Fresh Hope

2. late night calls

The girls video chat with you for a  little while. The journey from the airport to the hotel only takes 40 minutes. They've booked you in, so all you need to do is head up to the suite.

That's exactly what you do. On the way to the elevators, you spy a really comfy looking sofa in the lobby, 'yes, people watching area located' a smile spreads over your face, remembering your friend sitting very close to you on a similar looking sofa, this is the second time on this journey you have thought of your friend. 'I really should check in with him'

Knock knock

The doors thrown open, there's joyful screams and lots of hugs.
Lee, Perry, and Jade. You love these bitches.
Perry,  takes your luggage and Lee hands you a glass of bubbles. Jade's already got the volume turned up and your all dancing around like its a teen slumber party.
They fill you in on the dynamics of their group changing.  They are happy for her but it still stings for them.

They have booked facials and massage for later so, you put your things in your room, also putting your phone on to charge, sending a message to the family group chat letting them know you have landed and are settled. and go for a shower. The suite is large, you each have your own room with en suites but all share a large living area and mini kitchen.

The beauticians arrive and set up. The chat between you turns to shit face.
"Yeah, I've not heard from him since the end of October. He was pitching a fit coz he had to return to complete his service, when he finally does leave I've heard they are leaning toward dishonourable discharge. I hope not though because, his family will have that stigma too"   even though you no longer speak to the family you still don't want that for them. They were always nice to you and showed you love. Just because he made a shitty decision doesn't mean his family should pay. Fuck his dad's out of pocket and nearly lost his company.

When you returned to Seoul back in August, you met up with his parents. They wanted to apologise for shit face. It was like a break up with them too, but at least you got to say your goodbyes. His sister had since gone to Europe, she wanted to put as much distance between her and her brother as she could. She emails once in a while just to say hi and check in. But even these as becoming scarce. Its understandable. Your 'mutual' friends took DJ's side. Looks like they were more his friends than yours. But you don't care, your core group of friends have your back.

You only spent 3 weeks in Korea. In that time, you put the apartment up for rent and a young family have taken a lease for 3 years. You wish them luck, you had taken a lot of time and effort to make the apartment homely. Buying art, modern appliances  and nice furniture. You really thought it would be your home. Somewhere for you to make a life. For now you remain, at least in your mind, homeless.

While in Seoul you met up with your friend. It was so good to see Cole. She wanted to thank you personally for helping out with the US contract. She took you for lunch. taking this opportunity she said she was "surprised about DJ's actions" that he "always looked at me with love in his eyes". The way you look at it now, he was just a shitty few episodes in your kdrama life.

You decided against calling Hoseok when in town, Cole had said the group were working on  a few different things, so you didn't want to be any kind of distraction.
Remembering how that conversation went over afterwards, you still laugh at it. Nicole had posted on her insta, 'coffee with this cutie' and a pic of you both.
An hour later your phone was going off.

"Wow, you really came to town and didn't call your hubby!" Hoseok laughs through the phone. But you can feel he's hiding his annoyance. "Aw, I didn't do it on purpose" you say "you are busy and have schedules, I'm only here for another day and then I'm back in Europe" it's at this point when you pretend to sob. All is forgiven. He starts to fill you in on what he's up to, "Wow, spoiler, I don't wanna know. I wanna be as surprised as the rest of the fans, I didn't become your friend for an inside scoop" you remind him. "Your not just a fan," he says, "your my wifeu, you get special privileges" both laughing and remembering your 'wedding night' it feels like ages ago but in reality it was three weeks since.