The sound of laughter rings out in the empty house. My heart skips a beat as I follow the jubilant sound. My sister is on the couch, tears rolling down her round cheeks as she holds her stomach, her entire body vibrating with mirth. I glance past her to the screen, where I recognize her current obsession, K-Dramas. I’ve never been this grateful for a form of entertainment. These series have brought her back to life in a way nothing else could. Mom’s death hit her the hardest out of the three of us. We both lost the one parent who completely understood us, but she lost her less than three days before her birthday. We delayed the funeral to avoid having it become a memory she could never escape.
I remain hidden in the hall, enjoying her face. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my sister. Working in a department store, peddling make-up, and occasionally preparing others for elegant occasions is climbing down the ladder of success backward. But the work I do on the side helps keep my soul from starving and allows me to flex my creative muscle. Freelance is building my portfolio, and the downtime at home is allowing me to perfect my all-natural facial products. Seeing her look like herself makes everything I’ve done worth it. Pushing off the wall, I enter the living room.
Glancing up, she grins and removes her headphone.
“Hartley! You’re home early.”
“We were slow.” I shrug. “What are you watching?” Fiona sits up, and I sink down in the empty space beside her.
“Oh, this is Hidden Heiress. I’ve watched it a million times before, but I want to be ready for the second season that’ll start in November. Look.” Pausing the show, she points to the attractive man on screen. “That’s Yoon Kim. He’s my favorite actor right now.” She places a hand over her heart and sighs.
“Okay, he’s hot.” I admire the tall man with large, brown eyes and black hair artfully falling over his forehead. Usually, her crushes are too young for me, but that’s not the case with Mr. Kim.
“Right?” She grins. “He’s been in the industry for a long time. He started off as an idol.”
I frown. “Isn’t that against our religion?”
She rolls her eyes. “That’s what they call their pop stars. He was in a really successful K-Pop band when he was younger.”
“Well, fill me in. Don’t let me look old and not in the know.”
Her eyes light up. “Really?”
“Yeah.”
Turning toward me, she grins. “In Secret Heiress, Moon Son is an orphan who has no clue her family is actually extremely wealthy. Her mother ran off with a boy who had no money, so she was disowned. Then they were both killed in a car accident. Her grandfather has always regretted it. And when he goes looking for his daughter and discovers what happened, he arranges it, so Moon is hired at his mall.”
I listen, nodding as she weaves the intricate plot. It’s impressive how many plot twists are involved.
“I didn’t realize the stories were so intricate.”
“They’re so good, Hart.”
“Why do you like him so much?”
“Because his acting range is incredible. He’s played all kinds of characters, and the fact that he sings in some of them doesn’t hurt.” Grabbing the computer, she places it on her lap and switches her tab.
“Look at this! The first season was created by Netflix. It was so successful the company has started an American-based campaign.”
“Smart on their part. A wider audience means more views.”
“It also means they’re here.” She squeals, creating high-pitched sound I swear could break glass.
“In Texas?” I ask, shocked.
“No,” she huffs. “I wish. Right now, it’s limited to the big cities like New York City, Los Angeles.” She pouts. “Even Atlanta, Georgia.” She pulls up an ad. “They’re currently filming the second season and collecting contestants for a competition they’re going to be running.”
I skim the ad. “Wait. They’re competing for a spot on the show?”
“And a meet and greet with the cast. The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve. That has to be the gift of a lifetime.”
I’m intrigued. “How are they picking the contestants?”
“I’ve seen the highlights from other cities. It’s an interview process, sort of like American Idol. They’re coming to Austin this weekend. I was tempted to ask if I could go just to see the others compete.” Sighing, she plops back against the couch cushions. “It’s going to be epic, I’m sure.”
“You’re not going to enter?” I ask, shocked.
She scowls. “Dad would never let me miss a week of school to compete, and I’m sure the show will be filmed in LA or something like that.”