One Giant Step for a Black Girl Praying to God in a Cubicle

Chapter 3: Thanks to Rene's 'Contacts'

It had been two weeks since Nandi and Rene arrived in Korea. Nandi was to start work in a week's time. She and Rene had decided to come two weeks before so they could enjoy Korea before work started. By this time Rene had gone to a lot of suspicious meetings that Nandi wondered about. Rene did not know anyone in Korea - she was sure of it. What was being discussed in those supposed meetings? Nandi worried a little.

They had gotten an apartment in Seoul at a very cheap price. This was thanks to Rene's 'contacts'. Coming from a wealthy family had its perks. They soon used half of the money that would have been used for rent to buy some furniture. They settled on black couches, a white carpet and white cushions for the living room. They added two white lanterns by the windows and white curtains. They also bought a plasma tv and a glass coffee table. They placed two candles on it. Nandi and Rene both were not fans of flowers nor plants so they opted out of buying those.

 Rene got the bigger bedroom after fighting Nandi to have it. They were literally grabbing on to each other trying to prevent the other from entering the room and calling dips. Rene won the fight. Rene had dived into the room - face first while Nandi had tried to grab her legs and was wanting to drag her away from the room. But it was too late. Rene had called dips in exhaustion. Nandi gave up and settled for the smaller room.

The kitchen was simple yet stylish. So was the guest bathroom and toilet down stairs. Each of their bed rooms upstairs had a bathroom and toilet which they were thankful for. They were also thankful that the bedrooms were already furnished. Again, thanks to Rene's 'contacts'. The rooms design was not their cup of tea, but it would do. They had a roof over their heads so who were they do complain?

Ginger was laying on one of the couches and once again snoring. It was a mission getting her to Korea but, you've guessed it, Rene pulled some strings. She did come in handy sometimes - Rene, that is.

"Alright, do you have work clothes?" Rene jumped into Nandi's bed. Nandi was sitting at her desk going through her employment contract on her laptop. She was in no mood to turn around and face Rene. So she spoke with her back towards her. "Nope. I don't have any at the moment. Besides, will these people have clothes that will fit me?"

Rene raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't they?"

"HELLO!!" scoffed Nandi, "I weigh at least 85kg, there is no way they have clothes for me. Besides, I have Djibouti"

"I see what you did there," smirked Rene. "Not funny, though. You right. I also have the Djibouti! What am I gonna wear?"

Nandi cracked up. "You do not have one. Please. OK, maybe it's bigger than the Korean women here but surely you'll find something. "

Nandi stopped reading the employment contract. She was silent. Rene knew she was gonna ask the unavoidable question. Nandi turned her neck from her desk in silence. She stood up. Turned the chair completely and sat down facing Rene like an angry headmaster about to grill her student on the trouble they got themselves into. "Rene," Nandi crossed her arms, "why on earth do you need clothes?"

Rene quickly got up from Nandi's bed. Walked to the door and turned back to her friend and said quickly in a whisper, "I got the job at SM to be EXO's makeup artist." and with that, Rene bolted downstairs. Nandi bolted after her.

Rene walked out the apartment and Nandi ran after her like a lunatic. She caught up to her about five blocks from the apartment. It was dark outside and some ajumma was walking her granddaughter home after she had picked her up from school. She witnessed two foreigners running down the street and was confused. She watched as Nandi caught up to Rene, grab her arm and shout something in English. She wishes she understood what they were saying but Korean is the only language she ever known. She concluded that foreigners were crazy and continued her journey with her curious granddaughter who had slowed down her pace while she watched Rene and Nandi quacking in the distance.