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Nearly dropping the Louboutin sandals, I asked, “How in the world would Michelle know that?” Our mutual friend was down-to-earth, so it was surprising that she knew how much a designer watch cost.
Julia rifled through more stuff until she picked up a floral scarf. “Annisa gave me something similar before we left on our trip to Cozumel.” She turned over the silk scarf so that I could read the brand name.
“Hermes,” I said in awe. I knew this was a coveted brand because my mom wanted a Hermes scarf, but it was too expensive.
“I wonder how she got all this stuff. I know she does well at work, but she doesn’t do that well. Not enough to afford all this,” she said, shaking her head.
“Well, there’s only one way to find out. Let’s call Aiden,” I said and took out my phone.
Since I was dressed and not worried that I looked like Medusa, I FaceTimed Aiden. However, the call went unanswered.
“That’s a bummer.” I dropped the phone in my purse and went to see what Julia was holding.
“What’s that? It looks like Hangul.” I recognized the Korean letters.
“It is. Can you read it?” Julia asked, also recognizing that the note was written in Korean.
I shook my head. “Can you?”
“No,” Julia said, and we looked at each other in disgust. Both of us had Korean heritage, but unlike Tristan, who was born in Korea, Julia and I were born in the States.
“Call Tristan,” I said, but Julia was already dialing his number.
“He’s not answering.” She looked at me and raised one eyebrow.
“Oh, come on!” I cried out, knowing who she was going to suggest next.
“Your mom is the only other person that we can trust right now. Unless you count my parents, but they’re working,” Julia said, giving me a pleading look.
I groaned. “She’s going to ask a million questions,” I said. Julia ignored my protest and FaceTimed my home number in Arkansas. She turned the phone to me when the call went through.
“Hi, umma,” I spoke in my usual half English and half Korean or otherwise known as Konglish to many Korean Americans.
“Annyeong.” My mother peered closer at the screen. “Where are you?”
“I’m with Julia,” I said, omitting where I was. My mother’s eyes lit up at the mention of my best friend.
“Ju-li-ah.”
“Annyeonghaseyo,” Julia bowed her head and greeted my mom sweetly. I wanted to gag.
“How are you doing?” my mother cooed. She loved Julia, and I knew she wished that I was more like my best friend. More so now that Julia was married.
“How is your handsome husband?” my mother inquired.
“Oh, he’s fine. He’s at work now.”
My mother made some simpering noises in sympathy. “Your poor husband is working hard to provide you with a good home. You see, Claire. You should find someone like Julia’s husband. Julia, ask Tristan if he has any friends that Claire can date.”
I groaned in embarrassment at my mother’s request. “Julia makes good money as a genetic scientist. She doesn’t need to rely on Tristan to provide for her, and I don’t need Tristan to set me up,” I replied through my gritted teeth.
My mother definitely knew how to push my buttons, and before I grew more irritated, I brought up the reason for the call.
“Umma, can we get your help?” I tried to make my voice light so that she wouldn’t become suspicious.
“Of course.” My mother preened, flattered that we needed her help.
“We found a note that was written in Hangul, but we don’t know what it says. If I hold it up to the screen, can you tell us what the note says?”
