Landed on Us

The Flashbacks

"Where's Jeong Hyeok?" Seri asked to Mu Hyeok who was having his breakfast when Seri emerged from her room. It was a day off for Mu Hyeok, so he took his time with his breakfast while reading a newspaper. Mu Hyeok smiled to her and offered her a bowl of porridge. Seri smiled her gratitude and sat down at the low table.

"He's going to the post office," he then added when Seri frowned, "To fetch the mails and packages". Seri only nodded and didn't say anything; though the concept of going to post office to fetch your mails and packages sound like a bad idea to her. Weren't they supposed to deliver those stuffs to you?

They ate the rest of their breakfast in comfortable silence and Seri glanced at the newspaper headline; and almost choked on her porridge when she saw the date.

"Are you okay?" Mu Hyeok put down his newspaper and went closer to pat her back. Seri didn't even know what to say, other than grimacing.

"I caught the date on the newspaper, it's been two months" she didn't say the words, but the understanding was hanging between them. It had been two months since Seri was stuck in the North. Mu Hyeok closed his eyes and clenched his fists. It was time like this where he felt the title on his name meant nothing.

Seri sensed Mu Hyeok's uneasiness and she hesitantly touched his clenching fist.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I don't mean anything by that, I know you've tried your best to help me" she then added, "You and Jeong Hyeok both. I cannot ask anything more"

Mu Hyeok smiled to her, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. He turned his hand and gripped her fingers instead.

"I will try harder Yoon Seri, but I just hope you understand that we cannot be careless in this. I need to make sure your safety is guaranteed when we send you out of here" he then added, "because I think you already know what it is at stakes for us"

Seri stared at Mu Hyeok intently then she nodded. It took snippets from several conversations that Seri accidentally walked into between Mu Hyeok and Jeong Hyeok for Seri to understand The Ri general's standing in the North. The fact that both men used to study abroad and Jeong Hyeok coming from Pyongyang were enough for her to understand that her saviors didn't come from average family in the North.

Mu Hyeok only nodded but didn't say nothing else. They kept staring at each other until the front door was opened and Jeong Hyeok's voice greeted them.

"Hyung" he said but he stopped when seeing Mu Hyeok who was still holding Seri's hands. He stared at them intently, making Seri immediately unclasped her hand and put it on her lap. Mu Hyeok didn't look perturbed and smiled at his younger brother.