Treasure for All

10. Something More valuable

Evening rolled around, and with everyone on different sides of the diamond situation Hongjoong had everyone eat with their significant others', Yunho and Jongho eating alone. The crew typically ate together on the deck, but this was one of those rare occasions where they ate separately to avoid any heated arguments. Hongjoong wanted everyone to have a chance to cool down whenever everyone started taking sides. Although the crew had agreed not to argue in this situation, the captain wanted to avoid any slip-ups. He needed his crew focused on preparing for the quest. The necklace would be dealt with later.

It was Yunho's turn to do the dishes that night. After each crewmember brought their plates and silverware, he immediately got to work.

When he was in the middle of rinsing the fourth or fifth plate, a hard knock sounded from the side of the ship. Yunho turned off the water, dried his hands on his apron, and left the kitchen to answer who was by the ship. He punched in the code for the door to open and found Dalia standing outside.

"Oh, hello, Yunho," she greeting with a smile, her caramel skin glowing under the dim dock lights.

"Hi," he answered as he brushed his hair out of his eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"Is the captain here?"

"Yes. Is something wrong?"

Dalia glanced behind her, and then looked back at him. She pulled a standard-sized, yellow envelope out of her jacket and handed it to him. "I could get fired for this, but I think you and the crew will need this."

"What is it?" Yunho asked as he took the envelope. His hand lightly brushed hers, and he tried to blush.

"It'll explain everything," she replied. "But keep it safe. It's a tool that will come in handy on your journey."

Yunho tried to open the envelope, but Dalia stopped him. "Not here. Let the captain open it when you're all alone."

"Okay," he nodded in agreement.

"I must go, but I'll see you soon." She pecked his cheek before dashing off into the night.

Dumbfounded with his heart picking up its pace, Yunho stood there frozen. He had just met the professor's assistant yesterday, and he already had received a kiss from her. However, he didn't know if should say he was in love with her. For all her knew, it could have been just the idea of having a pretty woman on his arm that sent his mind racing. Therefore, it could have been a crush.

Although he and the captain were raised by Hongjoong's father, the boys were always taught to respect women and to cherish their future spouses as precious gemstones.

After finally regaining mobility, he closed the door and turned to the direction of the captain's quarters.

...

Both Dahae and Hongjoong were silent as they busied themselves with their own tasks. Dahae was sitting in her chair by the coffee table and taking notes on what to do if certain animals attacked them in each location they would be exploring. The captain sat at his desk and was finalizing his route before calling San and Mingi to set it into the ship's navigation system. The two typically made small talk as they jotted down their thoughts, but when Hongjoong was focused, a peep never escaped his lips. Some movements of word formations were there, but it was his way of talking to himself when the gears in his brain were turning.

A sudden knock on their door made them both jump.

"Who is it?" Hongjoong asked.

"Delivery for Kim Hong Joong," Yunho's voiced answered.

Dahae stood from her chair and went to the door. Once she opened it, a blushing and smiling Yunho stepped in, holding a yellow envelope in his hands.