Feeling trapped, I swallow back my fear before replying, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sang-hyun. I appreciate the opportunity your company is giving me.”
Waving a hand dismissively, he immediately begins shaking his head. “No. We are honored to have you teaching our students. I’m glad you could make it on such short notice. It’s about a forty minute drive to your new accommodations. I will take you there now. Tomorrow, once you are settled, we’ll tour Seo-Jun Preparatory where you will be teaching.”
“Thank you again, sir. When may I begin at the school?”
“Ah. I admire how eager you are to begin. However, since you’ve just arrived, you should take time to settle in and get to know your surroundings. You will find there is quite a lot to do in Seoul. Monday you will report to Seo-Jun and your work here will begin.”
Nodding, I shift my gaze to look out the window. Silence descends on us as the city quietly passes us by. My eyes roam from side to side, drinking in everything in sight. Heavy congestion fills the narrow roads with the stop and go of vehicles clogging the city. Skyscrapers and apartment buildings line the pathways with barely enough room for a small vehicle to pass between them.
Millions of people live in this vibrant city rich with culture. Markets and shops are interspersed between apartment buildings and homes. Merchants are haggling on street corners with consumers. A woman standing on the corner catches my eye, causing me to gasp. Her black hair flows in waves, falling midway down her back, framing her lean body. Her long legs are accentuated in form fitting denim shorts that stop just below the curve of her butt. Six-inch heels and a red bra complete the ensemble. Realization suddenly slams into me, causing heat to flood my cheeks. My breath hitches as my mind whirls with images of prostitution. The very word sends chills racing down my spine. Images begin to flood my mind of women being forced to submit and do things against their will. Grimacing, I try to force the mental images away as I notice the car slowing and eventually stopping next to a small apartment building.
“Ah. We have arrived. Come, let us go. I will show you to your new home.”
Hwang holds open the door, allowing me to step onto the busy sidewalk. A rush of air leaves my lungs as I peer at the building in front of me. The simple architecture and clean lines that accentuate the smaller apartment building are a breath of fresh air, immediately dispelling my apprehension. The building exudes a warm yet inviting feeling. Five stories of charming brickwork accented with tumbled stone stands nestled in between two daunting twenty-story apartment buildings. Rows of luscious pink mugunhwa flowers dotted with deep magenta centers line the walkway leading from the sidewalk to the double-pained glass doors.
“Come. It’s just this way.”
Clasping my hands together and falling in step behind Mr. Sang-hyun, I enter a small waiting area with large stone tiles decorating the foyer. Several small chairs are scattered throughout the room, lending it a warm, lived-in feeling. An elevator centered in the middle of the back wall is framed on either side with two vast stoneware vases overflowing with the same mugunhwa flowers from outside.
“You will be staying on the third floor in number five. There are cameras on the property, but this is a safe area so you shouldn’t have any trouble. However, I do suggest you get to know your surroundings as we were talking about before. It would be a good . . . how do you say in English . . . opportunity for you to have something to connect with your students.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you for the recommendation.”
Riding in elevators has never been a favorite past time of mine, in fact, they usually give me motion sickness. However, the smooth glide of the elevator despite the age of the building takes me by surprise. Quickly arriving on the third floor, we step into the hallway. Five apartments make up the entire floor, one of which is my new home. Coming to a stop in front of unit number five, he pulls out a silver key and swiftly unlocks the door then holds it open, ushering me inside.
“Welcome to your new home, Ms. Parker.”
Bowing, I’m unable to help the smile that begins to spread across my face. “Thank you again, Mr. Sang-hyun. I really do appreciate everything CTEE has done and cannot wait to get started.”
“Please call me Sang-hyun. It’s our pleasure to have you working in our school. I will give you time to get to know your new home. Please meet me downstairs tomorrow morning at ten sharp. We will go on a tour of Seo-Jun. Enjoy your evening and try to get some rest.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you again.”
He bows then turns on his heel, swiftly making his way to the elevator. Closing the door, exhaustion takes over as my knees give out and my body sags against the door. Exhaling a breath, I begin to drag my tired body up off the floor, barely making it to the bed in the loft before giving in to sweet oblivion.
BRIGHT LIGHT STREAMS INTO THE room, forcing me to peel my eyes open one at a time. As my surroundings come into focus, confusion sets in. Looking around the unfamiliar loft, the haze clouding my brain clears and all of my memories come rushing back. The mess I’m going through back in the States, the investigation, Jeremy and all of his allegations, Gavin . . . poor Gavin. Thinking of Gavin causes my chest to constrict. God, if only there were something I could do. What have I gotten myself into? Groaning, I plop back onto my pillow, my arm automatically falling over my eyes.
An annoying shrill rings out from the clock on the nightstand. I punch the off button repeatedly, cursing that it’s time to get moving. Now that I’m up, I realize I need to hurry to ensure that I’m not late. Mr. Sang-hyun doesn’t seem like the type of man that likes to be kept waiting. A chill comes over my body as I recall the intensity of his stare during the drive from the airport to my apartment.
Giving my head a little shake to clear my thoughts, I push up from the bed to start my day. Gathering what I need doesn’t take long. It’s one of the many benefits of having a father in the military. I had become a pro at packing up the essentials since we moved whenever my father was transferred. Moving around wasn’t always fun but I got used to it. The only major downside was making friends. That’s what makes Emma so special. Ours is the only friendship that has lasted. Especially after that night, people never looked at me the same.
Memories begin flitting through my mind of children calling me names. Taunting me for being half Korean, words that became harsher and progressed with time. It’s funny how a simple phrase can either build a person up or tear them down.
The alarm on my cell phone chimes, alerting me it’s time to go. Putting the final touches on my makeup and slipping into my shoes, I lock up the apartment and head down to the lobby. As I exit the elevator, I see Hwang waiting by the lobby doors.
“Good morning, Ms. Parker.” He smiles as he holds the door open.
“Good morning, Mr. Hwang. Thank you for coming this morning.”
“My pleasure. Please call me Hwang.” He smiles again as he opens the door to the town car. Pieces of a conversation filter out of the open door, halting me mid-stride. The conversation continues as I look from the car to Hwang, unsure of whether I should continue. The rudeness of the action and not wanting to interrupt is what initially gave me pause. Now, the small pieces of the conversation that I can hear have me shifting uncomfortably where I stand.
“Yes, it’s taken care of. The package has arrived safely. It appears to have been well cared for.”
Clearing his throat, Hwang gives a sharp nod, gesturing toward the back of the vehicle. Taking a tentative step forward, I swallow the lump that has risen and enter the car. The closing of the door behind me makes me jump slightly and my eyes widen just a fraction as the locks engage. Mr. Sang-hyun directs his attention toward me as a slow smile begins to creep across his face.
“I will take care of it. I must go. I have business to attend to. Yes. Fine. Send it. Very well.” He ends his conversation, never taking his eyes off me. The hair on the back of my neck begins to rise and I can feel the knot in my stomach getting tighter. “Good morn
ing, Ms. Parker. I hope you found the new apartment to your liking.”
“Yes, Mr. Sang-hyun. The apartment is great. I’m looking forward to touring the school and getting to work on Monday.”
“Good! We will be there shortly. The students and staff are excited about your arrival as well.” His words allow me to relax somewhat and ease some of the tension. Smiling, I look out the window as we pull into the private parking lot of the school. “Ah. Here we are. Come, let me show you the school.” He opens the door then steps out, offering me his hand once he’s on solid ground. Goosebumps race along my skin as my eyes drift to his open palm. Telling myself it’s just a nice gesture and nothing more, I slide my hand into his and step out of the vehicle. His hand immediately tightens around mine, giving me a suffocating feeling as if I’m being caged in. Plastering on a fake smile, I tug my hand away to smooth the non-existent wrinkles from my skirt.
“How many students attend the school?” I say, following him up the stone pathway.
“Seo-Jun Preparatory has around seven hundred students with each grade having approximately forty students per class, which is considerably less than public schools here.”
Hells bells, did he just say forty students per class? My tongue is like a lead weight in my mouth as I think about the task at hand. Mentally I give myself a shake. I can do this.
“If you follow me this way I will show you to the classroom you will be teaching in.” He leads me down a hallway adorned with hand drawn art and various samples of the students’ work. We come to a stop in front of a large wooden door with a small window. “This will be your class room going forward. School hours are from eight in the morning until four in the afternoon. We believe that the wisdom and diligence our students learn at Seo-Jun Preparatory will carry them through life as well as set them on a path to higher education.”
Stepping away from the door, he continues to lead me down the corridor, stopping briefly next to the music room. Inclining his head in the direction of the door, I peek in the window and suck in a breath at the sight. Laid out before me is a music room fit for a king. The room is stocked with various string and percussion instruments. However, the violins are what catch my eye. As if knowing exactly what had caught my attention, Sang-hyun immediately speaks up. “We have a very challenging classical music program. Not to mention science and sports,” he comments, stepping away from the door.
“Come, let me show you the rest of the grounds and then we will go to my office. I want to go over everything you will need for Monday.” Nodding, I fall instep. The remainder of the tour goes rather quickly. The school is small considering the number of students that attend. Upon following Mr. Sang-hyun into his office, I pause for a moment, trying not to show the apprehension I feel. Noticing me still standing by the door, he beckons me closer.
“Please, come in and have a seat.”
The dimly lit room is cold and uninviting, causing tremors to begin in my hands. Noticing my hesitation, he again motions for me to enter. Taking a deep breath, I move into the room and sit in the overly plush leather chair. His desk is a sprawling antique that adds to the cold, calculating feeling of the room. Leaning back slightly in his chair, he brings one arm up. His thumb and forefinger rest on his chin while the other hand remains on the armrest.
“So, tell me what do you think of the school so far?”
“The school is amazing. I’m looking forward to working with the students.”
Clasping my hands in my lap, I send up a silent prayer, hoping he’s unable to see them shaking.
“Good. I believe you will be a great fit here.” He leans forward and slides a packet across the desk. “This is everything you need to get started on Monday. There will be someone assisting you for the first week while you get settled. After that, you will be on your own. Do you have any questions?”
“No. It’s pretty self-explanatory. If I have any questions, I can always ask as they come up.”
“Very well. If you need anything, you have my number. Hwang will ensure you get back to your apartment. I hate to cut your tour short but I have a meeting to attend.”
“Oh, um, thank you for taking the time to show me around. I’ll go over this information.” Standing, I hastily walk to the door as he calls out.
“Yes, Mr. Sang-hyun.”
“Please call me Sang-hyun. I hope you have a pleasant time in Seoul. We’ll see you Monday.”
Licking his lips, his eyes peruse my body, leering momentarily before focusing his attention to some paperwork on his desk. I’m not sure what hits me first: shock, frustration, or fear. Unable to rid myself of the manners my father instilled in me, I automatically reply before walking out the door, “See you Monday.”
Exiting the office, I find Hwang waiting and he immediately takes me back to my apartment. The moment my front door closes, I expel a huge breath. Placing my bag on the table, I retrieve my laptop and make my way to the couch. Sinking into the cushions, I open my laptop and begin composing an email to Emma. This last week has been insane. All of the ups and downs have left me drained, both emotionally and physically. I’m having trouble keeping up with the simplest of tasks. I don’t even remember when I ate last. On cue, my stomach begins to rumble.
Sighing, I look down to the half-composed email to Emma. As much as I’d like to leave this until later, I know there’s a good chance I’ll forget. Smiling, I finish out the remainder of the email, letting her know I’ve arrived safely and miss her terribly. After a quick change, I find myself stepping out into the streets of Seoul.
Apartment buildings and small businesses line the busy streets. Permitting myself a moment to soak in my surroundings, my gaze drinks in the people as they go about their busy afternoon. As I begin walking with the flow of traffic, I’m assaulted with the sweet smell of spices and succulent meat.
Following my sense of smell, I cross the street into a small restaurant. Upon entering, I immediately notice there are a total of ten tables. Each table is maybe three feet in height with a small grill in the center. All of the tables have pillows that are strategically placed around them for patrons to sit on. As I observe the restaurant, a family walks past me, goes right up to a table, and sits down. Noticing there isn’t a hostess, I follow suit and sit at a small two-person grill.
I’m pleasantly surprised by the softness of the cushions as I sit down. Not long after sitting, a small Korean woman approaches me.
“What can I get you to drink?”
“Do you have plum sake?”
A tiny smile comes onto her face. “Yes, I have that. You aren’t from here, are you?”
“No, ma’am, I’m not.”
“Where are you from?”
“I’m from the United States.”
“You speak Korean with bad accent but you speak well.” She chuckles.
I smile at her reply. “Yes, my mother is Korean so I speak the language, although I was raised in America.”
“Well, we are glad to have you here. Do you know what kind of meat you want to order?”
“Um. No? Can you tell me how it works?”
Her eyes widen just a fraction at my response as an unknown emotion passes across her face. It’s as if she wants to say more but decides against it at the last moment. “You choose what kind of meat you want to cook and I bring it out. You cook it on the grill. It comes with rice, kimchi, pickled radishes, and pickled cabbage. I have short ribs, beef tongue, and brisket today.”
“Oh. Thank you. I will have the short ribs to start.”
“Good choice,”she says before shuffling away to get my sake.
The plum sake is delivered in a beautiful green bottle with a bright gold lid. Plum Wine is elegantly painted on the front with blossoms surrounding it. Opening the bottle, I pour a small amount into the shot glass. Unsure, I take a tentative sip then an involuntary moan bubbles up from my throat as the cold liquid hits my taste buds.
A dark shadow is cast over my table as I begin to lift the shot glass once a
gain. I look up to see an older Korean gentleman with his eyes narrowed in my direction. His disgust is evident by the expression he wears, and when he speaks, his raspy voice causes me to flinch.
“You don’t belong here.”
Feigning innocence, I clear my throat before replying, “I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t catch what you said.” The icy stare and stench of the man in front of me has my hand instinctively tightening around the shot glass. Bending at the waist, he leans toward me.
“You heard me, girl. Leave, we don’t want your kind here.” He sneers each of the words before straightening. I’ve had barely enough time to register the words that have left the man’s lips before he is blocked from my sight.
Standing before me is a giant wall of muscle, making the Korean man seem almost elfin in comparison. He stumbles back a step. Blinking rapidly, I look to the man in front of me again. It’s as if the muscles in his back rippled and grew when the man stepped back. The rough timber of his voice reverberated through the restaurant as he growls, “Is there a problem here?”
“N—n—no.” He vehemently shakes his head, taking yet another step back.
“Are you sure? It looked as if you were bothering the lady.”
He gives a stiff nod in my direction. Craning my head, I try to get a visual of the giant in front of me but my vision is blocked every way I turn. Giving up, I allow myself a moment to peruse the curvature of the backside that is practically right in front of my face. This man has a great package, including that nice, tight ass that any woman would like to bite in to or grab on to when going for a ride. Laughter sounds from a table across the room, stealing my attention.
Reaching for the shot glass, I toss it back before slamming the glass down. My body turns back to the giant that was blocking my view. In my haste to toss back my sake, I hadn’t paid attention to my surroundings. At some point, he turned and I’m now face to face with his more private parts. His hips jut forward, thrusting slightly. Sucking my lip into my mouth, I bite down to keep from moaning. Gradually raising my eyes, I look up to see the huge grin on the sexiest man alive.
Betrayed by Blood (Betrayed #1) Page 7