Seulgi stayed a ways back from the exit gate. It was attractively decorated with pnts at the side. There were some brilliant blooms among the leaves. She stood well back in order to not interfere with the people leaving for the baggage cim area. Many people were already on their phones. Some just looked tired and grumpy. One pair were arguing about something that Seulgi didn’t pay attention to. She found herself not particurly caring about her people watching.

  While she was holding the sign up, she heard that unmistakable baritone from the phone coming from behind a small crowd. Had she been doing her normal people watching, she would have seen she was not the only one who had a small trimmer shimmying up their back when that Voice spoke. There was no way it could be anyone else with that voice. She had not heard Wendy’s mother’s voice clear enough to know it, but her father was no contest.

  The owner of that voice came into view. A tall, elegant man in a tan cashmere coat and bck pants appeared. He did not age. He did not get older. He became more distinguished. The woman next to him was beautiful enough to eclipse her surroundings. She was not even trying to, she just was. They both have a charisma that naturally occurs. It was pretty evident that if they tried, they could be deadly.

  Seulgi moved to be in front of them.

  He saw her first. “Ms. Kang? I am Sung-Hoon. This is Jeong-Hui. We’re Wendy’s parents. Though I would have preferred better circumstances, it is still a pleasure to meet you.”

  “You too, sir. Ma’am.” The graceful dy just nodded. She was not being rude, but still too shook to be properly polite.

  Seulgi used the ‘Ma’am’ unironically.

  Seulgi led them to the baggage carousel to get their suitcases. After about ten minutes of small talk, the baggage carousel started moving. After another ten minutes, the baggage started coming down the ramp. Sung-Hoon moved forward to grab their bags.

  While waiting for the bags to appear, she chatted with Jeong-Hui. It turns out that this delicate flower had a whim of titanium. She was easily as strong willed as her husband. She was also as oppressively polite when she needed to be. She dialed back herself to attempt to be more ingratiating with the younger dy, knowing that she had done a massive amount of service for her daughter. When she first introduced herself as Wendy’s friend said something. So, she made sure to be as warm and friendly as she could be to a stranger under the circumstances.

  They made delicate small talk. The weather in Toronto versus the weather here. Jeong-Hui went back in time, talking about how Seoul had changed since they moved to Canada. She asked if specific stores or restaurants were still around or not. All of these pces were high end enough that they were out of Seulgi’s budget. She had not been to these pces but knew of them. She had been to a couple by virtue of it being a company event. So, she was able to report on most of them. Some were still open, a few were closed. A few, she was unsure of.

  While Jeong-Hui was an absolutely delightful conversationalist, Seulgi also, at the same time, got the very strong impression that she never, ever wanted this woman mad at her. In her quiet way, she was scarier than her husband. He could be loud and bombastic. She was the subtle stiletto in the dark. He was a volcano, she was a quietly slit throat.

  Sung-Hoon pulled three rge, bck, hard-shelled cases and one midnight blue soft bag, almost like a backpack. He started gathering all of it up to move out of the way when Seulgi excused herself. She went forward and grabbed one of the cases, which all of them had wheels, she was pleased to note, and the soft case. He nodded a thanks.

  Jeong-Hui then tried to take the small bag, but Seulgi declined and said that she had it. The older dy tried again, but Seulgi insisted. Gracious in defeat, Jeong-Hui, let the younger woman take the bag and case.

  “Please follow me to the car.” Seulgi was worried that her trunk would hold three rge cases, but they would make it work. Rather than small talk on the way to the car, Sung-Hoon began to interrogate, in the most exquisitely polite manner, what happened to his daughter, what the damage was, and what was being done for her. Not being medically trained, she answered as best as she could. She still felt as if she was back in middle school and being asked why she failed a test. He did not make her feel personally responsible, but it was a near thing. She was also incredibly gd that she was not Wendy’s physician in charge.

  Seulgi was looking forward to the Master Css she was about to watch on how to properly interrogate someone. She got the impression that it was about to be as ruthless as she had ever seen. Even more so than The Boss has ever done. She would have gotten Katie and herself some popcorn for the upcoming show.

  “Sir, ma’am, I would like to take you where you will be staying first, so you can freshen up and rex a bit. Then, once a bit rested, take you to your daughter. I know you want to be at your best when you see her. What is your opinion?”

  From the front passenger seat came, “Normally, that would be the best idea. But, our daughter is more important. Please take us directly to the hospital.” There was a barely concealed threat in the request. It was not intentionally threatening, nor directly at her, but it was a voice that had not heard ‘No’ in a long, long time.

  Conflicted, the response sent a delicious thrill of terror down her spine that she reflexively gulped a mouthful of saliva.

  Jeong-Hui simply nodded. She didn’t say anything because there was nothing more to add.