Chapter 1
(A.N.: This is the first fanfiction that I have written in a long time. As much as I like Go Mi Nam, she is not in this. Please let me know what you think!)
The engine noise rumbled quietly through the cabin of the plane. Passengers mumbled to each other in voices that were barely audible. If they didn't talk, then the sounds that came from them was the rustle of papers as the read their magazines or their engrossing novels. Manager typed on her laptop at a furious pace, a clearly excited look on her face.
The blank pager in front of me mocked me and laughed at the blankness of my mind. They were as much of an irritant as the noise from her click-clacking keyboard.
"Stupid…" I muttered, folding a sheet of the paper into an origami crane instead of writing out lyrics like I was supposed to.
Manager sighed when she noticed my actions. She lowered the screen of her precious laptop and turned her narrowing eyes on me. "You need to focus. That song was needed last week, so get a move on already."
"I understand," I replied politely, "but I can't focus here. We'll be landing in an hour and I need a little bit of sleep since I've been awake for almost twenty-four hours. I'll work on it later."
"I can't help but notice that you said that last time I mentioned this to you."
"Nagged is more like it…" I mumbled, turning my dark eyes to the gorgeous blue sky that peeked through the tiny yet thick window in order to try and maintain in control of myself. Manager always managed to get under my skin – far too often for my taste. We didn't work well together, but hiring had been a choice made by my foster parents. For all that they'd done for me, I chose to respect their decisions and not rebel unless I really had too.
"You're just nervous – which you should be." She sipped daintily at her soda water. "You are going to meet three very attractive and very important people. Not to mention the fact that while you're working with them you'll be in a foreign country speaking a foreign language."
"My Korean is fine, and thanks for reminding me of all that. No pressure, right?" I scoffed. "I just need to get back on the ground again."
"If you had chosen to fly in your family's private jet then you would be already and I wouldn't have to put up with your whining." She pointed out.
"You know as well as I do that I couldn't accept their offer. I'm in debt to them enough as it is." I stated, staring hard at the lopsided paper crane that was in my hands. I straightened out one wing and set it down on the fold out table.
"They are your family now. They are supposed to care for you and help you. But I still think –"
"Please…Just leave me alone until we land." I said frowning with exhaustion.
She nodded, bowed her head a little before picking up her laptop and hurrying away to find another seat. Truly, I was grateful.
"Flight 602 from New York City has landed in Terminal B-26. Passengers collect your luggage at Baggage Claim 3-B"
The intercom went silent and the air was instantly replaced by the noise of the many busy travelers. They spoke quickly in English, Korean, and many other languages until they all blended becoming one. The noise level wasn't high enough to be unbearable. The noise from Managers' heels clacking against the stone floor was, though. I pinched the bridge of my nose in irritation and because of the headache blooming there from my sleep deprived state.
"Sing as well as you like, but you won't last long since you can't handle crowds." She taunted when she noticed my pain.
Instead of adding fuel to the fire like I usually chose to do, I simply ignored her. "No welcoming committee?" I asked sarcastically.
She whirled on me. "Or course not! This isn't Hollywood or your New York City, Arisu. Now hurry up. If we are late to the meeting with President Ahn, then you may not get into A.. Do you understand?"
"Well, if I do get the job, will I still have to deal with you?"
"Unfortunately, Arisu, unfortunately."