# Chapter 16
‘The atmosphere is chillingly tense.’
The extremely stiff appearance of the flight attendant was very pitiful. The aircraft had shaken violently, and this was certainly a situation that could happen. Yet the flight attendant in front of me was taking an extremely submissive stance, like a criminal waiting for sentencing.
I once did various service industry part-time jobs too. I completely understood her position. In service jobs, the customer is king. But did she really need to turn pale and repeatedly apologize to this extent?
“I’m fine. The wine can just be wiped away. Is your hand okay? I guess my pants are happy to be drinking such expensive wine.”
I cracked a lame dad joke and tried to lighten the mood with a chuckle. Thankfully, the flight attendant’s hand didn’t seem injured.
As I got up to change my pants, the icy atmosphere gradually thawed, and the other passengers in the same cabin seemed to slowly lose interest in me.
* * *
Woojin couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Since his head injury, Jaehyun had been doing surprising things that were 180 degrees different from his usual behavior, making it difficult to adjust. When Jaehyun said he would stay at Chairman Cha Taesan’s house for about two weeks, Woojin had fully expected him to be kicked out within a day or at least get beaten badly by Cha Taehan once.
But there was no news for two weeks. He had lived with Cha Taesan and Cha Taehan for two weeks without any incident. While wondering if that was even possible, a flight attendant spilled an entire bottle of wine on Jaehyun’s pants.
Even if he was hiding behind perfect acting with the strange excuse of a head injury, this was definitely not a situation Jaehyun could tolerate. What if he suddenly slapped the flight attendant? Or rather, if he caused a disturbance here, wouldn’t that mean he wouldn’t have to go to America with the psycho beside him? Woojin imagined various scenarios as he looked at the pants soaked with red liquid.
“I’m fine. The wine can just be wiped away. Is your hand okay?”
‘…?’
It was unbelievable. He had expected Jaehyun to scream like a mad dog and demand the attendant kneel before him. But what was this? Jaehyun was instead cracking a strange joke and chuckling, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. Moreover, after checking if the flight attendant’s hand was okay, he quietly went to the bathroom to change his clothes.
‘Has that bastard really gone crazy?’
Looking at Jaehyun’s back as he walked down the aisle, Woojin was now scared. Could it be acting? Or did he really suffer a severe head injury that made him seriously insane? Seeing Jaehyun’s generous demeanor, Woojin even felt like he might be trapped in a never-ending dream.
When Jaehyun, who had changed his clothes and returned, caught Woojin’s eye, he smiled first. There’s a saying that when a person suddenly changes, they’re about to die. Was that bastard planning to die in America? Or was he acting while secretly plotting something? Either way, this situation became a new problem and challenge for Woojin, who needed to report all of Jaehyun’s actions to Cha Taehan.
‘I need to keep a closer eye on him.’
For whatever reason, he needed to understand Jaehyun’s intentions as quickly as possible. Woojin thought this as he watched Jaehyun eating and smiling as if he had already forgotten the accident that just happened.
* * *
There’s a term called “travel fatigue.” It refers to the exhaustion or illness caused by travel.
Right after finishing the college entrance exam, I went on a two-week backpacking trip to Southeast Asia with three close friends. As students who had just completed the exam, we obviously didn’t have much money.
For two weeks, we walked everywhere to save on transportation costs and chose the cheapest hostel mixed dormitory rooms for accommodation. But I think we ate generously without worrying about money for meals. Though physically demanding, it was the best trip filled with memories. Isn’t it said that when you’re young, you even go out of your way to experience hardships?
To choose the most affordable return flight, we opted for a 4:30 AM flight to Korea.
Due to the awkward timing, we arrived at the airport in the evening and stayed up all night with my friends. This also became a pleasant memory.
But as soon as I got home and unpacked, fatigue hit my body like a tsunami. So this is what people call travel fatigue. I was finally able to shake it off only after sleeping half a day at home and resting for a full day without going out.
But now? The flight time was at least three times longer than the Southeast Asia trip, yet not only did I not feel travel fatigue, I felt more refreshed. I’d gotten a good sleep in a seat as wide and soft as a bed and eaten a full course meal. If you have enough money, travel fatigue becomes someone else’s story. Before I knew it, the plane had touched down in America, and the announcement began to play.
[Ladies and gentlemen, our aircraft will be landing shortly. Please return your seat backs and tables to their upright positions and fasten your seatbelts.]
Looking out the window, I could see vast fields. The exotic scenery and warm sunshine. I had finally arrived at the place I’d been dreaming of.
* * *
After quickly completing the immigration procedures, I got into a car with Han Woojin. As soon as we exited the airport, we were greeted by a massive SUV.
‘This is a car I’ve always wanted to ride in!’
My heart raced as I faced the gleaming luxury SUV in front of me.
“Young Master, your carrier and luggage will be delivered directly to your home. Please get in the car with me, and we’ll head straight to your house.”
To think I could ride this car straight to my house. With anticipation, I immediately got into the car.
I recalled the time when I was alone with Han Woojin in the car before dinner with Chairman Cha Taesan. He didn’t say much, and I didn’t know what to say either. In short, it was difficult to endure the awkward air in the car. The situation wasn’t much different now, but I was so busy enjoying the unfamiliar scenery that I didn’t even have time to feel awkward. The exotic feeling conveyed by the vast fields and palm trees. Just looking at the outside scenes made me lose track of time.
“Young Master, if you’re hungry, would you like to stop by a nearby restaurant?”
Han Woojin suddenly spoke. He wants to go to a restaurant, just the two of us? While I was indeed quite hungry, sitting face to face and eating with him didn’t seem right. I had nothing to talk about with him, and it was obvious that the food wouldn’t go down well when eating with someone who despised me. Han Woojin, too, probably didn’t want to eat with Cha Jaehyun but was asking out of his duty as a secretary.
“Not necessary. I’m not particularly hungry. Let’s head home first since I’m tired.”
My stomach was about to growl, but I maintained a calm expression and lied. I’ll buy food as soon as I get home.
I ended up coming to America with Han Woojin, almost as if I was pushed. Once I arrive at the house, I plan to say goodbye to him and live without crossing paths as much as possible.
“Yes, Young Master.”
Han Woojin, too, responded drily to my answer. Inside, he’s definitely glad we’re not eating together.
After driving for about two hours, a wide sea appeared. The refreshing view of the sea under an orange sky with a setting sun that would fit into the highlight of a teen movie. The more we drove, the more excited I became about the house I would be living in.
“Young Master, we’ve arrived.”
“Alright, good job.”
“This is where you will be staying, Young Master.”
Han Woojin pointed to the house where I would live. The exterior was jaw-dropping. A glass house directly facing the vast sea. I had never dared to dream of such a house, even as a dream house.
In front of the house yard was a spacious private pool, and next to it was an outdoor barbecue area with lush artificial grass. Inside the glass house, I could see a comfortable living room and an open kitchen, and while the second floor had curtains drawn, the interior was clearly going to be amazing. I couldn’t believe I could live in that house.
‘Wow… a party here would be quite a sight.’
In teen movies, wealthy young people often have open house parties in places like this. Studying hard at school, making lots of friends, inviting those friends over to watch the beautiful sunset and pop champagne… just thinking about it made my heart swell.
‘…The only downside is that Han Woojin lives nearby.’
While it’s very nice, the fact that Han Woojin is a neighbor bothers me no matter how I think about it.
“So where will Secretary Han live?”
“Young Master, it’s right nearby. I’ll be living there.”
Damn, he pointed right next door. I didn’t know neighbors would be this close. Is this also Chairman Cha Taesan’s order? I just want to part ways quickly, at least for today.
“We must both be tired today, so let’s part here.”
“Young Master, this is the password to my place.”
As I was preparing to go in quickly, Han Woojin suddenly handed me a note with his password. This is completely useless information. Without even unfolding the note, I quickly returned it to Secretary Han.
“I don’t need this. Secretary Han should have privacy too. If I need anything, I’ll contact you separately.”
I quickly entered my house before Secretary Han could share more strange TMI.
I’ve arrived safely in America. I don’t want to get entangled with the characters from the novel as much as possible. I want to proudly enjoy the study abroad life I’ve been dreaming of.
This is just the beginning. Classes start in just one week, and there’s so much to prepare.
‘Fighting, let’s do this!’
