CHAPTER 3- Destiny Knocks at the Door.

A Reunion Long Awaited

"He's back!" Excited, Nora's voice echoed throughout the flat. She gripped Rose's phone with shaking hands, reading the headline ten times to be sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her. At five this morning, Dave Trump arrived at the airport. Five years have passed since he departed the nation. Her breath came in harsh, short gasps, and her heart hammered against her ribs. Five years. Waiting for five years. Five years of optimism. And now—he had returned. "I need to go see him!"

She jumped out of her chair so quickly that the chair made a loud scraping sound as it hit the floor. Her mind was racing with feelings of longing, worry, and exhilaration. What ought she to do first? Where ought she to go? Was his appearance the same? Did he still have his hair styled neatly? Did she still get chills from his icy stare? Her bliss was interrupted by a voice before she could think too deeply. Rose gave a snort. "I doubt he even remembers you." Nora hardly flinched as the words cut through the air like a dagger. Her black eyes blazed with defiance as she turned abruptly. "Not at all! He will remember me. She did not accept it.

She did not accept it. She had continued to remind him of her presence even after he had departed. She had sent him gifts, hand-picked, personalised, and exclusively for him. She had expressed in letters the emotions she was unable to express in person. In case he ever missed home, she had even made arrangements for meals to be delivered to the places he may be staying. She had been devoted to him. And such love didn't simply go away. Without saying another word, she whirled around and ran, almost tripping in her hurry, to her chamber. Her body buzzed with anticipation, and her pulse throbbed in her ears. I must see him. I must touch him. If only I could give him a kiss...

The thought made her breath catch. After five minutes... The door of the bedroom sprang open. When Nora emerged fully clothed, she twirled wildly before posing. "How do I look?" she enquired, her face beaming with a dazzling smile. Ruby's admiring eyes grew wide. She yelled in Korean, "Daebak!" which translates to "awesome." Nora smiled, her dimples deepening. "See ya!" She ran out the door before anyone could say another word. Rose sighed wearily as she watched her leave. "Ugly," she whispered to herself.

Twelve years. Twelve years of pursuing a man who had never even given her a good glance, of one-sided love. The world was full with other men who would instantly fall in love with Nora. She must have been infatuated with him, though. She was only twenty, though. She had time. She might finally move on if Dave turned her down once more. Ruby, meantime, sat thinking deeply while drumming her fingers absently on the table. Now that Dave has returned... What comes next? Her eyes glowed with anticipation as her hands balled into fists. It was this. She started writing her novel at the ideal time.

The Trump Mansion

The Trump Mansion's opulent doors sprang open. A tall person entered, commanding attention just by his presence. Donald Trump. His icy, unreadable dark eyes scanned the opulent decor. The mansion was identical, with flawlessly polished marble flooring and opulent chandeliers that illuminated the room with a golden glow. There had been no change. Nevertheless, everything seemed different. A little figure came hurtling towards him like a bullet before he could move another step. "Brother!" Dove Trump threw herself at him, burying her face in his chest and putting her arms around his waist.

Dave's expression softened slightly for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. He ruffled her hair with an almost imperceptible softness. "How have you been?" Dove pouted, looking up at him with wide, bunny-like eyes. "I missed you." Her voice wavered a little. Five years had passed. Before Dave could reply, a scoff reverberated throughout the room. "Brat." Dave's expression reverted to its typical indifference. An older man sat in the grand armchair by the fireplace, his keen eyes focussing on Dave like a hawk eyeing its prey. Matriarch Trump.

Dove, still holding on to Dave, smiled at her granddad. "Grandpa, Brother is back!" she exclaimed with such excitement that it almost overflowed. The elderly man, however, was not impressed. His eyes were calculating and cold. "So, you finally remember you have a family?" His tone was one of subdued disappointment as he spoke. "For five years, you were absent. No phone calls. No trips. No justifications. And now you return as if nothing had occurred?" Dave said nothing. The look on his grandfather's face stiffened. "You might as well return to your starting point. You're not needed here." Dove let out a gasp. "Grandpa!" However, Dave? He just laughed. He sounded as though he had anticipated those very words—dry and humourless.

Matriarch Trump then gave his command. "If you want to stay, you must get married." The room's air became heavy. Desperate to help, Dove dived in right away. "He returned just now, Grandpa! Can't we discuss this at a later time? He's only twenty-three, anyway! Why should he get married so soon? She had to put this off as long as she could. After all, her grandfather had brutally cut her expenditures when Dave was gone. She could finally savour her brother's money now that he was back. He would give his new wife all of his attention and money if he married too soon.