4 Never Reach I

MOON JI-WON'S

Gentle warmth brushed my skin, cold morning breezes swept my face. I waked up in my room with clothes from yesterday. I opened my window. The Sun is yet to appear on the horizon. It's still dawn.

Reminiscence from yesterday night skimmed my head. I remember I was with Mr. Fabriano. Did I sleep yesterday? I think I'm beholden to Mr. Fabriano for his advices.

After dressing in a plain loose shirt and dark trousers, I walked out of my bed. I'll take a short walk before I changed my mind.

I was welcomed with a cold gust of morning breeze. I greeted the guards who were just finishing their night shifts as I made my way to the park.

It was very calm almost eerie. Well, I'm here first so no problem.

10, 15, 20, 30, 50 laps check. Running 50 laps done. I went on to finish 100 sets of diamond push-up. I didn't quite seem to notice that the sun was already greeting the earth dwellers. 7:30 a.m. on my watch notified me so. I'm finished here, time to head back.

"Good Morning, Dad," I greeted with a cold and aloof tone. "I'm sorry about my outburst yesterday," I added. "It's alright Ji-Won; everyone has their ups and downs. Don't worry we are always here for you," dad replied.

SIGNORE FABRIANO'S

ARGHHH! I need some sleep. Annoyed, I woke up, snatched my alarm, and fling it on the wall, "Damn it's so noisy. Oi! Oi! Oi!!" I screamed from the bottom of my lungs. "I am sorry Signore; I was rather preoccupied with the letters. I sincerely apologize," my secretary explained. "How many times do I need to call you? Do you need me to shout like we are living mountains apart? Huh? Do you understand me?" I said.

10 minutes have passed since my morning outburst. I requested my daily agenda from my butler, not my secretary. He is so incompetent to the point that I didn't even remember his name.

My daily schedules seem rather intriguing. Interestingly that I forgot about the annual assembly with the fellow astronomers in the European Space Agency. I am quite fortunate; this year's assembly is held in Japan rather than the voted place. If I recall, it was voted that Hamburg, Germany, and will be funded by a member state, and a prominent businessman. Well, it's not my problem I'm just an astronomer, not a rocket engineer.*

(*this was spoken in Italian. The next paragraph is spoken in Korean since Signore Fabriano is currently residing in Seoul, Korea.)

It's still 7:30; still have quite a long way till 9 a.m. I wonder what my grandchild is doing. "Giuseppe, run a background check regarding Moon Ji-Won's family," I ordered. "Did I hear that correct Sir? Moon? Is he the son of your daughter, Ms. Anna Fabriano or should I say Ms. Moon Ana?" "You heard that correctly, now do it discreetly if any words come out of this, I will surely make your cadaver a glamorous decoration at the MET museum. Got it?" I ordered. "I shall accomplish this with utmost secrecy, Signore," he replied.

While I was walking in the corridor where I was staying, I spotted a gorgeous flower. "Once you perish, you won't be revived. Only the significant beings will be remembered throughout history, not some insignificant life forms," I mumbled while picking the flower. I spotted my insignificant assistant. "Did you book already a flight for Japan?" I said. "Si Signore," He replied. "What are you waiting for? Let's go to the helipad, our ride is waiting." I added.

Half a minute later we've arrived at Seoul-Incheon International Airport. Instead of lining in all inspection booths, I showed my passport to the immigration clerk, "Mr. Pablo Fabriano?" He said. "Yes that's me," I added with a smile. "Italian Ambassador to Korea, with diplomatic immunity?" He added. "Yes, that's also me," I replied. "Because of your Immunity, we are restricted to conduct body inspection and luggage x-ray. Please proceed to the private boarding gate; your flight will be waiting for you. Thank you for your patience, Pablo-ssi," he bowed in respect as we proceed to the private lounge avoiding all inspections. This is the life of a VIP.

「-noucements. This is the final boarding call for passengers Kim Min-Yon and Fred Collins booked on flight 372A to Manila, Philippines. Please proceed to gate 3 immediately. The final checks are being completed and the captain will order for the doors of the aircraft to close in approximately five minutes. I repeat. This is the final boarding call for Kim Min-Yon and Fred Collins. Thank you.」

The airport was filled with PA announcements as I slowly moved toward the lounge. I noticed a different gate; it was the gate separate from the regular gate, only used by pilots, flight attendants, and of course, VIPS.

I confronted random strangers asking questions. "Do you want to be a VIP?"

'Are you stupid? We are in the same lounge. They're Very Important Person, VIP' I yelled internally at my stupid self.

I bowed my head down out of embarrassment. 'I'm sorry.'

While I was busy asking some random stupid question, I didn't realize the outcomes of my actions. The staff looking at me with sharp gazes permeated my well-being. It was like being shot with an arrow straight at you.

Stop staring at me I'm not some random crazy rich old man.

I faced my team and waved at them, "Let's go meet the captain."

They stood up and grabbed their suitcases.

"Good Morning Sir, We are the ones who will fly with you today, from Korean Airlines. We gladly take this opportunity to appease your needs. I'm John your Captain for today with 45, 000 flying hours, assisted with our First Officer with 3,000 flying hours. Second Officer, Kiefer Leslie. Purser, Katlyn Park, and the rest of the flight crew. We wish you safe travel." John explained. "Aigo~, I'm looking forward to this flight to Kyoto, Japan and I can understand Korean, German, Italian, and English, just be comfortable speaking with me," I replied.

With a swift polite nod, I rushed to my seat, placed my suitcase in the overhead bin. I analyzed my seat troubled that there might be a bomb or something; a scenario came up in my head. If I die what would happen to me? Is their afterlife? What about my money? Surely they will fight over it? Aish~ I haven't written my will yet. Arghhh! I smacked my head on the tray table trying to calm myself.

"-ssador? Ambassador!" Someone's calling me. I got up from my seat and searched who called for me. "Ambassador Pablo! Are you alright? Is your head ok? Do you want to be called crazy? Stop bagging your head," my friend muttered on the aisle looking at me. I faced him and said. "Oh~ Giuseppe my old friend, don't worry I'm not yet crazy, I'm just worried maybe my seat will explode or the plane will crash or, or someone will hijack us or-" terror and uncertainty replaced my composed self.

Unexpectedly, there was a stroke on my shoulders; it was like some sort of assurance from my friend, Giuseppe Agosti, former Charge's d'affaires. "Your guards already surveyed all nooks and crannies of the plane and they did a background check on all passengers and crew on board. There's no need to worry Pablo," he replied with a nod and went back to his seat.

Abruptly, a PA announcement disrupted our small talk.

「"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Katlyn Park and I'm your chief flight attendant. On behalf of Captain John Kerry and the entire crew, welcome aboard Korean Airlines flight KE723, non-stop service from Korea to Japan.

Our flight time will be of 1 hour and 20 minutes. We will be flying at an altitude of 35, 000 feet at a ground speed of 500 knots.

We are currently third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments.

At this time, make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position and that your seat belt is correctly fastened. Also, your portable electronic devices must be set to 'airplane mode until an announcement is made upon arrival. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing Korean Airlines. Enjoy your flight."」

With small applause, I cheered the purser. "Well done and by the way it's a perfect delivery." She replied with a smile. Aish~, I wish I'm still young.

With thoughts filled in my head, I contemplated what will happen if only my only alive child didn't leave us. She has been deemed the black sheep of the family. If only her brother who was considered as the white knight stopped her from eloping with that stupid bastard. That day is still vividly stored in my head, 8k resolution, and 60fps. If only my family didn't die, I wouldn't be like this.

What's the purpose of success and fortune if the most valuable treasure you've been protecting doesn't exist? Damn, I couldn't even save my daughter and my family. I was immersed in my deep subconscious; it was dark, endless, and eerie. My subconscious was telling me that I am an incomplete and lifeless individual.

Enlightenment was almost in my reach but a sudden shake broke it. "What is it?" I grumbled. My butler, Francisco Almeri, was wondering what happened, my butler was watching my face as if I have a speck of dirt on my cheeks. As I tried to wipe my cheeks I realized that it was wet. Did I cry? What did I daydream about?

FRANCISCO ALMERI'S

As we had our takeoff, I opened my television monitor in front of me. A reflection was visible on the screen, Signore was crying.

"What happened Signore," I said with a concerned tone. "It's nothing don't worry," Signore replied. I knew that this was related to his family again. I was struck with an intuition, something is missing. I scoured my seat and under my seat, I forgot something. I noticed Signore's useless secretary holding an envelope. It was brown with a black string around it to seal. "It's mine, hey useless secretary give it to me that, it's mine," I mumbled, grabbing the missing envelope.

"Jesus, you scared me there," with a click of his tongue and a roll of eyes he handed the envelope. "You're truly useless," teasing him, I winked at him. He was pissed off. He slid his neck with his hands, he was implying 'wanna die?' internally. As soon as I had the envelope I tilted towards my left, approximately I titled towards my 8 o'clock where Signore Fabriano was seated.

「Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to direct your attention to the television monitors. We will be showing our safety demonstration and would like the next few minutes of your complete attention.」

Before the video safety demonstration started I quickly presented the envelope to Signore Fabriano.

"Here's what you have ordered Signore," I said. "Very well, I've been waiting for it," Signore replied. I titled back toward my original position, 12 o'clock. Shortly after, we had already taken off. Flying never ceases to impress me.

「Good afternoon passengers. This is your captain speaking. First I'd like to welcome everyone on Korean Airlines Flight KE723. We are currently cruising at an altitude of 35,000 feet at an airspeed of 500 knots.

The time is 8:17 am. The weather looks good and with the tailwind on our side, we are expecting to land in Kyoto approximately fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. The weather in Kyoto is clear and sunny, with a high of 25 degrees for this morning.

If the weather cooperates we should get a great view of the city as we descend. The cabin crew will be coming around in about twenty minutes to offer you a light snack and beverage, and the inflight movie will begin shortly after that. I'll talk to you again before we reach our destination. Until then, sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the flight.」

Unfortunately, I was assigned an aisle seat, not a window seat. But I was able to caught glimpse of the glorious skies and clouds beneath us. It is truly magnificent views. With happiness painted on my face, I was immersed in my dreams of walking in the sky. What a funny dream.

"Psst! Francisco!" Signore called. "Signore?" I replied reluctantly not knowing his intentions. "It's good, your report was very clear and spot on. Voilà! You're good." He said. "Il piacere è mio, Signore" I added.

His tone was like a person wanting someone dead. He is dangerous, that's why even space denies him. ISS doesn't want him due to his personality, even when someone is overqualified and exceeds all training it doesn't end well. He's here stuck on earth dealing politics. Truly frightening.

「Ladies and gentlemen, the Captain has turned off the Fasten Seat Belt sign, and you may now move around the cabin. However, we always recommend keeping your seat belt fastened while you're seated.

In a few moments, the flight attendants will be passing around the cabin to offer you hot or cold drinks, as well as breakfast, a light meal, and a snack. Alcoholic drinks are also available at a nominal charge/with our compliments. Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight. Thank you.」

SIGNORE FABRIANO'S

A brown envelope with a black string, hmmm. Nice envelope I have to say. I opened the envelope and emptied its contents and reviewed it carefully. With different expressions on my face as I scanned the papers, one thing surprised me, Interesting kid. I reached a bottle of Krug Clos d'Ambonnay Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne. It's expensive and tasty. A bottle of expensive champagne to celebrate an interesting kid.