Usually, me.
Butthis?Someone definitely tried to one-up us. It looks like a honeymoon Airbnb for influencers, or a bachelor party mansion where someone inevitably ends up in jail.
I'm not bothered. Totally unbothered. Zen.
Except… the house is so close I might as well wave good morning to the neighbor while I'm changing underwear.
At this point we should just share closets. And food.
My phone buzzes. Sophia.
"Hey!" I answer.
"Heeey," she says. "How was the flight?"
"God, a mess," I breathe out. "Don't even ask. The guy next to me cried the entire way. I don't know what his life story was, but I felt bad." I pause, remembering. "Then they served food though, and suddenly he was fine. Whatever trauma he had? Gone. Cured instantly. It was kinda adorable actually," I laugh.
"I should go," she says, cutting me off mid-sentence. Her tone changes. "Oh. Why?"
"I just—I’ll call you later, okay?" And then she hangs up.
I frown at the phone, confused. That was… weird.
She didn't even say goodbye.
Every insecure neuron in my brain wakes up at once. Was I annoying? Maybe I over-shared. I don't know.
Maybe she was busy. Anyway. Great start.
I pull a clean white T-shirt from my bag and grab a pair of gray shorts. The bathroom is just across the hallway, and I head over, turning on the light. Everything looks clean, like my mom made sure it was ready for me. I love her. I turn on the shower, waiting for the water to warm up as I strip off my clothes.
The second I step under the stream, I let out a slow breath. The hot water is exactly what I needed. It washes away all the stiffness from the trip.
By the time I step out and wrap myself in a towel, I literally feel lighter, like I've shed the weight of the day.
I take a deep breath, running a hand through my wet hair.
Time to head downstairs.
3) The Meeting
Rava
Mom is still going crazy.
She’s banging pots, spinning around, opening and closing drawers, acting like she’s catering for New Year’s Eve, and half the country is invited.
"Do you want help?" I ask, because honestly… after living alone in Canada, cooking for myself every damn day, I’ve realized how much she did. I used to take it for granted, until the day I cried over overcooked pasta.
"No, baby, I’ve got it," she says, waving me off with the ladle. "Thank you though. Just go sit outside. Bring some water if you can." I sigh but do as she says.
Our little balcony looks like something out of a fairytale. If I have to thank the family company for anything, it’s this house. As annoying as the meetings are… mom built all this from scratch.
Total girl boss energy. The hotel business was her idea before anyone listened.
I drop into the seat next to Jin and Daisy. Jin looks up from his plate, squinting at me. "You got taller," he says.
I almost choke on my water. "Whoah. A compliment? Fromyou?Okay, the end of the world is officially coming."
