Kapitel 16: Chapter 16. Not Good at Goodbye
Sophia and Jonathan looked at each other, utterly perplexed. "Do you what?" they asked in unison, their voices laced with a mix of confusion and concern.
Harper met their gazes evenly, her expression calm and resolute. "I'll be responsible for Rachel's monthly allowance and her school fees until she's able to support herself," she stated matter-of-factly.
Sophia's brow furrowed, and a hint of defensiveness crept into her tone. "And why is that?" she asked, the idea of someone else financially supporting her younger sister unsettling her.
Harper leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with a quiet determination. "Well, will you?" she asked, the question catching Sophia off guard. "She needs a monthly allowance, and her school fees are about twenty thousand US dollars a year. Are you going to support her? Because please do."
Sophia's mouth snapped shut as she exchanged a worried glance with Jonathan. They both knew that their parents, especially their mother, would never agree to this arrangement. And if Rachel were to pursue it, she would never support Rachel because she's waiting for her younger daughter to come back crying at her mercy later.
Jonathan cleared his throat, his voice laced with skepticism. "Why are you doing this for her? You've only just met her through a game."
Harper's expression softened, a hint of sadness flickering behind her reassuring smile. "Because I care," she said simply. "And because this is what I've wanted since I was her age—someone to help me out."
The siblings fell silent, grappling with the weight of Harper's words and the implications of her offer. They were old enough to recognize that there was likely more to Harper's story than met the eye. Sensing the gravity of the situation, they decided it was best not to pester her any further.
Sophia broke the silence, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Are you rich?" she asked, her tone laced with a mix of skepticism and genuine interest.
Harper shook her head, her expression remaining calm and collected. "No, but I can work and study," she replied matter-of-factly. "It's always been that way for me, and the university in Germany is actually cheaper than in the USA. Plus, they'll be paying me in euros."
Jonathan leaned forward, his brow furrowed in thought. "And if Rachel decided to quit, then what?" he asked, the unspoken concern evident in his voice.
Harper's gaze softened, and she responded with a gentle yet unwavering tone. "Nothing," she said simply. "So be it. Rachel is Rachel; this isn't some investment, young lord." Her words carried a weight that made Jonathan feel both ashamed and strangely offended.
"That's not what I mean." Jonathan feels restless.
"I did this because I want to, because I care," Harper continued. "I saw a young lady with so much talent and persistence, with a future. And if she wants to pursue that, then so be it. It will be my duty to support her, even if none of her own family is willing."
Sophia felt a lump form in her throat; her own inadequacies as an older sister were suddenly laid bare. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words seemed to elude her. "Isn't that?" she began before trailing off, unable to articulate the complex emotions swirling within her.
Jonathan, however, was more direct in his response. "But you're not her family!" he exclaimed.
Harper's gaze remained unflinching as she met Jonathan's outburst with a gentle rebuttal. "Do I need to be her family to support her?" she asked calmly. "Are you going to adopt me?"
The siblings felt a twinge of shame, their defensiveness slowly melting away in the face of Harper's compassion. Sophia let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head in disbelief. "Oh, you're good at this," she murmured. "You should be a lawyer."
Harper's lips curled into a playful smile. "They have you at Harvard already," she quipped. "They don't need two smartass girls in the same field."
The tension in the air dissolved, giving way to an improved feeling of respect and understanding. The siblings knew Harper's offer was more than simply a financial gesture; it was an expression of her deep faith in Rachel's potential. As they battled with their own flaws and the implications of her proposal, they couldn't help but feel a profound sense of respect and gratitude for this remarkable young woman who had so unexpectedly entered their lives.
Sophia broke the comfortable silence with a playful remark and a mischievous glint in her eye. "You know, I've always wondered—do you think my mother will allow me to marry a woman?" she asked, her tone laced with a hint of teasing.
Jonathan's eyes widened, and Rachel stared at her sister with a mixture of surprise and amusement. "You're not actually going to marry Harper to make her a part of the family!" Jonathan exclaimed, a touch of exasperation in his voice. "I'm the male one, so if anyone should marry her, it should be me."
Sophia laughed, shaking her head in amusement. "That's such an outdated idea, Jonathan. Don't you know they'll be legalizing same-sex marriage soon? We're not living in the dark ages anymore."
Rachel interjected, her voice firm and resolute. "Hold on, you two. She's not going to marry any of you!" she stated, earning a collective stare from her siblings.
Jonathan leaned back in his chair, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, so you're going to enter this fight too, baby Rach?" He teased, his gaze flitting between the three of them. "Let's not forget, I'm eighteen, and Sophia Unnie is twenty-one. What chance do you have at thirteen years old?"
The siblings burst out laughing, and the once-tense mood gave way to a cheerful closeness. Their relationship changed from uncertainty and worry to deeper understanding and appreciation for one another.
Harper smiled warmly as she watched the conversation take place, her heart filling with a sense of pride. She had not only made a connection with Rachel, but she had also managed to make Rachel get closer and more open towards her siblings. To be more talkative towards them, to say things she wants and what's inside her mind.
"Alright, I should leave," Harper said, rising from her seat after emptying her cup.
Rachel's eyes widened, and there was a hint of distress in her voice. "Eh, but you still have four hours?" She protested, clearly reluctant to let Harper go.
Harper offered an understanding smile as she explained, "I need to change my clothes and, if possible, take a bath. Then I'll need to check in, and that will probably take more time." She placed a gentle hand on Rachel's shoulder. "Be nice to your sister and brother. They'll listen to you. And speak your mind to your parents—some things are better to enjoy because we never know when we'll lose them. And make sure to bring your butt to Seoul. I'll take care of you after that. Just give me a call, okay?"
Her words carried a sense of resolution, as if she were bidding farewell to a beloved family member. Sophia couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness as she watched the exchange.
"Okay," Rachel responded, her voice soft and sincere.
Sophia cleared her throat, her gaze meeting Harper's. "Time for you to go, then?" she asked, the disappointment evident in her tone.
Harper smiled warmly. "Yes, but this isn't a goodbye. It's a 'see you later.'" She turned to Rachel and pulled her into a tight hug. "Harper!" Rachel exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for everything! I can't thank you enough!"
Harper chuckled. "Don't worry too much, Rach. Prove them wrong. Be a diva; I'll be waiting."
"I will!" Rachel promised, her eyes shining with determination.
Harper placed a kiss on Rachel's cheek before stepping back. "Bye, Rach," she said softly. Turning to the siblings, she added, "No need to follow. I'm not good at handling goodbyes." With a gentle wave, she started to walk away. "Bye, guys."
The siblings watched as Harper's figure retreated, a bittersweet feeling settling in the air. Their time with her had been far too brief, yet it had left an indelible mark on their lives.
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
ToriAnne
ToriAnne Lemme read your thoughts... pleaseeee
Kapitel 17: Chapter 17. Be a Proper Adult
Rachel faced her mother, her face a mix of fear and resolve. Sophia and Jonathan supported her, preparing for the expected reaction from their mother. They were supposed to be Rachel's obedient siblings, preventing her from pursuing her dreams rather than encouraging her.
However, Sophia had already made up her mind. She would stay with her younger sister, even if it meant going against their mother's desires. A part of her couldn't help but feel jealous and ashamed of Harper. The younger girl, who was practically a stranger to them yet had so gladly offered to support Rachel's goals, while Sophia and Jonathan were expected to keep Rachel in check,.
It hurt her ego slightly to see Harper, who was practically a stranger, step up to help her sister in ways she couldn't bring herself to. Despite Harper's harsh statements, there was admiration for her courage and resolve.
Gathering her courage, Sophia stepped forward, her voice firm yet respectful. "Omma, I've followed your guidance throughout my life. I'm at the top of my class at Harvard Law, and I was certain about my future career path." She paused, casting a glance at Jonathan, who nodded in silent agreement. "And Jonathan is set to enter medical school, just as you desired."
The older woman's eyes narrowed, a snort of disdain escaping her lips. "You know nothing!" she spat, her words laced with venom. "There is no future for a singer. She'll only become a burden for you in the future!"
Sophia felt the sting of her mother's dismissive words, but she refused to back down. "Rachel has so much potential, Omma," she pleaded, her voice softening.
"What will she become? A singer? An artist?" Their mother sneered, her eyes narrowing with disdain. "I would never let that happen in this family!"
"Omma! That's enough." Jonathan spoke up, his voice firm. Their mother had a soft spot for her only son, and he knew he could sway her in ways his sisters couldn't. "Let Rachel do what she wants. Let her prove you wrong."
The mother's gaze shifted to her son, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her gaze. "I will never, ever support whatever she'll do if she insists on being a singer!" she declared, her tone firm. "She can choose to be a lawyer or a doctor, or she gets nothing!"
Rachel, her eyes watery but her expression resolute, stepped forward. "I don't need your money, Omma," she said, her voice surprisingly calm. "Or Appa's, or Sophia unnie's, or John oppa's. All I need is a blessing from you and a prayer to keep me safe."
The middle-aged woman was quite taken aback by Rachel's response. She had expected her youngest to throw a tantrum, to yell and scream, as she had done in the past. But this time, Rachel merely replied with a soft, measured answer, without a hint of rebuttal.
"It doesn't matter, Rachel," the mother said, still trying to break her daughter's enthusiasm. "Even if you're being a nice girl, Omma will still not support you in any way possible."
To her surprise, Rachel merely smiled softly. "But will you pray for me? For my safety?" she asked. Her gaze is firm and unchanging; she can see a fighting spirit in her youngest's eyes.
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, the mother answered, almost flabbergasted, "Of course! What mother doesn't pray for her children's safety?"
"That's all I need to know. Thank you, Omma," Rachel said, her voice filled with gratitude. She gave a respectful bow and turned to leave, leaving her mother utterly stunned.
"What's wrong with that kid?" The mother muttered, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Jonathan, a proud smile playing on his lips, answered his mother, "She's grown up, Omma." He, too, gave a respectful bow before following in Rachel's footsteps, feeling a sense of pride swell within him. The bold change he had witnessed in his younger sister after her encounter with Harper filled him with hope.
The mother stood there, her mind in turmoil, Rachel's unexpected response having shaken her to the core. Try as she might, she couldn't shake the lingering doubt that perhaps she had been too quick to dismiss her daughter's aspirations. "What are they doing?" she muttered, her brow furrowed with a mix of confusion and unease.
Sophia, sensing the shift in her mother's demeanour, approached her cautiously. A bitter smile played on her lips, tinged with a hint of jealousy. After all, it was not her, but Harper, who had catalysed this quite nice change in Rachel. "Nothing, Omma," she replied. "Can a child not grow up to become a proper adult?"
The mother's eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on her eldest daughter. "Rachel is only thirteen years old!" she exclaimed in disbelief.
Sophia met her mother's gaze and asked, "And do you think a thirteen-year-old can only throw tantrums, hurl insults, and cry?" She asked, firm but gentle.
The mother faltered; her face, which usually looked fierce and cold, seemed to have softened. "What do you mean?" she asked, uncertain.
Sophia's eyes softened, and she reached out to gently grasp her mother's hand. "When she was expecting rejection from her own mother, what do you think Rachel would have done?" she asked again softly. "Besides accepting it, that is."
The mother's brow furrowed as she contemplated her daughter's words. "I don't know," she admitted, "be a child? Force her way?"
Sophia shook her head, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Would you have agreed with that, Omma?" she asked gently. "If she had thrown a tantrum, screamed at the top of her lungs, and yelled like she usually does?"
The mother's eyes widened as the realisation dawned on her. "Never!" she exclaimed.
Sophia nodded, and her expression changed to understanding. "Then it's good that she asked for your prayer, isn't it?" She said, her words filled with wisdom; she never knew she had it in her.
The mother stared at her eldest daughter, finding something different about her eldest, who's usually just nodded at her words. "You talk like a proper lawyer," she murmured, feeling a little bit proud of the change she saw in Sophia, her eldest.
Sophia's lips curled into a proud smile. "I'm a Harvard student, Omma," she reminded her mother with confidence, bowing respectfully before leaving. Taking a deep breath, she reflected on Harper's words. As Rachel's sister, she couldn't offer financial support, but she could be there emotionally until Rachel could stand on her own two feet. Frustration welled up, realising a stranger was now taking on the responsibility she wished she could shoulder.
Jonathan sat on Rachel's bed, attentively listening to her. "Rach, how much are the plane tickets to Seoul?" he asked.
"I can find out." Rachel smiled. "Will you help me pay for it?"
"Yes, I will," Jonathan assured her. "I have savings."
Curious, Sophia interjected, "You have savings?" Her astonishment was visible.
Jonathan couldn't help but smirk, with a hint of pride in his voice. "I've earned some money by writing essays and filling in as a substitute for various clubs. I'm quite the genius, you know," he added with a confident tone. "I believe my savings should be enough to cover Rachel's ticket to Seoul."
With Jonathan's decision, Sophia also made a decision. "I'll come with you to Seoul," she declared. "My savings should be enough to cover my trips to Seoul, and I'll ask for permission not to attend lectures for two weeks after this."
"What for?" Rachel asked, surprised.
"You're a minor, Rach," Sophia explained. "I don't think Harper will accompany you to Seoul. Do you want to burden her further? She's already been so generous, and as much as I might resent it, I'm genuinely grateful."
"But what about school? My school is here?" Rachel asked, realizing there were so many things she needed to figure out.
"I'll contact your school and assist you with the transfer process," Sophia reassured her. "We'll figure everything out. And let's not argue about the importance of education, shall we? You will find a school in Seoul, and that's not up for a debate!"
Feeling relieved and grateful, Rachel nodded. "Yes, of course! Yongsan International School of Seoul," she mentioned quietly.
Determined to handle the rest of it, Sophia requested, "Give me Harper's phone number."
"What for?" Jonathan asked quickly and rose from his seat, curious.
"What do you need her number for?" Rachel looked at her sister suspiciously.
Sophia smirked mischievously. "Well, now I can flirt with her!" With that, she swiftly saved Harper's number on her phone and declared, "I'll go to your school tomorrow, Rachel. We'll figure this out together."
AUTORENGEDANKEN
ToriAnne
ToriAnne
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