CHAPTER 1: THE ARGUMENT
✨ Chapter 1 – The Decision
“Dad, I’m not a thing you can control!” Anaya’s voice trembled with anger.
“I left India because of you. I worked part-time, paid my own fees—and you froze my account two years ago. Just… let me live my life on my own.”
Her father, Mr. Malhotra, didn’t even flinch. “Anaya, stop acting childish. You were born to take over my company, not to chase useless dreams. You’ll join business school next semester and eventually marry Mr. Saxena’s son. That’s final.”
Anaya’s eyes filled with tears, but her voice stayed firm.
“Then congratulations, Dad. You’ve completed your checklist. Goodbye.”
She walked out, slamming the door behind her.
---
A few days later, Seoul was unusually bright.
Anaya stood before the mirror, applying a thin layer of gloss, adjusting her heels, and buttoning her beige coat. Outside, Nova honked impatiently.
“Come on, Anaya! We’ll be late again!”
Anaya laughed and hurried out. Together, they rushed toward the small media company where they worked as assistant directors.
Inside, the producer, Mr. Lee, clapped his hands to grab attention.
“Team, big news! Tomorrow, our guest is none other than Kim Namjin, the captain of the nation’s biggest boy band!”
The girls in the room squealed.
“I’m dying already!” one of them whispered.
Mr. Lee smirked. “Calm down. Anaya, you’ll handle the presentation. Whatever happens, make sure Mr. Namjin signs it. No mistakes this time, okay, clumsiest girl?”
Anaya only nodded silently.
---
That evening, she sat in a small Soju bar with Nova. Empty bottles clinked on their table.
“I wanted to be an idol,” Anaya muttered, swirling her drink. “But look at me now—nine to five, stuck behind a desk. Maybe I should just go back to India.”
Nova chuckled sleepily. “If you go back, you’ll never meet the sexiest idol in Korea.”
Anaya laughed. “God gave me one friend—and she’s a rascal.”
Back at her apartment, Nova fell asleep halfway through helping with the presentation, mumbling something in Russian. Anaya sighed, took a deep breath, and worked through the night.
By 4 a.m., she finally closed her laptop, exhausted but proud.
“Tomorrow,” she whispered, “everything changes.”
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