Lights, Camera, Cowgirl

Prolauge

**** Emma stood outside the studio, her heart pounding with both anticipation and the weight of her shattered dreams. She had traveled all the way to South Korea, fueled by her love for the language and culture. As well as wanting to see Ji Lee-Chang, her favorite K-Drama star and singer known as Lee. But her now ex-fiancé had callously abandoned her, leaving her stranded and heartbroken, taking everything with him except her purse. Tears streamed down her face, smudging the makeup she had carefully applied earlier, a visual representation of the pain she carried within.

As the crowd erupted into cheers, Emma's heart wrenched with a bittersweet mix of excitement and sorrow. She watched Lee step out of the black SUV, his radiant smile captivating the entire lot. Her admiration for him grew, observing how effortlessly he interacted with his fans, showering them with attention, taking pictures, signing autographs, and answering their questions. But amidst the excitement, a twinge of sadness lingered in Emma's heart, reminding her of the void left by her ex-fiancé's betrayal.

Summoning her courage, Emma extended her hand, her fingers trembling, and made a half heart gesture with her fingers and thumb, hoping for a brief interaction to capture a meaningful video for her family. The moment felt surreal as Lee, without missing a beat, walked right up to her and completed the heart with his own hand, never breaking his stride.

As their fingers gently touched, Emma could feel the strength and warmth emanating from Lee's hand. It was as if a current of energy flowed between them, forging an unbreakable bond in that fleeting moment. She couldn't help but be captivated by the tenderness and compassion in his eyes.

Just as Emma was about to pull her hand back, ready to release the connection, Lee surprised her by intertwining their fingers. His touch conveyed a silent message, a reassurance that he understood her pain and was willing to share the burden with her. With a gentle squeeze, he conveyed that she was not alone in her struggles.

As he kept moving, Lee's hand slowly slid out of hers, their fingers reluctantly parting. It was as if he was the one not letting go until he had no choice, cherishing the connection until the very last moment.

As Lee walked away, Emma stood there, watching him with a mix of gratitude and longing. His touch had ignited a spark within her, awakening a sense of hope and resilience she had thought was lost. The memory of his hand in hers lingered, leaving an indelible imprint on her soul.

In that brief encounter, Lee had given her more than she could have ever imagined. His touch had made her feel seen, understood, and cared for. It was a moment of connection that transcended words, a gesture of kindness and empathy that had the power to heal and inspire.

As Emma stood there, taking in the bittersweet moment, she knew that she would carry the memory of Lee's touch with her always. It would serve as a reminder of the strength she found within herself and the potential for connection and healing that existed in the world.

Overwhelmed by emotions, Emma's tears continued to flow, mixing with the rain of joy that surrounded Lee.

***

Lee-Chang sat in the makeup chair as the final touches were being made on his hair. His mind kept replaying the haunted look in that poor girl's eyes. It was obvious she was in some kind of trouble. He waved his manager, Daizy, over and whispered in her ear.

"Do you remember that girl?"

Her blue eyes narrowed. "You mean the one whose hand you grabbed? What had we told you about that, Lee?"

Lee shrugged. "Look, she needed a little support. If I could offer her even just a little of that, then I'm glad I may have been of a little help to her."

Daizy sighed. "Fine, what is it you want me to do?"

Lee grinned. "I want you to make sure she gets in without any issue. She is my guest, and I would like to talk with her."

***

Emma followed her guide to a large dressing room. Once inside, she was left alone. She had no idea why she was here, but it was a good time as any to compose herself and wash her face a little. After splashing some water on her face, she reached for a towel she had seen hanging up next to the sink. However, it wasn't there. Unable to feel the towel, Emma cracked her eye open just a little. To her surprise, there was a man standing there in slacks and a black button-up silk shirt.

"Allow me to get you a fresh towel. I'm afraid I've already used that one." His baritone voice was smooth and gentle.

She thanked him, and he placed a fresh towel in her waiting hands. Once she was done cleaning up, Emma looked up to thank the man once again, only to find herself looking into the eyes of Ji Lee-Chang himself. Dumbfounded and at a loss for words, Emma stood there rooted to the spot.

He was so much more handsome in person, especially now that he was wearing black. He looked good in the white suit he had shown up in, but black just suited him so much more.

Finally, Lee waved her over to one of the chairs. Following his lead, Emma took a seat across from a tall yet beautiful woman in a business suit.

Nervous now, Emma couldn't help but squirm in her seat. The woman smiled sweetly. "It's alright, dear. My name is Daizy Miller. I am currently acting as Lee's handler while his usual one is recovering from surgery."

Emma nodded. "You're from the States?"

Daizy grinned. "Good catch. I'm from Florida, but my parents are both from Seoul."

Emma nodded. "Alright, then may I ask you another question?"

Lee nodded. "If you wish to know if I'm also Korean-American, the answer is yes."

Emma blushed. "No, sir. I already knew that. I was just wanting to ask, why was I brought back here? I mean, I'm just a nobody."

Lee leaned forward. "I look after my fans in my own way. When I saw how upset you were, I tried to help you out, if only just a little bit. But when I held your hand, I noticed that you were shaking. So I asked one of the staff to check on the fans and explained what you looked like. That was when he returned and informed me that you had collapsed."

Emma felt her face heat up. "Thank you for the concern. I'm both touched and deeply honored. But, this is a problem I have to handle myself."

Daizy smiled. "You're already here, dear. So why not explain what is wrong? We will not ask for details, but if you are in some kind of trouble, maybe we can help. Even if it is just..."

Emma shook her head. "Thank you, but no. There is nothing you can do. I just need to get on a plane home, but my ex took most of my money and all my clothing."

Daizy caught Lee's gaze. They exchanged a knowing look before Lee spoke up. "We can help with that. Consider it a small token of appreciation for your support as a fan. I'm actually scheduled to film a new movie in the US in two weeks. It you like, you can fly over there with me. Just let us gandle everything."

Emma's eyes widened, disbelief washing over her. "You would do that for me? I can't even express how grateful I am."

Lee smiled warmly. "It's the least we can do. Fans like you are the reason I am where I am today. Let us take care of you."

Tears welled up in Emma's eyes once again, but this time, they were tears of gratitude. She couldn't believe her luck, encountering not only her favorite K-Drama star but also receiving such kindness and support from him and his team.

As Daizy and Lee made arrangements to help Emma, a sense of relief washed over her. She realized that even in her darkest moments, there are still kind-hearted people who are willing to lend a helping hand. With their support, Emma knew she could overcome any challenge that lay ahead.

And so, with newfound hope and a heart filled with gratitude, Emma embarked on her journey back home, forever cherishing the memory of the day she not only met her idol but also experienced the true compassion and generosity that exists in the world.