"So, you're only gonna be bringing Parker with you?" Hoseok asked the next day when Maya stopped by to inform him of the decision to fly to Korea as soon as possible.

"Yea, he is all I need."

"Ouch, that hurts to hear, I thought I was a better option."

"Hoseok, stop being dramatic, you have to work on the BigHit entertainment new office building here in the US, they are expecting to have it launched by the end of Sept, I know how important it is for you. I can't ask you to fly with me."

Hoseok nodded, he has been leading this entertainment company project for a year now, he needs to be on board to finalize and render the term on the final day.

"But you're not gonna like to stay there for 2 whole months isn't it?" Hoseok asked, unsure of the full length of Maya's plan.

"Depends I guess? I know nothing about their culture, ethical inspections, safety laws, building measurements. I don't even know how VC is as a client, I need to know all those things if I were to ace this project."

"True, but I thought you might take Jin with you since he is Korean as well, easier for you to manoeuvre."

"I wanted to, but Jin's wife is giving birth in another month, he needs to be here. Maybe I will call him on board after my initial meeting the Kims."

"You better! He is one of our best urban designer in the house."

Maya nodded. She is definitely bringing Jin to her team as the older is not only handsome to stare at but extremely talented with a creative vision and witty sense of humour, which Maya enjoys.

"I will be flying out in 3 days, do you think you can hook me up with the Kims? Or one of the Kims, I don't know. Koreans are pretty elite if they are in corporate business, with the first heir, second heir and bla bla."

"Maya, for the love of God, stop generalizing by watching K-Dramas."

"What? Well, no offence, that's a story for another night out boss."

"Fine, I will get Stella to book all the tickets and hotels, I will call the Kims to inform of your arrival."

Maya nodded, closed her MacBook shut, took her phone in one hand and ready to exit when she heard Hoseok call her out.

"Maya?"

"Huh?"

"Take care, come back soon." Hoseok said very softly, almost like sending off the love of his life to a mission of the unreturned.

Maya simply nodded. Not wanting to say anything to make things more awkward than it already seems to be getting.

"Why do I feel like this trip will just bring you far away from me than just crossing countries Maya?" Hoseok mumbled to himself as he saw Maya walking as cheerful as ever, greeting other employees in the building, entering her own cabin.

.

Came the night before the fight.

"Yo Maya, got all your stuff packed?" Parker laid on Maya's bed, applying face mask on his freshly washed face, preparing for the long hours of flight tomorrow.

"Yea, pretty much, I think we will be away for 2 weeks max?" Maya said as she threw in another pair of the sweater into her suitcase.

"Girl, can you pack like more dresses? And how about your trench coat?"

"Parker. It's not even that cold in Seoul now, why would I wear a trench coat?" Maya narrowed her eyes at the boy on her bed, bewildered with his suggestion.

"For a fashion statement?"

"I have my blazers for it dumbo."

"Whatever, just don't look like trash ok? You don't know who you might be meeting. I heard Hoseok mentioned the Kim you're meeting is a young man." Parker wiggled his brow at me suggestively.

"Gosh Parker, you thirsty! Stop it." Maya tied her hair in a bun, joined Parker on the bed, laughing together with her friend.

"I might be gay but I don't mind sharing hot stuff if it's meant for you darling."

"Gross. Just don't. I don't wanna share your man."

"Why? Our holes are different."

"Omg Parker! For fuck sake, just don't get there." Maya threw her arms in the air, completely baffled by how ridiculous Parker sounded. Of coz, their friendship is not as fragile that a simple topic about dicks can offend each other, but still, it's gross.

"Fine. Just so you know, we won't be sharing dicks."

"Pfft, thank the Lord, now get off, you're laying on my bras. I need to pack them too." Maya rolled Parker off her duvet and grabbed her bras which she neatly stacked in pairs to match her underwear.

"Maya?"

"Mhmmm?" Maya responded as she continued to stack her clothes neatly, not forgetting to check the toiletries as well as makeups.

"Are you really ok about going to Korea? I mean..."

Maya stopped abruptly, looked back the male on the floor with a mask on his face as she kept her hand on the suitcase.

"It's been a while, Parker. I don't even know where he is now, just coz we are going Korea, it has nothing to do with my past."

"Sorry, it just crossed my mind. You know I hardly filter anything before speaking with you."

"I do, and it doesn't matter. It's been 8 years."

"Either way! Let's forget about me saying anything. I'm a dumbo anyways. Let's just enjoy the trip, nail this meeting, kill the project, make a landmark in SEOUL!" Parker dramatically swung his arms in the air, making elaborative moves.

In seconds, Maya is already rolling on the floor laughing at her best friend of 4 years now, enjoying his dramatic reactions.

4 years ago, when Maya stepped her feet to Gardler, Parker was a newly joined intern as well. In contrast to Maya, Parker was settled as his aim to be an assistant architect since the day he joined.

For some odd reasons, Parker finds joy in assisting hence he mentioned he will take his time in advancing with his career, rendering him a spot to assist Maya when she got promoted. As times goes by, Parker quickly became a second home for Maya here in LA.

Sharing her deep dark secrets, cheering her up on dull days, laughing with her on her best times, Parker is a friend which Maya will forever be grateful for. One of the people who knows what happened during the final year of Maya's University years is Parker.

The male has understood each corner of Maya's story and vowed to stay by the girl's side for however long he could, supporting her like a pillar, grounding her like an anchor. To that, Maya is always indebted with Parker.

Over a year ago, both decided to move in together since they enjoyed each other's company a little too much to stay apart.

"So, we leave the house at 8 AM tomorrow?" Parker came back to Maya's room, tapping some moisturizer on his face, finishing his nighttime facial.

"Yea, I called the cab. It should be here at 8."

"Scratch that, Hoseok will send us to the airport."

"But I didn't ask him to."

"I did."

"Parker!!"

"What? If you have a hot boss and is willing to send you to the airport with his Audi car then bitch just accept it."

Maya growled loudly, chasing away Parker from her room as she takes a look at the clock indicating 11:50 PM before setting the alarm to wake up at 6:30 AM.

"Goodnight Maya."

"Night Parker."

.
_____________________________________
🍀
Enroute to Korea.
Who else liking Parker as Maya's best friend?
I have soft spot for Hoseok. Not gonna lie.