CHAPTER 1: LOST & FOUND

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.”

“Oh… I see. Was it inspired from the island word?” He asked again.

“Yes. I’m from the Philippines and my country has 7,107 islands. And my name means devoted to God,” I explained to him.

“Wow. Your parents must be really invested in giving you a rare name,” he commented before chuckling.

I smiled before looking away from him and looking outside the bus window. There are so many people outside their homes. I wonder if there’s some kind of festival going on…

“By the way, why are you going to Seoul?”

I looked at him again and he was already looking at me. “Today is my mom’s wedding with her fiance.”

“Wedding?”

“Yes. It will be her second marriage to this Korean businessman she met in our home country,” I explained. “I’m happy for her though.”

“You obviously are because if not, you won’t even bother coming here, get in trouble, and be saved by me.” 

I frowned at him as I couldn’t help but smile. Is he trying to boast about what he did?

“What are you smiling at?” He asked me.

“I can’t believe I’ll be telling you this, but… I think we can be friends now,” I said.

“Already? You don’t even get to spend the whole day with me and get to know me more for you to suddenly consider me as your friend,” he told me.

Well, he’s right. But, the kindness he showed earlier until now could be enough. 

“How about you?” I suddenly changed the topic.

“What about me?”

“What are you doing here in Korea?” I asked. “Are you on some kind of vacation?”

“No. I’m an exchange student from Japan. I’ve been here for about three years already,” he said.

“Wow. Three years? That means you’re fluent in speaking Korean–”

“Don’t even get me started…” He suddenly scoffed as he looked away from me.

I grinned and started teasing him. “Oh come on! You can be my language tutor.”

“I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. I’m not even fluent in Japanese, so how am I going to speak in fluent Korean?”

I pouted as I leaned back on my seat. “Well, I won't blame you. It must be difficult to learn different languages.”

“That’s true. Even English is not widely spoken here unless you're a student from an international school,” he explained.

“So, you must be from an international school,” I smirked before I looked at him.

“I am.” I didn’t expect him to say that. When I was about to ask him which school he comes from, that’s when I noticed our arrival at the Lotte World.

“This is our stop.” Mizuki hurriedly took my luggage and we both went out of the bus. We also found ourselves standing near what seemed like an amusement park similar to Disneyland.

“I can’t believe we arrived here in less than an hour.” I heard him say that, so I looked at him. “We still have a few more minutes to walk to the hotel. Come on.”

We started walking away from the amusement park and since Mizuki told me that the hotel I’m looking for will only be a walking distance, I trusted him that I would never be late for the event.

"Is this your first time traveling alone?" I heard him talking to me again.

"Yes. I had no other choice, but to follow my mom even though I have no one accompanying me to come here.” I suddenly felt gloomy. “It’s just me.”

“What do you mean it’s just you?” I looked at him again and he was just staring at me, waiting for my reply.

Should I tell him? I don’t think it would concern him at all. Mostly, it’s my life. Sigh… I think I just have to give him a small detail now that I trust him.

I turned my head down and I couldn't help but suddenly reminisce about the painful scenario I witnessed. “My dad passed away in a car crash. Three years ago.”

My therapist told me not to think of anything that will remind me of the tragedy as part of my healing, but now… I have done a selfish thing. I waited for a few seconds after giving him my response, but I didn't hear anything from him. So, I glanced at him and saw his reaction looking sad.

"I... I'm sorry."

I smiled a bit before slightly shaking my head. "No. It's not your fault."

We remained silent from each other and just continued walking like we were strolling on the street. He must be feeling awkward now.

“If this is your first time here, you must be more aware of your surroundings.” I looked at him as he suddenly spoke to me again. “The man earlier who tried to harass you, he looked like a decent businessman, right?”

"Yes. Why?"

"I used to always see him around the area lately and he’s targeting women, most preferably foreigners like you who are alone. It's a daily routine for people like him who work under a company of adult films to do that," Mizuki explained.

"Adult films?"

Is he talking about pornography?!

Mizuki glanced at me and scoffed. "You're lucky I came to help you. I would admit since I saw you walking along the streets, I already knew you'd be targeted."

He’s boasting his heroic acts again. 

“I appreciate your heroism, my knight in shining armor,” I told him with a smile and he smiled back at me.

I suddenly got distracted after I received a phone notification. And when I looked at it, I was shocked to see bombarded text messages from my mom. Twenty-three unread messages.

“Wait, what?” I talked to myself.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I heard Mizuki ask me.

I glanced at him before looking back at my phone. “She’s asking where I am right now because someone named Eun-woo was looking for me.”

“Do you know someone named Eun-woo?” Mizuki asked again.

I just shook my head as I continued to look for any messages left, even the previous ones. And I suddenly felt cold all over my body after reading one of the previous messages.

“Holy shit!”

“What is it again?”

“What should I do?!” I started to panic. “My mom is telling me to remain at the bus stop as someone will be fetching me. All I have to do is to look for a black Hyundai car with plate number 2872.”

“So, the guy named Eun-woo must be the person who is supposed to fetch you from the bus stop going to the hotel,” Mizuki cleared out.

That’s when I also remembered seeing a car parked near the bus stop after Mizuki saved me from the perverted man in the alley. Was the black car that my mom told me about the same as the suspicious black car I saw earlier? 

Mizuki approached me and looked at my phone. “When was this sent to you?”

“I’m not sure.” I looked at him nervously. “What should I do?! I don’t want to be scolded by my mom for not following the instructions!”

“Don’t panic. I’m sure it’s fine,” he said calmly.

“Of course, it’s not. And I’m not panicking. I’m just feeling anxious,” I told him even though I am panicking. Lol.

“What are you so anxious about?”

“What if the car is still there waiting for me?”

“I’m pretty sure whoever is driving that car won’t be stupid enough not to realize they are waiting for such a long time and tell your mom that you can’t be found in the area,” he explained.

I breathed out before nodding at him. “You’re right. And it would be an idiot of me if I still go back there now that I’m almost near the hotel.”

I continued walking, leaving Mizuki standing behind. It was already 6:30 p.m. when I last saw the time from my phone. I still have more time to prepare and it’s already ten more minutes before we completely reach the hotel.

"Mizuki," I called him.

He glanced at me. "What is it?"

"Where can I find you?" I noticed the way I looked at him and I cannot deny the fact that I wanted to cry for a bit because I feel sad for separating ways from him.

He suddenly smiled at me, showing his gentle expression. It was totally different from the way his intimidating face was showing me before.

"Why do you want to find me?" He asked.

"Well–"

"It doesn't matter." He cut me off.

I was speechless with what he said. Maybe I’m really the only one to consider him my friend and he wasn’t comfortable with me yet. The time is almost up and we are now standing in front of the hotel building. He handed me over my luggage and smiled at me.

“This is as far as I can go,” he said. “It’s nice meeting you, Isla.”

I nodded at him and he smiled at me as a response before turning his back from me, ready to walk away. But, I was surprised when I suddenly held him in his hand.

“Wait, Mizuki…”

He stopped in his tracks and it took him a few seconds before turning to look at me. “What is it?”

“I wanted to thank you for saving my life. Words are not enough to return the favor,” I told him.

He smiled at me again. “Don't worry. I will see you again, and then you can thank me properly.”

He gently removed my hand from him and without hesitation, he started walking away. I watched him go further before I decided to turn my back away from his way and walked inside the hotel. 

“Anata ni deaete yokatta!”

What the hell did he just say? I’m pretty sure he knows that I don’t understand Japanese. Should I ask him back? I don’t know. He might not answer me anymore even if I ask him again about what he said.

And as I walked inside the building, I couldn’t help but think of him. I was really happy to have met him. I can’t believe that my first impression after seeing him was that he’s a rude and unethical person. But, he seemed much nicer than the people who only look nice from the outside.

When will be the next time I will see you, Mizuki?