Book 1 of Monte Carlo Series
Escaping her chaotic past, Katrina moves to Monaco to start a new life. With a single bag and a guitar, she sets on a brand new journey to reacquaint with herself and maybe find love along the way.
The moment Katrina arrived in Monaco, she was completely amazed. Photos and postcards didn't do this small country justice. There wasn't any particular reason she had chosen Monaco, other than her need to escape quickly. After a quick search for a place with strict rules about paparazzi and media, Monaco appeared as the first option. A single glance at the country was all it took for her to book a flight. It felt like the perfect spot—small, with a population that would offer the privacy she so desperately needed.
The airport was busy, but in a way, it was unlike anything she was used to. In Incheon, the crowds were filled with locals, tourists, and reporters hoping for a glimpse of a local celebrity. Here, despite the constant movement of people, everything felt calm and peaceful.
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𓈓 jkhale : 다시 시작하자 (let's begin again) @samarajade @mavivers sending you my proof of life.
@samarajade: stay safe and don't be too hard on yourself okay? @mavivers : we'll visit once we can. we love you Katrina!
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Another pleasant surprise came when she realized how short the trip from the airport to her new apartment was. She had gotten lucky with a spacious apartment that was for sale, and her offer was accepted right away, allowing the deal to close faster than she had expected.
What made the place so appealing was the secure neighborhood, home to many high-profile residents. The apartment itself had a robust security system that only allowed the residents access. Having spent most of her life in the industry, Katrina didn't have much free time for things like watching sports or movies. She spent her time training and composing music, so it didn't matter who her neighbors were. She probably wouldn't even recognize them.
Monte Carlo didn't disappoint—it had the glitz and glamour she'd imagined. But within less than a day, she realized that living there wouldn't be as easy as she had hoped. Everything was expensive—the clothes, the food, and the neighborhood itself. She understood this was the price she might have to pay for the peace and quiet she longed for.
While still taking it all in, she was interrupted by an energetic girl who appeared to be around her age.
"You must be Katrina! Welcome to the neighborhood!"
"Good morning," Katrina said politely, smiling at the girl who seemed slightly younger than her.
"I'm Sofia. My family lives across from your building. It's so nice to finally have another woman around here," she said in French. Realizing Katrina didn't understand, Sofia quickly switched to English.
"Hi Sofia, I'm Katrina. I'm so sorry, I don't speak French very well. I'm actually not from here. How did you know my name?" Katrina asked nervously.
"Oh, sorry, did I freak you out? I just assumed you spoke French. Monte Carlo's a small place, so people usually know each other. The previous owners of your apartment were friends of my family, and they mentioned you were moving in today. They asked me to help you settle in."
"You really don't have to, Sofia. I don't want to cause you any trouble."
"No problem at all! I could really use the company of another woman around here," Sofia laughed, joking. It was the second time she had mentioned being the "only girl" in the neighborhood.
"You mentioned that before. What do you mean by that?" Katrina asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I was born and raised here. Most of the people in this neighborhood, except for the elderly residents, are men. But don't worry, they're all nice, and they're not around much."
"Really? These apartments look too expensive to be empty."
"People who want to escape the spotlight usually come to this part of Monaco."
"Are they high-profile or something? They're not dangerous, are they?"
"Don't worry about them. I've met all of them, and they're decent people. The only issue is that when they're home, it gets really noisy—either they throw parties or play video games at full volume."
"Got it," Katrina said, laughing.
Sofia was about to continue when she suddenly paused mid-sentence.
"Is something wrong?" Katrina asked.
"I've been talking too much! My mom asked me to help you settle in. Where's your luggage? Let me help you bring it up."
"I didn't bring much with me. I thought I'd just buy what I need here."
"I know some great places to shop. If you'd like, I can show you around?"
"I'd love that. Thank you so much for being so kind to me."
