Chương 23: Chapter 23. City of Seoul

Jasmine stood at the window, her eyes fixated on the sight of her youngest daughter, Rachel, leaving the house with her oldest daughter. While her son Jonathan remained behind, Jasmine had been relentless in her attempts to stop Rachel from embarking on this journey to Seoul.

She had tried everything—preaching to Rachel, trying to undermine her confidence, even going so far as to plead with her. But Rachel's resolve remained unshaken, and Jasmine could only watch helplessly as the pieces fell into place.

As Jasmine scanned the documents in her hands, her heart sank. The enrollment paperwork clearly stated that Rachel would be starting at the prestigious Yongsan International School of Seoul next month. All the tuition fees had been paid for the entire year, and the contract was airtight.

"Let her; it's the best way we can see them growing up in their own way." Her husband, David, wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulder.

Jasmine's mind raced with an endless litany of concerns. "Let her? How can I just let her go?" she muttered to herself, her fingers trembling. "The entertainment industry is ruthless. Those people will eat her alive!"

David spoke calmly while reassuring his wife. "Then we must believe in our daughter and trust that God will protect her. And trust that the company bringing her to Seoul will also look after her."

Jasmine's brow furrowed, her gaze shifting to her husband. "But I want to talk to this Harper—the one who paid for Rachel's tuition. If it weren't for her interference, Rachel would still be here in New York!"

David's lips curled into a soft smile. "Oh, I did talk to her," he said gently. "What a nice girl she is—so polite, friendly, and mature for her age."

Jasmine's eyes widened. "Her age? How old is she?"

"Eighteen, the same as Jonathan," David replied, his expression thoughtful. "You know, she's far more mature than our own son. She didn't stutter or hesitate when she spoke to me. She articulated so clearly why she decided to help Rachel."

Jasmine's mind raced, struggling to reconcile this image with the reality she had envisioned. She always thought Harper was older than Sophia, an adult woman who's having another intention with her daughter, but it turns out she's not older than her second child. "What did she say?"

David's gaze softened, and his voice filled with admiration. "She apologized for being 'nosy,' as she put it. But she said that if no one else in the world believed in Rachel, she would be the one to trust her and stand by her side. Because, as she said, 'that's all I needed when I was that age.'"

Jasmine's lips parted, the words echoing in her mind. "That doesn't sound like the words of an eighteen-year-old," she murmured, her skepticism still evident.

David nodded, understanding his wife's hesitation. "I know, and I don't know what challenges this young woman has faced in her own life. But I've decided to accept her gesture. If there is no one else in the world who believes in our Rachel, at least we know there is one person who does."

Jasmine scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "Such a poetic situation. And what am I supposed to do? Accept it?"

David's expression remained steady, his voice reassuring. "Yes, exactly. Accept it, Jasmine. Accept that there is someone out there who sees the same potential in our daughter that we do. Allow Rachel to spread her wings and embrace this opportunity, knowing that she has someone in her corner, no matter what."

With a deep breath, Jasmine nodded, her resolve slowly starting to solidify. "Alright, babe. If you believe in this, then I will try to as well. For Rachel's sake, I will do my best to accept this." She scoffed, even when she still kissed her husband's cheek. "I still think you're wrong, though!"

Here is an enhanced and longer version of the scene:

Rachel held her phone close. Sophia already knew who Rachel was going to call. "I'm going to Seoul with Sophia, unnie," she spoke into the device, her gaze meeting Sophia's.

Sophia's smiles widened, knowing exactly who was on the other end of the line—Harper. The older girl's soft words filtered through the speaker, filled with warmth and encouragement.

"You'll be busy after this, and I'll be missing you a lot. But it's what you choose, so do your best, Rachel," Sophia heard Harper say, her voice laced with a bittersweet note.

Rachel's expression faltered, a touch of melancholy creeping into her features. "But you'll be busy working and studying too, right?" She asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Harper's melodic and reassuring laughter filled the air. "Yes, so I can have a lot of money to hype you up in the future," she said, adding a playful edge to her tone. "I told you I'd be your number one fan!"

Rachel couldn't help but smile at the familiar promise. "I remember, and I'll be working hard to make it come true," she replied, her determination shining through.

"You should! Don't make me wait; I'll be rich!" Harper giggled, a hint of mischief in her voice. "I'll be working on a cruise ship the moment I graduate and roaming around the world."

Rachel fell silent for a moment, her gaze distant. "Can you come to my concerts or events later?" she asked, her voice laced with a touch of wistfulness.

"Don't worry, I will," Harper reassured her, her words soft and unwavering. "All you need to do is make sure everyone loves your voice! I'll be rooting for you, Rach."

Rachel's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I'll be missing you a lot," she murmured, her heart heavy with the bittersweet reality of their impending separation.

"Send me a message; I'm just one text away," Harper said, her voice a soothing balm to Rachel's worries.

Suddenly, Sophia leaned in closer to the phone, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh my God, you two are talking like a couple already!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement.

Harper's laughter echoed through the line, a melodic reminder of her youthful energy. "She's thirteen, Soph!" she chuckled, her words cutting through the playful teasing.

Rachel's expression shifted, a hint of sulkiness creeping into her features. "If I'm not thirteen, then can we look like a couple?" She asked, her tone almost petulant.

Harper's voice remained light and reassuring. "Focus on your dreams, and we can talk about it later," she said, gently redirecting the conversation.

When Sophia talked to Harper, she could sometimes tell that the younger girl was talking about things that were more profound than her years. Her view seemed deeper and more mature than her age, as if she had been through tragedies that most of her friends could barely imagine.

Sophia couldn't help but wonder what Harper had been through and what problems she had dealt with that had made her a brilliant individual. As if the young woman had been shaped by the blazes of hardship, she came out stronger and more determined than ever.

And in that moment, Sophia realized that Harper's trust in Rachel was not something to be taken lightly. She put her trust in Rachel, like Rachel is the only person in her world, and she trusts her more than her own family.

"I'll be damned if these two don't end up married in the future," Sophia murmured under her breath while staring at how cheerful Rachel talked to Harper on the phone.