Heart and Seoul (The Seoul Series Book 1)

by Erin Kinsella

  “Noona, are you okay?” Min Jae asked.

  “No, but I will be.”

  They wrangled her under the blanket and went out to the terrace to talk, turning off the lights as they left. The delicate ocean breeze filled the room with the scent of salt and the sound of waves brushing over sand. Their voices blurred and blended with the sea. Silence engulfed the room when the terrace door slid shut, and Tessa let the exhaustion drag her under.

  Tessa woke the next morning groggy and aching. Min Jae was plastered to her side, face down in the gap between the pillows. Yesterday hit her like a truck, and she groaned.

  Min Jae lifted his head. “What’s happening?” He settled back against the pillows, one eye peering at her.

  Sung Soo lifted a sleepy head from his pillow on the other bed.

  “How’re you feeling, Noona?” Min Jae asked.

  “Not great.” She rolled over to face him. “What’ll happen to him? All I know about Korean prisons is from dramas.”

  “They won’t keep him in a regular prison,” Sung Soo said. “He’ll have to stay in a detention centre until he’s either released or convicted.”

  “Are those better?”

  “I’ve never been in one, but I would imagine so since the people there haven’t been found guilty. They have to treat them as innocent. It’s not great, but better than the alternative, I guess.” Sung Soo tapped away at his phone. “This is the number for the local police station. If you call, they should give us the address for where he’s being kept. We can go over as soon as we’re ready.”

  When someone answered Tessa explained the situation, who she was, and what she needed.

  “We can’t release that information without proof of your legal relationship. In cases with celebrities we have to be increasingly stringent. You can come to the station with a copy of your marriage license and identification.”

  “I don’t just carry it around with me.”

  “I’m sorry, there’s nothing we can do without proof. You’re already the eleventh person this morning who’s called to find out where he is. Have a good day.”

  They hung up, and Tessa let out a growl. “They want me to come down to the station to prove we’re married before they’ll give me the location.”

  Sung Soo sighed. “I’ll contact Kyung Mi to send you a digital copy of the marriage license.”

  “Thank you.” Tessa put a hand to her throbbing head. She couldn’t take any more medication until tonight, but her migraine didn’t care.

  Min Jae nestled closer. “Noona, you should have breakfast. Want to order room service?”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Meal skipping isn’t allowed.” Sung Soo handed her the menu.

  She settled on a bowl of yachae juk since it would be the easiest on her stomach. A cart laden with food arrived, and she picked at her porridge, taking a bite whenever one of them focused on her.

  Her phone buzzed in her lap.

  “Hello?” She brushed her hair back from her face, trying to focus through her headache.

  “Hale Tessa-ssi? This is Kim Ha Yun from Elite Studios.”

  “Hi Ha Yun-ssi. What can I do for you?”

  The voice on the other end of the line hesitated, and anxiety rippled through Tessa’s belly, disturbing her breakfast.

  “In light of the recent allegations, Elite Studios has decided to cancel their contract with Baek Eun Gi. I’m sorry to ask given the circumstances, but we’ll need you to remove your things from the hotel room and check out, or purchase another room for yourself before ten this morning.”

  Tessa sat in stunned silence. “You’re making me move out of the room?”

  Min Jae, who had been eavesdropping, tapped her shoulder. “Why would they kick you out? Aren’t you part of the drama too?”

  She said as much to Ha Yun.

  “Your presence for on site filming was a courtesy, easily allowable since you were sharing space with someone being paid for already. I’m only passing along the instructions I’ve received, but you are welcome to take it up with our finance department. In the meantime, you will need to vacate the room or pay for it yourself. I’m sorry.”

  “You don’t see anything wrong with that?” How could they kick her out when Eun Gi had just been arrested? Tessa shook her head and wrapped her free arm around herself. Cool fury simmered through her blood. On some level she wasn’t even surprised, but that didn’t make it hurt any less.

  “It’s not my call, Tessa-ssi.”

  “I see.” Tessa tapped her fingertips on her arm to work out some of the nervous energy. “What happens now?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “With the drama. If you’re canceling the contract of one of the leads, what happens to everyone else? Are they all out of work?”

  “That remains to be seen. Publicity like this could shut down production, but we have been in contact with other potential actors to replace Baek Eun Gi.”

  Tessa curled her legs up. This was entirely too much to deal with, and the edges of her calm cracked. All of her excitement over the drama turned to dread.

  “Ha Yun, please. Talk to whoever you need to talk to, but please don’t replace him. He’s innocent.”

  “Tessa-ssi, I have no control over casting, or any other measures being taken. Thank you for your cooperation in vacating the hotel room. Please let me know if you have any further questions.” Ha Yun hung up.

  “What the hell is wrong with people?” Tessa stared at the black screen. She bit back a sound of distress, her throat aching with the effort. Her stomach churned, and she set aside the remaining food in her bowl.

  Sung Soo pushed a hand through his hair. “Was that the studio?”

  “Yeah, they…” she swallowed hard, “…they work fast. They’re dropping him and want me to move our things out of the hotel room. I have to go pack and check out, see if I can find somewhere closer to where Eun Gi will be kept.”

  Min Jae sidled up next to her. “Take a deep breath.”

  She did so, but her mind kept whirring. “I can’t believe they’re replacing him. Why can’t they put things on a hiatus until he’s cleared?”

  “A hiatus would likely be as damaging as the route they’re choosing,” Sung Soo said. “The longer a project is shut down, the more likely it won’t come back.”

  Tessa clenched her fists, nails digging half-moons into her palms. “This isn’t fair. What am I supposed to do? I don’t think I can handle staying here on my own.”

  “Noona, you’re not on your own. You can stay with us,” Min Jae told her.

  “I thought you were only staying for a few days? Aren’t you just here on vacation?”

  “We’re not leaving either of you here,” said Hwan.

  “Oh, fuck.” Sung Soo dropped his head into his hands. “I forgot Kyung Mi mentioned you and Eun Gi have to move out of the suite before the month is over.”

  Tessa’s shoulders slumped. “I’ll have to go back and pack up.”

  “Let’s all take a moment.” Hwan turned to Tessa. “Noona, you don’t have to do any of this by yourself. Eun Gi is our family, and we’ll help with everything.”

  Sung Soo nodded. “Hwan’s right. It’ll take some time before they go to trial. We’ll go visit Eun Gi at the detention centre, and then we’ll sort out Seoul. Tessa, you don’t have to worry about anything. We’ve got you covered for whatever you need during all of this, I promise. If you want to stay in Seoul or Busan, or even go back to Canada, that’s entirely up to you.”

  “Well, I’m not leaving the country. I’ll go to Seoul to sort out this nonsense with the suite, and I’d like to come back to Busan for as long as he needs someone here. If he’s convicted…” She trailed off.

  “If that happens, we’ll figure out a new plan,” said Sung Soo.

  Tessa was still in her clothes from yesterday and not in a great state—emotionally or physically—to be handling any of this. Splashing her face in the bathroom sink helped a little b
it. She took a few minutes to herself, borrowing from the plethora of bottles along the counter to wash up. When she emerged, they were all dressed.

  Sung Soo passed her a cup of tea. “Rest for a minute.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Tessa.” Sung Soo’s voice was unyielding. “You’re not well. What would Eun Gi say if he knew you weren’t taking care of yourself?”

  Her lip wobbled, and she accepted the cup. There was a hint of sweetness to the steaming liquid, a light floral flavour sliding over her tongue. Sung Soo brought her onto the terrace and sat with her in the soft morning sun.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “Family takes care of each other.” Sung Soo set a comforting hand on her shoulder.

  “I’ll help you grab Eun Gi’s things, Noona.” Hwan joined them on the terrace. “I’ll go back to Seoul with you too.”

  They made her rest long enough to finish her tea and relax a little bit with the ocean view. After that Tessa and Hwan went to the room she’d been sharing with Eun Gi. They were quiet as they packed up the bags. He paused in his packing, catching sight of the box of condoms sitting on the nightstand. She didn’t have the energy to be embarrassed. Hwan set it in the suitcase and zipped it up, turning to her.

  “I guess things have been progressing?”

  Tessa nodded, shoving her toiletries into her bag.

  Hwan opened his mouth and closed it again.

  “Noona.” He paused. “Do you love Eun Gi?”

  She hesitated, thoughts blurring and heart racing.

  “I think so. I mean—” She sighed. “Yes. It feels weird to say it so soon, but I do. Is that bad?”

  “It’s never a bad thing for Eun Gi to have more love in his life.” Hwan’s face softened. “Does he know?”

  She hoisted her bag off the bed. “Sort of? We got derailed by his eomeoni, and we never got to talk. I said something while I was a little drunk and half asleep, but I don’t think it counts.”

  “Not so much,” Hwan agreed. “I’ve told him a million times before, but I’m never certain that he actually believes me. I won’t stop saying it though. You should tell him when we go to see him today. If you want.”

  “You don’t think that would be in poor taste? Hey, you’ve lost everything and you’re locked up, but by the way I love you?”

  Hwan smiled, sweet and understanding. “He hasn’t lost everything. Remind him what he still has and what he has to look forward to when he gets free.”

  “I want to.” She groaned and slumped onto the bed. “I just want him to be happy.”

  Hwan kneeled down and took her hand in his. “I promise we’ll do whatever needs doing to fix this.”

  “I kno—” She broke off, voice catching.

  He laced their fingers together and helped her stand. “Come on, let’s get back upstairs. You can shower and finish your breakfast.”

  “You’re being awfully calm about all of this.”

  “Oh, trust me, I’m not.” He looped an arm through hers and led them towards the door. “I’m trying to put on a brave face. I love him so much, and it’s literally making me sick to think about him being locked up.”

  Tessa pulled Hwan into a hug. The squeeze activated his tears, and he clutched her like a lifeline. His breath hitched in her ear, and it triggered her own emotions to rise, overwhelming her defenses.

  “It’s okay to be scared,” Tessa whispered.

  Hwan’s whole body shook. “She can’t take him from us.”

  What would happen to her relationship with the others if Eun Gi wasn’t freed? She’d become so fond of all of them, and the thought of that all disappearing…

  Tessa hiccupped. “She won’t. He’s innocent, and we have to prove it.”

  Hwan pulled back, swiping at his tears as he put on a wobbly smile. “Come on. The others will worry if we’re gone too long.”

  They stopped at the nearest precinct, presenting the marriage license and Tessa’s passport to get the address for where Eun Gi was being kept. Tessa’s heart broke all over again when they finally arrived at the detention centre. Eun Gi was utterly deflated. He was dressed in the same plain uniform as all the other prisoners they saw. His eyes were red-rimmed, hair askew, and he looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Eun Gi caught sight of them, and relief, excitement, and despair flashed over his face. They packed into a visitation booth where he sat disconnected from them by a set of bars.

  The others asked about how he was doing while Tessa struggled with her tears. Exhaustion weighed down his shoulders, and hopelessness glazed his bloodshot eyes.

  “They’re moving me to the pre-trial detention centre in Ulsan this afternoon,” he told them. “I’d prefer Seoul, but it’s not like I have a choice.”

  “Probably better to avoid Seoul for now,” Sung Soo said. “Less eyes watching you in Ulsan.”

  Eun Gi nodded slowly. “I guess that’s true. You’re all going back to Seoul?”

  “Tessa and Hwan are,” Sung Soo replied. “Jae and I are staying with you, and they’ll meet us in Ulsan once everything back home is handled.”

  Eun Gi focused on each person in turn. “Guys, could I talk to Tessa for a second? Alone.”

  “Of course.” Sung Soo shuffled them off, and Tessa sat quietly, waiting for him to speak.

  His breath flowed out, shuddering and weak. “You don’t have to stay. If you want to go back home, I would understand. There’s nothing to protect anymore.”

  She flinched. “You don’t mean that.”

  He pressed his lips together.

  Tessa scooted forward on the seat and reached her hand through the bars to grab his, despite the disapproving stare of one of the guards, until he came over and ordered them apart.

  “Eun Gi, I’m not leaving. I told you before, I’m here.” She glanced at the guard, who was staring down some people farther up the line, then reached through again, lacing their fingers together. “We’re all going to fight for you.”

  He chewed his bottom lip. “You’re sure you wouldn’t rather file for divorce? No one would blame you if you did. I wouldn’t want to be married to me right now, and I might be in a place like this for a long time.”

  “Try not to think that far ahead. It’s innocent until proven guilty, and you’re innocent.”

  His hand squeezed hers. “Thank you.”

  “We’ll all be here when you get out. I promise I’m not going to Seoul to run away. I’m only staying long enough to figure out our living situation. I’m coming back.” She smiled softly. “I don’t want you to get in trouble, so I won’t suggest a dramatic kiss through the bars.”

  The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

  “I do love you though. We never had a chance to talk, but I wanted you to know.”

  He opened his mouth to reply, but she held up a hand.

  “Don’t say anything now. Tell me how you feel when you get out of here. However long that takes, I’ll be here when it happens.”

  The guard’s baton slammed down on the table next to them, jolting Eun Gi backwards.

  “No touching!”

  Chapter 22

  Word of Eun Gi’s arrest had already spread through the news and the fan forums. Everyone was talking about it, and while a small portion were skeptical, a lot more had turned on him. Tessa tried not to look at any of it, but her social media was bombarded by thousands of questions and people either spewing hatred or pledging their unwavering support. Some blamed her for what happened, and others seemed to just find her a convenient target. She turned off her notifications, unable to keep up with them while she hovered on the edge of near-constant panic.

  She stared out the plane window. The clouds blocked her view of the ground below. Her fingers tapped a steady rhythm against her knee while Hwan napped on her shoulder. More than once she pressed a hand to her mouth, willing back the rise of hysteria that left her utterly breathless. She kept her gaze firmly out the window, regardless of what little there was to see.
A couple people on the flight recognized Hwan, and if they had seen the news, it was only logical to draw conclusions about who she might be with him so close.

  Hwan woke as they started the descent into Incheon International Airport and tucked his hand into hers. “Did I sleep through anything interesting?”

  Tessa shook her head. She turned on her phone when the plane pulled to a stop and sent a text to Kelly.

  Tessa:

  We’ve landed. Going to pick up supplies before we get to the apartment.

  Kelly:

  We’ll head over soon. If you want an extra set of hands, Pyong Ho offered to help move boxes. Or are you getting movers?

  Tessa turned to Hwan and asked.

  “We won’t be moving anything big. The company keeps ownership of most of the furniture. We just need to get all the personal items out. Pyong Ho can come if he wants. It’s not like all of this is a secret anymore.”

  The doorman looked at them with pity when they stepped through the door bearing boxes and bubble wrap they’d picked up on the way. Tessa paused in the doorway. Everything was still and silent. Hwan nudged her inside and diverted straight to the kitchen for some water, chugging down a glass before forcing another into her hands.

  “This place feels weird with everyone gone,” Hwan murmured, sipping at a fresh glass. “I don’t think I’ve experienced complete silence here before.”

  Hwan poked at his phone, and music flowed out to break through the quiet. He left it on the counter, and they did a quick perusal of the space to see what had to be done. Tessa didn’t have much of her own that she hadn’t already packed off to Busan, so most of what needed to be dealt with were Eun Gi’s personal possessions.

  She was folding the flattened boxes into shape when Hwan buzzed in Kelly, Min Joo, and Pyong Ho. Kelly went immediately to Tessa and snared her into a hug.

  “You’ve said you’re okay, but are you?”

  No.