Chapter 5 #3
Maria gave me a guilty smile, then glanced at her older sister Elena, who was trying to maintain a professional demeanor while clearly straining to see the screen.
“You might as well join us,” I said, patting the couch. “There’s plenty of soufflé, and I need someone to explain why everyone keeps getting into car accidents right before confessing their feelings.”
Maria looked longingly at the screen, then at her sister, practically bouncing with barely contained excitement.
Elena’s professional facade cracked with a smile. “We shouldn’t, Mrs. Everett?—”
“Shouldn’t what? Enjoy quality entertainment?” I raised an eyebrow. “Come on, even Mrs. Martinez watches her shows.”
As if summoned by her name, Mrs. Martinez appeared in the doorway.
The housekeeper had worked her way up from cleaning houses to running the entire household with military precision, all while putting her daughter through medical school.
She took one look at the scene—her two maids abandoning their duties for Korean television—and sighed with the patience of someone who’d seen it all.
“Dios mío (My God),” she muttered, though I caught the hint of a smile. “At least it’s not as dramatic as those telenovelas my Isabella watches.”
“Oh, you think so?” I grinned. “Just wait until we get to the corporate espionage subplot. And the childhood connection revelation. And possibly an evil twin?—”
Gregory appeared with fresh wine, his eyes crinkling with amusement as the show’s dramatic music swelled. “The stepmother is indeed suspicious,” he offered, making the sisters giggle. “Though perhaps not as suspicious as the mysterious new shareholder.”
“Daebak! (Amazing!)” I exclaimed. “See? I’m learning. Though I mostly just know how to say amazing, what are you doing, and are you crazy? Which, let’s be honest, covers most K-drama plots. Oh, and fighting! Because someone’s always needing encouragement before a big business presentation.”
Between episodes and bites of the most amazing meal I’d ever tasted, I jotted notes in Victoria’s elegant planner.
To Do:
Spy on Sophia (nicely!) - need to make sure she’s as awesome as in the book
IF Sophia checks out - Help her and Jason get together
IF Sophia isn’t book Sophia - reevaluate entire life/novel situation
Stop Victoria’s evil schemes
Maybe learn more Korean? (important for drama watching purposes)
Ask Elena and Maria about their favorite shows (clearly drama runs in their family)
“Aigoo! (Oh no!)” Maria couldn’t help exclaiming as the CEO’s car exploded. Elena immediately shushed her, though she too was leaning forward in her seat.
“Gwenchana, gwenchana (It’s okay, it’s okay),” I assured them. “He definitely survives. They never kill off the male lead before he gets his romantic confession scene. Though speaking of romantic leads…” I scribbled another note:
Figure out how to get Jason and Sophia in an elevator together without looking suspicious. Maybe cut the power like in episode 7 of Love’s Corporate Merger?
Mrs. Martinez cleared her throat. “I suppose I should remind everyone about their duties…” She paused as the CEO dramatically emerged from the wreckage. “…after this scene.”
Gregory topped off my wine with a knowing smile. “Will there be another episode, Mrs. Everett?”
“Obviously. We have to at least see if the department store girl’s evil cousin is really working with the rival company.” I paused. “Unless you all have somewhere to be?”
The staff shared looks that seemed both confused and pleased.
Slowly, Maria settled onto the far end of the couch, pulling her reluctant sister down with her.
Mrs. Martinez found a chair, muttering something in Spanish about how this was still less dramatic than her daughter’s medical school stories.
I smiled into my wineglass. Victoria might have ruined a designer blouse today, but at least her staff was finally getting to enjoy their dramas without hiding. And maybe, just maybe, I could make this romance novel have an even better ending than my favorite K-drama.
“Kamsahamnida (Thank you),” I said to Gregory as he served the soufflé, earning another round of giggles at my dramatic pronunciation.
“Make sure there’s enough for everyone,” I added, waving off his startled look.
“Come on, you can’t expect me to eat this masterpiece alone.
Besides, what’s a K-drama marathon without snacks to share? ”
The sisters exchanged uncertain glances, but Mrs. Martinez just shook her head with a small smile. “In my twenty years of household management, I’ve never…”
“Had soufflé this good?” I grinned, passing plates around. “Me neither. Though to be fair, my version of fancy dessert used to be adding sprinkles to instant pudding.”
Gregory’s eyes crinkled with pride as everyone took their first bites, the rich chocolate making even Mrs. Martinez forget about maintaining strict household hierarchy.
Hey, if I was going to be stuck in a romance novel, at least I could make sure everyone got to enjoy the perks—starting with this absolutely heavenly soufflé.