Femme Fatale

Chapter 15: A Luxurious Trip

6th of August 1979, Monday 6am, Gimhae International Airport

One hour remaining before our flight to Massachusetts, and I’m still not ready to go back to the place where I ran off. Dr. Tranter helping me to calm my mind by not thinking of what happened 11 years ago at the beach in Cape Cod Bay. Aside from Hammond, none of my classmates know that I was born in North Eastham and lived there for 9 years, he’s keeping that secret for me as I keep his.

“Hey, you alright?” Hammond sits beside me “You look pale, we’re not staying for long in Massachusetts, you don’t have to worry.”

“Will you tell me anything, something that could make my mind off from bad memories.” trying to think of anything other than my mother’s death

“Uhm … have you seen the reporters outside the airport? Is there any celebrity departing from here?? There’s a bunch of people outside.” Hammond diverting my attention to something trivial “I’ve never seen a celebrity before even in Malaysia, do you think we could see one today???”

“Geez, they’re not here for a celebrity, they came here for Prof. Nevaeh, that man made himself famous after declaring his love for a woman drawn on the portrait he owned.” recalling my reaction when I watched his interview a week ago on TV “Can you believe it? He told the public that he’s going to marry the woman, I mean he didn’t even know anything about the person at all but he announced that she’s his future bride.”

“Oh, so that’s the rumor all about!” Hammond exclaimed “Everyone’s talking about that he falls in love at first sight with such beauty.”

“You just arrived the day before yesterday, right?” looking at him “Every female in Yeongdo-gu from youngsters to adults went to the capital with a chance of getting selected as his bride, there’s also a rumor that there will be a show that formally organized the process.”

“You’re kidding right?” Hammond looking at me in disbelief “A show to find his bride?? What’s that a kind of game show with a prize of marrying a Nevaeh??! That’s crazy, but it’ll be entertaining to watch that show, I wonder how it’ll goes.”

“I know right, is he going to marry someone who looks the same in his portrait? I don’t think the lady in that portrait will join the show anyway.” chuckles “I mean, why would she compete to impostors and be on a show that entertains the public? I don’t think she likes such competition.”

“What makes you think that everyone’s fake and the real one won’t show up?” Poseidon suddenly appear and sit on my right side

“When did Justin-samchon left?” found Dr. Tranter talking with other professors who’s taking care of their children

“Ah, I think I need to go to the toilet.” Hammond trying to run away from awkwardness as we got caught talking about the rumors

“Don’t you dare, leave me alone!” gritting my teeth while talking discretely with Hammond as I grip his arm

“I really need to pee, Nene, I’ll be back in a second.” Hammond brushed off my grasp to him and leave on his own

“I can’t believe you just abandon your best friend like this!!” screaming to him in low voice as I watch him go on his way

“Aren’t you going to answer my question?” Poseidon stretch out his arm at the back of my seat to get my attention “I want to know your opinion.”

“Hahaha …” laughing awkwardly “So, you overheard huh … well it’s just my intuition as a fellow lady, why would I go and prove myself to everyone?”

“Do you think the real one doesn’t like the idea of exposing herself too much?” Poseidon holding his chin with his right hand as he thinks deeply

“Even the idea of announcing to the public that you’re going to marry her, you’re so full of yourself to think that she’ll accept you right away.” I said

“And what makes you so certain that she does feel the same way as you do?” Poseidon staring at me

“Because I am …” my tongue almost slips and reveal him the truth “… a girl, we got this sense of connectivity that boys don’t have.”

“My sister told me it’s romantic but you’re saying the opposite.” stretching out his arms upward “Tell me Nene, what you dislike about me??”

“Are you seriously asking that question to me??!” looking at him in disbelief “What are you trying to do? What’s the point of asking me about it??”

“You’re the only one who’s not interested to me, so I’m quite comfortable talking and sitting right next to you without any fuss.” Poseidon replied

“Well that’s one, you think everyone likes you because you’re too confident of yourself.” sneering at him

“What’s not to like about me? I’m handsome, I’m smart, I’m rich, I’m totally perfect … I think it’s you who have a problem with the brain that you don’t know what you’re looking at.” Poseidon stand up “But it’s good to have someone who never flatters me, I just talk to you when I had enough of praises.”

“I know exactly what I’m looking at.” walked past right by him “A man who got everything but having an unrequited love, you should move on, she won’t show up to you, you never meant to see her in the first place.” walking towards Dr. Tranter

“You …” Poseidon chased me and grab my arm “What do you mean by the words you’ve said just now??!”

“Nothing.” taking his hand away from my arm “You said I only say bad things to you, so I’m messing up with you.”

“Sir, the plane is ready for boarding, you may proceed now.” flight attendant called Poseidon’s attention and saved me from trouble

“I understand, I’ll be right behind you.” Poseidon giving me one last cold stare before he walks away from me “Everyone, we may get on board now.”

“You made him furious just now, Nene.” Dr. Tranter approached me “But sooner or later he’ll realized that you know something, you gave away too much for him to think of, and his mind is full of thoughts at the moment.”

“Let him be, I can always take him on, why do I feel happy whenever I get him mad?” feeling light hearted as I walk towards the plane

Poseidon’s private plane is as big as the commercial plane for domestic flights but the interior is for first class. It has 100 reclining seats and very spacious aisles; every 10 seats are divided by glass dividers with golden waves design.

“Look how luxurious this plane is.” Hammond whispered to me “Are violet and gold, Prof. Nevaeh favorite colors?”

“I guess so, hey, don’t sit with me.” pushed him slightly away “You abandoned me earlier, remember?!”

“But I really went to the toilet and do my business, now I’m hungry because my stomach is empty.” Hammond rubbing his belly

“You told me you’re just going to pee, now you’re telling me you pooped??!” doubting his words as I glare at him

“Hey, you’re a girl you shouldn’t say that word even if it’s true.” covering my mouth with his hand “Did I wash my hand with soap?”

“Eww!” removed his hand from my mouth immediately “You’re so gross!!” hitting him with my hands “How could you cover my mouth with your filthy hand?! Don’t you know proper hygiene??!” chasing after him as he walks forward until we reached the last cluster “Hey, I’ll take the window seat!”

“Fine, I prefer the aisle seat anyway!” Hammond looking what’s in behind our seats “The pantry is right behind us, Nene.”

“Yeah, and the lavatory too.” sits on my chair “It’s been so long since I rode a plane but this feels so new to me.”

“I know what you mean, I never experience to be in the first-class seat before, though I just arrived two days ago via plane it feels like it’s my first time to fly too, how could someone have every best thing in the world??!” open his mouth in astonishment “If I were a girl, I’ll marry Prof. Nevaeh.”

“Pfft!” imagined Hammond as a girl “Here, put my shoal over your head.” helping him to have long hair “Hahaha, look yourself to the mirror!” handing him my small mirror “And pose like this.” holding back my laughter as I take my polaroid camera from my bag “Stay still, I’m taking a photo of you.”

“You have to pay me a modeling fee, even if we’re friends, I won’t give you free photos of me.” Hammond getting in to character

“Hahaha! Oh my god! You look so weird but funny at the same time!” trying to stay still to take his photo

“Hey, stop laughing at me, take the photo right now before I changed my mind!” Hammond holding back his laughter too

“Alright, don’t move!” focusing on the camera “I’m so gonna keep it Hammond!” suddenly speak in English as I clicked on the button of the camera

“It reminds me of how we talk to each other on our first year.” Hammond speaking in English “Do we have to go on like this, Nene??”

“Let’s stick with Korean language, and talk in English when necessary.” back to Korean language “Here, it’s done, shaking the photo paper.”

“I’m going to burn this photo.” Hammond took the photo from my hand “No one should see this alright?!” looking around cautiously but the front row already saw what we did “You guys see nothing!” glaring at the other boys who’s looking on our side

“I’m keeping it!” took the photo away when he’s not looking “I look at this photo whenever I’m feeling down.”

“Fine, I let you keep it, but I want you’re photo too, do the same thing as I did.” Hammond putting my shoal over my head “I think long hair suits you.”

“Why am I prettier this way?” looking myself through the mirror “Should I do the same pose too??”

“What prettier, when you’re not even pretty from the start?” Hammond said “Stop glaring at me, you’re scary, I don’t want a horrifying photo.”

“I’m going to beat you up after this.” pulling myself together as I project to the camera “Are you done?”

“Yes, let’s just wait for it to develop.” Hammond took out the photo paper from the camera “I really like this piece of new technology.”

“It’s coming out!” looking at my photo “Wow, Hammond you took my picture nicely, now you tell me I’m not pretty in this photo!”

“It’s just the lighting and right angle, stop flattering yourself.” Hammond looking at my photo with his arm span “Should I part-time as a photographer?”

“Who’s flattering himself now?!” I noticed Seaof coming on our way with Dr. Tranter

“Aren’t you two having so much fun here at the back?” Dr. Tranter sits on the chair at the aisle near Hammond’s chair “May I see?” took the photo

“Long hair suits you too, Nene.” Seaof commented as he takes a look at my photo with Dr. Tranter “This is a great photo of Nene, Hammond!”

“Thanks, Prof. Godeth, I didn’t know I have potential with photography too until today.” Hammond replied “Are you going to sit here with us?”

“Is there any problem if I sit here at the back with Justin?” Seaof asking him nicely

“No, nothing at all, I just thought that if you’re here, Prof. Nevaeh might come here too.” Hammond answered in a low voice

“Ah, I know what you mean.” Seaof smiles at him “Don’t worry, it’s just us, Don, always sits in front, he won’t sit here at the back.”

After a few minutes, we finally flew to the sky, the flight attendants served the breakfast within an hour as we got stable up high. We completed a day’s meals in the whole flight before we finally arrived in Massachusetts. Because of the 13 hours’ time difference, instead of arriving at night we landed back in the morning with jetlag.

“So here how it goes, students on the big bus with Dr. Tranter while us will be on the other bus, we’ll give you freedom for now as we go to the port.”

“Yes!” everyone screaming in happiness as there won’t be a single professor on our bus except for Dr. Tranter who isn’t on our department

“Their going to party throughout the transit.” Dr. Tranter whispered to me “If you could convince all the girls to sit in front, that would be nice.”

“I’ll try to persuade them.” I replied “I think this travel will be the noisiest travel I could ever have on the road.”

There are only 8 girls in the bus including me and 30 boys except for the driver and Dr. Tranter. I managed to convinced the other 7 to sit on the second and third row with me while Dr. Tranter sits at the back of the driver as he gets familiar with him while having their own conversation. As for the boys they’re really having fun at the back without any care in the world of how much noise pollution they create.

We arrived at the port after four hours travel from the airport. The cruise is so huge and everyone’s taking a photo with it as their background while we’re waiting for Seaof and others to arrive. Dr. Tranter and I took a solo picture with the cruise first before we took a picture of us, of course with Hammond as our photographer. Apparently, we’re not the only group who’s boarding the ship, there’s a lot of people already came in before us.

“Apologies for the wait.” Seaof gathered everyone immediately after their ride arrived 15 minutes after us “So, first as you may see, we’re not the only group cruising from America to Europe.” pointing at the people waving at the deck “This cruise has a maximum 10,000 passenger capacity and as for this trip there would be 6,081 occupying the lower deck and us in the upper deck are 625 with 302 crews on board, as for the Captain you’ll meet him when we get inside, so are you guys ready to get on board?!”

“Yes!” everyone exclaimed as we follow Seaof’s lead inside the cruise

“It’s my first time to be on a cruise ship, I’m so excited!” Hammond walking beside me as he can’t contain himself from happiness

“Yeah, me too.” having a mixed emotion while getting on board “Is this your first time too, Justin-samchon?”

“Maybe my ninth or tenth time, but this is the most luxurious cruise ship I’ve ever seen.” Dr. Tranter also in awe with the interior of the ship

“Alright, everyone, gather around!” Seaof said in a loud voice that gets everyone attention “I want you to group yourselves into two then come here in front to take your room keys after you signed this form, whenever you guys are ready just fall in line properly and let’s do it in orderly manner.”

“Ah sorry, Nene, I want to be in the same room with my boyfriend.” my only female classmate who got in, my friend since first year, my roommate in the dormitory, she chose her boyfriend over me “We could finally be in the same room for two straight weeks, please give me this chance.”

“What else can I do? Go ahead, I guess it’s boys comes first before friends to you.” looking at the six girls but they already in partners with each other “Does it mean, I have to share the room with a boy too?” saw Hammond also made a partner from our class then Dr. Tranter approached him

“What happened your girlfriend ditched you for her boyfriend?” Hammond walked towards me and Dr. Tranter just smiled at me as he walks away

“Yeah, she’s thinking of a honeymoon trip instead of just summer vacation.” sighs heavily “Aren’t you supposed to partner with Jang?”

“Yes, but if you don’t have one, then I supposed we’ll be roommates, on one condition.” Hammond giving me a serious look

“What condition do you want?” trying to figure out what he’s thinking about

“I don’t like a messy roommate, you’re a girl so you should know how to clean up your own space.” Hammond pointing his finger as if he’s scolding me

“But I’m pretty sure there’s room service here, so why should I bother to clean up my space?” holding his pointing finger

“So, I have to endure our filthy room until it gets cleaned with the room service??!” Hammond place his hands on his waists

“Fine, I’ll be neat and clean, satisfied??!” crossing my fingers at my back

“I’m telling you, Nene, I’m going to kick you out even at the middle of the night if you made our room a mess.” Hammond still lecturing me

“Can you do that to me?” acting cute in front of him “I thought we’re best of friends, will you kick me out because of my flaw? You’re not going to pity me if I sleep outside and get cold, are you really going to do it to me??!”

“Hey Nene, what are you doing?!” Hammond looking disgusted “Look what you’ve done, I’m having goosebumps right now.” showing his body hairs on arm

“Geez, how can it not work with you?!” disappointed “Alright, I’ll try my best not to mess up!” pushing him to fall in line “Are you really a man??”

“Do you really have to ask that even if you already saw me naked once?” Hammond blurted out one of my most embarrassment moment

“Will you shut your mouth?!” covered his mouth in a hurry “How could you say it as if it’s nothing?!”

“You two in one room??” Seaof looking at me and Hammond in a suspicious way

“It’s alright, Hammond is harmless towards Nene, even if you locked them up for a year in a room, nothing will happen.” Dr. Tranter taps Seaof shoulder

“What do you mean harmless, Hammond is still a man, they’re not kids anymore, Justin!” Seaof replied to Dr. Tranter all worried about us

“You let those two lovers in one room, but you can’t put these friends in the same state?” Dr. Tranter giving Seaof a meaningful look

“What Justin-samchon said is right, Prof. Godeth.” Hammond put my hand away from his mouth “Nene isn’t my type at all, she’s too skinny, I don’t like a walking bone and skin to be my girl, it’s me whom you should worry about, what if Nene climbed up on my bed at night?!”

“Yeah, I might do that … and put a pillow on your face until you can’t breathe anymore, you’re nothing compared to the boys I’ve met before.” I said

“Alright, you two signed the form and get out of here.” Dr. Tranter stopped us before we said too much with each other

“Who’s keeping the key between you two?” Seaof looking at me and Hammond but he’s almost handed me the key

“Oh no, that would be the biggest mistake you’ll do, she’s not organized with her things, I’ll take it.” Hammond take the key hastily “Justin-samchon duplicated a lot of keys to their house because Nene keep on losing it, to somewhere only she knows but can’t remember where she put it.”

“Really, Hammond?!” hits Hammond on his chest “Do you really have to tell it out loud?!” walked away towards our room number

Hammond follows me right away and apologized to me before I totally get upset at him. Well we’re like this most of the time, but we never had a serious fight before, because we completely understand each other like we’re real siblings even if we have different parents.

“I’ll take this bed beside the door; you go to that one near the window.” Hammond lay down to bed immediately after he take off his shoes

“Hey aren’t you going to change clothes or wash your face before you go to sleep??!” turned to him but his eyes were already closed “Sleepyhead!”

I put my things first in the closet and had everything all out from my luggage. It’s not true that I don’t know how to arrange things in order it’s just that each time passed by things are ended up to somewhere after I used them. I’m about to take my afternoon sleep too after I had a half bath when Dr. Tranter knocked on my door and invited me to have an afternoon tea with him before I sleep.

“That’s great your room is just across ours.” entered to his room “And you’ve got a queen-sized bed here, huh? What tea is it?” sniffing the aroma

“Rose tea, I want you to have a good sleep because you’ve been thinking a lot even though you’ve got distracted for a while.” Dr. Tranter gesturing me to sit on the chair “I’m afraid you’ll have a nightmare so I specially chose this room so I could be by your side whenever you need me, oh and by the way Seaof is occupying the room on the left of your room while Don is on the right side, so in other words the room on my left and right are occupied by the female students also the rooms by the hallway, the lovers are feeling lucky because they got a queen-sized bed too.”

“I see.” taking a sip of rose tea “I believe you brought some cookies, right? May I have some, it’s better to sleep with something to digest in.”

“Fine, but don’t eat everything alright?” Dr. Tranter taking out a jar of Danish cookies from his luggage “I only invited you for a tea not a snack.”

“How could you have an afternoon tea, without a snack at all?” opens the glass jar without hesitation “I saw you bought this from the store earlier.”

“Then I guessed it right.” Dr. Tranter read my mind “I’m not sure what to buy earlier because everything seems to be delicious.”

“Yeah, it reminds me of the time when I was waiting for mother to come to shore, we used to eat two cookies each and share with the remaining cookie by breaking it into half, I used to think that because mother swam a lot she needs energy to walk to our house.” wiping my tear that suddenly fall

“It’s a great memory, right?” Dr. Tranter drinking his tea “I’ve always wanted you to remember all the good things in your past and forget the bad.”

“Easier to say than done, I already killed 15 psychopaths but I never felt guilty from taking away their lives except for the one I didn’t mean to kill, every time I’m on a mission and see their crimes with my own eyes, I can’t help but get reminded of all the bad things in life, this world we live in …”

“A crazy world with crazy people, it’s normal right?” Dr. Tranter giving me a logic reasoning “Like negative multiply to another negative equals positive.”

“Here we go again, I’m not a psychology major, alright? Please tell me the exact words or make it simpler for me to understand.” complaining at him

“What I’m trying to say is we could turn all the bad things in life into something good with a right formula.” Dr. Tranter explained clearly

“Yeah, that’s why I’m fighting evil with evil to make it good, we saved lives, not only their victims but also their future victims, we prevent evil.”