And so it began.
“Jisoo is so sorry she couldn’t make it. She had a shift at the hospital today,” her mother said.
“Please take a gift bag for her home with you, Mrs. Kang,” Julia answered.
After greeting each person individually, Julia’s staff led the attendees to their stations. Each station had ten products displayed for testing. Julia had also had the product cards and the feedback cards translated into Korean. Each staff member worked with an attendee on trying the products.
The room was noisy and spirited, and people seemed to be enjoying themselves. Music was playing in the background, anupbeat pop tune with an angelic voice singing in Korean. Julia liked the sound of it. She’d have to ask what it was.
“It looks incredible in here,” Rachel noted. “Having IU playing in the background for the ajummas was a nice touch.” Music by IU, noted.
“Yeah, apparently Tae helped put it together. I’d asked him to step in where he could with renovations, and I’m hearing from my team that he’s basically been a godsend.”
“Interesting.” Rachel drew out each syllable of the word.
Julia rolled her eyes.
“I know I don’t have to ask you this, but make sure to be honest with the product feedback.” Julia thought twice. “Maybe not too honest, though,” she added.
“Whatever. I’m a Starlight fan. I’m sure I’m gonna love everything. You guys only make the highest-quality stuff,” Rachel said.
Julia smiled and felt proud of her friend’s assessment. Rachel was loyal, but she wasn’t a liar.
Julia scanned the room, making sure everyone was enjoying themselves and the products. Her staff was incredible, answering questions and putting up with the small demands. They seemed to be having a good time as well. Champagne flutes were topped off, and trays of finger foods were passed around.
Julia looked to the last station and saw her grandmother. She seemed to be swaying in her chair. Julia looked more closely. That was odd. Suddenly, her grandmother’s lolling head fell forward to her chest. Julia’s heart stopped as she was gripped with worry and fear, and she rushed over to see what was wrong.
She looked to the staff assigned to her halmoni, a fresh-out-of-college Korean girl named Esther, and quickly asked, “What happened?”
Esther’s face looked panicked as she shook her head. “I don’t know. I only turned away for a minute.”
Julia grabbed her grandmother’s shoulders and shook her gently. “Halmoni?” She was unresponsive. Oh my God, was she was having some kind of episode now because of her deteriorating health? The music was loud and the women so focused on what they were doing, no one even noticed Julia’s grandmother.
Julia looked to Esther and said in a panic, “Go and get Annette.” Annette would know what to do. Should she call 9-1-1 right now? Julia’s hands shook. She grabbed her grandmother again, this time a little less gently. “Halmoni,” she called out.
Her grandmother remained motionless. Julia’s heart raced. She looked around for someone to help. Julia thought she could hear a low buzzing noise near her grandmother. She leaned in closer. It got louder. It was comingfromher grandmother. Her grandmother was... snoring? Julia grabbed her one more time and shook harder than before. Halmoni suddenly raised her head, opened her mouth as if gasping for air, and let out a loud burp. She slowly opened her eyes and looked sleepily at Julia.
“Oh, sorry. Champagne makes me so sleepy,” Halmoni said with a hiccup.
Annette rushed into the room followed by Tae. What was he doing here? With all the commotion, all eyes turned to Julia and her halmoni.
“What’s wrong? What happened?” Tae said, taking a look at Julia’s grandmother to make sure she was okay and then at Julia, doing the same once-over.
Her grandmother wiped some drool off her chin with the sleeve of her sweater and took another sip of champagne, apparently already her second glass based on the empty one Julia saw at her station. “Let’s try this pink bottle here,” Halmoni said to Esther. Esther looked pale and shaken by the scare. But to her credit, she nodded, straightened her spine, and grabbed the pinkbottle. Julia had to remember to keep her eye on that one. She was going to do well in this business.
Suddenly, at that moment, all of Julia’s adrenaline crashed and she swayed, feeling unsteady on her feet. A second ago she’d been scared shitless that her grandmother had had a heart attack or something. But she was just champagne-sleepy. Great.
Tae grabbed Julia’s elbow and steadied her. Julia leaned into him and closed her eyes.
“Easy, Julia,” Tae said softly into her ear.
“Taehyung-ah, go take Julia to sit down. Seems I gave her a little scare. Take hold of her hand in case she gets dizzy again,” Julia’s grandmother suggested, raising the pink bottle up to her nose to smell the contents.
“I’m okay, I’m fine,” Julia said.
“She’s right, Julia. Come sit down,” Tae insisted.
“Her hand, Tae. Take hold of her hand,” her grandmother said, “for balance.”
