Logan
I'm too damn tired for this.
It's been over twenty-four hours since I've had a real bed, and I can feel it settling into my bones. The flight back to the States is still a couple of hours away, and all I want to do is zone out—maybe close my eyes for a bit.
Instead, I've got David Park elbowing me in the ribs.
"Dude. Look at that."
I grunt. "Look at what?"
He tilts his head toward a small group of women a few rows away, speaking rapid-fire in a language I vaguely recognize… Korean, maybe?
My grandfather had fought in the Korean War and actually spoke some.
The women keep talking. Definitely Korean.
They're animated, chatting among themselves. There are four of them—some with masks, some without. That's when I notice it.
They aren't just attractive.
They're ridiculous.
The kind of ridiculous that doesn't happen in real life—perfect skin, perfect hair, all of them moving in this polished, synchronized way, like they're used to cameras tracking their every step.
"Wow," is all I can say.
David exhales. "Those are easily the most attractive women I've ever seen—well, that weren't in a porno."
"Dude." I glare at him. "Read the room."
David shakes his head, ignoring me. "Definitely Korean. If that's what women look like over there, I need to reevaluate some life choices."
I smirk. "Pretty sure it's not all of them."
The group keeps chatting among themselves, completely unaware of the effect they're having on everyone around them. Then, after a few minutes, they start moving.
All except one.
She lingers. Watches them leave.
Then—without hesitation—she plops down right next to me.
And unlike the others, she's wearing a mask.
I don't say anything at first. Just glance at her from the corner of my eye.
She's close—closer than a stranger should sit when there are empty seats everywhere. The mask covers the lower half of her face, sleek and black, like something straight out of a cyberpunk movie.
Her eyes catch me.
They're unbelievable.
David notices too. I hear his breath hitch before he leans in slightly. "Why's she wearing a mask? The others aren't."
Good question.
She doesn't acknowledge us, doesn't say anything. Just crosses her legs and stares straight ahead, like she's waiting for something.
I can feel David vibrating with curiosity. "Dude, say something."
Before I can, she glances at her phone, then—just as suddenly as she sat down—stands and walks away.
David watches her go, then turns to me, eyes wide. "What the hell was that?"
I shrug. "No idea."
But something about it sticks with me.
"Excuse me."
Both David and I look up to see what appears to be a **TransAir** employee.
I speak first. "Hi, can I help you?"
"Hello, gentlemen," the woman says with a dazzling smile. "It's your lucky day!"
In an absolute stroke of luck, David and I both get upgraded. First-class flights, free booze on the plane, and access to the fancy First-Class Lounge.
Which is exactly where we head as soon as the pretty TransAir employee finishes talking to us.
David keeps looking around. "I don't know what kind of glitch in the system happened, but this is awesome."
He gestures around at the high-end decor, the plush seating, the businessmen drinking whiskey like they own oil fields.
The damn place even has an ice cream bar.
Ice cream bar. It's amazing how the other side lives.
"I'm pretty sure this is the nicest place I've ever been," he continues. "Look at this—free drinks, actual food, no screaming kids… Man, the Corps did not prepare me for this level of civilization. Remind me to be a rich man."
I snort. "An idiot like you? Good luck with that."
David gives me a pained look. "That really hurts, Logan. Has anyone ever told you that you're extremely hurtful?"
I roll my eyes.
"I think I need a glass of bourbon to ease my pain."
I cock an eyebrow. "Bourbon, right. You're getting a daiquiri."
He flips me off as he gets up.
I stretch my legs out. "Just don't embarrass us."
"Who, me?" He scoffs. "I am the picture of refinement."
That's when I see her again.
Same girl. Same mask.
She's sitting near the floor-to-ceiling windows, her posture relaxed but distant, like she's here but not really. Unlike the others from her group, who are laughing and taking selfies across the room, she's completely still.
David follows my gaze. "Wait. That's—"
"Yup."
He lets out a low whistle. "Okay, so this is weird, right? First, she sits next to you for no reason, strategically close. She must want to talk to us."
I roll my eyes. "I'm pretty sure she was in here first, Captain Obvious."
David once again ignores me. "Go talk to her."
I shake my head. "And why would I do that?"
"She's hot. And I'm too shy. Get her number for me."
I throw my book at him.
David walks off laughing.
I shift my attention back to the group of girls—just as a group of guys steps forward.
"Hey, you're like, really pretty. My friends and I are going to Greece. Where's your friend—"
The girls start talking in rapid Korean amongst themselves. There's a flurry of hands and gestures, and then one of them says in very broken English:
"Uh… so… sorry. No speak English."
Then they turn back to each other, continuing their conversation.
I watch as the guys try again but eventually give up.
My phone buzzes.
Cindy: _Sorry I missed your call. I was busy. Was it important?_
I let out a sigh. I try not to think about Cindy and don't reply.
I move slowly to grab my book. But when I look back to where it was—
The girl in the mask already has it.
She walks over and sits down next to me.
Then she takes off her mask.
Damn.