What's Next?

Chapter 29 Some Things Revealed

Se-ri got ready for bed, she knew she had to tell Annette about Jeong hyeok. Just then there was a knock on her door and it was Annette.

"Annette, I know what you want to ask. Can we wait to talk about it? I promise we will. It's just that I am tired."

Annette went to Se-ri and gently touched her arm.

"I am here. Whatever burden you are carrying, let me help you carry it."

Se-ri looked at her, whispered, "Thank you."

Annette hugged her and she could feel her shaking. Annette tightened her hold.

"Thank you, I feel better."

Annette kissed her forehead. "I will see you tomorrow."

Se-ri went to bed but had a hard time falling asleep. She got up, got dressed and went looking for a cup of hot chocolate. She found an open café and ordered the hot chocolate. She sat with her hands wrapped around the cup in her own world. What a strange day, she thought. The invitation to go to dinner with the Ris was curious and unexpected, she did not know what to think.

"Se-ri"

That voice. She did not expect to see him and at this late hour.

"Jeong hyeok, what are you doing here? Can't sleep? Did you follow me?"

"Same as you, can't sleep. I saw you walking and followed you."

"Where is your fiancée? Why did your father ask us to join you for dinner?"

"Who is Annette?"

She looked at him, "You first."

"We are no longer engaged. She thought I was boring and would not spend her life with a boring man. It is safe for us now, you don't have to worry."

"Why is it safe for you? There are ties between Swiss and North Korea, I am sure that your homeland knows about the dinner invitation"

"Who is Annette?"

"She is my biological mother."

He looked at her surprised, he did not expect that.

"How? When did you find out?"

"Last year was hard when your fiancée was introduced. I went home and decided to live in California for a year. That was where we met, through her nephew."

"Why did you feel you the need to leave Korea?"

"It was painful seeing you with another woman. I wanted to be in a place with no memories of us and where I could make my own memories. I felt I needed some distance. I met some wonderful people, namely Lisa and David. They helped me and it was at Annette's house I met her at Thanksgiving. We did a DNA test and it came back not excluded and probability of paternity 99.9%. David's mother and Annette are sisters. When I went there, I never expected anything like this, it has been quite a journey. I left Korea without knowing my biological mother and will return knowing her. Isn't that amazing?"

Se-ri looked at him with a bright smile, her eye smile on display. It was his favorite.

"What about you, Jeong hyeok? How was your year?"

"I am no longer engaged. I am happy for you in finding your biological mother."

Se-ri knew he did not want to give her more information about his life in the north.

They sat in silence, each in their own thoughts.

"Are you staying at the same hotel? What is your suite number?"

"Yes, same hotel and here is my key card, same suite as last year. It would be good to spend some time with you."

He gave her his cell number.

She looked at the time and looked at him. She leaned over and stroked his cheek and smiled

"I should be going. Tomorrow is a busy day and I should get some sleep."

"I will walk you to your hotel."

She smiled at him, "I would like that."

They walked hand in hand toward her hotel, they stopped about a block from her hotel. She turned to look at him. "Saranghae, Jeong hyeok" And gave him a sweet kiss on his lips.

He wanted to hold her there and not let go. But the time was not right, it will be soon.

"Saranghae, Se-ri."

She did get some sleep that night.