The first week of summer finally brought warmth. As the weekend approached, Seoul was engulfed in heat. No one could remember such high temperatures in June in a long time. Hot weather was predicted for the rest of the summer.
Dressed in a light white dress and heels, SoMi walked confidently to the director's office. She held a 500-page manuscript that she had polished to perfection in her hands. She edited every word, every period, comma, exclamation mark, and question mark; every paragraph; and every section with care and finesse so as not to disrupt the harmony of the text or the meaning the author was trying to convey. She pressed the stack of papers to her chest because she poured her love for her work into helping both new and well-known writers. This book marked a new chapter in her career, and it was difficult to let it go. However, she felt in her heart that this would not be the only work entrusted to her.
As she opened the office door, she met the director's cheerful gaze and the grateful eyes of Lee Han Soo, the author of the manuscript, himself. He rose from the sofa opposite the director's desk and rushed over to SoMi to thank her for her work.
"Ms. SoMi, I am incredibly grateful for your work," the man began. "I searched for a long time for an editor for my book, but I couldn't find anyone who could make it perfect while preserving its meaning and the thoughts I wanted to convey. When I saw your work on one of the shelves in the bookstore, I felt that you were the person who could do it."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Lee. I must say that I have long wanted to work on a manuscript by a famous author like you. It is an honor for me."
"And thanks to you, Mr. Lee, SoMi got a promotion and her own office," the director interjected.
"Oh, that's incredible! Ms. SoMi, your talent shouldn't be limited to editing alone. It's time for you to write something of your own! I know you can do it."
"Yes, I'm already putting this plan into action. In a little while, I'll submit my first piece to the director for review."
"Really?" The director was surprised to hear this.
"Yes, Mr. Kim. The work is almost complete, and I'll present it to you as my own project next week."
"I'm glad to hear that. I look forward to it."
"Director Kim and Ms. SoMi, I would be delighted to invite you to the presentation of my book. I will send you a personal invitation."
"Thank you, Mr. Lee. We would be delighted to spend the evening in your company and that of your friends."
The director smiled broadly as SoMi placed the manuscript on the table.
"Please excuse me - I have to run. Being an author doesn't always mean sitting at a desk and writing a new story. Sometimes, you have to run a marathon," the man joked. After thanking them both again for their work, he hurried to his car for his next meeting.
"This will be the first significant event in your career - a book presentation. There will be a lot of cameras and famous people from Korea because Lee Han Soo is a real celebrity among authors. He has many friends among the 'cream of the crop,'" the director said as soon as the door closed.
"Yes, indeed," SoMi said, feeling a little nervous about what she had heard. "So many things are happening for the first time in my life right now. I can't even keep up with all the events. So many changes and new experiences," she said, smiling sweetly and modestly.
"Yes, change is always for the better," the man remarked, glancing at SoMi's stylish, light outfit. It was perhaps a little seductive, with a hint of openness under the thin fabric of the dress. However, the director tried not to dwell on those details. Something about this woman had changed after her divorce. She had become more confident and vibrant. Lately, thoughts of Editor Jeong had been haunting him.
*******
The day before the presentation, SoMi frantically scattered all her clothes on the floor, hoping to find something decent for such a significant event. One mistake or an ill-chosen outfit could seriously damage Kim Seong Joon's reputation. It could also ruin her fledgling writing career. This could not be allowed to happen because her dreams were just beginning to come true. She would never again be this close to achieving her most important life goal.
In despair, she almost burst into tears. As luck would have it, her friends were not around to give her advice or accompany her to boutiques to choose an outfit. She was definitely not going to call Do Hwan. What did he know about women's clothing? As always, he would tease her or make inappropriate jokes.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, dispelling SoMi's frantic thoughts. She almost jumped up to open the door. Lee Hyun was standing on the doorstep with a bag in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.
"Lee Hyun..." SoMi drawled, reaching out to hug her friend.
"Oh my, what happened? Did someone die or something?"
"Oh, you have no idea how timely you are."
"My intuition never fails me," her friend remarked, closing the door behind her. "Tell me what happened," she said, putting her purse and bag on the sofa and rushing to find a corkscrew in the kitchen to open the wine.
"I've been invited to the book presentation I've been working on. But I don't have anything to wear, and I don't know how to dress for such events," SoMi said as she placed two glasses on the table.
"Don't you have anything suitable in your wardrobe?" Lee Hyun asked, heading for the bedroom. Seeing the room's mess, she widened her eyes in surprise. "No, it seems you don't. But we bought you so many dresses on the day of the divorce! Where are they?"
"Oh, you mean this one or this one?" She pointed to short, revealing sequined dresses suitable only for a nightclub.
"Oh, right. We were planning to party then..." Lee Hyun bit her lower lip, embarrassed by the situation. "When is the presentation?"
"Tomorrow at five. Everything is closed today. Tomorrow, I still have to go to the salon for my hair and makeup," SoMi said, falling onto the bed and spreading her arms while staring at the white ceiling.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Lee Hyun sat down next to her and held out two glasses of wine. She took a sip from hers.
"I called Min Ji, but she's busy preparing for the wedding. I called you on Monday, and you said you'd call me back later. I never got your call back."
"I'm sorry..." Lee Hyun made a sour face, remembering the call from earlier that week. SoMi struggled to sit up and took the glass from her friend's hands. She drank the wine.
"SoMi, I'll do your hair and makeup. I'll cancel my appointment with the stylist and book you in for the morning."
"Yeah, I'll go with my hair and makeup done. Maybe no one will notice that I'm naked?" SoMi exhaled heavily. "Looks like I'll have to call the director and say I'm sick and won't be coming."
"SoMi, yahh..." her friend whined. "What are you talking about? This is your first social event. You can't miss it!" She glanced at the scattered items on the floor. "Here's a nice outfit: pants and a blouse..."
"I'll be the only one wearing a suit from last year's collection."
"Wow, look at you talking! You know about brands and collections?" Lee Hyun said in surprise, finishing her wine. "Wait, I have an idea!" She didn't even finish her sentence before rushing into the living room, leaving only a gust of wind behind her. Then, she hurried back into the bedroom. "Here!" She beamed as she handed SoMi the same bag she had come in with.
"What is it?" SoMi asked, taking the bag.
"I was walking past a boutique today and saw this outfit. I couldn't resist and bought it." Now I understand: I had to give it to you. The universe itself told me so. Take it. Consider it my gift to you for finishing the important project you've been working on."
SoMi took out the clothes, which were neatly folded in the bag. She bit her lower lip, either because the outfit was so beautiful or to hold back the tears that seemed about to spill out like a waterfall.
"Lee Hyun, I can't..." She held out the clothes.
"No, take it. It's fate. It will be perfect for you. I can see that going to the gym is paying off," Lee Hyun remarked.
"Thank you, Unnie. You're the best friend in the world."
"I know. Don't forget about me when you become famous."
"No way..." SoMi's eyes never shone brighter with happiness than they did today. True friendship really does exist. It's impossible to imagine a better friend.
******
That evening was exciting.
SoMi managed to take a bubble bath and visit the stylist who created her new look on the day of her divorce the next morning. She even worked a little on the ending of her future novel, which she will submit to the director for review next week. In the evening, she received a message from Kim Seong Joon saying he was coming for her. She sent him her address in reply. When she was ready, he called to say he was waiting for her on the street.
As SoMi was putting on her shoes, she heard her neighbor's door open and close quickly. When she went out into the hallway, however, she didn't run into Do Hwan. He had just gotten into the elevator and gone downstairs. They hadn't crossed paths in a week: He was constantly on business trips, arriving either early in the morning or late at night. SoMi couldn't find the time to invite him to dinner because she worked on her book in the evenings.
As she went downstairs, SoMi saw that the director was waiting for her next to his expensive car. Dressed in a classic black suit with a bow tie, he looked completely different from how he did in the office. There, he usually wore light linen shirts and sometimes T-shirts and jeans. Today, however, he looked like a prince waiting for his princess - SoMi.
Kim Seong Joon stood by the car, leaning against the front right door, waiting for his companion. When she appeared on the steps of her house, his heart suddenly began to beat wildly. His palms became sweaty and a strange excitement enveloped his body, making his legs feel like cotton candy.
"Wow..." he said softly, straightening up and opening the car door. "Editor Jeong, you look stunning today."
"Thank you," SoMi replied uncertainly as she got into the car.
Director Kim closed the door, jumped around the car, and settled into the driver's seat of the expensive electric car.
"Are you ready to dive into high society?" he suddenly asked. His voice sent shivers down SoMi's spine.
"Yes," she replied confidently, realizing that everything would be different from today onward. Enough with the modesty and sweetness. It was time to become a confident woman who knew what she wanted and achieved her goals. Here it was... Her first step toward her biggest dream.