The Great Escape - A BinJin One Shot Collection

Touchdown Seoul

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Incheon International Airport, South Korea. Local time is 2:46 o'clock in the afternoon. Local temperature is 23 degrees Celsius. For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened until the Captain turns off the fasten seat belt sign. At this time, you may use your cellular phones if you wish..."

I unplugged my airpods upon hearing the landing announcement. The gloomy weather only made me want to go home more.

I switched off my phone's airplane mode and immediately dialled the only mobile number stuck in my memory.

"Touchdown Incheon, love."

(Welcome home, love. Oh how I missed you!)

Her cheerful voice made me smile like a fool and I couldn't care less. "See you in a few?"

(Alright. I will be waiting for you!)

My arrival was supposed to be discreet. However, fan got millions of ways to check my whereabouts. Seeing them at the arrival area was no surprise for me.

"Have you secured all my luggage?" I was looking from side to side, trying to figure out what path should I take in order to avoid the paparazzi.

"Yes, Sir" My manager, Kyung, took in charge of my other belongings.

"Kyung, didn't I tell you to keep my arrival a secret?"

He nodded, "Yes, you did."

"So what are these media people doing here?"

He stopped and stared, "Obviously, to welcome you."

"Not really funny, Kyung!"

He shrugged his shoulders at me. "Well, I am not joking. Just stating facts. What should we do, Sir? We can't escape the blazing eyes of these fans and media men. How are you supposed to go to the Madam's place? They will surely trail you."

"Proceed to Plan B."

Kyung made a signal to the security, directing them to implement the escape plan.

I pushed my luggage carts and avoided the crowd as much as I could. The least I could do for everyone who waited for my arrival was to smile at ever shutter of the cameras around me. I was hoping fans would understand that I didn't do it just because I wanted to. For everyone's safety, I asked the people following me and wanting to shake hands with me to move a little bit farther. On rough times like this, it's always the best to take precautions.

My Lincoln Navigator was waiting for me at the VIP parking area of the airport. The chauffeur handed me the car key and as planned, Kyung hopped in my car.

"You sure you can drive, Sir? I can do the driving for you." I glared at him in response. "Alright, alright! I'll shut up now!"

I turned on the engine and drove away as soon as my team was done loading my stuff inside the compartment.

"You know what to do, Kyung..." I reminded him.

"Yeah, you have been repeating that since we're on the plane."

"Just in case you have forgotten, can you say to me step by step on how we will execute Plan B?"

He sighed. "Fine. First, I will go with you, like what I am doing right now. Second, you will drive me to the quarantine facility where I was assigned to isolate myself. Third, I will take a photo of the place and post it on Instagram so your fans would think that we're staying on the same place. Fourth, you will make me as your bait. Fifth, you will drive and visit Madam Ye Jin's place."

"And sixth?" I asked.

"What?"

"Think about it, Kyung."

"Ah! Sixth, I will shut my mouth regarding your whereabouts." From my peripheral, I saw him zip his lips. I reminded him that he'd be in a big, big trouble once the fans would know about my next plans.

I stepped hard on my accelerator and drove as fast as I could. In no time, we have reached the district public health center where Kyung will be staying for the next fourteen days, in compliance with the COVID-19 protocol of the government.

"Make sure to confuse fans so they won't get a hint on my whereabouts okay?"

"Roger that, Sir! And Sir, the peonies for Ms. Son are at the back."

"Very well, Kyung! Be safe."

I waved Kyung goodbye and immediately went to Cheongdam-dong. Checking my side and rear-view mirrors from time to time, I made sure that no paparazzi was following me. When I was in Jordan, fans were crazy to learn a thing or two about me and YeJin. As much as I'd like to disclose that our relationship is going well, I needed to protect YeJin. Her safety is my priority and I couldn't allow sasaeng fans to just harass her while I was away.

I pressed my speed dial and she instantly answered the phone after a ring.

"I am here, love."

(Oh yeah, I think I'm seeing your car from here.)

I found her standing by the door in the basement parking. I rolled down the glass windows of the car and blew a horn. She giddily ran towards me. Though wearing a face mask, her beauty still was pretty much evident that I couldn't hold back my smile.

"It's been a long, long time, love!" I said. "I wish I could hug and kiss you!"

"I miss you, too, Bin!" She reached out her arm for me, wanting our hands to clasp.

"Sorry, love. I can't hold hand with you right now."

She sulked. With her lips pouting like that, I only just wanted to alight from my car and squish her lips and cheeks.

"But..."

"No but's, love. You know we can't break the protocols."

"Damn this pandemic! I had been looking forward to see you. And now that I am seeing you, I couldn't even just touch you."

"In fourteen days, love, we'll be together again."

"Fourteen days are too much for me!" She pouted even more. "How about you take the swab tests. If your results will turn out to be negative, you can just have your fourteen-day quarantine at home."

"No, I can't risk your health. I'd rather spend fourteen days being alone than to put you at risk."

"How about your birthday? It's just around the corner, Bin."

I looked at her with sadness and disappointment. "We'll have to maximize our resources then. For now, Facetime will be our pal." She gave me an equally sad stare. "Hey, I got you something."

I reached out for the bouquet of peonies, her favorite, at the back seat of my car and gave it to her. Somehow, it brightened her mood.

"I've got something for you, too. I know you had been missing Korean food a lot so I cooked for you your favorite bulgogi and chapchae."

"Thank you. I will enjoy the meal you have prepared."

Torn between wanting to stay and avoiding media, we paused for a moment and just stared at each other's eyes.

"Be safe, okay? I will try to visit you really soon." She gave me a flying kiss. "Call me when you reach the hotel, okay? Stay healthy."

"You, too. I love you, YeJin..."

She smiled faintly "I love you more, Bin!"

Her response was a cue for me to roll up the windows and leave the place. Nothing'sbluer than arriving only to leave again. I prayed for the hands of time to movea little faster so this torrential downpour of being apart will end.