Chapter 32

March 01 - March 04

Life slowly began to settle back into its familiar rhythm. I threw myself into my studies, spending countless hours in the library with Zach. His patience was a godsend as he helped me catch up on everything I'd missed. We would sit tucked away in a cozy corner, surrounded by stacks of books, often losing track of time until the librarian shot us disapproving looks for staying past closing hours. Those long study sessions, though exhausting, became something I looked forward to; they were a comforting distraction from everything else.

March 06 - March 09

Just when I thought things were finally calming down, manager Unnie called with some unexpected news about the Hollywood movie offer. I had initially turned it down, and this wasn't the first time I had rejected a film project, not just in Hollywood but also in Korea and China. If I had accepted the offers I received last year, I would have already made my Hollywood debut. But this time, unnie was insistent, practically begging me to reconsider. She managed to set up a meeting with the producers, who were very eager to have me on board.

The meeting turned out to be surprisingly pleasant. The Hollywood producers were genuinely excited about the prospect of casting an Asian actress as the lead in their new film, 'Golden Rain'. The story was intriguing, centering around a girl who has visions of the end of the world. The enthusiasm in the room was infectious, and for the first time, I found myself seriously considering the offer.

Later that evening, I went to Ivan's study to get his take on it. He listened patiently as I laid out all the pros and cons, my voice a mix of excitement and doubt.

"If you're excited about it, then go for it," he encouraged. "But only if it's something 'you' want, not because someone else thinks you should."

His words lingered in my mind, giving me the clarity I needed. I told the producers I would give them my decision within the week. In the meantime, I stuck to my usual schedule, juggling my classes and commitments.

March 10 - March 13

Ivan surprised me with tickets for a spontaneous weekend getaway to Paris. "You've been through so much lately," he said with a soft smile. "Let's go meet our parents and just... breathe."

We flew to Paris, and for a few blissful days, it was just our family of four, enjoying the tranquility of each other's company. No interruptions, no phones, just us, the beautiful city, and endless skies. It was exactly what my soul needed, a brief escape from the chaos of my life.

March 14 - March 28

Returning to Boston, I felt like a new person, filled with a sense of renewed purpose. I dove back into my studies with Zach, who continued to be my anchor during this busy period. We even started organizing group study sessions with our friends, squeezing in as much preparation as possible before exams. Ryan somehow joined our study group, and despite their different life goals, Ryan and Zach hit it off. It was amusing to see them banter about everything from sports to academics.

Meanwhile, after much deliberation, I decided to accept the role in 'Golden Rain'. Aaron, ever the optimist, assured me that the film had serious potential and might even be nominated for the Oscar, given the heavyweight names involved in the project. The film crew was made up of industry veterans, many of whom had worked on award-winning productions. With that in mind, I jumped into filming, which began at the end of March.

My schedule became a whirlwind of classes, study sessions, filming, golf outings on Thursdays, and weekends spent at the racetracks with Ryan. It was hectic, but I thrived on the energy of it all. I was constantly on the move, juggling my various passions and commitments.

March 29 - March 30

The golf club on the 29th turned out to be more eventful than usual. I stumbled upon a heated argument between two girls, one trying to frame the other. Unable to just watch from the sidelines, I stepped in, calmly exposing the lies of the "green tea" girl. My words cut through her charade, leaving everyone stunned. The accused girl, who introduced herself as Nora, was beyond grateful. She later caught up with me, insisting on buying me coffee to express her thanks. I had to decline, but promised we'd meet up another time.

That evening, Somi, Hani, Lily, and Chaeyeon arrived at my house. We were gearing up for a trip to the UK later that night. I had to pack some outfits for the journey, which was a change since I usually had clothes ready at my homes in South Korea and China. But this time, I had nothing waiting for me in the UK, so packing was a must.

We had a great time catching up, and I arranged for their bodyguards to stay at a nearby guest house. By 6 p.m., after a cozy dinner, we all got ready for our flight.

I dressed comfortably yet stylishly, opting for a black Burberry Checkered cotton-blend hoodie, matching Check panel jogging pants, chunky Burberry shoes, and a mini Burberry shoulder bag. We boarded the private jet around 7:30 p.m. I insisted that Somi take the bed in the jet's private cabin since she had just flown in from San Francisco and was already exhausted.

We touched down at Southern London Airport around 3 a.m. local time, which was 8 a.m. in London. Today was Hani's birthday, and we had planned a surprise for her. We planned to act indifferent all day until we revealed her surprise celebration later on.

Upon arrival, Yuji unnie and Haeven were there to pick us up. We greeted each other with a group hug, casually wished Hani a "Happy Birthday" without much fanfare, and then headed straight to Canvey Island, where we would be staying. After a one-hour ride, we arrived at Maisonwyck, a lovely house right off the Essex coast. The staff had prepared everything in advance for our arrival.

We decided to pick our rooms by playing a game, which ended with Somi and me sharing a room. The rest of the day was packed with fun activities like yacht rides, seaside games, and dining at charming waterfront restaurants. The highlight was surprising Hani with a beachside birthday party complete with a cake. She burst into tears, overwhelmed with emotion, and it took us a good twenty minutes to calm her down. The night ended with us watching videos we had recorded throughout the day, all while snuggled up on the beach under the stars.

March 31

The next morning, I opted for a chic yet edgy look: a cropped brown leather biker jacket over a crisp white shirt with a loosely tied striped tie, paired with a pleated brown mini-skirt. I added chunky sunglasses worn on my head, LV ankle boots, and an LV white bum bag.

We decided to explore the city of London, where we met up with Yuji's family and enjoyed a delightful dinner together. We also filmed a vlog, wandering through the streets, sampling street food, and capturing the bustling energy of London.

That night, we crashed at Yuji's place. Even though her family lives in London, Yuji and Haeven have their own apartment. We made quite a mess playing games and fooling around until everyone fell asleep all over the living room. Yuji unnie, ever the responsible one, started waking us up and shepherding us to our respective rooms.

When it was my turn, I groggily got up to see the aftermath of our chaos. I washed my face to wake myself up and joined Yuji and Somi unnie in cleaning up the living room. Despite Yuji's protests for us to get more sleep, we managed to persuade her that cleaning up together was faster and more fun.

April 01 - April 07

We flew back to Boston at 4 a.m. the next day, landing around the same time due to the time difference. Chaeyeon, Hani, and Lily headed straight home, while Somi stayed with me until her afternoon flight to San Francisco. I initially wanted to send her back on my private jet, but she had already booked her flight, so I made sure she got to the airport safely.

The next few days were a blur of catching up on rest, spending time with friends, and resuming my hectic schedule.

On the 4th, Nora tracked me down for lunch, just as she'd promised. I was surprised by how quickly we became friends. She's from a wealthy family deeply rooted in politics, and she's spoiled but refreshingly honest, always saying whatever comes to her mind. She insisted on introducing me to her brother, Owen, who's studying at Harvard.

April 08 - April 30

The rest of the month flew by in a whirlwind of packed schedules. My days were a blend of attending lectures, studying with Zach, filming the movie, catching races with Ryan, playing golf, and cafe dates with Nora.

Nora's birthday party was a lavish affair, where I finally met her brother, Owen. Unlike his sister, he was calm, composed, and deeply involved in Harvard's student council and political clubs. He had a seriousness about him that was almost intimidating. In contrast, Nora was the carefree, younger sister who had always been given everything she wanted.

By the end of the night, I realized how much I enjoyed their company. Nora's family was welcoming, with her mother exuding the aura of a refined mafia wife, while her father carried the gravitas of a seasoned politician. They seemed pleased that Nora had found a friend like me, as her previous companions had not met the family's approval.

OST performed on the 14th and 21st at Coachella. We did our best to hype up the audience. Last year, I performed my unreleased song, First Love, and this year, I performed my unreleased song, Toxic Love.

Not only that, the final episode of 'Boys Planet' aired, and I was thrilled that my favorite member was selected to debut and even took first place. I let Hyunwoo congratulate the boys on my official Twitter and Weibo accounts while I congratulate them via Instagram.

The month wrapped up with our annual meeting in Switzerland, where we spent three days in the breathtaking Lauterbrunnen Valley. The floral paradise was stunning, and we even had a first aid lecture and hands-on session with the Red Cross. It was a refreshing change of pace and a chance to renew my skills in emergency care. It was the perfect end to a chaotic yet fulfilling month.