Against all Odds

complete...

PROLOGUE

I'm woken up by a nightmare. Glad that I didn't scream. It would be embarrassing and might cause a ruckus here on the plane. We're going back to Korea, my uncle and I. My name is Allana Lee (pronounced as al- ya-na) or in Korean it's Lee Seo Ah. My mom is Korean and my dad is English- Italian. I'm not fluent in Korean and Italian but I can give a decent conversation. My parents are gone for at least a decade now and I grew up with my uncle who took up my parents' business in England after they died. And now here I am, back in Korea to fulfill a promise.

CHAPTER 1

"Allana? We're here.", my uncle Yvan called.

I nodded and got ready to depart.

"I'm going to collect our luggage. Stay here. It won't take long.", uncle left.

I look around. It's different from Europe and America. I'm seeing these for the first time in years yet I still feel at home.

My uncle and I went straight to my parents' friend's house. He's Kim Do Soo. He has a son, Kim Kyung Soo.

"Oseooseyo!9Welcome!)", Do Soo greeted.

"Kamsahamnida. (Thank you.)", my uncle replied and shook his hand.

"Annyeong Haseyo.(Hello.)", I bowed.

"Appa!!", Kyung Soo called. "Joesong Hamnida. (Sorry.) Their rooms areready. (Spoken in Korean.)", he informed and went away.

He must be Kyung Soo. I thought.

"You must be hungry. Come on, let's eat. (spoken in Korean)", Do Soo invited.

Kyung Soo pulled a chair for me but by judging from the way he looks I'm certain he's just forced but I still bowed as a thank you.

"Uncle?", I tugged at his sleeve. "Can I visit mom and dad?", I asked.

"Of course, sweetheart.", he smiled and brushed my cheeks lightly.

"Mwo Ra Go? (what?)", Do Soo asked me.

"She wants to visit her mom and dad. (spoken in Korean)", uncle answered for me.

"Kyung Soo will accompany you. (spoken in Korean)", Do Soo announced.

He looked surprised.

"Anio, kwaen cha na yo. (No, it's ok.)", I said.

"I insist. (spoken in Korean)", Do Soo said. "Olbarun, Kyung Soo yah? (Right, Kyung Soo?)"

"Ne.", Kyung Soo answered.

CHAPTER 2

Kyung Soo showed me my room. I can feel his eyes following me as I look around.

"No, pir yo cha da? (Do you want to rest?)", he asked.

"Anio, ka ja. (No, let's go.)", I faced him.

He lead the way out of the house to his car.

"Tangshinui? (Yours?)", I asked.

"Eung.", he agreed.

"Can I drive?", I asked him in English.

"As you wish.", he said in the same language.

He tossed me the key and proceeded to the passenger seat. I jumped inside and started to drive.

"Where do your parents live?", he asked.

He told me to converse in English since I would be easier for me.