Twisted Rope

High Wire

Seoul, Friday

Seri scribbled a note for the girls to let them know she was getting the later flight. She had said goodbye to them last night, telling them not to get up early to see her off to the airport. She'd see them in New York on Sunday, anyway. But this morning she'd changed her mind about the flight time. She felt guilty about the text she had just sent to Jeong-hyeok to tell him, but it couldn't be helped. She had packed a large suitcase, enough for the week, but already she was wondering if she should come back earlier.

Maybe I'll message Jeong-hyeok later and tell him I'll have to catch an earlier flight back, rather than spending the entire week in New York, she thought. She couldn't really spend an entire week away.

Why was she struggling with this project? It didn't seem to get easier. She'd had challenges before, but had always found a way to deal with them. Why was she struggling? Was she losing her touch? But the team was struggling too. She had some great people, so why hadn't it come together?

I guess we just keep working on it. I don't give up, I never have.

She tried to push the self-doubt out of her mind.

Lim Sun-Hee came in to see her off. Seri smiled warmly at her. It was good of her to get up so early, too.

"I've left a note for Ka-youn and Yeji," she said. "I've changed my flight to the one this afternoon instead. It's a shame, but it can't be helped."

Sun-Hee looked sympathetically at her.

"You're working so hard, Seri. I'm sure it would do you good to have a break." She came over and touched her arm. "Is there anything I can do? You know I'll help if I can."

The simple words of sympathy made her feel pathetically grateful to Sun-Hee. She felt as if she was having to shoulder so much at the moment, an offer of help rather than a demand felt precious.

"You're already such a help. We just couldn't manage without you. Knowing you've got an eye on the girls helps me enormously." She fiddled with the handle of her suitcase, feeling a little torn. It was so tempting to unload some of her worries. She guessed that Sun-Hee might have noticed that things weren't right between her and Jeong-hyeok. She thought of her as a friend, not an employee. But she didn't feel as if she could talk about this with her.

"I guess work is just challenging at the moment. As soon as I get over this peak, things will be easier and I'll be able to take a break."

"Well, if you're sure. But do call on me if you need me."

"Honestly, I'm fine. I really ought to get going. I've called an early meeting. Tell the girls I'll ring them later, just before I take off. And we'll see you and the girls on Sunday evening."

"I'm really looking forward to it and I know the girls are, too."

"I'd better get going. Take care, then. Speak later, bye." Seri smiled affectionately at her, and then she was heading out of the door.

She'd arranged a car to collect her that morning, so she took the chance to sink back in her seat and try to relax a bit during the journey. She felt so tired. Once again she'd spent the night tossing and turning, unable to get back to sleep once she'd woken at 3am. It was so frustrating when she was so tired and had so much to do. She allowed herself to close her eyes as they travelled. The roads were relatively quiet that morning, probably as it was so early.

Unfortunately, as soon as she tried to relax, her mind started brooding. She was looking forward to New York and seeing Jeong-hyeok, but it was such a long journey, and the difference in time zones was going to make it difficult to keep up with what was happening at work. And she just knew he would nag her when she checked her messages. Maybe it would be better to come back early. She'd be able to focus, and if he had the girls with him, then he wouldn't mind. Hopefully.