Chapter 66

2023.02.17

Finally! Air of South Korea! I stretched my arms wide to only to get pushed down. "Hey! Watch were you are going." I spoke in Korean. Amy and Tommy rushed to me and said, "The Korean is working." "Seriously guys." I got up and dusted myself. The security came and apologized. I smiled and said it was all right that it was not his fault anyways. We chose the path were we will not get in to the fans. Then I saw the place of awesomeness. THE DUTY FREE! I ran over. "Anna we have to go." "Give me five minutes." My eyes were all stars. I was overwhelmed with all the products. "Amy, come over here." I showed here a tint that I just tried, and guess what she was also screaming around watching the goods. Tommy was staring at us. "Are we done? You are not buying anything?" He was confused. I smiled. "When we departure. I wrote down what I want to buy!" He shook his head and carried his luggage.

We finally came to the entertainment that was picked by random. It was like we missed all the fun. I picked bubble tea for all of us. It is pretty famous in Korea. If you watch Kdramas you would be familiar. We got entertainments that was not in the top 3. We got the top 4 which is 'Huge Hit' and a rookie entertainment but of sure exposure in future, 'MHS'. Our first stop was Huge Hit. Tommy spoke, "Kit and Dora do not know that we are here. I told them that the flight was delayed." Amy replied with a "Nice. Let's go!" Tommy had prepared the IDs for us to get through the security. I wore a mask, I was getting a little uncomfortable with all the attention I was receiving.

We went to the dance practice room. I read the board that was in hangul. I predicted that the artists will be present. Tommy opened the door, we saw them sitting around a small table and chatting. Amy did not think twice, she screamed "We came!" and rose her hands high showing the bubble tea that we bought them. Dora stood from her seat and hugged Amy. Tommy and I came in next in a more calm state. I scanned the room to find twenty of them in the room shocked at Amy's screech. They looked at us. I gave a half bow. Dora chocked me and was almost in tears. "I thought you would not come. I was scared to death. I do not understand and Kit is barely getting us on board." "Had a rough time huh?" I replied and took a bubble tea from Amy and gave her, "Take a sip. Little sister is here for the rescue." Kit pushed Dora away and put his hands on my shoulder and said, "Finally, I am at peace. We need you." "Hands off!" I glared at him without swaying. "Come on get over your cloud of coldness." He said in Korean for everyone to hear, leaving Tommy, Amy and Dora confused.

Kit bought a form to fill out. It was in bought English and Korean. "We have to fill out what team we want. The only team that is left in this entertainment is this group." Kit was serious and we shifted to native language. We did not want anyone to know what we were talking. I rocked my chair crossing my hands to look at the team. I have listened to some of their songs and they were crazy as hell. "There are thirteen of them." "Wait I thought seventeen?!" "No" He sighed in relief. I continued, "They left this group because of two reasons, one was that there are many of them but that is an advantage for us because it will show the potential of us that we are capable of designing for a team in a range. And it will also draw a lot of attention. Number two is that they are the least popular in this entertainment, but that does not mean that they are not popular, they are hot sellers. So do not worry just sign them up." I watched Kit fill the form and directed my eyes to my members they were enjoying bubble tea. "Amy, Dora and Tommy, can you get their stylist and ask for their measurements." Kit looked at me, "Are we not rushing?" "Sooner the better to make alterations." Tommy looked at me said, "You are the boss. Even though you are three years younger than us." I smiled.

I turned a back to Kit who had finished writing down the form, "Okay next." I talked in the native language again, "Glad you picked this entertainment. You guys did a pretty good job." "But they are not in the top 3 that means they have less exposure and also we will get less feedback." "The one who told you that wants you to give up. This is the friendliest entertainment. If you did a good job you can secure a place here as a rookie fashion designer. Also even if they are not in the top 3 they have the most exposure due to different artists in this entertainment. I am not going to explain that, it is pretty long. Who did you chose?" "I and Dora chose this soloist because we have to deal with thirteen member's outfits." "You do not believe in your own potential. It is not that hard as you think. I think you should choose this new group, 'Wild Girls'." He was confused. "It is not because they are a rookie group. They are actually members from different group. They left their previous entertainment due to different reasons and some of these members groups were disbanded, which means there are going to be many eyes watching them." Kit's eyes opened wide. "You know the roots about Kpop. I am glad that you made it. I would have been screwed if you were not here. Barron was right. He said not to underestimate you." "Speaking of Barron. How is his father?" "It seems like he is doing great now. He also said that within two weeks he can discharge." "That is nice to hear." I fiddled my fingers. I felt a bit guilty when I heard Barron's name. He praised me a lot even though I rejected him and I did not thank him enough for it.

Kit stood up. It was the CEO of the HUGE HIT. I stood beside him like a rock. Other returned and stood next to me. Two other teams arrived. They were from other countries, Brazil and Singapore. Kit was whispering in my ear all the details. I did not dare to remove my mask. I still kept it on even although it was a bit rude. The other two teams stood in a line and we automatically stood in a line with them. Kit stood at first to introduce our team, next was Dora followed by Tommy, Amy and I. All spoke in English so Kit went with the flow. The CEO came in front of us and all of us introduced and when Kit said my name I gave a slight bow and CEO signaled with his hands to my mask. I hesitated and removed. "You can sign in our company to upcoming Band. You have a beautiful face. No wonder you thought of putting the mask." I smiled. I could feel all the eyes on me. Amy out of nowhere said, "I do not think she will join sir, she is going to be a dentist." Tommy nudged Amy to stop. "That is impressive. See you all in the future and good luck with the contest. When the crew left, I turned to Amy and said in native language, "No one asked Amy. Next time do not tell that to anyone."

"Got the measurements." She handed them over to me. They were in hangul. "How about we take their measurements? For better. Tomorrow." "Why tomorrow? They are here so we can take them today itself." Tommy said. Kit replied instead of me. "No, first we have to submit the application and your names too. We will do that tomorrow." We went to dorm after giving the forms and our names.

2023.02.18

It was four in the morning. I cannot sleep. May be it was because of the time zone difference. I was hungry. I used the washroom and changed my pyjamas to comfortable dark blue jeans and a white turtle neck t-shirt. I made myself a tortilla, an egg and some sausages. I was still hungry so I made some pancakes and ate them with more sausages. I got a message from mother. It was another proposal. It was the sixty-seventh. I opened the proposal, it was Dongmin's. It was definitely Engel's work. I was always saying that I someone like him to run away from the marriage topic. If they want me play along okay. I messaged back, I am in. She instantly messaged me, "He will come to see you there. Talk in a very nice manner." "Yeah, yeah. I will. Do not worry about that. How is the new couple?" "My eyes are sore because of them." They were having a good time. I was happy about it. Sally had messaged that she passed her first B.Sc exam. I was happy for her. She was waiting till I get married first. But I doubt that her parents would wait. I messaged Steven, Daniel and also Emma and sent them photos of Korea. I went to my stargram account and stalked my old friends. "Do they even think of me?" "Who Anna?" It was Amy. She was awake. "You are all dressed up and already had your breakfast. You did not make me any." "No, you did not ask me to." She then made a mad face and went to drink a glass water. "I was kidding check the pan." "I knew you are not all cold. I wish you can be more comfortable around us and be yourself." "I will try." I made a fake promise. Whenever I be myself I always been called fake for being all adorable. They want me to be always the badass and the not-the-victim. And I was used to play the role all along. It was more like I had no feelings and it was okay to push me off the cliff as much as they want because it would never hurt Anna.

At nine in the morning all were awake. But were still in their dream lands. "Guys! Can you all get ready faster? We have to have a meeting." "Okay" Tommy sat down on the table to have the meeting with his shorts and not brushed teeth. I threw a cushion at him. "What?!" "Not like that get ready, eat your breakfast and mainly brush your teeth. Everybody get ready by ten. I made breakfast for everyone. I am going out for a walk."

I took the notebook that 'SEVEN' stylist gave us. She also had mentioned places where we can find materials for cheap. But then again they can tell that we were foreigners and they will surely increase the price. I wanted to have a look at the materials. And some places to get materials for jewelry making. The morning was nice except for the pollution. The daily report said that the pollution has decreased a little bit. But it was like it has not because I live in a place I had never seen it. Most of the time surrounded by plants and trees. Then again I felt home even in a place that I knew not. I called the stylist to get more information about the raw materials for Jewelry making. (In Korean) "Hello, Sorry for the morning call. Am I disturbing?" "Not at all" She replied. "Do you know any places where I can find materials to make Jewelry?" "You are going to make Jewelry too? That is going to be really cool! But since we never have done. I do not know. But I know a person who might know. I will ask him and let you know." "Oh please. Thank you for all the help." I cut the line and went back to the dorm.

"The breakfast was great. Will you make breakfast every day?" Kit complimented. "It will depend on the schedule we will be having." I replied and sat down on the table with my notebook. Kit started talking. "We want to now make themes for each of the group, in total we have thirteen male outfits and five female outfits. Any ideas?" All were giving ideas but they were out of ideas for more than seven outfits. Kit continued. "Anna, you know Kpop better than us. How is your plan?" "Here it is more of a soft masculinity. We can combine both. You can make the seven outfits that you mentioned and I will do three more. I will help you design more three outfits. The color theme I chose was lilac, brown, yellow, leaf green and beige. I thought of taking 'Orchid flower' for inspiration as it represents masculinity back in the days." I showed my designs and I also doodled their designs beside mine. "We need three more. How about shorts?" Dora spoke. Tommy replied, "All will be formal." "Wait, I have seen some of the artists wear shorts on top of skinny leggings, those you wear for the sports. Like sweater, tight ones." I searched and showed them a photo. "That is nice. We can make the shorts less baggy." Tommy added and he doodled next to the designs I drew. Amy was focused on my designs and asked, "Where are you going to find these designs Anna? Would not it be hard?" She pointed out the thread works. "That is Stumpwork Embroidery. It has a Chinese origin. Do not tell me that you did not learn it?" They shook their heads in a rhythm. "How do you know that?" Dora asked in curiosity. "I learned it in online. I found it interesting."

"What else have you learned?" Kit asked. "Black work. That is all." "That will take time to do right?" I nodded. "Okay we will think of other designs for the boys. I am going to settle with Anna's theme. I find it fresh, any objections?" No one objected. "Good. Now the girls. Anna summary in the group." "Well. This is a group that is formed from artists who are kicked out from their previous groups for petty reasons and some are from disbanded groups. They have a lot of expectation. The new song they released was about dissing their previous entertainments and expressing their emotions. They came out strong and they won three awards so far. So I was thinking we should give them something unique and uncommon. Like shades of green. Jungle green, emerald green, turquoise, blue green and some highlights." "Why green shades? Red would be eye-catching." Amy said bluntly. "I know. Because I saw some nice fabric and pieces this morning. They will make the dress look more rich and exotic. But then again there were other colors too." Dora spoke, "Anna is right. Red and Black will be used a lot because they are eye catching. But when we use some other colors in middle of eye catching colors it will be the opposite. I will not vote for the color yet. I also want to see the fabric." I nodded and gave an okay sign. Amy pouted and said, "What about the Jewelry?" Kit spoke, "Yeah, we cannot use the same as others and it would be nice if we can make them. Amy is great at it." About that." All eyes automatically focused on me. "I talked with the 'SEVEN' stylist. She said she will let me know. I knew that Amy was very good. I thought we could make a few and chose some from the street vendors without going to high class shop. Amy can polish them." Tommy spoke, "Cheap and will look great. Not bad. You thought everything beforehand." "It is just I know Kpop a lot but then again do not lean on me for all." Everyone stood up to go to the HUGE HIT to get the measurements. I stood and got their attention, "I might be sometimes bossy. Bear with me." They had confused faces. I just gave a poker face and went to get my bag to get my notebook and water bottle inside.