As we drove away from the golden beaches I was content. Sophia was kicking her legs in the seat between us, Tae was sitting in the passenger seat as we were getting takeaways on our way out of town and he couldn't order without possibly arousing questions. His English was great now but his accent was noticeable and his voice had a tone to it that was recognisable if you were a fan. And there were many around. And visually, well, he was too good looking not to take a second look even if you didn't know who he was. Safer for me to drive this leg of the journey.
"What does everyone want," I asked, pulling into the queue behind a few people.
"I want toys," Sophia said, not the least interested in the food.
"OK Sophia Bug, a toy meal for you. What about your jagi?"
"I am very hungry today, all that exercise," he replied winking at me and I rolled my eyes. "OK, I'll have the burger I like, 2 of them please. Water as the drink." He had decided that while we travelled, his food restrictions would be out the window, his body being honed soon in the military so he'd eat what he could while he was free to choose his own food. I knew it still bothered him a little though after years of dieting as he often commented on his cute little belly while I reassured him that I loved everything about the way he looked.
There was a steady stream of cars around us, before and after and Tae pushed his sunglasses up his nose, reaching to make sure his baseball cap was in place. It still struck me when he did it all so naturally, how long he'd been having to hide himself away just to have some peace and quiet and how he did it without thinking. His world was still something I was getting a grip on and couldn't really imagine what it would look like if our worlds became one and it was my reality too.
"You know what would be fun," he asked while we inched slowly forward towards the ordering cube.
"What," I asked, picking up a toy that had fallen at Sophia's feet before she had time to notice it was missing. She had a pile on her lap, soft toys she was talking to and sailing around in front of her face. I ruffled her hair fondly, placing a kiss on top of her curls as I smiled across at him.
"When we pay, we should ask to pay for a bunch of cars behind us and film it. One day, when it's safer, we could post it."
"Oh, I've seen that sort of thing on social media, OK, sure if you want to. We could park up over there," I indicated with my hand. "We can see the payment area if we do."
"Haja, let's do it," he replied, huge grin on his face. I loved seeing that look, partly mischievous, like he had a secret he wanted to share but couldn't.
I ordered and we drove forward to pay, Tae turning away as we did.
"That'll be $28.50," the person at the window said as I leaned forward, he sounded bored.
"Great, can we also add another $250 to that and pay for the next few people in line until it runs out," I asked, smiling as I held out the card to pay. They looked confused.
"You want to pay for yours and then $250 of other peoples?"
"Yes please, if you can make that work?"
"Well, yes, but, well. OK. Do you just want me to tell them their meal has been paid for?" He peered at me and I hoped the sunglasses I was wearing were enough to make my face non discript so he wouldn't really remember later what we looked like. It was an unusual request and likely to stick in his mind today.
"Yes, thank you, and that you hope they have a great day," I said, reaching for the card as he handed it back after ringing up the $278.50. He still looked confused and I wondered if he thought we were a little insane. "Have a nice day," I finished and we drove forward to collect our food as he mumbled something that sounded like thank you, you too.
Tae had his camera ready so as we grabbed our food and parked up he was already starting to film the car that pulled up behind us. There was a bit of commotion and we could see the person in the car reaching for their wallet and then the server holding up their hand to stop them, likely explaining. He couldn't see us from where we were parked to point us out and the people in the cars getting their surprise couldn't see inside our van if they suspected it was us as our windows were tinted. Tae was chuckling to himself, amused to be capturing it as the next five or six cars went through, all looking bewildered and then smiling and looking around. Sophia was talking through the whole thing as I helped her open her food and eat, tucking the toy away for now so it didn't get covered in her sticky fingers.
"Sorry, her voice will be in the video and now mine too I guess."
"That's OK, I was planning on putting music instead of the audio since we can't hear what they're all saying anyway."
The 7th car rolled up and I wondered how much longer the money would last, most being just one or two people in the car so far so not large orders. This one caught my attention as the passenger had their window down and was vibing to some music, a younger female wearing a purple bracelet, visible as her arm rested on the window ledge. My suspicion was cemented when I heard Dynamite coming from the music before they turned it down when the server started explaining to the driver so they could hear what he was saying. The car occupants looked at each other before smiling and then the passenger looked around, eyes settling on our van, eyes growing a little large, almost in recognition.
As they drove past us to leave, she raised the bag of food from her lap, like a salute, dipping her head in a small bow and even though the windows were tinted, I felt like she could see inside the van and knew it was us, making me think it might be time to leave. After they disappeared from view, I turned to Tae, starting the engine.
"I think that was the last of it, happy we did it?"
"That was fun," he replied, clicking off his phone and reaching for more of our own food, his own burgers now likely cold but he'd not wanted to eat until he'd filmed it all.
We quietly slipped out of the area as I thought of the purple bracelet person, smiling at the thought an ARMY could have been part of our moment. Hoping they kept it to themselves if they suspected anything. I didn't want the memory of our paying for people to be something to worry about and maybe it was just someone who liked to wear purple even though I could tell it wasn't the case.
Two hours later we stopped to stretch and get more petrol. Tae took Sophia's hand and went for a little walk while I filled up and paid. When they came back Sophia was holding a bunch of flowers and Tae had a cute look on his face.
"Do you have something for mama BugBug," he said, looking at me over her head.
She turned to look at him. "The flowers are for Sophia," she answered, holding them against her body. I smothered a smile behind my hand as he crouched next to her and whispered loud enough for me to hear.
"Remember, we got the flowers for mama?"
"Sophia buy the flowers."
"Yes you did BugBug, you had the money in your hand and gave it to the lady. Are the flowers for you not mama then?"
She nodded, leaning in to take a big sniff and he stood up, shrugging his shoulders at me. "It was meant to be a nice surprise," he said and I reached to squeeze his hand.
"You are the first man to buy her flowers, you set the bar high oppa," wanting to lean in to kiss his cheek but it was too exposed at the petrol station so I'd save it for later, stroking his hand instead before dropping it. "They're beautiful flowers Sophia, shall we put them in the van?"
"I'll be right back jagiya," Tae said, jogging off as I opened up the van, trying to think of the best place to keep them safe.
"We can't have them in the front Sophia, they will get squashed while we drive. But you can look at them again when we stop and we can put them in some water then OK?"
"I smell them now and then I put them down," she said, taking another sniff before handing them to me and I put that in the kitchen sink for later.
As I finished buckling her in her carseat in the front, Tae appeared behind me and rested his hand on my waist to let me know he was there. Climbing out to meet him, he was standing cutely in front of me, hand behind his back and I smiled at him. "What are you up to," I asked, taking in his shy expression and the lip he had tucked into his teeth.
"I didn't have any more money left with me," he said as he pulled his hand out to show me the small bunch of wildflowers he'd picked.
I stared without saying anything for a moment, tracing his face with my eyes. He constantly surprised me and it always made me feel a little overwhelmed. "I think I love these even more," I finally said, stepping forward to take them from him, taking his hand and leading him into the van.
As he stepped up and I closed the door behind him, enclosing us away from everyone, I placed a kiss on his cheek. "That's for these flowers," and I turned his face gently to the other side to kiss the other cheek. "And that's for the other flowers. I'm very, very fond of you oppa."
"I'd fill a whole house with flowers for you if you wanted me to," he replied, leaning for my lips.
"I know and this is more than enough," I said, the tiny, perfect bunch of wildflowers abandoned on the bench so I could accept his kiss, the depth of it rushing over me as I linked my arms around his body.
"Mama," Sophia called as we separated, "it's hot in here."
"It sure is," Tae replied under his breath as we drew apart and I gave him another quick peck on his cheek.
"OK baby girl, I'll be there shortly to turn the air conditioner on."
"When is the next stop," Tae asked as he held my hand a little longer, brushing his thumb across it, sending sparks, as always.
"In about 90 minutes, this place has a swimming pool and a hot tub."
"I'd be happy if it was just an empty field. You know I can be happy anywhere with you."
"Love you," I replied as we walked back around to our seats in the front.
"Love you too," he replied, kissing me over the top of Sophia's head.
"Love you too," Sophia's small voice echoed after him and we laughed as we drove away, the scent of perfect roses and freshly picked dandelions filling the van.
A/N This was short and I also wanted to add the next chapter in as it doesn't belong as a stand alone so double update today, stay turned for chapter 15 too :)
