"Are they all inside?" the Director asked as he joined Lim Jae-Ho on the sidewalk.
"Yes, the flight from Los Angeles has been on the ground for about an hour and a half," Jae-Ho replied, he noted the Director's pallor, "You all right?"
"When have I ever been all right?" the Director snapped then sighed. "If it doesn't get any worse I'll be all right, Jae-Ho."
"If she was going to give you grief over this, I could have brought everyone to the facility on my own," Jae-Ho replied.
"She knew this was important," the Director said glaring off in the distance, "She's just making things difficult."
"Will this be the first time you have seen Ms. Shin in person?" Jae-Ho asked. He looked toward the glass doors.
"First time," the Director replied. "I have no idea what she looks like or even sounds like." He looked over at Lim critically, "But you know what Ms. Shin looks like don't you?"
Jae-Ho nodded. "Yes, I know." He replied angling an equally critical look back at the Director. He knew what all the entrants looked like. He had copies of their dossiers and recent passport photographs. He had also done a thorough Internet search and had a nearly complete background check of all four entrants. The most complete was Shin SooYun. "I'll go in and meet them, and the drivers can gather their luggage."
"Let me know if you need to press the security guards to speed up the checkpoints." The Director rumbled. "We need to get going."
Lim gave a sharp nod of his head and waved for one of the drivers to follow him inside.
SooYun continued to watch the interactions between the men in the Italian suits. The cold did not seem to affect either man. Then a driver and one of the suits came into the building. The man who had been talking to the Director glanced up at the four of them where they stood watching the activity outside. He went to the security station and spoke to the men behind the counter. He handed over a packet and the head security officer began to read the top sheet.
SooYun's attention was drawn back to the man waiting outside. He leaned on the hood of the car, fished into his jacket pocket, and drew out a green prescription bottle. He opened it, shook out a pill, and popped it into his mouth. He was tall and lean. His suit was a charcoal black double-breasted jacket. He wore a light grey dress shirt and a patterned brocade tie that was the same color as his suit. He glanced at his watch briefly then ran long slender fingers over his brow. His hair was black and cut close to the nape of his neck and ears, but long at the crown and was cut in a style that made him look like an Anime character. Both suited men looked like Anime characters straight from a graphic novel. They were lean, had sharp angles, and were incredibly expensive-looking. She looked over at Warren who raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Looks highly stressed out. Wonder what drugs he's taking?"
SooYun agreed with a nod of her head. "Looks like a really bad headache," She replied. "Migraines or something else?"
Warren scoffed lightly. "He's the first person I've ever seen look good being sick!"
She had to smile. She knew exactly what he meant. SooYun swung her backpack around and fished out her journal. Her sketching pencils were held in place by elastic bands in the front and she began with broad strokes drawing the man leaning on the hood of a car that both Warren and Gustav were lusting over. Warren leaned over to watch. "You documenting all this for future scenes?"
"Maybe," SooYun replied with a wry smile, "Mainly because taking phone pictures is a bit obvious."
As he watched her, he admired the way she minimally indicated the clean sharp lines of the man and the space around him. He continued to monitor the movement at the security desk while he watched SooYun draw. Then he turned his attention to the scene below, "Looks like we have some movement down below."
The man and a driver came up the stairs. He was also tall and lean with an expensive tailored suit in a dark oxblood color with a thin tan pinstripe. He wore wire-rimmed glasses, his hair was dark brown, and he looked like a fashion model from an Asian GQ magazine. As he and the driver reached the top of the stairs, he cast his eyes around the waiting area, and he paused briefly to look over the loose group. He spotted SooYun and glanced back out to where the Director waited at the car.
"He's coming up," Warren replied glancing first at SooYun and then at the approaching suit. She closed her journal and Warren drew her sketch pencil from her fingers and tucked it behind his ear.
He approached the group. He glanced at his notepad and then smiled at them each in turn. His gaze lingered on SooYun. "Ms. Shin SooYun?"
She nodded and bowed. "Yes, I am." He returned the bow neatly and smiled pleasantly at her. "Welcome to Korea. I am Lim Jae-ho, senior assistant to Director Jin. If you have your baggage tickets, the drivers will retrieve them and begin loading them into the SUVs."
SooYun pulled her three claim tickets from the front pocket of her backpack and everyone else started rummaging for their tickets. Brittany and Warren had at least six tickets each and Gustav had four. SooYun was conservative, with two bags, her carry-on, and her backpack. Warren passed his tickets to SooYun, and she was officially designated to gather the tickets from everyone. When she had them all in her hands, she handed them to the driver. He bowed and took the tickets. Mr. Lim turned to him, "Get the others to help you, we need to get on the way as soon as possible." The driver nodded and hurried downstairs signaling for the other drivers to help him.
"You will all need to go through a final inspection, but as soon as that is done we will get underway."
"Mr. Lim," Brittany slid up to stand in front of the group and directly in front of SooYun. "Is that the Director downstairs?"
Lim nodded and stepped back away, tugging nervously at his paisley tie. "Yes. He will be accompanying us to the Eagles Nest facility." He was polite to a fault, but he was not comfortable with her aggressiveness and the stiffness of his body communicated his disapproval. He glanced over at where SooYun now stood back with the young American man. He seemed to be just as aggressively familiar as Miss Woods.
Warren leaned into SooYun, "Poptart," he murmured.
SooYun decided to ignore Warren but could see that Lim was uncomfortable with Brittany's personal space invasion. She shouldered her backpack, went back over, and bowed as he stepped away from Brittany and turned to SooYun. "Mr. Lim, while we are waiting, would it be possible to freshen up?"
"Of course, I will address that right away." He strode off and Brittany seemed temporarily defeated. She turned her attention to SooYun, "I guess you're to be our den mother."
"Hey, watch the snark! She might be our boss at some point!" Warren told her. "Besides, we need someone to keep us in line," Warren quipped. "I think Reb's the best and logical choice."
Brittany flounced off and plopped down on the sofa. Lim returned with two attendants looking eager to assist. "If you go with them, they will show you where you can freshen up." He said and pulled his phone from his inside jacket pocket and pressed a set of characters.
SooYun smiled her thanks and she turned and signaled the others. When Brittany continued to sulk, she went over and collected the young woman. "Come on, a shower and change of clothes will make you feel better."
Brittany cast a sullen glare at SooYun, but she got up and grabbed her carry-on and they filed one by one behind the attendants to the bathrooms.
Once she was standing in the hot spray of the shower, SooYun sighed in relief. She scrubbed away all the traces of the trip and rinsed away the past. She rubbed her skin with lightly floral-scented moisturizer and changed into the second set of clothes she had packed. She now wore navy blue slacks and a matching long-sleeve tunic. She put her hoodie back on and zipped it up. She wore the same trainers but had a heavier pair of socks to keep her feet warm.
Brittany had changed, reapplied her makeup, and looked ready for a night out on the town. Warren and Gustav were already finished with their showers and had their heads bent over their phones. Brittany flung herself into a chair, took her phone out, and started texting. SooYun rolled her carry-on over to the area where Warren and Gustav had set up waiting. Warren glanced up at her, "They're having trouble with the luggage."
"What kind of trouble?" SooYun asked.
"Too much luggage, not enough SUV." He explained and pointed with his chin, "The Director just arrived up here and he and Mr. Lim are over there talking it out."
The Director was a dark contrast to Mr. Lim. He was taller and only slightly heavier in build. He stood, arms folded over his chest and head bowed listening to Lim. Then he spoke and the plan was made. The Director turned to glare first at the four entrants then out the window. The Director was not happy about having additional passengers in his car! The way he was feeling made him rethink having SooYun in the car was a mistake as well.
"It's too late to get another car here," Lim said, "The only way is to let Ms. Shin and Ms. Woods ride with you. You at least get that much of a visit."
"Tell them the plan!" The Director growled.
Mr. Lim came over and they all looked up at him expectantly. "You can begin going through the checkpoint. Once cleared, the ladies will ride with the Director and there is room in the first SUV for the rest of us."
"The luggage gets its own SUV?" Warren asked, "Dang, who brought their drum kit with them?"
"Apparently you did, Warren," SooYun remarked and smiled at his annoyance.
He saw the spark of challenge in her blue eyes and grinned back at her, "So I did Reb. But I think Poptart over there also made a huge luggage contribution."
"What did you call me?" Brittany snapped looking up from her phone.
Warren's smile was more snarl. "I called you Poptart. You remind me of a frosted strawberry Poptart."
She stared at him for a long moment, not sure whether she should be offended or flattered. Instead, she went back to her phone. "But I get to ride with the Director." She murmured and shot Warren a withering look over the top of her phone.
Lim caught the tail end of what Mr. Grisham was saying and he silently agreed with the young American's thoughts. He glanced over at LiYul.
Brittany volunteered to go through the checkpoint first, she fussed at the security men about pawing through her belongings then rode the elevator down with her carry-on case. Gustav went next and then Warren. SooYun hung back, wondering if the Director was going to even speak to her. So far he had made an appearance and looked completely put out by everything, including the riding arrangements. SooYun rolled her carry-on up to the security station and one of the agents lifted it onto the table. SooYun opened the case and then stepped back to stand on the small platform where a female agent slid a wand detector across her body.
"All right, who is who?" the Director growled at Jae-Ho. "Tell me it is not the nightclub dancer!"
Jae-Ho had to chuckle as he stood next to the Director watching the entrants go one by one through the checkpoints. "I think you already know, LiYul. But no, the one waiting to go through the checkpoint is yours."
The Director sent a fearsome glare at Lim. "Mine?"
"She doesn't look 37 years old does she?" Jae-Ho remarked. "I was surprised as well. I thought it might have been the one covered in glitter. I think the American entrant is trying his best to woo her."
The Director watched as SooYun stepped through the metal detector. One of the security guards indicated she needed to remove her jacket and take down her hair. She had done all these tasks several times because she quickly pulled her hair tie, and the golden ripple of hair came undone, and she shook it loose where it fell to her waist. She pulled her shoes off and her hoodie and stepped back through the checkpoint to be wanded a second time. A female security guard gave her a final pat down.
"I'll be outside!" the Director growled. He stalked past her where she was pulling her shoes back on. Their eyes met, and he glared at the nearest security guard who was studying SooYun appreciatively. SooYun bowed as he walked past her, and he paused long enough to return the bow silently.
Mr. Lim shook his head at LiYul, here was an opportunity lost! He walked over and picked up her hoodie. "Here let me help you," He held it for her to slip on. SooYun smiled her thanks slipped her arms in shrugged the jacket in place and zipped it up. She gathered up her carry-on and backpack and rolled the case alongside, as they walked toward the elevator. He smiled pleasantly at her, holding the elevator door open so she could get on before him. "Is this your first time in our country?"
The doors closed and they headed down. She glanced up at him, "Actually this is my second visit, but it doesn't count,"
"Oh? Why not?"
The first time, I was four years old, so I don't remember very much." She laughed lightly, "This is a brand-new adventure for me!"
They stepped outside and walked together toward the waiting vehicles and people. "I'll put your case in the car," Lim told her, "You want to hang onto your pack?"
"Yes, thanks." She replied.
He rolled her silver carry-on case to the back of the sleek black automobile. She noticed the Director was on his phone, pacing back and forth as he spoke. He glanced in her direction and then started to pace again as he listened to the speaker on the phone.
Lim closed the trunk and watched the interaction between the entrants. Brittany had already installed herself in the passenger seat of the car and smiled triumphantly at SooYun as she came up to where Warren was waiting for her.
"Reb, I hardly recognized you with your ponytail!" Warren leaned into her shoulder with his. She nudged him back and he shuffled off blowing a kiss at her, "Enjoy the ride!" She lifted her hand in a mocking salute and Warren slid into the SUV. SooYun turned and got in the back seat behind Brittany and closed the door.
Mr. Lim and the Director watched the exchange between SooYun and Warren in silent disapproval. The Director glared through the windshield of the car at Brittany. "You explained everything to them about me?"
"I will explain again," Lim said. "Give me just a minute to try to explain to Miss Woods."
The Director stepped away from the car, pulled his phone from his jacket pocket, and made a call while Lim came around to the passenger side and opened the door. He leaned down. "Just to brief you on how to interact with the Director," Lim reported. "Please do not attempt to touch him or make any move to restrain him. Because of his particular set of circumstances, he cannot tolerate being touched."
Brittany sighed in exasperation, but no one was certain she would keep her hands to herself. SooYun nodded silently and was just as satisfied not to engage the Director. Then the Director opened the driver's door and got in. He pulled his seatbelt on and looked into the rearview mirror at SooYun as he clicked the belt in place. Why did she have to look so young and pretty? He started up the engine and as it roared to life SooYun smiled in appreciation. She glanced up front and met the Director's dark gaze in the rearview mirror, she dropped her eyes to her backpack.
Brittany squealed in delight, "What a powerful engine!" she fanned her face with a well-manicured hand. SooYun saw the Director wince in pain, then he shifted into gear and the caravan began to move. Twilight was descending quickly and SooYun looked out the window at the new country.
The Director glanced in the rearview mirror and adjusted it slightly so he could study SooYun and monitor the traffic behind him. Why was she so attractive?
Brittany caught the look from the Director and glanced over her shoulder at SooYun too, and with a determined set of her jaw, turned toward the Director, leaned her elbows on the center console, and carried on a one-sided conversation. She pulled out all the stops in her flirtation playbook and was having no success. SooYun felt bad for Brittany, she was just trying too hard to impress someone who was distracted by some kind of internal stress and was in physical pain. The more she talked and leaned into his physical space the more he inched away. From the Director's body language, he wanted to be as far away from this situation as possible. He had his right hand and arm positioned high on the steering wheel, shoulder hitched up to shield his face. His whole body was turned away from Brittany.
Brittany continued firing questions at the Director and glancing triumphantly over her shoulder at SooYun. The Director gripped the steering wheel tightly and looked in the rearview mirror to find SooYun's quiet gaze on him. The wheels of the car sang over the highway and Brittany's voice became increasingly grating on even SooYun's nerves. Then SooYun's phone chimed, and the Director received a call at the same time. He tapped the earpiece in his right ear. Brittany only paused when he began speaking to his caller.
"Reb, I need you!" It was a text from Warren, and then it was a voice coming from the speakers in the car. It was Mr. Lim. He spoke in English. "Mr. Grisham says he needs help!"
SooYun sat forward, meeting the Director's fierce look in the rearview mirror. "There is a rest stop just a few kilometers ahead," the Director said to Lim, "Pull over there."
"What's wrong with him?" Brittany asked. She turned in her seat to glare accusingly at SooYun, "He sick or something?"
"He's diabetic," SooYun said. "He needs his insulin dose."
"Can't he do it himself?" Brittany demanded. "At this rate, we'll never get there if we have to keep stopping for every little thing! Isn't he capable of giving himself his shots? Why do you have to do it? What ---"
"Stop talking!" the Director announced over Brittany's monologue. It was not a request, it was a command! Even SooYun sat back and looked down at her phone and texted Warren, "Hang on, Warren. We're stopping at a rest area."
The Director swung off the highway and pulled up next to the SUV where Mr. Lim and Gustav were standing by the open back passenger door. The instant the car stopped SooYun swung out of the car and hurried over to take the red medical kit from Warren's hands. She went right to the blood tester and quickly pricked a finger on the hand closest to her. "370, Warren. Do you hear me? It's 370!"
"Same. Same Reb," Warren murmured.
She took the insulin pen and twisted the dosage to the 10cc mark. She tore open an alcohol pad, hiked up Warren's sweatshirt, and swabbed the area quickly above his belly button. Pinching the flesh, she injected the dosage. She pulled his shirt back into place and waited. From somewhere she heard Brittany's exclamations of panic, and that the Director was sick.
Mr. Lim clasped SooYun's shoulder, "Have everyone stay with the car, I'll be right back." He left to find the Director bent over a trash can. Brittany skittered away from the scene, got back into the car, and closed the door.
"LiYul, you can't drive in this condition," Lim said. "What do you want to do?"
"Find out who can drive the car," the Director said, "And get her out of the car!"
Lim knew he meant Brittany Woods and he knew not to tease the Director when he was in this much pain! "All right, LiYul. I'll find out who can drive."
Mr. Lim returned to check on Warren. He looked over at the driver in the SUV carrying the luggage. He said something to him, and the driver nodded. He started up the engine and headed off. Now Mr. Lim looked at them, "Who knows how to drive standard stick-shift?"
Everyone shook their heads. SooYun looked over her shoulder at Mr. Lim. "I know how."
He nodded. "Change in arrangements," he stated. "Mr. Grisham you will go in the car with the Director and Ms. Shin you will be driving. The Director is too ill to continue. Ms. Woods and Mr. Meyer will be in the SUV with me and the driver, understood?"
Everyone nodded. Mr. Lim steeled himself and went to the car, "Ms. Woods, you will be riding in the SUV."
Brittany grabbed up her backpack, stormed to the SUV, and got in. Mr. Lim closed the door and she stared ahead and fumed silently. Gustav helped Warren into the back of the Maserati. Warren had perked up slightly but was still looking pasty. Mr. Lim anxiously looked back to the Director, who was sitting on a bench with his head in his hands.
SooYun's knowledge of easing headaches kicked in, and she asked Mr. Lim, "Is there a roadside emergency kit in the car?"
"I believe so," Mr. Lim replied, "And blankets." He had the car fob in his hand, and he pressed the button to release the trunk latch. SooYun saw a clear plastic box with flares and other items. She opened it and found several sets of hand warmers, she pulled open the packages and activated them, handing them to Mr. Lim.
She took the blankets and handed two to Warren in the back seat and the other one placed on the floorboard of the car. She went back to the open trunk, rooted into her carry-on case, pulled a heavy knit sweater, and began rolling it into a muff. Mr. Lim watched in interest as she went through a silent checklist of preparations. She looked over at the Director. "Mr. Lim, if the Director can tolerate it, he needs to drink something hot, like green tea."
"Yes, I will see to it." Lim handed her the packets of hand warmers. "There's a vending machine in the rest area."
SooYun took the blood tester and leaned in to check Warren's sugar levels. She waited for the digital readout to come up and sighed in relief. "208, it's coming down. You need to get comfortable and rest a bit."
"I'm jealous, Reb," Warren said curling up on his side. He used his backpack as a pillow and pulled the blanket up around his shoulder. "You get to drive a freaking Maserati!"
With Warren settled, she turned her attention back to the Director and Mr. Lim. She watched Lim hand a cup of tea to the Director, and they spoke for a moment.
"She wants you to try sipping this green tea, LiYul," Lim said handing the cup to the Director. "She says it will help settle the nausea."
The Director took the cup and sipped the pale green liquid from the paper cup. "She can drive standard?"
"Yes, she can," Lim replied.
The Director took his phone from his jacket and handed it to Lim. "She'll need to be keyed to the car."
Lim brought both LiYul's phone and key fob to the car where SooYun was preparing the passenger side for the Director's ride. "I need you to put your right thumb on the screen. This will key you to the car as a driver." She did and then he handed her the key fob, "Press your right thumb on the fob, it will sync with the phone." She did.
"Mr. Lim, can you put the directions in the navigator? If I lose track of you, I'll still be able to get to the facility. And in English?"
Lim nodded and she thanked him. "I need to see about getting the Director in the car. He still has a meeting to get to." Lim paused and watched as SooYun walked over to where LiYul cradled his head in his hands. They would have a little time together. He ducked his head down and proceeded to program the directions in the GPS.
SooYun approached quietly and sat down at the far end of the bench. "Director Jin, have you taken any more of your medication since you arrived at the airport?"
Her voice was soft. She stayed well away from him and did not make any movement to touch or encroach near where he sat. He raised his head to look at her. "I have."
"You'll need to keep your hands and feet as warm as possible," She said, "Your head as cold as possible." His frown made her pause, but she continued. "I know it sounds odd, but if the pain you're having is anything like what my mother had during her illness, this will help – enough for you to rest and let the medication do its job. Will you try and see if it works?"
"All right," he said. He looked over at her. "You look younger than I expected."
She laughed lightly and her cheeks flushed prettily. "Thank you, but I just turned 37 a few months ago," she told him. "I think I'm older than you."
"Only by two years," he rumbled irritably. He moved to get to his feet and stopped. He handed her the cup of tea and waved it away. "I can't drink anymore."
"Wait right here. I'll get rid of it," she said and took it from his hand. She was careful not to touch his fingers as she took the cup. She disposed of it in the trash can and was back at his side as he slowly got to his feet and began to walk to the car. He stumbled and SooYun was at his side, but ready to move out of his way. He felt unsteady on his feet, and he reached out a hand and she stepped under his fingers, his hand falling on her shoulder. She stood very still while he gathered his balance. "Would you rather I bring the car to you?"
"No, Just help me get to the car," he said.
"All right," SooYun replied calmly. "Slowly, we're nearly there."
They slowly walked to the car and Mr. Lim watched in silent amazement as SooYun opened the car door, picked up the car blanket, and stepped back as LiYul eased into the seat with his feet still resting on the parking lot cement. She knelt and glanced up at the Director. "You need to take your shoes off," she said. "Don't lean over, it'll aggravate the pain." The Director slipped off his shoes and SooYun put them under the passenger seat. She took the car blanket and made a makeshift foot warmer. "Tuck your feet in," she said. The Director watched as she tucked the blanket around his feet. As the heat packets began to warm the bottoms of his feet he began to relax. He said nothing as SooYun brought the seatbelt around and held it away from him until he locked it in place. Mr. Lim was holding the makeshift muff and handed it to SooYun who leaned in and set the sweater muff in the Director's lap. "There are hand warmers inside just tuck your hands in to keep them warm."
Even though he thought her idea was absurd, he did begin to feel the pain in his temples recede slightly. He closed his eyes and as Lim closed the door, he was already beginning to doze off. Satisfied, Lim came around to the driver's side and helped SooYun program her driver settings. She put the key in the ignition and turned the key, the car roared to life. On the dash, the readout said Driver 2: SooYun. She fastened the seatbelt and Lim closed the car door. SooYun pressed the window toggle and Lim bent down to look at the Director worriedly. He handed her an earpiece. She placed it in her left ear. "Only you will hear the navigator's directions."
"Thank you," SooYun said.
He patted her shoulder absently. "Call if you need me," Lim said, still looking worried.
"I will," SooYun replied. Lim nodded and got into the SUV. She stepped on the clutch and went through the gears. They were close together. The brakes were tight, but she would make sure she didn't get too close to other cars until she was comfortable behind the wheel. The SUV pulled onto the highway and SooYun glanced at Warren in the backseat from the rearview mirror.
"Are you nervous, Reb?" he whispered.
"A little," she answered. She shifted into first gear, eased off the clutch, and moved forward. She eased onto the highway and fell in behind the SUV. She grinned as she moved through the gears and fell into fifth gear. Warren patted her shoulder and made himself comfortable.
"Wake me up when we get there, Reb."
She nodded and glanced over at the Director who appeared to have fallen asleep, his head turned away from her. She turned her seat warmer on and closed the cold air vents so all the cold air would be directed at the Director. She located the toggle that would heat the backseats and turned them on. Warren rolled up in his blanket and fell asleep. SooYun was alone with the car and the navigator.
It was several hours later when SooYun noticed the traffic began to become more congested. Before she got boxed in the navigator indicated a traffic accident and automatically recalculated an alternate route for her to take. Warren woke up and looked around. "What is it, a car accident?"
"That's what the navigator says," She replied. "We're taking an alternate route."
"You doing okay, Reb?" Warren asked patting her shoulder, he frowned in concern, "You're freezing!"
"I have the seat warmer on," SooYun said. "You warm enough back there?"
He nodded and smiled, "Always thinking of me, aren't ya, Reb."
"I'm keeping you around for the competition," she quipped softly, "to make it interesting."
Warren suddenly sat up and grinned at her. "Do you expect me to talk?"
She scoffed sending a quick glare in the rearview mirror. "Seriously?"
He arched an eyebrow at her. "Come on Reb," He hissed close to her ear. "It's so you won't freeze to death while driving a freaking Maserati across South Korea!"
SooYun sighed in resignation. "No, Mister Bond, I expect you to die!" she quoted in her best German accent.
Warren did a silent cheer. "And the Bond girl?"
"You are so immature, Warren!" SooYun flung back in a whisper. "Pussy Galore."
"I must be dreaming!" Warren whispered back and ducked down out of the rearview mirror's view. "Hang in there, Reb!"
"I will, just so I can punch you in the nose later on," She growled.
Warren grinned at her and glanced at the resting figure of the Director. SooYun had devoted a lot of effort to making him comfortable. He wondered if there was something more between them than just boss and employee.
Soon Warren was asleep and snoring softly in the back. She glanced over at the Director as he shifted position, and rolled his head toward her. She looked back at the road and made a turn that meandered its way through a forest. She continued to follow the navigator's voice directions, and they were soon on a scenic route that took them through the countryside.
The Director opened his eyes and looked at SooYun's profile. She was huddled in her hoodie, and hyper-alert as she scanned the road ahead of her. Her hair was loose and hung over her shoulder in a pale river of silvery blonde. She reached to shift up to third gear to get them up a slight hillside then back into fourth. She had mastered the shift sequence of his car – it was now her car, and it was responding to her touch.
He had not expected her to look so young and so lovely. Now that she was in person and right next to him, he was too ill to even speak to her. He only hoped that they would have an opportunity to talk soon. He closed his eyes and listened to her as she softly spoke to the car's navigator. He fell asleep listening to the soft sound of her voice.
They passed through farmland and eased back on a highway that took them straight to the road to the Eagle's Nest. The road began to spiral up a hillside and SooYun had to gear back to second and third gears to climb up toward their destination. Warren sat up and yawned, "Are we there yet?"
She drove through the open gates and slowed down to look at the facility. "This is your captain speaking, we have reached our destination."
"Pretty cool looking facility," Warren said in a near whisper. He leaned forward his face was near her headrest so she could hear him. "I read online that an esports team sold to the Director, and they relocated to Seoul. The dormitory is around back, I think that's where we're being housed."
SooYun continued past the facility and spotted the three SUVs. Mr. Lim was standing in front of Brittany, arms folded and looking uncomfortable. "Looks like Poptart's unhappy again," Warren said softly.
"You really shouldn't call her that," SooYun said as quietly as she could.
Lim turned away as he heard the car's arrival. He rushed over, his face looking both annoyed and relieved. SooYun stopped and parked. Shutting the engine down and taking a moment to breathe a sigh of relief. Warren opened his door and dropped his trainers on the pavement. He stuck his feet in and got out slinging his backpack over his shoulder. He pushed his door closed instead of slamming it. SooYun pressed the key fob and the trunk opened slowly. They were in the car alone and she leaned slightly toward him. "Director Jin," she called softly, "Director Jin, we're here."
He moved his head, frowning in confusion then turned his head to her and studied her face for a long moment. She looked into his dark eyes with a slight frown of concern knitting her brows together. "How do you feel?" She asked.
He pulled his hands from the makeshift muff. His pain was just about gone. "Much improved," he said. "Thank you."
Lim opened the driver's door, and he helped her out. She was stiff but felt surprisingly invigorated. She bent down and retrieved her phone and handed the key fob and earpiece to Mr. Lim. "We were rerouted because of a car accident, but the navigator found another route."
"We were rerouted as well," Lim reported. "I'm glad you did not encounter any other problems."
Director Jin unbuckled his seatbelt, took his shoes from under the seat, and dropped them on the pavement. He stuck his feet in, slowly eased out of the car, and stood up. He met Lim's gaze over the top of the car and nodded to Lim's unasked question.
SooYun noted the exchange. "I'll just get my things from the trunk and go wait with the others."
Lim nodded and watched as she gathered up her carry-on and backpack from the trunk and pulled it along behind her to where the others stood waiting. Lim was about to close the trunk when he spotted a leather-bound journal. He picked it up and where the ribbon was placed was where he opened it. He smiled. It belonged to SooYun, and she had captured the Director as he had lounged on the hood of the car and had accurately in bold strokes drawn himself being accosted by Brittany Woods. He came around to where the Director now stood studying the assembled screenplay writers.
Lim handed him the sketch journal, opened at the spot marked. "Ms. Shin's depiction of you."
The Director frowned. She had drawn him with bold honest strokes. "We're Anime characters?"
Lim laughed. "Take a look at the next page, LiYul. You're a Korean titan!"
The Director did and saw the title printed neatly below the sketch of his face, fierce scowling expression, and arrogant set of his jaw. He was not certain whether he should be offended or flattered by the depiction. He read her comments, she thought he was beautiful! He looked at what she had written about Lim. He snapped the book closed and handed it back, "Make sure Ms. Shin's property is returned – General Lim!"
Lim inclined his head, hiding a smile. "Yes, sir!"
The Director looked over at the group, apparently in deep debate. "Is Ms. Woods displeased about something else?"
"The dormitory assignments," Lim replied. "But I believe the assignments will remain. Mr. Grisham will not be parted from Ms. Shin at least not until the physician arrives with his insulin pump."
"What happened on the flight that brought them so close together?" The Director asked looking over at the group. He felt annoyance begin to prickle at the edges of his thoughts.
"Mr. Grisham had a medical emergency on the flight over, and Ms. Shin administered the insulin dose and monitored him throughout the rest of the flight. He admitted that he is terrified of needles and Ms. Shin has a special knack for checking his blood sugar levels and administering his insulin painlessly." Lim glanced over at the group as the cold night air was forcing them to their assigned dormitories.
The Director opened the driver's side of the car and pressed the key fob for 'Driver one: LiYul'. As the onboard computer adjusted the mirrors and seat to his specifications he caught the light floral scent left by the previous occupant. "Make sure they are all prepared for the orientation in the morning – seven – sharp!"
"Yes, I will," Lim replied.
The Director's eyes fell on the sketch journal in Lim's hand. As they stood in the cold night air, the food delivery truck pulled up and he nodded to the men unloading the food. "Take care of the caterers, Jae-ho." He closed the car door and held out his hand for the journal, "I'll return the journal to Ms. Shin."
Lim nodded and handed the journal to the Director. He hurried off to show the men in the food truck where to bring the ordered meals. Once the entrants had eaten, they could head to their flats and get a good night's sleep.
The Director strode up to dormitory A and caught the tail end of the conversation between Warren and SooYun. "Hang on to the ID tag, Reb. It's the only thing that'll get you into the flat and facility – lose it and you'll have to bunk with me."
SooYun scoffed at that. "I'll bunk with Brittany before that happens!"
Not even phased, Warren chuckled. "Hell and South Korea really will freeze over before that happens! Even though I told Poptart that her precious Director slept the entire way here, she is dead set against you. You've somehow stolen her chances with him!"
"Stolen?" SooYun's voice had taken on an exasperated tone. "Are you serious?"
Warren chuckled. "Reb, you said it yourself, we're all here for different reasons. Poptart's here for a husband, and she's set her sights on the richest most available man – aka, Director Jin."
"You're going to have to stop calling her that," She admonished.
"You don't get mad when I call you Reb," Warren said.
"That's because I choose to ignore your rudeness, Warren," she muttered.
"I'm guessing it's because you've fallen for me!"
SooYun's laughter was sparkling and effervescent. The Director liked hearing it! "You sure you're not the Fantasy writer?" she said her voice warm with laughter. Warren joined her laughter then they both heard their phones chime with a text. "Dinner's arrived!"
The Director took that moment to rap on her door. Warren yanked it open met the Director's fierce glare then looked over his shoulder, "Reb, you have a visitor. I'll see you in the cafeteria!"
"Yeah, okay!" she called. SooYun came to the entrance and stood on the step up from the entrance hall. She dropped her shoes on the floor, preparing to put them on. The ID tag was in her hand, and the lanyard wrapped around her wrist. She came to a halt. "Director Jin!"
He bowed slightly and stepped into the entrance hall. He held out her sketch journal. "It was in the trunk." He took two more steps toward her and stopped directly in front of her. They stood nearly eye to eye. She met his dark gaze and he steadily gazed into her blue eyes. She took the sketch journal in her free hand, wondering if he had looked inside it.
"I wanted to thank you again properly for helping me." He said, "And to welcome you officially to Korea, since I was unable to do so earlier."
"Thank you, Director Jin!" she said, her smile lit her eyes and made them sparkle! "I'm glad I could help," she answered, then looked at his face, "It doesn't look like you're out of the woods just yet."
"No," It had turned awkward between them, and he nodded curtly and turned to leave. She added hastily making him stop with his hand on the door handle, "I hope your meeting goes well. Please drive carefully."
He stopped looked back at her and felt a sudden pang of something he could not describe in his chest. She saw the look and immediately thought she had said or done something wrong. He raised a hand in her direction. "I will, thank you, Ms. Shin."
He was gone. By the time she had pulled on her sneakers and was at the door, he had made it to the car. He opened the car door and looked back to dormitory A. SooYun was standing on the stoop of the flat and glanced up to where the Director stood at his car. She smiled and waved to him. Before he knew what he was doing, he waved back.
"Hey Reb, get a move on, we're starving!" Warren shouted from the side entrance and SooYun pulled her hoodie close around her and trotted to meet Grisham at the entrance.
The Director got into the car and started it up. Shifting into gear, he made a tight U-turn and sped off. He made a phone call. It was well past ten in the evening – too late to meet with Min-Ji and the lawyers. He called to cancel.
"No, I don't think so," Min-Ji said icily. "It's all on you for postponing this meeting just so you could get your first look at your American!"
"You have three weeks before we're done," the Director said flatly. "I want this done!"
"But until those three weeks are up, LiYul," Min-Ji said in a cold overly sweet tone, "You must keep your end of the bargain, or else the Chairman will be displeased."
"He will have his money back with interest!" the Director said. "I made a mistake when I took funds from your father! But it is nearly over!"
"Not until I say so!" Min-Ji said sweetly. "Hurry, I do not feel in the mood to deal with old woman Hung!" She disconnected the call, and he was swallowed up in silence. He felt the band around his temples tighten. He glanced in the passenger seat and saw the makeshift muff with the hand warmers tucked inside. He pulled it into his lap and stuck his left hand inside. It was still warm. He brought it up to his face, breathed in the light floral scent, and recalled the sound of her voice, "Drive carefully."