In the Shadows of Mystery A Forbidden Romance

ISLA

“Have the will to let go of the life planned from the past and prepare for the life that is waiting in the future…”

INCHEON, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH KOREA

5:30 P.M.

I took my luggage together with my travel bag from the baggage-claim area at the arrivals level before continuing to walk. I looked at my phone to see the time and I still had an hour and a half left before I could reach downtown Seoul. And without further ado, I quickly walked out of the Incheon International Airport.

The day before my arrival, I was told by my mom that I might need to ride a taxi going to this hotel in Seoul. But, you must be wondering why I arrived alone in this country?

It’s because my mom was engaged to a South Korean businessman, Mr. Woo-jin Lee. He’s not just a plain and simple businessman. He is the founder of the famous Seoul Arts and Design Institute – a university focusing on art courses. He is also the owner of Grand Publishing, the company reserved for new graduates of SADI.

Their engagement happened before I could even finish my college junior year in the Philippines under the course of Multimedia Arts. Now that my mom is in love again – and I’m not mad about that – she decided to move in with her future husband so as to why she went to Seoul without me last month.

My phone received a text message from my mom and she told me to take a cab going to the hotel where she is right now, preparing for the quick wedding ceremony between her and her fiance. It’s a good thing Mr. Woo-jin is willing to pay for my expenses for coming here. However, I can’t seem to find any available cabs to book online.

They can’t be that busy or even fully booked…

Since the time is already running and I don’t want to be late for the event, I decided to take the bus since it was the quickest public transport next to taking cabs. In only an hour, I will be in the heart of Seoul. But, even though I waited at the nearest bus stop for a few minutes, I didn't seem to get any of the rides. What is going on?

I looked at my phone again and it was 5:45 p.m. I am supposed to arrive there before 7:00 p.m. I also noticed that it was pretty dark, so I decided to contact my mom. She wasn't answering my call. I decided to send her a text saying that I'm still unable to get a ride going there and sent a selfie while at the bus stop.

It was already 6:00 p.m. and it has become really dark now. I couldn't help but feel scared that I'm still outside at night. My hands started shaking and it always happens when I feel scared of something. Since this is my first time coming to a different country, I will admit that I’m pretty anxious about my surroundings, mostly because I don’t speak their language that much. I learned a bit, but I don’t think I might be able to use that knowledge to make a conversation at all.

When I was about to leave the bus stop, my attention was completely caught by someone who suddenly approached me from behind. It was a man, a mature one wearing a suit. He looks like a businessman and he began talking to me in Korean. Since I couldn't understand a thing except for him greeting me annyeong (hello), I decided to use my hidden gem.

"Ihaega an dwaeyo (I don't understand)." I gestured as I spoke to him. I actually got that accurate translation from the LINE app.

He laughed a bit before trying to speak to me in English. His pronunciation is not that clear but I still managed to understand.

"You are not from here, yes?"

I nodded. "Yes. I'm not a local."

"You need help?" He suddenly asked and it made me pause before realizing that I actually needed a bit of help from someone who knows this place more than I do.

"Yes!" I exclaimed. "Yes. Wait a second."

I quickly took my phone and started tapping and scrolling on the screen before showing it to the man. I just wished he understood what I'll be saying next.

"I need to go here." I glanced at him to see if he was focused on what I was showing him. "Do you know where I can find this place?"

"Ohh…" I watched the way he stared at my phone as if he was trying his best to analyze how he would tell it to me in English. I could literally see the struggle from his face.

I almost lost it when he tried to speak in English until it slowly turned to Korean again. My jaw dropped while listening and staring at him. I just wish I could understand what he was mumbling about right now. Since his explanation was very long, I decided to stop him.

"Okay. I'm sorry. Joesong haeyo. But I can't really understand what you were explaining." I smiled at him awkwardly.

He gestured an OK sign to me. "Come with me. I will help you get a ride."

I was hesitant but... the fear of being alone at night without knowing the way to the place I'm supposed to go is stressing me. So, I carefully followed him and we walked a little far off from the main road. As I was secretly observing him, I noticed that he was being supervised which scared me a little.

And then there is this black car which is slowly driving near the side of the road. I got nervous and thought that this car might kidnap me, so I quickly walked away following the man who was trying to help me. Then, we reached a street which is not that far from the main road, but the area is a little dark.

"I think the road's over the–"

I was shocked when the man pushed me into an alley, the reason for me to stumble and fall on the ground.

"What are you doing?" I asked him in surprise.

He remained standing in front of me before he started walking slowly, approaching me, closer and closer like a perverted man. His smile was maniacal and I couldn't help but feel extremely scared.

"Please don't do this!" I begged him, but he just laughed at me.

I noticed how secluded this alley is and there's no way someone would hear me call for help. So, I quickly stood up before trying to run across him to escape since the alley was a dead-end, but he grabbed me and pushed me to a wall.

"HELP ME!" I screamed for help, but he suddenly covered my mouth.

He shushes at me as I feel his breath near my right face. The way he glared at my body was making my knees weak. Then, he started speaking again, obviously not in English, the reason I couldn't understand anything he said. That kept me from knowing what to do in this kind of situation. I don't even know how to do self-defense. I almost screamed in tears when he unbuttoned my denim polo shirt using his hands and all I could do was weep, helplessly.

This is my end.

I closed my eyes, wishing that someone would help me. But, this is the real world and no hero would be arriving to save someone–

"AGHK!"

I quickly opened my eyes after hearing a grunt from the man and he was no longer standing in front of me. I don't know what happened, but it seemed like he was attacked by another stranger.

"Are you alright?" I looked at the man who had just come to save me. Did I hear it right? He spoke to me in English! But, before I could even answer him, he just suddenly grabbed my arms, grabbed my stuff, and we both ran away from that alley.

We ran away until we reached a night market full of lights and surrounded by many people. We stopped and he continued catching his breath. Based on his features, he looked young and he seemed like a university student. He also wears an indigo varsity jacket and his hairstyle is on a medium-length curtain. His hair color is also blonde-brown.

"Are you okay?"

I remained to stare at him. And it's because I’m surprised to see someone save me from that hell hole.

"Are you hurt?”

He was panting.

Then, there goes a snap on his finger finally getting my full attention as I get back to my senses. “Oh?”

He scoffed at me after he realized he was talking to someone who wasn’t even listening to what he was saying from the beginning.

"I'm asking you if you're okay," he said. "You were shaking so much earlier."

Like I said, my hand trembles if I feel scared. But, when it came to the point of feeling the extremity of death, my whole body trembled.

"No. I’m definitely fine,” I replied, still staring at him. I kept wondering, how did he manage to–

"That's good to hear." His hands were put on his waists as he started to look around the place. "Did you come here all by yourself?"

I nodded at him. "I'm supposed to look for a hotel in Seoul."

He looked at me. His resting face is a little bit intimidating because of the way he glares at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"Which hotel?" He asked again.

I told him that the hotel where I’m going is a posh hotel in a contemporary skyscraper with views of the Han River.

“Well, it is an hour and eight minutes bus ride via Lotte World. It would be faster if you take a cab going there,” he clearly explained.

“But, I kept looking online for a cab to book. There’s no available ride. I have to get to the hotel before 7:00 p.m.”

He suddenly looked at his wristwatch. “It’s already 6:15 p.m.”

“WHAT?!”

"Tsk!" He clicked his tongue as he put his hand inside his jean pockets.

What am I going to do now? I can’t be late! I don’t want my mom to get disappointed!

I was surprised when he suddenly grabbed my arm as we looked at each other. “Let’s go.”

“Huh?”

Without any hesitation, I ran alongside him going somewhere I don’t even know. That’s when I realized he was also grabbing my luggage. We just ran and ran like someone was chasing us. Until we reached another bus stop and finally there was a bus waiting already!

As we got inside, I noticed that he paid for my fare before he helped me find a place to sit. We sat beside each other as we pant continuously, then we accidentally looked at each other and shared a quiet laugh after realizing what we did was hilarious.

I gulped after laughing with him. “Why did you come with me?”

He was still panting. "I just can't let you go by yourself. Not at this time."

I tilted my head in confusion while staring at him. Is he somehow concerned about my safety?

"Are you worried about me?" I asked him straightforwardly.

His reaction changed a bit and he blushed for a short time. "W-Worried? Not really. But, if you call it like that, then yes."

I remained quiet while staring at him. I can see that he's feeling a bit embarrassed and uneasy.

“You're a lady. And it would be in my conscience if I ever let you go alone,” he said.

I nodded at him. “May I know your name?”

He looked at me with a slight surprise in his eyes. "I’m Mizuki Ishikawa."

“Mizuki?” I asked him. “So, that means you are Japanese.”

“Why? Do I look Korean to you?” He smirked. “Well, surprise. Because I am not.”

I smiled as his name lingered on my lips, “Mizuki.”

There's something that my old friends from the Philippines tell me. I easily declare someone as my friend whenever they become nice to me. They told me that I might get scammed if I continue with that kind of habit. But, I couldn't help it. If I think someone is nice to me or if they just show me kindness, I would fall for it and eventually trust them.

"How about you? Tell me your name." I looked back at him and he wasn't even looking at me.

"Isla," I said.

He looked at me. "Isla? Is that even a name? How do you spell it?"

"I-S-L-A," I replied.

“If that’s the spelling, it should be pronounced as EES-lah.”

I shook my head. “No. It’s pronounced as EYE-lah. Just like when you say the word island.”