Nineteen-year-old Rose Porter-Abe had everything a teen could want, except for a life of her own.
The daughter of a fashion designer and an actor, Rose finds herself lost in the long shadow cast by her parents' achievements and expectations, and una...
Time seemed to stop when Mariko turned and their eyes met across the room. Rose hadn't seen her in person for many years – there wasn't much need for their paths to cross since Rose had removed herself from her mother's fashion empire and the modelling world – but she'd followed her career and watched her change from a sweet little girl into an elegant young woman. Rose had no doubt in her mind that Lily had proudly showed off pictures of her blossoming daughter to Mariko during their time together, and Rose's stomach swirled with nausea at the idea she might be outed in front of all these people at any moment. Heat rushed to her cheeks and her face reddened, tears already stinging at the corners of her eyes in threat.
'Rose, are you all right?' Si-woo asked quietly, leaning down to whisper the question in her ear. 'You don't look well.'
Rose clenched her jaw and shook her head. She didn't trust herself to speak without throwing up in panic all over herself, and that wasn't about to reassure anyone.
Across the room, Yuta looked down at Mariko and then to Rose. Realising why she might be uncomfortable, he led Mariko to them and Rose shrank against Si-woo's side, her eyes wide and fearful. Yuta was whispering something to the woman as they walked at a casual pace, no doubt doing so as to avoid raising suspicions, and when they arrived both smiled at Rose in a polite manner.
'Si-woo,' Yuta said conversationally, 'would you mind if I talk to my cousins alone for a moment before we attend dinner?'
Si-woo hesitated, his eyes full of concern for the girl clutching at his sleeve as though her life depended on his protection. 'Just for a moment?' he ventured.
'I'd just like to let them know what's going on before we make any announcements.'
'Ah,' he said, comprehension dawning upon his face, 'by all means.'
Announcements?
Rose felt her fingers being eased away by Si-woo's and watched his back with longing as he left them to rejoin the rest of the group. Hitomi soon took his place and steadied her confused friend as they were guided from the room by Yuta and Mariko, none of them noticing Jung-wook or Tae-won as they observed the suspicious display.
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The four crossed the hall and slipped inside of a small, vacant boardroom. Yuta hit the lights and motioned for the women to sit, but none did. They were all too stiff and panicked to settle into the comfortable leather seats when facing the exposure of their lies and the end of their time in Korea as a result.
'You're confused,' Yuta said in Japanese, hoping that it might partially conceal their conversation from any staff who decided to eavesdrop through the door.
'Obviously!' Hitomi spat back. 'What the hell is she doing here? No offense, Mariko. Wait, no, definitely offense. What are you doing here?'
'I was asked to be here,' Mariko replied in her smooth, melodious voice. She was a vision of angelic grace, so much so that one would be forgiven for thinking God had hewn her from light and marble and glory with his own hands. 'The campaign was in need of a replacement model and they approached me to take the role.'
