[RJH's POV]

Despite my best efforts, I couldn't keep the South Korean woman out of my mind. Am I doing the right thing in planning to help her cross the border? Is it worth the risk to me and my men? How can she not flinch at Pyo Chi-Su's constant threat to bury her in a mountain or river?

Also, what is it about her that is annoying… yet also endearing?

My train of thought was broken by the sound of my phone ringing. And it kept ringing for the next hour with various questions and requests. First, she asked for shampoo, then body wash, then a scented candle, then hot water. Does this woman think I'm the concierge at a hotel?

The final call was to ask if she could borrow a towel and something to wear. It made me uncomfortable thinking of her alone at my home, going through my wardrobe, but it can't be helped.

To be honest, I've never had a woman in my house before. In fact, I've never really had any overnight guests before, so I had to think about what necessities I should provide as a good host.

Since I couldn't focus on the paper work on my desk, I decided to go to the marketplace and get some things for her. I bought her toiletries and some clothes. But then a thought struck me - she would need undergarments as well. But how do I buy that for her?

Thankfully, the market vendor seemed to guess what I needed but couldn't say out loud. I could feel my face redden as she asked me about her size. Really, how would I know? I was beyond mortified to even be asked.

Why am I doing this for her? I don't know either. Thank goodness she is leaving soon.

——

[YSR's POV]

The hot bath was more relaxing than I thought it would be, although I could not stretch my legs. I felt awkward using his soap, but there's nothing I can do about it. Sure, I missed my body wash and body scrub, my bath salts and bath oils, my shampoo and conditioner, my hair mask and sheet mask. But then again good old soap does the trick.

I reminded myself again how lucky I am to have landed where I did. I'm not a fool - I know exactly what could have happened if I was caught by any other soldier than him.

Having asked for permission, I went through his wardrobe to find something to wear. I tried to see if there were any women's clothes stashed somewhere - maybe a girlfriend's or an ex's or something - but I couldn't find any.

I wondered for the nth time whether he is single or not. He's definitely my type - tall, handsome, muscular, reserved. And who doesn't love a man in a uniform? I'm so tired of the men I've been dating in Seoul - businessmen, celebrities, athletes, idols. All overgrown babies, really. Compared to him, they all look and act like boys.

It's just a harmless crush, I told myself. Not a big deal. Nothing to worry about.

His wardrobe is very organized, with every item neatly hung or folded. I like that. In the end, I picked up one of his striped white shirts. It's a good thing he's so tall, so his shirt reached a few inches above my knees. If I had the right accessories to style it with - maybe a nice black jacket, black boots, some diamonds, maybe even a loose tie - I'm sure I would have looked good.

As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, the lights went out and the house was plunged into darkness. What's happening? I could feel panic rising up my throat as I tried to feel around for a flashlight or something.

And that was when I heard the sound of the gate opening and footsteps approaching me. Could the soldiers have set me up, leaving me here alone at night, then sending someone to kill me under cover of the dark? I took the heaviest thing I could find - a flower vase - and prepared to use it as a weapon. Despite my fear and panic, I will not go down without a fight.

——-

[RJR's POV]

I must have caught her by surprise when I came home. Maybe because I forgot to tell her about the daily blackouts. Maybe because she doesn't know where to find the flashlight and lamp. Maybe because she was all alone at a stranger's house. Maybe because it was her first night here in North Korea - or at least the first one she remembers, since she was unconscious up in the trees last night.

She had my flower vase poised high in the air, ready to attack the intruder. Thank goodness she realized that it was me and stopped herself in time.

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

Her eyes filled with tears and her voice shook. "Why are you here?"

"You said you need a candle," I replied, tentatively handing her the candle I got for her. "You said you need it when you take a bath or go to sleep." I added for good measure, to remind her of our earlier conversation.

She slowly put the flower vase down, but looked like she was struggling to keep her emotions under control. Then she did something that surprised me - she suddenly broke down and burst into tears.

It was as if she was a completely different person. Where earlier she was quick and feisty, and could trade barbs so easily with Pyo Chi-Su - now here she is completely vulnerable, in tears.

At that moment, all my second thoughts about helping her flew out the window. Destiny brought this woman to crash land towards me. Destiny brought her in front of my house as she was running away. Destiny will help me get her safely back home to the South.

We stood there for what seemed like hours but in reality was only a few minutes - me standing awkwardly in silence, her standing a meter away, weeping.

"Would you… like to sit and talk?" I asked as kindly as I could. Perhaps I was a little sharp with her this morning. I should work on that. I motioned for her to sit down by the table and got her some water. I also lighted the candle, hoping it would help calm her down, even though it wasn't the scented candle that she wanted after all.

Her tears kept falling as she talked about things I wasn't familiar with, such as stock prices and failed investments of billions of won. I didn't know what to do with myself. Should I try to comfort her somehow - maybe by patting her gently on the back? That might be an unwelcome physical advance from a strange man in a dark room so I decided not to.

In the middle of her tears, she mumbled, "Why do I have to be crying in front of a total stranger?" I immediately snuffed out the candle, engulfing us in near total darkness. This is one thing I can do for her - I can give her a semblance of privacy.

"Don't worry, I can't see you now," I said gently. After a pause, I added, "Fortune and misfortune are like twisted rope, so they come by turns. Everything will be fine soon." It was the only thing I could think of to say - something my mom used to say to me when I was feeling down.

We talked some more until she calmed down. I promised her that I would do what I can to help her cross the border.

There was a part of me that wanted to stay with her tonight. I wanted to protect her and be there to listen if she wanted to talk more, but I was worried that she might be more uncomfortable sleeping with a strange man in the same house.

My heart was heavy when I left her that night, especially since I wasn't sure if I would ever see her again. If I had to stay at Pyongyang for my investigation longer than planned, one of my men would have to arrange her boat-to-boat exchange. I would prefer to be the one directly handling this and taking on the risk, in case something goes wrong.

On my walk back to the barracks, I realized she was wearing one of my favorite shirts. And she looked really, really, really good. She is definitely my type. I hope I can see her again before she leaves the North forever.