The scene outside took a big flip of roles. Ji hae, unlike other times, avoided any words with Jae Ra, trying her best not to come out rude to the latter.
Accordingly, ignoring Jae Ra- the guide's concern about the food- Ji hae, without a mere glance, passed by her and got herself in the car.

Jae Ra was distracted. A genuine tense creased her temple, at the fear of possible discomfort that her service might've caused her clients.

JAE HYUNG : (-drawing Jae Ra's attention-) It was delicious, Emo!

TH : I agree. (-smiles-)

JAE RA : I am glad. (-hesitantly-) What happened to Ma'am? She seems a little upset. Was it not upto her taste?

TH : Oh! No no. She has been moody lately. Don't worry, she loved the food too. (-smiles-)

JAE RA : Neh. (-smiles vaguely-)

Not quite satiated, she decided to give them the space, leaving the rest to the feedbacks they post later. If there was any inconvenience caused to her clients, Jae Ra was the one to take the full responsibility and likewise pay for the penalty.

After they were carried back in the car, she set the address to their next destination.

Finding Ji hae in Taehyung's position from last time, Jae Ra looked back through the space that parted the front seats- to notify them of the necessaries.

JAE RA : (-getting everyone in her view-) Next destination will be a 30 minutes' drive. Please be relaxed and enjoy the ride. You can tell me, if there's any problem. (-smiles-)

She found herself invariably going to Ji hae's disaffection, crystallized from her stern expressions. Ji hae, now had indifferently, busied herself surfing through her phone.

However, receiving Taehyung's smile-nod as a response, she turned to face the front. And casually caressed her neck of the muscle stretch, resulting from the twist.

Jae Ra restricted herself from concerning over Ji hae's sudden alter in mood, to avoid provoking her motion sickness that might be triggered otherwise.

Meanwhile in the back, Taehyung smiled watching his son contended, playing with his toy dinosaur. Relaxed about the little one, he planned to listen to some soothing music. Thus, putting on his airpods next, he eased into the soft seats and closed his eyes to rest.

After almost half the journey however, the caring and responsible Dad he was, Taehyung spared a glance to his son. He grew tensed from the latter's sudden quietness. On the check, Taehyung found the four year old, peacefully sleeping with his toy, hugged against his chest. And the entire small figure, crawled up facing his Dad- reclined to the seat.

Taehyung caressed his tiny head, recalling the last night when the little boy even after his dad's constant nag, didn't sleep at his usual time. Simply, to play with his birthday presents.

His attention, not disturbing his son's nap, further climbed to Jihae, who was faced the other side in her slumber. Taehyung's smile trailed off at the brief recollection of the restaurant scene, that he hated to remember.

Although, he patently appeared stony towards Ji hae, but that was only limited to avoid any conversion of his feelings. The ones, that owed to a certain dislike flourishing in his heart, after JaeRa's apparent death.

However, learning about the scam, he couldn't find any suitable place to dump his resent. Ji hae, posing for a fill then, became his target- unwittingly.
The frustration to erase the sin he committed that night, only added to his unsettlement.
If only, he hadn't drunk in those dark hours, if only situations didn't requisite him a remarriage and if only, he hadn't gone to the LA concert - maybe he would've been living a different present today.
A human psychology to shove one's faults and blames to the immediate other, was set an example by Taehyung's current psyche.

Then again, there were the 'if onlys', constantly feeding on him every second, after Jae Ra's incidental appearance in his life.

With a forceful omission of all the parasitic thoughts, he looked outside only to his gaze, falling on the right wing-mirror.

His inflamed nerves had a sudden relief at the mere perception of JaeRa's image, visible in the mirror. As if she were a tranquilizer to the mayhem inside his head, he calmed down.

The changes in her restless face, turning pale, slowly came to his notice. Furthermore, it was confirmed by the abnormal way, she took a few gulps of water.

Her skipping breakfast that she usually never did on a touring day, took a heavy toll on her.

TH : (-concerned-) Are you okay, Jae Ra-ssi?

JAE RA : Yeh? Yes, I am fine. (-sick voice-)

Her visuals, discerned from the mirror, heavily contradicted her words and it started to grip Taehyung with worry.
He recalled the old times when JaeRa felt pale and queasy, she would lean on his shoulder to rest, till the journey was traveled.

Coming back to the arrant reality, that neither he had the right to lend his shoulder to her. Nor would she comply to the same, he contrived to be rational. Soon, he came around with a generous offer.

TH : You can come here and rest for awhile in the back. I will go to your seat.

JAE RA : No, no. It's fine. I am completely okay. We are almost there anywa~ (-words trails off-)

She squinted her eyes, at the sudden light headedness numbing her senses. Sweat droplets dampened her forehead that she lightly dabbed off with her handkerchief, as she drank some more water.

Taehyung tossing all his formalities aside, leaned forward. Thanks to his long hands, he reached for her head just right.

JAE RA : (-flinched at his touch-) What are you doing?

Gently resting her head against the support of her seat, he started to gently massage the sides, along her smooth forehead.

JAE RA : It's okay. I am fin-

TH : (-cutting her off-) Stay still.

JAE RA : You really don't have to do this. I am ok-

TAEHYUNG : (-cutting her off again-) Don't say a word and close your eyes.

He saw her obey his commanding words without a further debate and gradually appeased with his correct pressures. A smile of relief could be visible in Taehyung's face, to see her completely relaxed and breathing normally.

Taehyung, with his obstinacy boasting itself, instructed her to stay put, while he did his superfluous work on her forehead.

"Why is he being so stubborn lately- Oh, but this feels so strangely good." Jae Ra wondered in thoughts.

His warm and soft touch against her skin, felt immensely relaxing and intensified the extent of pleasure her body received. Although, the effects of motion sickness still prevailed. Yet, the skinship, that Jae Ra didn't realize she was craving for, dominated any discomfort she was circumcised with.

Jae Ra succumbed at the miracles and witchery he wound over her nausea. His long and slender fingers, smoothened her agitated pressure points like a professional masseur.

Falling asleep would be an understatement, compared to his soft and slacken massage. It had the potential to lure anyone to a sound sleep.

The minutes slipped in seconds-at the ever so pleasant muscle easing strokes. The driver then, intruded her peaceful drive with his remark.

DRIVER : (-in English-) We are here. Battery park city.

A slight frown followed by, as her eyes shot open at the sight and he removed his hands from Jae Ra. Feeling the warmth of her forehead caused by the friction of their skins, Jae Ra brushed her side bangs to align and got off the car. Just as she turned to open the door for Taehyung, it was already opened with the latter coming out.

TH : (-shutting the door-) Are you feeling better now? (-concerned look-)

Jae Ra : (-not meeting his eyes-) Yeh~ T-thanks to you and I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience I've caused you.

She aired her burning hot cheeks, avoiding his eyes. Jae Ra could still sniff his fresh scent, that he generously left on her forehead.

TH : It's okay till you are fine. But, take care next time.

JAE RA : (-nervously-) I'll be more careful. Sorry, once again. (-slight bow-)

Before he said anything, Jae hyung's voice turned both of their gazes to him. The little boy was still inside the car, rubbing his sleepy eyes with one hand while the other stretched out to his Dad.

JAE HYUNG : Appa... I wanna go out to you. (-yawns-)

TH : Onh, onh. Wait. (-opening the door-) Did you have a nice nap? (-taking him in his arms-)

He lazily nodded resting his head on Taehyung's shoulder as he gasped yet another yawn, still recovering from his nap.

An instant realization held fast on Jae Ra's conscious, causing her to stir her stumps towards Ji hae. Only to be stopped by her casually joining our side, still not meeting Jae Ra's eyes, but looking around the sight they were halted at.

Jae hyung, noticing something from his Dad's arms, got down to run there with a few bodyguards following him and the rest guarding the couple.

They also moved ahead as Jae Ra started narrating the legends and history of the location. Furthermore adding on the interesting facts about the lower Manhattan.

Taehyung wanted to avoid a cruise ride to the liberty Island where the monument, the 'Statue of Liberty' was mounted. Jae Ra devised out, The Battery city in Lower Manhattan as the perfect alternative that also offered the breezy waterfront alongwith the Statue.

Jae hyung stopped at the railing and stood with wide eyes looking at the monument in fascination.
They walked to his side with smiles as he looked up at Jae Ra to speak.

JAE HYUNG : Emo! Who is that ajumma? (-pointing at the statue-)

His innocence made them chuckle and melt away in awe. Jae Ra reached down to his height, to answer him with the utmost genuineness.

JAE RA : That is called the 'Statue of liberty'.

Jae Ra translated the quotation in Korean next, trying to explain him in the easiest way. So that, his little brain could succeed to comprehend the complex and heavy words.

JAE HYUNG : (-trying to follow me-) Stechu of Libaty! (-imitating the statue with his hand stretched up-)

JAE RA : (-in genuine praize-) Aigoo~ Char handa!(You're doing great!) (-patting his back in appreciation-)

He goofily gazed up at his Dad with a little nose scrunch, to see the latter's proud smile to him.

TH : (-takes a deep dramatic gasp-) When did my Jaehyung learn to speak English? (-tickling him as he bend down next to me-)

Watching them giggle with each other, Jae Ra's notice went straight to Ji hae. She had the same unbotherness she wore in the party last day, viewing the sight aloofed from her family's company.

Jae Ra excused herself from the father-son and walked over to her, who stood along the railing and was faced towards the statue.

Though a little hesitant to initiate the conversation - with a deep sigh - Jae Ra tried to intrude the thoughts where she was seen lost in.

JAE RA : (-clears throat-) Um... Ma'am.

Ji Hae looked at Jae Ra casually but without her usual smile, making the latter a little uneasy with her foreign expressions.

JAE RA : Did something upse-

She was cut off by a call Ji Hae's phone recieved, drawing all her attention towards it. She, swiping it green, eye nodded her a pardon as she walked away to talk.

A sigh left Jae Ra's mouth, the gentle breeze blowing her side bands swiftly. Getting some in her eyes, that she disciplined back running her fingers through them.

Jae Hyung's struggle seeing the statue that the railing had cut the vision of, caught her attention next. His Dad promptly carried him in his arms as he continued to capture the scenery with one hand in his extravagant film camera.

JAE RA : If you don't mind, I can carry him instead while you freely take photos.

JAE HYUNG : (-arms streched to me-) Yes! Emo, I want to go to you.

TH : Waah~ Jaehyung-ah, you don't like Appa anymore?

JAEHYUNG : (-instantly hugging his dad by his neck-) Nu~ I still love you the most.

TH : (-chuckles at his smart words-) Jjashik! (-to Jae Ra with a smile-) That would be really nice of you. Thanks.

She sportingly went closer with a smile to recieve Jaehyung directly from his Dad's arms, only to instantly regret her very decision. Her hands briefly brushed against his as she attempted to hold Jaehyung in a secure way.

Goosebumps unkinked her spine at the same as her smile flew off. Trying her best to keep a straight face and most importantly keep her mind steady, she completely detached him from Taehyung's embrace.

JAE RA : Is it okay now? (-carrying him on my right-)

JAE HYUNG : (-nodding-) Thank you, emo!

His left hand wrapped around the back of her neck for support. She smiled watching him, the view preoccupied the little man all over.

On the other hand, Taehyung unceasingly captured his snaps. She could tell his translucent enthusiasm for photography that forced out an undefined smile on her lips.
Jae Ra shook her head looking ahead trying to toss her unhealthy thoughts. Soon after, he broke the silence.

TH : I am really sorry for the last day.

JAE RA : Yeh? (-realizing-) Ah~ Don't worry about that. It was my fault too, I believe.

He stared at her for a while distracted from his clicks, while she avoided his eyes fixing hers at the island-Jae hyung was absorbed beholding.

His proximity crippled her heart in anxiety, Jae Ra was nerve wrecked to be standing next to him at that very moment.

Wanting to wet her desiccated throat, Jae Ra gulped in every now and then while trying to even down her thumping heart.

The sounds of camera clicks slowly poked her attention with its constant snaps, as she figured them not coming from Taehyung.
Looking for the source, she turned to her right, to find a middle aged nearly obese man at a distance, posing a camera at their direction.
It wasn't new for her since she had seen plenty of them in tourist places, clicking pictures. Which, they later sell to the owners if they like the photographs taken.

Jae Ra looked back, to find Taehyung still standing in the same place and completely oblivious of the situation. He stared blankly at her in response.

"This is not how it's supposed to be." She thought to herself.

Safely landing Jaehyung on the ground, she attempted to walk to the man on her right only to find him advance towards them voluntarily.

Before she uttered anything, the cameraman spoke in his Native language, English. However, the words his mouth left threw Jae Ra's thoughts completely off balance.

CAMERA-MAN : You are such a beautiful family!

____________

Note : All these are completely fictional. There is no correspondence to real life tourists sights having such cameramen.