Rich and Mara arrived at their hotel in Jeju. On their way to their hotel rooms, Rich told Mara.

"Girlfriend, rest first, and I'll just pick you up in your room at around 6 PM for dinner."

Mara nodded and entered her room. Inside, she suddenly felt how tiring their long flight was. Though she had over 15 hrs to sleep on the plane, she didn't really get the sleep she needed. After setting up her timer, she immediately dozed off.

Meanwhile, Jang hasn't informed Josh yet of Mara and Rich's arrival. He wanted to surprise him since Josh had an interview scheduled at the same hotel at 6 PM.

Jang was having a phone conversation with their boss in Josh's management office.
"Jang 조쉬 랑 무슨 일이야?
(Jang, what is going on with Josh?)
그는 최근에 불안해하고 집중하지 않았습니다.
(He has been anxious and not focused lately)
비상 스케줄을 받는 것은 이번이 처음이 아닙니다."
(This isn't the first time that we get emergency schedules)

Jang tried his hardest to keep Josh's secret.
"그는 단지 피곤합니다.
(He is just tired!)
걱정 할게 없어 보스."
(Nothing to worry, boss)

Jang is the only one who knows why Josh opted to squeeze all his schedules for a maximum of two months. He planned to fly back to Boston before the holidays and stay with Mara for at least three weeks. And it didn't go as planned because of the interview he needs to do tonight.

After the interview, he must work on a tourism documentary for three days. It's hoping it will open the door for him to be exposed to documentary program jobs. Fewer shoot days and fixed schedules, getting more time to spend with Mara in the future.

Looking tired, Josh got in the car that would bring him to the hotel for his interview. He was having a conversation with his driver on the way.

"인터뷰는 몇시입니까?"
(What time is the interview?)

"오후 6시"
(6PM)

"장은 나에게 방을 주었어? 30 분이라도 쉬고 싶어요."
(Did Jang get me a room? I want to rest even just for 30mins)

"네 장은 확인했고 우리가 도착하면 열쇠를 줄 것입니다."
(Yes, Jang confirmed, and he will give you the key when we arrive.)

Upon his arrival at the hotel, Jang was already waiting for him in the lobby.

"여기 방 열쇠입니다. 당신을 위해 준비된 탈의실에 가야 할 때 당신에게 전화 할 것입니다."
(Here is your room key. I will call you when it's time for you to go to the dressing room.)

Josh thanked Jang, got the key, and proceeded to his hotel room. His schedule exhausted him, but after hearing Mara's voice message, he felt a little relieved. He still has at least 30 minutes to rest.

As he was about to open the door, he got a text message from Jang.
* 나의 초기 크리스마스 선물은 침실입니다. 인터뷰에 늦지 마세요!
(My early Christmas gift is in your room. Don't be late for the interview!)

Josh wondered why Jang would give him a gift. He was so sleepy, and he went straight to the bedroom. But as he entered the bedroom, his heart stopped for a moment. From the door, he saw Mara sleeping form on the bed. What Jang said to him clicked. He wanted to put Mara in his arms, but he took the time to look at her face quietly. His heart is overflowing with happiness. He stayed beside Mara and kissed her lips softly as he placed her head on his arm before closing his eyes.

Her growling stomach awakened Mara. She realized she had eaten nothing in the past 6 hours. But just before she could get up from the bed, she felt an arm cradling her head.When she lifted her head to look, she couldn't believe her eyes. Josh's small, perfect-shaped face is just a breath away from hers. How she longed for his lips. Everything about Josh is absolute perfection. 

Did he lose weight? Does he look so tired?

Without hesitation, Mara touched Josh's face and kissed him on the lips. Josh opened his eyes and saw Mara staring at him. Without a word, he put her down on the bed again. 

"How long have you been awake? When did you arrive here? I missed you so much!" said Josh.

But instead of answering Josh's questions, Mara kissed him. Josh put his arms around her and lingered his lips on hers. They can feel the time they were apart by how they touched and caressed other. It was a passionate reunion for the two of them.

"Did you know I was coming?" Mara asked, giggling.

"I didn't know at all. We are lucky to have Rich and Jang as friends!" Josh peppered her face with tiny kisses.

"I thought you have work?" Mara started brushing his hair with her fingers.

Josh put Mara's hand towards his lips. "I have an interview at 6 PM downstairs. Jang told me to rest for 30 minutes. But now I don't want to go down to work anymore!"

Mara softly slapped Josh's shoulder. "You should work harder since he did everything to make me come here. I am hungry, but it's just an hour before dinner time. I can wait."

Josh checked his watch. "I'm sure Jang will call me soon. But the interview will not be that long. So let's stay here for the night."

"What is the interview about? Is that what you do for work?" Mara's eyes grew.

Josh's face paled, remembering he hadn't told Mara who he was. So he said to her later, after his interview. As expected, 30 minutes before the interview, Jang called Josh to go down. Make-up and costume need to prepare him for the shoot. Josh promised to see Mara at dinnertime and told her he had something important to say to her.

After Josh left, Mara started preparing herself for dinner. She is sure that soon Rich will loudly appear in her room. While in front of the mirror, she silently told herself that starting today, she will let go of her past, open her heart to Josh, and accept him fully. She promised to do her part in making their relationship work.

***

Rich looked at Mara from head to toe. "Girlfriend!!! The sparks in your eyes are back! Are you ready?"

Mara winked and laughed. "Yes, I'm ready!"

On their way to the restaurant downstairs, Jang welcomed them. "Hi, guys! Nice to see you again."

Mara gave Jang a tight hug. "Josh and I owe you and Rich big time! Thank you guys so much!"

Jang shook his head and smiled. "We want everybody to be happy this holiday! Anyway, I will bring you to the room where we prepared dinner for you. It's next to the room where Josh is working. He wants to have dinner with you after his schedule tonight."

Mara panicked. "We won't be interrupting you guys, right?"

Jang tapped her shoulder. "No, not at all!" He gestured for the two to occupy a secluded table. "The dinner is a buffet so that you can start anytime. Meanwhile, I'll go back to Josh. Some people here are part of the interview crew. Don't mind them."

"Go, Jang! Don't worry about us; we can manage." Rich exclaimed.

Mara gave Jang a thumbs-up and waved him goodbye. Rich immediately left for the buffet and went ahead. Mara motioned for her best friend to go ahead. "I'll follow you soon."

After an hour and 30 minutes, Mara and Rich heard from some crew that the interview was over. Some stayed to eat dinner, and two group members came last. As Mara silently checked her phone, a familiar voice approached her at their table.

"Mara? It's you. I was telling myself it can't be you!"

Mara's face paled. Marc was standing in front of her, about to kiss her. She moved her cheek away from Marc's face. But without a care, Marc took a chair on Mara's table with a smirking look.

"Is this how you greet your fiance after not seeing him for over 3 years? I didn't expect to see you here. You don't know how I looked for you for the first six months since you left the country. I thought you went to the US. Small world that my coming here will give me the chance to see you again."

Mara's blazing eyes darted to Marc's. "You have no reason to look for me. There is nothing we should talk about."

Her hands were shaking while she tried to be calm. She wished for Rich to come back soon. She wanted to slap Marc's face, but she knew better than to create a scene that could jeopardize Josh's work.

Marc continued talking. "I know there is nothing between us, but I need to discuss the apartment in Manila with you. So please sign the document waiving your rights to it. I'm selling it."

Mara was stunned by what Marc said. "You are something!"

She stood up and left the table, but Marc grabbed her hand. "Stay here. I need to tell you something. But, first, I wanted to apologize for what I did to you. I've wanted to say this to you years ago."

Mara was speechless for a moment. She just looked at Marc, and as tears fell from her eyes, she immediately wiped them with her hands. She had wished for this moment. After Marc said sorry, she realized that this was the day she had been waiting for.

Mara said nothing and was about to leave the table. But Marc stopped her again. "Why are you in a hurry? I see you haven't started your dinner." He pointed at the empty plate on the table.

Mara tried to wiggle her hand away from Marc's. "I lost my appetite. Let me go!"

But Marc won't let go. So instead, he thought to beg her to stay seated by forcibly holding her hand to stop her. "You don't want to make a scene here. Sit down and listen to what I have to say, please."

When Rich returned, it shocked him to see Marc sitting at the same table as Mara. She can see from Mara's face how irritated and upset she is. But he needs to keep his cool to avoid making any scene. Then, as Josh entered the room, he saw Rich.

"Rich! Why are you just standing there? Where is Mara?"

Josh saw the direction where Rich was looking. He saw Mara's red and frowning face. "What is going on? Why is Mara talking to Marc Henry?"

Rich's crimson face and heaving chest gave Josh an idea. Finally, he realized why the tv host would talk to Mara.

"That asshole is the Marc I told you guys about. I want to smack his face right now."

Immediately, with fisted hands, Josh went straight to the table where Mara and Marc were.

***