The Yuchae Blossom Read online

  “Jenna! Down for the weekend?”

  “Yeah. Got in late last night.”

  It was 1:00 a.m. Sunday on Jeju.

  “How’re things in NYC?”

  “Good. Looks like my last book is going to be optioned.”

  “For a movie? That’s fantastic!”

  “If it happens. The industry is so fickle. Not counting on it, but, if it does happen, then, yay!”

  Jack laughed, as did Luke. Jenna ruffled his hair.

  Luke stared at her, irritated. “You know how long it takes me to get it like this?”

  “Oh, was that ‘look’ intentional?”

  Luke rolled his eyes.

  Jack watched them, longing to be there.

  “How’s work, Dad? Did they get the hotel built yet?”

  “It’s coming along. Got a ways to go, Lukey. I’ll be home from Thanksgiving through Christmas, though.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep. Already have my flights booked. Home the Monday before turkey day. Be sure to tell Gram.”

  Jenna was quiet.

  “Jen?”

  “Will you come to New York to see us?”

  He looked at her. “Come home for Thanksgiving, Jen, and bring Harper. Just let Mom deal with her feelings regarding her. She’s your partner, for Christ’s sake.”

  “No can do, older brother. Like that’ll work.”

  “I’ll talk to Mom.”

  “Not gonna happen, Dad. They already had the usual argument… arguments… fights.”

  She put her arms around Luke, resting her chin on his head, sighing. He looked up at her, bright blue eyes peering through long, thick brown lashes. He has his mother’s eyes, Jack thought.

  “Mom is never going to change her mind. She believes it’s wrong and that, as she always says, is that.”

  “I’m sorry, Bean.” He used the pet name he’d had for her since they were very young.

  “No need. Just come for a visit. Bring Luke.”

  “Aww yeah, Dad, let’s!”

  “Okay, sure. Why not? We can go the weekend after the holiday. Maybe go to the Top of the Rock, have dinner in Chinatown.”

  “Great. Can’t wait, big brother,” she said, her smile warm, her green eyes—same as his—same as Dad’s—flashing.

  “Okay. This old man needs to sleep. It’s late.”

  “God. You’re not old. You’ve got seven years on me, and I’m twenty-nine. Which reminds me, this summer or fall, mind if Harper and I visit?”

  “Seriously? Hell no. I would love that! Send me the details. This house is huge. You’ll love it. Lots of room, and the cook is fantastic. Authentic Korean. Her bibimbap is phenomenal.”

  “That’s right. I forgot that you had a cook and a valet. How did that all work out? You were having trouble with him, right?”

  A memory of Woo-bin lying in his hospital bed—bruised, unconscious—and then of the ferry ride back earlier that evening, surfaced. Woo-bin sitting beside him, close and safe. The sadness, fear, and guilt when he first saw him battered and broken, and the relief that flooded through him when Woo-bin first opened his eyes. Those eyes….

  “Jack?”

  He focused. Both Jenna and Luke were looking at him, concerned.

  “Yeah. That. Um, we… we’re fine. We worked it out.”

  “Oh. Well, before, it sounded like at one point you were going to kill him.”

  “I guess I didn’t really understand him.”

  “Understand? I thought you said he spoke English.” Jenna looked skeptical.

  “It’s not important. He’s working another position now. All good.” Jack half smiled. “Gotta sleep. Let’s say good night now, yes?”

  “Night, Dad. I miss you.” Luke kissed his finger and touched the camera lens.

  “Miss you too, Lucas. I love you.”

  “Me too.”

  “Bye, Jacky. Love you and miss you. Call me, ’k?”

  “I will.”

  He disconnected and lay there, laptop on his stomach. Lucky it’s still flat with all Choon-hee’s cooking. He wondered if Woo-bin was asleep or up reading. He considered going to see him and asking him if maybe he wanted to sit on the patio and watch the sky and drink soju. Just a thought. Closing his laptop and turning off the light, he thought about the ferry ride and his burgeoning feelings. Cat’s climbing outta the bag now.

  BACON AND eggs.

  He could smell it as soon as he got out of the shower. His stomach growled like there was a wild animal living in it. How long had it been? Jack dressed and headed out to the kitchen. Woo-bin was seated across from Byung-soo, who was noisily shoveling eggs into his mouth with one hand and bacon with the other. Choon-hee was staring at the driver. She had a spoon in her hand, and she was slowly raising it.

  Jack started to warn him. “Byung….” Too late.

  She cracked Byung-soo on the back of the head. “Food not run off plate.”

  “Aish—aigoo—aigoo.” Byung-soo rubbed the back of his head, then mumbled, “Michin neugleun yeoja.”

  Woo-bin laughed, then covered his mouth. She glared at him.

  “You think I crazy with spoon. Wait, I get pan.”

  “Jwisonghabnida. Jwisonghabnida.” Byung-soo had both hands raised in submission.

  Choon-hee poured Jack a glass of water and set that and coffee in his travel mug on the table before going to the sink.

  “Thank you.” Jack looked at Woo-bin. “Looks like she accepted his apology?”

  “Ne.”

  “Bacon and eggs. What’s the occasion?” Jack sat next to Woo-bin.

  Choon-hee turned to regard him. She pointed at Woo-bin with the sponge she now held. “He ask for special morning meal. I no short-order cook, but is okay. To welcome him back.”

  He looked at Woo-bin, who smiled and dipped his head. Was this for me? Jack nodded in approval before he dug in. They all ate together frequently in the kitchen now. Jack preferred that to the stuffy, formal dining room. Before he could finish, Woo-bin was up and bowing his departure.

  “Where’re you going?” Jack said around a mouthful of eggs, then side-glanced to see if there was an incoming spoon, or pan. Choon-hee either hadn’t noticed or was giving him special dispensation.

  “I don’t want to be late.”

  “Aren’t you riding in with me?”

  “No, but thank you, Seonsaengnim…. Jack. I am riding Choon-hee’s bicycle.”

  “Woo-bin, you don’t have to ride a bike to work.”

  “Let him ride bike if he want to ride bike. He need exercise. You should ride bike as well.” She looked him up and down.

  Byung-soo sniggered. Choon-hee raised the spoon. He stopped.

  “I think I’ll just ride in the car. Thank you for your concern, Choon-hee, but I think my morning runs are enough cardio at the moment.”

  Woo-bin bowed one more time and was gone.

  Jack watched him as he left the kitchen. Disappointment? He was hoping he’d have some time to talk with Woo-bin on the way in. He couldn’t get the feeling he’d had the night before, on the ferry, out of his head. He’d tried to equate it, compare it to his feelings for Nannie. But, they were different. Woo-bin’s full, lean, and muscular body—strong, not slight—and his scent, soap and cloves and male.

  “Finish so I can wash plate.” Choon-hee was staring at him. At some point, Byung-soo had left the kitchen as well. He shoveled a few more spoonfuls into his mouth and handed it to her.

  “Thank you, Choon-hee,” he said, standing. “Good food as always.”

  She nodded, the look on her face softening. She took the plate from him and then turned back to the sink. “That one has good heart, Seonsaengnim.”

  “Yes.” He looked at her standing there at the sink as she finished the dishes, and he thought of Woo-bin sitting next to him, smiling and dipping his head, dark hair sweeping across his forehead, and he knew, without a doubt, that there was definitely something about him. Something his heart seemed to know more about t
han he.

  Ten

  HE DIDN’T see Woo-bin all day. Missy had him running errands all morning, and just after lunch, she left, Woo-bin accompanying her, on an inspection of the completion of the first stage of the eighteen-hole golf course landscaping. Jack was sitting at his desk, examining the portfolio for the Hallasan site. He remembered the feeling he had as he watched the backhoe cutting into the side of the mountain, clearing vegetation and trees, and from the looks of some of them, very old trees. Were they home to local fauna? He tossed the spec sheet he was holding back on top of his desk. This wasn’t like him. Not entirely. He didn’t usually let issues with the ecosystem cloud his judgment. Cloud, or is it your conscience? Standing, he went out to the garden. He walked to its edge, where he could see the mountain in the distance, beyond a stand of cherry trees. It was beautiful and majestic, and they were about to begin a trend that would surely compromise that beauty. For profit. A breeze swept through the garden from behind him, engulfing him in the warmth of Jeju’s spring. The smell of the gardenias planted along its perimeter was strong. His chest felt tight, and he was overwhelmed with a feeling that was Woo-bin, and Jeju, and South Korea and the tall beauty that rose before him to the white cotton-candy clouds high above. And something else he couldn’t quite put into words. A shift in perspective? “This place….” He thought of his son. Luke would love it here.

  “Jack?”

  He turned. It was Missy. He smiled.

  “Whatcha doing?”

  “Just thinking.”

  “You said, ‘This place.’ Talking about the resort or…?”

  He looked at her, then, shoving his hands in his pockets, glanced back toward the mountain. “I… I’ve traveled pretty extensively for Chapel over the past decade.”

  “I know. You have an impressive résumé.”

  “But.” He turned toward her again. “I have never been so affected by a location. What is it about this place? About Jeju?”

  “Do you want me to answer that, or was it rhetorical?”

  Jack met her eyes. “No need. I’m just rambling.” He looked toward the door to his office. “Is Woo-bin here? Did he come back with you?”

  “He’s still at the course. I left him with the foreman. They’re going over the plan for the irrigation system.”

  “He’s—”

  “Quite capable. I had no idea how much experience he has from his previous position with Chapel. He apprenticed to the site-planning manager during the initial construction. He was explaining to me, in English, the details regarding the master plumbing design. So I think I’d like to definitely make him my assistant.”

  Jack smiled, shaking his head.

  “What?”

  “He just, surprises me. Continuously. How about if we make him the site manager? We still haven’t filled that position yet, and he’ll report to you.”

  “Sounds perfect. Do you want to tell him, or should I?”

  “You can. I’m gonna head out early. I want to run an errand on the way home.” With that, Jack patted Missy on the shoulder and walked back into his office, whistling as he went.

  HE FOUND a bike shop in Jeju City and two identical Fuji road bikes, one with a frame an inch shorter. He guessed at Woo-bin’s height, and the salesclerk was certain that it would be fine, pointing out the adjustable seat. They were both silver with very minimal white reflective striping and the smaller tires for on-road travel. Jack paid and gave them the delivery address. The clerk assured him they would be delivered the next day. He thanked him in Korean and bowed. When he got back home, only Choon-hee was there. Woo-bin wasn’t back yet, so he decided to take a shower and grab a quick nap before dinner.

  A knock at the door woke him, and he got up to answer it. It was Woo-bin.

  “Sorry to disturb you, Seonsaengnim, Jack, but dinner is ready.” Woo-bin smiled but averted his eyes.

  “Thank you, Woo-bin. I’ll be out in a minute.” Leaving the door open, Jack headed to the bathroom to wash.

  “Jack?”

  “Yeah. Come in.”

  Woo-bin came in as far as the door to the changing room that led to the bath and stood there, silent. Jack was drying his hands, and he eventually turned to face Woo-bin, who stood, head bowed.

  “Everything okay?”

  “I….” Then he quickly bowed very low and slowly rose. “Thank you, Seonsaengnim. Thank you very much. I don’t deserve this promotion, but I am very grateful.”

  Jack smiled. “You do deserve it. Just work hard and do your best, which I am confident you will.”

  “Yes, Seonsaengnim. I will. Every day.”

  Jack came and stood before him. Woo-bin looked up, and their eyes met. “Okay. Enough with the formalities.” I am just going to have to get used this.

  Woo-bin flashed that lopsided smile, and this time it touched his eyes, and Jack’s heart began the blood march from head to groin. God, he is beautiful. He placed a hand gently on Woo-bin’s shoulder and squeezed slightly. “Let’s eat.”

  THE BIKES were delivered late the next morning. Jack called Choon-hee, who told him she had the delivery people put them in the garage. She had lectured him the night before about extravagance when he told her they were being delivered and had asked her to sign for them, but she did it good-naturedly. He knew she loved Woo-bin too. He wasn’t fond of talking to her on the phone, though. She always hung up before he was finished, and when confronted about it, her answer was: “I finish. What more to say? You talk too much.”

  Jack left work early again that afternoon to get home ahead of Woo-bin. He waited for him in the garage, door open. He was sitting on a box, wringing his hands when Woo-bin rode up the drive on Choon-hee’s bike.

  “Hey.” Jack smiled, standing.

  “Hi.” Woo-bin returned the smile as he leaned the bike against the far wall.

  “What do you think?” Jack nodded toward the two bikes that stood side by side behind him.

  Woo-bin looked at them, then at Jack. “They’re very nice.”

  Jack was grinning like an idiot. He could barely contain his own excitement, nerves, anxiety.

  Woo-bin looked at them again.

  “One for you, one for me. Something better for you to ride to work on and—” Jack blushed. He could feel the heat as it rose from his collar, climbing up his neck, flushing his cheeks, and cresting at his hairline. “I thought, maybe… we could ride on weekends when the weather is good.”

  “Jack. I….” Woo-bin lowered his head slightly. “I like Choon-hee’s bike. I am okay with riding it, but you can ride your new bike, and I’ll ride Choon-hee’s on weekends.”

  “You don’t like it? It’s one of the newer models. Light, quick, and more gears. Should be easier to ride. It’s made for the road.”

  “It’s beautiful. It’s just—”

  The door from the house to the garage opened, and Byung-soo stuck his head out. “Din-ner.” He was doing his best to learn some English.

  “Well, think about it. Okay?”

  Woo-bin nodded but didn’t look at Jack as he walked past him into the house.

  He watched him as he went. Was it too much? He probably should have asked him first. Jack looked at the bikes and decided to give Woo-bin a little more time. He’d talk to him in the morning, and let it rest for the night. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he went in to eat.

  Eleven

  HE WOKE to his cell buzzing on the nightstand. Rolling over, he grabbed it and looked at the display. He recognized the number. It was Lee Yong-geun.

  “Lee Yong-geun.”

  “I didn’t wake you, did I?”

  “No, no. Just out of the shower,” he lied.

  “Can we meet for breakfast?”

  “Sure. At the property?”

  “Meet me at Six Moons. Your driver should know where it is. Nine?”

  Jack looked at the clock. It was 8:15 a.m. “Sure.”

  “Annyeong (bye).” Lee Yong-geun hung up.

  He sighed, got out of bed, a
nd headed to the bathroom to get ready.

  BYUNG-SOO NORMALLY drove like a maniac, but Choon-hee had explained to him that Jack had to be in Jeju City in fifteen minutes, and the ride in made his usual driving style seem like a hayride. They arrived a minute before nine. Jack straightened out his clothes as he stepped out of the car, nodding to Byung-soo, who bowed, then checked his hair in the reflection of the door to the restaurant as he went in.

  Lee Yong-geun was seated at a table by the window. There was tea, coffee, and an assortment of dishes before him. Jack sat opposite.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I ordered for us. I thought it would make it easier.”

  “No. Not at all. Saves me from trying to figure out the menu.” Jack smiled, but he wasn’t feeling it. He liked Yong-geun well enough, but the man wasn’t at the top of his list of people he wanted to spend time with. “So, breakfast. Something we need to discuss?”

  “Actually, yes. This is part social, part business.”

  Jack poured himself a cup of coffee and, sipping it, looked at Yong-geun. Their eyes met. Yong-geun held his gaze for a brief moment, then looked away, watching several young women in short skirts as they passed by talking and laughing.

  “The site at Hallasan. An emergency?”

  Ah. “Yes. You could say that.”

  Yong-geun nodded. “Song Woo-bin, your… valet.”

  Jack didn’t respond as he took another sip of his coffee.

  “You terminated him, yes?”

  “Did I terminate him? No. I asked Personnel to transfer him to another position, which they didn’t. They terminated him.”

  “I see. And now he has been… rehired?”

  “Yes. I don’t see why this warrants a private meeting in a restaurant. We could have done this over the phone. He was—is a good employee with experience that I find valuable. I’ve made him the site manager. The position was open.”

  “I see. I’m just not clear as to why you needed to leave in the middle of a groundbreaking ceremony and take a company vehicle, which had to be picked up at the Jeju Airport. You went to Seoul and were away for at least ten days, yes?”