered us all the conference room.
"So, what's this about?" I am a little worried now.
"Have you heard from anyone yet?" I understood from anyone he means from the people I know in Seoul.
"Nope. I was about to call Prof Kim, but I have other important stuff to attend to. What about?"
Amy put the computer screen on the projector. It's Jae-woo's picture with attach picture of me and him at the restaurant. That was our first meeting. Under our picture is the only phrase I read since it's the only one written in English, "Flavor of the Month". I laughed upon seeing it. And they just look at me…
"Flavor of the month," I resounded. They are speechless by my lack of concern probably. Murphy's law, any bad thing that ought to happen is bound to happen no matter how much I try to avoid it.
"Sorry, that's the only thing I can understand. So, how many flavors do you have?" I looked at him, my sarcasm is very undeniable. I'm not sure if it's because I am disappointed or just hurt.
"We managed to take down most of the computer searches, but the individual articles from online news and probably the printed ones we cannot avoid that."
"I needed a full grasp of what's going on, so if you can please explain to me in a more detailed manner, I would very much appreciate it." It's time to get serious.
"Please excuse us for a while. You can monitor the keywords and searches if it's still coming up." He ordered them out.
"Déjà vu." I remarked.
"Apparently, someone had been tailing me ever since that night I brought you home from SNU. They already found out who leaked the photos, we really cannot make any legal step since the evidence are circumstancial. We just manage to minimize the other stuff from surfacing…"
"Other stuff?"
"Someone has already got hold of your personal info from the university, and they found out about your divorce and Marcus. I'm sorry." His face also sullen.
I held my face in disbelief. It's been a week since they have this information, of course for a week they can dig up a lot during those times.
"How did they get hold of that private information?" I am just in disbelief right now.
"Ku Yeo-jin…"
"Who? Why?"
"I'm sorry. It's all my fault." He looked so disheartened. I'm looking at him waiting for his explanation. Of course, it's all on him.