What on earth were my parents doing in Seoul, South Korea? And since August, nothing and I mean nothing was making any sense to me. No matter how many times I tried going over all the facts presented on the table, nothing was making sense!! I started asking myself; were they planning to start a new business or open up a company in Seoul? Did my parents have friends and relatives in Seoul, but if they did why would they not tell me and why would they stay in Seoul for that long? Was there something going on with my parents that I was not aware of, or were they in trouble? As I was mumbling all these questions, I noticed the dinning room had gone silent and everyone was looking at me not sure what to do or say; was quite awkward. I quickly changed the topic by saying "guys let's eat first and we can talk about what just happened later, alright?" They all looked at each other then at me in utter shock!! I continued, "I know you are all worried that I might go mad or do something very stupid, don't worry, I will be fine, just need time to process everything I heard today, then decide on what I shall do moving forward." Although everyone at the table tried to comfort me by holding my hand and hugging me, I was trying so hard to hide my tears, my anger, anxiety, and fear of the worst that was yet to come.
For the rest of the evening, not a single word was uttered at the dinner table. The atmosphere had gone from exciting to anger, frustration, tense and worry. After dinner, Anderson and I cleaned up the dinner table, washed the dishes and prepared dessert. It was then when everyone sat on the sofa that I started speaking about our next plan. "Alright, I know everyone is concerned about what just happened and what my next moves will be moving forward," I said. The only way I shall be able to get to the bottom of this once and for all, is getting as much information we can while in Chicago and Boston, and flying to Seoul as that is where most of everything I need to know will be answered but most importantly finding my parents and bringing them home. Everyone looked at me in total shock and was not sure whether to comment, suggest, advice, or disapprove.
The first thing I did was call our family lawyer Mr. Thompson. I needed to follow up on how far he had gone with the transfer of asserts, documentation and finances to my name. It was Christmas Eve and I felt really terrible disturbing him at the late hour but with the urgency of the situation and matter; changes were needed to be made not just for the sake of my parents but for the sake of the company. Mr. Thompson had informed me that everything had been done and all that was left was for me to arrive at the bank review the documents and sign them which were a great relief. We arranged to meet right after the festive holidays were over, the final week before New Year's Eve. He would set up a date and time to meet up at Chase Bank and call me to confirm. Once that was out of the way I turned to Cynthia asking her to arrange for a board meeting to discuss the situation with my parents and announce the new CEO and Director of the company. Although I was a student, but was not about to let all the efforts my parents put into the company fall into the wrong hands. I told Cynthia to schedule the meeting three weeks after New Year which would be in the middle or towards the end of January 2023; all ten board members were to be present for the meeting, failure to comply, would be fired not only from the board but from the company and lose all the benefits and privileges. At the same time, I requested for Cynthia to dig further into my parents' travel itinerary for the last five eyes, I wanted to know every flight detail from when they left Chicago to every country and city they ever travelled including the address of their last destination, most importantly every single person they came into contact with during their travel, business and personal. Moreover, to work with her sources to get all the information possible as I had a feeling this travel to Seoul, South Korea was not their first visit. In addition to their travel itinerary, I also needed all their financial documents for the last five years, including all account details of transactions made to the company and out of the company, who instructed the transaction, how much money was involved in the transaction and the transfer details of the money. I suspect the disappearance of my parents could also have been financially related, and it was by getting all these documents that I was able to find out what happened to my parents. I also needed to get my parents personal banking details to track down their finances for the last five years. If my parents were in any financial trouble, their personal finances would be a good start and would be able to give me more information. This was information I would get from Chase Bank, since it was the bank my parents my bank account, it was also the same bank where Mr. Thompson, Mr. Morris and I would be doing the all the transactions and the transfer of all asserts, and company shares etc. It was going to be easy to get all the documentation, I required.
Finally, I asked Cynthia to get all the information about the company's board members from the time they were appointed to all they have been doing in and for the company, every single detail, no one was to be left out. After having made those requests Cynthia was quite pleased with the steps and initiatives I had taken to tackle the company issues and finding my parents. I informed her that she was the only person from the company I could trust and I knew she would be of great help in solving this mystery and saving our company. What was really helpful is that she had two great sources that were tech savvy and were able to dig and get all the information needed at her request. Upon hearing her response, I smiled telling myself "no doubt, no wonder my parents hired you as the HR Director and Supervisor of the company, you were the only person they every trusted.
Next was tracking my parents travel dates, departures and arrivals in all the cities and countries they had travelled to for the last one year, I had thought to check five years but that was stretching it, so best to check within the last one year, which would give current and updated information. Chris and Jaime were very tech savvy people and they had quite a number of resources and sources that could help out. I asked if they could help me track my parents travel movements via the CCTV camera this included; did they travel alone? Were they being followed? Were they flight details being monitored? Did they look happy, sad, worried, anxious or frustrated when they travelled? Who did they meet when they travelled? Also what I had asked Cynthia to find out the address of their last destination. Chris had suggested I file a missing person's report with the police station but I decided against that, not because I didn't trust the police, but there was not enough evidence to conclude that my parents were missing and besides they were not missing in the States, but outside of the States which meant it was not in their jurisdiction to interfere nor look into the matter. I can understand Chris was only trying to help but I also informed him that I didn't want to also cause any alarm to the company and the board members as it would cause a stir and create even more issues. I decided it was best that we all investigate this matter on our own, gather and collect all the evidence then and only then we would involve the police.
Anderson and I were going to meet up with Mr. Thompson the week before New Year's Eve to confirm and finalize the transfer of all the documents, and also pay a visit to Chicago hospital to inquire about my mum's health. I don't know if I mentioned it to any of you but a few summers when I was back in Chicago had noticed my mum had gained a significant amount of weight and wasn't sure if it was an illness or something else. I need to check in with our family doctor to find out what was really happening; hopefully it will be nothing serious.
Once everything was set in stone knowing who was going to take care of what, my mind started to feel at ease and felt was on the right path, it was my only hope that whatever we were all going to find out was to be something that could be resolved and would be able to find my parents and bring them back home safely. At around 1am, Cynthia left heading home, we spoke briefly before she entered her car, and I told her that I was very grateful for all her assistance and support in helping me with finding my parents. One thing I did mention was that everything she was doing, that she gather evidence, record whatever conversations that took place, and to be very careful and not arouse any suspicion. If she needed to call me, best after working hours when she is either on her way home or once she gets home, or meet at my place, but to never call or message while she is in the office. I also advised to get her phone checked in case it was bugged and everything we did was being monitored. I thanked her so much with tears, hugged her and told each other to keep in touch.
Chris and Jaime left my place twenty minutes later. I asked them to keep everything we spoke and discussed confidential, even from their parents, as it was not the right time. I know Chris and Jaime's mothers' were famous top notch lawyers in Chicago, and that they would help me with anything I wanted, but now was not the time to get them involved with my family issues until we have gathered all the information and solid evidence. They agreed to keep everything confidential including all the work they would have to be doing, which they thought would be best either when their parents were not around at home, or once they returned to Boston University as they didn't want to raise any suspicions, questions or concerns. They would contact via phone or email when they had any information and would meet at my place.
By the time everyone had left and we cleaned up the dinning table, living room and kitchen it was already 3am in the morning. Anderson and I were continued talking about all that had happened and our plans moving forward. He suggested since we shall be heading back to Boston very soon, that we make sure we meet up with Mr. Thompson and that documentation is transferred under your name, meet your family doctor at Chicago hospital and finally before heading to Boston meet at my place to give updates on what we found and then deciding our next steps. I agreed with his suggestions, but also reminded him that I was to be back before the end of January 2023 for the board meeting and to announce the new CEO and Director of the company. "Oh yeah about that", he asked, "Who were you going to nominate?" I looked at him, smiled saying, "I will be the new CEO and Director of the company, and although will not be around, but I have Cynthia to run the show, and we shall both be working with each other while I am in Boston. However, once the meeting time has been set up in January 2023, will definitely show up at the company, have the meeting, ask and answer any questions and present whatever documentation needed and should anyone not be willing to comply then they will be escorted out of the company and out of the building. I concluded by saying "I am not about to let my parents' company fall into the wrong hands or be taken over by people who only want to run it there way, tarnishing and ruining what my parents spent years building." Anderson gave me a very shocking look with a smile, he was proud of all I had been doing and will be doing for my parents and their company, but most importantly he was very proud of the confidence and courage that I had during this daunting, anxious and worrying time. "No matter what you do, how you do it, I will always support and be here for you," he said. I thanked him and we both prepared for bed. We needed to get up quite early to clean up and lock everything since we were going to be spending Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's at Anderson's place before heading back to Boston in January 2023.
The next day we were up by 6 in the morning cleaning the house, putting everything in order, covering up the furniture so as it doesn't get dusty and closing up the entire house before we left. Anderson prepared breakfast, while I showered and finished up our packing. The good thing was that the previous shopping we had done was quite little and there was nothing much left in the fridge. After breakfast, were cleaned up, brushed our teeth, packed the last of the toiletries and brought our suitcases to the car ready to leave. I called Chris and Jaime to check in on them, and they were all doing well including their parents. I told them will be staying at Anderson's place till we head back to Boston in January 2023, but will still be in touch before then. It was already 10 in the morning when Anderson started pulling out of our drive way, before we left; I stopped him to look at our house one last time before entering the car. My heart was in so much pain with tears falling down my face, tried very hard to control my feelings and emotions as I got into the car. As Anderson drove off, all I could do was look through the mirror, look out the window as we drove further and further away from what once used to be my wonderful home.
When we arrived at Anderson's place, his mum was already waiting for us at the entrance door. Anderson had already informed his parents of our arrival sometime after 11:30 in the morning. It was lovely seeing Mr. and Mrs. Andrews again after such a long time, well not so long ago as we had seen each other at the airport when we arrived back in Chicago for our winter vacation. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews had always been very kind, loving and supportive parents and Anderson being their only child, he was the treasure of the family. What I liked most about his parents was that they never spoiled Anderson at all, taught him a lot about life including the challenges, difficulties, and struggles of life and how one should learn to be an honest, independent and a responsible person that it was OK to make mistakes but most importantly learn from them and to know never to make the same mistakes twice. This would explain his life style when I first met him in high school; he was clearly a no nonsense guy, doesn't fool around and although he is very sociable but he choose who so socialize with and whom to include in his social circle. Anderson has never been the kind of person who needed to have friends everywhere he went or friends around him, rather he was already independent, could do most of everything himself, low key person who never liked drama or stress in his life. Yes he comes from a wealthy up class family but his upbringing was to always be humble, respectful, low key person with integrity, self respect and never brag or boast about your riches or fame. Tell me where you can find a family with such a lovely humble son like Anderson in today's world? I look around and it is not possible, so to me Anderson was truly one of a kind, special, loveable, with self-respect, good looking, humble and quite the gentleman and I have his parents to thank for bringing into this world a wonderful son called Anderson.
We celebrated a wonderful Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's with a great feast, music and entertainment at The Andrews Family, it was so much like how I celebrated the festive seasons with my parents; wonderful memories were all coming back but I had to keep a smile on my face and laugh from time to time to keep myself from being distracted thinking of my parents. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews and Anderson always knew how to welcome and entertain their guests not only with great, wonderful and deliciously homemade dishes, but with great entertainment and wonderful company. One of the things I learned about The Andrews was that on every New Year's Eve they would have a gift exchange and talk about their wishes for the upcoming New Year.
Thank goodness this year was well prepared; I had bought gifts for his parents as well as Anderson while I was in Boston. I had also bought Chris and Jaime gifts, but had totally forgotten to give them when we had dinner on Christmas Eve, decided will give them once we meet in January 2023.
On New Year's Eve, we had all woken up by 8 in the morning which was quite early considering the night before we had slept at 3 in the morning, but for good reason. We had lots to celebrate about, lots to share which was quite eventful; this also included sharing our story of how Anderson and I met and when we became exclusive. For this part I let Anderson do the talking as he was the one always good at story telling, I just added the details he left out. I was quite impressed with how much he remembered from the first day we met till today almost seven years we have been together; very impressive, even the little details which I had forgotten he brought them to the table, very calmly he spoke by the way, including some embarrassing moments which got me putting my head down as I was so embarrassed and shy. His parents had asked if we ever had conflicts, and of course we did, had arguments, but we would always resolve them with a sit down conversation highlighting everything and find ways to resolve the conflicts and compromise for each other. His parents were very proud of him and mentioned how in the very beginning they were quite worried that their son would not be able to make it since he was very shy, introvert and never liked making friends, but after he met you, Chris and Jaime, he had become more open and shares a lot with us about his life and other personal stuff, talkative, and even happier and it is all thanks to you Diana, and your friends Chris and Jaime. Anderson always talks about you guys when he comes home, how simple, humble, respectful, funny and intelligent you all are, and how he is very happy to have you in his life. "I didn't do anything Mrs. Andrews, when we met the first time, we somehow clicked which I believe made a lasting impression on both of us, but I have never regretted the decision I made on not only being his badminton mixed doubles partner, his best friend but also the love of his life.
In the evening of New Year's Eve, we all helped out in the kitchen with the preparations for welcoming the New Year, the cooking, decorating of the house and other things. It was truly going to be a celebration and a great way of welcoming the New Year 2023. Earlier in the day, I had spoken to Chris and Jaime, and their parents, wishing them a wonderful and prosperous New Year and a happy 2023. We had lots to talk about especially all that had happened in the year 2022 in Boston, what was important was that we all finished the year 2022 in good health filled with happiness and joy with great years of friendship. At around 8:30 in the evening we were setting up and preparing the dinner table; dinner was served with roasted chicken, stir fried beef, salad, potato wedges, corn, tomato soup and Spanish rice; this would go well with red and white wine, and finally with fruit salad and dessert and no doubt Mrs. Andrews was known for her fine baking skills which were never to be missed. We would be having tiramisu and chocolate cake for dessert; can't say no to that!! With fine dinner came laughter, joy and the sharing of stories, for some reason, was feeling very comfortable at The Andrews family, and was almost like being at home with my parents on New Year's Eve, sharing stories, jokes and laughter, watching my parents dance away while preparing for the New Year, oh what pleasant and unforgettable memories. Although I had so much wanted to spend Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year with my parents, I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate this festive season with The Andrews Family with wonderful, joyful and pleasant memories of my family.
After dinner, we cleared the table and brought out dessert which was enjoyed while seated on the sofa while doing the tradition of the gift exchange. All the gifts were wrapped so we couldn't tell whose gift was for whom, nor could we tell what the gift was. Mr. Andrews was the first one to pick up his gifts and when he opened them he was so moved, emotional he started crying as he didn't expect to receive a tie from Anderson, and a watch from his wife with a card as well. Next was Mrs. Andrews, she picked a red wrapped gift which I think was my gift to her and when she opened it, at first she thought it was a ceramic bowl but when she opened the entire gift box it was full set of fine china I had bought for her from Boston which included a set of plates, bowls, saucers, they were quite heavy. Anderson asked how and when I had time to buy them. I told him, "while I used to go for my archery practice, had found a very nice cutlery store, order them to be delivered to Boston University but to Chris and Jaime's room as I didn't want you to find them in my room, I also asked Chris and Jaime to help me carry them back to Chicago which they did and then brought them to my place, thank goodness they were wrapped and I brought them to your place and hid them under the bed." "I never suspected anything, just thought they were your stuff from Boston University," said Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, loved the gifts, were very grateful and emotional, they gave me a big hug with a kiss thanking me for the wonderful gift. It was Anderson's turn and he picked up two gifts, he started shaking them just to get a sense and guess what was inside the box. He opened the first gift which was from his parents a pair of keys to his new black SUV that was parked outside their garage. I had seen Anderson when he was excited and happy but what I saw today was the joy and happiness of someone who had just won the million dollar lottery ticket. Apparently the previous SUV he had, his parents had sold it and bought him a new one. Without anymore words he quickly ran out of the house to check out his brand new SUV and was in tears just looking at it, he was so moved and emotional, hugging his parents; thank you, thank you thank you was all he kept on saying and how it was the best and most wonderful gift received. I knew one thing, Anderson was definitely going to drive and cruise in his new car before heading back to Boston. We returned back to the living room to continue the gift exchange; Anderson picked up his second gift, I knew he liked drawing, sketching and was hoping to one day be an engineer or an architect, so I got him 'Rocketbook Matrix Cloud-Connected Reusable Paper Notebook' which would merge whatever he had written into his favorite digital services or designs, felt would be something that would come in handy for his work. Thank goodness he had known about it and loved it, was very excited to start using in during his summer job in June 2023. He was almost in tears, hugged and kissed me saying "this is the most wonderful, thoughtful and amazing gift from you my love, thank you, thank you!!" I replied, "You are always welcome, my love." Finally was my turn to open the gifts, there were three boxes left and I turned and looked at Anderson and his parents, pointing at the gifts then at me, and yes, they were all mine. The first gift was from Mr. and Mrs. Andrews which was a pair of gold earrings that matched the bracelet Anderson had given me a few years back on my birthday; they were not just perfect but gorgeous and amazing, I kissed, hugged and thanked her for the wonderful and amazing gift. The next two gifts were from Anderson; apparently one was for my birthday and the other one was for New Year, when I opened the first gift it was a gold classic watch with my name engraved on it; 'To my love Diana from Anderson,' I had almost lost my breathe as I was speechless and didn't know what to say, then opened the second gift and was a woman's purse, what was special about this purse was that Anderson had put a beautiful photo of the two of us a photo I didn't even know or remember where it was taken and I didn't want to ask lest I get into trouble. I turned around looking at Anderson with tears in my eyes, we both stood up, hugged, kissed each other saying, " Thank you so much for these wonderful gifts, thank you and love you so much Anderson," I was still in tears and had become very emotional. I thanked The Andrews family for loving, supporting, encouraging and being there for me as I was like their own daughter. "You are our daughter, we love you so much Diana and for everything you have brought into our family and into Anderson's life, we are truly grateful for having you in our lives, thank you." I was so moved with her words, which touched my heart so much!!
The final part was making our wishes for the year 2023; Mr. and Mrs. Andrews had wished for a prosperous and wonderful year 2023, one filled with joy, happiness, good health for each and everyone of us, that whatever we strive for we will all accomplish and achieve them in 2023. My wish was to have a wonderful, healthy and prosperous year 2023, filled with happiness, joy, to overcome whatever challenges, difficulties and struggles we will go through, to be grateful and appreciative of all the wonderful friends and family in our lives, to cherish, support and love them no matter and finally that my relationship with Chris, Jaime and Anderson will continue to be stronger, fulfilling and life everlasting, that Anderson and I will continue to grow, love and support each other no matter what, cherish and appreciate this wonderful gift we have been blessed with in the many years to come. Anderson's wish was to wish his parents to be healthy, prosperous, happy full of joy, laughter and that their marriage will continue to be strong, fruitful, that they will continue to support, cherish and love one another till death do them part; whatever they wish to accomplish and achieve will be fulfilled in 2023 and finally wish for my love Diana to be happy, joyful, healthy, to continue striving to achieve her dreams, that she will always and continue to be the love of my life, my mentor and best friend, that we will cherish, support and love each other not only in our relationship but for the many years we shall be together.