Author notes: Now I introduce chaos and a bit of angst. Read, review, sip some chocolate, eat a good cookie, and enjoy! A bit of history and cultural exchange...with a kick (no pun intended).
Gusan-Dong, Seoul, South Korea, International Tranquility Academy - Spring, several weeks after the National ranking test
Sitting against the teacher's desk, Tecla enjoys the students debating the pros and cons of society's changes from Old Joseon to the now New Joseon.
"So, convince me why the mindset of the female role is different from the 1960s to 1990s Ms. Moobon."
One of this class's most spoken female students, Moobon Mi-Sook, takes a moment before responding, " Both genders are encouraged to be educated to ensure the next generation can work in the global market."
Ryeo Han Jun rolls his eyes, "That sound so rehearsed when we all know we are expected to get married and have at least one son to take care of the past generation." Many students nod their heads in agreement.
Watching their body language and facial expressions. Tecla leans toward the class with a prodding tone, "Again, why, ladies and gentlemen? Think on this…"
Suddenly the door opens, causing it to slam into the outside wall. A slim petite older female in an expensive-looking fuchsia suit and gold jewelry, waving a paper, storms into the class waving. "Jwa Kyung-Sam, how dare you only rank in the top ten percent!"
In the middle row, two seats back, a female wearing tortoise glasses flinches as she bows her head in embarrassment and shame. Her mother pulled some strings to get her test results a week early. Some students cringe at the woman's crudeness, and others are just surprised at the woman's ferocity. Seeing this, Tecla is instantly on alert and blocks the stranger from further entering the classroom. "I don't care what reason you have for interrupting my class. But if you wish to speak to a student, go to the office and have them called to the office as indicated in the school manual."
Stepping back, the woman sneers, looking at Tecla disgustedly, "I see the school's standard has fallen."
Calmly Tecla's body relaxes into a deceptively non-comparative stance, "And I see knock-offs brands have improved. Let me guess the discount rack in the back of the store." A male in a classic black suit with a white shirt and black tie steps to the door's threshold. Deciding she has had enough of this disruption, she gets into the woman's space, " But if the line is more than two seasons, I'm sure with your personality, a manager would give you a high discount just to get you out of their story. Now you need to leave this classroom."
Sporadic laughter spill from the students; using her height against the interloper, Tecla maneuvers the woman away from the front row of the class towards the door. "You don't know of me. I'm…" Tecla interrupts as she waves her hand before the woman, shooing her away, "Don't know, don't care, you have no hold over me. Begone, malevolent spirit."
Sputtering, the woman raises her hand to hit Tecla, not breaking eye contact with the man at the door. Tecla removes a small tessen from the small of her back, hooking the raised hand. With a twist, the woman's body involuntarily twists, facing the door. Following up with a not-so-subtle swift kick, the pink monstrosity stumbles through the open door into her possible backup threat to her class. As the two collide and fall to the floor, Tecla quickly closes the class door and engages the lock while barking orders. "Mr. Maeng, lock the back door, Ms. Nag, call the office. Everyone move to the back of the class."
The students quickly move. Some chatter as they show their video recordings while others stream. Kyung-Sam sits on the floor against the wall; two others join her, one on each side. They hug as the voices of a screeching female and placating male is heard from the hallway into multiple recording mobiles. Placing herself between the interior windows and the class, Tecla moves the window shade just enough to see the security guard, Mr. Hung speaking with the angry woman. Looking over her shoulder, checking over the students, Tecla notes the small huddle of students surrounding the girls yet ignoring their whispers. Opening her mobile, she triggers the lockdown alarm.
After school hours, Golden Lotus Auditorium
The remaining faculty staff all sit behind the folding table facing rightfully angry parents, demanding answers to the Emergency Alert broadcast.
Principal Sop sat in the middle of the attending faculty, Secretary Nu to her left, Chief of Security Mr. Hung, and Ms. Merchetti to her right.
Her placid expression didn't give away her displeasure at the age of sixty-three years, eldest of four, mother of three, widower, and Veteran. She had very little tolerance for tantrums, especially adult tantrums that disrupted her very orderly life.
Secretary Nu waves to the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen. Please let us explain the situation…"
The representative of the parents, Mr. Eoh, steps in from the sitting audience, "We are all concerned with the activation of the Emergency. There is a rumor a teacher got into a fight with a parent, and the students witnessed this." Many murmur their concerns as older students' parents share them with the other parents.
Fashionably late with the parchment of dramatics boarding on ridiculous, as shown this afternoon, the wailing flamingo burst into the auditorium. Some immediately recognize and woman and don't bother to hide their disdain.
Moving between the Secretary and the parents, she points towards Tecla, "I can't believe this woman didn't allow me to see my daughter. How doesn't she know who I am? Doesn't she understand where her place within this institution? A foreigner who can be sent back to her home country. That is if she even knows that! And the guard had the nerve to block me from entering the class. Telling me I had to go to the office to sign in. That old man needs to be replaced, and he couldn't… "
But the little social climbing chit needs to remember her place and what is considered proper social power.
Principal Sop wasn't impressed with the caterwauling or threats towards her staff. Disrespectfully the chit has her back to her, the matriarch of the leading family of this district. Rising from her chair, she opens a black, highly glossed tessen with a tiger symbol. Many former students, now parents, recognize punishment was to be dealt with. With a mere flick of her wrist, the fan is closed and slammed against the tabletop, creating a loud crack and making many jump. "That is enough Ri-Na. As for disparaging my staff, we all know what family you married into. I've known your mother since she was in diapers. Do you want me to speak on family standing?"
Ri-Na sits beside her assistant, somewhat chastised, but her temper or pride doesn't back down. As impulsive as ever, she points to a bored-looking Telca, "Well, this woman didn't let me speak to my daughter. I have every right!"
Principal Sop's glacial intimidating glare outmatches the spoiled wife's cold stare, leaning in a steely voice, "Firstly, b ecause you didn't go directly to the office by bypassing the Administration Building into the campus, the faculty couldn't contract Ms. Marchetti. Secondly, you and your cohort disrupted several classes with loud, unsettling remarks, putting all teachers on high alert. Thirdly, you and an unknown person entered a class without a proper escort. Causing to take the necessary precaution to protect her class. Now we are here to discuss the appropriate steps that will be taken."
Huffing, the entitled woman sneers, "That didn't give her the right to hit me, and I will go to the police after this!"
In shock, many jump up, pointing and yelling at the Ri-Na's defense. As the voices rise and the abuse against Tecla becomes worse. Everyone's mobile chime set off. Confused, many reach and open the school bulletin board app, and the newest thumbnail, 'Seon-Saegn-nim Marchetti, saves students.'
The parents watch the three-minute clip and then look Ri-Na as some sit in disbelief as others pull their spouse down.
Looking down her nose at all the parents, Principal Sop's voice barely contains her fury, "I take no further issues nor actions taken against ."
Looking at one another, many shake their head in a negative response as others glare at Ri-Na. It wasn't the first time she had made baseless accusations that caused problems at the school. Standing, Mr. Tu bows to Ms. Marchetti, "I can say on behalf of my family, Ms. Marchetti. My apologies, and thank you."
Surprising most of the audience, Telca stands, returning with a deep bow, "No, I thank you for allowing me to serve the children of South Korea."
Flicking her fan Principal Sop covers half her face, covering her lips as she smiles, thinking, 'Shrewd move.'
Goru-gu, Seoul, South Korea - Park Compound
Standing at 6'2, wide, muscular build, with olive skin, dark brown hair, and eyes, many mistake him for just a foot soldier. Instead, Divo is the team's technology guru, his mobile chimes as he takes a puff from his vape pen outside the compound's door. Watching the video, the corners of his lips slightly turn up. So she knows how to handle an unconventional weapon. Nice to know. Sending the video to their chat group, he waits for the eruption.
The_A_LisT: I told u she's a keeper! 😛
Like_T_Sweet: Good thing she hooked on to me
C_Note: Wait, what?! It didn't happen like that! The rest of Ya'll just like her for her cooking.
Gift_of_God: Andddd? When's little sis's next drop-off? I'm hungry
1_Deity: Seriously! Isn't there 3 pans of lasagna? and 4🍞 of garlic bread
Gift_of_God: so I'm a growin' boy
Like_T_Sweet: Ya know gluttony is a sin, right?
The_A_LisT: ! Who 8 the last of the sponge cake?!
Like_T_Sweet: sigh, spoiled shits
The guards of Park Kwan Tae grew up in the murky world of the mafia with deep ties to the Cassano family. The tightly knit cousins, Amico Rosetti, Ciro Russo, Mateo Lauro, and Divo Lauro, know certain absolute truths. No matter how well they execute with total obedience to La Familia, they can only rise to a certain status due to their mixed heritage. But the Lord has given them grace with this latest assignment, only seven years testing their loyalty to this man. The 'brother' of the Consigliere Vincenzo Cassano.
Over the years, they have seen the mere shadow of a man with his equally broken Italian recover from a deadly gunshot wound that should have broken many highly trained soldiers. Each man found steel within the very marrow of Kwan Tae's bones. The grueling three-year recovery and non-stop training showed them his resolve. Many atrocities he has witnessed over the years seem not to touch him as he has been through worse. His creative 'closure' of accounts speaks volumes of his need to exact karma or the slaying of his demons, showing them his precision and obedience to the cause. His total loyalty toward Vincenzo is returned with the same intensity. Now the man is a workhorse that strives to enrich the family that opened their arms and hearts to.
Now it seems the family is growing again…
Several weeks later - Beginning of Summer
A large group of skaters of all ages and skill sets glide down the Icheon Grand Park bike path. Some were in full safety gear, others in flashy clothes and no gear. Heading back and forth within the group clad in reflective gear and vest with matching bright yellow blinking wheel lights, Tecla weaves between the participants. Ensuring everyone is on track and safe. Encouraging and playful, her goal is to provide everyone with a peaceful memorial run. Slowing down, she allows others to pass. Sunset is beginning, and she wants everyone to meet tonight's goal to visit the lake for pictures.
Speeding up, she passes Mateo and his recording cams, Divo not far behind, trying to chat up a German expat. Rolling her eyes, she blows kisses towards Mateo's camera as she retraces her path through the crowd. She ensures the Satos stay together, corralling the older children to stick near the younger ones, all within the parents' eyesight. Soon the group is stretched, leaving significant gaps between the group. She recognizes Kwan Tae's Hockey Jersey and smiles as if he can feel her. He turns to face her. Skating backward, he gives a small wave. Just as she raises her hand in return, a motorcycle making a sharp turn slam into her.
