What's Next?

Chapter 32 The Field Trip

The first thing she did when she returned to California was to call Annette.

"Annette, it's Se-ri. How was your flight back?"

"It was fine. Did something happen in Switzerland? I did not see you before I left. You seemed busy."

"I am sorry I did not get a chance to say good bye. The Ri family went missing so I was busy with that and the fallout."

"Have they been found?"

"Nothing yet. I am worried about them. How is everyone?"

"They are all fine. They loved the gifts I brought, thanks for the inspiration. The family would like to see you. They were jealous that I had such a trip and I told them about the scholarship and the events and they were impressed as was I. You are talented, Se-ri."

"I was told that you were talented. That you were creative and you designed and made your own clothes."

"Who told you that?"

"My mother. She said that I inherited your creativity."

She was standing in her favorite spot, looking at the ocean and drinking her coffee. September arrived and it was warm, the weather this time of year was the best. She only had a couple of months before she went home and she would miss this, drinking her morning coffee, looking at the ocean in her favorite spot. She was glad she came, she needed to experience something new. She looked at her phone and the number was from Korea, but she did not know the sender. She decided to take the call.

"Hello"

"Se-ri. It's me."

That voice. She thought it might be a trick, someone impersonating him.

"Who are you?"

"It's me, Jeong hyeok. It is really me."

"Where are you? And your parents? Are you safe?"

"We are safe."

"How, when?"

"Just know that we are safe."

She looked at her phone, they were safe. Where were they? She was thinking to extend her stay, at least until she knew where he was. It was easier for her to handle the stress here of not knowing where he was and how he and parents were doing. She had her supporters, Lisa, David and her family.

She called Lisa to tell her she was back and to meet for lunch. They met at Lisa's house and as soon as Lisa saw her, she knew something was off.

"Se-ri, welcome back. How was Switzerland? And the scholarship? David told me his dad and uncle are very impressed and thy would like to help in any way they can."

"I was surprised that they were so involved in music and that they are brothers. Two brothers married two sisters. That explains why the families are so close."

"Amazing, isn't it? Did you see him?"

"Yes, he was there with his parents minus the fiancée."

"What happened to the fiancée?"

"She broke off the engagement because he was too boring. But something strange happened, the Ri's disappeared."

"Were they kidnapped?"

"I don't know. I got a call from him saying that they were safe."

"Safe where?"

"He did not say."

"You must be so worried. What can I do to help?"

"Just be there for me. I made calls to my contacts in South Korea and they don't know anything."

"It's time for a field trip. Have you been to any of the Missions?"

"No. I have been reading about them and I would like to visit Mission San Antonio de Padua"1

"It is my favorite Mission. It is like going back in time, it's quiet, no traffic, no noise. I love the courtyard, just to sit and listen to the quiet. There is a good gift shop with lots of cool things. We will take a picnic. There are no restaurants there and we will have to drive to the next town to get something to eat. Let's go this weekend."

That weekend they went to the Mission. 2

Se-ri was amazed, it was so quiet, and peaceful. There was no one around, they were the only people at the Mission. They sat on the benches in the courtyard and had their picnic. She was at peace especially after the two weeks in Switzerland.

"Lisa, this is wonderful, I love it here. It is so quiet, so peaceful. Thank you for bringing me here."

"I always feel for a nap when I sit here. It is hard to leave here and go back to civilization."

"I know what you mean."

"Do you remember when we went to Hearst Castle 3 in San Simeon and I pointed out the mountains? He owned the land at San Simeon and the land over the mountains. He sold the land over the mountains to the government and that is why there is no development around it. Over those mountains is San Simeon on the coast." Lisa said.

The Gift Shop had a lot of cool things, just as Lisa had said. She bought two mantillas, one white and the other black and gold. She had never seen such beautiful mantillas; the shop owner told her they were imported from Spain. She also bought a bottle of Olive Oil made from the olive trees that grew there and a painting of the Mission. They left the Mission and headed home.

"I am sad when I leave the peace and quiet and go back into the world." Lisa said.

"I understand what you mean." Se-ri replied.

Their trip home was silent, each in their own thoughts.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_San_Antonio_de_Padua#History

2. Mission San Antonio de Padua is at Fort Hunter Liggett. Hearst sold the land to Army in 1940.

3. Hearst Castle, San Simeon is on Highway 1 on the California coast. His father bought about 40,000 acres of ranchland. By the time Hearst died, he expanded it to 250,000 acres.https://hearstcastle.org/history-behind-hearst-castle/historic-people/