The Idol and The Manager

Carmela’s Apartment

Carmela's POV

Carmela finished unpacking the last of her belongings and sat back on the bed, letting out a small sigh of relief. The soft cotton sheets under her felt like a small victory after a long day of travel and settling into her new apartment. As she lay there, her thoughts drifted back to the brief, yet intriguing interaction at the airport.

What was that about? She wondered, a small smile tugging at her lips. That was so brave of me, asking him for his name the moment we met.

Her fingers brushed the soft duvet, and she giggled softly to herself. In all fairness, he does have a very smooth hand, she thought, remembering how warm and firm his handshake had been. It was such a fleeting interaction, yet she couldn’t help but replay it in her mind. There was something about him that made her feel comfortable. Even though they hadn’t exchanged more than a few words, it felt like there was some unspoken connection there, one she couldn’t quite put her finger on. It was strange, how easily someone could leave an impression on you in just a few seconds.

Carmela rolled over onto her side and glanced out the window at the bustling streets of Seoul. What are the chances of me ever seeing him again? She mused. She didn't expect to bump into him again, but something about the encounter felt significant, like a chapter in her life she would remember.

Pulling herself away from the thought, Carmela stood up and began to put away her clothes, organizing her drawers and closets. As she did, the memory of her first few hours in Seoul came rushing back to her.

After she had retrieved her bags from the taxi and paid the driver, she walked toward the entrance of her dormitory. A middle-aged woman greeted her as soon as the door opened.

“Annyeonghaseyo!” The woman smiled warmly, her eyes wrinkling at the edges as she stepped aside to let Carmela in.

“Annyeonghaseyo, I am Carmela Reyes, but my Korean name is Kim Shin Bae,” Carmela introduced herself with a polite bow. “I’ll be your tenant starting today.”

The woman nodded and gestured for her to follow. “Come inside. I’ve been expecting you. I’m Lee Song Jin, the owner of this building.”

Carmela followed her into the building, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Lee Song Jin led her to her apartment, which, to her surprise, was already fully furnished with everything she could possibly need. The kitchen was equipped with a stove, a washing machine sat neatly in the corner, and the bed was made up with fresh sheets. Carmela felt a sense of relief wash over her as she realized how well prepared she was.

The woman handed her a small bag with something wrapped inside. “Here, these are rice cakes. It’s a tradition to welcome newcomers with a gift like this,” Lee Song Jin explained, her voice gentle but friendly.

“Thank you very much for this rice cake, Lee Song Jin ssi,” Carmela said, accepting the bag with a polite bow.

The older woman smiled, “No problem at all. I’m happy to have you here. You’ll get along just fine in Seoul. The city is full of opportunity.” She paused for a moment, then added,

“Oh, and by the way, you speak fluently in Hangul. That’s very impressive!”

Carmela smiled shyly, feeling proud of her language skills. She had worked hard to learn Korean before arriving, and hearing a compliment from her landlady made the effort feel worth it. “Thank you,” she said. “I’ve been practicing.”

“Good,” Lee Song Jin replied, nodding. “Now, I’ll leave you to settle in. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll be around.”

“Okay. Kamsahamnida,” Carmela said, offering a deep bow in gratitude.

With that, Lee Song Jin left, leaving Carmela to explore her new home. She unlocked the door to her apartment with the key and code the woman had given her, stepping inside. The moment she crossed the threshold, she was greeted by the sight of her cozy new space—everything she needed was already there.

“Wow,” Carmela whispered under her breath. “McDonald's Korea really does take good care of their employees.” She was impressed by the attention to detail. The comfort room, the bed, the kitchen—everything was simple but thoughtfully arranged.

She wandered around the apartment, taking it all in. It wasn’t the grandest space, but it felt like a perfect fit for someone like her—new to the city, eager to work, and ready to experience everything Seoul had to offer. Carmela felt an unexpected wave of gratitude towards McDonald's for providing such a comfortable place to live.

Her eyes landed on a small wooden table in the corner of the room. She picked up the bag of rice cakes Lee Song Jin had given her and opened it. The sweet, soft smell of sticky rice filled the air as she took a bite. The flavor was subtle but comforting, and she could tell that it had been made with care. This tastes like home, Carmela thought, savoring the bite.

She wandered into the kitchen to unpack the rest of her things. The fridge was empty, but that didn’t matter for now. She could always fill it up later. For now, she was content to just enjoy the quiet of her new apartment. The world outside was noisy and fast-paced, but here, it felt peaceful—just what she needed to recharge before starting her new job in a couple of days.

After a few minutes, Carmela walked to the window and looked out over the city again. Seoul was like nothing she had ever seen before—modern, yet rich in culture. The lights of the city seemed to sparkle, and she could see people walking the streets below, each person going about their life in this vast, bustling metropolis. It was thrilling, and yet, it made her feel a bit small.

But I’ll find my way here, she thought with determination. I’ll figure this out.

She glanced at her phone to check the time. Her shift at McDonald's was coming up soon. The thought of starting her new job made her heart race with excitement. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but she was ready. The airport encounter, the kind welcome from her landlady, the rice cakes—all of it felt like small signs that this chapter of her life in Korea would be full of new beginnings.

Carmela smiled to herself as she took one last look at the room before starting to unpack the final few items from her bag.

This is it, she thought, feeling the weight of the moment settle in.

This is my new life.