The Yuchae Blossom Read online

  “I will stay, Jack, until you fall asleep.”

  As he lay back down, he felt the side of the bed lower a bit as Woo-bin sat next to him and placed a wet, cold towel on his forehead. He threw up a few more times following, but he eventually began to fade. He looked at Woo-bin one more time before sleep finally began seeping through the cracks. Woo-bin stared back at him, with a look of what Jack thought was worry. He felt a cold plastic bottle—water?—being pressed into his hand, and as his eyes closed, he heard the door to his bedroom close…. Please… stay….

  HE ROLLED over and opened his eyes. The room was mostly dark except for a sliver of morning sun, which poured through where the drapes separated. Looking at it made his head throb. Grabbing his cell from the nightstand, he checked the time, and panicked. It was 10:15 a.m. What the fuck? He didn’t hear his alarm. He sat up, and his head felt like it would explode. A wave of nausea passed over him. Ugh. Memories of the night before were fragmented and hazy. He knew Woo-bin had carried him to his room and put him to bed. His chest tightened at the thought. Standing, he headed for the bathroom. His legs were shaky, and he felt a bit dizzy, which brought on another wave of nausea. He sat to piss. Never again. There were better ways to deal with his disappointment and a broken heart. Right? After showering and dressing, he called Missy.

  “Morning. I heard you had quite an evening with several bottles of soju. You need to find better friends.”

  “Ha. Not laughing. Vomiting, yes. Laughing, no.”

  “I’ve moved everything to tomorrow or later in the week. Your schedule is clear. GM Lee is not happy, needless to say.”

  “Well, I’m sure he’ll recover. I may not. Ugh.”

  Soft laughter. “Anything I can do for you?”

  “No. I’ll survive.”

  There was a pause, then, “Jack….”

  “Hmmm?”

  “Why don’t you take the day? Maybe even two days. Go climb Mount Hallasan. You maybe could use… a distraction.”

  “I need a distraction?”

  “Well, from work and other things.”

  “What ‘other things’?”

  “Think about it.”

  “Really, what other things?”

  “Oh, my other line. It’s the engineering foreman. I need to take this. Talk later.”

  With that, she hung up.

  What other things? What was she thinking? Does she know? Jack dressed and headed to the kitchen. The smell of something cooking assailed his senses as soon as he opened the bedroom door. His stomach flipped, but he controlled it. He was done with vomiting. Choon-hee was at the stove, stirring something.

  “Sit.”

  He did.

  She filled a bowl and set it before him.

  “Woo-bin tell me you drink too much last night. Eat.”

  “Choon-hee, my stomach—”

  “Will feel better after you eat. Remember?”

  He looked at the soup. “Is this haejan-gok again?”

  “Haejang-guk. I told you before, Koreans know how to drink, how to feel better next day. We good at it. Eat.”

  He sipped a spoonful. It was as good as it was the last time. He took a few more sips. Choon-hee was washing dishes and glancing at him occasionally. It went down and was staying down. When he had finished, it did make him feel better like the first time she had made if for him. “Thank you, Choon-hee.”

  “You welcome. No go to work today. You work hard enough already. That Ms. Missy and Woo-bin can manage job without you for one day.”

  “That’s the plan.” He stood and handed her his dish. “I apologize for missing dinner last night.”

  “That okay. Woo-bin friend with him. He eat plenty.”

  “Cheol-min?”

  “Yes. He carry you home. You too big for Woo-bin to lift.”

  Cheol-min carried me home? Was he there when Woo-bin undressed me? Was he with Woo-bin after I fell asleep? His stomach was starting to turn again. “Thank you, Choon-hee. I think I am going to go for a walk.”

  “Good to walk when drink too much. Bring water.” She handed him a bottle from the fridge.

  As he was leaving the kitchen, she stopped him. “He very loyal to you, Seonsaengnim.”

  He looked at her. “He is my employee. Of course he is.”

  “Not as employee. As Woo-bin.”

  The expression on his face must have been a question mark.

  “Like I say to you before, in Korea people of like age are together. You are much older, so not common for someone younger to spend time with you. You understand?”

  “I do.” Ding. He had forgotten that.

  “Don’t take personal. He like you and respect you very much.” With that, she was done and went back to finishing the dishes.

  “I’ll be back in a bit.”

  She did not respond except for a slight nod of her head.

  He headed back to his room.

  JACK STARTED sleeping with the air-conditioning on to block out the sound of Woo-bin and Cheol-min on Woo-bin’s patio at night singing, laughing, crushing him. It helped, some. The groundbreaking for the new spa location came and went. Woo-bin was there, standing with Cheol-min, Eun-seo, and the engineering team. Woo-bin was their immediate superior, so it was expected. He caught Woo-bin looking his way occasionally. Jack also saw GM Lee watching them. What does that prick have up his fucking sleeve? After the ceremony, Woo-bin disappeared with his team and did not attend the banquet. Jack sat with Missy, the GM, and his new admin—another beautiful young woman. Jack looked her way. She smiled politely. He glanced at Missy. She looked back with an eye roll and a slight smirk. Jack repressed a laugh. The GM was staring at him again.

  “GM Lee Yong-geun. I see you have a new administrative assistant.”

  “Yes. Ms. Park Ji-hye.” He introduced Jack and Missy. She bowed her head.

  Missy returned the bow. Jack nodded slightly.

  The GM addressed Jack. “For the next month I want Song Woo-bin to work for me personally.”

  Jack stared at him intently, imposing his age, seniority, and position on the younger man. “Well, that won’t be possible. I have him overseeing the finish work on the golf course, pro shop, and facilities.”

  “I am sure that Ms. Argent can handle that for the time being.”

  “Ms. Argent has enough on her plate at the moment. And besides, you have Ms. Park Ji-hye to assist you.”

  The GM didn’t respond, just held his gaze for a moment longer, then excused himself and left the table, his new admin following close behind like an obedient puppy. Jack looked at Missy and grinned. “That went well, don’t you think?”

  She shrugged. “I’m sure we haven’t heard the end of it.” She wiped her hands on her napkin as if she had dirtied them and folded it neatly, placing it before her on the table.

  “You think he’s going to cause trouble?”

  “Don’t trust him, but despite his familial connections, you are his superior. Shall we?” She stood.

  Jack followed. “I am, but that doesn’t seem to faze him in the least. Keep an eye on Woo-bin, will you?”

  “I will. If GM Lee pulls something shady, I’ll let you know ASAP.”

  “Thanks.”

  They headed outside to wait for Byung-soo.

  HE DIDN’T see Woo-bin at all the following week except for at home for meals. When he asked Missy about it, she said that he had told her he was going to be working at the spa, overseeing the slab-on-grade construction. Jack accepted that until Woo-bin stopped coming home. After two days, he asked Choon-hee, and even she didn’t know where he was. He called Missy.

  “Have you seen Woo-bin at work at all? I haven’t, and he hasn’t been home in two days.”

  “He’s been spending most of his time at the spa site. I spoke to him yesterday. As for not coming home, maybe he’s staying with Cheol-min?”

  Jack’s heart sank to the bottom of a dark lake. “Okay, thanks, Missy.”

  “You okay?”

  “Yes.
Why wouldn’t I be?” That sounded harsh. “Choon-hee was asking about him.”

  “Ah. All right. I’m heading to bed. See you tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow.” Jack hung up. He was due to skype with Luke in an hour—he didn’t feel much like talking, but he needed to. He missed his boy. He owed Jenna a call too. One day at a time. Deciding that he would sit in the hot tub first, he grabbed a beer from the mini fridge and headed out to his patio to soak for a while. It was a clear night, and the sky looked like a black canvas with billions of pinholes. He could smell something floral on the breeze. He lowered himself slowly into the hot water—not too hot. He kept it at just above 100 degrees. So is he living with him? Doesn’t mean they’re lovers. Male friendships are more intimate here than in the US. Missy explained this to me. And there was what Choon-hee had said about Koreans spending time within their own age group. Why aren’t I ten years younger or Woo-bin ten years older? Jack listened for the sound of a guitar or laughter, but the night was silent except for the waves as they broke on the shore and the wind through the leaves. He reached for his cell, where he had placed it on the edge of the tub, and set the timer for forty minutes. Then he laid his head back and tried to clear his mind of frustrations, disappointments, and desires.

  AFTER NOT seeing Woo-bin for almost a week, Jack decided to visit the spa site. Woo-bin wasn’t there, and they hadn’t seen him since the groundbreaking ceremony. Jack’s stomach knotted. What the fuck? He called Missy.

  “He’s not here, and he hasn’t been. Where the hell is he?”

  “What? He distinctly told me he was going to be there all week.”

  “Well, he lied. I want him found. Start calling the team leaders. I want eyes on him.”

  “Okay. I’ll call you as soon as we find him.”

  Jack got in the car, slamming the door. “Byung-soo, main property, and make it quick.” They arrived in fifteen minutes. Jack was out before the car came to a complete stop.

  “Seonsaengnim!” Byung-soo called after him.

  Jack ignored him and headed for an empty golf cart. He sped out to the course, looking this way and that, trying to spot Woo-bin. His phone rang. “Did you find him?”

  “He’s at the hot springs.”

  “What? What the fuck is he doing there?”

  “Um, language.”

  “Apologies for that, and the ones coming.”

  “He’s with GM Lee.”

  He hung up and tossed his phone on the seat next to him and changed direction, jamming the accelerator to the floor. That prick. He pulled up in front of the main property’s spa and jumped out of the cart. He took several deep breaths to calm himself. Searching the facility, he found them in the dining area. GM Lee saw him first and stood.

  “General Manager.”

  “Ah. Jack.”

  “That’s District Manager, and I believe a bow is in order. Let’s not forget the honorifics, General Manager Lee Yong-geun.”

  The GM hesitated. The look in his eyes was murderous. Jack waited, arms crossed. The GM finally bowed slightly and addressed him appropriately.

  “Why is Song Woo-bin here?”

  Woo-bin interrupted. “It is okay, Seonsaengnim. I can assist—”

  Jack cut him off. “Get up.”

  Woo-bin did as he was told. It was then that it struck Jack that he was wearing sunglasses indoors. He didn’t comment. Instead he turned to the GM. “I distinctly told you that he had duties elsewhere. If you cross me again or disregard what I tell you or any directive given to you by me or my admin, Ms. Argent, I will see to it that you are reported to corporate for insubordination. Is that clear?”

  The GM was glaring at him, but he nodded.

  “Good. I think you will find that I am a patient man and easy to work with, unless you take advantage of my generosity or the leeway or the autonomy I give you with which to accomplish what we are trying to do here.”

  The GM was silent, his face crimson.

  Jack nodded and then to Woo-bin he said, “Let’s go.” He didn’t say anything at first about the sunglasses, but as they exited the building, Jack could see the shadowing on Woo-bin’s face around the left lens. He stopped, turned Woo-bin around to face him, and gently removed the sunglasses. He hissed. The skin under Woo-bin’s left eye was black-and-blue and the eye itself was red with blood on the inside corner. “What the hell happened?” he asked softly as he reached up to touch the area, but stopped himself. I said I’d protect him. “Did the general manager do this?” Jack could feel his temper rising. I’ll kill him.

  “No, Seonsaengnim. Cheol-min and I were playing, and he stuck his elbow in my eye.”

  “Cheol-min.”

  “Yes, Seonsaengnim.”

  “You’re sure?” He looked at Woo-bin. Their eyes met.

  “Yes, Seonsaengnim.” Woo-bin smiled, but not with his eyes. He almost looked sad.

  “All right, but we are going to medical to get that looked at, and if necessary I will take you to an eye doctor.”

  “Don’t worry, Seonsaengnim.”

  Jack frowned. Woo-bin knew better than to argue and climbed into the cart. Medical could not do much. The doctor there stated that Woo-bin should see an ophthalmologist. Jack called Missy and had her find a reputable one on island. She called him back with a name, and Jack called Byung-soo and gave him the address.

  Woo-bin had to translate, but according to the doctor, if the blow had been more forceful, he could have suffered a torn retina. He gave Woo-bin drops with directions for dosing.

  On the ride home, both were silent. As they pulled into the drive, Jack turned to Woo-bin. “Relations with coworkers, especially subordinates, can be… tricky.” A torn retina. What the hell?

  “Seonsaengnim?”

  “You and Cheol-min. I know you’re friends, but you need to be careful. If things get too personal, especially between a superior and a subordinate.”

  “So, I should not be friends with Han Cheol-min?”

  Was that a look of disappointment? “Well, no. I’m just telling you to be smart and appropriate, especially in the workplace.”

  “Appropriate?”

  Jack sighed.

  “I’m sorry, Seonsaengnim. I am frustrating you.”

  “No… no… you’re not frustrating me. I just want you to be careful, is all. Others in the workplace, other subordinates and maybe some superiors, might see your relationship with Cheol-min as being, problematic.”

  “Problematic. Yes, Seonsaengnim.”

  Woo-bin sounded anything but understanding. More like confused.

  Jack sighed. “Just be careful, Woo-bin. I don’t want anything like that black eye or worse to happen to you again.” Did that really happen wrestling with Cheol-min?

  When Jack was back in his room, he called Missy. “Hey.”

  “Hey. Everything with Song Woo-bin okay?”

  “He has a black eye.”

  “What?”

  “Yep. A nice shiner. Said it happened when he and Cheol-min were horsing around.”

  “Well, things like that happen between guys, right?”

  Jack was silent.

  “Jack?”

  “Have someone keep an eye on him. I want to make sure that it wasn’t… intentional.”

  “Wait, you think it was intentional?”

  “I don’t know. And I’m not convinced that that bastard Lee Yong-geun didn’t do it.”

  “You think the GM did it?”

  “Would you stop repeating everything I’m telling you as a question like I’m senile? And I’m not saying that he did or didn’t do it. I just wouldn’t put it past him.”

  “I’m just a bit freaked to think that anyone would hit Woo-bin, ugh, Song Woo-bin. He has to be the most benign and the gentlest person I’ve ever met.”

  “I agree. Just keep an eye on him and Cheol-min. I’ll take care of the general manager myself.”

  Jack felt the anger in him rising yet again. He decided he would pay the GM a visit.

>   GM Lee Yong-geun was in his office when Jack barged in. His “admin” was on the floor, picking up paper clips, and Yong-geun was holding the box. She looked toward Jack. “Get up and leave us.” She stood, bowed, smoothed her skirt, and hurried out of the office, closing the door behind her. “I see you’re playing the same games that got you in trouble the last time.”

  Yong-geun leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “And what can I do for you today, District Manager?”

  “You can stand and bow for starters.”

  He laughed out loud. “I think I’ll sit if it’s all just the same to you. I don’t bow to Americans.”

  Jack moved quickly and slammed his hands down on the edge of the GM’s desk, leaning toward him. The GM jumped. “Fine. Let’s just get one thing straight, then, shall we? I don’t know if you’re responsible for Song Woo-bin’s black eye,” Jack spoke evenly, his voice low and sounding dangerous. “I don’t trust you, Lee Yong-geun. I don’t trust you at all. If I find out that you are or if you have ever touched him…. I know the laws here are different, and I may not be able to get you arrested for it, but I assure you, I don’t care whose nephew you are, you’ll be cleaning toilets until you are too old to see.” With that, Jack stood, straightening out his suit jacket and tie, met the GM’s eyes with a look that said try me, and left his office, closing the door quietly behind him.

  WOO-BIN SAT across from Jack at the table. Neither one spoke. Byung-soo was eating like he hadn’t in weeks.

  Woo-bin smiled. Jack noticed and followed his gaze. The spoon was poised over Byung-soo’s head. Jack elbowed his driver.

  “Seonsaengnim?” Byung-soo asked around a mouthful of rice and kimchee.

  He nodded toward where Choon-hee stood about to strike.

  Byung-soo ducked, the spoon narrowly missing the back of his head. “Mweo (what)? Choon-hee-na, eh?”

  “You always eat like dog. So I beat you like one, ne?”

  “Aigoo.” Byung-soo returned to eating in a more reserved fashion.

  Jack smiled at Woo-bin. He looked away, smiling slightly. Jack felt a hand on his shoulder giving it the faintest squeeze. He turned to see Choon-hee.