http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO6Hs1guODQ

All she could hear was the plane. Its engines whirred, making her ears pop and her lips form a scowl.

She never liked flying. Even though she didn’t have claustrophobia, she knew she hated the small amount of space that was given to a passenger in the economy section of the plane.

“Umma,” Rachel whispered, opening and closing the window slide to amuse herself.
“What is it?” her mother asked, glancing at her.
“Did you get anymore news?” Rachel switched to English, and she realised she had a bit of an accent. She frowned, and then smiled.

At least she still had something to remind her of them.

“No, I didn’t. The last thing I heard was that he’s in safe hands now.” Her mother sighed, and trailed off in her native tongue; Tagalog.
“Ma, that’s the only language that I don't understand. I don't see why you didn’t teach me.” Rachel pouted, and left the window closed. The only thing that made Rachel annoyed about her heritage was that she couldn't understand a word they said. Her parents never taught her, and Rachel assumed it was out of laziness.

Until she realised that they never taught her so they could have ‘private’ conversations.

In front of Rachel, of course.

“I don't know, I thought you’d never need it. You know my job, moving from country to country,” her mother replied.
“But it’s embarrassing. Do you know how bad it is to have someone speak to you in Tagalog and expect you to know what they’re saying because you look Filipino?” Rachel asked expectantly.
“You made up for it by learning Korean.”
“That’s not the point. I'm ashamed to call myself Filipino when I can’t even speak our language.”

Her mother took Rachel’s hand, and held it tightly. “Rachel, language isn’t everything. You still know our culture, our origin, and our customs. So what if you can’t speak Tagalog.”

Rachel smiled weakly. “Thanks mum.”

“The plane will be landing in 5 minutes, please put your seatbelts on.” The intercom buzzed, and passengers began to move, the sound of numerous seat belts clicking together filling the plane.

***

As soon as Rachel and her mother got through customs, they were met by a group of suited men, holding a sign that bore Rachel and her mother’s name. Rachel knew that they were from her father’s work, and she sighed, getting ready for the long night ahead.
“Hello, how was your flight?” one man in particular stood in front of the others.
“It was alright, thanks for asking. Who are you?” Rachel’s mother asked.

Rachel realised that the guards were already holding their luggage.
“I am Thomas, your..., so to speak. We’ll be taking you to your hotel and I will tell you of the situation.” Thomas smiled lightly, and Rachel felt a little uncomfortable.

She wanted to be back in Korea, with her friends.

With Teen Top.

With him.

Her mother nodded, and they followed Thomas and the guards to the exit. A black Sedan waited for them, and everyone got inside, the other guards going into the car behind Rachel, her mother and Thomas.

Rachel’s father worked in the South Korean embassy in the Philippines, and he was particularly well known for his work regarding the alliance between the two countries. Rachel’s family was well off, but because her parents hailed from not so wealthy families, they didn’t flaunt their riches, instead living like everyone else.

All that Rachel knew about the money was that some of it was saved for her college studies.

“Mrs. Andrada, your husband was kidnapped by a non-government activist group who aren’t very supportive of the alliance that we have with South Korea. Because your husband is a well known figure regarding this alliance, the group managed to kidnap him as he was about to leave the embassy after his shift. One week prior to today, the embassy received an email stating your husband’s ransom, which was $300 000 000 US. We took the appropriate action and located the area where your husband was taken and disposed of the group that held him. Unfortunately, it was only a small number of activists that held your husband, so we were not able to completely remove the threat. Mr. Andrada is now at the hospital with a fractured rib and a broken leg but he experienced some internal bleeding. He is in a stable condition...” Thomas continued to talk to Rachel’s mother, who was pale. She nodded every now and then, but Rachel knew that it was too much information to take in one go. 

She sat quietly, looking out the window. Thomas was speaking in English, so she could understand every word.

Sometimes Rachel thought why she had to have a semi-famous father in the political world.

Suddenly Rachel found herself speaking.

“Can we see him?” she asked, looking at Thomas.

Thomas shook his head. “Not yet. In the next few days or so.”

Rachel twisted her lips.

The Sedan pulled into the hotel drop off, and the guards took the luggage once more, while Thomas checked in for Rachel and her mother. As they all went into the lift, Thomas cleared his throat.
“Did you know anything of this group while you were in Korea?” he asked.
“No.” Rachel replied, beating her mother to the punch.
Thomas nodded, and everything became silent. The lift eventually opened again, and as they walked to the door of the hotel room, Thomas handed the keycard to Rachel after he opened the door.
“We will contact you later. I will have the guards put the luggage in the room for you.” Thomas motioned for the guards to move, and they did so, dropping the luggage and walking out again.

With one last nod, Thomas left, and Rachel led her mother into the room. Her mother sat on the bed, silent.
“Water?” Rachel asked.
Her mother looked at her, and Rachel moved to get a glass.

***

Lee Byung Hun (L.Joe)’s POV

As soon as CAP hyung said Rachel’s Appa was kidnapped, it became so silent that if a fly landed on the table, we could hear it. I watched everyone’s expression. Chunji looked as if he saw someone jump off a bridge. Ricky had his mouth open. CAP just held his phone, while Changjo and Niel shared the same expression themselves.

Absolute horror.

I felt like I was a mix of all five of them. Rachel became so close to us that it felt like it was our Appa that was kidnapped. I watched as everyone sat down, and I eventually joined them. The silence continued to hang in the air, and I felt like I needed to say something.

So I did.

“Her father must be important then, if he was kidnapped?” I asked.
“He would be. I wonder what he is,” Chunji replied.
“Maybe a politician?” Ricky asked.
“How long do you think she’ll be gone?” Niel asked.

CAP shrugged. “I dunno. Seoul only told me that bit.”

Changjo was the only one who didn’t say anything. I watched him as he continued to think to himself. His shoulders were hunched, his face impassive.

It almost looked like Rachel took his soul along with her. I was the only one who noticed that Rachel actually intended to be with Changjo, maybe because I overheard what she said to him the night of the party. It didn’t matter though, because Niel was completely oblivious to the turn of events.

What was Rachel doing? Was she going to continue seeing Changjo behind Niel’s back? She would be cheating then.

But was Rachel even with Niel in the first place?

The continuous questions I had in my head spun round and round, and I really wanted to know the answer to all of them. I was close to asking Changjo straight up in front of everyone, but I restrained myself.

“Hey, hyung, how did you even get Seoul’s number?” Ricky asked.
CAP, for the first time, looked flustered. “Uh...I got it off Rachel. In case something happened.”
Chunji caught on, and raised an eyebrow. “Hyung, why were you talking to her in your room? Surely if something happened you would’ve been talking out here, right?”
CAP swallowed, and I couldn't contain my laughter. “Hah, has hyung gotten together with Seoul?” I asked mockingly.

CAP scratched the back of his head, and it looked like he was blushing. “I'm not telling you guys anything. I'm going to bed,” CAP quickly stood up and headed towards his room.
“Hyung! Say hi to Seoul for us!” Ricky called, and CAP almost ran into his room, closing the door. The rest of us laughed, except Changjo, who was still silent. He stood up and went to his room, and I followed.

Maybe I could get some answers from him.

Before he could close his door, I held it open.
“Changjo?” I asked, peering around the door.
“Hyung,” Changjo replied, falling on his bed.
“Wanna talk?” I asked.

He better, I really wanted answer those goddamn questions in my head.

Changjo shrugged, and I took it as an invitation, sitting on his desk chair.
“Changjo, you’re with Rachel now, aren’t you?” I asked.
He looked at me, and frowned. “Why?” he asked back.
“I overheard you two at the party. Did something happen at the hospital?”
He shrugged again.
“Is that a yes?” I asked.
He nodded. For some reason, I didn’t mind talking to him like this.
“What about Niel?”
“He’s gonna know eventually. Just don't know when.”
I nodded to myself. So Rachel’s not going to cheat on Niel then.

“We’re still a team, remember?” I said, smiling brightly.
Changjo nodded. “Yeah, we are. But I think Niel and I will almost get along.”
I chuckled. “Maknae feels defiant?”
He grinned. “I sure am.”

A moment of silence passed before I heard him sigh. I already knew what for, and I shook my head.
“You love-sick child.” I said.
“I miss her. I'm sure you do too.” Changjo replied, pouting slightly.
“Not the way you do Casanova. Get some sleep.” I stood up, and headed for the door.

“Hyung. Gomawo.” Changjo said, and I turned around.
“Chonmaneyo.” And I walked out, heading towards my room.