Rwenzori

synopsis:

"When Hoon's grandmother rescues a pregnant woman from human traffickers, she unwittingly sets in motion a chain of events that will change their lives forever. The woman, Masika's mother, gives birth to a baby girl with striking features - radiant skin, piercing green eyes, and luscious Afro hair - before succumbing to her ordeal.

Years later, Masika grows up under Hoon's care, and as they grow closer, their bond blossoms into romance. But as they navigate their feelings for each other, secrets about Masika's past begin to surface, threatening to upend their love and their lives. Will Hoon and Masika overcome the obstacles in their path and find happiness together?"

Beneath The Glitter

A week after the dramatic events, a group of traffickers returned to the abandoned container, expecting to find Nzanzu on the verge of giving birth.

Instead, they were met with the stench of death and an eerie silence.

The doctor among them examined Nzanzu's lifeless body and announced that she had likely died shortly after giving birth. But the baby was nowhere to be found.

The traffickers exchanged uneasy glances, their faces darkening with anger. Viktor, the apparent leader, spat out a vicious curse. "Those scumbags we hired to watch her must have run off with the child," he snarled. "They probably sold the baby's organs or trafficked her to some other place."

The group erupted into a chorus of curses and angry shouts, but their rage was short-lived. They tried to call the missing traffickers, but their phones were switched off.

Unbeknownst to the traffickers, they had been observed by Lee Jun, one of the elderly villagers. He had been out collecting wild fruits in the forest had stumbled upon the group.

Recognizing the danger, Lee Jun rushed back to the village, alerting everyone to the potential threat.

The villagers quickly sprang into action, hiding Masika and preparing to defend themselves if necessary. But the traffickers, unaware of the village's vigilance, departed with a chorus of curses, vowing to track down the missing traffickers and exact revenge.

The villagers lived a simple, fulfilling life, tending to their farms and relying on one another for support. Some kept goats, providing milk for the community. They suggested that Hye-ja obtain milk from these goats to feed Masika, as there was no one to breastfeed her.

Meanwhile, in Africa, Nzanzu's family and villagers had been searching for her and Masika for months. They scoured the areas where Nzanzu used to collect firewood, but the only clue they found was her bangle.

Nzanzu's brother panicked, fearing that lions might have taken her. Their grandmother wept, and the community decided to hold a vigil, accepting that they might never find Nzanzu or Masika.

Nzanzu's brother comforted his grandmother, vowing to protect and care for her. Muhindo, Nzanzu's younger brother, promised to study hard and make his missing sister proud.

Back in Korea, three years passed, and Masika grew into a bright, energetic child. She would visit every house in the village, greeting the residents with a smile.

The villagers adored her, often gathering to sing and dance with her. Ju-Hoon, now seven years old, would clap his hands, proudly declaring, "That's my sister!" He had developed a strong protective instinct towards Masika.

By the time she was six years old, Masika had grown into a stunning young girl, her unique features becoming even more pronounced.

Chapter 13