I had been super busy with work, moving, and Thanksgiving. But after Thanksgiving, I stopped putting off my meet-up with Ji-Hoon. He and I had been sending occasional messages back and forth about meeting up, and then one of us had to reschedule things. I was feeling ambivalent about it. I couldn't figure out if I wanted to find answers to how I got here. I don't know what happened to me. I don't know how this world is connected to mine. I don't know if anything happened to my sister for killing me. There were so many questions I couldn't answer.
The only thing I might be able to answer is that I may have found a way to return to the first place I remember arriving here in Los Angeles. The Peacock was a bar that had clearly gone out of business. I couldn't find any trace of it online or while driving around with Harriet. So when Ji-hoon mentioned it, I couldn't believe my luck. I felt like maybe I could find a way back home if I could get back there.
But do I want to go home? At this point, my life in Los Angeles has been going better than I had ever had in Pergamum. But I had this nagging fear that Olivia Smith was stuck in a miserable situation. I don't think I want to live my whole life as a stranger. Until I find out about Olivia, I can't decide to stay.
Ji-Hoon and I decided to meet up at a restaurant. When I looked at their information online, I realized it was insanely fancy. I would have to dress up in something different from my normal clothes. I looked through my closet and realized I didn't have any clothes appropriate enough to eat there. I knocked on Harriet's door to ask her if she had anything I could borrow.
Harriet let me in and pulled her closet open. She told me that she had a few dresses that she had worn to graduations and weddings. She handed me one that was a small black dress. I didn't know if I would feel comfortable wearing something so short. I ended up picking out one that she had worn to church. It had sleeves and came down to my knees. Harriet helped me with some makeup I had bought as well. I looked into the mirror and was shocked at how beautiful Olivia was. After feeling more secure about my appearance, I swallowed the remaining fear and walked out the door to meet this stranger.
I mentioned to Harriet that I was meeting up with Ji-hoon and hoped I could convince him to take me to the Peacock. I was worried it might take time, and I would be coming home late. She told me she would text me in two hours if she hadn't heard from me. She was worried about me essentially going out with a stranger.
I was walking out the door when I bumped into Mateo outside in the hallway. He had come over because, typically, on our mutual days off, we spent them together. I forgot to tell Mateo that I was busy today. He stopped me, and I turned to look at him. His eyes scanned my dress and then rested on my face and makeup. He asked, "Going somewhere?" I said, "Yes."
I didn't know how to explain this to Mateo. I kept to the basic truth, "Remember that regular from work who asked to meet me? I'm meeting up with him for lunch." Mateo is scanning his memories, but he doesn't seem to remember the night I met Ji-hoon. His eyes narrow a bit. "So you're going out with someone you don't really know? Is that a good idea?"
I get embarrassed. I normally would agree and never would go out with someone I had just met, but when he holds the keys to my past, I have no choice. I smile and say, "Yup. I will see you tomorrow at work." And with that, I turn and walk away. I feel Mateo watching me until I am completely out of sight. I have to do this.
I walk into the restaurant a few minutes early. I sit and wait for Ji-hoon. I text and let him know that I arrived and that he can find me waiting up front. I then wait for Ji-hoon to arrive. I suddenly realize that I need to figure out what I am going to say to him that will convince him to take me to the Peacock's location, without sounding like a crazy person. Harriet had said I should pretend that I had lost contact with someone whom I had last seen there. It seems like a plausible story. But how do I bring it up? How can I work this into the conversation? My mouth starts to go dry. I am more nervous than I have ever been.
After a few more minutes of waiting, Ji-hoon arrives. He walks to me and shakes my hand. I again bow. My instincts kick back in. The moment I feel his power and wealth, it's like a natural deference to him. He inquires if I have been waiting long. I tell him I haven't. It's all so perfunctory. The hostess takes us to our seats. The menu is one I have never seen. The list for wines is pages long, but the actual menu is something called a Prix fixe.
I'm looking at everything when the waitress arrives. Ji-hoon asks if I mind if he orders for us. I am grateful for the save. He orders wine and food from the waitress, and she walks away. There is silence for a few minutes. I don't know who should speak first, him or me. But after a while, I realize he is giving me nothing. He looks at me with a proud look on his face. I finally started the conversation between us. I ask him about his work again.
Ji-hoon works at a Korean publishing house. His family came to America when he was young so that his father could expand the market into the United States. Ji-hoon was raised to take over the company. He started with the book publishing branch of the company. He talks about how he has focused on investing more in online media since taking over. He mentioned his office was close to my work, which is why he comes over regularly. I'm very impressed with Ji-hoon. I ask him how old he is, and he tells me he's 29. I'm amazed at how he carries himself. He asks about my age. I tell him I'm 26. I nod my head. He looks pleased with himself.
He asks, "I can always tell someone not native to California. Where are you from? I get the impression you aren't from the US either. You have certain mannerisms that aren't taught much in the US." He pauses and waits for me to answer. I rack my brain. How do I best answer this? I again decide to go with mostly true. "I was born outside the US. I grew up abroad with my family. When I came to the US. I ended up cutting all ties with my family."
Food arrives at this moment. Ji-hoon takes out his utensils and uses them all correctly. He also watches me eat and smiles at the fact that I am also using all the right utensils in the right way. He asks, "Was it hard for you to break from my family? My family is very important. I can't imagine not speaking to them." I finish my bite before answering. "I didn't have a great relationship with my father. He wanted me to get married to someone I didn't love. I ended up leaving after that." J
i-hoon leans in when he hears that. His curiosity is piqued. He responds, "A tale as old as time. My family also has clear expectations about who they want me to marry. There is a big emphasis on my doing this for our honor as a family." I look at Ji-hoon. It seems like we actually have quite a bit in common.
After that, we get to chatting about things very easily. By the end of lunch, I haven't found a chance to bring up the Peacock. Originally, I had been unsure about this lunch. I couldn't understand why Ji-Hoon had agreed to meet for lunch. However, after a conversation, I found out we shared a few similarities. I felt more comfortable. I had finished my food and got up to go to the bathroom.
My phone rang while I was walking back; it was Harriet. I told her how things had been going, and then I said she didn't need to worry that the guy wasn't frightening. I hung up the call and walked out. The waitress had cleared away our things. Ji-hoon got up to grab my jacket and put it on me. I thanked him. He made eye contact as we stood there. He wanted me to say something, but nothing came up from my brain. He linked his arm to mine and escorted me out.
I started to feel uneasy. He was so much taller than me. It added to his intimidation. We reached the front of the restaurant, and I paused. Ji-hoon asked, "Could I see you again?" I got curious, "For lunch?" Ji-hoon laughs. He says, "I have a work party next month. I need a date. Would you like to join me?" A pit hits my stomach. I didn't realize that he was attracted to me. I thought this was strictly professional.
My brain couldn't produce a decent excuse. I stammer for a minute with nothing to say. He smiles at me like I'm prey. A chill goes up my spine. I shiver. He says, "Sounds great. I will message you the details later." He then leaned forward and kissed my cheek. I sat there still. It was my first kiss since Nolan.
I tried to convince myself the kiss wasn't a big deal. Ji-hoon walked out of the restaurant. I was speechless. I feel a heavy weight on my chest. I can't decide what to do. My sentiments about Ji-Hoon are completely mixed. I need Ji-hoon, but I am also not interested in a relationship with him. I can't turn him away because he might be my only chance at getting answers. I'm feeling nauseous as I wonder what to do. This is another thing I need advice on from Harriet.