TRINITY
I pull up the blanket to cover my head. My lids still feel heavy even to get up. I feel hands nudging my shoulders and hit those hands blindly.
I groan irritably at someone disturbing my sleep.
"Tri, you have to get up now. You've been sleeping the entire fight, and we're landing in less than an hour." Bash's concerned voice fills my ears.
"Go away, Bash. Come back five minutes before we land."
"Trinity, don't wanna freshen up yourself? Come on. You can continue sleeping in the hotel." He tries pulling off the blanket from my head.
I open my eyes slowly to see the most beautiful smiling face looking down at me. I can't help but smile back.
"Get out now. Give me some time to freshen up." I sit up lazily.
He moves away from the bed. "Tri, I'll make a coffee for you..." He trails off, stopping at the door.
"You mean the flight attendant will make coffee for me." I nod while running my fingers through the tangled hair away from my forehead.
It only takes half an hour from the Incheon International Airport to the King Hotel.
We are approached by the hotel manager name Jin Seok, wearing a suit and tie with a scarf around his neck, and staff to gather our things.
Edmund is on full alert, scanning the hotel lobby.
I carry my small bag, while Bash's messenger bag is with Edmund.
"Annyeonghaseyo," greets the staff.
"Welcome back, Mr. Hughes," he greets in a thick Korean accent.
Bash smiles brightly and talks with Mr. Jin in Hangul. I don't even know what they're talking about. Bash glances at me while he's engaged in a conversation.
Some young women staff can't help but giggle, and I feel something uneasy in the pit of my stomach. They're attractive with straight black and shiny hair, fair complexion, and dark-colored eyes.
I felt like this in high school when Bash was busy entertaining other girls.
"Is there anything else, Mr. Hughes?"
"That won't be necessary, Seok. We can take it from here," Bash politely says as we enter the elevator.
They all bow at us, showing respect as part of their custom. Bash does the same, and so as Edmund. I follow them too.
"They're amazing people, Bash."
He looks at me over his shoulder with a smile. "You'll like them and ask me to come back here."
I roll my eyes.
"They're pretty, too," I add.
"You're prettier." He looks me in the eye, and I feel a heat blossom on my cheeks.
He chuckles.
"Not funny."
The elevator door slides open. Bash holds my hand as he gets out of the elevator.
"You can go and find your room, Edmund," he dismisses his bodyguard.
We enter the vast two shiny dark wood doors after he presses codes and slides the keycard.
My eyes widen. It's actually a penthouse with a Korean interior from wall to ceiling, paintings, and furniture.
"Wow." I turn around, allowing myself to appreciate the beauty of art around me. "This is way too different from your penthouse in New York."
"Glad you like it. Are you hungry?" He takes off his coat, and I come closer to him to help him.
The weather is a little bit chilly as I did my research. The winter here will start in November.
"Thanks, Tri. I'll call the room service and let you taste some Korean food."
"Okay. I should go and take a shower." I scan to check the living room. I see nothing. "Where are our things?"
"They're in our room already," he answers, kicking off his shoes before sitting on the maroon couch and stretching his long legs.
"Where is my room?" I stand in front of him, confused.
"Our room, Tri. There are only two rooms here. The other one is for Xandry. So, you'll be staying with me."
My eyes widen. "I can take a hotel room."
He sits straight, facing me. "You will not. We slept in one bed as many times as I could count, and I heard no complaints from you. Until now."
I'm taken aback by his words- he's telling the truth. My heart skips because this time is different. And we already shared kisses.
"It's not like that, Bash."
"Then what is it, Trinity?" His eyes have been on me.
I can't tell him why. I open my mouth, then closes it.
"Is it because we kissed?"
My lips part. My face burns.
"You're blushing, Trinity." He teases me and smiles.
I glare at him before I walk away to search for the room.
I can't believe we'll be sharing a bed. I know he did this on purpose.
Just being near him is torture and heaven at the same time. How will I survive a week with him? He's been different than the last four years.
He's gorgeous.
I saw him half-naked and recalled broad shoulders ripped back with pure muscles. He smells good, too, and since I tasted a piece of him, I now want more.
***
"Umm... I love this. What do you call this again?" I ask as I chew a piece of vegetable in my mouth.
We sit on the floor with a low square table above our knees.
"That's kimchi. Don't you think that's too spicy? You might have stomach upset." I love that he pays attention to a tiny detail about me, and this is the Bash I once knew.
I shove another into my mouth. I shake my head. "I used to eat spicy food. We used to eat in an Indian Restaurant near the college campus. Ranjiv introduced them to me, and I love them, especially the porota and mutton curry. They're delicious." I stop talking when Bash puts down his chopsticks and looks pissed. Did I do something wrong?
"What's wrong? Don't you like the food?" I blink up at him, sitting across the table.
"Do you like him?" he demands.
"Ranjiv? Yeah," I answer almost immediately.
He stands up abruptly, walking away from our table without a word.
"Bash!" I am quicker on my feet to follow him.
He sprints away, and I hear the door slamming next.
I sit on the couch, frowning at what had just happened earlier. I just lost my appetite.
Wait a sec. He asked if I liked Ranjiv, and I answered yes.
Oh, shit.
Everything falls back together. A part of me is celebrating. But damn it, Bash. Is he really jealous of him? Did he think that I like Ranjiv, like I really like Ranjiv more than a friend?
I shake my head, grinning. I want to giggle pretty badly.
I need to explain that that's not what I mean. I stand from the couch when I hear the doorbell ring.
Is Bash expecting visitors?