Secrets In The Sunset | KTH 18+ ✔️

Chapter Seventy-Five

"Oh my freaking GOD!" I shout as I run up to the man searching for me at the baggage claim inside the airport.

Uncle Kim smiles happily and waits with open arms until I crash into them like they were the only thing that could stop me from my triumphant gallop. "I told you that you didn't have to come pick me up." He lays his cheek down on to the top of my head.

"Nonsense! You will never take a taxi as long as I can help it." I pull back and smile up at him. His face resembles Taehyung so much that a small tear begins to leave from the corner of my eye.

He frowns and lifts a hand to swipe it away, "Hey, hey...none of that or I'll leave back to Korea today." He jokes.

"I'm just happy to see you." I lie about the wetness still slowly running down my cheek. I pull back and hook my arm with his as I begin to escort him to my waiting car. "You never did say why you were back in the states."

He shrugs and looks down at me with a smile, "Just tying up some things at the American company."

Over the past few years, his American location has really taken off and it's been all over the newspapers and online with the plethora of job opportunities it welcomed to our economy. Every now and then I'd drive by the large building and text Uncle Kim about how proud I was of him and that everything he's worked so hard for is paying off. He'd jokingly tell me to quit stalking his employees every single time.

During our drive we catch each other up on life again and I let him know that there was a potential building for my art gallery, but unfortunately I was outbid by someone else. Unbeknownst to Uncle Kim, the joke is on those buyers anyway given what Ethan and I did on that floor that one glorious afternoon.

"That's okay. That just means that location wasn't meant to be. I know you'll find the perfect one." He reassures me as we pull up in front of his hotel.

"Thanks Uncle Kim. Do you need any help?" I offer.

"No, I've just got these two small bags. Plus, you aren't about to walk into my hotel room with your outside shoes on. I bet you've gone back to your crazy American ways." He jokes as he places his carryon onto his lap before opening up the door.

"I'd have you know that shoes are not allowed inside of my home." I wobble my head while lifting my chin with some pride.

"Jal hasseyo!" He taps my shoulder and I let out a little giggle. "I'm going to get some rest from that flight. I forgot how long it is! Dinner tonight? I still need to tell you my surprise."

"Oh yes! How does six thirty sound?"

"That's perfect. See you then." He opens the car door and walks around to the back to get his suitcase from the trunk. Waving goodbye, I watch him walk through the electric doors and back out of sight.

Inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, I get myself together.

"Just because he's related to Taehyung, resembles Taehyung, almost smells like Taehyung, and brings the memories of your time living with them both flooding back into your memory does not mean Taehyung is coming back into your life, Ava." I outwardly coach myself before driving away.

I pull up and park on the street next to my building and see Ethan leaning up against his car parked in front of mine. He walks over to my driver side door and opens it for me as I look up at him with stubborn tears now collecting on the reddening rims of my eyes.

"I'm sorry." My bottom lip trembles at me doing my best to hold in my emotion.

"Baby." He squats down beside me and grabs my hands from my lap. "I don't blame you for having these emotions come back up. Why do you think I'm here? I figured you'd need a friend today."