This reminded me of the first day at the interview with Mr. Crow, the way we sat across from each other the hall in the office. Like then, I was trying to avoid eye contact. Unlike then, I was failing because my eyes decided not to obey my instructions not to look at her. So what if this could be the last time in a long time I get to see her, but it was whatever, I couldn't give a damn. From my stolen glances, Keziah looked nervous which piqued my curiosity and inadvertently made me a little nervous.

'Ms. Mills.' A man in a chauffeur's uniform stepped through the doors.

'When you are ready.' She graciously stood handing her purse to the driver who took it and then led the way. I noticed she hesitated at the door and took what little solace I could from it trying to disregard her inability to utter a word of farewell, after all, we've been through. The feeling of disappointment lingered even after my ride arrived. I honestly hoped Keziah would have challenged herself a little more.

Two hours and some odd minutes later, I was picked up from Seoul train station and taken to Seoul Grand Park Campgrounds. I only took the small duffle I packed for the three-day retreat.

'Please make sure all my bags reach my room, I'd hate it if we had a problem.' I smiled at the end to lighten the weight of my words. I pulled up the sleeves of my sun blocking jacket, the light material allowed my body to be cooled by the nice woodsy breeze. I would soon find that the breeze was not a rare blessing like it would be in the city. As I stepped over roots and aunt molds in my Adidas shoes, I took note of the tents set up in a circular shape.

'Mr.David Welsh, welcome.' The young woman dressed in a white t-shirt and khaki shorts with a name tag.
'We are glad you were finally able to make it.'
She proceeded to show me around. The tents were a little further from the pop-up cantina. It would be a good walk back to the tents.
It was a beautiful scene, if he was being completely honest: the trees, the ambiance, the new faces.
A hurrying guide caught my attention and I absentmindedly followed her as she picked up her pace to meet the new arrival.
Just as I started to turn away, I immediately looked back and caught Keziah exiting the car with a duffle bag and a few store bags in her hands.
I smiled.
Correct, I grinned widely and I attributed the feeling to seeing a familiar face at the retreat.
I followed them to the red and black tent at the farther end of the little circle. She was at least three tents away from mine counting from the men's section.
'I hope I have satisfied all your questions and concerns?' The guide asked me at the end of the tour.

'Yes, thank you.' I replied still smiling.

'The first game is scheduled to begin in half an hour, please participate.'

I believed myself to be a very honest man and so I would admit this in all honesty; I wanted to seek out Keziah.
Just to ask her why she changed her mind, or if she thought she wouldn't be working with me or something.
However, restraint was a much cooler color on me. We would meet at the meeting grounds where the games would be held.
Yes, I wouldn't want to ruin her surprise either.
I virtually skipped to my tent humming to a tune and relax for the next half hour. Mingling can ensue during and after the games. For the moment, I needed my strength because this might be fun and games to some of these people, but like I said before, I hate to lose.

At twenty-five, I wasn't scared of smile lines or wrinkles but that smile from earlier threatened the smile lines since it refused to fall. It got even wider when Keziah registered surprise on her face after locating me across the large clearing.
She seemed to greet every individual and they were about thirty on the ground before finally reaching me.

'Welsh.' Her voice sounded tight.

'Mills, always a pleasure.'

Once everyone was gathered the ball was set.
'All these games are just for fun, so friendly competition. There are no grand rewards so please have fun.'
The coordinator introduced himself as
Hwang Geum-sik, the human resource manager for LC headquarters in Seoul, he was a big deal.
An opportunity to market myself had presented itself, recognizing it was the easy part, however, manipulating it to my favor would be much difficult. Here, being an ungracious loser might hurt the image I was trying to portray. An image I wasn't even sure of yet but I was sure a sore loser was not apart of it.

'You will be split into five groups, no group will remain the same. So we can all work together.' Mr. Hwang spoke.
'Team members will be chosen at random.'
The guides approached us, it was part of the arrangement it seemed.

'These ladies will separate each of you by numbers.'
Keziah and I were placed in different groups which was a good and a bad thing.
Every member quickly found their group in a logical fashion and I found I was the only male in my group. How the hell did that happen?
'The first game is the three-legged race. Groups you will choose two people to participate in this game. Please choose wisely.'

The groups used this opportunity to make short introductions and then asked for volunteers.
I do not say this to shame anyone, I swear, but half the women in my group all looked as though they could be blown away by a breeze in their tight clothes. And all of them would rather do something else than run.
So I quickly volunteered myself for the race and waited for a brave participant to step forward as well.
To my surprise, well not really... they were all very eager to run with me. The decision was tough but I eventually chose Chae Hyejin. From our brief introductions, she came of us very down to earth and a team player. She also didn't look like she was afraid to eat an entire bowl of japchae.

'Are we ready?' Mr. Hwang asked.
And all the participants stepped forward.
I nearly balked seeing Keziah step forward with her male partner.
I didn't see her as someone who'd do this.

'What?' She mouthed when she caught me staring.
'Nothing.' I replied in the same way.
I would be making no complaints my team was totally going to win this one. Yes, it was just for fun but Keziah was playing so naturally, I felt the competitive urge to beat her.
Hyejin and I went over the plan and agreed it would be better if I led. We were off at the order of the coordinator.
The thing about the three-legged race was teamwork. You and your partner needed to find a synchronization and go with it.
Our dominant legs were tied together and that's what we had to lead with.
We held on to each other as I coached her and cheered her on. Whenever she faltered I tightened my grip and kept her upward.
It was like that until we reached the finish line.
We won! Ha! Our group immediately swarmed about jumping in victory, however, their reaction wasn't what I was anticipating.
I turned to enjoy the look of defeat on Keziah's face and met a glowing face and the sound of her infectious laughter which had her partner smiling like an imbecile while as they happily worked together in getting third place.
They gave themselves high-fives and were also swarmed by their group who were just as excited as mine- as if they'd won first place.
I was getting nods of respect, left and right and not once did she bother to look in my direction but I still wasn't feeling like I'd won.
The least she could do was congratulate me or at least acknowledge the defeat.
I waited for the moment she was alone and approached her.
'Third place, looks good on you. But I think the first place would have given you a better glow.'
Before the judgments get tossed my way, I need to say this in my defense, I did not know why I said that or what I was thinking.

'I thought so too. But I'm not going to make this all about winning.' She sounded like the better person making me feel petty.
I didn't like feeling petty.

'I'm not making this all about winning. I just thought we could carry a little inside competition. A friendly one of course, between two non-friends.'

'So that will be best two out of three then?'
The coordinator took to the stand.

'All that running and cheering must have made someone hungry, right?' He laughed. 'Well don't worry because the next challenge is a food eating challenge.' This got mixed reactions from the group as a whole.
'Choose your players in the next five minutes please.'

'Yes,' I answered. 'Best two out of three.'
When Keziah didn't step forward for this challenge, I had to wonder if I wanted to be the one downing endless bowls of udon down my throat. However, if I wanted to win, I had to do this myself.

'Previous participants in the first race cannot participate in this challenge. We want everyone to have an equal opportunity.'
The decision was made for me. We picked a reluctant volunteer who came in last place while Keziah's group came in first.

'We have come to the end of today's challenges. Please make your way toward the cantina.'
Everyone was in awesome spirits except the people who were sore losers, like myself.

'This is really going to be a close one.' She casually commented as she walked by with her team.

****
The aroma of grilled meat and food being roasted by the fireside was delicious but my belly refused to indulge in any of those delights. Not unless I decided to empty it out along with my mind's restraints.
I downed a bitter shot of soju and looked up to find Keziah doing the same.
We glared at each other from across the table. She poured another glass and drank it and I did the same. It was the silent declaration of another competition, obviously, neither of us were thinking clearly. I knew her threshold was five bottles by the sixth she'd be lying down on her face and I would be victorious an easy victory.

'Just give up.' She slurred slamming her hands in the table scaring the crew of individuals who couldn't make it to their rooms and decided to sleep where they sat.
The others had returned to their rooms leaving Keziah and me to finish our unannounced competition.
I could have miscounted in my drunken state, but I saw about forty bottles on the table, why wasn't she down already.
'You give up.'
I managed to rouse the sleepers again with my loud voice.

'No.' She grabbed another bottle and when she tilted it she found that it was empty.
I experienced the same thing. We needed another bottle I quickly got up and my stomach got up with me along with every other organ in my body. I immediately sat back down, okay so maybe later I'd get them.
Learning from my mistake. Keziah stood slowly and stepped over the bench with unsteady legs.

'First person to reach the rooms wins everything.' I wasn't sure what everything was, most likely it was a winner takes all situation.
'Deal.'
Trust and believe that running drunk is fun and very stupid. We couldn't keep a straight line to save our lives or keep running. Honestly, we were jogging rather than running and we stopped every few seconds to get our bearings.
'Oh no.' I turned to Keziah who was limping back to get her shoe.
'Wait, I lost my shoe.' She complained walking right past it.
I sighed, this could be an easy win, I could keep going but she looked so lost. I had to help her.
After several tries, I was finally able to grab the shoe.
'Look I found it.'
She clapped her hands in joy.
'I don't want to put it on.' She said refusing to take it from my hand.

'Why?'

'I don't t like it.' She replied crossing her hands and pouting.
'Your loss then you're going to lose.' I laughed turning away.

'No. My feet hurt.'
She jumped into my back nearly toppling both of us over.

'What are you doing?'

'Carry me the rest of the way. Please.' She begged when I refused to budge.

'No. No, I won't, you're heavy.'

'No, I'm not. David, just carry me.' She whined until I caved.

'Okay. But you have to promise not to joke about puking.'

She nodded crossing her heart. 'I promise. Now let's go.'

I froze when she made the gagging sound nearly dropping her.
'I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I swear this is the last time.'

I laughed with her. And true to her word she didn't gag again until we reached the front of the building.

'Thank you, kind sir.'
Then she placed an innocent peck on my neck that sent my heart fluttering. My feet buckled under the onslaught of emotions so I set her down.
'What was that?' my voice suddenly holding a slight treble.
'That was 'Gotcha sucker kiss.' Because I won.'

'No. It's another tie.'

She hit me with potent puppy eyes crippling my will*. The alcohol had a lot to do with my weakness.
'Fine.'

'And this is a thank you kiss.'
I received another kiss, this time on my cheek.
I looked down at her smiling face and lost it for a moment. Lost what?
It.
I just lost it.

My mind, my brain, my senses, something. I would blame soju for what I did next.
Before I knew what I was doing, I gathered her in a tight hug and began stroking her hair.
'You confuse me a lot. I don't want to but I constantly find myself thinking about you and caring about you and I'm sorry, I know you said you don't like it when I do.' I sighed.
'But I'm working on it.'

She rubbed my back in response and it felt very nice.
'It's okay David, I'm working on it too.'