Chapter 2

"You ready B?" Kevin asks, his hands on his hips as they stood staring up at her empty house.

"Yeah," she replies before turning away and dragging her two suitcases behind her.

"Can't believe you sold this place for a hundred bucks," he sighs and she shrugs.

"Better that than him living comfortably when he gets out," she shrugs as he opens the trunk to the rental he was driving.

Her ex husband, Rome Flynn, was sentenced to 5 years in prison and is ordered to pay her $100,000 for pain and suffering as well as the funds he'd taken from their joint savings to pay Karen hush money. The house being their only shared possession, she was to sell it and he would be rewarded half the money due to a separate ruling in divorce court. They'd paid $500,000 for their house and she could have very well sold it for more, but decided to sell it to a family in need for a whopping $100 dollars. She wouldn't benefit, but neither would he from that measly 50 dollar check she'd written and turned in to his lawyer. It was a nice little fuck you cherry on top if you will. She could never repay him for the pain he'd caused her.

She thought of old stories of heartbreak as they drove away from her old house, her old neighborhood, her old life. It used to confuse her when she'd hear of the elderly dying of heartbreak within weeks of their spouses or when people claimed to be "sick" after a hard breakup. She understands now as she suffers from what feels like permanent knots in her stomach and a dull ache in her chest. Maybe it's heartbreak. Maybe it's withdrawals from all that fucking medication. She clenches her teeth at the thought, anger washing over her.

The thing about being around her favorite cousin Kevin was that he made her feel. It's like her mind refuses to hold that shield of numbness up in his presence, recognizing him as a safe space in this time of turmoil. She could feel him looking over at her every now and then, his concern practically radiating off him. She wanted to tell him it was okay to talk, but the words just wouldn't come so she just sighed and continued looking out the window at the early morning sun just beginning to peak over the horizon.

It was beautiful, as were all the dewy fields they passed with cows, goats, and other animals grazing. There's something about nature that's always captivated her. Whereas others may see it as just grass, dirt, trees, plants, and animals—she saw it as a living entity. Nature is constant. No matter what happens in her life or anyone else's for that matter, the sun will rise and set, and the moon will make its appearance when the sun goes down. Nature is resilient. When conditions change, nature adapts. Plants grow in the direction they receive the most light, certain plants and animals adapt to survive the environment they live in, and even fallen trees serve as food and shelter for the inhabitants around them. This line of thinking gives her something she hasn't felt in a long time—hope. Hope that just like nature, she'd adapt to her new environment and follow the path that leads her to the most light, to start anew again after a cold, harsh winter.

Going through the motions at the airport was a blur as usual for her—not her favorite thing to do, but she'd done it enough to get used to it. She cooked for a lot of clients and depending on where they lived, she was on a plane every other week. With the sheer amount of money she was making, flying was a small price to pay.

They made it to their gate just in time to hand their tickets over and board the plane. First class boarded first. Still groggy, they both sigh when they settle in their seats. They'd have plenty time to rest.

Bianca was out like a light before they even took off and didn't wake up until their layover in the Philippines, the only one of the trip. Thankfully it was short, less than 30 minutes, and by the time they used the bathroom, grabbed some interesting looking snacks, and found their gate, it was time to board again.

This time, they were both awake, her pulling out her Nintendo Switch and him trying to decide on a movie.

"B?" he calls, looking over at her.

"Yeah?" she asks.

"I know I haven't said many helpful things. I just can't seem to find the words," he confesses and she shoots him a reassuring smile.

"Your presence is more than enough Kev. You're always here when I need you and that's all that matters," she assures.

He bumps her shoulder with his and they giggle.

"Always girly. Got yo back."

"Like a chiroprac," she finishes, grinning over at him as they do a handshake they'd made up when they were kids, turning awkwardly in their seats to get it right.

She's convinced he's the only person who's said something along those lines and meant it; and she loves him for that. She feels the exact same way about him too. Even though she was two years older, they'd always gravitated to each other when they saw each other on holidays. Kevin was born and raised in Korea to her uncle Roy and Kevin's mother, Woojin. Her uncle Roy had been stationed at the military base in Korea for 4 years and then extended it another 4 after. Kevin and his mom stayed in Korea while Roy was stationed elsewhere after before moving to the US when he was about 9 or 10. Their other cousins made fun of him for his heavily accented English and she always stuck up for him, helping him learn more English words in exchange for teaching her the Korean ones. A few years later and they were both fluent, annoying family members as they dissed them to their faces at dinner. They remained thick as thieves, even after he'd decided to move back to Korea after college. Although she missed him dearly, she'd accepted and encouraged his decision and they never once lost touch. She was always the first in the family to know about all endeavors in photography and film; and made sure he knew she was proud of him. He is and forever will be her ride or die.

It was cold when they landed in Seoul and she was grateful she'd packed a jacket in her backpack. It was just the beginning of fall but winter wouldn't be too far behind judging by the cold breeze they felt as they rushed to Kev's boyfriend's car.

The sight of him practically pouncing onto his boyfriend and smothering him in affection was bittersweet. Of course she was happy for her cousin, but she couldn't help but think of how shitty her own love life is. The word "DIVORCED" floated around in the back of her mind in bold, red print like the stamp on the manilla folder that held her divorce paperwork.

"B, come meet Jungmin," Kevin says, pulling her back to reality.

She put on her best smile and mimicked his bow.

"Nice to meet you," they both said at the same time.

She could see the sympathy in his eyes when they met hers and she wanted to sigh heavily. Everyone looked at her this way these days and there was nothing she hated more, but she wouldn't say it aloud. It wasn't their fault. After what she'd gone through, anyone would be concerned.

She casts her eyes down to her suitcases and he jumps into action.

"I'll grab those," he smiles and she nods, thanking him as Kev opens the back door to the car for her to climb in.

She entertains Jungmin's attempt to get to know her and shoots him some questions as they drive, both concluding that the other wasn't so bad. She could see why Kev went for him. He's a photographer as well but almost totally opposite him in terms of personality. Kev is reserved, calm and low key, but silly, much like herself. Jungmin is spunky and more extroverted with a good sense of humor. He seems both kind and  intelligent, good qualities to have.

Thankfully the ride to the hotel wasn't very lengthy as she was getting tired again, in need of a nap.

"Need me to come in?" Kev asks as they pull up to the passenger drop off zone in front of the hotel.

"No I got it, thanks Kev," she smiles as they get out to help with her bags.

"Okay, if you're sure...don't forget, if you need anything, we live in this building right across the street," he assures, pointing it out.

"Yes Dad, if I need you, I'll call okay?"

He rolls his eyes playfully and pulls her into a tight hug. You would think he was the oldest between them the way he fretted over her sometimes.

"Get some sleep, okay?"

"Don't you worry," she yawns.

"Breakfast on me in the morning. I won't be able to come but I want you two to enjoy yourselves," Jungmin says.

"Thank you, it was nice meeting you and I hope you enjoy your day as well," she smiles, shooting Kev an impressed wink when his boyfriend looked away.

One last see you later and she was finally checking in, everything going smoothly. She took the elevator up to the 7th floor and rolled her suitcases behind her as she searched for her room. Upon finding it, she swipes the key card against the censor and lets herself in. Too tired to enjoy the view she had, she went ahead and took a quick shower before sliding one of her house dresses over her head. She face-plants onto the bed, asleep before her head hit the pillow.