True Love and Friendship Endures It All by Hope Roshten
Disclaimer: I own the characters. The story so far is based on some parts from a Korean drama 'Sweet 18'. If any part is similar to something I haven't listed, it is pure coincidence.
Synopsis: Kate and Sammie have many things in common. How is their life tied in together?
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Chapter 1- Unpleasant and Awkward Encounters
Los Angeles
19 year old Kate was walking on the streets if LA going home from her friends house after a celebration of her graduation from college. She had taken classes while going to high school, thus she finished with an A.A. in Paralegal Studies. She was really excited to go home and tell her mom about this exciting opportunity she has. Her friend Brenda, just told her that people with an A.A. in anything have an opportunity to go to Korea and teach English to the people there. It is all paid for and they provide housing. She could get a contract up to 2 years at a time. She was really excited.
Seoul
17 year old Sammie was a real rebel. She never listened to her mother. She didn't like to study and was always getting in trouble. It was amazing that she is about to be a senior in high school. It's now very late. She went to a Karaoke place with her friends after the last day of classes. She knew her mother told her to come and help her with the restaurant, but being the rebel she is she is now sneaking in to her own house.
Across town, 28 year old Kevin is sitting in his office. Being an attorney in a large city is really hard and tiring. He has tons of cases to go through and its really late. Tomorrow is the weekend and he wants to have it free to visit his grandfather in the country. His grandfather told him he had some important information about his marriage. He had hoped that the old man had forgotten all about it. After all 10 years passed and thise people disappeared one night out of the blue.
Los Angeles
Kate walks into her house and sees her boyfriends father sitting on the couch on her living room.
"Hello Kate."
"Hi Mr. Wright. What's wrong, is Jared okay?"
"Yes he's fine, I just called him, he will be over any minute."
Kate looked really confused. What could be going on? But whatever it was, it wasn't the time to come in between her news to her mother. Then her mother came into the room from the kitchen with two mugs, giving one to Aaron Wright and sitting really close to him, shining like a light bulb.
"Mom, I have some important news and I need your help to make a decision."
"Okay honey, I have some news too."
SLAM
"Hey, what's going on Kate?"
"I don't know Jared, I was thinking the same thing"
They both looked over at their own parent with a very questioning look.
"What's going on?" they asked in unison.
"Well, Kate, your mother and I have been dating…"
"What!"
"What!"
"Sorry, I didn't tell you honey, but Aaron is a really nice guy and I really like him. It's been almost 8 years since your dad died and think it's time to move on."
"Dad, how can you do this to me?"
"I know, son, I'm sorry. But I really like Maria. You know your mother would want me to move on too."
"That's not the point!" both Kate and Jared yelled in unison.
"We are dating remember? How awkward is it for your parents to be dating together too."
"Well, actually, we wanted to get married."
"WHAT!"
"WHAT!"
Seoul
Sammie didn't get really far when sneaking into her room. Her mother stopped her midway.
"Sammie, is that you?"
"Yeah"
"Don't go anywhere tomorrow at noon, we are going into the country to meet the person you will marry."
"Mom, do we really have to do this? I'm just 17."
"We really need this. And your Grandfather promised."
"Who remembers such weird promises. They probably don't even want to, but have to keep this 'promise'"
"Well let's hope that they do still want to."
….Morning….
Kevin drove into the yard of his grandfather's villa. He used to come here a lot when his parents were alive. Now he comes when he is called for certain reasons like today. He walked up the steps of the house and went.
"Come in, come in my boy. Sit."
"Good morning Grandfather. How have you been?"
"Pretty good thank you for asking. But stop going away from the main subject."
"I'm sorry Grandfather."
"Well, what do you think of this arrangement?"
"I have told you my opinion already. This is the 21st century, but it is no use talking to you because you made up your mind already."
"Yes, you are right. But this family is nice and I approve of Ian's granddaughter."
"How can you say that, when we haven't even met her. Isn't she 17 or 18? I'm already 28."
"Age is not a problem my boy. And don't worry, they will be here at noon and you two can get to know each other closer before the wedding next week."
"Next week? Aren't you rushing? What if she doesn't turn out to be what we expected?"
"Don't worry, she'll be just perfect for our family."
"Ma! I'm not wearing this old thing! What is this?"
"They are a traditional family Sammie. You have to be presentable to give them a good impression."
"But I don't care if I give a bad impression."
"Well I do. I'm your mother and you will wear that. Now put it on."
Los Angeles
"Jared, I think that we should break up, since the situation is like this."
"I really don't want to,…but I think you're right."
"Won't we be like stepsiblings?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"That's really awkward."
"I know."
"…"
"…"
"Well I guess this is it then."
"Yeah."
"See you at the preparations."
"Yeah, see you."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight Kate."
Kate stood and watched as her now ex-boyfriend, soon-to-be step-brother went to his car and left. This is going to be a really interesting family situation. Well maybe it won't be so bad. There's still the Korea option. Since her mother was in a good mood right now, then maybe it's a good idea to talk to her right now.
Stay tuned for the next chapter. Chapter 2- Meetings and Memories. Let me know what you think so far. Thanks.