Orla:

I woke up, still feeling the weight of the last few days, but thankful for a moment of calm. I lay there for a while, trying to gather my thoughts, appreciating the quiet of Nara’s apartment.

But as soon as my eyes fluttered open, I found myself reaching for my phone. The first thing I did was type Milo Lee into the search bar. A flood of images and articles popped up almost immediately—concert photos, fan blogs, interviews, and more. I scrolled through the results, captivated by the life of this guy I’d shared a flight with. But as I kept scrolling, a nagging thought crept into my mind: Why the hell am I so interested in him?

Was it because I’d just gotten out of a relationship with Logan? A relationship that had ended in such spectacular disaster that I was still reeling from it? Was I just looking for something, anything, to distract myself from the mess I’d left behind? It didn’t make sense to be so fascinated by Milo—this guy was a K-pop star, for crying out loud. Someone so far removed from my world that it was almost laughable.

And yet, here I was, scrolling through page after page, absorbing every detail I could find. Maybe it was because Milo represented something so completely different from Logan—he was kind, unassuming, and his life was a whirlwind of music and dance, far from the cutthroat tech world Logan thrived in. Or maybe, deep down, I was just trying to fill the void that Logan’s betrayal had left me, desperate for anything to take my mind off the wreckage.

I sighed, putting my phone down and rubbing my eyes. This wasn’t healthy—I knew that. Milo was a distraction, a way to avoid dealing with the real issues at hand. But knowing that didn’t stop the curiosity, the pull to find out more about the man who had, even briefly, made me forget about the disaster that was my life.

Maybe that was it. Maybe I just needed something—someone—who could make me forget, even for a little while.

Then I remembered his personal Instagram. I reached for my phone again and searched for his profile. When it popped up, I saw the "Follow" button staring back at me. His account was set to private, so if I wanted to see more, I’d have to send a request. I hovered over the button, my finger hesitating. What would happen if I followed him? What if he accepted and I actually had to figure out what to say? Did I really want to open that door? The thought of sending a DM crossed my mind, but the uncertainty made me pause. Was I ready for that?

The clatter of dishes in the kitchen pulled me out of my thoughts. Nara was already up, likely preparing breakfast or getting ready for her day. I finally dragged myself out of bed, slipping into some flared jeans and a white fitted shirt. Facing the day felt daunting, especially with the jetlag dragging me down, but staying holed up in this room wasn’t an option. I needed to push myself forward, to start rebuilding some semblance of normalcy in my life.

I found Nara in the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee. When she saw me, she smiled brightly, as if nothing had changed since we were college roommates. “Morning, Orla! Sleep okay?”

“Better than I thought I would,” I admitted, sliding into a chair at the small kitchen table. “Thanks again, Nara. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

She waved me off with a laugh. “Stop that. Seriously, it’s nothing. I’m just glad you’re here. Actually, I was going to ask… do you want to come with me to the office today? It might do you some good to get out and see a bit of the city.”

I hesitated. The idea of venturing out, of facing the world, made me a bit nervous. But what was the alternative? Stay here all day, trapped in my thoughts, giving Logan more space in my mind than he ever deserved? Absolutely not. “Yeah, okay. It’ll be nice to see what you’ve been up to.”

***

The drive to Nara’s office was a whirlwind of city streets and towering skyscrapers. Seoul was alive with energy, its pace both exhilarating and overwhelming. As we arrived at the sleek, modern building of Haneul Tower of Haneul Entertainment Headquarters (HEH) where she worked, I felt a twist of nerves in my stomach. This was Nara’s world now—a world of fast-paced creativity and success. How did I fit into any of this?

Nara led me through the bustling lobby and up to her floor. The atmosphere was vibrant and unexpected—an open-concept space bursting with color, from bright photography lining one wall to large windows bathing the floor in natural light. Potted plants were scattered thoughtfully throughout, their green leaves adding life to the polished, modern design. Everyone seemed young and energized, their laughter and animated conversations cutting through the hum of keyboards and phone calls. It wasn’t at all what I had expected from the austere, gray exterior of the building. I followed her through the maze of desks and glass-walled offices, doing my best not to feel like an imposter. "Are you sure it’s okay for me to be here?"

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She grinned. "Of course. It’s not that kind of workplace. And besides," she added with a playful smirk, "I’m sort of the boss here. I bring in all kinds of people—investors, producers, you name it. Mostly people with money, so no one really questions me much."

We’d barely settled into her office when the door burst open, and a man stormed in, his expression a mix of frustration and anger. He was tall, fit, and exuded a sort of frenetic energy that made me instantly uneasy.

“Kim Nara-ssi!” he exclaimed in Korean, his voice sharp with irritation. I couldn’t understand the rapid exchange that followed, but it was clear they were having an urgent conversation. Nara responded calmly, though I could see the tension in her posture. Whatever the issue was, it wasn’t good.

Just as I was beginning to feel like an intruder in a conversation I couldn’t follow, Nara suddenly switched to English, turning to me as if she’d just remembered I was in the room. “Orla, this is Nam Joon, our stunt coordinator. Joon-nim, this is my friend Orla. Orla O'Connell. She just arrived from the States.”

Joon’s head snapped towards me, his eyes narrowing. “Orla, nice to meet you,” he said in surprisingly fluent English, easing some of the tension I’d felt moments before. “You’re a long way from home.”

I managed a small smile, relieved that at least now I could understand what was going on. “Yeah, you could say that.”

Before I could say anything more, Joon turned back to Nara, his frustration still evident. “This is serious, Nara. We can’t afford any delays. Min-jae bailing on us means we’re down a stunt rider, and we start shooting in three days. I don’t have time to find and train someone new.”

Nara glanced at me, a thoughtful look crossing her face. “Actually, Joon, I might have an idea.” She turned to me, her eyes suddenly sparkling. “Orla, didn’t you say you used to do stunt riding?”

My heart skipped a beat, and I immediately felt a wave of hesitation. “Well, yeah, I did… but that was a long time ago. I’m rusty, and I haven’t worked with horses in years.”

Joon’s frustration seemed to shift as he focused on me. “You’re a stunt rider? Seriously?”

I shrugged, feeling the weight of everyone’s expectations.

“It’s been a while. I don’t know if I’m up for something like this." I turned to Nara. "And besides, Logan hated horses, and I… well, I stopped riding after we got serious.”

Nara frowned. "Why would you stop doing something you loved just because of him? You used to be so passionate about riding back in college—I still remember how your eyes lit up whenever you talked about it.”

I sighed, the familiar frustration bubbling up. “I know. But after I met Logan... I don't know. He was always so driven. He thought I should be the same. He used to make fun of my ‘little riding hobby’—said it was a waste of time. Eventually, it just… wore me down. My parents weren’t any better. They wanted me to focus on something more practical.”

Nara shook her head. “What jerks. How could they do that?”

Joon cut in. “Look, Orla. I’m not asking you to jump in without thinking. But we need someone who knows what they’re doing, and if you have experience, you’re already a step ahead.”

I felt a knot form in my stomach. The idea of getting back into something I used to love was tempting, but also terrifying. “I don’t know… it’s been a long time. I wouldn’t want to mess anything up. And honestly, I’m not even sure if I can work in here. The logistics, the work visa… I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

Nara immediately stepped in. “Don’t worry about that, Orla. I’ll take care of the work visa and all the necessary paperwork. You just focus on getting back in the saddle.”

But even as she said it, my mind started spinning. Work in South Korea? I hadn’t even considered the idea of staying here long-term, let alone actually finding work. This trip was supposed to be a temporary escape, a way to clear my head and figure out what to do next. The thought of making a life here, of settling into something as permanent as a job, felt too overwhelming to process. Could I really see myself staying in a country surrounded by a language and culture I barely understood? The idea seemed almost impossible, and yet… there was also something about it that made my heart beat a little faster.

I hesitated for a moment before asking, “How long do I have to think about it?”

Nam Joon glanced at his smartwatch, then back at me. "By this afternoon. If we can fast-track your paperwork, then we can stay on schedule and start in two weeks. But trust me, the pay will make it worth your while. We’re desperate.”

His words hung in the air, adding a new layer of pressure to the decision I hadn’t expected to face.

I bit my lip, still torn, when Nara leaned in with a bright smile. “Orla, this drama is going to be amazing. The script is top-notch, and you’ll get to meet so many incredible people, including the actors. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Plus, it’ll be a great way to get back into something you love.”

Her excitement was infectious, and slowly, it began to chip away at my hesitation. The idea of getting back in the saddle, of reclaiming a piece of myself that I’d given up, was starting to outweigh my fears.

I took a deep breath, the possibilities swirling in my mind. “Okay,” I said finally, nodding with more conviction than I felt. “I’ll do it.”

Nara’s face lit up with joy as she threw her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. “You won’t regret this, I promise,” she said, her voice brimming with excitement. Her energy felt like a spark, igniting something I thought I’d lost—a glimmer of hope. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, this could be the fresh start I so desperately needed.