Looks Like A Real Thing - Chapter 5: The Arrival


“Do you, by any chance, know someone named Vincent? He didn’t give me his full name, but… could you look for that name in our VIP guest list for the opening day?” Freya asks her assistant, Sarah, over the phone.

“I still have the lists with me, but I need to check first. I’ll call you again after I find it, is that okay with you, Frey?” Sarah responds.

“Yeah, that’s alright. Please send it to me,” Freya says before hanging up and making another call. “Thomas, could you send me scans of every document of my mother’s art collectors and buyers… Yes, all of them, please…” The conversation continues.

Everyone in the private jet can hear their conversation because Freya has it on speaker. Soyoung notices that Freya has been busy searching for clues about the mysterious visitor who came to the gallery and spoke to her as if he knew more about Yua’s death than she did. This must be what has been bothering Freya so much since the opening day, Soyoung thinks. Freya has been unable to sleep without her medication for the past few days. The recurring nightmares have returned to haunt her.

Freya hasn’t told Soyoung that in her nightmares, she opens the door to her mother’s room and sees three bodies lying there: Yua, Mel, and Soyoung. It’s always so bloody. It’s always so vivid. She always cries, pleading for help, calling their names, begging them to wake up. “Wake up! Don’t leave me alone, please… please… wake up! Wake up!” She cries. Freya is always so helpless and desperate, her heart filled with agony.

Deep in her heart, Freya believes that it’s all her fault. Yua killed herself because of her. Mel is gone because of her, and soon, maybe Soyoung will die tragically because of her. If it’s not the devil, then it must be her fault. If it’s not paranormal, then she must be cursed by God. She feels she will eventually make the people she loves suffer, at least until she finds something that proves otherwise.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for takeoff,” the pilot announces through the speaker. “Please fasten your seat belts and ensure your phones and laptops are switched off.”

Freya hangs up her call as Soyoung checks their seat belts. Soon, Soyoung’s private jet starts to move down the runway, the engines roaring to life. Freya glances out the window, her thoughts still swirling with the mystery of Vincent and the shadows of her past. Soyoung reaches over and squeezes her hand, offering silent support and comfort. Freya turns to her, offering a small, grateful smile, and for a moment, the turbulence of her thoughts is soothed by Soyoung's presence. “We will have a nice vacation, I promise,” Soyoung whispers inaudibly.

As the jet lifts off the ground, climbing into the sky, Freya closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, hoping that the altitude will bring clarity and distance from the nightmares that plague her.


***

The Los Angeles airport is a whirlwind of activity, teeming with eager fans and relentless paparazzi, all anxiously awaiting Soyoung’s arrival. The air buzzes with excitement and anticipation, hearts pounding in rhythm with the expectation of catching a glimpse of the global pop sensation. Cameras flash incessantly, capturing every movement, while fans clutch posters and albums, their faces alight with fervent hope. Airport security struggles to maintain order as the crowd swells, each person vying for the perfect vantage point. The atmosphere is electric, charged with the knowledge that Soyoung’s management has announced her return to LA to work on her highly anticipated new album. Everyone present knows they are about to witness a momentous occasion. 

A rumor is spreading that Soyoung will not be returning alone, but will be bringing Freya with her. Many fans, unfamiliar with Freya, are eager to see the infamous artist in person. Whispers of her beauty and coolness in real life add an extra layer of excitement and curiosity to the bustling scene.

As Soyoung’s private jet touches down, Manager Lee, a middle-aged man known for his meticulous planning, springs into action. He ensures a sleek black car is waiting just outside the airport, and all immigration documents are in perfect order.

Coordinating swiftly with airport staff, he arranges for VIP escorts to manage the eager crowd of fans and paparazzi. He double-checks the paperwork and confirms the discrete transfer of their luggage.

As the jet’s doors open, revealing Soyoung and Freya behind her, Manager Lee stands ready to guide them through the chaos, ensuring their comfort and security from the moment they step onto the tarmac.

Soyoung and her manager exchange a little information about the situation outside, “many people wait for you outside. Do you want to greet them or do you want to take another route?”

“I will greet them,” Soyoung responds with no hesitation. Her fans must have been waiting, and Soyoung wants to see their faces.

“Geunde, geu yeoja neun eotteokhaeyo,” But, how about her, Manager Lee takes a glance at Freya who is only a few steps behind them. “Hwagsinhaeyo?” Are you sure? His voice was painted with worries for the persistent rumor about Soyoung and Freya the other day. People are still talking about them.

“It’s fine,” Soyoung replies in English. “It’s not like I’m kissing her in front of everyone.”

“Well, if you’re sure about it, then…,” says Manager Lee before he takes a few steps in front of Soyoung, leading their way to the immigration section. 

The airport staff shows the queue line for the diplomatic route. Soyoung goes first, and Freya who is half asleep standing behind the line.

After the immigration officer hands Soyoung back her South Korean passport, she walks straight to the front door to greet her fans who have been eagerly waiting for her. As soon as Soyoung appears, the airport lobby erupts with screams of excitement. Fans call her name, their voices blending into a cacophony of adoration, each vying for their idol’s attention.

The paparazzi’s cameras flash incessantly, capturing every moment. Fans thrust posters and albums towards her, hoping for an autograph or a quick photo. Soyoung graciously takes some of the items, signing them with a warm smile before handing them back.

“Soyoung, have you had your dinner?” a fan shouts from the crowd.

“Not yet, I will after this,” she replies with a gentle laugh, her eyes scanning the sea of eager faces.

“Are we going to have fan meetings later?” another fan asks, their eyes wide with hope.

“Of course, guys! We will have fan meetings for sure,” Soyoung assures them, her voice filled with genuine affection.

Her presence seems to light up the entire lobby, her interactions with her fans showcasing not just her star power, but her heartfelt connection with those who support her.

Meanwhile, Freya, noticing Soyoung from afar, thinks it would be nice to show Soyoung’s fans some appreciation before they leave the airport. They have been incredibly supportive of Soyoung over the years, and Freya wants them to feel that Soyoung truly cares about them too. With this in mind, Freya walks over to Manager Lee, who has just finished talking to the airport staff.

“Is there any pizza or sandwich restaurant nearby?” Freya asks.

“Oh, yeah, there are some,” Manager Lee replies, caught off guard by the unexpected question.

Freya takes out her wallet and hands one of her black cards to the manager. “Would you buy some food for the fans? I’m sure they haven’t eaten dinner.”

“Now?” Manager Lee’s face reflects his surprise and confusion.

“Yeah, now,” Freya insists with a nod, her eyes conveying the sincerity behind the gesture.

Manager Lee looks at the card in his hand, then back at Freya, before nodding in agreement. He hurries off to make the arrangements, understanding the importance of this small act of kindness.

Freya watches as he goes, feeling a sense of satisfaction. She hopes this gesture will make Soyoung's fans feel even more valued and connected to her.


***


“Soyoung, what’s the album going to feel like this time?” one of the fans asks as Soyoung finishes taking a selfie with another fan.

“Oh, it’s going to feel so good, for sure. I hope you will like it,” Soyoung responds, her smile warm and genuine.

Just then, she hears her fans from the back and the other side of the crowd starting to scream. The girls before her, who had just exchanged a few words, shifting their focus, eyes wide with excitement. “Oh, my god! It’s real, she’s here! Look!”

Soyoung turns her head and sees Freya walking towards her, a paper bag in one hand and a sandwich in the other. Not only the fans but Soyoung’s eyes are also fixed on Freya. She doesn’t even notice that all her staff, including Manager Lee, are busy handing out similar paper bags to the crowd.

Freya’s presence electrifies the atmosphere even more. The fans’ cheers grow louder as she gets closer. Soyoung’s heart skips a beat, a smile spreading across her face as she watches Freya approach with an effortless grace.

“Give it to the fans,” Freya whispers closely to Soyoung’s ear as she hands the sandwich and the paper bag to Soyoung. The fans in front of them are taking videos of the most anticipated closeness between Freya and Soyoung before them. 

Soyoung takes the sandwich, her eyes never leaving Freya’s. “Thank you,” she whispers, her voice filled with affection.

Freya then turns to the Soyoung’s fans in front of her. “Soyoung got some snacks for you all. Enjoy!”

The fans cheer, their excitement reaching new heights. Manager Lee and the staff continue distributing the paper bags.

Soyoung looks at Freya, her heart full. This small act of kindness, this moment shared with her fans and Freya, feels perfect. Amid the chaos and noise, there’s a profound sense of connection and love, making the night truly unforgettable. Freya’s gesture makes it even harder for Soyoung to resist the urge to kiss her in front of everyone.

Look at her, Soyoung thinks to herself. I love her more than anything. I love her. I swear.


***


In another part of the world, the news of Soyoung’s arrival in Los Angeles with Freya Adler quickly makes headlines. After a successful opening day for her mother’s honorary exhibition, Freya’s appearance with global pop sensation Soyoung Park at Los Angeles International Airport sparks a media frenzy. Not only does Soyoung’s kind gesture of providing snacks for her fans capture attention, but the tender moment where Freya hands her a sandwich and they exchange whispered words fuels speculations about the true nature of their relationship. Their closeness once again garners significant attention, not only from fans online but also from Yue Yoshihara in her palatial family estate.

“It’s been almost three years,” Caesar, Yue’s right-hand man, reports. “They’ve never announced if they are in a relationship, and their friends say Freya and Soyoung are close but not committed.”

Yue, despite having just turned 60, retains the beauty of her youth. Her eyes, usually sharp and intimidating, are filled with worry for her granddaughter. She doesn’t know what game Soyoung Park is playing, but she knows her granddaughter too well. Freya must be in love with that woman.

It doesn’t take a genius to deduce that the idea of giving snacks to the fans was Freya’s. Nor does it take much for Yue to discover that Soyoung Park is the daughter of a traitor, Seol-hi Park.

Freya has always had a soft spot in her heart for love, a trait that Yue recognizes when she realizes Freya couldn’t be her successor for the same reason.

When Freya was 16 and living under Yue’s care, Yue believed Freya could be as ruthless as she was. Freya led a gang in her school, showing promise as a rightful heir to Yue's throne. But Yue’s curiosity is piqued when she notices Freya never touches the bento she made for her. Wondering where all the food went, Yue quietly observes Freya from afar during lunch break.

Freya takes the bento from her backpack and goes to a secluded part of the school where a girl her age waits. The girl, clearly poor, stands in stark contrast to Freya. Her white uniform is dull and worn, her shoes shabby and old, and her long black hair untidy compared to Freya’s neat ponytail.

“You have to eat,” Freya says, handing the bento to the girl.

Hesitantly, the girl accepts. “You always give your lunch to me. What about you?”

Instead of reassuring the girl, Freya clenches her fist and insists, “Don’t mind me. Just take care of yourself and eat!” She tries to sound stern but fails, making Yue chuckle silently.

That day, on her way home, Yue ponders Freya’s suitability as her successor. Her granddaughter is not as heartless as she had hoped. Freya reminds Yue of her own daughter, Yua—quiet, introspective, and kind-hearted. Forcing Freya to be someone she is not would only drive her away, just as it had with Yua.

On the night before Freya’s 17th birthday, Yue offers her a final choice. “He who chases two rabbits catches neither,” she says, urging Freya to choose her path. Freya chooses the life she now leads, becoming an artist like her mother.

Yue knows Freya’s kindness will bring its own set of threats. Men and women will exploit her softness for their gain. Soyoung Park is no less of a threat. The fact that Seol-Hi Park, the woman who betrayed the Yoshihara family, is Soyoung’s mother, makes Yue wary. Seol-Hi had been jailed for her betrayal, her family had suffered, and there is still a debt to be repaid to Yue. Now, with Soyoung close to Freya, Yue wonders what more the Park family could want beyond the fortune Freya possesses.

“Has she been paying her debt?” asks Yue as she scrolls through her tablet screen, reviewing the updates Caesar has compiled for her.

“Yes, she never misses a day. In fact, there are only two hundred million dollars left,” Caesar responds.

“Does she take any money from Freya’s accounts?”

“No. I’ve checked and confirmed everything with Sarah, Freya’s new assistant. Soyoung has been paying it out of her own pocket. Considering her endorsements, album sales, merchandise, and concert revenue, it makes sense. She’s been gaining a lot of attention and influence over the past few years.”

“You mean all of that began to happen since she met my granddaughter?”

“Not exactly. Soyoung has always had a cult-like following. She’s been working twice as hard since meeting Freya, but her staff says she's smart and talented nonetheless.”

“Well, if that’s so,” Yue says, handing the tablet back to Caesar, “I’d like to meet her in person.”

“Can you be more specific?”

“Soyoung Park. I’d like to meet with her. And Freya too, separately, of course. I’m sure Miss Park hasn’t told Freya about her business with us, has she?”

“You’re right. She hasn’t.”

“Arrange the meetings. Send one of our men to keep an eye on that woman, and make sure Freya is safe. Understood?”

“Understood.”

Yue watches her right-hand man leave, then takes a sip of her herbal tea. Whatever game Soyoung is playing, she’s been playing it well and clean. Yue doesn’t know how Soyoung manages to repay the debt her parents owed, but… that woman intrigues her. There’s a resilience in Soyoung that Yue can’t help but admire, and a curiosity about how deep Soyoung’s loyalty and feelings for Freya truly run.

The room grows quiet as Yue contemplates the upcoming meetings. She wonders how much longer Soyoung can keep her secret from Freya, and what will happen when the truth finally comes to light. Will Freya’s love endure the revelation, or will it shatter under the weight of betrayal?

As the anticipation builds, Yue’s resolve strengthens. She will uncover the true intentions behind Soyoung Park’s actions and ensure that her granddaughter remains protected, no matter the cost. The intricate web of Soyoung’s secrets is about to unravel, and Yue is determined to be in control of the threads.



---- END OF CH. 5 ----



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