the end —

" i know, i know. your job's crazy. " he grimaces, attempting to internally work through what is (to him) a massive devastation. " it's just... it might be the biggest night of my career so far... and i was really counting on you being there... to see me in action. "

here he goes again... guilt tripping her by saying something completely untrue. he knows it's not the biggest night of his career. he says it all the time! and maybe if he quit saying it so often, she'd believe him! " babe, you'll be fiiiine. " she doesn't know what else to say to comfort him. she doesn't have it in her to baby him today. " jaime and charmaine are still going! at least they'll be there, right? and i'll ask charmaine to send me videos of your set. "

" what? babe, tell me you're joking. did you forget about my set? "

" of course i didn't forget — but you know, sometimes my work obligations will require me to spend some time away. and sometimes they tell me very short notice. i wouldn't miss it intentionally. you know that. "

" thank you, again, for closing this for me, " he is a miracle worker ! two months ahead of schedule (she turns a blind eye to the initial six month setback). " it's finally coming together ! sophia will get the paperwork over to you by tomorrow afternoon. " she slams her binder shut, hand patting the cover as if to say 'good job, nevaeh!'. now, onto the more important topic of conversation. " —speaking of sophia... " she starts, with caution. " she's had some personal matters — whatever that means — conveniently come up on sunday. i know this is terribly unprofessional, so just say the word and i'll be on my way, but do you have any interest in joining me at the criterion baftas party ? i'm sure you could do quite a bit of schmoozing, find yourself new clients. if for nothing else, i hear the catering is quite good. "

" your many many texts, calls and meetings of persistence with a dash of aggressiveness — it gave me the right motivation. " it's scarier to deal with a client who's always smiling even when faced with impossible challenges. he had no choice, but to make the impossible happen or he could lose a lot in messing up his relationship with halston cinemas. he tries to not look too surprised or eager by her question. " i'm done schmoozing for this quarter. if i say yes does it secure me lifetime vip access to any halston cinemas? " he asks in jest. " if so — then the answer is yes. " and when else would he get the opportunity to go on a date with nevaeh halston? even he could admit that she's way out of his league.

“ you not being there meant i had to, couldn't let petro be the family representative and you know fanni wouldn't count karyna. ” they hated each other for all he knew. “no, you're here because i need a favour. since you couldn't make the baby shower, you can make it up to me by making an appearance at a an engagement party. ”

" and do you think i would have gone if i were here? " to celebrate arnauld and fanni's demon spawn is not on her list of priorities. " whose engagement party is it? " it would determine the importance of her appearance and how long she would need to stay.

" you're lying. you're lying ! " she snatches the phone from her sister's grip, squinting at the screen. " ugh, how do you see anything with your brightness this low. " a couple of quick swipes and the text illuminates. " oh. my. god. how did she find me ? i can't not do it... right ? " ooh, jamie will be livid ! this must be his karma for texting his little groupie while they were on a break...

" because you're basically forty and i have better eyes than you, duh? " charmaine is at that age where she has to look at a phone or a book from at least a metre away. " okay, long story short — my friend, right, she was supposed to be on the show, right, but then she started an only fans and they've basically told her it wouldn't work out — so then i said i'm currently managing the most perfect influencer who'd be the best for love island. " she beams proudly, satisfied with her little fib. " so then — i may or might have bought you a few instagram followers — only a few! to make you seem more appealing! and it's totally tax deductible. " she snatches her phone away. " so anyway, you have a meeting with the casting director for love island in four days! you have to do this for us! "

“ i tried to get a hold of you all of last week. are you extending the courtesy of silencing calls to me now ? is my name showing on your phone as karyna all of a sudden ? you missed fanni's baby shower. ” / @seomarine

" i was in london. i didn't show up at any of tekla's baby showers. i'm being fair. " it's a valid excuse. she thought after getting married to milena, leon would busy himself with the newlywed life! " is this why i'm here? to be interrogated on why i missed a baby shower? "

" did you put this here ? " he was pointing at the sole can of soda that was on his shelf in the fridge. right next to his protein drink and his ketchup — the only other items on the shelf. it had made it too easy to notice the alien product. " who even drinks that ? " ( @seomarine / @zephvrs )

" obviously not. " she was almost offended he'd even suggest she'd drink something with so much high-fructose corn syrup! " who do you think. " she looks directly at the culprit. their roommate, her best friend and clearly sejong's worst enemy. ( @zephvrs )

“ i need a job. ” then she realised what she said. “ ew, no, not a job. wrong word. a hobby. that's what i need, i need a hobby. something to do. it's been boring since i finished university. sitting still and looking pretty isn't at all fun. ” / @seomarine

" and you at your big age need your older brother to find a hobby for you? " he snickers, turning his head away to focus on the menu. " if you want a hobby, dance on tiktok. if you want a job, i can actually help you. "

" okay, we need to do something about sean, " her grumbles are heard long before she enters the living room. "– because what the fuck ! can someone explain why my truffle crisps are in the bin ? i literally opened them yesterday ? " and a good handful still rests within the enticing shiny plastic that's now nestled in a morning's worth of garbage. yes, she did leave them opened on the kitchen counter, opened, but a fair warning before he'd disposed of them would have been nice ! " i am going to scream. "

" for one, those were my crisps. and for two — i threw them out. " they need to do something about sean? no, she needs to do something about charmaine and sean! they're both horrible roommates! " i told you to use an elastic or a clip if you're not eating them. and you know sunday is my deep cleaning day so if anyone is going to scream it's me! "

" ooh... exciting ! " nails tap a quick final word onto her phone, but the other hand juts out, splayed fingers awaiting the script. send. click! the screen goes to black and the phone is tossed beside her. " what's the role ? "

" i'm a pregnant teen who is telling my boyfriend that he's not the father and then i go to taiwan to find my birth parents in order to heal emotional trauma from my childhood —" the script sounds absolutely terrible. " this is a bad idea, right? it's a netflix show, but netflix shows are hardly regarded as good anymore. i'm doomed! i'm not taiwanese, what am i doing... " she plops onto the couch, face in her hands.

" don't play smart with me, araya, " she counters. she refuses to entertain it ! " i thought i had also raised you to have more respect for yourself, had i not ? " a gentle hand brushes araya's hair behind her shoulder, then readjusts the pendant of her necklace. " he can come ten– five minutes earlier ! it's improper to be waiting in the car outside of my home to take my daughter away from me without so much as a greeting to your lonely mother. "

she's pushing thirty! why is she still being scolded! " mamaaaaaa— " she whines a little. " i do have respect for myself! my last boyfriend wouldn't even pick me up! remember? i think this is an extreme step up. " the bar is in hell. she's not helping her mother view aurel positively. she looks to her mother with big eyes. " you're lonely? stop, you're going to make me cry! " she gives her a big dramatic hug. " i know i'm only staying here because i'm renovating my house, b-but i can sell it! i can move back and you won't have to be lonely! " hopefully this is enough to move on from the aurel conversation.

   ― “ of all the great memories, not remembering you made me download dating apps is what makes you feel like a loser ? ” not that it took suvi's mention for céline to feel damage the hot chicks were doing to her feet, but it certainly reminded her of the pain she'd forgotten all about by then. “ they are. i've been dying to leave since... well, since i got here. ” or at least go barefoot but there wasn't a chance in hell she'd ditch her shoes at a party like this. “ mhm, put that on your wikipedia page. wait, what does your wikipedia page say ? have you stalked yourself recently ? ” the question had her pondering for a second. the sooner she left that building the sooner céline could remove those heels. a detailed text to her fiancé could let her off the hook, she was sure. “ lead the way. ”

" do you want a drink? i only have white claws and heinekens — and mango juice. " she brings all three options to the living room. placing the cans on the coffee table as she settles down beside celine. " did you tell barron you're here? "