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I take a step, then turn to look at him over my shoulder. “Thanks, by the way. For picking up my call.” And for playing along for as long as he did. He didn’t have to—it was a risk for him.

“I’ll always pick up your calls.”

As I walk down the corridor, I hear a soft click as one of the doors down the hall closes shut.

Nine

The next morning, Secretary Park picks me up in front of my house to take me to my meeting with my mother. All night I’ve stewed over what I’ll say to her, with Gi Taek and Angela’s strategy in mind about having an alternative plan to offer her. The problem is, I don’t have a career path that I’m passionate about. I like dancing and fashion, but that doesn’t mean I want to be a choreographer or a stylist.

“Do you know what my mother wants to talk about?” I ask Secretary Park, buckling my seat belt. As my mother’s right-hand woman, she’s the closest person to my mother. She’d have the best insight into what she’s planning.

“She told me a little,” Secretary Park hedges, having as much trouble maneuvering down the hill as the driver a few days ago.

“Is it something I’ll be pleased about?” Though, perhaps that’s not the right question to ask. I’ve also kept Secretary Park in the dark about what it is I want, or at leastdon’twant.

Secretary Park glances at me in the rearview mirror before returning her gaze to the road. “It’s something you’re good at.”

Joah Entertainment is in the same neighborhood as my old high school. As we pass by the Seoul Arts Academy entrance, I watch as students rush through the gates, a teacher checking to make sure everyone’s uniforms meet regulation. One student bounces on one foot as she pulls up her knee sock, while another adjusts his tie inone hand, gripping his backpack with the other. They bow to the teacher who waves them through.

Secretary Park pulls into the garage beneath the building, and we take the elevator to the first floor, where we go through security before entering the main part of the building. From there, we take another elevator to the fifth floor where the smaller meeting rooms are located.

My palms are sweaty and I wipe them on the skirt of my dress—I’m wearing a white knitwear one-piece with golden buttons. Chic, classic. Something my mother would approve of.

She’s already waiting in the room when we arrive, dressed in a light pink silk double jacket and matching slim-leg pants. I’m surprised to find that she’s not alone but with a girl I’ve never seen before. She’s tall and pretty, in jeans and a loose top with butterfly sleeves. Her long light brown hair is pinned back with large pearl clips.

“Sori-yah,” my mother says, catching my eye, “this is Woo Hyemi, the daughter of a new business partner.”

I pick up on her warning. Hyemi is the daughter of someone important, someone my mother needs to impress.

I’m reminded of Jeon Sojin, the daughter of the CEO of Hankook Electric, from the restaurant in New York, but push that thought to the back of my mind, pasting on a smile instead. “It’s nice to meet you.”

My mother visibly relaxes. “Hyemi was born in Canada, though she’s spent a few summers with her father’s family here in Korea.”

I look closer at Hyemi, noting her mixed heritage. She has aresemblance to Kim You Jung, the actress, with round eyes and soft lips.

“My mother is French Canadian,” Hyemi says. Her voice is bright, cheerful, breaking endearingly on her words.

“You know about Joah’s recent acquisition of Dream Music...” my mother begins.

Dream Music, a smaller entertainment company, was acquired by Joah at the end of last year, the deal finalized earlier this month. It would retain its own CEO and staff but would continue forward as a label under Joah.

“They were preparing to debut ASAP, a new girl group, at the beginning of this year. The acquisition delayed their debut by a few months, which actually worked to our benefit, as we’re adding a few of our own girls as members to the group. Sun Ye...” She mentions another Joah trainee, one who’s been at the company for as long as I have. “And Hyemi.” She places a hand on Hyemi’s shoulder. “And you.”

This is the moment I’ve been dreading, and yet all the speeches I’d brainstormed the night before fly from my head. I hadn’t expected any plan for my debut to be so finalized, or so... soon.

“You, of course, would be the leader,” my mother continues blithely, “as you have the most experience. And Hyemi will make the perfect maknae to balance the group. However, because of unforeseen circumstances, we need to push up the date of the debut showcase, which is newly scheduled for two weeks from now. Which brings me to the most important part of this wholeendeavor, and why I had you two meet before introducing you both to the rest of the members.”

My mother’s gaze focuses entirely on me. “Hyemi hasn’t had any formal training, and I need you to guide her so that she’s ready in time for the showcase. She’ll need help learning the choreography for the title track, as well as adjusting to the team. There are four girls coming from Dream, and of course you and Sun Ye are already familiar with each other. But I think our Hyemi here will need a little more help, not just because she hasn’t trained as long as the others, but there’s also the matter of language and culture...”

“Can I talk to you in private for a minute?” I interrupt.

My mother blinks. “Of course.” She then turns to reassure the younger girl. “Hyemi-yah, I’m going to talk to Sori and then I’ll be right back.”

Hyemi nods, though as we walk away, she glances at me with a questioning look.

Once we’re out of earshot, my mother doesn’t waste any breath, her voice returning to its normal clipped quality. “This might come as a bit of a surprise, but the acquisition of Dream Music and the renovations on the new building were more costly than was estimated by our financial advisors.”

My heart drops. “You said it wasn’t true that the company was in trouble.”