- "Oppa...," Ilana said softly. Not really know what to say, she was completely stunned.

- "Gwenchana," he took her hands in his; she was now sitting up and facing him. "For now and as long as you need me to be; Naega Oppa. Na…don't want you to think or worry about this. We'll talk about it again when I'm done serving." Letting go one hand, he wiped a stray tear that had fallen. Letting his hand rest on her shoulder, he leaned over and kissed the top of her head. "Get some sleep dongsaeng." He pulled her to standing and ruffled her hair. The Shy Prince was gone and Oppa was back.

YoungSaeng left a very unsettled Ilana. She didn't know if all the color drained from her face after his...what would you call it? Was it a confession, a proposal? No, she was sure her face was beet red. It was a good thing he had left.

- “I really wish I could just love and be loved like anyone else,” speaking to the vast ocean, she sighed. "That monster took that part of my heart, mianhae Oppa not even you are able to get it back for me. If I had it to give, I'd gladly let you claim it. I'll always need you as Oppa, until the real Cinderella comes and sweeps you off your feet." Wiping her tears, she got ready for bed. An uneasy sleep followed.

Next Morning

Making sure she covered the telltale signs of lack of sleep, Ilana managed to smile for KyuJong during their morning walk. She pushed herself hard, almost running. That was always her way of coping when she was upset; just keep as busy as possible having no time to think.

- "Yah! What was that all about?" KyuJong scolded when they had finished their twenty minutes.

- "Nothing," she smiled. "I wanted to see how fast I could go." She was panting hard, but it felt good; her mind had cleared.

- "Agassi needs to rest for a little and drink some water." They sat on a nearby bench. "Is something bothering you?”

- "Anieyo," she felt slightly nauseous and drank her water slowly. Ilana closed her eyes and concentrated on lowering her heart rate.

- "Kaja, I'll walk you back to your room." When they arrived at Ilana's room, KyuJong took her pulse to make sure it was getting back to normal. "Your color is coming back and your pulse has slowed back down to your normal level (her condition made her pulse naturally elevated). Lie back down for a while and get some rest."

- "Mianhaeyo, Oppa."

- "Just don't do it again.

- "I won't...See you later." KyuJong showed himself out. Ilana lay down and was asleep before he had reached the elevators.

Sometime later, Ilana was awoken by the sound of her phone ringing.  "Hello?" She answered still sleepy and not bothering to check the caller ID.

- "Yeobosayo, Unnie! Were you sleeping?"

- "Yeah...wow...?!"   She glanced at the clock. "I must've been tired; I slept for over an hour."

- "Oh, Unnie isn't too tired for lunch are you?” Suzy asked hopefully.

- "No, I'm not too tired." She smiled over the phone.

- "One hour, at the grill, I'll have Saengie Oppa pick you up. See ya.”

- "You don't...." Ilana sighed; Suzy hung up before she could say "you don't have too." She still wasn't sure about last night’s conversation. She decided she didn't have time to worry about it and went to shower and get ready.

YoungSaeng picked Ilana up and they walked in unusual silence towards the elevators.

- "Cinderella looks tired; you didn't sleep well last night?" He was concerned.

- "Deh," she sighed. She thought about lying, but he would see right through her; he knew her to well. He stopped walking and put his hand on her shoulder to stop her. As if by reflex, she looked up at him slightly panicked.  Curious as to why they stopped.

- "Wae?”  He sighed, “because of what Na said last night?" With her thoughts in complete turmoil over last night, Ilana avoided eye contact and remained silent. She didn't want him to see those distressed thoughts; not that she could really hide them from him. He suddenly pulled her into a hug.

- "Mianhaeyo, Oppa," she cried. Sorry for what, she wasn't sure. Perhaps she was sorry for not being able to give him some kind of assurance.

- "Tch, sorry for what? Oppa is a pabo for distressing you…Look at me...?" Hesitating for a moment she finally looked up and he continued. "Three years is a long time, you don't know what you'll do when you get off this ship and I don't know what will happen during my military service. Let's not hold our breath over a children’s what if game.” He embraced her once again and she selfishly let his warmth ease her distress when she should be comforting him. "Three years from now we can meet on top of the empire state building and laugh at ourselves." That was enough to ruin the serious mood. Ilana couldn't help but burst out laughing.

- "Oppa? Have you been watching chick flicks with HyungJun Oppa again?" They both were laughing as they continued to their lunch meeting.

- "Unnie, Oppa!” waved when she saw YoungSaeng and Ilana walking towards them. - "Mianhae, I took too long to get myself together."

- "Na had to help her with her hair;” YoungSaeng grabbed Ilana's head and moved it around. "Did I do a good job?"

- "Oppa, stop!" Ilana extricated her head from his grip. They were back to being the same playful friends and no one could tell otherwise.

Later, as they were eating, Suzy brought up the second to last port on Ilana’s Itinerary.  "Unnie, in a few days we'll be in St. Maarten, it's the last port before Fort Lauderdale and you disembark."

- "Suzy-ah did you have to bring up Princess leaving." HyungJun looked so sad that Ilana put on a smile just for him, even though her heart was hurting at having to say goodbye.

- "That's just it! We need to have one last outing together."

- “The last hurrah?" JungMin laughed at how cute his girlfriend was.

- "Guerae, let's plan on it;" Ilana agreed, wanting to take as many memories with her as possible.

St. Maarten

Docking in St. Maarten, Suzy and Ilana were the first to leave the ship right at eight A.M. Suzy had planned their day’s itinerary. First stop was the butterfly farm and then they would meet up with the guys for lunch and maybe water sports at the Orient Bay beach, and some shopping if there was time left at the end of the day.

The two girls arrived at The Butterfly farm right at nine when they opened. They were able to get the first tour of the day and Ilana was amazed at all the beautifully colored wings surrounding them.

- “Unnie,” Suzy whispered as a butterfly landed on Ilana. “Don’t move; I’m going to take a picture.”

- “They are attracted to your perfume,” the guide told them.

Once they continued walking, they got to a place where they could hold the butterflies. Suzy really wanted to try this. Ilana had the camera ready to take a picture.

- “It tickles.” Suzy laughed. “Does Unnie want to try?”

- “Deh,” Ilana nodded and took hold of the butterfly just the way the guide had shown them. “You’re right, it does tickle.” She had never even thought that holding a butterfly was possible. She laughed in delight. “I wonder if I could do this in Mama’s garden back home.”

- “It’s entirely possible, these butterflies are used to seeing people, but the same thing can happen in your home garden.” The guide told the group. Ilana was slightly saddened at the thought of home; when would she dare herself to go back?

After the guided tour, the girls perused the gift shop. They saw so many cute things from a girl’s perspective. The guys most likely would have been bored out of their minds.

- “Unnie? What do you think of this shirt?” Suzy asked. It was a plain white tank top, decorated very prettily with small flaps of material in purple, blue and black in the shape of a butterfly.

- “Very cute, it suits you.” Ilana looked to another shelf and spotted a very lovely earring and necklace set. She looked over at Suzy who was distracted in the hair jewelry. “Hmm, I think Suzy would like this. I think I’ll get it for her.”

They paid for their purchases separately and caught a cab to take them to Orient Bay to meet the guys for lunch.

- “Na want you to have this.” As soon as they were settled in the cab and on their way to the beach, Ilana took out the gift box with the earring and necklace set. She couldn't wait to give it to her.

- “Unnie! Kyopta! Choah, chincha!! Gomawoyo,” Suzy very much admired the jewelry set.

- “Na...haven't had a girlfriend since before my parents...," she took a deep breath and continue.  "I know I don’t talk very much and don’t confide in others very well, but I just want you to know that I have very much valued your company.”

- “Aww, Unnie is going to make me cry. Unnie knows Na don’t have many other yeoja Na hang out with and I’ve enjoyed your company too. Unnie doesn’t need to talk a lot because Na talk enough for both of us.” They both laughed at that. “And…Na have something for you too.”

- “Oh! These are so pretty.” Suzy handed a package over to Ilana that contained a set of butterfly hair combs and barrettes. “I can’t wait to wear these.”

- “Na do. That’s so cool that we both thought of each other at the store. Friends think about each other often. Don’t worry, Na will tweet Unnie every day and keep you posted on how the guys are behaving.”

- “Yes, please let me know and I’ll make sure to call and scold the offending party.” Ilana laughed at the thought. “Suzy-ah…when I’m settled in somewhere, will you come and visit? You don’t have to worry about expense or anything?”

- “Yah! Unnie doesn’t have to bribe her BFF to visit, hajiman Unnie has to promise to come back again.”

- “Kansamnida! I promise I will come back and this will give me the incentive to settle somewhere fast.”

- “Unnie is really going to look for work in a medical office?” Suzy asked.

- “Mollahyo...,” Ilana sounded distressed even to her own ears. Suzy gave her a worried look.  “I just mean, it’s an option that I’m strongly leaning towards. I spent so many summers and weekends doing forced volunteering, so it’s nothing new to me.” She laughed, trying to put her friend’s mind at ease. “I’ve had fun working with you and KyuJong Oppa; a small office would be my ideal situation."

- “It seems a waste of your marketing and architecture degree.”

- “Arayo, but my Father’s company name is too well known and my name is not very common. If I interview at a company that’s familiar with my Father’s name and coupled with my name, it would look suspicious. Plus, I want to see what I can accomplish on my own.”

- “Fighting, Unnie!” They laughed and talked the rest of the way to the beach.

They arrived at Orient Bay Beach in time for a lavish barbecue lunch with the guys. .They had reserved their own private area, complete with lounge chairs and umbrellas.

 - “Did you girls enjoy your butterfly farm?” Jung Min asked.

 - “Deh, it was really cool, Min, we even got to hold one!” Ilana answered excitedly.

 - “One even landed on Unnie, see?” Suzy took out her phone to show the picture she had taken.

 - “You two up for getting in the water? We can rent wave runners.” HyungJun asked.

 - “Anieyo!” Ilana and Suzy both answered.

 - “Na don’t want to get wet and didn’t pack swim clothes,” Suzy answered.

 - “I don’t do water sports,” Ilana said.

HyungJun complained, “aw you guys aren’t any fun.  This is our last outing together with Ilana, we have to make it last.”

 - “It’s still early; we have the entire day to hang out,” Ilana assured the sentimental Maknae.

 - “Unnie, you and I can get our hair braided,” Suzy was looking at the brochure, “while the guys play on the wave runners for a little while.”

 - “We can do some shopping if we head back to the ship early enough,” JungMin was always up for shopping.

 - “Oooh! I can go for some shopping, and Unnie needs some summer clothes. If you stay in Florida, you can’t always wear long sleeves and pants.”

 - “I need another suitcase as it is!” Ilana protested.

 - “Greon, we’ll look for another suitcase, while we’re out, to put the new summer clothes you’re going to get,” Jung Min teased.

 - “You two are terrible; Kike is going to need a moving van to pick me up.”

 - "Just give up and stay on the ship and there’s no need to pack,” KyuJong suggested.  He was teasing her, of course.  He knew she needed to make her own way.

 - “Cute, Oppa. You’re supposed to be supporting me, not trying to break my resolve.” Ilana stated to everyone’s laughter.

 - “Let’s propose a toast,” KyuJong raised his glass as a new round of fruit juice and rum punch was served. “To goodbyes that they never be spoken. To friendships - may they never be broken.  Gonbae!”

 - “Gonbae!” Everyone cheered and took a drink.

 - “That was beautiful, Oppa;” Ilana’s eyes were getting moist.

 - "No fair crying, Unnie! You’re making me cry too.”

- "Na do,” HyungJun, a crybaby at heart, agreed,

 - “Let’s get going or we’ll stay here and cry the rest of the afternoon,” Suzy said.

Last Evening

The next few days were spent in a flurry of activity for Ilana. From the moment she got up, to the moment she went to sleep was spent with her friends. As usual, if she kept herself busy, she didn’t have time to be sad. The last night on the ship, there was a grand farewell party in the La Fontaine dining room. But Ilana wanted a more intimate evening. Everyone gathered at the ‘Crow’s Nest.’ Jung Min had to work and HyungJun would be running back and forth between the formal dining room and the Crow’s Nest. This would be the best way to spend the evening together.

Ilana made thank you cards for everyone in her spare time in the previous days. She picked up more paper and glue in a fabric and craft store they stumbled upon in their shopping spree on St. Maarten. During a break, JungMin and HyungJun gathered with the rest.  At that time she passed out the cards.

  - “What’s this all about?” Jung Min smiled as he took the girly pink envelope she had just handed Suzy.

- “Yah!” She scolded. “That’s Suzy’s. This one is yours.” His was silver. To KyuJong she gave blue, to HyungJun she gave black, and to YoungSaeng she gave Yellow. Each card that each envelope held was specifically created for the receiver and the message inside as well.

- “Komapta, can we open them?” HyungJun asked excitedly.

- “Anieyo!” Ilana waved her hands in front of her. “Open them later, juseyo?”

- “Is Princess going to make me cry?” HyungJun asked.

- “I’m not trying to make you cry, but I know I will.” They spent the rest of the evening, singing Karaoke, dancing, eating and drinking, and just spending time as friends. Through it all, Ilana held up well and did not break down. She chose to enjoy this night and cherish every minute of it and not let sadness ruin her night.

Final Morning

Despite everything, Ilana actually slept well. Unfortunately come morning the nerves were there. She thought about doing a quick walk around the deck, but, it wouldn’t be any fun without her KyuJong Oppa. She ate a small breakfast, just for the sake of eating. Her bags were packed and ready to be taken to the loading dock. Wanting to wait until the last possible second before leaving, she told Kike not to pick her up until the last hour.  Ilana looked around her room, sighed, and crossed the threshold to a less uncertain future than when she first boarded.

Around nine-thirty A.M., she arrived on the main deck and looked around for her scattered friends. Spotting YoungSaeng in the shore excursion office, she approached him first.

 - “Annyeong nae Cinderella, nervous?”

 - “Jeo-geumyo?”  She carefully pronounced the word.

 - “Cinderella can still stay…,” he knew she wouldn’t, but thought he’d try anyway.  When she gave him her stone face, he laughed and decided to call the others.  “Arraso…,” he said a little gruffly, making her crack a smile.  “Kaja, let’s meet up with everyone in the Atrium,” he gave instructions to his subordinate and walked off with Ilana.

Everyone gravitated toward the Atrium as soon as they could.  “This feels so weird guys,” Ilana said, looking around her.  “I planned to never leave my room and now the cruise is over and I can’t believe it.”

- “Here’s a present for you,” hugging a surprised Ilana, KyuJong handed her an envelope.  “It’s your reference letter; don’t make me take it back.”

- “Kansamnida! Kansamnida, for the reference and again, for not walking past me, even when I asked you to.

- “It’s been fun, Ilana-ssi; here’s a chocolate bar for the road.” Jung Min said. “Call me if you need a personal shopper again.”

- “Guerae I will, if Suzy comes with.”

- “Of course I will Unnie! Remember your promise to come back.” They hugged tight and started crying.

- “Remember your promise to visit, and bring the guys with you.”

- “I want a hug too!” HyungJun cried, not wanting to be left out. “Don’t forget us while you’re away;” he handed her a flip book with all the pictures she had picked out as her favorites.

- “I’ll never forget! I’ll try not to stay away too long.” Ilana was practically sobbing at this point and HyungJun wouldn’t let her out of the hug.

- “Yah! It’s my turn.” YoungSaeng smacked the back of his Maknae’s head. This made Ilana smile despite herself.

- “Oppa,” Ilana turned to YoungSaeng. “Be nice to Maknae or he’s going to call me and tell me.” As he pulled her in for a tight hug, he saw Maknae sticking his tongue out at him.

- "He started it…Can I...just hold on to you like this for a long time and not let you go?” He whispered to her so no one else could hear.

- "I wish you could, Oppa.”

- “Na can and Na would; if only you would let me.  Call me whenever you need me; whatever time and for whatever reason. Even if it’s just to say yeobosayo. Promise me you will...and stop crying,” even though he himself was crying. He wiped the tears from her eyes and kissed her forehead, not caring what anyone thought or said.

- “I promise! You’re crying too, you know.” Ilana reached a shaking hand to wipe YoungSaeng’s tears and let her hand linger on his face just for a little. “You’ll always be my Shy Prince, even...if I can’t be your Cinderella,” she thought to herself.

Suddenly, he took her hand and bowed over it.  “My lady, until we meet again.” Winking mischievously at her, he bent and kissed her hand.  Making her laugh and smile was the desired effect and it worked like a charm.

- "Yah!” KyuJong and HyungJun yelled and smacked their friend on the back, inciting laughter from everyone else.

- “I think I’ll re-name you ‘Not So Shy Prince,” JungMin joked as always.

Around the time Ilana was getting out of HyungJun’s arms and going into YoungSaeng’s, Kike had arrived in the atrium. Unfortunately, he spotted his sister fairly quickly and she had not only been embraced by two guys but that last one kissed her, twice. To an enraged brother, it didn’t matter that it had been on the forehead and hand; it was still a hanging offense. “What the h---!”

Sweet and tearful moments of not goodbye, but see ya later. Poor Kike! Watch out Oppa-deul and Ilana, hot-blooded Puerto Rican on the loose!  Anyway, thanks for reading. Next Chapter: (Working Title) - Until We Meet Again. I saw guys really liked the last chapter, I hope this one meets your expectations