Danger Zone

Large buildings and colorful walls that surround the area of Khabarovsk makes Daime think that why does Primo's aunt does not live in a city like this.

The taxi passes through a small park that doesn't look like a park at all. For Daime, it looks like a large monument for a dead president or the country's national hero if ever they even have one.

"This is the North Park, you can have a private tour around this park just pay the right price."

Daime chuckles at the taxi driver's statement. He stares out more to look at the park's nature attraction and frowns at how sad it looks like with all the whites and little gold.

"Why does the place is only covered in white structures? Where are the colors?"

Daime's question makes him sound like a toddler asking at every nook and canny of the park. The driver chuckles at his question and slowly stops at the stop light. 

"I am an expert to every little thing that they did to the park but the color represents purity and innocence. Away from the bloody fights that the World War II that invoked people out of their houses."

Daime nods while listening to the man's explanation of all the things that the young man asks. Truthfully, he knows what white symbolizes but he still wants to know if there are some hidden meanings why most of the structures in this park is white.

"The gold represents extravagance, wealth, riches, and excess. It is like a symbol that the country that is free from all of the shits that happened in the previous years. And it is also like a growing country that improves from time to time."

Daime hums as he nods. He should've start to stop asking question before he can insult anyone in this car without him knowing about it. 

He looks forward to the long streets of Khabarovsk as he stares at the traffic up ahead. He has been meaning to ask how many hours will be the travel time but he doesn't want to show Primo's aunt that he can't pay for the taxi.

Well, technically, he can. He just doesn't want her to worry about payment. 

"Oh also, our travel time will be nine hours and fourteen."

Daime looks at the driver as he looks at his phone to see what time it is. He nods at the driver in understanding and looks at the old lady beside him. 

He notices that she is counting her money but Daime draws his hand towards her and shakes his head.

"I will pay."

The old lady widens her eyes and looks down to the carpeted floor of the car. 

"Please drive ahead."

Time passes as the buildings start to disappear from Daime's view and are converted into large trees and some pine trees. 

A few jokes are shared from the driver as they try to lighten up the mood for the old lady. Moments has passed again and Daime can finally see the border between Khabarovsk and Vladivostok.

"Two more hours and we will be at the capital, Sir. Where should I drop you off?"

The old lady is the one who answered the driver, making his eyes widen in surprise and looks at the old woman whether she is telling the truth or not. 

But upon seeing her reaction, the driver sighs beyond belief before pulling over to the next stop along the large highway.

"I don't know if you are joking, Madam, but according to the latest news, taxi's like mine cannot enter the area. You need to give me a roundabout so I will know where to drop you off."

The old lady bites her lip and sighs. She has been hiding this secret for a longer time. If only the young man beside him takes the train there will be no problem.

"Just drop us by the military base."

The driver looks at her as she leans back and sighs. The driver sighs as well before starting the car once again and goes on their way. 

Daime doesn't know what is happening but upon hearing the military base to be their drop off point, it makes him who the old woman really is.

This also gives him another flashback when Primo told him that half of his family works for the military. Some of their children also works there but most of them left the military and starts a brand new life in the city.

Am I going to meet Primo's other cousins?

Daime shakes his head but his eyes are leaving the old woman's direction. He wants to make sure that he will see every change on her face to know if she is a dangerous lady or not.

But nothing happens and the old woman is still biting her lips. She is still worried about something that Daime wants to know and has been wanting to ask. 

Two hours later, the taxi reaches the city and Daime is amazed by what he sees. The city is nothing different compared to what St. Petersburgh can offer or what Moscow can show its tourists. 

The buildings look the same as other places in Russia. The fashions that they offer is also the same as the other cities around the country. 

The thing that is unique in this place are the people living in it. The place is a mix of Koreans and Russians people. But most are other Asian people that takes residence of the place. 

"Can we stop to a restaurant and buy something to eat? I will pay."

The old lady shakes her head and tells the driver to continue driving. But Daime is already feeling the hunger that he suddenly opens the side door and the taxi abruptly stops. 

"Are you crazy?! Okay! I will stop at a local store!"

The old lady also exclaims when Daime slowly goes out of the moving car. Daime looks at them with an innocent expression and slowly closes the side door.

He waits until the car is parked and sprints towards the local store to buy food that he wants to eat. The cashier looks at him and blushes when her eyes landed on his silver eyes. 

Daime smiles at her and thanks her for her service before sprinting back to the car. He distributes the food to the driver and to the old lady before slowly eating his.

"This tastes delicious. What is this, though?"

Daime continues to chew on his food as the old lady looks at him with softness on her eyes.

"You still eat that even after living in a different country."

Daime looks at the old lady and chews slowly as he waits if she is willing to share any information about what food he is eating right now.

"Those are dumplings that have meat fillings, mushrooms, cheese and potatoes."

Daime nods his head slowly, finally getting what food he is eating. 

"I've been wanting to taste these."

The old lady looks at him and sighs. 

"You need to remember who you are before I die, child."

Daime looks at the old lady as the driver thanks him for the food and drives away from the parking lot. 

Roughly thirty minutes later, they arrive to the military base and Daime helps her with the bags as they are approach by one officer that is shock to see Daime in front of him.

"Primo? Is that you?"

Daime looks at him with his silver eyes, making frown and looks at the old lady.

"Who is he?"