"We have to change our ingredients for the moisturizer. This time, why don't we replace Marula oil with grape seed oil or jojoba oil". Kiera suggested to the cosmetic formulators.
Kiera had grown to be an independent,bold and beautiful young lady. She was now running her mother's company, V-beauty, as the CEO at the age of 23.
She had followed her mother's footsteps and had studied chemistry at NYU, then majored in cosmetic science during her post-graduate program.
Kiera had difficulties growing up. She often asked about her father as a little girl but Carolyn would always find ways to close the discussion.
One day, at middle school, everyone was asked to bring their fathers to school, because that day was a father daughter's day.
According to the school, it was an activity where fathers and their daughters spend time together. Kiera couldn't go. She basically had no man in her life
She was surrounded by women. Her mother, Kyung and Aunty Kara (Carolyn's friend and her best friend's mum).
After school, she came home that day, and went straight to her mother, looked directly into her eyes and said. "Mum tell me about my father, I need to know everything".
Carolyn who was put in a tight spot held her hands and gestured her to sit. Then she began their story.
"Your dad, is in Seoul. I don't really know how to explain this you. Okay look, we had a hard time living there. His family...". Carolyn paused.
She recalled all that she went through, then she said. " You know what, to cut the long story short, your father said you were not his child and sent us back here". Carolyn tried to fight back her tears.
Ever since that day, Kiera didn't care about her dad, she saw him as a coward and deeply resented him.
Right now, she was having a little meeting with V-beauty's cosmetic formulators about the reviews of the customers on their gel moisturizer for face and body.
It had, based on the ingredients, been formulated for just those with dry and sensitive skin and this affected the reviews, as those with oily skin had complained.
Kiera had to change some of the ingredients that were used and replace them with generally accepted and beneficial ones.
"Hey you're home early". Carolyn smiled at Kiera and then looked at Jack.
Jack was Carolyn's husband. They had been married for three years.
After Carolyn left Seoul with her daughter, it had been difficult for her to date another man but Jack, her course mate who had admired her for a long time, but couldn't make a move because she was in a relationship, started making moves when she came back single.
Year after year, she rejected him. Until one day, Carolyn got some news that tore her apart and she decided to settle down with Jack because he never gave up on her.
"What did I interrupt something?". Kiera chuckled and walked to her room.
Jack had walked into Kiera's life fully when she was 17 years old. Unlike other teenagers,she welcomed him because she had always wondered what it would be like to have a father figure in her life but surprisingly, she had never for once called him, father.
Carolyn felt it was because she didn't want to feel estranged again but Kiera just didn't feel like calling him that, so she addressed him by his name Jack.
"When will you tell her?". Jack asked Carolyn.
"When I feel it is the right time, I mean, he rejected her and didn't contact us for twelve years". Carolyn told Jack and rested her head on his shoulders.
"That was because he didn't know the truth. When he found out didn't he contact you?". Jack said while caressing her hair.
"I can't act like nothing happened. He believed that the child that we made together, wasn't his. Even if he knows the truth now, I wouldn't let him step into her life, it'll only bring harm to her. And he says he is in a critical condition and wants her to come over? I mean who knows. It could just be a strategy, maybe from him or his family to harm my daughter". Carolyn said with tears in her eyes.
"You are thinking too much dear, Kiera is 23 years old, she is a strong, bold and open-minded woman. She deserves to know the truth and to know her father. I'm sure she has a lot of questions for him". Jack said and hugged her tightly.
*********************************************
"Hey! Girl how are you doing". Kiera asked Mira with excitement. Mira had been her best friend since middle school but Mira left to Germany for her studies and they barely contacted each other.
"I'm great, heard you are the CEO of V.B". Mira said in a whispering tone making Kiera laugh out loud.
"Yea, I thank God. It has really been a hectic experience. You know my mum got married to Jack right?". Kiera asked Mira.
"The stalker!!". Mira whispered again.
"Hey! he wasn't a stalker, he just really loved my mum and I believe he'll never hurt her like my dad did". Kiera said emotionlessly and they both became silent for like two seconds.
"I'm sorry Kiera". Mira said this time not whispering.
"It's fine. I didn't know him so...". Kiera got interrupted by a knock on her door.
"Mi I'll call you later. I think my mum just knocked on my door". Kiera told Mira and hung up.
"Come in, mum! I know it's you. Kyung isn't back yet!". Kiera yelled from her bed.
"It's me Kyung". Carolyn said trying to mimic Kyung's way of talking. The door swung open.
"Mum! You are so good! But I know you". Kiera said and they both laughed.
"Who were you on the phone with?". Carolyn asked.
"Oh it was Mira. We haven't spoken in years. Just three years actually. At least it's not 20". Kiera said and let out a sarcastic smile.
After listening to Kiera's sarcastic remark about her father, Carolyn decided to follow Jack's advice.
"Kiera, I have to tell you something. It's about your dad". She told Kiera but Kiera let out a bitter laugh and said.
"Mum I don't want to listen to anything about that man. We are happy aren't we. You have Jack now and I don't see him leaving you".
"What I have to tell you is different sweetheart. Your father has requested that you go to Seoul". Carolyn said and watched as Kiera stood up in anger.
"Listen Kiera, I understand how tough it is for you. I don't want to see you suffer either. You know he did come for you after twelve years of abandoning us. I think he found out the truth but I was hurting at that time and I chased him away. Unfortunately, he stopped trying until now. They say he got into an accident and he is in a critical condition. I didn't want to believe at first but Kyung recently went to Seoul and she said it was all over the town. Your father could die in any minute. Whatever he has to say to you is very important. Oh my God! Now that I've said it I feel so bad. They reached out to me a week ago!". Carolyn sobbed hard leaving Kiera in a devastated state.
"Mom stop crying. I'll go okay. I hate seeing you in pain. I'll pack my things now see stop crying!!". Kiera said holding back her tears and hugged her mother passionately.
**********************************************
The next day at the airport, Kiera dressed up in matching sweats and white sneakers, with her black backpack and travel bag.
"It's time for my flight, Jack, mum. I'll be back. I don't want a baby sister or brother when I'm gone. So please refrain from doing that". Kiera said and they all laughed.
"I'm just kidding, Do whatever pleases you and Jack please take care of my mum". She said and looked at Jack with a gentle smile.
"You know that's what I do for a living right". Jack said and spread out his hands requesting a hug from Kiera which she understood and hugged him tightly.
"Take care sweetie". Carolyn finally said something. She had been holding back tears and couldn't mutter a word. She couldn't believe that Kiera was going to see that family again.
She hadn't given Kiera the full story and was scared because she didn't know how Kiera would react when she hears it from her father. She hugged her only daughter tightly and then kissed her forehead.
"Mum, that's enough. I'm a tough child you know. Okay bye it's time for my fight". Kiera informed them and moved away but she kept waving until she was out of sight.
During the flight, in the business class section, Kiera couldn't stop imagining how her father truly looked like. She got tired and decided to take a nap.
"salam-i eotteohge ileohge manh-i jam-eul jah suga issji? [How could someone sleep this much]". A handsome Korean- American man said in an annoyed tone.
He had noticed Kiera, when she came in and admired her a little but seeing her sleep and snore widely got him irritated.
Kiera finally woke up, but it was dark. The flight was a 13 hours 20 minutes flight and she had slept for only 4 hours.
"What the hell! I am so tired". Kiera yelled after checking the time on her phone, thereby alerting other passengers.
"Do you need something?". An air-hostess asked her in a polite tone.
"What could she possibly need". The handsome Korean-American said looking Kiera in disgust.
The air-hostess ignored Kiera and kept staring at the young man. He was indeed handsome.
He had clear eyes, flawless skin, well-defined jaw line and he was well-built. Even Kiera, took time to look at him but she then remembered his sarcastic remark and turned to the air-hostess.
"Weren't you talking to me. Why are you so absent-minded is that a good work ethic?". Kiera said in a rude tone leaving the air-hostess and everyone shocked. No-one expected Kiera to be so blunt.
"I'm sorry, what would you like to have". The air-hostess asked in fear.
"Forget it, just go back to work". Kiera ordered while shooting a fierce glare at the handsome man.
"What are you looking at". He asked coldly.
"Never stick your nose into my business okay? I'll ignore the stupid statement you made seconds ago". Kiera said to him avoiding any troubles but the young man wasn't one that avoided troubles neither was he one that let the last words end in someone else's mouth.
"Why, I was only being honest. What could you possibly need, oh maybe a pillow or an anti-snoring device". The man said sarcastically and kept looking at his phone.
Kiera wasn't one that would let the words end in someone else's mouth either especially when they are being rude to her.
Although, she finally understood why he was being rude, but she felt that her snoring, wasn't a strong ground to receive insults from him so she replied him in a very low tune.
"Listen, I get you want to speak to me but using snoring as an excuse, I mean isn't that cheap?". She smiled and put on her headphone.
Talking to him was just a waste of her time. The guy didn't talk to, he just stared at her.
"She's beautiful but mannerless of course". He thought to himself and kept doing what he was doing.
Kiera, was going through the ideas, her innovative team members came up with for the company's next product.
In the middle of doing this she felt hungry. She took of her headphones and waved to the air-hostess by her right.
"You finally need something". The handsome man asked with a sarcastic smile again.
Kiera thought to herself ."He is truly handsome". She then shook her head and decided to ignore his comment.
"How can I help you?". The air-hostess asked Kiera. This was a different air-hostess.
"I need to have dinner. Anything would be fine". Kiera told her and she left to prepare something for Kiera.
Another young man with an average look, who had sat beside the handsome young man quietly all this while, said to the handsome man."Lee-Soo they say his condition is getting worse".
Kiera finally knew his name Lee-Soo.
"We'll get there soon Eun-Sang". He replied with a cold tone as usual, then he faced Kiera who had been watching them and said. "See who says not to stick nose into other people's businesses".
"I didn't say anything Lee-Soo". She replied and let out a broad smile. Her smile was so charming and this made Lee-Soo and Eun-Sang stare at her for long until Eun-Sang whispered into the ears of Lee-Soo.
"Sir I think she looks like Jung-Sik. Do you think she is the daughter, he sent for?".
Lee-Soo didn't reply instead he glanced at Kiera again and indeed there was a striking resemblance, her eyes and her nose looked like his and some expressions she made, made her look more like him. Could she really be Jung-Sik's abandoned daughter?