"U were born to be real, not 2 b perfect" - Suga

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Seoul, South Korea

Twenty two hours later and with the worst sinus headache ever, you’re finally off the plane.  After collecting your luggage, you head to the exit to meet the driver.  The airport isn’t that crowded today, thank god.  As you come out, you see your name on a piece of cardboard and wave at the driver. “Hello” you both greet each other.

This is your first time out of the country.  You know the language from self-studying, but that’s it.  You know no one here….. AT ALL!!  But that doesn’t scare you as much as never leaving your small town.  Finally, after years of slaving and being patient, you are in Korea.  There’s been some bumps in the road, but that never stopped you.  You started to become interested in Korean food when you worked at a Japanese/Korean fusion restaurant.  You found a company, in Korea, who’s willing to take you in and teach you. 

You’re heading to Gangnam, to the restaurant and where you’ll be staying.   Dropped off in front of Kim’s Village, an eight story tall apartment building, you meet an assiduous looking man.  He looks to be in his forties.   “Hello, Genevieve Ainsley, correct? I’m Mr. Lee,” he bows.  

“Yes sir.  Hello Mr. Lee, it’s nice to meet you. You can call me Eve though for short,” you smile.

“Of course.  I’m here to help you get settled into your new place and answer any questions you may have and also make sure all paperwork gets handled correctly.  So let me help you with your luggage and head up.” He grabs the two large suitcases, rolling them around and heads inside after pressing the code.  As Eve walks in with her carry-on and back-pack, she looks around the start of a small corridor that leads through the other side of the building.  There is the first floor of apartments, which is about 6 in total it seems, mailboxes and 2 sets of stairs, one on each side of the building. 

Mr. Lee lifts the two suitcases up to take up the stairs.  “Oh,.. Mr. Lee, wait! What floor are we going to? Give me one of those or at least let me help,” Eve pleads as she goes to grab one of the cases.  But he’s already going up the stairs, carrying them like they weigh nothing and not full of clothes and small kitchenware. 

“We are heading to the 8th floor.  There is only one apartment available right now for you to be housed in,” he explains, no strain in his voice as he carries over a hundred pounds up the staircase.  You stand there gawking for a second.

At the top, you’re huffing a little.  You’re not fat per say, curvy with some small love handles, but you aren’t that fit either.  Maybe I should start working out, you think to yourself, while Mr. Lee is standing there with not even a drop of sweat or alteration in his breathing.  Damn he’s fitter than I thought he’d be. I need to figure out his routine.

There’s a door right in front of the stairway with the number 802 on it.  With the way Mr. Lee is standing in front of it, Eve assumes it’s her new place.  He starts to open the door, but gets a call and answers it first.  “Yes Mr. Kim,” he answers. .  Kim Kwanjoon, CEO of KJ Inc., owns multiple buildings and businesses in almost every industry, including the restaurant that you’ll be working at.  They talk for a few minutes and hang up. 

“Mrs. Ainsley,” he voices, while opening the door to the apartment, “there seems to be a problem at the restaurant.  As you know the chef isn’t back until Monday, which is when you are supposed to start.  But our sous chef called in just now.  So we actually need you to come in tonight. We seem to be short staffed.  Is that a problem for you?” He takes his shoes off at the entry.

“Of course not. I’ll try to help as much as I can,” slightly exasperated. Hopefully he didn’t hear that.

“I’ll let them know.  I can’t stay now, because I need to go to the restaurant.  Can you be there in the next 2 hours? The restaurant is only two blocks away from this apartment, so it’ll not take long to get there.”

“Yes sir, I can do that.”  He brings your luggage into the living room and hands you a packet of information.

“I apologize I can’t go over this with you right now. I’ll come back tomorrow to explain more.  The first page is things you will need today,” he opens it to show you quickly, “If you’ve any questions call me, my card with my number is at the top.  Do you have a cell phone?”

“Yes, I got a temporary at the airport, until I receive my registration card.”

“I’m impressed.  Most foreigners don’t think of those things when they come to work here,” looking at his watch. “Be there by 4pm, the front door and I’ll let you in.”

“Yes sir”

“Goodbye Mrs. Ainsley.  I’ll see you a couple hours.”

“Goodbye Mr. Lee”

 You stand in the living room, staring at the door for a few minutes.  Dazed with what’s happening.  OMG!?! I thought I’d have time to rest and unpack today and this weekend.  My head is still killing me, I slept like 2 hours on the plane.  What am I going to do?  You look at your phone and see its 2:23 and then start to move.  You roll your largest suitcase down the short hall to the bedroom at the end.  No time to really look around, you get the things you need out and pop 2 pills for your headache.  And then head back to the bathroom.  

  After a steaming hot 30 min shower, to hopefully get rid of your headache and get the 24 hours of plane grime off of you, you get ready for work.  Black non-slip kitchen Vanes with white soles, light gray cargo chef jogger pants, black tank top with a dark purple chef jacket (Eve’s favorite) over top, hair parted on the right with tapered side bangs in a tight bun in the back.  With minimal makeup applied, you double, triple check you have everything.  Grab a light jacket and walk out the door at 3:30 with knife kit in hand.

You’re standing at the front already when Mr. Lee walks up. “Early. Great.” You bow to greet him.  He takes you straight to the kitchen, since it's Friday afternoon.  The décor of the restaurant is very upscale café style with a Korean architectural influence to it.  There are three floors to it, the top floor being outside seating.  With no time to really chat, he shows you around. The kitchen is very well organized and clean.  With the dish pit to your right and the start of the server station to your left, the kitchen has a U shape to it, with in and out doors for the servers.  If you keep walking straight from the IN door, you will have the dish pit along the right wall with the clean dishes at the end, then storage and the back exit.  To the left is the space for servers to walk and grab food to go out the other side and the hot line. On the left wall, on the other side of the OUT door, is the cold station. 

Everyone is getting ready for the busy Friday night.  He takes you to the first station you will be working at, the hot station.  Being familiar with grills and stove, he put you there first to observe and help.  “Hello, I’m Youngjae,” a new face gushed.

“I’m Eve. It’s nice to meet you,” you reply.  He goes over the station with you and some of the dishes.  After a while, orders start to come.  You watch for a little, but then Youngjae starts to get overwhelmed.  Your instincts kick in, just by watching him you’ve picked most of the dishes.  You start to help him out. 

When it comes to cooking and creating dishes, you could say you’re otherworldly.  It’s like magic comes out of your hands.  You picked up on cooking quickly in school and in the industry.  You remember everything that you’ve learned, like the back of your hand.  But you still don’t consider yourself that great.  You’ve had limited chances to explore different foods, so you don’t consider your skills impeccable.

Youngjae is impressed though, “Wow, Eve. You catch on quick. How long have you been cooking?”

“I’ve been cooking for about 10 years.”

“Seriously.  You are only a cook. Shouldn’t you be a chef?”

“I was a sous chef back home but I want to be a master chef.  So I need to learn different cuisines and I wanted to travel, so here I am,” you beam shyly towards him.

“You must have started young.  You look younger than me.”  He laughs.

And there it is, your first insecurity.  You don’t look it, but you’re 30 years old.  Everyone usually thinks you’re anywhere between 22 and 26.  But you keep your mouth shut.  You started late on your dream, not realizing it until you were already in college for 3 years.  You had to start over pretty much and go to culinary school for another 3 years. During all that, you worked 2 jobs and also helped support your family.  While in college your dad became a drunk and quit his job, killing himself slowly.  You knew why, but also couldn’t accept why he was doing this.  Especially since he taught you to be stronger than that.  Why couldn’t he?  Finely he did die. You were sad, of course. You were a daddy’s girl until he changed.  But you were also relieved.  Because you felt it was holding you back.  You couldn’t leave your mom and mawmaw to deal with him.   So after a few years, you finally stabilized the financial situation with your mom and yourself, almost going into extreme debt because of your dad (and yourself trying to cope with all of it – online shopping).

Now here you are.  Living the dream you never gave up on.  Pushing the little insecurity down, you and Youngjae keep talking when able.  Finding out he’s like third in command, the Lead Line Cook.  He is 26, blonde hair, blue eyes with the help of contacts and a head taller than you, with a lanky build.  While talking to one of the dishwashers comes along to put clean dishes away and take dirty ones to the pit.   He comes up to talk to Youngjae.

“Hey man, what’s up? Who’s the new girl?” The dark chestnut haired boy says.  He looks young with his dark brown doe eyes with flakes of gold, bright with curiosity.  With his bunny smile, his cheeks bunched up and out to make cute crinkles at the sides of his eyes.  He looks even younger and innocent now. 

“Oh!!!  Hello, I’m Genevieve, but you can call me Eve.”

“Cool, I’m Jungkook.”

They go through normal pleasantries.  Jungkook is 22 and wants to work in the restaurant industry.  He is starting as a dishwasher and working his way up. 

The night finally ends and cleaning is almost over.  You and Jungkook have become fast friends in just one day.  All the boys in the kitchen have come to like you.  They even ask if you want to come out for drinks that night.  You would love to, but you are just too exhausted.  They understand and say maybe next time. 

Everyone grabs their things and heads out the door.  You start walking towards your new apartment.  The guys head the same direction and talk with you on the way.  Jungkook waits a little to  make sure you get into the building before following the rest.

You get inside, shower and finally relax in the bed.  You thought this was going to be a bad day, but actually turned out decent.

. . . . . . . . . . .

On top of Building 63, with the lit city underneath.  He stands on the edge looking out at the beautiful place that has grown so much.

“Hello, Hyung.  I was wondering when you would show up.” Taemin spouts.

“When did you finally get back?” Kia asks.

“I just returned today.  I figured it was time to come back and stay this time.”

“Father will be happy to hear that.”

January 1668 (Hanseong, Korea (Now Seoul) Joseon Dynasty)

Gushing with excitement, “Hyung, it’s been a hundred and fifty years.  We should venture somewhere new.” 

“Why? So you can wreck more havoc somewhere else.” Kia says with a smirk.

“That was over 100 years ago, when I just turned,” he grunted with a pout in his face. “I have a lot more control now.”  

Kia snickers, “Lee Taemin, you think you have control.”  

“Why don’t we go to the new world we keep hearing rumors about.  New land, new people, new food….,”  Taemin smiles, while licking his elongated keen canines.    

A deep voice from behind them approved, “Maybe a trip wouldn’t be so bad……….for all of us”   

“See, father even agrees with me.” Tae boasts, as they look out across a snow covered Hanseong.

December 20th, 1692 (Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina, USA (Winter Solstice))

The dried rustling leaves and twigs laid on top the cold hardened clay dirt.  The stomping of booted feet could be heard crushing the frozen foliage.  Bare feet, and woolen cloth could be heard rustling by the trees.  I told her not to go.  I told her it was dangerous.  A roaring fire stands where a wigwam that held over 50 women and men, some English, some from the Cherokee tribe, some mixed.  Ann where are you? I hear you still.  

Everyone is screaming.  Men with muskets calling out orders.  The smell of ignited gunpowder and scorched wood is everywhere.  Then the worst stench engulfs the area, burning meat and metallic smell over take every sense with the taste of iron on the tongue.  “Capture everyone and burn them alive or dead” orders ring out.  No, I need to find her first.  I need to save her.  She is still here.  I can smell her.

“Ann, what’s going on?” a small voice says in the hidden brush.  

“I told you to stay with father this time.” Ann whispers. The sound of boots are coming closer.  “Gennie, Sarah you need to stay here and be quiet.  You’ll stay hidden well here, but do not make a sound, okay.”  

“But Ann, where are you going?  Stay with us.”  Gennie whimpers, trying not to cry out.

“I cannot.  I need to help the others.  Plus, it’s not big enough for all three of us.  I need to keep you two safe.”  

“Ann……” Sarah cries out softly.  

“Sarah keep Gennie safe.  When daylight comes go find father.  I’ll meet you there.  Do not move!!! Do not make sound!!”

Ann rushes out and runs down the hill into a valley.  Men with muskets close in behind her.  Ten of her people in front of her.  She puts a cloak up and around them, to hide them from the men coming after them.  She’s the only one they see.  I found her. FINALLY!!!  

Ann uses her power to disarm most of the men but not hurt them. “Awwww……See they are witches. Get them.”  All of a sudden, a musket is fired.  A blur of black comes at the men, that are chasing.  All have their throats sliced open in one blow it seems.Why do I smell so much of her blood?  Noooo, It cannot be. NOOOO!!!!!

Ann is laying on the ground, dark crimson liquid spreading fast across the dead foliage and dirt.  Taemin materializes at Ann’s side immediately, “Ann, Noooo…  P.. P..Pleaseee… noooo…..”  

“Taemin are the others gone yet,” She whispers, trembling, for only him to hear. 

“I don’t know.  And I don’t care.  Why aren’t you healing yourself?” he sobs at her, holding her face to his.  

“Because I have to make sure every else escapes from here.” With her breath getting weaker every second.  

“Is that why you came tonight, when I warned you not to?” he curses to himself, rather than her

“I could’t let my..Khh..khh… brothers and sisters die like that. Kkhhkkhhkhh….. You know me.”

He does, or he should.  He should’ve been here early.  He should’ve kept an eye on her no matter what. She’s starting to feel colder.  “Ann, please don’t leave me.  I love you.  Please!!!” 

“Now you finally tell me,” she chokes on blood as she laughs just slightly.  Taemin cradles her body closer to him as the blood flows on to him.  He resists the urge to drink it as she is dying in his arms.  He is finally able to withstand the smell and site of her blood, but at what cost. “Taemin, I love you, too. I always will.” with her last breath she conveys her heart to him.  He sobs, no tears coming out, with her limp body clutched to him.  The first snow  of the season starts to fall with the full moon is shining bright.

Copyright © 2020 Mary Tucker. All rights reserved.