CH 2

*Seven years ago

Minjeong recently graduated with a degree in creative writing. The world was her oyster, and she was working on finishing her novel. All hunched up in her apartment, she barely came up for air. A stiff neck and an almost frozen shoulder were her companions. 

Her daily diet consisted of take-outs and a bottle of soju whenever she got stuck on something. Her living room became her makeshift bedroom, where pillows, blankets, and chocolate wrappers molded into one. 

She always kept tabs on the best-seller list and made sure she was writing the genre that was in the top ten. Romance, thriller, and fantasy were the undisputed top three, and she was definitely confident because her work contained all three.

Feeling like she was on top of the world, Minjeong finished her manuscript and started sending it out to publications and freelance agents. 

Four months passed, and she received two replies out of the hundred she sent.

Both replies contained the same sentiment. Rejected.

She went back to work, rewrote the current novel, and started another one. She refused to wallow in rejection and decided that the best way to overcome this bitter taste was to work more.

Unbeknownst to Minjeong, her parents had been worried about her and decided to book a vacation to help her unwind. Their calls went unanswered, and the last time they spoke, Minjeong mentioned she was unemployed and trying to get a break. A break in what? A career breakthrough or a break like a vacation?

The Kims decided to give what they could control. They purchased a seven-day cruise from South Korea, Japan, and China. It was a graduation present that her parents never had the chance to give. As they say, better late than never.

Minjeong’s parents came to her apartment unannounced. Her mother’s nose scrunched up at all the litter and empty bottles on her floor. Taeyeon also observed that Minjeong had dark circles under her eyes, her shirt was a size too big, and her hair was in disarray, as if fingers had been pulling it from its ponytail.

“Mom, Dad, I swear I’m alright. I don’t need this.” Her eyes widened when she saw from the ticket she was holding that the trip was scheduled for tomorrow.

Her dad replied, “It’s non-refundable and non-transferable. Now come over here and hug your old man and get ready”

Minjeong, who was reluctant at first, finally succumbed. Her parents left her no choice and proceeded to prepare, and in the middle of packing her luggage, she realized that this was actually what she needed right now –a new scenery, time alone, as close as she could get to being offline, and pampering.

What’s the worst that could happen?

So Minjeong was now looking at the ocean from the balcony of her cabin. You could only see water from the horizon. No more birds in the sky, indicating they were miles from land. 

The scent of salt in the air, wind blowing in her face, and her hair a scattered mess from the breeze. “This is not so bad.”

She stood up from her chair, walked to the edge, and gripped the railing before inhaling a big gust of air, as she shouted, “Ahhhh!!! Why is it so hard?! Did you even read everything you motherfuckers?! I’ll show you what’s bad! I’ll be in the top sellers list one day!”

She screamed all her frustrations, using the void before her as an outlet. “Minjeong fighting!!!!”

By the end of it, she was breathing hard, her throat felt scratchy, but her chest felt lighter. All of a sudden, she heard a loud baritone roar from another cabin’s balcony.

“Goodluck, Minjeong! You’ll do well!”

Minjeong gasped, shocked that she had an audience. She couldn’t pinpoint their exact whereabouts because the separator between each cabin ensured privacy, but she was happy to hear any form of support. She shouted back, “Thank you, stranger!”

Evening came, and Minjeong changed into a short black dress for dinner. She made a reservation at a fine dining restaurant, planning to splurge and treat herself. She arrived a bit early and decided to walk around, taking in the luxurious interior of the ship. 

She noticed many couples, groups, and families as passengers. She could even assume she was the only solo traveler among them. She noted all the other shops she wanted to visit the next day, and the theater shows that caught her interest.

She walked back to the restaurant just in time when a guest occupied the hostess’ attention. A very tall guest, who was trying his best to charm the innocent hostess for a table. 

“I’m sure you can find something for me…Chaewon.” Obviously, reading the hostess’ name tag.