Her Song, His Heart

Sister's day out

The sound of the doorbell echoed through the penthouse, and Chan, who had been pacing the living room, immediately went to answer it. Mannon was upstairs in her room, lost in her own thoughts, trying to escape the chaos of her life lately. But when she heard the door open and the familiar voice call out, she knew it could only be one person.

“Hannah’s here,” Chan called up to her, his voice filled with an uncharacteristic warmth.

Mannon paused, her heart skipping a beat. It had been months since she'd seen her older sister. Hannah had been busy with her own life—working overseas, handling her own share of responsibilities, and just living in a different world from Mannon. But there was something about her that made everything feel a little bit easier. The weight on Mannon's shoulders seemed to lift the moment she stepped into the same room as her sister.

Mannon rushed downstairs, eager to see her, and as she rounded the corner into the living room, she saw her older sister standing in the doorway.

Hannah’s presence was undeniable. She was everything Mannon admired: confident, poised, and so very different from the way Mannon often saw herself. Her dark, wavy hair was tied back into a sleek ponytail, and she wore a simple yet elegant outfit that screamed effortless style. But it wasn’t just her appearance—it was the way she held herself. Hannah had always been the person Mannon looked up to, the one who never seemed to falter no matter how tough things got.

The moment their eyes met, Mannon couldn’t hold back a smile.

“Hannah!” Mannon practically ran to her, throwing her arms around her in a tight embrace. The older girl laughed, pulling her close.

“Missed you too, kid,” Hannah murmured, ruffling Mannon’s hair as she held her. “How’s everything going? You look... like you’ve been through a lot.”

Mannon pulled back slightly, unsure of how to answer. The weight of everything—her mental health struggles, the pressure of her rising career—felt too heavy to explain in a few words.

“It’s been... okay,” she said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You know, the usual.”

Hannah’s gaze softened, her eyes narrowing slightly as if reading between the lines. “I know that look. And I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s really going on.”

Chan, who had been standing off to the side, smirked knowingly. “You’re in for it now, Mannon,” he teased. “Hannah doesn’t let anything slide.”

Mannon rolled her eyes, but deep down, she was grateful. There was something about having her sister back in her life, even for just a day, that made everything feel more manageable.

---

After a quick lunch, the two sisters headed out for a "girl day" together, leaving the world of work and fame behind for a few hours. They hit a few shops, catching up on everything from fashion to old memories. Hannah had always been a few steps ahead, her sharp eye for trends making her the perfect shopping companion, but Mannon couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as they reminisced about the past.

At a quaint little café in the heart of the city, the two of them settled into a quiet corner booth, just as they had when Mannon was younger. Hannah ordered their usual drinks—chocolate lattes with extra whipped cream—and they spent the next hour talking, laughing, and indulging in memories from their childhood.

“So, Chan said you’ve been getting more into music lately,” Hannah said, her gaze softening. “Tell me about it. How’s it going?”

Mannon stiffened slightly. She hadn’t shared the details with anyone other than Chan. Her sister had always been so busy with her own life, and she hadn’t wanted to burden her with the weight of her new career path. But now, with Hannah sitting across from her, looking at her with such genuine interest, Mannon felt the words slip out before she could stop them.

“I’ve been recording some songs. Actually, just signed with a label. They’re thinking of releasing a single soon,” Mannon said, her voice a little quieter than usual.

Hannah’s eyes widened. “Wait, you signed with a label? That’s incredible!” She leaned forward, her excitement evident. “I knew you had it in you, but wow... I’m so proud of you!”

Mannon smiled, but her eyes flickered with a trace of hesitation. “It’s a lot more than I thought it would be. I don’t know if I’m ready, if I’m good enough…”

Hannah’s expression softened, and she reached out to gently squeeze her sister’s hand. “Mannon, you’re amazing. I’ve seen how hard you’ve worked your whole life. You have a gift, and it’s time to let the world see it. Don’t let fear hold you back.”

The weight of her sister’s words hit harder than Mannon had expected. Her whole life, she had always lived in the shadow of expectations—especially from herself. It wasn’t just about the career or the fame; it was the constant battle to feel like she was enough. She had always wondered if her success would come at a cost, if her struggles would catch up to her.

But in this moment, surrounded by the warmth of her sister’s support, Mannon felt a flicker of hope.

---

As the day came to a close, and they made their way back to the penthouse, the two sisters were in a much lighter mood. Chan had given them some space, knowing that they needed this time together, and even he could sense the shift in Mannon.

“Mannon, you good?” he asked when he saw her walking through the door.

Mannon’s face broke into a genuine smile—something she hadn’t felt in a while. “Yeah. I’m good. Thanks for letting me spend the day with her.”

Hannah smirked. “Don’t thank him. I was the one who stole you for the day.”

“Hey,” Chan said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “I’m just glad she’s finally smiling again.”

The three of them settled down for the night, and for the first time in what felt like ages, Mannon let herself rest. Her heart was lighter, and the weight of the world didn’t feel so heavy.

Her sister’s visit had reminded her of who she really was beneath all the noise—the girl who used to laugh easily, who had dreams bigger than any label or career. And for the first time in a long time, Mannon felt like maybe, just maybe, she could let herself believe in those dreams again.