Destiny - Chapter Two - The way to destiny
Mina was awakened by the noise of a large boat coming for help. She opened her eyes and felt something warm ; it was Hwang's hand, he had unconsciously put on her shoulder. She realised the that she was using Hwang's chest as a pillow ! "Oops," she thought, removing his hand and sitting up next to him. She approached his ear and said : "Good morning !" Hwang opened his eyes immediately. "What's happening ?" he asked sleepily. Mina giggled. "A boat is arrived. They can drive us to Vladivostok," Mina answered. Hwang remembered. "Oh yes," he said searching for something. "Where's my headband?" Mina smiled. "Don't you remember ? " she showed her arm, on which Hwang headband was tied up.
Xianghua was near them with Kilik, waiting for the bridge between the two boats to be installed. She looked at them with a smile. Then she said to Kilik, "Aren't they cute ?" Kilik nodded and they both laughed. Mina noticed it. "I hope you're not making fun of me or you'll regret it !"
Maxi arrived. "We're sorry for all the problems we had last night... But before we abandon this one, I would like to say something important. Several people died last night. You might think everyone was safe, well it isn't the case. One was hurt by the shock, and five others were drowned because they falled from their room which was completely destroyed."
The atmosphere went totally down. "All of them were located in the left part. No one has survived." Mina was surprised by what he said. "Hey, what about me ?" she said, standing up while Hwang was tiding un their corner. "Mina ?! So you are the only left from this part of my ship, you are really lucky." Mina looked at Hwang. "Lucky to have you around..." she thought.
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At midday, they were in the other boat. This boat actually had no voyagers in, because it was a test driving, and they could discover a luxuous ship, with all the comfort.
"Wow, we're gonna have a great time here !" Xianghua said as she visited the luxuous rooms, with beautiful beds and furniture.
"You're lucky that the commander of this ship is a friend of mine, or he wouldn't have accepted !" Maxi said, trying to forget his ship or rather its loss. "We'll be in Vladivostok this evening. Until then, you can take the rooms, but please try to let them clean! There isn't enough for us all, so you'll have to be 2 or 3 in each room."
"Yeah !" Xianghua laughed. "You're sharing your room with me, huh, Kilik ?" she said out loud, grabbing his arm. Kilik became as red as a tomato, seeing that others had heard too. "No, no, ... it's not what you think !" he said to those who were looking at them, including Seung Mina.
Hwang saw that the others were taking the rooms. "Here we go, Mina, or we won't have any free room left." Mina blushed. "Uh... we ?" Hwang stared at her and understood. "Oh, maybe you want to share your room with someone else, well you do what you want." Indeed she did what she wanted ! Did he think she obeyed to his orders or what ? She searched for someone to share her room with. The only ones who were still alone were Voldo and Astaroth, who didn't stand each other. "Huh..." she thought, "I'm gonna go back to Hwang..."
Hwang was unpacking his few belongings. In his bag, he found Mina's headband. "She gave me her headband..." he thought. "So I won't ask her for mine. It's hers now." At that moment Mina entered the room. "I haven't got the choice, I have to share your room... Can I..?" Hwang nodded. "Thanks."
She put her bag and her Zamba-toh in a corner, and sat on the bed, doing nothing. She watched Hwang doing his stuff. He headed towards the washbasin and refreshed his face.
"Hwang," Mina asked.
"Hmm ?"
"I was just wondering, do you know other girls like me ? I mean, who decided their lives wouldn't be just staying at home... "
"Well," he was drying himself with a towel, "I don't remember someone else like this, no."
"Hmm." Mina wondered why she was the only girl to think this way. In Korea, the other girls disliked her because she wasn't devoted to her family. "And what do you think about that ?"
Hwang turned around, and took his sword. "I think men like women, just have to follow their heart. I suppose if you think that way, then it was your destiny." Mina was surprised he thought that way. He had always been following her father's opinions... "But," he added, "if Master tells me to do something, I don't have to choose. I'm totally devoted to him."
"Hwang... is that why you absolutely want to bring me back home ? To follow father's orders ? Not by your own ? I thought that... I mean... I'm sorry, but I've always thought you were naturally stern and thought I was just a child..."
Hwang looked at her. Maybe she was true... he was the reason why Mina didn't like him from the start and used to treat him as an enemy... And himself didn't tell her about it.
Mina stood up and said : "I'm hungry ! I'm going to bring back something to eat. Do you want some ?"
"Why not."
She leaved the room and went through the corridor which drove to the deck. There, she met the commander of the boat. He was about 30, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Seeing her, he gently took her hand and kissed it. "You are... ?" Mina blushed. "I'm Seung Mina." "-Ah, Mina. A beautiful name for such a beauty. As you know, I'm the Commander, but please, call me John." Mina didn't like that kind of men at all ; she forced herself to smile. "I will. I'm sorry, but I've got something to do and I can't-"
"Please stay with me, young beauty..." he put his arm around her waist. Shocked, the poor Mina tried to get out of his grasp but he held her tight. "Let me... go ! You ...!" "-No, you're not gonna get out of here until you give me a kiss..." Finally, there was only one way to calm him down ; she wacked him in the chest with her elbow ; he falled on the floor. "Totally drunk..." she noted. "Sorry, I couldn't help hurting you a bit ! So next time, be careful when you talk a woman that way okay ?" she said smiling, hands on hips.
She looked around her ; almost all the crew members were watching her, including Hwang. "Oh, I didn't know you were watching... Well, when do we eat ?"
*****
All the crew was eating in the same room, on an huge table. Mina was eating in front of Hwang, who decided to come, and next to John. "Great..." she thought. Still drunk, he was constanly trying to charm her, and Hwang was keeping an eye on him, and that during all the meal. She leaved the table before all the others. When she wasn't here anymore, Hwang said to the commander : "What are you trying to do ?" a look of disgust on his face. "- I hope she's free... hehehehe... do you know.. who shares her room ??"
Hwang sighed. "Yes, and it's me. Mina's my Master's daughter and don't you dare touch her or you'll be face with me."
Mina ran to their room as fast as she could, and lied down on the bed. She sighed. "Why am I always the damsel in distress ?" She remembered the words of the fortuneteller. If was something like : "If you go there, then you'll have much trouble." He was right. Mina was a talentuous fighter and practised the art of the Zamba-toh perfectly. But she never had a chance to show it. Since she met Hwang on Maxi's ship, she had always been in trouble. Before, all was perfect. But now... "Maybe it was my destiny. Maybe destiny wants me to be in trouble. And be saved..." Always by Hwang. Each time she had problems, he was there. Lost in her thoughts, she finally fell asleep.
Hwang was alone on the table now. He was still, resting his elbows on the table, his eyes fixed on it.
"Hey, Hwang !" Pulled out of his reflection, Hwang noticed Xianghua was calling him, grinning.
"What's happening ?" he said, thinking Xianghua was a little childish for her age.
"Nothing," she said, coming close to him. "You seem down. What are you thinking about ?"
He looked at her, frowning.
"Okay, okay," she murmured. "I let you alone. I'm not gonna bother you any longer. Please don't bear me a grudge, right ?" She quickly went away. And leaved the room. "I wonder how Mina does to bear him ! I would totally be crazy if I lived with someone like him !"
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End of Chapter Two