Chapter 2

5th February 2011

STS - Cruise Sales And Reservations Department

5:10pm

“I can’t believe I left my cell phone here.” Yuri muttered to herself. She stepped out of the elevator and headed toward her office. She heard some footsteps coming from the office. Weird, at this time, everyone should have gone home already. When she reached the office, she saw a figure trying to look for something through the glass door.

“Excuse me, sir. How may I help you? Yuri asked politely to the man

“No, no there’s nothing that you can help me” The man started to walk away from Yuri

He seems like he’s interested in going on a cruise for vacation., Yuri thought. “Excuse me sir, if you are interested in going on vacation and have some spare time, I will gladly offer some suggestions” Yuri offered

“Really? It’s 5pm now and you still want to introduce me about the cruise?” The man asked surprisingly

“It’s my pleasure” Yuri said while opening the door and turning on the lights. “Please, have a sit sir”

“You don’t have to call me sir all the time, my name is Ch…Han Si Won. By the way, if I want to go on a vacation with my wife, where should I go?”

“I believe Turks and Caicos Island would be a very good choice, Mr Han, with the refreshed atmosphere and a variety of water activities such as diving, fishing, boating, kayaking… They also have a wide range of hotels, restaurants and romantic attraction. I’m sure you and your wife will have the time of your life while spending your time there.” Yuri said fluently while handing Siwon the poster

“Oh…Is that so? Well, I’m just asking since I’m not married yet” Siwon said

“Oh… it’s okay but you’re gonna get married in the future so it’s no harm planning” 

“How about a place that I can go with my grandfather, you know for the elderly?”

“Ah, Alaska provides the most refreshed air which is really good for your grandfather’s health. Besides there are activities like hiking and dogsledding. I believe after the vacation your grandfather’s health will be much better than now”

“Well, that’s great, I wished I knew this sooner because my father passed away 2 years ago” Siwon said sadly

“Oh, I’m really sorry to hear that, I didn’t mean to remind you of sad memories” Yuri apologized to him

“Nah, it’s not your fault, but I do have one last question.”

“Then it’s my pleasure to answer.”

“Where is the bathroom?” Siwon asked

You’ve got to be kidding me. Why didn’t he say so at the first place Yuri thought. “Uhm… You go along this hallway; the last door on the left is the bathroom”

“Great, you’re really good, I really love your way of treating a customer, Yuri. Hope I can see you again soon” Siwon said then walked away from the office

Weird, how did he know my name, I didn’t say my name, did I? Whatever, today’s a weird day, I need to get home now, it’s getting dark. Yuri hurried to her desk, took a cell phone from the drawer and went home

&&&&&

6th February 2011

STS - Cruise Sales And Reservations Department

12:30pm

“Lunchtime, lunchtime, it’s lunchtime guys. Let’s take a break, you can’t work on your empty stomach” Sooyoung said

“We’re gonna miss you, boss. When you’re away for your business trip, who is going to remind us our lunchtime” Minho joked

“I’ll take that as a compliment. Let’s go, I know a new Japanese restaurant nearby. Besides, it’s Tiffany’s treat.” Sooyoung said while grinning at Tiffany who was totally confused

“Huh? When did I said that?” Fany asked

“You didn’t say anything but we know you want to. You got a promotion, remember?”

“Then why didn’t we celebrate yesterday?”

“Because I was in a late meeting yesterday, without me then who is going to show you the brand new Japanese restaurant?”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Fine, it’s my treat then, let’s go guys” Fany said. Her co-workers applauded loudly, they all stopped what they were doing and got ready for lunch. Except one person.

“Yuri-yah, Aren’t you going to join us for lunch?” Onew asked since he noticed Yuri was still working on her computer

“Ohh… I need to finish these first then I’ll join you guys later” Yuri said not taking her eyes off the screen

“Aish, Kwon Yuri you have to stop working right now, that’s an order” Sooyoung said

“But I…” Yuri’s sentence was cut short by Hara’s voice

“Boss, our department just received a new fax”

“Aish, what now, give me that!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Date: 6th February 2011

From: The Soshi’s Travel Service Headquaters

To: Cruise Sales and Reservation Department
 

Free Trip to L.A

6 Days Cruise

At the

Goddess Cruise Ship

Winner of the lucky draw (include: 2 tickets):

Kwon Yuri

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Wow, isn’t that the biggest cruise ship ever?” Luna asked excited

“Is that true? Yuri won the prize? Our Yuri?” Minho asked in disbelief

“It looks like Yuri’s time has come. Congratulation Yuri-yah” Onew said

Meanwhile, Fany and Sooyoung didn’t say anything. Fany looked at Yuri worriedly while Sooyoung who was holding the fax had only one question in her head How come I didn’t know anything about this lucky prize??

&&&&&

At the Coffee Prince

5:10pm

“So… Are you going to go on that Cruise ship?” Fany asked Yuri who was busy looking at the menu.

“What do you want, caramel coffee like usual or you want something new?” Yuri said totally ignored Fany’s question.

“You’re not going, right?” Fany insisted on getting an answer for her question.

“That makes it two caramel coffees then. I’ll order. Taeyeon-ah, two caramel coffee please”

“Yah, Kwon Yuri!!!” 

The moment Yuri heard her full name, she knew that she had to give Fany an answer sooner or later. “Okay, okay, no need shouting.”

“So?”

“Come on, it’s a free trip to L.A, I can’t see the reason why I shouldn’t go. Besides, it’s been a long time since I saw my parents” Yuri said.

“But it’s a cruise ship and tomorrow is exactly three year sinc… wait a minute, you said you’re going to visit your parents?”

“Yeah, is there something wrong?” Yuri said, confused.

“Of course, there is. Your parents didn’t know about your break-up, you’re planning to tell them now, after three years?”

“Certainly not, my mother will definitely have a heart-attack when I tell her this. Don’t tell me you don’t know about her heart disease for all these year. She has had enough when I told her I was going to get married to a girl”

“I do know, that’s why I’m asking” 

“I’m going to tell her that she’s busy with her work so she can’t come” Yuri grinned at her genius idea

“So you decided to keep it a secret, I wonder for how long” Fany sighed

“Here you go, guys. Two cups of caramel coffee, have a nice day” Taeyeon smiled

“Thanks Taeyeon, your coffee is the best in town. It’s the first thing Fany needs every morning” Yuri said caused Fany to choke on her coffee.

“Oh, that’s really nice to hear that. Just so you know, I am going to take a few days off” Taeyeon said

“What? Why?” Fany asked, surprised.

“I will go on a cruise for vacation for 6 days. My friend who works as a Cruise Director offers me a ticket. I will open the cafe as soon as I get back” Taeyeon said

“Oh, what a coincidence, I’m going on a cruise trip as well, which cruise ship are you going to go?”

“It’s the Goddess Cruise.”

“That’s the one. Then I really hope to see you there.” Yuri said, totally excited

“Me too. Sorry guys but I really have to get back to work now” 

“No, no that’s okay” Yuri said while Fany’s eyes followed Taeyeon’s figure as she got back behind the counter to continue what she was doing.

“There, another reason that we need to go on that cruise tomorrow” Yuri said as she grinned at her friend mischievously

“What do you mean?” Fany asked despite knowing exactly what Yuri meant

“You have a crush on Taeyeon, don’t you?”

“What, no, no. She is beautiful, nice, her voice is so cute and all but I don’t have a crush on her. I really don’t.” Fany strongly denied

“Okayyy… You don’t” Yuri said, still grinning like an idiot

“Aish, why do I get the feeling that you don’t believe me? Anyhow, do you really want to go on that trip?” Fany asked once again

“Yes, how many times are you gonna ask that question again?”

“Until I get the answer that I want”

Yuri knew what Tiffany was talking about. The cruise ship is where Yuri first met Yoona three years ago; it’s also the place where they decided to get married after spending only 7 days together. Yeah, it’s quiet a romantic story except for the not-so-happy ending. Tomorrow is exactly three years since she first met Yoona on the cruise.

“If you are worried about me that way then you don’t have to anymore. Because I decided to leave the past behind and start by going on this trip” Yuri said somewhat confidently. “Besides, this time I have you with me, right?”

“Well, if you said so…”

“So, are you going to join to go the elderly care later? I need to pay a visit to them before I go on this trip” Yuri offered

Fany smiled at her friend and let out a sigh. There was only one word to describe Yuri: ‘Good’. She have been doing the social work at the elderly care for years now. She loves them as much as her own parents in return they treated her as their own daughter, they always worry about Yuri, always ask her if her life have been good. Somehow those gestures warm Yuri’s heart a lot.

“Alright, count me in”

&&&&&

South Korea Elderly Care

5:30pm

“This time I bring a lot of apples for you guys. I heard that you all have high blood cholesterol so apple is the best choice. You guys have to remember to eat at least one a day. They always said ‘An apple a day’ you know?” Yuri said to the elders who gathered around her

“Ah…Yuri-yah, you don’t have to bring gifts everytime you come to visit us. Just seeing your face is good enough” an old lady said while holding Yuri’s hand

“Hye-sook omma, you know me, I feel weird coming here empty-handed, besides apples are really good for your health”

“Yuri-yah, stay healthy for us, okay?” 

“Yes, I will Ji-hyun appa. Alright, I will bring these boxes into the kitchen, you guys should rest soon, it’s late now. Goodbye, Ommas, Appas.”Yuri said then she turned to Fany “Fany-ah, can you help me with those boxes?” 

Fany picked up the boxes Yuri pointed at then they walked out of the room. As soon as they closed the door, a nurse came up to them

“Yuri-yah, it’s really good to see you here doing social work, you do have a big heart. You don’t know how much thankful I am right now. Elders really need these kind of caring you know” 

“You don’t have to thank me they also give me lots of support. By the way, I don’t see Jang Yong appa anywhere?”

“Oh, he sneaked out again, I believed you know where to find him right?” The nurse smiled at Yuri

“I think so, Fany-ah you can go home first, I have some stuff to do, I will be back later.” Yuri said while walking toward the garden.

Out of the elders at the elder care, Yuri really don’t know why but she felt extremely close to Jang Yong appa. She’s the only one who know his secret hideout which she promised not to tell anyone or he wouldn’t talk to her anymore. Toward the end of the garden, there’s a bunch of tall tree which you think behind them is the wall but strangely, behind those tall trees there’s a bench. If we sat on the bench’s backrest, we could clearly see the sunset. This is Yong appa’s favorite place.

“Yong appa!!” Yuri called the old man who was sitting on the bench’s backrest.

“You’re here to tell me to go inside, aren’t you?” he said not looking back at Yuri

“Well, part of it, I’m here to see the sunset as well.” Yuri said while sitting beside him

“It’s a beautiful sight, isn’t it?” 

“You wish your daughter were here with you, did you?” Yuri asked since the old man were seemed in a deep thought

“Don’t you dare mention that rascal in front of me.”

“Don’t lie to yourself, I know you love her” Yuri said knowingly

The old man didn’t say anything, Yuri smiled at him, He truly loved his daughter it just that he really didn’t show it, everytime she came to visit him he always shout at her, he refused going home with her and insisted on staying here, that’s what the nurse told Yuri. They stayed there until the sun set completely.

“Let’s go in now, everyone is worried about you” Yuri said

“I knew this coming” he mumbled