What's Next?

Chapter 30 Truth

The next morning Se-ri and Annette met for breakfast, Se-ri felt calmer after meeting him the night before. She did not know what he was planning, but she trusted him.

"Annette, today is going to be busy, the students will be practicing before the competition. Hans and I will be making the rounds to meet and listen to them. I have arranged for you to have a tour of Basel and the Basel Academy of Music. I also told them to take you to old town Basel. I think you would enjoy your tour. Is there anything you would like to see while you are here?"

"A Bridge. I read an article about it a long time ago and it has always fascinated me."

Se-ri looked at Annette, if she only knew my history with that bridge.

"And what else?"

"Paragliding, I have seen it in California and read that it is popular here."

Oh, if you only knew my history with paragliding, Se-ri thought.

"There is a lot to see here. There are some wonderful Museums, we can go this weekend. And shopping. What is a vacation without shopping? And you have lot of people to shop for."

Annette looked at her and smiled, she loved to shop and had a knack for finding the best deals.

"Let's go to the concierge so you can meet your tour guide."

With Annette taken cared of for the day, Se-ri met Hans and they went to check in with the students and the teachers during their practice. During the day she looked out for Jeong hyeok and his parents but did not see them.

They met for dinner and Annette told her all about her day.

"Annette, let's go to your suite." It was time to tell her everything.

Se-ri sat on the couch looking across at Annette.

"I think I am going to hear quite a story," Annette said.

"Why do you say that?"

"You remind of the Shakespeare's phrase Still Waters Run Deep."

Se-ri looked at her and smiled.

"Annette, when you hear what I have to say, do not feel guilty or remorse. It is because of those experiences that I have become who I am. A determination to have my own business and be successful."

Annette knew what she was about to hear was not good.

She told her everything, her family, Sigriswil, paragliding and the tornado that took her to North Korea, Jeong hyeok, and her brother's attempt to have her killed.

Annette sat in shocked silence, she could not believe what she was hearing. But most of all she was angry. Angry at Yoon Jeung pyeong for not taking care and protecting her, the sweet baby girl she was forced to give up. She did not think she could forgive him for letting his wife and sons treat Se-ri so badly. And worse of all, Yoon Sae hyung tried to kill her, her own brother. What rotten people did she hand her sweet baby to?

Se-ri looked at Annette and held her hand.

"Annette, I know what you just heard shocks you. Jeong hyeok healed me, here in Swiss and in Korea. He showed me and my family how a family is supposed to be. I will always be thankful and grateful for that."

"You love him. Is that why you came to California?"

"Yes. Last year he came with his parents and fiancée. I needed a change from Korea and I went to the place I always wanted to visit. I needed some space plus no one knew me or my background, I did not have to worry about the press. It has been freeing, enjoying my time with David and Lisa and doing things I never did."

"What's next, Se-ri? I want to see you happy and if Jeong hyeok is the one to do that, how do you two overcome the obstacles?"

"I don't know, I know Jeong hyeok is thinking about that."

"Have you ever asked him to defect?"

"No, he has to decide that for himself. I don't want him to feel he has to defect for me. What about his parents? They are aging, it won't be fair to ask him to do that to please me. Plus, if I do that, he will not be happy that he abandoned his parents and it will be dangerous for them."

Annette looked at Se-ri. She took her hand and kissed it.

"My sweet child. How did you get so wise and kind? And with all that you went through in your young life? How is that possible?"

"Because I inherited your kindness. I always wondered where that trait came from and it came from you."

"Annette, it's been a long day, I am going to turn in. I will see you tomorrow."

She hugged Annette and kissed her. "I am so glad you came."

Se-ri got ready for bed and was about to turn off the lights when she heard the key card. She stood still, hoping for the one she wished to see. The person entered the room and she heard that voice.

"Se-ri, are you there?"

She looked at him and went over to him, put her arms around his waist and stood there.

"What are you doing here?"

He looked at her and kissed her. She melted, why did he have such a hold on her? she thought.

"I came to see you. I missed you."

"Jeong hyeok, what is going on?"

"Nothing. I wanted to see how you were." They continued holding each other.

"Do you have to leave soon?"

"Yes. I came to tell you that you might hear somethings about me. Don't worry. Are you going to Korea from here? Is Annette going with you?"

"Yes. I have to check in with my team, Annette will be going home."

They held each other, Jeong hyeok kissed her, a gentle, sweet kiss. That one sweet kiss led to kisses where they could not get enough of each other, so hungry were they for each other. It felt as if fate was playing with them. They pulled apart, looking at each other. He stoked her cheek and tucked her hair behind her hair.

"Se-ri, I have to go, I can't be gone long. Saranghae."

"Saranghae, Jeong hyeok, and give my regards to your parents."

"Keep this meeting secret, tell no one."

She hugged him and took a deep breath, so she can remember his scent, to lock it in her being and memory. Jeong hyeok look at Se-ri and felt the sooner she got back to California, the better for her. Her friends would help through with what was to come.

It was another sleepless night for Se-ri.