They took the 9:30 a.m. bus tour up to the Castle, which was really a big 1930s mansion more than a castle. She hung back while the tour guide took them through room after room, adding little snippets she could that the guide didn't say. She loved coming here, and remembered the family trips down the coast that would always end up with a stop at Hearst Castle. She loved the look of the medieval dining hall, with its flags hung high on the walls, the old wooden church seats lining the edge, and the large wooden table at its center invoking grand meals in a castle. She loved sitting in the chairs here. It was very Harry Potter. The medieval hall just needed floating candles and an owl flying around the room. But it was no wonder it invoked a movie set , probably was like that for the guests. The movie stars that visited were notorious. All popular and famous in the 1930s and 40s. The outfits. The conversation. Her mind could run away with it all.

Trish saw In-ho looking over one of the official wall hangings and got his attention. "I just wish I could imagine myself here. Like a movie star, a hundred years ago. Can you imagine it In-ho? The outfits, the wine, the parties?"

"It must have been amazing," he nodded in agreement.

"The silent film stars and later talkie stars that would come every weekend would fill the halls with conversation and dancing after a day of swimming in the Neptune pool, playing tennis or horse back riding. The zoo animals walking around must have been better than a movie set." She let out a breath trying to imagine it all.

"The tour guide did drop some impressive names." In-ho seemed lost in thought, a bit distracted.

Trish noticed, trying to reach him with facts. "It kind of gives an idea of what it's like to be a millionaire. Might be how billionaires are now." She looked up at the wooden carved ceiling resembling some European castle. The whole inside of the mansion was a world wide art display. She let out a breath. "I could live here."

He laughed, returning to the present moment. "So could I. But somehow, I don't think they'll let us stay." He motioned to where the rest of the group was leaving and going up some stairs to the next room. In-ho began to follow, and Trish fell in behind. They were brought up a circular stairway to Hearst's study and bedroom.

Trish couldn't help but to whisper into In-ho's ear. "His private chambers and study. What kinds of secrets do you think a millionaire had a hundred years ago?"

"Lots." In-ho seemed to be playing along.

"But what would be fun is a murder mystery dinner in here. You know, everyone dressed up in costumes and having to figure who did the murder?"

They walked with the group into the study, and saw the Etruscan vases along the study wall. In-ho grabbed Trish's hand. "Come my dear, I think we can figure who done it out on the veranda." She laughed, and someone shushed her. They both looked at each other guilty as the tour guide spoke a little louder. The tour guide set them free to wander the grounds for a few moments, to enjoy the view as if they were official guests of Hearst himself.

They both kept quiet for most the rest of the tour until they were let free onto the front veranda and got a chance to look at the amazing view. In-ho let out a big breath. "This is amazing. You can see for miles."

"Great, isn't it? The Hearst Family still own most of the land around here. They haven't allowed any development around the castle and it's still mostly a ranch. Even some of the original zoo animals still wonder around down there." Trish noticed other people taking selfies with the view behind them. "Hey, how about a picture?"

In-ho nodded, and they went to pose. But another couple offered to take a picture of them. They swapped phones to help them for a photo too. Then, they started getting silly with their pictures. It was the view maybe, the sunshine, or the fresh air on the cliff-like plateau where the house was built. She got In-ho to pose for a selfie or two more in other places near one of the guest cottages. She took one outside in the garden too, when they were allowed to roam around the beautiful flowering bushes and tropical floral plants.

Then, In-ho took over, wanting to take a picture or two of her. He had her stand near the front door and took a picture of her. Then, he had her pose by some of the flowering tropical plants. Trish figured fair was fair. Being in full tourist-mode was fun. 

He lowered the camera a second, looking serious. "You have to promise something for me."

She shrugged, "Yeah, what is it?"

"Just don't show the pictures to anyone." He licked his lips and added. "Well, more just don't share them online or anything. I could get in trouble. I'm not supposed to do any photos publicly without checking with the agency." He shook his head. "Funny, I was actually feeling normal there for a second."

Trish took her phone. "You know, I wouldn't mess with anything you told me not to do." She didn't mention the thought she had on how she wanted to keep my job too. She spoke as serious as possible. "These are just for us. For fun. No one will see them. I promise." She put her phone away to stress her point.

He nodded. "Thank you."

They walked around some more admiring the gardens. Trish took a moment to look at the doors admiring the unique tiles, white sculptures and design that gave the main building a Spanish villa flair.

In-ho spoke up as they walked past the main villa. "Julia Morgan out did herself with the design and building of this place." In-ho stood next to her looking up at the architecture. "She was famous for this building and for building Asilomar in Pacific Grove up the coast. It must have been an honor to work with her."

Trish turned, her mouth dropped for a moment. "I didn't know you knew some of California history."

"I had to study some when I was here. We studied her projects in California history when I lived in San Francisco. It was interesting and made me appreciate my new home." He looked away, and then went on. "Reminds me of some happy memories." He paused, lost in some thought before saying, "When I lived here, I was happy."

Trish had to ask, "Do you miss your friends from school?"

He only shook his head, and walked up the steps to her. "I'll see them soon. It's nice to be back in a place I enjoyed living in. I love California." He took her hand, and they didn't let go as they walked the rest of the grounds together. Luckily, she remembered to check her phone, and noticed it was time to get on the bus again and they hurried, running down the steps to the pick up point.

She stopped just before getting on the bus, turning to In-ho. "I can imagine some of those movie stars standing on these steps. Posing for pictures too. What it must have been like to spend a weekend here? To have all this and his art collection for his guests to admire or be envious? I'd probably be both.

"I have a place like this." In-ho quietly said.

She stopped for a moment. "What are talking about?"

"It's not full of this kind of art. But this is like my family's vacation home. It's on Jeju Island."

It left her speechless. Here she was showing a guy something that he already had. She was saying how movie stars and millionaires must have lived. And she had totally forgotten he was a Kpop star. He was a star. She stammered out an answer, "I'm sorry. I forgot, you know. You probably have movie star friends or something. And your Dad owns the company, and..."

She could tell by his face maybe she'd gone too far. She back pedaled immediately. "I'm sorry, In-ho. I didn't mean it that way. It's just that this has been so normal. Walking around and enjoying this with you. I forgot that you might have friends, like movie stars, maybe."

"Don't worry. Let's get on the bus." He grabbed her hand again. "No problem between friends right?" He guided her down the aisle in the bus. After they sat down, he continued quietly. "I didn't want to embarrass you. You knew so much of the history here, and it was interesting. It is such a beautiful house. Historical in its own right."

"I just feel so stupid." But she couldn't help but think of how he was holding her hand.

"You're not. We are still getting to know each other. It's what friends do." He smiled back. "Let's go. I want to see more of your tour."

Trish was speechless, and didn't know what else to say. What else did this guy have that she couldn't possibly imagine? She felt embarrassed for going on about the house's history and art and not thinking he might have some kind of way of imagining rich people and movie stars like himself, partying. He owned a house like Hearst Castle? It was still sinking in. She wanted to ask more. How big is a house on Jeju Island? Where was it? Was it near Seoul? She realized she didn't know much about Korea, besides the capital. Well, she could learn from In-ho. She was already learning a lot from him, like how celebrities were real people after all.

She looked out the window of the bus on the trip down the long road from the castle. She didn't want him to see her turn the shade of red she was definitely feeling. She had to calm down and get herself together. But he didn't let go of her hand.

They got back to the car and she walked over to the Ferrari. Maybe that had been a clue all along. Maybe it was just normal for him to have a car like that and the fact his Dad had connections to borrow it in the first place. Maybe it wasn't rented like she thought. "How much money do you have?" It was out before she could filter it. Before he could answer, she said, "Oh god. I'm sorry. That was horribly rude of me. It doesn't matter. Okay."

"I'm sorry if having money causes you distress." He said pausing for a moment, and then walking over to open the door for her. Trish couldn't look at In-ho.

It took her awhile before she could turn to him. She took a deep breath. "I guess it's not something I'm used to. I mean, I had some friends that had parents that were well off from the tech world. But it was never me."

He leaned on top of the roof, talking to her. "I told you, you still don't know all about me."

She put her hands on the roof too, facing him. "Fair enough. And you don't know much about me either."

"So, we're even. Let's concentrate on getting to know each other, and just accept we don't know everything." He got into his seat and started the car.

She got into the car, too, closed the door, and felt the engine rev. He drove past the Hearst Castle Tourist Center and back onto the highway. She decided not keeping her mouth shut about money had been a bad idea. He obviously had some, and she'd have to be more careful. Like when her friend's dad's company took off, and he made millions in the resale. Her friend didn't change too much, except she always had the latest iPhone and new designer clothes. And they moved up into the Los Altos Hills. But people did start treating her different, and it made her friend edgy. It wasn't surprising she lost touch with her.

Money. It was a weird thing to have. Did it change a person?

She felt a heavy silence descend, and she took a breath to put it all aside. "I know a good place to stop for lunch. It's near Big Sur."

"Sounds good." He turned on more of the classical music from before. She leaned back in the seat, enjoying the way the Ferrari hugged the curves. The cliffs and waves were still breathtaking and she loved driving along this part of the coast. Finally, a song came on that she recognized. "Oh, this is Mozart."

"You like him?" asked In-ho.

"I took piano for a few years when I was a kid. I learned some of his songs. And Beethoven too."

"I have more of both if you'd like to hear them."

"Sure." She bit her lip in concentration. "But why do you listen to classical music? You play mostly hip hop and pop music, right?"

"I had classic instruction in the States and when I returned to Korea. I enjoy listening to it. It helps me relax and think of new songs."

"Any new songs on the trip so far?"

"This wasn't supposed to be a songwriting trip, but I might be coming up with something." He looked at her, his face half hidden by his sunglasses. The sunlight lit up the angles of his face. He looked like the superstar he was. "I might be coming up with a new song now." He smirked and went back to driving.