Seo Joon
I have to admit, I enjoy watching Jade stride before me, stiff and upright.
I stare, mesmerized, at her hair swaying gently down her back, as if in the wind.
Every now and then she tilts her head to the side, as if pondering a thought, and then straightens again.
She turned around a couple of times to see if I was following.
I smiled encouragingly, but she didn't say a single word.
She stops in front of a door, checks the room number, and then inserts her keycard to open it.
She pushes it, enters, and sinks into an armchair, dropping her bag on the floor.
Finally, she looks at me, and her eyes are a big, huge question mark: What are you doing here?
I close the door behind me, observe her with a thin smile, and sit across from her on the couch.
It's a game of glances between us, like a telepathic message, to which we can't find a response.
"Spit it out!" she says to me with a grimace, in Korean.
And I burst out laughing.
Now I understand. Boy, do I understand.
That worry written on her face, the eyes shining with anger, and the pursed lips make me understand why Min-ho has fallen head over heels for her.
Jade doesn't hide her emotions; she's a vivid open book into her world that intrigues you, attracts you, and leaves you completely disoriented.
It's not in my culture to deal with people like that, yet I've met Westerners who have shown no restraint in showing their emotions.
But she...
Her gaze digs into your soul and demands the attention I struggle not to give her.
But I'm not Min-ho.
"I expected a warmer welcome, I admit," I tell her, shifting position and becoming serious again.
Almost.
She swings a leg and huffs.
"I'm disoriented," she confesses, biting her nails.
"I'm happy to see you. Finally a friendly face."
She frowns and then smiles.
Slowly.
Her face relaxes, she pushes her hair back, and she stands up.
"I'm happy to see you too... Can I hug you?"
I nod and stand.
"You have to."
I spread my arms and welcome her, patting her back.
"How are you, noona?"
She lets go of me, lifts her face, and winks at me.
"Fine, easy. You?"
I grimace.
She pats my arm affectionately and slouches back in the chair.
She studies me for a few moments.
"I've never asked you why you call me noona."
I raise an eyebrow and nod.
"It came naturally, I think. If Min-ho is like a brother to me, you'd be like a sister."
"But Min-ho and I aren't together, and we barely know each other. We've only seen each other three times." She raises a hand and shakes her head. "Not that I don't appreciate it, I'm flattered, and I don't know why. I also feel a sense of familial bond with you that's new to me. I only have a younger sister and brother, but you inspire confidence in me."
I nod again, because that's what I immediately felt toward her.
"But... I don't know, I can't call you oppa. It feels a little out of place, like I'm taking something away from Min-ho," he says finally.
"No one says you have to use a nickname; I have a name. And a very beautiful one, too."
He laughs.
And it rubs off on me.
"You are stability, elegance, hospitality, a fairytale type, in short. Can I call you prince?"
I stiffen, surprised.
If he had used a Korean name, it would have been a pure formality. And instead he gave me an American nickname, a title that carries a lot of weight in the social context.
A prince.
Me.
It moves me, but I nod, feeling my cheeks flush.
"I know you're the one who takes care of the group; they say you're a kind of 'mom,' just as Min-ho is a 'dad.' But since you have too many responsibilities, I want to elevate you to a higher level of splendor: son of a king."
I look at her and smile.
I know why she took Min-ho's heart.
I understand the depths of her soul.
Now I know who Jade Taylor is.
And I'm happy to be her friend.
Her brother.
"I said you were a queen a while ago. And I think I immediately understood what kind of person you were. You're right, we don't know each other, but I want to fill this void... Until a moment ago I thought I owed it to Min-ho, but that's not the case. You're a mysterious soul, noona. You attract people, you shock them, you surprise them, you awaken them. In front of you, I feel stirred, as if you were a great unknown that I can't unravel. I understand my hyeongje, I understand her heart. But now I want to understand you too."
She doesn't move.
She watches me with her arms crossed, thoughtful.
"I'm starting to think that my trip to Seoul wasn't to discover myself, but to meet wonderful people like you." He pauses. "Okay, Prince, I agree to trust you and my world too. But I'm not doing it for Min-ho. Unfortunately, our relationship didn't take off, and I was really hurt, I confess. I'm doing it for you, but you have to be honest with me. Only in that case, I can guarantee that I'll always be there for you."
"I could tell you that he suffered too, and I find the whole situation absurd. But I won't interfere, I promise. I'll be here for you, whenever you want. And for you two, if you want me to be. But this is a selfish moment, mine alone... I asked Min-ho to introduce us, before I knew about your relationship, so I'll go that route. Just you and me, okay?"
He nods, seeming to lift a weight from his heart.
"So, what can I do for you? Should I show you around? Translate something for you?"
I shake my head and smile.
"Help me walk the runway. I don't know how to walk in five-inch heels."
Her mouth drops open and then she starts laughing.
And I follow her, too.