Julia grabbed the plastic cup of champagne and tapped it to Sonia’s.
“To being selected as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things. The accolades keep coming!”
Julia still couldn’t believe it. If all went as expected, her small but growing company would solidify its status as a real success in the States.
But Julia’s big dream was to go global, especially to be taken seriously in the South Korean market. Without that, Julia felt a bit like a fraud. She would have to look deeper into the daunting hurdle of Korean distribution and marketing sooner than later. She just wasn’t sure they could tackle something so huge on their own. Funding—investors—would be a safer route for a move that big.
She looked back at the list on her desk. Someone on it could be the right fit for Starlight. And they’d do it for the company’s merits andnotbased on Julia’s marital status.
“Did I hear the celebratory sound of plastic cups clonking in here? Classy. I want in on this action.”
“Why do I feel like plans were made without me?” Julia asked as her other best friend, Rachel Park, sauntered into the office.
As practical as Julia was in her signature monochrome tailored black slacks, silk blouse and her singular focus on business, and as quirky as Sonia was in her flowing skirt, off-the-shoulder sweater and champagne saber in hand, Rachel was the glamour girl of the trio, with the latest fashion trends, magazine-cover-worthy style, and always the perfect red lip.
Julia, Sonia, and Rachel had shared a dorm their freshman year in college and had been best friends ever since, despite, or maybe because of, being so different. Their one thing in common was what strengthened their bond: they shared the same joys and pains of growing up Korean American.
“You didn’t think we’d let you not celebrate this, did you?” Rachel said as she placed a pastry box in front of Julia. “Mochi doughnuts, your favorite.”
“Way to come prepared,” Sonia said.
“Knowing you,” Rachel said, pointing at Julia as she walked over to the credenza to grab plates and napkins from the cabinet, “you were probably planning on going home, ordering a pizza, and catching up onThe Challengeto celebrate.”
Honestly, all of that sounded like a perfect celebratory plan in Julia’s mind.
“Whoa, you’re really spoiling your halmoni for her eightieth birthday,” Rachel said, motioning with her head to the four very large, very full gift bags on Julia’s conference table in the corner.
“Um, none of those are for Halmoni,” Julia said. “They’re for my mom and aunties. Starlight’s new ginseng line of skincare. Gucci scarves. Prada sunglasses. Bottega leather key rings. My plan is to woo them with goodies to distract them so they won’t focus on my hair, my weight, my dating life, why I’m not married... the usual. It cost me a pretty penny, but it’ll be worth it.”
“Korean families can be so rough. I thought I was past it once James and I got married. But now we’re on to theWhen are you having babies?part. It’s relentless,” Sonia said.
“And just another reason I’m glad I don’t have any family,” Rachel added. “No one around to give me shit for never wanting to get married.”
Rachel had lost her family at a young age. And though she didn’t mention them often, when she did, it was usually with a flippancy that made Julia worried she might be dealing with something. She made a mental note to check in with her best friend later to make sure she was okay. Rachel would hate it if they forced her to talk right now.
Julia threw a quick look toward Sonia, who met her with a tiny head nod. She’d noticed too.
Sonia got up and walked over to the table, subtly giving Rachel’s shoulder a gentle squeeze.
“How do I get my hands on one of these bribe bags?” Sonia asked, peeking inside. “Nice.”
“They were a last-minute splurge, technically a backup plan. Originally, I was going to play sick and maybe get out of going home for Halmoni’s birthday weekend altogether.”
“Well, you’re too chicken to pull that off. Your halmoni might be the only person in the world you’re scared of sayingnoto. You’d never disappoint her,” Rachel said. “Plus, anytime you try to play sick, it ends up sounding like a lifelong smoker.”
“Huh, I always thought she sounded like a phone sex operator,” Sonia added.
“Those aren’t a thing anymore. You need video now and an OnlyFans account,” Rachel added matter-of-factly.
Sonia nodded. “Wow, I didn’t realize you needed technology for cheap thrills now too.”
“Hello, vibrators?”
“Can we not talk about vibrators at my workplace please?” Julia chimed in, not able to hide the smile on her face. It felt like they were back in their first off-campus apartment, laughing, drinking Mike’s Hard Lemonade, and sharing notes on their sex lives.
“I have an idea. Just tell your family you’ve had a long-standing relationship with a guy you’ve been hiding. His name is Bob,” Sonia suggested.
“You know I’m a terrible liar.”
