Hyun-Hee had enjoyed the conversation she had with her mother earlier at the time it seemed to answer several questions that she had about her life. Questions that somehow seemed to resurface during the afternoon. She had no idea as to why she couldn’t shake these thoughts no matter how hard she tried.
As the afternoon wore on, Hyun-Hee found herself back in her hotel room, a sanctuary of sorts where she could momentarily escape the turbulence of her thoughts. However as she closed the door to her room leaving the two members of her security detail outside, she noticed a small, nondescript envelope on the bedside table, its presence unsettling her. With hesitant hands, she opened it and found a passport inside. Her heart skipped a beat as she flipped it open.
“왜 내 얼굴이지, 그녀의 얼굴이 아니고?” (Why does it have my face on it and not hers?) she murmured to herself, confusion clouding her mind. The passport bore her current photograph the information contained inside reflected the details of her life as a member of Peace Blossom.
But then again, why shouldn't it be hers? It was her face, her name. She shook her head, trying to dispel the disconcerting thoughts. She needed clarity, she and the girls had a show that evening and she knew exactly who could provide it.
“나는 발레리와 이야기해야 해. 그녀는 무슨 일이 일어나고 있는지 알 것이다.” (I need to talk to Valerie. She will know what is happening.) she thought to herself.
Reaching for the room phone, she dialed the reception. “발레리를 만나고 싶어요. 네, 영국에서 온 여자를요. 가능한 빨리 만나고 싶습니다.” (I want to see Valerie. Yes, the woman from England. I would like to see her as soon as possible.)
Her voice was calm but firm, every word she hoped would bring her a step closer to unraveling the confusion that seemed to be part of her life currently She awaited Valerie’s arrival, hoping for answers to the questions that had been plaguing her mind.
Meanwhile …
Val had left the hotel a short time ago to have a walk around the city. She knew that she would shortly be leaving Korea for what might be the last time. So she decided to do the whole tourist thing. There were parts of Incheon that she had yet to see and due to her recent activities she may never get the chance to.
She stopped at the Hyeungryunsa Temple. A vibrantly colored and intricately detailed Korean temple structure, adorned with traditional paintings and carvings, stands serenely amidst a landscape of lush greenery and imposing rocks.
The structure is the central focus, painted in rich, warm tones of dark green, brown, and gold. The roof is sharply peaked, typical of East Asian architecture, with multiple layered eaves adorned by intricate, colorful wood carvings. These carvings depict stylized dragons, phoenixes, and floral patterns, showcasing the mastery of traditional craftsmanship.
The walls of the pavilion were decorated with several rectangular panels displaying traditional Korean landscape paintings. These scenes portray mountains, trees, and figures, in a style that suggests a blend of realism and stylized representation. Vertical green doors, featuring intricate glass or painted designs, further enhance the beauty of the structure.
When Val had last visited a temple back when she had been Gi she had been left feeling as if she had visited a part of heaven on Earth despite what her parents had told her. Now however she saw the architecture for what it was a beautiful building rather than anything spiritual. She never knew that Holly had known so much about architecture before. If she had known she would have asked her what she thought about some of the buildings in Korea. Well, now Holly, or was that Hyun-Hee now would have all the time she needed to look at them. Val thought as she continued her walk around the town. She knew that she had to make sure that she had packed everything before she left tonight.
Not long now she thought until she said goodbye to Korea, the only country that she had ever known.
