FALLEN WONDERLAND 「LEE SOO HYUK & SEO YEA JI FICTION」

26: Descent into the Modeling Industry

Warnings: Concepts contained in this chapter are dark and mind-bending. You were warned!

Lee Su-Ah had been holed up in her room for the past few days, ever since the fight with her brother and the news that he wouldn't be funding any extra expenses for the family. She couldn't believe that he was being so selfish, especially since she tried only to support her brother.

As she lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, she heard a knock on her door. "Su-Ah, can we talk?" It was her mother. Su-Ah sighed, knowing that this conversation would not be pleasant. She reluctantly got up from her bed and opened the door.

"Yeah, what's up?" Su-Ah asked, trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice.

"I want to talk to you about your behavior," her mother said sternly. "Your brother has decided to cut off extra expenses for the family, and I blame your need of standing in the spotlight."

"What? How is this my fault?" Su-Ah exclaimed, feeling angry and confused.

"You always ask for unnecessary things and you don't appreciate what you have. Your brother has had enough of it, and I don't blame him," her mother said, her voice rising. "If you had not gone on that interview with Nang Unji, your brother would never stop supporting us."

"But I don't ask for that much," Su-Ah protested. "And it's not fair that he gets to make all the decisions for our family's finances. Plus I recalled that I talked to you and you agreed that it was a good idea. Don't forget that you called Nang Unji."

"He's the one who's making the money, Su-Ah. You need to understand that," her mother said firmly. "Now, I want you to apologize to your brother and promise that you won't do anything that stupid anymore."

Su-Ah clenched her fists, feeling frustrated and powerless. She knew that her brother would never listen to her, and apologizing to him would be pointless. "I'm not apologizing to him," she said defiantly. "I did nothing wrong. I cannot understand why he is so angry with Nang Unji."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" her mother asked, exasperated.

"I don't know," Su-Ah said, feeling defeated. "I just don't want to be the reason why we can't have nice things."

Her mother sighed and put a hand on her shoulder. "Su-Ah, we need his support. I have to go out with friends tomorrow, what will I wear?"

Su-Ah gazed at her mother with worry etched on her face as if the end of the world was happening. "I'm sorry, Mom. Maybe you could cancel it for now! And I might have an idea to get us more money without involving my brother!"

"How would you do that, Su-Ah?" her mother asked curiously, taking a seat next to her on the bed.

"You remember that Nang-Onni told me that I could have a chance as a model or in broadcasting," Su-Ah began. Her mother nodded, encouraging her to continue. "I have no experience in broadcasting, but in modeling, I could have a chance. How hard could it be?"

Her mother sighed, recalling how angry her son had become when she had mentioned the idea of Su-Ah pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. "I don't know, Su-Ah. I would want you to become famous like your brother, but do you think you can manage it? And just imagine how angry your brother would be."

"I'm not going to ask my brother," Su-Ah replied, determined. "I will ask Nang-Onni for her help!"

Her mother was not sure about this plan. She could still hear her son's voice in her mind, telling her, basically begging her not to drag Su-Ah into following his path. But she couldn't understand why he was so opposed to the idea. Maybe he was overreacting. "Okay, just be careful!" her mother said, her voice filled with apprehension.