The airport buzzed with life as Esther and I walked in, our luggage trailing behind us. From the moment we entered, heads turned.
It was something I was used to by now—an aura of attention that seemed to follow me wherever I went. But this time, there was an added intensity.
Not far behind us, Sarah, Linda, Karen, Susan, and Diane were already present, their eyes lighting up when they saw me. Each of them adjusted their outfits subtly, making sure they looked their best. The moment was silent, but their gazes spoke volumes.
"He's here," Sarah muttered softly, her voice filled with anticipation.
"Of course, he looks perfect as always," Linda added, her tone carrying a mix of admiration and longing.
Karen nudged Susan. "We can't waste this flight. It's our chance to be near him."
As we approached the boarding gate, it was clear that every woman in the vicinity noticed us. Some whispered to one another, others stared outright. Esther held my arm tightly, her expression calm but focused.
"You're getting a lot of attention," she said with a slight smirk.
"Nothing new," I replied, shrugging.
What I didn't notice was the quiet storm brewing behind us.
---
Once we boarded the plane, the battle began.
Esther took the middle seat beside my window seat, her actions deliberate. She sat down quickly, blocking any chance for someone else to sit next to me. The five women were right behind us, all subtly eyeing the aisle seat.
"I'll take the aisle," Sarah said immediately, stepping forward.
"Actually, I think I should sit there," Linda interrupted, her voice firm but polite.
Karen forced a smile. "Why don't we let Susan sit here? She's been feeling a little uneasy lately."
"I'm fine, Karen," Susan said sharply, stepping closer.
Diane stood silently, observing the exchange. Then she cleared her throat. "Why don't we figure this out later? The aisle isn't going anywhere."
The tension was thick, though none of them raised their voices. Each woman fought to maintain a calm facade while subtly maneuvering to get what they wanted.
Meanwhile, Esther watched the scene unfold with a knowing smile. "Is everything okay back there?" she asked sweetly.
"Just fine," Sarah replied through gritted teeth.
Eventually, they came to an unspoken agreement. Sarah took the aisle seat right next to us, her lips curling into a small victorious smile. Linda, Karen, and Susan adjusted themselves in the row ahead, their gazes flicking back at me constantly. Diane reluctantly took the aisle seat besides Sarah, her expression unreadable.
---
As the plane prepared for takeoff, the other passengers and even the female cabin crew couldn't seem to stop looking at me. It was subtle at first—a glance here, a double-take there. But it soon became obvious.
"Why are they staring so much?" Diane whispered to Linda.
"Because he's... well, him," Linda replied, glancing nervously at a stewardess who seemed to linger by our row.
Esther noticed too. She leaned slightly toward me, her voice low. "They're staring again."
"It's fine, I'm not interested in bothering myself with them." I murmured, already feeling the pull of sleep.
The five women, however, didn't take it so lightly. Every time a female passenger or crew member passed by, they subtly shifted in their seats, their eyes narrowing protectively.
---
As I drifted off to sleep, I missed the silent war waging around me.
When a flight attendant leaned toward our row, Sarah was quick to intercept. "Is there something you need?" she asked pointedly.
The attendant blinked, startled. "I was just—"
"He's sleeping," Linda added from the row ahead, her voice calm but firm.
"Let's not disturb him," Karen chimed in, her tone polite but unmistakably final.
Even the passengers weren't spared. A young woman sitting across the aisle glanced at me repeatedly, clearly debating whether to strike up a conversation. Finally, she leaned toward Diane, who was seated beside her.
"Do you know him?" the woman asked, her tone casual but her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Diane's lips curved into a smile, but it was far from friendly. "We're all very close," she replied, her words deliberate and cool.
The woman blinked, slightly taken aback. "Oh, I just thought—"
"Yes, we're traveling together," Diane interrupted, her gaze unwavering. "And I'd suggest not disturbing him. He's resting."
The young woman's confidence faltered. She gave a tight smile and turned back to her book, clearly sensing that Diane wasn't someone to argue with.
---
A few minutes later, a man in the row behind Diane spoke up, leaning slightly into the aisle. "Excuse me," he said, addressing Karen, who was sitting in the row ahead of me. "Your friend by the window—what does he do? He looks familiar."
Karen didn't even turn fully to face him. Her voice was sweet but firm. "He's a private person. I'm sure you understand."
The man chuckled awkwardly. "Right, of course. Just thought I'd ask."
Karen's polite smile remained as she shifted slightly, blocking his line of sight toward me. "Have a good flight," she added, her tone dismissive.
---
The female cabin crew weren't spared either. A flight attendant approached, her professional smile widening slightly when she reached our row.
"Excuse me," she said softly, leaning closer to Esther. "Would you like anything for your companion? A drink, perhaps?"
Esther glanced at me, then at the attendant. Her voice was calm but carried a subtle edge. "He's asleep right now. He doesn't need anything, thank you."
The attendant hesitated, her eyes flicking toward me. Before she could say more, Linda, seated in the row ahead, turned her head slightly.
"Is there a problem?" Linda asked, her tone casual but her expression anything but.
"No, no problem," the attendant replied quickly, stepping back slightly.
"I'm sure he'll ask if he needs anything," Susan added from the same row, her voice pointed but polite.
The attendant nodded, retreating down the aisle.
---
Another passenger—a teenage girl a few rows ahead—turned back and whispered to her friend. "He's so handsome. Should I try talking to him?"
Sarah, who had the aisle seat right beside me, caught the whisper. Her sharp gaze locked onto the girl. Without saying a word, she adjusted her posture slightly, making it clear she was watching.
The girl noticed and immediately hesitated, sinking back into her seat. "Maybe not," she murmured to her friend, glancing nervously at Sarah.
---
Even Esther couldn't ignore the subtle drama. She leaned slightly toward Diane, her voice low. "I think they've got it covered."
Diane smirked. "Covered? That's an understatement."
From the moment we entered the airport to the quiet tension on the plane, the five women were relentless. Anyone who so much as glanced in my direction found themselves under their collective scrutiny. Protecting me wasn't just their goal—it was their unspoken mission.
As I stirred awake briefly, I glanced at Esther and the others. "Everything okay?" I mumbled, still half-asleep.
"Perfect," Esther replied, her tone reassuring.
Behind her, Sarah, Linda, Karen, Susan, and Diane exchanged glances, their resolve unshaken. No one else would get close to me on this flight—of that, they were certain.
"You've got yourself quite the group of bodyguards," Esther whispered to me as I stirred awake slightly before falling back asleep.
"It's more than dedication," Sarah muttered quietly to herself, her eyes locked on me as I slept.
—
The flight from Seoul to Jeju Island took just over an hour, a short journey that felt far longer with all the subtle tensions in the cabin. The plane landed smoothly, and as soon as we stepped off, the fresh ocean breeze greeted us. The air smelled of salt and greenery, instantly refreshing and calming.
"We're here," Esther said excitedly, her face lighting up. She held my arm, her joy infectious.
The girls followed behind us, their energy palpable. Sarah was the first to glance around, her eyes scanning the airport. "It's beautiful already," she said with a small smile.
"We've planned this perfectly," Linda added, glancing at the others. "He's going to love it."
---
Once we collected our luggage, we made our way to a private car the girls had arranged. The drive to the villa took about forty minutes, and the route was scenic. Rolling hills, patches of vibrant flowers, and glimpses of the sparkling blue ocean lined the road.
Esther leaned closer to the window, her voice soft with awe. "It's so peaceful here. You're going to love it, I promise."
The girls exchanged knowing glances. They had poured their hearts into planning this trip and wanted every moment to be perfect.
---
The villa was breathtaking. Nestled on a hill overlooking the ocean, it was surrounded by lush greenery. The entrance was grand but not overly flashy, with a pathway lined with lanterns leading up to the main door.
As soon as we stepped inside, Esther let out a small gasp. "Wow," she whispered, her eyes wide as she took in the space.
The villa had a modern yet cozy design. The living area was spacious with large glass windows that offered a stunning view of the ocean. Comfortable sofas were arranged around a low wooden table, and soft, warm lighting filled the space.
"This is amazing," I said, my voice low as I looked around.
The girls puffed up with pride, their smiles growing wider. "We knew you'd like it," Diane said, her tone filled with satisfaction.
"You haven't even seen the best part yet," Sarah said, gesturing for me to follow her.
She led us to the bedrooms. Each one was beautifully designed, but the one reserved for me was truly the highlight.
"This is your room," Linda said, opening the door with a slight flourish.
The room was spacious with a king-sized bed in the center, draped in soft white linens. The walls were painted in calming shades of blue and beige, and a private balcony overlooked the ocean. The sound of waves crashing against the shore was faint but soothing.
"This view," I said, stepping onto the balcony. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the water.
"It's perfect, isn't it?" Karen asked, her voice brimming with pride.
"It really is," I replied, turning to look at all of them. "You've outdone yourselves, I'm impressed."
The girls exchanged glances, their chests puffing slightly with pride.
Sarah, standing beside me, couldn't stop smiling. "I told you this trip would be special," she said softly, her happiness shining through.
"You all really did great planning," I said, looking at them. "Thank you."
Diane smirked. "We knew you'd love it. That's why we planned everything down to the last detail."
"Wait until you see the amenities," Susan added, her excitement barely contained.
The villa had it all—a private pool with an infinity edge, a fully equipped kitchen, a game room, and even a small home theater.
Esther walked around, touching the furniture and looking at the decorations with a delighted expression. "This feels like a dream," she said softly.
"And the best part is, we're all here together," Diane added.
"Let's unpack and then relax," Sarah suggested. "We've got a lot planned for the next few days, but tonight, it's all about unwinding."
As everyone began to settle in, I sat on the edge of the bed, taking in the room and the view. The girls watched me closely, their expressions a mix of happiness and pride.
Seeing how much effort they had put into making everything perfect made me feel deeply grateful. "You've all really outdone yourselves," I said again, meaning every word.
Esther beamed, her joy evident. The others shared satisfied smiles, their hard work paying off in the best way possible.
[Author's Note:
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