"Yeah, I just gave my keys to the valet"

"Okay, are you sure you'll be alright by yourself?" Seokjin asked, I could hear the worry in his voice even though he did a good job at keeping it steady

"Positive. I'll see you in a week, you know the rules"

"Yes, I know, do not call or text unless it's a dire emergency, we all know to leave you alone" he rolled his eyes "We'll check in on mom for you so just focus on you"

"Thank you Jin, I'm about to check in so I love you and I'll talk to you soon"

"Bye baby, I love you too" As soon as I hung up with him, I got a slew of messages in the group chat from the rest of my mates telling me that they love me and will miss me. I sent seven kissing faces with hearts and put my phone on do not disturb.

I check into the hotel and drag my suitcase down the hall to the Namsan Pool premier suite of the Banyan Tree Club and Spa in Seoul. Once I'm inside the room I leave my stuff near the door and take a tour. It's a lovely space with a pool in the room, the view from the extra-large windows is beautiful and serene, exactly what I wanted and needed. The last two months were hectic as shit, the events that took place on their month-long vacation were enough to send any normal person running for the hills, but my resilient ass managed to power through.

After finding out my mom was alive, she spent another week at Dr. Moon's facility for more testing and to start her rehab. Although her mental faculties were intact, her physical form was not in great shape. She developed atrophy due to not using her limbs for 12 years and would have to learn to walk again and build her upper body strength, as if she was a baby. We, meaning me, my mom, Mi-kyung and my siblings, agreed it was best for her to go home with them where her soulmate could take care of her and aid in her recovery, and for them to strengthen their bond.

Dr. Moon and his partner, Dr. Lee came to the conclusion that Mi-kyung's episode was caused by my mother's waking and that she would be completely fine going forward, they finally bonded. She and I came to see my mother every day during that week. I only talked to her when necessary, it wasn't hard but in a secret cavern of my heart I was grateful for Mi-lying, yes she was part of the reason I lost my mom for a long time but she's also the reason I have her again. It will take a very, very, very long time before I can even think of her without wanting to result to violence but I think maybe one day, I might be able to tolerate her. Mi-kyung has been nothing be apologetic and remorseful for everything, in fact she started going to therapy again. Her attitude has noticeably improved in the short time my mother has been home with her and I'm thankful those two are getting along although it's still one of those processes that take one day at a time.

I started my new job that week and the guys were back to work as well so I was exhausted trying to keep up with everything, but I managed. Upon noticing this my new boss offered to let me work remotely after my onboarding process which I was more than grateful for, but I declined because going into the office was an escape. My new position at work was very similar to my previous job so most of the duties were second nature and came back to me within the first few days. The last three and a half weeks I ran myself ragged trying to support the guys and be there for my mom while working on my first big project at work and even though I was ready to drop dead at the end of every night I was elated to be back to work, doing what I loved and honestly, it was the only thing that felt normal anymore.

Everything was weird now. Having my mom back, meeting my paternal grandmother and knowing my dad was technically still alive as well was the ultimate mind-fuck and I was still coming to terms with all of it. The call I made to my granny was by far the strangest conversation I think I've ever had with a person in my life. Naturally she didn't believe me, she thought I had finally lost my sanity and I couldn't blame her; if your granddaughter called you out the blue one day telling you her mother, your daughter that committed suicide did not actually succeed and was in a coma for the last 12 years is alive and awake, you'd be ready to have her locked away in a padded room. She was completely flabbergasted and speechless when I set up a Skype call for her and mom to see each other. I was sure the connection was lost due to how still granny was but then the tears rolled down her soft brown cheeks. It was the most emotional exchange I'd ever witnessed. She wasn't able to fly out right for a while because of some new health issues she's dealing with but her and my mom have been talking on the phone and video calling almost every single day.

Sienna went back to Japan, but she's been in constant contact with us as well. She explained that because she is no longer connected to her soulmates she can only stay away from the island for a limited time and her recent trip, where we met, was the longest she'd been away, and it took a hefty toll on her mental and physical strength. When we asked her why she stayed in Korea for such a long time knowing the consequences she said it was because she had a gut feeling a major shift was going to take place, although she didn't know if it would be for better or worse. Sienna has yet to tell us why her and our grandfather aren't together and how they got together in the first place considering he wasn't her soulmate. She promised to have that conversation with us in person, so we had to wait at least three months for her to come back to Korea, it was certainly something to look forward to. With all of that going on I decided I needed to get away from everyone for a little while so that's how I ended up booking a week-long (plus one day) stay for myself at the Banyan Tree Club.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

After looking around my home for the next 8 days I pulled my clothes from my suitcase and placed them in the closet and drawers then hid my suitcase. I had work to do for the first three days of my stay but I planned to get it done in two so I could enjoy an extra day or peace and relaxation. I set up my laptop and Bluetooth speaker to play the Japanese Lo-fi beats playlist while I worked. Before I sat down at my computer, I took a long, hot shower to refresh. Afterwards I dressed in a matching two-piece outfit consisting of flowy linen pants and a raglan style top and put on my super soft socks.

I speak out loud in English, it feels like I'm forgetting the language as I've been speaking 98% Korean for the last 6 months.

Thirty minutes into reading through the new emails my stomach starts to grumble, and I remember I haven't eaten since last night, excluding the yogurt cup I had right after waking up and that was hours ago. I debate about calling room service or going out, choosing to indulge with room service so I wouldn't get distracted and delay my work. With my order placed I started the proofreading process for a romance novel I wanted to have completed and ready to send to the chief editor then to the author by the end of the work week. I got so wrapped up in the story I didn't hear the resort worker knocking until she opened the door with her key card

"Room service!" she called out loudly, startling me. I rose from the chair and padded towards the door "Hello Ma-ri-ssi" she gave a quick bow

"Thank you, sorry about that. I was deep into my work" I said returning the gesture. She set the food and beverage on the table then left with the cart. I saved my work once more before in at the clear section of the table to eat while it was hot and fresh.

As I sat alone eating, my mind began to wander back home, it's only been a few hours and I was starting to miss my boyfriends, which I expected considering I've been with or around, at least one of them every single day since moving in. I have grown so attached to them that being away for less than a day is affecting me, but I will not cut my trip short because I need this time to decompress, meditate and relax. All aspects of my being need a break.

After I finished my food, I used the bathroom and got back to work, the book was so good that I had to keep backing up to actually look for mistakes but now that the sun was setting outside the window, I could proudly say I finished and sent it back to the chief editor for the final review. I shut down my laptop and removed my glasses, my vision was a fuzzy around the edge but cleared within a few blinks to lubricate my eyeballs. A great, big stretch of my back, neck and arms loosened me but a familiar sensation had me clenching below the waist; now that we were all busy again it had been a while since I've had sex and my body was not in favor of this. A few days agon Jungkook ate me out on his lunch break when I dropped off his phone that he left in his car, I've been driving it since he rarely does, but aside from that, some teasing touches and kissing I haven't been touched. Jin has even less time to plain a proper date for us so I'm giving up hope that he and I will ever have sex- not really but it's been 6 months now. I'm surprised I haven't had a craving for him at this point, but I guess when the time is right it will happen.

Standing at the window I was watched the sun descend behind the mountains, casting a warm pinkish-orange glow on the bed and walls of my room. The scene did make me wish I had a warm body to cuddle with but since I didn't, I decided a hot cup of tea and curling up in the soft comforter on the bed would suffice. With streaming mug of chamomile tea on the nightstand I climbed in the king-sized nest for resting and turned on the tv, surfing through the channels unable to find anything I actually wanted to watch so naturally I turned to Netflix. Putting on one of their original comedies I find myself actually paying attention and laughing throughout the movie, getting a second cup of tea and snacks from the mini bar halfway into it.

I say to myself as I cut the TV off. I use the bathroom and brush my teeth so I can go to bed, the yawning started during the last twenty minutes, and I had no reason to fight my sleep.

Day one was done.

💙: I know it's a shorter (less exciting) chapter but I think we need to slow down for a moment and give Ma-ri room to breathe.

I'd love to visit Banyan Tree..., they have hotels all over the world with the most locations in China.