11

11.

" Do you know that Suwon is the only city that remains walled in Korea?" Anna enlightens Edna as both of them stare out of the window as the plane prepares to land.

"Wow. " Edna exclaims. " It's such a beautiful sight. "

It's surprising because Edna was expecting a vast greenness to be what she would see from the plane, but she can see landscapers, tiny vehicles, and all the many details that prove that Suwon is anything but a small town.

It's such an irony that Mister Kim Soo chose to build the family home here and comes back here every now and then for some " peace and quiet. "

Seatbelts are in place after the crew came to inform them and then with a screech, the tyres of the plane unfold and touch the runway.

After taxing for some time, it comes to a stop and both of them walk out of the plane.

It's such a beautiful sky that Edna, for a moment, thinks that this is one of those perfect places from novels.

There is not a grey cloud in the sky and happy people are walking around. This is a good sign that she is going to be enjoying her stay.

Cars have been lined up, ready to take them to the Kim Soo residence.

The drivers and what appear to be security guards bows repeatedly and greet in Korean.

Since Edna doesn't understand a word of what they are saying, she stands back and listens to them as they speak to Anna.

After the pleasant exchange of a few words, Anna holds her by her hand and leads her into one of the cars.

"I already told Dad that we won't be needing this much security, but he didn't listen. He never listens to me. " Anna grumbles.

Anna is annoyed, but Edna is impressed.

No wonder Mister Jackson has decided to ally with the family. They are not any ordinary family.

The cars begin to leave in a straight line and cross the gate of the airport after a quick verification of the occupants.

Edna is intrigued by what she is seeing. Koreans seem to have found a perfect balance between civilization and tradition and it is reflecting in everything that they are doing.

From the buildings to the dressings, to the temples squeezed into small corners of larger buildings. This is such a beautiful place.

" The business of this place is somehow soothing. " Edna confesses. " I know I have just gotten here in minutes, but I love it here already. "

Edna chuckles with pride.

" Don't worry, I am personally going to take you around the whole of Suwon. " Anna assures.

Edna's heart is filled with excitement. She would very much want that.

She thought that this would be such a normal business trip, but it turns out that it won't be.

Suwon is going to be having a lot of fun and she wants that will all of her heart.

" I guess I have to go buy some clothes too. " Edna sighs.

"That's okay, I know some places that sell some cool stuff, we can visit them on one of these days."

"Oh, thank you. " Edna heaves in relief.

The car keeps driving, sometimes stopping to let people who have been waiting to cross the road do that.

Soon, they start to get to the less populated part of the city. Fewer people on the roadside, but many flashy cars can be seen passing by.

Huge houses that are worth millions and Edna's heads click. This is probably home for Anna.

She is right because they soon to get to one of the houses, the biggest that she has seen in the area, and then the cars lines into the luxurious compound.

The house is large, but not too big, but the space around it is almost twice the size of the house.

Edna is so lost in the sight that she forgets to step out of the car and Anna has to touch her to take her out of her staring state.

Immediately they step out of the car, some ladies quickly walk toward them. They are dressed in what seem to be housekeeping uniforms.

They bow greeting the ladies and soon start to relieve them of their bags. Some go to the booth of the cars while the others take the handbags of the ladies.

Edna is unsure at first and won't let go of her bag to the chattering lady who is adamant about leaving it.

"It's alright. " Anna tells her with a laugh when she notices what is going on. " They will take it up to your room, I have got to take you to mum and Dad. "

With that, Anna takes Edna's hand and leads her toward the house. Edna follows like an obedient lamb.

The inside of the house is totally something else. The outside looks like a work of art, but to be honest, the inside is twice as beautiful.

The walls are white and never-ending, they just seem to bend and then go on and on.

On the walls are paintings of Asian origins and other beautiful artifacts are being placed in strategic places.

Edna stops to admire them because, man, they must have cost a fortune.

"Come on, girl. " Anna pulls her. " There is still so much more and you will have all the time in the world to stare at paintings very soon. "

Edna finds it so hard to tear her eyes away and Anna keeps taking her deeper into the house.

They meet more servants and there are more greetings and vigorous bowings as they walk by.

They go up the fleet of stairs, more turns, and then Edna starts to wonder if they will continue to go in forever.

Then they come to a door and Anna stops. She gives her a look and nods.

Edna holds her breath and prays to God that the said man likes her. She has to impress him else she is going to get into trouble with her father-in-law.

Anna knocks slowly and then opens the door. The warmth and sacredness of the room make her shiver.

It's a shrine and unlike what she has seen in the house, this particular room is painted red and has small gold patterns on it.

There is a huge table and on it is burning incenses that give the room a heavenly smell.

There are pictures and drawings of many people. Small of the pictures are older than the others, but all the people in them are dressed traditionally.

A man is sitting on his knees and his hands are clasped in front of him. His lips are moving, but nothing is coming out of them.

Anna motions for her to calm down and both of them begin to wait for the man to stop praying.

In a few minutes, he is done. He stands up to his feet and turns around.

His face breaks into a happy smile when his eyes set on the girls.

Anna runs into his arms like a little girl and giggles that she has been given a candy treat.

He holds her in his arms and kisses the too other head repeatedly.

"My little puppy, how are you doing?" He asks with fondness.

"My neck hurts from the flight. " Anna complains like a toddler and pouts her lips, to the amazement of Edna.

"Where? Let me see. " He requests and she turns around.

He lifts her hair from the nape of her neck and gives her little massages.

Edna is just smiling because she doesn't know what else to do. She might be smiling, but she is dead scared on the inside.

"Dad and this is Edna. " Anna turns to her. " Edna Jackson, one of the representatives of the Jackson company. "

Edna takes a few steps forward and bows slightly in greetings.

"Hello, sir. " She offers her hand and he takes it in a firm handshake. " I'm Edna Jackson and it's nice to meet you. "

"Please, darling the pleasure is mine. " He sounds so impressed.

" Mister Malik Jackson will fly in, later on, he has a few things to handle. " Anna scratches her ear as she explains.

"Yes, little one. The Young man called me and explained things to me himself, such a gentleman. " He comments.

Even as he talks about Malik, his eyes don't leave Edna and this is in a good sense and Edna knows it.

Unlike other business associates who she has had to meet with, Mister Kim Soo is different.

The rest of them looks at her with lust and sinful thoughts. They openly stare at her and lick their lips in want.

One had even told Mister Jackson, in her presence, that he would pay him ( Mister Jackson) any amount he wants if he lets him have her for a night.

That left her feeling disgusted and annoyed, but she didn't say anything. Mister Jackson told the man that she belonged to the family and wasn't for sale, but that made her feel even worse.

But with Mister Kim Soo, it's different. He is looking at her with admiration and respect. Something she has never gotten from her father-in-law and her husband.

"Have you seen Edna on the television, Anna?" He turns to his daughter with Edna's hand still in his.

"Nope. Why?" Anna shrugs.

"She is such a brilliant dictator and God, she is so good. " He comments. " She was the reason I took interest in the Jackson company even though their CEO is a filthy thief. "

Edna is taken aback. No one has ever talked about Mister Jackson like that in her presence.

"So why do you want to do business with the filthy devil, Dad?" Anna chuckles.

"Because we are all filthy devils, but only that some of us are filthier. " He laughs and looks at the girls who laugh with him.

He lets go of her hand and slaps her shoulder in the way one would do his hardworking son.

"Take Edna to her room to refresh herself and rest for a bit. Your mum and brothers will be here soon and then we will have dinner. " He waves the girls off.

"Thank you, sir. "

"Please dear, make yourself at home in this humble abode of ours. " He waves.

Anna leads her out of the room. Sunshine floods her soul and her spirits soar high.