Love Is Not Over

Cam: Eehhhh

"Welcome to Asia Airlines. Please fasten your seat belts and prepare yourselves for take off. Switch off all devices for safety purposes and remain seated until notified otherwise."

I sat back, yawning as the first signs of morning peeked through the clouds. The past few days drained so much out of me. Alex and Ty's graduations, the after parties, and saying goodbye.

I looked out the window, envying the birds that flew freely as we took off.

Freedom. That's what I wanted most.

Thinking of those words and those words only, I fell asleep.

...
" We have now arrived at Seoul International Airport. Unfasten your seat belts and make your way to the doors. Please, watch your step as you head out and thank you for flying with Asian Airlines."

I followed the crowd, bags in hand, and sleep clouding my eyes. A vibration in my pocket jolted me upright.

"Hey, Fred."

"Hey, hunn! How are you?"

A yawn, "I'm okay."

"Okay, well Charles is already there to pick you up so you won't need to worry about that."

"Mhhmmm." Another yawn.

I could hear him hesitate, "So, the girls and I are going ice skating with the guys tonight in celebration of our first meeting. Do you... do you think you can join us?"

I was already expecting something like that. And was seriously not in the mood for it.

"Thanks for the invite Fred, but I really need to rest. I wasn't very comfortable on the plane and this jet lag don't play around." I sighed.

Disappointment greased his voice, "Oh, right. Of course. I'm sorry, I don't mean to push you too far. I understand hunn."

I turned to see Charles holding a poster with my name on it. I smiled.

"Thanks, Fred. Have fun." I hung up, running to our chauffeur.

He held his arms out and I gladly ran into them, nearly knocking him over.

"Whoah, there Camel. I'm not getting any younger here!" He joked. As usual. Good to see some things don't change.

"Thanks for coming Uncle Charlie. It means a lot." I pulled back with a smirk.

He ruffled my hair, "Wouldn't miss it for the world, kiddo. If I didn't, I wouldn't have been able to hold THIS up."

He held up his sign again, this time I saw it clearly.

CAMEL.

I chuckled, "Jesus Christ. You HAD to use that again."

"And again, wouldn't miss it for the world."

I smiled as he lead me through the crowd, towards the black SUV.

"So, how was the trip squirt?"

I rolled my eyes. "You already know I hate flying."

He laughed opening my door, "It was worth a try."

Traffic was thick as we slowly merged. Tall buildings surrounded the freeway, billboards of idols promoting some kind of company hung carefully on their windows.

After all those years of dreaming about being here, it finally happened.

Question is, why was it happening at the wrong time?

I turned to Charles. "So what'd I miss?"

"Well, they had a welcome dinner Tuesday night. Then rehearsal yesterday and Wednesday. They also had rehearsal this morning which is why they're going out to ice skate. Their manager wanted to reward them for their effort and consistency." He droned.

"Jeez, I miss 3 days and I get thrown into the pit. I was already far in as it gets! Do they HAVE to make it worse?" I whined.

Charles sighed, pulling in to the hotel, "I know. I'm sorry kiddo. But you got this, I know you do."

I gave a small smile as he patted my shoulder.

"Stay in here, I'll be back."

I nodded.

He unbuckled his seat belt and stepped out the car, then disappeared inside the crystal double doors.

A few seconds later he returned with a bell boy who trudged after him, clumsily pulling the cart.

He opened my door, handing me a pair of shades along with a face mask. "Wouldn't wanna have a stampede comin after you."

I gratefully took them, closing the door behind me. "Thanks, Uncle."

Allah, Buddha, God, whoever you are! Thank you for making Charls.

"No problem, kiddo." He pointed to the bellboy, "This is Ji Sol. He will be escorting you to your room. I booked you a room that is separate from Val and Chelsea for your privacy and specifically hired Ji Sol here to tend to your needs. He is updated in the situation for the most part."

I turned and bowed to the gentleman. He bowed back, lower.

"Okay, now that that's settled, I'll be heading off. Mr. Fred needs me to run some errands for the group which means I'll be very much occupied." He came over to hug me. "Be safe kiddo. And call me if you need anything."

I pulled away, "You know I will."

He ruffled my hair before hopping into the SUV.

I watched him leave, then turned to the bellboy. "Lead the way ahjussi."

He bowed again. "Ye. This way please."

I slipped on my shades and mask, carefully following him in the hotel.

We hopped onto the elevator and waited for what felt like forever. Finally, we exited on the 23rd floor into the dimly lit hallway. The left side of the room only had large glass windows that gave view to the bustling city life. Meanwhile, huge heavy set doors sat on the right with their metallic color. Ji Sol led me to the very last room at the end of the corridor.

"Excuse me, ahjussi. Who's room is this?" I asked. I didn't want to have noisy neighbors for the next few days.

"Ye. That is Val and Chelsea's room, and next to them are the boys room."

Great. Just great. How was I going to avoid them NOW?

I nodded anyways, placing my finger on the door scanner. A little green light lit up as the door swung open. Ji Sol quickly stepped in with the luggage, gracefully taking them down and placing them in the living room.

Before he could bow and leave, I placed half of the unknown Korean bills Charls gave me into his coat. "Gamsahamnida. Please accept this small token and be careful on your way out."

His eyes bulged when he pulled out the bills, "No, no-"

I held up my hand, silencing his rant. "Please. I know you must have children of your own. Those children are depending on you okay? Take this and help your family. That's an order."

His eyes watered as he bowed, bending so low I thought he might break. "Gamsamnida. Gamsamnida."

I smiled as he backed out the door, still wiping his tears and shutting it behind him.

I decided to unpack, placing all my flashy clothes in one of the 3 rooms of the penthouse. After unpacking, I hopped in the shower to relax myself before bed.

I was drying my hair and getting ready for bed when Fred called again.

"Hey, sweetie! I'm just calling to check in on you. Everything alright?"

"Yeah, it's fine. I'm about to get some rest."

"Oh! Okay. Sorry for interrupting, I'll see you tomorrow 'kay?"

"Mhhmm." I hung up, jumping on my bed. It didn't take long for the shadows to take me in, and I welcomed it's embrace.