“I’m sorry, BUT WHAT?!” Mayu asked, confused with Ms Oh’s twisted words.
Ms Oh pursed her lips. She brought her hand and rested it on her neck, and her gaze turned to the window.
“Well, you see,” she said while looking at the view outside, “I was sent on a mission to recruit some foreign kids for the audition of our new show,” she paused.
She then took her hand off her neck and removed her glasses. The light seeping through the window made her tired hooded eyes look like white clams holding onto sparkly black pearls. The deep bags under those eyes explained why she didn’t remove her glasses even inside a building. She looked older than what Mayu had presumed before with one more of her features revealed.
Ms. Oh let out a deep sigh.
“But then,” she continued, “Unfortunately, due to my ill-fated luck, one of my recruits bailed out on me at the last minute, without offering a valid reason and the other one got critical diarrhea”
Mayu managed to maintain a straight face.
“I lost all hope,” she went on, "I thought I would lose my job today. I thought about the five mouths I have to feed at home, those five beautiful creations I cannot live without.” Her voice broke and she covered her face with her hands. The lady sitting in the back passed a box of tissue to her. Ms. Oh pulled out a few tissues and wiped some invisible tears off her face.
“But then,” she said again, putting down the heap of tissues looking straight at Mayu, “I saw you,” she smiled. Mayu looked away trying not to make direct eye contact.
“You were such a beauty. I knew it at first sight, you have what it requires. The glow. The aura. It was a sign from the havens that you are the savior—"
“Oh! No no no,” Mayu interrupted, trying to stop Ms. Oh from sprouting more of her inconceivable words, “I think you are misunderstanding—”
“But since you said you did not want to become an idol, I guess I have to make peace with that decision of yours,” Ms. Oh’s voice lowered and she grabbed onto Mayu’s hands.
“But then again, please give in to my request as well!” she pleaded, “Please just give the audition just to meet the head count, so that I don’t lose my job. Please, this is my earnest request.”
Mayu couldn’t ignore the desperate expression in her eyes, which were now truthfully teary.
It was just an audition, Mayu thought, and all of the things Ms. Oh claimed were genuine. She may have picked her up in an unlawful manner but Mayu felt that giving an audition couldn’t hurt her in any way. She let down a gulp and slowly tightened her grip on Ms. Oh’s hold. The thought of someone losing their financial stability, just because she didn’t help out a little, made Mayu overcome with an unconscious guilt.
“If it's just an audition,” Mayu said quietly, “and nothing else, then maybe I can…”
Ms. Oh let go of Mayu’s hand and pulled her into a tight hug. Her unpredictable actions never failed to shock Mayu, who as a result, was always left confused with what kind of expression she should wear on her face. Ms. Oh pulled back from the hug but kept her hand on Mayu’s shoulders. Her eyes gleamed with happiness and she smiled from ear to ear.
“Thank you,” Ms. Oh said merrily, “Thank you so much! You saved me!”
“As long as there are no troubles,” Mayu was hesitant.
“Of course, there aren’t! What kind of trouble can you expect from an audition you are giving to get eliminated?”
“Umm… You are sure right? That I’ll get eliminated?”
“Of course, I am. There are hundred girls who have practiced with their blood and sweat for years to compete in this audition. You don’t stand a chance with what you have.”
“If you say so…” Mayu wasn't sure if she should believe her words, but decided to give in.
“Now then, let’s get to business,” Ms. Oh said, removing her hands from Mayu’s shoulder.
The lady in the back passed Ms. Oh a big folder, containing a bunch of printed papers. She opened the folder and flipped through all the pages till she reached the second last. She then brought it closer to Mayu’s view and pointed at a particular area.
“Sign here on this contract,” Ms. Oh said sternly, her eyes piercing into Mayu’s, as if trying to threaten her not to change her mind again. “After reading through all the terms and conditions, of course,” her voice went back to the merry tone again, “Please see if you are comfortable with it.”
Mayu took the folder and started reading through the first couple of pages. Even though she had mastered basic Korean, the vocabulary used in those pages were out of reach for Mayu. She couldn’t understand even a single word in the contract. There were a line or two which she could get, but those would confuse her more as they didn’t connect with each other. She flipped through the pages, trying to find something that would make sense to her.
“Is there a problem?” Ms. Oh asked, seeing her troubled actions.
Mayu looked at her pitifully.
“Umm… Do you have a translated version?” She asked.
“I’m afraid that’s the only one I owe,” Ms. Oh said, “We don’t usually develop translated versions unless they are particularly asked for. And they take a week to make.”
“Oh… Then could you explain what’s written in these papers. I haven’t learnt these words yet.”
“Nothing much to be worried about. Just the basic rules any person joining a reality TV program would know.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course! And you don’t need to worry. You will be eliminated anyway. So those are honestly pointless. Don’t waste your time worrying over nothing.”
Mayu’s eyes pondered over the part where she had to sign, “I will be eliminated in the auditions. I will intentionally give out such a bad performance that I will get eliminated. So, I guess it’s okay not to worry much about this contract,” she thought.
“Miss?” Ms. Oh called.
Mayu looked at Ms. Oh.
“I think I will sign,” she said.
“You have made a wise decision,” Ms. Oh said, smiling slyly.
Ms. Oh took out an emerald-colored ball pen out of her coat pocket and handed it to Mayu. Mayu took it, and signed the specified place on the paper. The black ink from the ballpoint pen seeped into the thick white paper and displayed her name in a beautiful hue.
“Now, with this,” Ms. Oh said, “Play your part properly, Miss…” Her eyes quickly read the name on the contract, “Miss Mayu!” she announced.
The car suddenly stopped and the man in the front seat turned to them.
“We’re here Ma’am,” he said.
“Where?” Mayu asked.
“The audition is in five hours, we need to get you ready.” Ms. Oh said and pointed at a tall building across the road, “There’s the studio and next to it is the hotel we will stay in for the time bring.”
Mayu looked outside and beheld a large blue glass building reflecting the colors of the sky.
“Come on,” Ms. Oh walked out of the car, “We don’t have much time. My men will bring in your luggage”
Mayu was relieved at the thought that at least those people cared enough to not to leave her beloved luggage behind during the entire kidnapping process. Not having much choice, she followed behind Ms. Oh, unaware of the twist her life was going to take.
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