TRINITY
I open the door wider after checking in the peephole. I think he's Bash's Korean friend Alex. A man of twenty-year-old something, around six-footer, fair complexion with shiny coal black straight hair just above his shoulder.
He looks attractive with monolid eyes. He's also fashionable, like he just came from a runway fashion show.
He smirks when he notices me checking him out.
I clear my throat. "Can I help you?"
The smirk on his face doesn't fade before he answers, "You must be the redhead, Trinity?" He has a slight British accent, but his Asian root is still there.
My eyes widen. "How did you know my name?"
We're still at the door.
"So, it's you then. I'm Alexander Shin. A friend of Bash." He holds out his hand.
I shake it immediately, stepping back. "Oh, please, come inside. Bash is still in his room."
"Is he still giving you a hard time?"
I narrow my eyes at him. He seems to know a lot about me. "Did he always gossip around about my life, Alexander?"
He chuckles, shaking his head. "He's not wrong, after all."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You even look beautiful, Trinity. Your picture did not do justice." He walks toward the couch as if he used to be there.
"Wait here. I'll call Bash." I leave him even if Alex is still calling my name.
"I called Bash on my way here, but he didn't answer. Why don't you wear your coat, and we have a place to go to?" He's also bossy like Bash.
I cross my arms over my chest. "What makes you think that I'll go with you? I don't even know you." I raise my brows, inspecting him from head to toe. He looks like a trustworthy guy, and besides, he's a friend of Bash.
"Bash will know that you're with me and trust me. I'm way dead before I can even touch you."
***
We enter a pub bungalow style with a beach-themed bar with deck chairs and a floor covered with sand. There are a lot of locals here who seem to enjoy the vibe. I also see some foreigners enjoying the out-of-tune man singing a Korean song in a videoke machine.
Alex managed to convince me to take me here instead of a nightclub. He said that this was the best place for foreigners rather than going to the same nightclub back in New York.
We sit at an empty table for four, and I'm facing the man singing in the karaoke. Everyone yells when he hits the high notes.
Alex stands up to applaud the man. I can't help but smile.
"What would you like to drink, Trinity?"
"I don't know. Surprise me."
I'm already on my second bottle of Soju- a clear alcoholic drink of Korean. I feel the alcohol kick in faster than I expect.
Alex is a funny guy compared to Bash. He even sings some Korean songs on the videoke that I don't even understand a word of.
"God! Alex, you can actually sing. You have a great voice over there." I give him a high five when he comes back to our seats.
He bows at me, and I can't help but laugh at him.
"You're drunk, Trinity. I think it's our cue to leave." He looks amused.
"Nah! I'm not drunk. I still want another judo."
He barks out into a laugh, shaking his head. Glad I'm making him laugh. "It's Soju and not judo. We don't do judo here. It's Taek Won Do for Korean," he spells it word for word for me.
"Whatever you say, Psy. It still sounds the same." I wave my hand to drop it.
He moves closer to me, grabbing my hand.
"I'm not ready to go, Alex. I still wanna go up and sing as you did," I protest even though I can feel my body heat, and my eyes are burning hot. I know I'm already drunk.
"Bash will kick my shin, Trinity." He drags me toward the door after paying for our table.
"You are Shin, and he won't kick you," I insist, but I have no choice not to follow his pace.
"Can you walk? Our car is a bit far from here."
I nod lazily.
The weather is a little bit chilly. I shove my free hand in my jacket pocket. I inhale deeply as the icy wind blows my face. I notice couples walking hand in hand in the busy streets of Seoul. They're shorter than Americans, but they're pretty, and they have a great fashion statement.
South Korea is one of the fastest developing countries in the world. Ranking 7th, the world's largest economy and has high-speed internet. They have famous cellphone brands, electronics, and car manufacturers, and of course, their music K-pop, K-drama, and movie industries are well-known throughout Asia. And they start to influence Europe and America as well.
"Are you alright, Trinity?"
I jerk my head to look at Alex. I smile timidly after licking my dry lips. "I'm okay. Thanks for asking. So, tell me about yourself. Who is Alex Shin?"
"I'm the only son of Shin Dung Woo. I'm just like Bash, who will soon take over my dad's company, but right now, I'm based in the Philippines. I manage our hotels there. I was broken-hearted once, but now I'm engaged. Bash still doesn't have an idea about it anyway. I haven't told him. I study abroad with him. We were classmates from freshman until senior year. I know him very well."
By means, he knows Bash very well, which includes his secrets. I listen intently as he continues talking about their college days.
We stop at his car. Alex is a very good man. Gentleman. He even holds the door for me.
"He always mentioned you to me, Trinity. That's how I know who you are."
My mouth hangs open as I get inside without a word. His phone rings while I'm latching my seatbelt.
"Man, she's fine, and we're coming back now. We just had a few drinks."
My head jerks to his side. That must be Bash he's talking to.
"Yeah, yeah. Calm down, will you?" Alex says with the phone pressed into his ear.
"Fine, and what the hell are you doing in your room, leaving Trinity alone like a lost puppy? You wanker! You are better than that." I can see the amusement on his face.
"We're on our way. Don't! Bash, just stay here, and I'm taking her to the hotel right now."
I can feel Bash is pissed right now.
Crap.
The way Alex talks to him over the phone, I know he's yelling from the other line. Alex breathes deeply, and his jaw clenches.
I feel guilty for coming with Alex. They're fighting because of me. I should remind myself of the reason why I am here- to do my job. In my defense, he was an ass earlier.
"Fifteen minutes, top. I'm driving and put down that bloody phone, Bash. It's not that I'm gonna shag her, for bloody sake!" Alex shouts.
I almost startle in my seat. My stomach twisted sickly.
"Jeez, mate! Calm the bloody down, and it's just a bloody name!" Alex groan.
What exactly are they fighting?
"Fine."