The Eternal Winter

CHAPTER 3 - A DEAL

       My mother woke me up the next morning. I usually found it annoying, but now it became something I missed.

       "Ju-won-ah, wake up and let's have breakfast," my mother shouted from outside of my bedroom.

       "Alright, I'll be there in five minutes."

       Breakfast with my family felt warm, especially when the whole family member was there. Sunwoo's family stayed for the night.

       I could sense that today would be a good day. The sun shone bright enough even though winter was around the corner. On this beautiful day, gathering with my family, having a fun and light conversation, I didn't believe bad things could happen.

But I thought wrong.

       My father started discussing our family's telecommunication company. I was asked, or rather forced, to join. Other than running away after being dumped by a girl I still loved, the reason I moved to the US was because I tried to avoid joining the company. Had not I had another passion, I would gladly accept the invitation.

       "But now you've got your master's degree, you are ready to join," my father insisted when I said I would think about it.

       "You won't take no as the answer, will you?"

       "Clearly."

       "Just give me some more time."

       "How long would you need?"

       "Like.... a few years?" I smiled.

       My father's expression became serious. "No, we can't afford that long." I recognized that hard thinking face. At this point, I could only hope for one year.

       "Three months, that's a maximal," my father declared.

       "Appa!" I shouted my immediate disagreement. "That's too short. I need a lot of preparation and you know that."

       "You don't have to worry, your brother would gladly mentor you along the way."

       Sunwoo that was playing with Noah, waved his hand in agreement. I gave him a sharp gaze but that just made him laugh.

       "You're gonna be just fine," my father reassured me. But I didn't think that I was going to be fine. Not when I was forced.

       "I think you would want to join if I told you this," Sunwoo shouted because he was across the room. He walked toward us with this naughty smile on his face. That was actually very annoying.

       "What's that?" I asked. I couldn't contain my curiosity.

       Something sparked in his eyes. "You know that recently we've been developing a new network that's faster than 5G. It's ready now, and for promotion, we would need an ambassador."

       I felt like my heart stopped for a second. I knew where this conversation was going.

       I really wanted to ask who would that be, but stayed still the best I could. I would just wait even though I knew Sunwoo would let it hang.

       I smiled, he smiled.

       He was so freaking annoying!

       Time's ticking and I lost my patience. Sunwoo was such a tease!

       "Spit it out!"

       He burst into a laugh when he knew he won. "We decided to choose an actress, but someone who's globally known."