Christy sat in front of her laptop, her tired eyes skimming through lines of text that were beginning to blur together. Job hunting. Again.
The past few days had been brutal. She needed a job, desperately. Not just for herself, but for her parents. Her father especially. Those men… she didn't even know who they were, only that they had threatened him. And no one knew when they might show up again.
Her fingers hovered over the touchpad as she scrolled, then clicked on a link labeled Job Opportunities in Tokyo.
She had studied marketing in school. Not just studied, she excelled. She could market any product placed in her hands. She had graduated with distinction and even received a special recognition from the National Business and Marketing Board, along with other top-performing students from different institutions.
That had to count for something. Right?
Christy filled in the usual information they always asked, her name, education, qualifications. She uploaded her certificates into the drop box and paused when the salary section appeared on the screen.
$1,000 per 12 hours.
Her breath caught.
It was more than enough. More than she had even hoped for. If they asked her to work twenty-four hours straight, she would do it without complaint.
She clicked Submit.
Application Successful.
Christy let out a slow sigh and pushed the laptop slightly aside. She folded her hands together and bowed her head.
This was her fifteenth job application today.
Fifteen.
Was her result not good enough? Had all those sleepless nights been for nothing? Every Korean company she had emailed? every one she had applied to, had stayed silent. Not even a rejection email. Just… nothing.
Then she felt a light tap on her shoulder.
Christy slowly lifted her head.
Her neighbor was standing there, the ruby-haired girl she had befriended long ago. They had graduated around the same time, though from different schools. Unlike Christy, she had landed a well-paying job just days after graduation, only minutes away from their house.
Haeun.
She was seated casually on the dining chair beside her now, legs crossed, eyes flicking to the laptop screen.
"Job hunting again?" Haeun asked gently.
Christy nodded, straightening up. "I'm getting frustrated. Would I ever get a job?" she blurted out. "In just the past week alone, I've recorded sending applications to more than one hundred and seven companies across Asia. And nothing. Absolutely nothing."
Haeun fell silent for a moment, clearly feeling her frustration.
"Let me guess," Christy said slowly. "You're off work today."
She slid the laptop back toward herself and began typing again without looking up.
Companies in urgent need of staff in Asia, Korea.
The results loaded.
"Well, yes," Haeun replied with a small smile. "You guessed correctly."
"Good for you," Christy muttered absentmindedly.
Minutes passed as Christy scrolled. Her shoulders sagged when she opened a listing from a Japanese company that was recruiting urgently, only to discover they weren't looking for a marketer at all. It turned out to be a logistics and manufacturing firm.
She leaned back with a frustrated sigh.
Still, she refused to give up. Not now. Not ever. Even though part of her wanted to abandon everything and let fate decide.
"Why don't you search for a job in another continent?" Haeun suddenly asked. "I've noticed you only look within Asia."
Christy turned to her. "I don't think I want to stay far away from Korea. I prefer something within Asia… or Korea itself."
Haeun reached out and touched her arm. "But what if it's outside countries that are willing to give you a job? A lucrative one. Would you still say no?"
Christy fell silent.
Haeun continued, her voice earnest. "You should let go of the idea of limiting yourself to Asia. If I had the chance to work outside Korea, outside Asia, I'd jump at it without thinking twice."
Christy stared at the screen for a moment, then slowly deleted what she had typed.
She began again.
Job opportunities as a marketer outside of Asia.
The results flooded in.
Haeun leaned forward and pointed. "Look. It says Marketer urgently needed at Novara Consulting. Click apply."
Christy read it and shook her head slowly. "It's in Italy, far away."
"So what?" Haeun countered. "What if they're the only ones willing to give you a chance? Opportunity comes only once. Click apply."
After a moment, Christy nodded. "I hope they contact me."
She filled in the information, personal details, academic history, work skills, portfolio links, then uploaded her certificates one last time and clicked submit.
That made sixteen applications today.
She cracked her fingers and looked back at Haeun. Petite. Beautiful in her own quiet way. Lucky.
"What do you think?" Christy asked softly. "Would I make it?"
She searched Haeun's face, clinging to the smallest hint of hope.
Haeun took her hand and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"You know what I wish for?"
Christy said quietly, "A life I've always fantasized about, a life where I don't have to worry about money anymore."
"I want that too," Haeun continued. "And I believe you'll get it. I really do."
Christy smiled faintly and turned back to the laptop.
Then her phone rang.
"Grandma?"
"Christy, dear, where are you? Come to the restaurant. A job opportunity has just come for you."
Christy straightened. "A job opportunity?"
"Yes," her grandmother said cheerfully. "As a model. The owner of the agency is here. She saw you once and wants you to model her clothes. The pay is decent."
Christy fell back into her chair.
Modeling?
"Grandma, I'm not a model. Did you tell her I was looking for a job?"
There was a pause.
"I might have mentioned it," her grandmother admitted. "I'm only trying to help."
Christy heard her mother's voice faintly in the background and rubbed her brow. "I know. I'm not upset. I'll come now. Just keep her waiting."
Her grandmother tried again. "Don't you want to speak to her?"
Christy ended the call instead.
She turned to Haeun. "Apparently, I'm supposed to be a model now."
Haeun laughed. "Are you heading to the restaurant?"
"I have to," Christy sighed. "That's how desperate I am."
"I'll finish some tasks at work and come by to grab food later."
"Meals on me," Christy said. "A special treat, kimchi stew, rice, and fried dumplings."
Haeun's eyes lit up. "I can't wait."
They hugged briefly before Christy shut down her laptop and headed to her room, praying, hoping, that somehow, everything would turn out okay.
By the time she arrived at the restaurant, eyes followed her without her noticing. She moved with a quiet grace, dark waves cascading over her shoulders. Short jean shorts, a light long-sleeved top, sneakers, and a simple pendant resting against her skin.
Her grandmother spotted her instantly.
"Come here, my darling."
They went inside together.
Christy saw the woman her grandmother was pointing toward, a lady in a flowing red gown. When their eyes met, the woman looked almost… stunned.
"Hello," Christy greeted politely.
The woman stood and embraced her, holding her a little longer than expected before sitting back down.
"Sit," she said.
Christy obeyed.
On the table sat a tray of steamed rice, grilled bulgogi, and japchae, clearly just finished.
"I'll clear this," her grandmother said quickly, leaving them alone.
The woman smiled warmly. "I'm Jandi, owner of Prime Designs. When your grandmother mentioned you were searching for a job, I thought, why not work for me as my brand's model?"
Christy hesitated. "I'm not familiar with modeling."
"That's fine," Jandi said smoothly. "We'll train you. You'll pose in our designs, we'll take photos, upload them online, and for every sale, you earn a percentage."
"And if nothing sells?" Christy asked.
Jandi shrugged slightly. "We're a growing fashion house. But we'll do our best to make you love your job. So… yes or no?"
After a long pause, Christy nodded.
"Okay."
Jandi's smile widened. "You start tomorrow. Congratulations."
They shook hands.
Christy forced a smile, fingers threading through her hair.
She didn't know why, but as Jandi's gaze lingered on her, a strange unease settled deep in her chest.