Chapter 1

-Ayla-

I was soaking wet, carrying my baggage after me. Some of the streets were small, but now I landed in the center of the little town, there was a large place with a fountain in the middle and flowers, trees and benches to sit.

I didn't know where to go or what to do.

I should have asked the taxi driver where a good hotel is, but he left long ago.

And here were no people around at this hour, 11 o'clock...

So I went on a walk around, to search for a place where to sleep overnight.

But after half an hour, it gave up. It began to rain a lot, even thunder. I was very tired to think normal, and I knew I would catch a cold.

My steps were slower, my head hurting. I went past a closed convenience store, and starred at me.

I ran away from home. They probably didn't even notice.

"Lady, what are you doing out here at this hour?". I turned scared around and saw a middle-aged woman with an umbrella next to me.

"I'm... Searching for a hotel or somewhere to stay over the night."

"Oh dear", she answered. "Here are only very few hotels, and they are very expensive and not in this zone of the village".

"Oh, I understand..."

She looked at me with a sad expression, almost like caring about me. She looked pretty and lovely, but I couldn't thrust any stranger...

"Would you like maybe to spend a night at my home? I know this sounds very strange... But I have an extra room for guests. It is so late, I don't even know why you are out here in this cold. Look at you, wet and freezing!"

That was unexpected for me to hear, but I was confused. What should I answer?

" I don't know...". I was alone in this village, away from my hometown. I'm in a big problem actually, and this woman is the only one who can "save me".

"Well, if there is no problem for you? I really appreciate it that you are willing to help me! I'm really confused right now, that's why I'm out here."

"Don't worry, it happens to everyone at your age to be very confused and do mistakes". She came close to me and held the umbrella over my head too, leading me towards her home I guess.... I hoped.

...----------------...

When we entered her house, I felt the warmth, making me shiver. I waited for her to give me a towel and slippers, so I won't get anything wet.

"Come with me, I'll bring this baggage to your room".

I quietly followed her the stairs up until a cozy room. She gave me another bath towel and said:

"Take the wet clothes off and go take a bath, you will catch a cold if you don't! If you need anything, call me, alright? You have clothes to change, or?"

"Yes, I do. I'm so thankful-"

"Go now and turn hot water on! You can thank me later!" She smiled and closed the door.

I did everything as fast as I could and changed into my pyjamas. It felt kinda strange to sleep in a strangers house...

After I was ready with my bath I went down, where she had a soup on the table ready for me.

" Come here, I made you something warm to eat!"

I sat down and stared at the bowl. It smelled very good, but what if she put something... Bad inside?

"Thank you", I said and just ate it without thinking about anything anymore. After all, my life was anyway a mess...

"Can you tell me now, what your name is? I don't want to call you lady or miss, I don't even know how old you are".

"Ayla and I'm 20".

"What a nice name.... Are you half american?". She also began eating.

"Yes, my dad is. I'm... Really sorry that I'm disturbing you."

"You aren't disturbing me, I invited you after all. You know, I have 3 nephews that are also american-korean."

"Oh really? How nice. Also, this soup tastes very good!" I took another sip, then looked at her.

"What were you doing out there at this hour? It's so late ad raining, are you a tourist?"

"Hm... We can say so. I just arrived late because I came with the taxi... I didn't book any hotel or so."

"You came here on a vacation..."

"No. Actually, it more complicated..." I didn't want to tell the truth, after all, it didn't know her.

"I was coming back home from a party because it was the birthday of a friend, I didn't expect to find a beautiful, young girl at this hour that needed help."

She laughed and put our bowls into the dishwasher.

"Are you still hungry?"

"No, thank you!"

"Alright, you can go to sleep if you want. "

" Ok, thank you very much!" I bowed again and went up, closed the door and sat on the bed.

The room was nice decorated, like the whole house. It was beautiful, making it look cozy.

I think this woman is trustable. I should still take care of myself, but where the hell will I go tomorrow? She said the hotels are only few and expensive... Maybe, I will go tomorrow to the sea, stay there a bit and go in another city...

I fell asleep immediately. I actually came here in this village because I heard it was looking very nice and because I wanted to see the ocean... The last time I saw it was 4 years ago.

I needed to see the ocean, I missed it.

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