Dear Miss Ibrahim,

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to you on your accomplishment. Having carefully reviewed your resume, we are immensely pleased and satisfied with your qualifications. It is with great pleasure that we inform you of our decision to select you as one of the ambassadors for our esteemed brand. We eagerly anticipate your presence and look forward to welcoming you into our team.

Best regards,

Hallyu Heritage.

Amina's lips formed an upward slant as she gracefully strolled out of the terminal at Incheon International Airport, her arrival in Korea marking the beginning of a chapter she hoped would leave an indelible impact on her life-an unforgettable one.

With one hand firmly gripping her suitcase and the other clutching her phone, she couldn't resist checking the message that had brought her to this place, once again relishing the joy it brought her. Admittedly, her lifelong dream was writing, yet she found equal enjoyment in modeling.

The fact that she had landed a modeling gig in Seoul, with a renowned brand no less, left her utterly thrilled. She was undoubtedly over the moon. However, her arrival in the country served as a stark reminder of what had transpired just a few days prior when she arrived in Manchester, believing it to be the place that held such promise, only to find herself relocating shortly thereafter.

Truly, the wonders never ceased.

Upon receiving the email, she must have checked and verified its authenticity a dozen times over. If her old acquaintance hadn't personally vouched for it, having recommended her personally, she might have dismissed it as some elaborate prank.

Yet, after all the double-checking, it became increasingly certain that the opportunity was genuine, that her eyes were not deceiving her.

Without wasting another moment, she packed her belongings once again, not that she had accumulated much, and ventured to the other side of the world, a bold attempt to carve out a new life for herself.

As she stepped out of the airport, a wave of goosebumps traversed her skin, the warm sun of Seoul gently kissing her, reminding her of the anticipation she had felt earlier when she acquired the shades that shielded her eyes from the blinding sun.

She recollected her conversation with Inaya, informing the woman of yet another sudden departure. Curiously, she found herself nervous when breaking the news to Inaya, who embodied a maternal figure in her life-a person who scolded her when she erred. And scolded she was.

"Wait a moment, I supported you the first time, but this is simply absurd," Inaya's voice emanated from the other end, exasperation undeniably present in her tone.

Usually calm and composed, Inaya was inadvertently being supplanted by an image of concern and exasperation, courtesy of Amina's deliberate actions.

Amina, on her end of the video call, could only sigh, anticipating the prolonged conversation that lay ahead. She continued packing her belongings, albeit there wasn't much to pack since she had only acquired essential items for her stay.

"One minute you're in Manchester, and the next, what? You're moving to Korea? Seriously, Amina? Are you alright? Does any of this make sense to you?"

"Yes, it does," Amina responded casually, neatly folding an article of clothing and placing it in her suitcase.

An audible hiss escaped Inaya's lips. "This is not the time for you to act clever, young lady," she scolded, her gaze narrowing at the figure on the other end of the video call who appeared uninterested. "At this point, it would make more sense for you to say you're simply traveling the world. It would be more comprehensible than whatever this is."

"What doesn't make sense?" Amina inquired, her posture straightening as she met Inaya's gaze through the video call. "I moved here with the hope of a brighter future. And within a week, I secured a promising job in Korea. To me, it makes perfect sense."

Inaya rolled her eyes, dismissing Amina's statements. "That sounds like something straight out of your novels. What's next? Are you destined to find your soul mate there?"

"I can't say for certain, but I do know that I will have enough money to live comfortably on my own," Amina replied, choosing to ignore the mention of a soul mate, finding it too far-fetched. "plus, they're paying for my accommodation as well. It's too good to pass up on!"

Inaya pressed her lips together, her eyes slightly narrowed. "No offense, popcorn, but are you sure you can handle being alone? You've been sheltered since you were a baby. This time, you're completely on your own. Can you manage?"

Amina pursed her lips, slightly irked by the statement, even though she knew Inaya meant no harm. "I can handle it, Inaya. I'm not some damsel in distress who needs her father to take care of everything. Just wait and see."

"Do you want me to come over and help you?" Inaya subtly expressed her disagreement with Amina's decision. Her reasoning was simple; regardless of what Amina claimed, she had grown up sheltered and pampered throughout her life. Nothing could change that.

She truly wasn't prepared to live alone in a foreign country.

However, Amina knew better than to admit it. She hissed softly, swiftly shutting her lips, unwilling to engage in a futile argument. "No, you stay where you are. Don't you have assignments at Shuri to attend to?"

Shuri was the private agency where Inaya worked as an officer of the law, akin to a covert agent of sorts.

"I do, but others can handle it as well. They can survive without me," Inaya casually responded, though she too was going through the most challenging phase of her life.

Amina had more questions and concerns to address, but she decided to save them for another day. "I don't need your help, regardless of what you think. Trust me, won't you? I can handle this."

"Alright," Inaya reluctantly agreed, though she wasn't entirely onboard with the plan. "I know a Nigerian family in Seoul. I'll share their details with you, and you can share yours with them. If the need arises, they will be able to assist you. It would bring me some peace of mind knowing you have someone there."

Amina opened her mouth to argue, but the look Inaya gave her caused her to zip her lips shut. "Alright, Ma'am," she acquiesced. Amina knew she could never win against Inaya; the woman exuded an aura that was impossible to challenge.

It seemed that was sufficient for Inaya. She sighed, though the furrow on her brow quickly returned. "By the way, do you even know how to speak Korean now that you're moving there? Not everyone knows English, so communication might be a challenge for you."

Amina waved off the concern. "I watch Korean dramas. How difficult could it be? Piece of cake."

That had been two days ago, and a mere hour into her arrival in the country, Amina found herself eating her own words. As it turned out, Korean people did not converse with subtitles like in the dramas she watched. The only Korean phrases she knew were "Annyeonghaseyo" and "Gamsahamnida."

In that moment, she realized she was in deep water. How on earth would she survive without knowing the language?

Wahala.

And it truly dawned on her even more that she's in deep water when she spend a little over an hour trying to hail a cab that will take her to her destination.

Turns out, that's an even harder task than getting a job. Because by then, she had taken off the cardigan she had on earlier, and had tied it around her wait leaving her off white short sleeve top in display. The shades had long been discarded and the vintage scarf she used to cover her hair had fell back a little, revealing more hair than she'd want but that was the least of her concerns then.

She was tired, and famished. Her skin coated with perspiration from her body, the beautiful dark skin now oily. She felt disgusted by her own self, and was in desperate need of a shower.

But before then, she'd need to find a cab first.

She had tried to hail a few, but it's either they were there for someone else or they couldn't understand English. It seemed Inaya was right when she warned her of the possibility of such incidence occurring.

Finally, a hour and a half later, she was fortunate enough to find a driver that understood little English. It was enough for her, as she hastily hopped on and gave him the address of the building.

Having scanned her payment, she leaned back with an exasperated sigh and flicked her eyes close for a moment, to catch her breath and allow her aching muscles to soothe.

It didn't take long for her to reach her destination, or maybe it did, but she was too exhausted to realize it. Nonetheless, by the time she realized it, they had already pulled up in front of the building.

Muttering a small thanks under her breath, she stepped out and got her suitcase from the trunk, watching as the driver sped off.

As she gracefully walks through the grand entrance of the five-star apartments, she is immediately captivated by the mesmerizing exteriors that exude elegance and sophistication. The exterior façade stands tall and proud, showcasing a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary architectural styles. Its pristine white marble cladding glimmers in the sunlight, reflecting the surrounding natural beauty.

The entrance is adorned with intricately carved stone columns that reach toward the heavens, evoking a sense of timeless grandeur. Tall glass windows, framed in polished brass, invite soft natural light into the lobby, casting a warm glow on the refined details that await her inside.

Stepping into the lobby, she is greeted by a sight that is nothing short of enchanting. The high ceilings soar above her, creating an airy and expansive atmosphere. Crystal chandeliers, reminiscent of cascading waterfalls, illuminate the space with a soft, ethereal glow. Their delicate prisms shimmer and dance, casting captivating patterns across the marble floor.

The lobby is adorned with exquisite works of art, carefully curated to accentuate the luxurious ambiance. Magnificent sculptures, handcrafted by master artisans, stand as silent sentinels, each one a testament to the beauty of human creativity. Elegant floral arrangements, carefully chosen to complement the color palette, add a touch of natural grace to the surroundings.

As she walks further into the lobby, her gaze is drawn to the intricately designed reception desk, crafted from rare, polished wood. Behind it, a team of attentive and impeccably dressed staff members stands ready to cater to people's every need, their warm smiles reflecting the utmost professionalism and dedication to service.

The seating areas in the lobby are thoughtfully arranged, offering a symphony of comfort and style. Plush velvet sofas, upholstered in rich jewel tones, beckon her to sink into their embrace.

It was undeniably a captivating sight, and she could envision herself thoroughly enjoying her stay there. If she hadn't been on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion, she would have taken a moment to appreciate the architecture even more. However, her mind was preoccupied and she steered her attention away from it, making her way towards the reception desk where a warm smile greeted her.

"Hello," she greeted.

The male receptionist, with whom she had been conversing, responded, "Hello. Welcome to Haneul Maru. How may I assist you?" Fortunately, luck seemed to be on her side as he spoke fluent English, allowing for smooth interaction.

Returning his smile, albeit faintly, she replied, "I have a reservation here under the name Amina Ibrahim." Retrieving her phone, she presented the reservation information that had been sent to her.

Upon perusing the information, he nodded and said, "Give me a minute to check." He proceeded to type on the computer for a brief moment before pausing. "Found it." Retrieving a room card, he handed it to her. "Room 1606 on the third floor."

"Thank you," she expressed, before heading directly to the elevator, where she had to endure a brief encounter with strangers. The fact that they were all engrossed in their phones, oblivious to her presence-though she wasn't bothered by it-didn't alleviate her discomfort around people. She had her limits when it came to social interactions.

Much to her dismay, she was the last one to exit the elevator as they all disembarked on the second floor, where it appeared to be more crowded. Letting out a sigh as the elevator door chimed to signify her arrival at the desired floor, she hastily stepped off, dragging her suitcase behind her, and proceeded straight to the apartment, unlocking the door.

Unlocking the door took longer than necessary, and with her exhausted limbs yearning for rest, she released her grip on the suitcase in the hallway. Kicking off her sneakers, she untied the sweater that had been fastened around her waist, hastily discarding the vintage scarf.

Finally, she collapsed onto the nearest couch, allowing her weary eyes to flutter closed and her lips to form a contented smile.

At last, she could find solace and replenish her energy.

She could feel herself drifting off to sleep until she heard a sound that seemed to intrude upon her dream. It resembled someone clearing their throat, but she dismissed it, believing it to be part of her slumber.

However, when she felt a persistent nudge, she attempted to push it away, only for it to persist. Finally, her eyes fluttered open, abruptly encountering a pair of deep black eyes staring back at her own.

She screamed, rolling in the process and tumbling off the bed, landing on the floor with a resounding thud.

****

I've kept my promise.

Yooo, what do you think happened to her?

My girl realized people in Korea don't speak with subtitles, e shock her😂😂

This is where the real drama begins yall🥺 it's time to start the actual story!

Now I'll kuku take a break and meet yall next wee as you cannot exhaust my drafts just like that now, let's be saving it for later as well🌚🤌

Toh, Ku kwana lahiya.

Love, Jannah Mia ❤️