Chapter 43
Marley POV
It felt different when he left early the next day. As long as the doctor said it was alright for Sophia to travel as planned, we'd only be apart for a day and a half.
"See you soon," he said at the hotel door, placing yet another then another kiss on my lips.
"Bye bye TaeTae," Sophia said, arms wrapped around my legs and looking up at him with huge eyes. He picked her up and cuddled her close.
"I'm glad you're feeling better BugBug, see you tomorrow," and he kissed her cheek before putting her back on the ground. She grabbed both our legs as he pulled me into his arms again and we smiled against each others lips, sharing one last kiss. "I can't wait to have you in my home."
"I'm nervous but excited," I replied, squeezing the hand that held mine tightly. He knew my fears and why, we'd talked about it and he had tried to put my mind at ease. Still, I was nervous, meeting his family was a big deal.
"I better go, Ji-ho is ringing again to hurry me along," he said, glancing at his phone and I nodded.
"Go go, we'll honestly be fine." He'd been reluctant to leave us with no security but I reminded him that no-one had officially connected us and there was no reason for them to bother us when Sophia and I went out. We'd just look like every other tourist. "Love you babe, fly safe."
"Saranghae aein, see you tomorrow night," and his eyes twinkled as he blew a kiss, pulling the door shut behind him.
I sighed and smiled, feeling a warm rush of love for him. It was only 630am, he'd had to book an early flight so that he could be home by lunch as had a busy afternoon and evening of work ahead. "Shall we go watch movies in bed for a little bit before breakfast," I asked Sophia and she clapped her hands, skipping ahead of me back to my bedroom. The doctor was going to come mid afternoon and I was sure he would say she would be OK to travel, relief at the thought. Tae had sorted the extra time needed to stay here and had staff alter flight arrangements again but I'd feel much happier once we had landed in Korea.
When I walked into the bedroom, I noticed something on my pillow, reaching for it. Tae had left the shirt he'd worn to our last meal out and a note. Smiling, I opened it.
"My beautiful Marley, this smells of me, of us actually. I've left it so you don't miss us being together too much. Saranghae, until next time, your Tae xx"
Pressing it to my nose, I inhaled the heady scent of him, closing my eyes as I did. He was right, it did smell of the both of us, my perfume mingling slightly with the smell that was distinctly him and I slipped it on over my sleeping top where it hung low, PJ shorts just visible below the hem.
Snuggling next to Sophia and bringing Netflix up for her to watch some cartoons, I reached for the hotel menu, choosing something small and simple for our breakfast. At 715am, as requested, the doorbell rang signalling our breakfast and I jumped out of bed. "I'll be right back Sophia," I said, going to answer the door. Peering through the peephole, just in case, I saw a hotel staff member waiting patiently with a tray of food in her hand and I swung the door open.
"Domo arigato," I thanked them as I reached for the tray and then there was a phone in my face and a few clicks as photos were snapped while I stepped back in shock.
"Who dat mama," Sophia appeared at my side and I quickly shut the door behind me, clicking the lock into place as I rested against the door, heart racing. The tray was still in my hand and I put it on the side table near the door, hand shaking as I did.
"It was the people bringing our food baby," I answered, still processing what had just happened.
"Oh yummy, bweakfast," she shrieked, standing on her tiptoes to reach the tray and I lifted it away from her, walking on autopilot through to the table while she clambered up on a chair to reach for the food.
I hadn't expected something like that and definitely not in Japan. Glancing at what I was wearing, I was glad I was decently covered up at least before remembering it was Tae's shirt I was wearing, clearly a man's shirt and I was clearly in pyjamas. I took some long, deep breaths and picked up my phone as Sophia started eating the bagel in front of her. Was he already on the plane? Who needed to know? What happened now?
"Baby, is everything OK," he asked, picking up in just a few rings. I could hear a babble of noise around him and wondered if he was already at the airport.
"Ummmm... I don't think so. Someone just took pictures of me at the hotel room door. I'd ordered food for breakfast and they were dressed as staff."
I heard his intake of breath and he said, "just a moment jagiya," before unleashing a torrent of Korean to who I could only assume was Ji-ho. I paced the room, walking back to the peephole which showed no-one visible and double checking the lock was in place. I felt my stomach turn over, if they'd been 45 minutes earlier, they could've caught Tae leaving the room too and my heart was going too quickly at the thought.
"We can come back, I haven't boarded the flight yet," Tae said, returning to our call. "I can change my travel."
"No, no, you don't need to do that. Just tell me what to do now. Do I need to stay in the room, should I let the hotel know?"
"Ji-ho is already on the phone to the hotel now, I will get some security sorted for you for the rest of the trip. I wouldn't have left if I thought it was a possibility. I want to come back to you."
"Tae, I was surprised but it was over quickly. I just, I'm not sure how this all works so you just tell me what to do and I'll do it."
"We will stay in touch until I have to switch my phone off for flying. I'm so sorry Marley."
"It's not your fault Tae, I just wonder how they knew."
"Could be from the doctor or nurse, staff may have seen us when we moved around the hotel. We usually never find out how, we just do damage control. What were you wearing?"
I paused and sighed before answering. "Your shirt."
"Just my shirt," he asked after a beat.
"No, I have sleeping shorts on but still, I'm dishevelled from sleep and wearing a man's shirt. It doesn't look good."
"I bet it does look good," he said, attempting to make a weak joke and lighten the tension.
"It smells good too," I bantered lightly back. "But Tae, I'm sorry."
"That someone stalked us and took photos of you somewhere you should be safe? Don't apologise," he answered, agitation in his voice. "This is never your fault Marley. Hang on, Ji-ho needs to tell me something."
There was a pause, Sophia still thankfully munching away on food while the world spun around me and I smiled weakly at her, hoping she couldn't read my tense tone.
"Hyung said management will come up to you shortly. There will be a few of them as they will bring a translator. I'll get back in touch shortly once Ji-ho and I have had a longer chat, is that OK jagiya?"
"Of course, I'll go change before they get here. I'll be OK Tae, try not to stress."
"OK Marley but I really would rather come back to you."
"I know oppa but I don't feel like I'm in danger, just shocked."
"None of this is OK, talk soon," and he hung up as I quickly went to put on some other clothes.
I wiped the stickiness off Sophia's face and settled her back in my bedroom to watch some more cartoons while I waited for the hotel staff to arrive. My heart rate had almost returned to normal and I checked my phone a few times to make sure Tae hadn't called again, having no idea what time he would have to switch his phone off, a text beeping through as I checked again.
TaeTae
Love you babe, I'm sorry I've dragged you into all this craziness
I knew he'd be beating himself up about this, worrying as he sat somewhere in the airport. I could picture his brow furrowed as he checked his phone, chewing his lip.
Marley
I don't blame you for this Tae, it goes with the job right?
TaeTae
It shouldn't and I'll never be OK this happened to you. We're still sorting security so stay in the hotel for now but I don't want you to feel like a prisoner so we'll work something out
Marley
Love you Tae xx
TaeTae
Love you more yeobo xx
There was a knock at the door and my heart rate picked up again. I could see three hotel staff members through the peephole, standing back from the door and I cautiously opened it, checking first that Sophia wasn't in sight.
"Hello," I greeted them and they all instantly did a full bow at the waist as I dipped my head in return. The female staff member bowed again as she spoke.
"Good morning, we've come to apologise for what happened. This is the hotel manager and hotel security. May we come in and talk to find out more?"
"Of course," I said as they followed me into the suite and I sat down at the table, indicating for them to take chairs. There was a lot more bowing and they looked worried. If they had any concept of who Tae was and how upset he was right now, they probably had a right to be. I imagine Ji-ho was very firm on the phone too, he had grown to be like a friend to me and he had always looked out for all of us since we met with a particular soft spot for Sophia.
One of the males spoke and the lady translated. "Firstly, we are so deeply sorry this has happened to you. Please accept our apologies," and they all stood up as one, bowing deeply again before I indicated for them to take their seats.
"Thank you, I was very surprised and I'm worried now that the person who did this may still be around."
"We have reviewed security cameras already and can see that the person has left the building. They were not staff and we will be following up straight away to see how they had a uniform. We know the staff who delivered your meal was a different person, we have cameras in the hallways. They knocked on the door and left the meal outside your door like we've been doing during your whole stay. This person came along and took your tray to deliver it personally."
"I've been told I will have security coming for the rest of the trip. I don't know what that looks like yet but someone will keep you informed."
"Of course, anything we can do to help we will do for you. Any places you want to visit while you are still here, the hotel can help get tickets for those places. We are truly so sorry this has happened to you here."
"I appreciate your help. You were very helpful when my daughter was unwell, making sure a doctor came to us."
"Yes madam, is your daughter also OK with this unfortunate situation on top of her illness?"
"She is but she will want to go out and do something at some stage now that she is feeling better so it does make me a little worried for the rest of the trip."
"We will leave staff outside your room until you have your own security in place and we will be available anytime you need anything from us."
"OK, thank you. Do you need any other information from me," I asked.
"Did she touch you in any way?"
"No, it was very fast. She just took a few photos before I quickly closed the door."
"I am very pleased to here she didn't touch you. The gentleman on the phone gave us a lot of information already and we have the security camera footage so we will be printing out photos of the lady involved to show staff here. If we need anything else, we will be in touch. Apologies again," she said as they all stood up and bowed as I saw them out. The hotel security gentleman took up a position outside my door and I felt both weird and relieved as I closed the door, locking myself in again.
I sent Tae off a quick message, wanting to put his mind at ease.
Marley
Hotel management has been. The person was not staff and they have seen them leave the building but they have hotel security outside my room until our security arrives.
TaeTae
I'm on the plane and we have sorted security to be there soon. I've told Namjoon what happened and in case you need to speak to someone while my phone is switched off in travel, here is his number and he can touch base with staff back home for you. Are you OK?
Marley
I feel a little better now the shock has worn off. It's still a strange feeling.
TaeTae
One I never wanted you to have
Marley
I love you Tae, it'll be OK
TaeTae
I'm meant to be the one telling you that nae sarang
Marley
But I know what your face will look like right now and you don't need to be upset
TaeTae
I can't help it, the thought of you both being in harm makes me shudder
Marley
We will stay in the hotel today while we wait for the doctor to say Sophia is better and then we might do something small in the morning before we leave but only if we feel like it will be OK
TaeTae
OK, you just tell me what you need from me and I'll make it happen from my end. They've asked us to switch our phones off to start flying so I have to go for now
Marley
Try not to worry while you fly oppa
TaeTae
I can't help it, you mean too much to me for this to be alright xx Until next time
Marley
xx Until next time which is very soon
It was a while before security arrived, Namjoon messaging me to say that there was a small delay as they were trying to find someone who also spoke some English. But he arrived mid morning, knocking on the door to introduce himself before letting the hotel security go and standing in their place.
"Good morning Miss Marley. My name is Ogawa Kaito and I've been told to tell you 'until next time' so you know I am the right person."
I breathed a small sigh of relief as that had crossed my mind, how would I know he was a safe person. Tae had thought of that too. "Very nice to meet you, thank you for coming. Let me introduce you to my daughter so she knows who you are too. Sophia, come meet a new friend," I called.
She came bounding out of the bedroom, rushing up and coming to a halt in front of us both. "This is Ogawa Kaito, he will be helping to look after us for the next few days."
"What I call him mama," she asked and I realised his name was a mouthful for her.
"Call me Oga little one," he said and bowed to her too. I was amused to see Sophia dip her head, she had obviously been paying attention to all the greetings while we were in Japan and he smiled at us both.
"I will wait here and accompany you if you wish to go anywhere, even within the hotel. At night time, hotel security will stand here instead but I will return at 6am and be with you until you fly out tomorrow."
"At least let me get you a chair," I said, going back and bringing one out, the thought of him standing for hours something I couldn't tolerate. His eyes were smiling and he seemed kind which balanced out the fact he was huge for his culture, arms clasped resting in front of him but not hiding muscles and I knew he'd be strong if needed. I contemplated taking a photo to reassure Tae we would be in safe hands and then thought better of it. I had a feeling anything reminding him of the need for our safety would make him upset.
"Thank you again, I think today we will just stay here so I hope you won't be too bored."
"I'd rather be bored and have nothing happen to anyone, we don't need anymore adventures do we," and I nodded in agreement, thanking him again as I locked the hotel door behind myself.
As soon as Tae landed back in Korea, he messaged to check in on us.
TaeTae
Has security arrived? Are you OK?
Marley
We're OK and yes, he's standing outside our room and security is also sorted for overnight. How was your flight?
TaeTae
I worried the whole time. Does he look like he knows what he's doing?
Marley
I knew you'd worry, he looks fine. Do you want me to take a photo of him so you can see for yourself?
TaeTae
I don't need to see a picture of another man taking care of you when I can't. Especially one who looks fine
I could almost hear the pout in his reply and smiled. The slight jealousy that flared from time to time was cute especially when it was never needed. If anyone should be jealous, it was me. I'd seen their fans, many of them were stunning and the idols they had in their world were so talented. But I constantly had to swallow those insecurities and trust his word that he wanted to be with me.
Marley
Jagiya, you care for me like no other man ever could. It's your hands holding me close that I'm thinking about right now, your fingers that slide across my back and down my sides until...
There was a wait for his reply, hoping I'd distracted him with my words. Then I heard the beep and grinned.
TaeTae
I stumbled reading your text. At the airport. In front of some ARMY.
Marley
Sorry **evil emoji**
TaeTae
No you're not. And I love your hands too by the way
Marley
Tomorrow will come quickly
TaeTae
Never quick enough but I'm heading to the offices now and I'll be busy most of the day. Message or call if you need anything though, OK my love?
Marley
My love. I love hearing that
TaeTae
It's true and you are xx
I lightly played with Sophia's hair, feeling better than I thought I could this morning. He had made me feel safe, even while travelling between countries, doing it all remotely, putting everything in place that was needed for us. It made me pause. There would be so many times in our relationship if we were to continue that we would be apart and he had shown me he could still be there for me.
"Lets have some lunch Sophia and then after your nap, do you want to go swimming again?" We wouldn't need to book a private session this afternoon as Tae wasn't with us but security would be and would make sure there were no phones anywhere.
"Yes mama, TaeTae schwim too?"
"Not this time baby, TaeTae went on an aeroplane remember? We'll see him tomorrow."
"I like schwim wiv Tae," she pouted, her turned down lips reminding me of his.
"I know you do. Maybe we can when we go to Tae's house, would you like that?"
"Yes and TaeTae has doggy." This little bit of news had been super exciting to Sophia who loved anything small and cute and Tannie was definitely in that category.
"He does. And we might see some of TaeTae's friends and family too," I said, introducing her to the idea of lots of people. I really had no idea what this trip would look like although he had said he wanted to do as much as we could in our few weeks.
"Kookie?"
"I'm sure we'll see Jungkook and the other friends you danced with, do you remember?"
"Sophia sing Baby Shark wiv Suga."
"Yes, that's right." I was glad she had some kind of recollection and could piece Tae together with his friends. She was coping incredibly well with the travel especially with becoming unwell but I didn't know what the next few weeks would look like.
"Mama," she said, climbing onto my lap, pressing warm kisses all over my face as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
I returned her kisses, all over her face and neck as she dissolved into giggles. "Yes Sophia Bug?"
"I love you."
"I love you too baby, so much."
"I love Nan. And Aunty Abby. And Grandad. And TaeTae. He reads to Sophia."
"He does and yes, they all love you too."
"Mama," she said again. "I hungry," and I laughed, the conversation over for now as we ate the leftovers from breakfast before I tucked her into bed for a nap feeling a little calmer than I had a few hours ago.