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Incheon

Paradise City was truly magnificent. At first glance, the beholder was rendered breathless by the enormity and splendor all around. It was better than the pictures; those did not come close to doing it justice. I hated that the convention was for only one day, on the bright side, we got to spend the entire day and night.

"Oh My!' Keziah exclaimed.

She was struck by the awe of this. It was apparent she didn't travel as much as I did. But even I had to concede to the fact this was certainly among my top ten and I hadn't even gone inside the hotel yet.

'I'm taking pictures everywhere. I'll give you the photo credit you deserve.'
That sounded suspiciously vague.

'David and Keziah have seen the place, now put in the address for the kennel.'

'What Kennel?'

I laughed. 'Seriously, the address.'

The smile on her face as she batted her long lashes spelled nothing but trouble.

'Keziah, they do not allow pets in their hotel.'

I guessed she must have not heard a single word I uttered.

'I've never left David on his own before, he'll be scared. I thought about it, he will have to come with us and so will Keziah the cat.'

'The hotel will throw us out. We won't even make it to the elevators.'

I was not considering actually going through with it. I was simply acting as the devil's advocate, still, I looked away from her pleading face to the front entrance of the hotel.

'Not if you help me.'

Why have I heard this before, I thought to myself.
'We aren't doing this Keziah.'

Again she ignored me and turned to the back seat and pulled out a bag. She had prepared for this moment.

'Baby we've been preparing for this moment. Make mama proud.'

My mouth continued to hang open. She had been preparing this. 'You never intended to take him to the kennel.'

"Of course not. He is my baby. Besides he has trained for this moment.'

'You have been training him to sneak into a hotel?'

She smiled at me.

'And work. And other places. You see why my plan is foolproof.'

'Keziah...'

'Can you trust those people to take care of them the way we would. And they are babies, they won't be able to tell us. Do you want that for Keziah?'

I still wasn't going to help her. This was insane. And at the conference? The repercussions, if we were found out, would be too much.

So, I was the distraction.

Keziah kept her cool knowing that in her large bag were two uninvented guests we were attempting to smuggle.

'Welcome, you are with the LC group?' the receptionist asked in perfect English.

'That is correct.'

She nodded at the bellhop who came running with the trolley.

'I'll keep this bag, it's fragile.' Keziah told him.

'We take pride in the way we handle our client's personal items.'

Keziah shifted her eyes to me. 'That is great. But I'd like to keep this close.'

'She liked to keep her expensive makeup and pieces of jewelry in there.'

I breezily stated to throw off any suspicions Keziah's prickly behavior might have raised.

'I completely understand.' The receptionist took some time entering information. My eyes unconsciously went to the bag in Keziah's hand.

The side of the bag shifted along with my heart. I was ready to retreat.

'Just a little more time baby, okay?'

Everyone looked up.

'I'm sorry I'm a little impatient. I get that way when I'm tired.'

'Oh, you two are together?'

I nodded. 'Yes. Why else would she call me baby.'

Keziah had no choice but to play along.

'I thank you for your patience, sir.'

Her demeanor changed and she made a few more clicks here and there then handed us the keys.

'Have a wonderful rest of your stay.'

We were on the last but one floor which meant a next to long elevator ride made much more stressful with the pets growing restless. I swear I heard KZ mewl. The busboy looked around and I smiled. 'I like watching cat videos.'

'Yes, he does. He's a cat person and I prefer dogs.'

That was followed by a puppy cry and then awkward silence.

'We have a kitten and a puppy.' I whipped around to her.

'But we left them in a Kennel, I missed them so much.'

I huffed. How much cash did I bring with me, I would have to tip this boy quite nicely.

No, it was not bribery. It was a tip with a friendly suggestion or favor attached to it. I knew this plan was doomed to fail. By the time we got to our rooms David, the dog was consistently pawing at the bag and crying for release.

Keziah darted into her room shutting the door behind her and she forgot her bags.

'You leave them with me, I'll get them to her.' I looked down at my room number. It was the same one.

'There must have been some kind of mix up, its the same room number?'

'Yes, sir. They are adjoining rooms.' The busboy replied in his native tongue.

At least there were two different doors going in. I took ou the tip money.

'Thank you.'

'Sir, this is a little too much.'

'That's because you kept quiet even when you found us out. And it is also an apology for the uncomfortable situation we are putting you in.'

He was a smart young man who immediately understood. The very reason that he didn't return us back to the lobby I am sure was trouble enough for him. He also clearly understood that besides the gratitude and apology, I was asking for his silence. At least I hope he understood perfectly. We would know by the end of tonight.

'A bloody adjoining room.' She didn't have to know.

I went to collect KZ and left out the door going through the unnecessary length of walking out the room into the hallway to use the other door.

                                                          ****

By now, to others, it would be getting old to say how stunning Keziah was dressed.

'I would now like to invite the consultants from Hartfield and Gold, to accept this token of our appreciation for a job well done. Mr. David Welsh and Miss Keziah Maureen Mills.'

The MC's voice almost didn't register in my brain. Keziah grabbed my ar, pleasantly surprised.

'Thank you, thank you all so much.' I fingered the crystal plaque once it was in my grasp.
'Had I known I was going to be acknowledged and ignored I would have tweaked my Korean just a little bit more.'

I heard Keziah's sweet giggle.
'I am truly honored for this recognition. However, I believe I shouldn't be the man speaking at this podium. More than me is the woman who's ideas made the outreach a success. Her ability to empathize with the community and delve in-depth to understand people made it all the success it is today. I'll like you all to show Miss Keziah Mills the welcome you have to me.
I looked over to invite the woman of the moment. She was genuinely shocked. Her steps were hesitant but she made it to the podium.

'David, I don't know what to say.'

She whispered to me.

'Just say thank you.'

I caught her hand as another idea took form. 'And don't forget to brag a little.'

We were in a room full of future partners and friends made sense to give her that advice. I just told her what I would have done in her situation

'I am truly at a loss for words.'

She turned to me, her eyes glistening with a fresh sheen.

'I am going to frame this, I kid you not. This means so much to me, to know that my work, that our work has made an impact in your society. It makes all those hours teaching myself hangeul and immersing myself in various cultures... '

I caught that humblebrag.

'Worthwhile. Thank you, Mr. Lee Chul, for allowing us this opportunity to lend a helping hand where it was needed. I hope to be like you when I grow up.'

That had the crowd laughing and applauding.

To only me, she mouthed 'Thank You.'

Keziah was approached by so many people that I didn't get the chance to be alone with her.

I loosened my necktie ready to fall into y bed. I eyed the present on my bed, maybe I should lave it at her door. But then someone might steal it. Keziah the cat sniffed around the present.

'That's not your, KZ.'

My phone vibrated in my breast pocket followed by a knock on my door.

I answered both at the same time meeting the caller at the door.

'Hey,' Her voice resounded in my ear, she glowed standing there with a bright smile on.

'Hey.' I replied.

' Were you going to bed?'

I yawned and nodded.

'Yes. I am a little beat.' I chuckled, 'Can we get off the phone?'

But Keziah kept talking.

'Why did you do that?'

'What did I do?'

'In front of everybody, why did you do it?'

I sighed, I knew exactly what she was asking. Why did I step aside and give her the spotlight? If it wasn't obvious then I must have not said it enough.

'Because it was past time that I stepped aside for you to spread your wings. You did everything right and I stand by my word that I could not have done any of this without you. Please, don't cry.'

Keziah the cat meowed reminding me.

I went over and grabbed the present I had wrapped for Keziah- the person.

'If Le Chul hadn't recognized your efforts, I planned on doing it all my own. I had a table reserved and all.'

She rapidly blinked, looking away and back when she had found composure.

' This was meant to be your day. Go back downstairs and enjoy all the attention. They are probably missing you.'

She twisted her lips, 'Alright then, goodnight.' I closed the door but didn't hang up just yet because she had one last thing to tell me.

'David, I was wrong about you.'

I smiled to myself.

Thirty minutes later there was another knock on my door.

'Room service.'

'KZ, did you order room service while I was in the shower?'

I was in only pajama pants when I opened the door, my shirt neatly laid on the bed.

'I'm sorry, I didn't order room-'

'Hey!'

Keziah's eyes popped open at the unexpected sight. For some inexplicable reason, I felt the need to puff my chest only a little. She suddenly came to herself and looked away.

'Put on some clothes and let's go.'

'Where?'

'You said you had a reservation.'

I shook my head, 'That was a while ago. It's over.'

'Then it's a good thing I ordered room service just in case. So in my room in five-ish. You don't have to change. And wear a shirt before you poke someone's eye out.'

Damn it she didn't see me flex my muscle at least KZ appreciated it. I managed to sneak KZ in with me.

A table was set beside the large glass windows with a view of the pool and fountain outside.

David the puppy trotted over, the attention lover. I made sure to pet him enough times so he didn't feel unloved. Then he and KZ went to play in the little station Keziah had set up for them in the bathroom.

'I love this place. Good food, good wine.'

She poured another glass for herself.

'I know. I should bring your mother here sometime.'

She laughed. 'I'll end you, and then pass your body on to my dad.'

Have I mentioned how much I loved the way her entire face transforms when she laughs? The sound forces a response from me all the time.

'God, you're beautiful.'

Her smile slowly faded. I made her feel awkward.

She touched her glasses and her bare skin. Sh only wore an oversized T-shirt with a pink panda on the front with striped pajama shorts and fuzzy pink slippers with panda ears. And still, she looked so ravishing and enthralling.

'Uhm.. thank... David why did you have to say it like that.'

She began fanning her face. I gently took her hand.

It could have been the wine, or the mood set by the scene outside the window, or any factor of things, maybe nothing at all even. I just knew that if I didn't do it tonight, right now, I would live to regret it all for the rest of my life.

She didn't stop my hand when it snaked around her waist, she didn't push me away as I got closer. All signal I understood or gladly misunderstood.

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