Scarlet Strings.

Chapter 4:

A young guy strolled through Zurich Airport with an air of ease, his rolling suitcase trailing quietly behind him. His neatly styled hair stayed in place despite his occasional glances around the bustling terminal. His phone buzzed in his pocket just as he reached the check-in counter. Answering with a casual "Yeoboseyo?" (Hello?), his voice carried a warm and familiar tone.

The ground staff glanced at him, confirming details aloud. "Kang Ha-neul?"

He nodded, signaling a polite acknowledgment with a slight bow while balancing the phone against his ear.

"Flight to Venice?" she asked, her voice tinged with a Swiss accent.

Another nod, this time paired with a brief smile. As the staff processed his information, he continued his conversation in Korean.

"어머니, 왜 또 걱정하세요? 다 챙겼어요." (Mother, why are you worrying again? I've packed everything.)

From the other end of the line came the soft, slightly panicked voice of his mother. "그래도, 여권 확인했어? 네 약도 챙겼지?" (Still, did you check your passport? And your medicine?)

Ha-neul sighed, his tone affectionate but exasperated. "여권 가방에 있어요, 약도 챙겼고요. 이제 그만 걱정하세요. 제가 어리게 보여도, 이제 다 컸잖아요." (My passport is in my bag, and I've packed the medicine too. Stop worrying now. I may look young, but I'm grown up.)

His mother's reply came quick. "알겠어, 알겠어. 그래도 네가 혼자 비행하는 게 익숙하지 않으니까 걱정이 돼." (Alright, alright. I'm just not used to you flying alone, so I worry.)

He chuckled softly, earning a few curious glances from nearby passengers. "저 괜찮아요, 엄마. 도착하면 바로 연락할게요." (I'm fine, Mom. I'll call you as soon as I land.)

The ground staff returned his passport and boarding pass, nodding that everything was in order. Ha-neul thanked her politely in English before walking away, still on the phone. "사랑해요, 어머니. 이제 끊어야 할 것 같아요." (I love you, Mom. I think I have to hang up now.)

His mother's voice softened. "사랑해, 아들. 조심히 가." (I love you too, son. Travel safely.)

He ended the call and slid his phone into his coat pocket, letting out a breath of relief. His mother's concerns were endearing but often overwhelming. Heading toward the terminal shops, he spotted a coffee counter and decided to grab a drink to pass the time before his flight to Venice.

***

Ha-neul entered the bustling café, its warm aroma of roasted coffee beans filling the air. The baristas worked quickly behind the counter, taking orders in a mixture of German, English, and French. He ordered a black coffee and settled at a small table near the window.

As he sat, he noticed a woman at the table directly across from him. Scarlet Rogers. She was elegant, with her long black hair tied back neatly. Her sharp features gave her an air of quiet authority, but her focus was on the sketchpad in front of her. She was surrounded by loose papers, her brows furrowed in concentration.

Unaware of how much his voice carried, Ha-neul pulled out his phone again and resumed a loud conversation.

"아빠! 나 스위스에 도착했어요." (Dad! I've arrived in Switzerland.)

Scarlet's shoulders tensed at the unexpected volume, but she kept her eyes on her sketchpad, determined to ignore the interruption.

"응, 잠깐 들렀다가 베니스로 가는 비행기를 탈 거예요." (Yes, I'm just stopping briefly before catching a flight to Venice.)