Chapter 21

A week has passed since the Sunday lunch and dinner at the James residence in Staten Island. Shin is still elated with it and very much would love to be invited again. Sam as well is very happy about it. Something has taken out from her lungs because previously she's thinking that her family would not love him. Well, lucky for her, her adoptive family very much adore him especially to the fact that she's not that workaholic and a school freak any longer. She now has the time to socialize with her colleagues and her cloudy eyes are visible with content and a happy future.

Not only that Sam's family is glad with her current status, her friends Cassi, Jesse, even her assistant Helena and her staffs from the shop have the same feelings as well. It was a good situation for all of them actually. And everyone is hoping for it to last. Fortunately, nothing has been printed out yet on the paper.

On the other hand, on the other side of the world, the Lee family is missing the youngest male member. The only male heir has been gone for more than a month already vacationing. Although his father allowed him to, he could not do all the work alone. Maybe for a couple of days or two weeks at most but for more than a month it would mean a chaos. And he intended not to continue this even if he has to beg and kneel to his son to come home. The country's well-being is at stake and he couldn't let something bad to happen to it.

"Nae-kwan, is my son now available on the line?"

"Yes, your majesty. Wang-soo is already asking for him. I'll transfer the call on your line now." The Internal Officer answered the King Father, Hyeon, on his son's availability to accept a phone call. He needs to speak with him to request to come back home on the soonest possible time.

"Ahn-nyong-ha-se-yo?"

"Dad! How are you? It's good you called. I was about to anyway. I have a lot of things to tell you." Shin greeted giddily after his bodyguard, Wang-soo, informed him that his father is on the phone looking for him. He became excited knowing his father would like to talk to him. Although he has communications with his family everyday, he's still excited to know and hear their voices. Well, it only means one thing. He misses everyone back home.

"Well, I'm doing fine. Everyone here actually. And I've got a lot of things to tell, too."

"Oh, really? That's cool. I've talked to Unnie last night. She said there are some activities lined up in Seoul by early next year. And it includes fashion. I wonder who she asked to sponsor that. Is it Mom or Grandmum? I bet both of them. I don't know, Dad, but both seem very much into the latest fashion these days. Have they been dressing like Posh Spice or The Kardiashians now? Or maybe Beyonce, Taylor Swift or Miley Cyrus? Or singing Mariah's Louis Vuitton bags? Have they? Dad?" Shin continuously asked his father about his mother and grandmother's latest craze. Hyeon is very happy his son seems living a normal life right now, however, he might come back to reality sooner than later. "Dad, are you still there? You seemed awestruck in my questions."

"No, son. I'm just happy you seem doing great there in New York."

"Of course, Dad. And thanks. I'm having a blast here."

"I'm sure you do. However, Internal Officer Nae-kwan is not." Hyeong softly said then waited for his son's reaction. He got only an 'oh'. "Shin, I know and I understand your current situation. And I wouldn't stop that… but….your country needs you, son. Korea needs you right now. With the coming holidays and those festivities that you mentioned besides the regular politics and economic day-to-day arguments and decisions, I could not do it alone. Two weeks is fine but the succeeding weeks…I'm not sure if Nae-kwan could still stand all the meetings, seminars, socialization, everything….Son, I understand if you'll gonna be mad at me and would not speak with me for awhile. But I have to say this... Please do come home on the soonest possible time. People are already asking about you. They want to see their favorite king…. Please do, Shin."

"Dad, but…"

"Please think about it. I don't know your business there. All I know is that you want to get away with your life here being Korea's great ruler. And as I said earlier, I do understand perfectly. But I couldn't stop the world for you specifically your world here. You are needed here badly."

"I know. I understand." Shin softly answered after a series of sighs and a long pause. "So…when do you want me to come home?"

"Sooner, if possible."

"A definite date, Dad….please?" Shin advised massaging his back and trying to think of what would be the best words to tell someone he definitely needs to tell.

"Ok. I want to be honest with you….Tomorrow."

"Dad?! That's not possible! I can't do that! I just can't leave Sam..." Shin blurted out so suddenly hearing tomorrow not realizing the words coming out from his mouth should not be told as he had previously advised himself.

"Sam?" Hyeon asked surprised.

"She'll go crazy if I told her right now that I'm going back tomorrow to Korea. She'll be devastated!" Shin said still on that action.

"Shin? Son? Calm down…" Hyeon said softly and calmly as much as possible thinking his son seemed agitated to what he had advised.

"Calm down?! I can't calm down with that information! I mean, c'mon, Dad! You have to understand…" Shin still.

"Shin?! Will you come down a bit?!" Hyeon now decided to make his voice a little louder.

"What?! Huh?!" Shin finally came to his senses hearing the loud words on the other line.

"Stop and listen, alright?"

"Alright…."

"Ok…You asked me when am I needing you here so I answered tomorrow. I just want to be honest with you. But I know it's not possible so I think before the Christmas holiday is fine. I think Nae-kwan and I could handle things until then. But then you already went ballistic. You were screaming and talking gibberish. Are you sure you're having a blast there in New York? Because you seemed distracted. And who is Sam?"

"Sam? Who's Sam? Did I say something like that?"

"I think you did."

"Oh, c'mon, Dad. Maybe you were hearing things. I didn't say anything with the word Sam."

"I think it's not just a word. I think it's a name. So is it a he or a she?'

"Oh, Dad. You're making me laugh. You're just kidding, right? I mean Sam? Poof! Who is it? What is it? It's nothing, Dad. Maybe you heard something around you."

"Yeah, I think I did hear it…from you. The name Sam came from you."

"No, Dad, it didn't. I think you should ask Nae-kwan to check with the royal family's doctor."

"What?"

"Yes, Dad. I think you should. Well, anyway, I got to go. I still have a lot of things to do."

"At four thirty in the morning? Shin…"

"Well, Dad, it's already late in Seoul and I think you should better rest. Don't worry. I'll ask Wang-soo to check my schedule and arrange my flight before the Christmas holiday. Promise, I'll be home so don't overexert yourself, alright? So bye for now. I'll try to come home on your preferred date. Ahn-nyong-hee ga-se-yo, A-bbah." And then he hanged up the phone leaving his father speechless and stunned on the other line.

"What in the name of King Moo just happened? Nae-kwan, are you sure it was my son who I just talked to?"

"I think so, Sire."

"Well, he seemed so excited and like…an American teenager talking to me like that. He kept ignoring all my queries about that Sam."

"Your majesty, I think the young Sire was just anxious…with everything that's happening right now."

"Well, I hope so. And I really do hope that Sam is a girl. Otherwise, heaven knows, what will this kingdom be…."

"Ji Hoon, are you sure you don't want something to drink?" Helena inquired, yet again for the fifth time, but receiving, for the fifth time as well, a light shaking of head. "Are you sure? I mean I could get you anything you would like to have? Tuna sandwich? Strawberries? Lemon Tea? Coffee? Milk?" Still another shaking of head and soft smile. "Me?" She mentally asked and glad she didn't blurt it out. "Alright. I'll just be on my desk if you need me. And if you need more magazines to check. And if you want to change your mind."

"Yeah. Thanks." Shin politely answered then went back to his browsing of magazines – Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle, Cosmopolitan. Helena then went away when surely he wouldn't accept her offers. She tsked thinking she lost a chance on him.

Shin is at the Samantha James shop waiting for his girlfriend. She's still inside the building's conference room having the final meeting for the upcoming photo shoot that would be held in Cancun, Mexico over the weekend. He called her this morning inviting a dinner for two at the Hilton hotel. After his father had talked to him so early, he decided to talk to her about his plans of going back home. He knows she'll be disappointed and sad but they have to face the truth. He needs to be home and work. Moreover, he still needs to tell what kind of work he has back home that he couldn't extend anymore his grand vacation.

It's already past five in the afternoon and it's getting his stomach starting to scream 'I'm hungry'. He's actually wanting to accept Helena's offer of food but he knows even if he's really hungry he couldn't eat much. He might throw it up. Especially thinking of what might transpire in their dinner later. He's very apprehensive about it.

Another thirty minutes has passed and then he could hear some murmurs coming from the hallway. He saw a couple of guys and girls from the fashion world coming out and heading to the exit of the shop. He then saw her talking to one of the guys he assume is a photographer judging from the latest model of Nikon camera that's hanged on his neck. He knew she didn't notice him because she's still deep in conversing, must be discussing the meeting. And then she waved her hand at those guys and gals and smiled. And then she looked around and finally caught his eyes.

Sam waved to the major staff that would be coming with her in Cancun for the photoshoot for her latest design that would be the main cover of Vogue Magazine in the coming holidays. Her original plan was not to join the group, however, she thought it would be a getaway and a nice vacation for her and the love of her life so she advised them she would personally see the work. After seeing the guys and gals exiting the electronic door of her shop she looked around looking for Helena. She'd like to check if she'd already booked a flight for her and Shin. But then she was surprised to see a pair of chinkee eyes staring and twinkling in delight just seeing her from afar.

"Hey, what are you doing here? Is this a surprise? I thought I said I'd just meet you at Hilton's." Sam half-running went to Shin giving a tight hug and a soft peck on his lips. He returned the gesture more passionately making all of her staff in the shop and the people checking all the clothes look at them and got mesmerized with the sweetness. "I miss you, honey." She whispered after not planning on ejecting her body on the hug. He smiled hearing that and replied the same with his face buried on the crook of her neck and smelling her hair. She smiled as well.

"C'mon. I think we need to get inside your office before someone tried to grab you away from me." Shin murmured those words making Sam get puzzled. "You look so adorable in your dress that guy checking on the Sunday dress near the window seems wanting to undress you in his stares and pocket you. And I wouldn't likely to allow that. You know I'm one of those guys who don't want to share." He answered then lightly pulled her to her office and signaling at Helena that they don't want to be disturbed. Helena, on the other hand, just smiled and nodded understanding what he meant.

"Did you know that stunt could make both of us on the front cover of the society page of every newspaper tomorrow?" Sam asked Shin when they got to enter her private office and he got to lock the door properly. "Are you ready to be in the hot seat, my darling Ji Hoon?" She asked with arms akimbo. He, on the other hand, was not guilty or felt anything to repent on what show he had pulled awhile ago. All he was thinking is he's going back home in a week or two and that would obviously mean he has to leave Sam. Just thinking about it he feels like his world is going to collapsed. He knows he couldn't let her ask to come with him in Korea. It would be unfair to her especially with her new life and success she's having in the Americas and the Europe. So when she asked him that question he just stared at her lovingly then pulled again on a more tight embrace. "Hey…Are you ok?" Sam asked returning the gesture but was puzzled.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just don't mind me. I just want to hold you for a while." He answered softly and keeping on the position of wanting not to let go. She was still puzzled with the behavior. He seemed nervous and wanted to say something. She then tried to calm him down by rubbing his back. "Ji Hoon?..." She called softly.

"Yeah?..." He answered softly with his head still buried on her shoulders and eyes closed. He's savoring the sweet scent of her in that position. He's hoping that feeling he is feeling would last forever.

"Sweetie…Honey….are you ok? You seemed anxious…like in a worried state." Shin didn't answer. He just stayed in that position then touched his lips on her neck and remained. Sam got more confused and then alarmed thinking what does that mean and imagining of what might transpire if what she's thinking is correct. Well, she just hopes Helena is not naïve to knock later on her office door asking for a signature or transferring a phone call. "Ji Hoon, honey? Are you trying to tell me something? Or are you just going to say nothing."

"Hmm?..." He answered still in that position but now seems like nipping her skin. Her eyes widened then tried to pull away but he didn't allow her.

"Ji Hoon, honey, I know we've been trying to come to a conclusion on this on the bed…or the couch for a couple of times already. However, something or someone always get in the way. But, sweetie, please…don't use this as a part of your scheme in trying to persuade me into something. If you want to tell an important thing no matter how grave it is, please just tell. I'll listen and I'll understand. Ok?" He sighed and then faced her shyly. "So?..."

"Can't I really just tell it to you while we're on bed doing everything I've been dreaming to do since I've met you?" He asked softly with his puppy eyes.

"As much as I wanted to, we couldn't. I can't just have…sex with you thinking on what you're trying to tell." She remarked blushing saying the word sex. "It would disturb me and spoil the ambiance." He sighed then rubbed his forehead. She puckered her brow. "So?..."

"Honey, you do love me, right?"

"Every single minute of the day."

"And you know that I do feel the same. That I love you very much."

"Yeah. I do." Sam said softly like his words then touched his face with her hands. Shin then kissed her palms. Then he looked straight into her eyes. She did the same.

"Sam, I'd like you to come and live with me in Seoul." He then dropped the bomb.

Translations and Descriptions:

Ahn-nyong-ha-se-yo – Hello

Ahn-nyong-hee ga-se-yo – Goodbye (polite)

A-bbah - Dad

King Moo – father of King-Father Hyeon or grandfather of King Shin