As Kyrah stepped down from the last stair of the plane, she stopped for a moment.
Hong Kong.
She had actually made it.
The breeze felt different against her skin, and even the air seemed to carry the excitement of a city she knew almost nothing about. She looked ahead and immediately noticed a black Maybach waiting not far from the aircraft.
Kyrah glanced at Seo Jun.
"Is that for us?"
Seo Jun smiled.
"Of course."
Her eyebrows shot up.
"I didn't know the airport provided luxury services like this."
Seo Jun laughed.
"No, silly. That's for us."
"For us?"
He nodded.
"Remember, I'm your boss. I went through all that trouble convincing you to come here. At least let me treat you properly."
Kyrah stared at the car.
"You call this treating me properly?"
Seo Jun laughed again.
"Just get in."
Before she could say anything else, a man in a perfectly fitted suit stepped out of the driver's seat and walked toward them. He greeted Seo Jun with a slight bow before turning to Kyrah.
"Welcome back, Mr. Seo Jun. Welcome to Hong Kong, Miss Kyrah."
Kyrah blinked.
"He knows my name?"
She looked at Seo Jun and then back at the driver, her lips forming a small pout.
Seo Jun couldn't help smiling.
"Mr. Kim knows everyone I'm traveling with."
"Still..."
She stepped into the car, looking impressed.
"That's actually pretty cool."
Mr. Kim helped place their luggage into the trunk before returning to the driver's seat.
Kyrah settled into the backseat.
The moment she touched the leather seats, she sank into them.
"Oh my goodness."
She ran her palm across the smooth leather.
"The seats are so soft."
She adjusted the headrest.
"And they're warm!"
Seo Jun watched her amusement with a smile.
Kyrah looked around the spacious interior, then turned toward him.
"Seo Jun."
"Hmm?"
"Is this also free?"
He knew exactly what she was going to ask.
"Like a company benefit?"
"Yes."
Seo Jun hesitated.
"Uhhhh... yes."
Kyrah narrowed her eyes.
"Yes?"
"Yes."
He nodded a little too quickly.
"It's a company benefit."
"Wow."
Kyrah relaxed against the seat.
"Your company really has amazing benefits."
Seo Jun looked out the window to hide his smile.
If she ever found out how far from the truth that explanation was, she would probably refuse to get into the car.
"Let's just get you to the hotel," he said, changing the subject. "You need to settle in."
"I thought you said there was company housing."
"There is."
Kyrah's expression immediately changed.
"But?"
"It's not ready yet."
"Not ready?"
"Not yet."
"When will it be ready?"
"Monday."
Kyrah looked at him.
"Today is Friday."
"Yes."
"So..."
She began counting on her fingers.
"Friday night, Saturday, Sunday..."
She looked at him.
"Three nights?"
Seo Jun nodded.
Kyrah immediately sat upright.
"Three nights in a hotel? Seo Jun, that's going to cost you a lot of money. I really can't accept that."
"Kyrah—"
"No, seriously. You've already done enough for me. The flight, the car and now a hotel?"
"I can handle it."
"I can't let you spend that much money on me."
"Okay!"
Seo Jun finally broke the cycle.
Kyrah stopped talking.
He sighed.
"Take it as something you owe me."
She stared at him.
"You mean...?"
"You can pay me back little by little after you start working."
Kyrah's shoulders relaxed.
"That's much better."
Seo Jun smiled.
"I knew that would make you feel better."
"I'll definitely pay you back."
"You don't have to rush."
"I will."
She smiled at him.
"No matter what, I'll pay you back. Thank you. Really."
Seo Jun nodded.
"You're welcome."
A few minutes later, Kyrah's attention shifted to the city outside.
She leaned forward slightly.
"Mr. Kim?"
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Can I please put the window down?"
Mr. Kim glanced at Seo Jun through the rear-view mirror.
Seo Jun nodded.
"Go ahead."
The window lowered, and a rush of fresh air swept into the car.
Kyrah's face immediately brightened.
She stretched her hand toward the open window, letting the wind rush between her fingers.
Buildings passed by in a blur. Towering skyscrapers stood beside older streets, signs written in Chinese filled the storefronts and the city seemed to stretch endlessly ahead of her.
She smiled to herself.
This was real.
She was in Hong Kong.
She chuckled softly as she watched the unfamiliar scenery.
Seo Jun turned his attention toward her.
There was something about watching Kyrah experience simple things that made him happy.
She didn't need expensive gifts to be impressed.
She could be genuinely excited about a warm car seat.
She could stretch her hand through a car window and smile at the wind like a child discovering it for the first time.
She appreciated things.
Perhaps that was what he liked most about her.
After everything she had been through, she still hadn't allowed life to completely harden her.
She could still laugh.
She could still get excited.
She could still find happiness in little things.
Seo Jun looked away before she caught him staring.
Soon, the car turned onto a busy avenue in the heart of the city.
Kyrah looked up.
A magnificent hotel stood ahead, its glass exterior reflecting the lights and movement of the city.
She stared through the window.
"Wow."
Seo Jun smiled.
"We're here."
The car pulled into the entrance of the Victoria Harbour Grand Hotel, a luxurious five-star hotel in the heart of Hong Kong, surrounded by towering office buildings, designer stores and the constant movement of the city.
The moment the car stopped, two hotel attendants approached.
Mr. Kim stepped out first and opened Kyrah's door.
"Careful, ma'am."
Kyrah stepped out and immediately looked up at the towering entrance.
"Seo Jun..."
He stepped out behind her.
"Yes?"
"This place looks like something from a movie."
"Come on."
Mr. Kim opened the trunk and began taking out the luggage.
Kyrah quickly reached for one of her bags.
"I can take that."
Mr. Kim shook his head.
"Please allow me, ma'am."
Before Kyrah could protest, Seo Jun had already picked up her handbag.
"Let's go."
She followed him into the hotel.
The lobby was enormous.
Polished marble floors reflected the warm lighting overhead. Tall flower arrangements stood beside the reception area, while enormous windows offered a spectacular view of the city.
Kyrah slowed down as she looked around.
She had never stayed anywhere like this.
Seo Jun walked toward the front desk.
"Good afternoon."
The receptionist smiled professionally.
"Good afternoon, sir. How may I assist you?"
"I have a reservation for Kyrah."
Kyrah stood beside him.
The receptionist typed something into the computer.
"Yes, Mr. Seo. We have the reservation here."
She looked toward Kyrah.
"May I have your identification, please?"
Kyrah handed it over.
After completing the necessary formalities, the receptionist handed her a key card.
"Your room is on the twenty-eighth floor. The elevator is just over there."
"Thank you."
Seo Jun took her luggage.
Kyrah reached for it.
"Seo Jun, I can carry that."
"I know."
"Then—"
"Just let me."
She sighed.
"Fine."
They entered the elevator.
Kyrah watched the numbers climb.
Twenty-two.
Twenty-three.
Twenty-four.
She glanced at Seo Jun.
"Twenty-eight?"
"Yes."
"This building is huge."
"You'll get used to it."
"I'm starting to think everything in Hong Kong is huge."
Seo Jun laughed.
When the elevator doors opened, they walked down the corridor until they reached her room.
Seo Jun handed her the key card.
"Here."
Kyrah tapped it against the door.
The lock clicked.
She pushed the door open.
Her mouth fell open.
The room was beautiful.
A large king-sized bed sat in the center, covered with crisp white sheets and several soft pillows. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across one side of the room, offering a breathtaking view of the city and the swimming pool below.
Kyrah walked toward the window.
"There's a pool!"
She turned around.
"Seo Jun, look!"
"I see it."
"And look at the bathroom!"
She opened the bathroom door.
It was almost as large as her entire bedroom back home.
There was a deep soaking tub, a glass-enclosed shower, a wide vanity with a huge mirror and neatly arranged toiletries.
Kyrah walked back into the bedroom slowly.
"This is too much."
Seo Jun leaned against the doorway.
"It's only for three nights."
"Only?"
She laughed.
"I've never stayed somewhere like this."
"You deserve to experience nice things."
Kyrah looked at him.
For a second, neither of them said anything.
She lowered her gaze.
"Thank you."
Seo Jun nodded.
"Get some rest. I'll pick you up Monday morning."
"Monday?"
"Yes."
"For work?"
"Unless you want to start working tonight."
Kyrah laughed.
"Definitely Monday."
"Good."
He picked up his jacket.
"I'll see you then."
Kyrah walked him toward the door.
"Seo Jun."
He turned.
"Thank you for everything."
He smiled.
"Welcome to Hong Kong, Kyrah."
Then he walked away.
Kyrah stood at the doorway watching him disappear down the corridor before slowly closing the door.
She turned around.
The room suddenly felt even bigger.
She walked toward the bed and sat down.
The mattress was so soft that she immediately sank into it.
She stretched out on her back and stared at the ceiling.
For the first time in a long time, She wasn't thinking about what she had lost.She had made it this far. Her hand moved gently to her stomach. "We're really here, baby."
A smile appeared on her face. She looked around the room one more time. Hong Kong was unfamiliar. Her new job was waiting. Her future was uncertain. But for once, uncertainty didn't scare her.
Kyrah took a deep breath and smiled at the ceiling.
"Now there's only work left to get to."
She smiled wider.
"I can't wait."