The convoy drove through Vancouver as the afternoon sun dipped lower across the skyline.
Ji-Ah couldn't decide where to look.
Every street seemed cleaner than the last.
Tall glass buildings reflected the mountains in the distance.
People walked with steaming cups of coffee despite the cold.
Cyclists rode past in thick jackets.
The sidewalks were lined with trees whose leaves had begun changing into shades of orange, gold, and crimson.
It almost looked painted.
Yoo-Na pressed her forehead against the window. "...Why does everything look expensive?"
Marcus, who sat in the front passenger seat, chuckled. "Welcome to Vancouver."
"It even feels expensive."
Min-Hyuk looked out his own window. "I could get used to this."
Seo-Yeon smiled. "You've been here for twenty minutes."
"I'm adapting quickly."
Meanwhile... Inside the first SUV... Min-Ji sat quietly beside Ha-Joon.
She glanced at him once. "You've been here before."
"Several times."
"For work?"
He nodded. "Our company has projects here."
"Do you like Vancouver?"
He looked out at the passing streets. "It's quiet."
"You like quiet."
"I do."
She smiled softly. "I thought so."
Their conversation wasn't long.
Nor was it awkward.
Simply... peaceful.
Almost forty minutes later...
The two vehicles slowly pulled beneath the covered entrance of one of Vancouver's most luxurious hotels.
Golden lights glowed warmly beneath the glass canopy.
Uniformed hotel staff immediately stepped forward.
One opened each car door.
Another began unloading luggage.
A concierge bowed politely. "Welcome."
Ji-Ah stepped out first from the second SUV.
She looked up.
Then... Kept looking.
The hotel tower disappeared into the sky. "...We're staying here?"
Yoo-Na followed her gaze. "...I don't even think I'm dressed expensive enough to look at this building."
Min-Hyuk nodded. "The doors alone look richer than me."
The revolving glass doors carried them inside.
Ji-Ah's mouth slowly opened. The lobby was breathtaking.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead like hanging stars. Fresh flowers decorated nearly every table.
A grand piano rested near a fireplace where someone quietly played soft jazz.
The marble floor reflected every light above it.
A fountain flowed gently in the very center of the lobby.
The air smelled faintly of cedarwood and fresh lilies.
Ji-Ah looked around in complete disbelief. "...People actually live like this?"
Yoo-Na whispered, "I accidentally stood too confidently."
"You were walking normally."
"I know."
"It felt illegal."
The receptionist greeted them with a bright smile. "Welcome to the Fairmont Pacific Rim, Mr. Kim."
Ji-Ah blinked. "...They know him."
Min-Hyuk leaned toward her. "They know his wallet."
She snorted, covering her mouth.
Ha-Joon calmly stepped forward. "Reservation under Kim."
The receptionist typed for only a few seconds before smiling again. "Everything has already been prepared."
Ji-Ah narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "...Already?"
The receptionist nodded happily. "Mrs. Kim contacted us several weeks ago."
Ji-Ah slowly looked upward.
As if Madam might somehow be hiding inside the ceiling. "...That woman..."
Yoo-Na folded her arms. "What?"
Ji-Ah whispered dramatically, "...She plans vacations the way generals plan wars."
Yoo-Na nodded seriously. "She's terrifying."
The receptionist continued. "We've upgraded several of the rooms per Mrs. Kim's request."
Ji-Ah blinked. "Of course she did."
Ha-Joon sighed almost invisibly. "...Mother."
Even he looked unsurprised.
The receptionist handed over a stack of elegant key cards.
"Mr. Kim..." She pointed politely. "Your executive suite."
Ha-Joon accepted it. "Thank you."
"The adjoining executive suite has been prepared for Miss Min-Ji."
Min-Ji smiled politely. "Thank you very much."
"Mr. Kim Min-Hyuk and Miss Seo-Yeon..." She handed over another card. "A deluxe king suite."
Min-Hyuk looked delighted. "One room."
Seo-Yeon looked at him. "We're engaged."
"I know."
"I'm still celebrating."
She laughed softly.
Another card. "Miss Park Ji-Ah."
Ji-Ah accepted it carefully. "...This is mine?"
"Yes."
"A whole room?"
"Yes."
"...For just me?"
The receptionist blinked. "...Yes?"
Ji-Ah looked genuinely confused. "I've never stayed in a hotel before."
Min-Hyuk smiled. "Try not to adopt the furniture."
"I'll consider it."
"Hea-In."
Another room. "Yoo-Na."
Another room.
Everyone had their own accommodations.
Except, naturally...
Min-Hyuk and Seo-Yeon.
Ji-Ah quietly looked at the collection of room cards.
Madam definitely planned this.
Of course she did.
Woman...
Please let your son breathe.
She imagined Madam somewhere back in Seoul proudly arranging room assignments like a chess master.
She almost laughed.
Bellhops wheeled their luggage toward the elevators.
The elevator itself had glass walls overlooking part of the city.
As they rose higher... The streets below became smaller.
The harbor came into view. Ships floated quietly across the water. Mountains stood beyond everything else.
Ji-Ah pressed closer to the glass. "We're so high."
Yoo-Na refused to look outside. "I'm pretending this elevator has no windows."
The doors opened onto the executive floor.
Soft carpets muffled every footstep. Everything was quiet. Elegant.
Almost too elegant.
One by one, everyone found their rooms.
Ji-Ah slid her card into the lock.
The light turned green.
Click.
She slowly pushed the door open.
She walked inside.
A king-sized bed sat beside enormous floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking downtown Vancouver.
A small living area rested near a fireplace.
Fresh fruit waited on the table.
A handwritten welcome note.
Fresh flowers.
A balcony.
The bathroom looked larger than her bedroom back home.
She walked farther inside.
Then turned slowly. "...Can I legally sleep here?"
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
She opened the door.
Ha-Joon stood outside.
Everyone else had gathered in the hallway too.
Min-Hyuk was already leaning against the wall eating complimentary chocolate. "I found snacks."
Seo-Yeon sighed. "You've been here three minutes."
"I work efficiently."
Ha-Joon looked around at everyone. "Before you disappear..."
Everyone turned toward him.
His voice returned to its usual calm professionalism. "We have no meetings today."
Collective relief.
"However..."
Min-Hyuk groaned dramatically. "I knew there'd be a however."
Ha-Joon ignored him.
"Tomorrow morning..." He looked at each of them. "...We're taking the day to explore Vancouver."
Ji-Ah's eyes immediately lit up. "...Really?"
He nodded. "You've all travelled a long way. We'll begin work afterward. So tomorrow..."
He paused. "...Enjoy yourselves."
For a moment...
Nobody spoke.
Then Ji-Ah suddenly smiled so brightly it almost surprised everyone. "A tour?"
She looked at Yoo-Na. "Did you hear that?"
Yoo-Na nodded. "I heard shopping."
"I heard sightseeing."
"I heard coffee."
"I heard maple syrup."
"I heard sleeping until breakfast."
Min-Hyuk raised his hand. "I heard food."
Seo-Yeon smiled. "That's because you're always hungry."
"I prefer 'consistently motivated.'"
Laughter spread easily through the hallway.
Even Hea-In smiled.
Even Min-Ji managed a small laugh.
Ha-Joon watched them quietly.
The corners of his lips lifted just enough to be noticed by Ji-Ah.
She caught it immediately. "...You smiled."
"I did."
"You admitted it."
"I didn't."
"You literally smiled."
"I disagree."
She laughed.
"You can't disagree with your own face."
Min-Hyuk nodded enthusiastically. "I witnessed the smile too."
Seo-Yeon added, "It lasted almost two whole seconds."
Ha-Joon looked at all of them with practiced patience. "...Go unpack."
"He's embarrassed," Ji-Ah whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"I am not."
"You absolutely are."
"I'll see everyone at breakfast."
He turned before anyone could tease him further and walked calmly toward his suite.
The moment he disappeared around the corner, Ji-Ah grinned to herself.
Canada had been everything she imagined already.
And tomorrow...
She was finally going to explore it. Unknown to the cheerful group, Min-Ji quietly closed the door to her own room with a thoughtful smile.
She had not forgotten the video hidden safely on her phone.
Nor the message she had already arranged before leaving Korea.
Vancouver was beautiful.
But for her...
It was also the perfect place to begin the next stage of her plan.