I: NEW LIFE

1.4K 49 29
                                    

  "Alright, Mom! I think I've made it to the apartment. I'll send pictures soon, and I'll call you later! Love you!" I chirped into my phone, a hint of relief lacing my voice. Disengaging from the call with my ever-protective, yet surprisingly supportive, mother, I took a moment to truly appreciate my surroundings.

"Wow," I breathed, letting out a long sigh of contentment. "This place is incredible. I can't believe I'm actually going to live here!"

Settling the taxi fare, I politely requested the driver to help unload my luggage. Thankfully, the kind gentleman went above and beyond, carrying my bags all the way to the apartment reception.

With a confident stride, I approached the receptionist's desk. "Excuse me," I announced politely. "I'm Y/n, and I'm here to collect the keys to my new apartment."

A woman in her thirties, with a warm smile and kind eyes, looked up from behind the counter. Adjusting her spectacles, she gave me a curious once-over. "Ah, yes, Miss Y/n," she replied, a gentle amusement flickering across her face. "Mr. Shi jo Lee mentioned you'd be arriving today. Is that correct?"

An eyebrow quirked in surprise. "Yes, that's me," I confirmed. "But what did he say about me?"

"Well," she chuckled, "he informed me that you're a highly accomplished software engineer from the US, arriving in South Korea as the company's new Managing Director for Kim's Hynix. Did he get that right?"

A grin spread across my face. "He certainly did. Thank you for clarifying. And, speaking of keys..."

"Absolutely," she responded, retrieving a set of keys and a stack of papers. "Here you go."

Taking everything in hand, I glanced at the documents. "What are these agreements for?"

"Those are the apartment handover papers," she explained patiently. "They outline that the company will be covering the rent and maintenance costs for the first year. After that, a renewal agreement will be required. Mr. Shi jo Lee requested that you sign these and keep a copy for your reference."

A surge of pride washed over me. This opportunity, a direct result of my hard work and dedication back in Silicon Valley, was truly a dream come true. Landing a foreign quota position at Kim's Hynix, a leading South Korean software company and renowned semiconductor supplier - this was a career milestone I'd envisioned for years. (After all, South Korea had always held a special place in my heart, for reasons you probably already know ;))

Skimming through the documents, I ensured everything was in order before signing them with a flourish. "Here you go," I said, returning the papers. "By the way, I haven't gotten your name yet."

"Oh, my apologies!" she exclaimed, a hint of fluster evident. "I'm Cong Rong Lee, the apartment supervisor and caretaker." Her smile widened, radiating genuine warmth.

"Lovely to meet you, Cong Rong," I replied, returning the smile. "I think you're pretty much up-to-speed about me, so introductions are unnecessary. But thank you for your help, I truly appreciate it."

"The pleasure is all mine," she assured me, handing me a business card. "Don't hesitate to call or text this number if you need anything at all. With you being new to Korea, there might be some adjustments, so please don't be shy to reach out if you encounter any difficulties."


................................................................................................................................................................

The elevator doors whooshed open, revealing a sleek, modern hallway. With a triumphant push of the button, I punched in "15" for my high-rise haven. Living on the fifteenth floor meant breathtaking panoramic views of Seoul, and the anticipation bubbled in my chest.

Unlocking the apartment door, I stepped inside. My jaw hit the floor. The space was expansive and beautifully finished – exactly as I'd envisioned. But the real showstopper was the view. Stepping onto the balcony, I gasped. The cityscape sprawled before me, bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun. It was a scene straight out of a postcard, and I couldn't wait to see it transformed by the twinkling night lights.

A giddy wave of excitement washed over me. I embarked on a whirlwind tour of the apartment, picturing how I'd personalize each room. However, my enthusiasm was tempered by a sudden realization. The apartment was practically bare – just a bed in the bedroom and a lonely table in the corner. My trusty truck, loaded with my treasures – books, a comfy mattress, clothes, photos, and even a few small cabinets – wasn't here yet. Unpacking would have to wait.

Grabbing my phone, I dialed the delivery driver. My belongings, he assured me, were on their way – expected arrival in thirty minutes. In the meantime, a hot shower and a change of clothes sounded bliss. Unfortunately, my current toiletries were limited, but I figured I could manage until the cavalry arrived.

The warm water and the sweet aroma of my strawberry shampoo washed away the travel fatigue. Emerging from the bathroom, another surprise awaited me – a pristine fridge, sadly devoid of any food. My stomach rumbled in protest. Panda Express, it was then! Devouring the delicious meal, I felt a surge of contentment – a giant satisfied, if you will.

Just as I settled in for a moment of post-meal peace, a familiar doorbell chime echoed through the apartment – "Ding Dong! Ding Dong!" (Yes, you read that right, it was playing Jungkook's "Ding Dong"). With a grin, I ushered the delivery crew in. They efficiently unloaded the boxes and furniture, transforming the empty space into a room full of possibilities. As they bid farewell, the reality of the situation hit me.

Mountains of unpacking loomed ahead. Groceries, fruits and vegetables, furniture, appliances, decorative knick-knacks, cooking utensils – the list was endless. The upside - with the company bankrolling my expenses, I could create my dream home without budgetary constraints.

First things first, groceries and essentials. But as I headed back to my room, my heart sank at the sight before me – the living room, once meticulously organized by the delivery crew, was now a chaotic labyrinth of cardboard boxes. The unpacking adventure was about to begin, with a dash of chaos thrown into the mix.

Surely a lot of unpacking was to be done but then I decided to first change my outfit to go for shopping

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

Surely a lot of unpacking was to be done but then I decided to first change my outfit to go for shopping.

Surely a lot of unpacking was to be done but then I decided to first change my outfit to go for shopping

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

I quickly changed into this and went for shopping.

My Only GirlWhere stories live. Discover now