Of Wedding Cakes and Dresses

Chapter 19

A five hour nap and numb backside later, Misa felt the jet touch down on solid ground, and sighed in relief. She leaned over Kyuhyun’s reclined chair and peeked out the window, watching as they taxied down a long runway, hoping to recognize anything that would reveal their current location. However, everything surrounding them looked like any other airport.

“So impatient!” Kyuhyun murmured, waking up from his own nap and smirking at her.

“You would be too if your butt hurt because of sitting for five hours, anata!” she shot back, stretching her legs out in front of her. She glanced at him and almost pleaded, “So, we’re here now. Can’t you tell me where here is exactly?”

“Patience,” was all he said, then chuckled when she scoffed and pushed him away.

The plane finally rolled to a stop, the engines slowly shutting down. The small FASTEN SEAT BELTS sign at the front of the plane blinked twice, then shut off; Misa immediately took it as a sign to freedom from her seat. Her fingers quickly unbuckled her seat belt and in a flash, she was standing.

As they collected their carry-on bags, the door to the cockpit swung open and out stepped the pilot: a tall, somewhat skinny man with graying hair and kind eyes. He made his way into the main cabin, bowing as he stopped just a few feet in front of them. “Mr. Cho, Miss Park,” he greeted in perfect Japanese, “Welcome to Thailand.” He smiled welcomingly.

Misa, who’d been in the middle of bowing, suddenly straightened up, her eyes flickering from the pilot then to her fiancée in confusion. “Thailand?” she repeated, dumbfounded.

The pilot nodded, continuing to smile. “As per your grandfather’s instructions, there is a car waiting outside to take you to your final destination,” he continued. “I do hope your stay is enjoyable.” He bowed again as they thanked him, then returned back to the cockpit.

“Thailand?” Misa said again, looking at Kyuhyun as if for confirmation.

He grinned. “Thailand,” he confirmed, grabbing his backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. When she continued to look bewildered, he laughed. “Come on,” he prompted, taking her hand and leading her to the now opened jet door.

The bright sun almost blinded them as they stepped out onto the stairs, the warm breeze rushing by, bringing them the scent of the nearby ocean. It took a moment for Misa to adjust to the change of weather, for when they’d left Seoul, the wind had been chilly and there had been snow on the ground.

True to the pilot’s words, there was a car parked in close proximity to the plane, a sleek, black Lexus with tinted windows. Like the car that had spirited her away from the hospital in Seoul, this car also had a chauffeur. He, too, was dressed in a dark suit and tie, matching cap and dark sunglasses that hid his eyes. He was smiled brightly as they descended the steps.

“Mr. Cho, Miss Park,” he greeted in accented Korean as they approached the car. “My name is James; I will be taking you to your resort.” He politely bowed.

“Resort?” Misa repeated, and she immediately felt stupid. It seemed as if all she could manage to do since their arrival was to repeat words like a trained parrot.

Kyuhyun smirked at her. “What, did you think we’d be sleeping on the beach under a palm tree?” he teased, lightly bumping her shoulder with his.

“I wouldn’t put it past you, anata!” she retorted, sticking her tongue out.

James smiled at their banter. “Come,” he said, gesturing them to the car. “Please step inside while I secure your luggage.” He opened the back door and gallantly held it open for them.