Prologue

Kwon Yul was running all around his apartment packing for his flight that was leaving in a few short hours for Florida. From there, we would leave on a much needed 10 day cruise. The season had just ended and as much as he loved it, he was thoroughly exhausted. He’d played his body as hard as he could all season and now it was time for a breather. All of sudden, Garth Brooks ‘More Than A Memory’ filled the air, Yul groaned. He sorted through the clothes on his unmade king size bed looking for his stereo remote, but he couldn’t seem to find it fast enough. Where the hell was it? He didn’t know how the hell this song kept ending up on his stereo. It was the only song that made him think of his long gone wife. He hated the words, he hated the music and he hated everything that the stupid song represented. He didn’t even listen to country music, but no matter which station he put his radio on this song ended up on the playlist.

“Jackpot,” Yul said, finding the remote beneath a pair of New York Knicks boxers. He hit a button and immediately all surround sound stopped. Another button and the big screen television on his bedroom wall flicked on and the surround sound was back. He turned the television to one of his favourite news channels. It was just about the only thing he ever watched on television. Yul resumed his unorganized  way of packing his suitcase, but was interrupted a few minutes later when he heard his name. He grabbed his remote and standing at the foot of his bed, he focused all of his attention on the television.

“... NBA sensation Kwon Yul still hasn’t signed a contract for next season. There’s a bidding war for this talented player that is particularly unprecedented...”

Yul stood there grinning from ear to ear.

“... Mr. Kwon has always said that he wouldn’t sign for longer than one season at a time, not wanting to tie himself to one location for too long. Between the L.A. Lakers and the Charlotte Bobcats, Yul had his choice of costs. One has to wonder, what is Kwon Yul waiting for?”

“That’s right, baby,” Yul said to himself. “Kwon Yul is playing the game.” He threw the remote back down on the bed and then, reaching into his nightstand drawer, he threw a box of condoms into his suitcase.

“In other news, Kwon “Im” Yoona, no relation to Kwon Yul...”

That’s what they think, Yul thought to himself, searching for the remote again. He wanted the television off, and he wanted it off now. He didn’t care what the hell Yoona was up to. He was still desperately searching for it when what he heard next stopped him in his track, causing his heart to skip a beat.

“... has been in major car accident. After meeting an unknown man for lunch, Ms. Kwon was leaving a restaurant when the paparazzi spotted her.” Yul moved slowly back to the foot of his bed and breath caught in his throat, he slowly sat down, not wanting to miss a word. “They were tailing her, and when she had to slam on her breaks to avoid hitting a pedestrian, the paparazzi rear-ended her, causing her car to slam into a telephone pole. Her manager...”

Before Yul’s eyes, Tiffany appeared on the screen. “At one-thirty this afternoon, my client and friend, Kwon “Im” Yoona was in a horrific car accident after being relentlessly pursued by the paparazzi. She slammed on her breaks to miss a little boy who had wandered into the road and away from his mother. She was able to avoid hitting him. Unfortunately, she was unable to avoid being it. The car that was chasing her at a dangerously high speed, I’ve been informed... rear-ended her and forced the front of her car into a telephone pole. The doctors have told me that Ms. Kwon is in critical condition.” Yul watched as Tiffany, always the one able to bury her emotions, choked up before the cameras. “They’re unable to assure us at this time of whether or not she’ll make it. Your prayers are both very much needed and appreciated.” She cleared . “I won’t be answering any questions at all regarding this matter. I will, however, keep you posted as the doctors keep me posted.” Yul watched her walk away from the camera and reached a hand out to his television. He had an insane urge to yell at Tiffany to turn back around and give him more information. He slowly stood up and breathed in and out for several minutes, blinking the entire time, as if trying to push what he’d just heard out of his mind. He barely made it to the bathroom before he lost the contents of his stomach.

When he was done, he went into his bedroom to finish his packing. He had a flight to catch.