FILE 24: AT THE SECRET HOTEL PART 4

YunHee was glowing all over her body. With several trips to the spa, a swim in the sea and a long tan in the sun she radiated fulfilment. As her boss was busy with his own tasks, she went out and enjoyed herself.

She was busy changing her clothes when Liam arrived back. She hurriedly tidied her hair, but he motioned her off. "Take your time."

As a result she slowed down and queried politely, "How was the lunch with Nathan McNeill, sir?" He unbuttoned his jacket and slumped in a chair in triumph.

"He seems to know his job very well and does not come across as a fraud. I concocted some story about one of Edrys' lackeys, and he instantly identified what it was. He's as impressive as you informed me.

I'll dispatch him on this goose chase and even pay him his price for it then send him to Edrys to aid her under false pretences. If she's right and he is being watched by the Sith, we can't be discovered."

But then Liam smirked cruelly. "Although I believe he might make good bait." YunHee shifted awkwardly. "Bait, sir? What are you implying?"

"What if the person under their watch comes under serious trouble and needs their help? If they charged for his defence, then we could capture one of them, and then finally—" he did not continue his sentence to achieve his point. 

YunHee felt chills go down her spine at her boss' mercilessness. He was inevitably determined to fulfil his goal so much that he placed an innocent in harm's way. Poor kid. I'm afraid you were indeed unfortunate this time, she thought regretfully.

"Keep yourself busy until tomorrow. We will return to South Korea in two days," he notified her. She didn't express her genuine disappointment as she affirmed her orders.

*

According to the tickets Lea and I could stay barely for another three days, to her disappointment. Accordingly, I made an appointment for us to go scuba diving, something I always desired to undertake and what she was very apprehensive of.

"I heard many people suffering accidents when diving," she related to me uneasily. "Can't I skip this one?"

"It happens rarely. Don't worry, we'll be under strict supervision and there will be many other people in case something happens," I encouraged her.

"Sure," she gave up. After breakfast the next day, we gathered with eleven other people who prattled excitedly. I winked and waved at the young female couple who struggled with their swimsuits. In response, they giggled, causing Lea to scowl and slap me on the arm.

"What?" I turned towards her. 

"Stop flirting, it's embarrassing," she hissed. I glanced down at her flushed face in amusement. "Do you take notes from Mars or something? Is there a reason you care?" Smirking, I replied, "It's not like we're dating." Her blush intensified.

"Anyway, it looks dumb," she muttered gloomily. I merely laughed and zipped up my suit. Two of the managers went around checking our outfits and corrected those who required help.

After gearing up, we climbed onto a sturdy boat and went out onto the sea. 

Three days later we were at the airport, tanned and tuckered out from all the vacationing. It was windy, signalling an upcoming storm, so we were lucky to avoid the harsh weather. 

"Did you remember the souvenirs?" Lea asked bluntly. I was engaged studying our flight tickets and nodded absentmindedly. Naturally I remembered. There were my parents' gifts in there, how could I overlook them?

While waiting for our flight, I spoke to some strangers I never encountered, making Lea sigh now and then. I don't see the problem as I habitually speak to women I don't recognise on the street whenever I have the chance.

Don't tell me, is she jealous? How adorable! I played with my ponytail deliberately while speaking with the girls, making them breathless. I absolutely relished the attention.

'ANNOUNCING; PASSENGERS FOR FLIGHT TO GIMHAE AIRPORT PLEASE GO TO GATE 7. I REPEAT, FLIGHT TO GIMHAE AIRPORT PLEASE GO TO GATE 7.'

"Sorry, ladies. That's my queue. It was nice talking with you. Oh, if you ever have trouble with ghosts, please contact me." I presented my card. They looked astonished as they read my contact details.

"Finally," Lea griped. I spurned her as we left for the gate. The flight back was silent, at least between us but the aeroplane itself was noisy as people were still in the partying mood.

The silence was deafening when we arrived home to South Korea. Upon entering the Uber, the driver was stoic and silent, a quality I had once desired, but the ensuing quietness now made for a rough ride.

"Three hundred thousand won," he said curtly as we stopped in front of my house. I flinched as I reached for my wallet only to be stopped by Lea.

"I'll pay," she replied softly and rummaged in her handbag. As the Uber driver sped off I peered at the woman before me. "Aren't you going home? I don't have any space, you know?"

"I know. But it's past three am and I live alone," she responded. I shrugged, "And?" She sighed in frustration. "I don't want to enter my house in the dark. Just let me stay until daylight, okay?"

So she was afraid of being alone? "This is South Korea, not Europe. You won't get attacked." I was amused by her. She looked angry at my response. "I know! Now will you let me stay or not?" I gave an exaggerated bow and she stomped past me while I followed, carrying our bags.8