Though they weren’t in the habit of seeing each other often, the idea of her mother starting a new family made Heesoo feel like she would truly become a stranger to her.
It was as if she would be alone in this world, which saddened her.
After all, even if Heesoo disliked her, she was still her mother.
Eventually, having become a designer at a famous hair salon in Cheongdam-dong at the young age of 28, she decided to quit her job.
Achieving her dream didn’t mean she had achieved everything.
Success didn’t bring happiness.
She always felt a pang of sorrow near the holiday seasons and New Year.
Seeing others living together with their family or lovers made her own life seem desolate.
Even though she had saved up quite a bit of money, she felt incredibly lonely.
When she ended up losing herself inside a deep spiral of depression, people suggested she take a trip.
They said it would help her discover a new self and change her life.
‘Yeah, they’re right.
I really should go on a trip…
Maybe to the United States?’
Having saved up a fair amount of money, she was keen on visiting several cities if possible.
Thus, she traveled around the United States, from San Francisco to Boston, spanning the West Coast to the East Coast.
The trip was full of all kinds of pleasant and joyful moments.
Having experienced things she had only seen on TV, Heesoo resolved to change her plans.
‘Heck with it.
Let’s go to Europe!‘
Since she would have to return to work after the trip, she decided to make the most of her time and money.
With the decision finally made, Heesoo boarded a plane from Miami to Paris.
Unfortunately, that was the beginning of a series of chaos that engulfed her life. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
* * *
Not long after eating her in-flight meal and while writing in her travel journal, she was interrupted by a stranger.
“Excuse me, could I borrow a pen?”
A foreigner with an easygoing look sitting next to her asked for a pen.
Heesoo thought to herself that if she had gone to college, she would have majored in English literature.
She liked English so much that she quickly became fluent, having no trouble at all in communicating.
“I’m Alex.
And you?”
“Heesoo.”
“Chinese?”
“No, I’m Korean.”
After a brief introduction and feeling full from their earlier meal, they both considered it a good time to get some sleep.
However, he then carefully woke her up.
“I know this might sound silly, but….”
“What?
What sounds silly?”
“I’m a bit worried about something.”
“What is it?”
After initiating the conversation, he hesitated, which was out of character for him.
“It’s… the Bermuda Triangle.”
Heesoo, lying back with her neck pillow, sat up quickly.
The Bermuda Triangle.
That wasn’t something she had thought about, but it wasn’t entirely unrelated.
The plane was currently flying over it.
“I’ve thought about it. What if all those people who disappeared near the Bermuda Triangle went to another world? What would it be like there?”
Heesoo turned to look out at the vast ocean.
The plane, which should have been above the clouds, was inexplicably close to the sea.
Seeing her serious expression, the foreigner added,
“Don’t worry. It’s just a story to scare people.”
He laughed off the tension and reclined his seat to close his eyes.
“Nothing bad will happen.”
Heesoo felt even stranger after hearing that.
It seemed as though they could be sucked in at any moment.
“…No, that can’t happen.”
Heesoo shook her head to dispel the ridiculous thought.
Plane accidents are far less likely than car accidents.
Besides, the mysteries of Bermuda were nothing more than a conspiration theory.
The area saw many accidents because it was one of the most trafficked shipping lanes.
The so-called secrets of Bermuda were likely a series of tall tales based on sick jokes and coincidences.
‘Let’s just get some sleep.‘
Soon, she would arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
Trying to comfort herself with that thought, Heesoo closed her eyes.
But due to her unease, sleep eluded her.
Eventually, she started flipping through the airline magazine and fixed her gaze on the duty-free products.
“Christmas Lucky Silver Set.”
A necklace, ring, and bracelet made up the three-piece set.
Perhaps because it was a flight to Europe, despite the fact that the product was from a well-known brand, the price was surprisingly affordable.
[For Your Happy and Lucky Christmas!]
Although the price was appealing, it didn’t particularly catch her interest.
However, the word ‘lucky’ somehow caught her eye.
It wasn’t a premonition of good luck but rather a sense that it might ward off impending misfortune.
Maybe it was because she was feeling down, but her mind was filled with ominous feelings and bad thoughts.
‘Should I buy it?’
On impulse, Heesoo bought the Lucky Silver Set.
The flight attendant repeated the name ‘Lucky Silver Set’ several times during the purchase, which was a bit embarrassing.