Chapter 1: Prologue (1)

Publisher Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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“It’s an awfully dreary day.”

When he arrived at the airport, he looked up into the gray sky and muttered. The English gray skies looked like it’d rain soon. He sighed, turning to the gates with a heavy look, not forgetting to take out his maroon-colored British passport from his briefcase and unfolded it.

「Ben McAvoy」 

He looked at his name, Ben McAvoy, and wondered in solemn thoughts. It was a name he’d written seven years ago. Even till now, it felt foreign. For a moment, he was lost in thought and walked along the busy crowd to the departure screening area.

“Welcome.”

After the passport screening, the flight attendant crew greeted Tae-Pyeong, who entered the business lounge. He gave a cursory nod before sweeping his gaze to the window. Luckily, it was only him and an empty table. He picked up a can of beer from the minibar and headed for the seat he’d been eyeing. He was about to take off his trench coat and take a seat when the phone rang….

Bvvvvrrrr… bvvvrrrr…

 The cell phone went off one after another. Incoming messages swept through without warning and he immediately switched the phone to silent mode without hesitation. He saw from the caller’s name that it was a person he did not want to speak to –– not now.

“Shameless bastard.”

He said with a bitter laugh, spouting out a soft curse. Today was the day he would return back to South Korea after a time well spent here in England. And moreover, he did not want to hear the voice of the man who dragged him to exile in England seven years ago. 

 After downing the sweet beer, Tae-Pyeong pulled out a photo from his pocket. It was an old photograph. Time had worn it out but what did not change was the figure of a girl whose face was as bright as ever.

‘You’re still smiling.’ 

The girl, she looked like a small, fragile bird. There was always a gentle smile on her lips. Whenever he saw that sweet smile and gentle face, he felt peace against the bitter woes of his emotional heart. Like the pure snow that taints the whole wide world with spotless innocence, the girl gave his confused mind a perfect sense of peace and serenity.

‘Is it snowing in Korea, too?’

He threw his eyes out to the window, still holding the picture. Heavy snowflakes poured over the runway. Looking blankly at the scene, Tae-Pyeong did not notice a woman approaching him.

“Excuse me, would you be able to give me a minute of your time?”

Tae-Pyeong turned his gaze away from the window and looked at the woman. She was an English woman and she donned on that sweet, shy smile.

“Well… I was wondering if you’re the one who won the European Gardening World Cup…” 

She stuttered, pointing to the magazine resting on the table. 

“No.”

He said bluntly without batting an eye.

The woman hurried back to her seat, feeling somewhat embarrassed with his blunt and cold answer.

“Yes… I apologize for my rudeness. Sorry…”

Tae- Pyeong lowered his eyes and looked at the magazine on the table.

「Ben McAvoy, a garden designer who changed the history of the European Gardening World Cup.」 

「The European Gardening World Cup, co-hosted by the Royal Gardens of England and the International Horticultural Fair, is the largest guarding competition in the industry with a 200-year long history to boot! Some had won as many as three gold medals in the even and received a whopping 1 million pound of prize money. Ben McAvoy, who turned 24 this year, is the main character of the…」  

The magazine had a group photo of winners from the competition. Though the shot was from a distance and the photo was somewhat dim, the presence of Tae-Pyeong, with his 190 centimeters (6’2 foot tall) stature and graceful features, overwhelmed others. 

Tae-Pyeong looked at himself in the picture momentarily. He looked sharp and gloomy, unlike the other winners from the competition. His long lashes and sharp eyes hid his hostility and his lips were filled with cynicism.

“You look like a real jerk.”

He picked up his phone, spouting words of self-mockery. There had been over ten phone calls made while he was away. He clicked his tongue for he had now received another phone call. 

Frowning, he answered.

“Hello?”

“Where are you now?”

The voice of a nervous man asked his whereabouts.

“Why do you need to know?”

“Why do I need to know…? Am I a stranger now? It’s me, brother… can’t a brother not ask you’re doing and where you’re at? What have you been doing all this time? I’ve tried to call you so many times and you now just pick up the phone. Do you know how worried mom and dad are? And winning the European Garden World Cup, do we have to hear it from the mouth of someone else?” 

The voice from the other line grew hoarse.