Eun Ho watched her daughter with a mixture of appreciation and concern. She admired Molly's creativity in transforming the sweatshirt into a stylish jacket. She couldn't help but wish that Selena would wear the clothes she had picked out for her. Her father, in particular, would be shocked to see Selena's midriff exposed.
As Eun Ho gazed at her daughter, she couldn't help but reminisce about her university days in the 80s.She had been a daring fashionista, often wearing miniskirts and bold, colorful outfits that had turned heads on campus. She chuckled at herself, remembering the time she had worn a bright pink leather jacket and mini skirt to an economics lecture, much to the surprise of her professors.
Eun Ho's eyes returned to Selena, and she smiled wistfully. She was proud of her daughter's individuality and confidence, even if it meant that she didn't always dress in a way that was deemed "acceptable" by her family's traditional standards.
Noe Jin-ae and Park Gulduk arrived, their faces a picture of restraint as they took in Selena's outfit. Eun Ho could tell that they were biting their tongues, refraining from commenting on her ripped jeans and exposed midriff.
Noe Jin-ae, however, quickly pushed aside any concerns about Selena's attire and enveloped her grandchildren in a warm hug. "Come back soon, my dear ones," she said, her voice filled with deep affection. The summer is wonderful in Seoul. Grandmother will take you shopping until you're tired of it. We can go to Jeju Island, and I'll show you all the beautiful sights."
Selena smiled, feeling a pang of love for her grandmother. They had grown very close, quickly. They were similar types of women. She knew that Noe Jin-ae felt a deep regret for not being more involved in their lives, and she was trying to make up for lost time.
Park Gulduk, on the other hand, was a different story. He hugged Selena tightly but then proceeded to zip up her jacket, his eyes scanning her outfit with a critical gaze. "Save your beauty for your husband," he said, his voice stern.
Selena felt a frown creeping onto her face. She loved her grandfather, but she couldn't help but feel frustrated with his old-fashioned views.
She knew that he came from a different time, but it was hard to accept his misogynistic attitude. She took a deep breath, trying to push aside her annoyance and focus on the love and affection that her grandparents were showing her.
Eun Ho stepped in, a hint of amusement in her voice as she defended her daughter. "Father, it's 2004. You know the Spice Girls? Girl power? It's trendy, and it's just her tummy," she said, trying to downplay Park Gulduk's concerns.
Park Gulduk's expression remained stern, but Eun Ho could see a flicker of confusion in his eyes. He clearly didn't understand the reference to the Spice Girls or the concept of "girl power." Eun Ho smiled to herself, knowing that her father was a product of a different time and culture.
Selena, however, looked relieved that her mother had intervened. She smiled gratefully at Eun Ho, who returned the smile with a reassuring nod.
Jonathan arrived at the scene, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of caution and habit. After the assassination attempt, he had become even more vigilant, always on the lookout for potential threats.
He nodded to Eun Ho and the others, his expression serious. "Sorry I'm late," he said, his voice low. "I had to finish up some work before I could leave."
Selena smiled at him, and Jonathan's expression softened slightly as he returned the smile. He glanced at Selena's outfit, raising an eyebrow, but said nothing.
Eun Ho, however, noticed the glance and smiled wryly. "Jonathan. Is everything ready?" Eun Ho asked, her voice tinged with a sense of urgency. The impromptu flight home was a precautionary measure to prevent any potential mishaps.
"Yes, let's get going," Jonathan replied, his eyes scanning the surroundings one last time.
With a final round of goodbyes, they parted ways with Noe Jin-ae and Park Gulduk. The staff waved enthusiastically as they departed, and Selena smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the people who had taken care of them during their stay.
As they drove away in the reserved staff car, a sleek Mercedes-Benz SLS 2004, Selena gazed out the window, taking in the scenery. She admired the unique blend of traditional and modern Korean architecture as they drove from Gangnam to Incheon Airport.
The bustling streets of Seoul gave way to a more industrial landscape as they approached the airport. Selena watched as the scenery changed, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation as they headed back home.
As the private jet soared into the sky, the family and their entourage settled into their respective routines. Jonah quickly got to work on finishing his homework, his brow furrowed in concentration as he scribbled notes and solved math problems.
Selena, on the other hand, opted to catch up on some much-needed rest. She settled into a plush leather seat, adjusting the pillow and blanket to her liking. Within minutes, she was fast asleep, the gentle hum of the jet's engines lulling her into a peaceful slumber.
Meanwhile, Jonathan and Eun Ho retreated to separate rooms to conduct business and make various calls. Jonathan sat in a sleek, high-tech office, his eyes scanning financial reports and market trends as he spoke with investors and advisors. Eun Ho, on the other hand, sat in a cozy, elegantly decorated lounge, sipping tea and chatting with colleagues and partners.
As the jet cruised through the skies, the family and their team worked, rested, and conducted their various activities, each lost in their little world. The flight attendants moved quietly through the cabin, ensuring that everyone's needs were met and that the journey was as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Jonah looked up from his homework, a mix of amusement and concern on his face as he gazed at his twin sister, Selena.
She had curled up in her seat like a prawn, her eyes already closed and a soft, peaceful expression on her face. Their mother, Eun Ho, had always been able to fall asleep anywhere, anytime, and Selena seemed to have inherited that trait.
As Jonah watched his sister sleep, he couldn't help but think about the past few days. Selena had been struggling with depression, and it had been tough to see her like that. But she was resilient, and she bounced back quickly, showing maturity that belied her age. Jonah's thoughts then turned to McKenna, a girl who had been a part of their lives for 13 years. She had been a nightmare, throwing childish tantrums and bullying the other girls at school. Jonah remembered one particular incident when McKenna had gone ballistic because Gunn, Liam, Jakob, and Michael had started talking to other girls.
She had become so unbearable that the guys had decided to change schools to get away from her. Once they left, she cried and continued bullying anyway. The day he learned that he wasn't her brother and no longer had to protect her, both relieved a weight but filled him with guilt. He was happy. Really happy.
Jonah felt a pang of guilt as he recalled how they had eventually had to cut McKenna out of their lives. It had been a brutal but necessary decision, and Molly had taken her back; their parents set up a trust fund for her and still supported her. But emotionally, they had separated completely. She was at a military school, and she desperately needed help from the structure it applied. If they could not help her, no one could. They had tried a litany of specialists. McKenna's problems spilled out into the family; she was violent and destructive.
As Jonah reflected on the past, he felt a mix of emotions. He was relieved that they had made the decision to distance themselves from McKenna, but he also felt a twinge of sadness. He had cared for McKenna once, and it was hard to see her like that.
Jonah's gaze returned to his real sister, and he felt a surge of love and protectiveness. He got up and gently covered Selena with a blanket, making sure she was comfortable. Then, he finished his homework and settled in for a nap, feeling grateful for the peacefulness of the moment. He followed his sister in slumber.