Prologue

"Steph, aren't you too old for that?"

A voice started from behind her back. Startling her into almost falling off the stool she was standing on. Stephanie looked towards the door where her older brother stood and glowered at him.

"Aren't you too old to be in your younger sister's business?" Stephanie remarked, causing her brother to chuckle and fold his arms as he leaned against the door frame. It hadn't been long since she moved in with her brother and finally put up the last of her belongings.

This last item, however, was a poster of a boy band she liked. In some way, they became a coping mechanism for her. Especially after her parents died.

There was soft silence for a while. Stephanie was still making sure her poster stayed on the wall. Her brother calmly waited and watched her finish before speaking. "Hey, how are you holding up?" He asked, his voice soft as if he was comforting a small child who just woke up from a night terror. Stephanie paused and bit her lip, thinking of an answer. She exhaled, "I'm OK," she said as she finally looked up at him. He smiled and nodded, understanding that she was trying her best. He stepped closer and took her hand, gently squeezing it.

Her older brother wasn't as close to their father as she was but deep down, he still understood how his younger sister felt. In the aftermath of their mother's death, he lashed out and hadn't seen a speck of his father's hair for years. Yet, at the end of the day, they were still father and son. "Come down when you finish, Cleo just finished making Bulgogi," He said with a cheesy grin before walking back down the stairs towards the kitchen.

Stephanie smiled gently at his retreating back before sighing loudly and stepping down from the stool. She wasn't expecting to intrude on their privacy for long. However, how her brother and sister in law kept ensuring she was at home so that she doubted she could leave their presence so easily.

It was only when she heard her sister-in-law call her name that she snapped out of her thoughts. She quickly headed down the stairs. There she greeted her 3 year old nephew and sweetly spoke towards Cleo's seven month round stomach as she greeted her niece.

*

"It's already been a week since I've been down here and I am yet to find a job. Omo, what if I am jobless forever?" Stephanie exclaimed towards the phone. Her best friend, Layla, stared at her with a raised eyebrow as she sipped her smoothie. Layla put her smoothie down and gave her friend a reassuring smile. "Girl calm down. It took me four months to find a job when I moved here with Tommy. And if you can't don't worry, do you know who I am?" she asked, trying to boost Stephanie's morale.

Stephanie grinned and puckered her lips as she kissed the phone. "See, that's why I love you. Always have my back." Layla laughed and shook her head. "My girl, you got this. You got me too if you need it." Stephanie smiled, feeling more confident. "Thanks Layla, I'm sure I'll be fine." Layla smiled and said, "You got this, Steph. I believe in you." Stephanie nodded and took a deep breath, feeling ready to take on the challenge. She thanked Layla again before ending the call.

However, despite her efforts, Stephanie found herself in the same position for the next couple of days. Jobless. Her face was grim as she stuffed a spoon full of white rice into her mouth. "Babe, you won't believe what happened today at work. I might have just made the shrewdest business deal ever. Expect a trip to Hawaii soon!" Her brother exclaimed as he entered the kitchen. He was dressed in a suit, so one could guess that he had probably just gotten home from work. Cleo raised her eyebrows and folded her arms before she gave him a wide grin.

"Oh? And what did the almighty Seph do this time?" Seph chuckled before reaching into his pocket, pulling out a check. "My boss gave me a bonus for my hard work this month. I thought it might be nice to take a family trip." Cleo beamed before giving him a hug. "We're going to Hawaii!" Stephanie scowled at the scene in front of her. "It must be enjoyable having a well paid job," she grumbled behind her spoon. Her brother grinned and ruffled her hair. "I could put you on if you like?" He asked with a playful smile and Stephanie shook her head.

"No way in hell, you'd probably get me a position under you and make me do all your errands all day." He rolled his eyes and laughed. "You know me too well, Steph." Stephanie smiled and sipped her soup. "Thanks, I appreciate it though."

The sound of her phone ringing caught her attention and she smiled as she grabbed it to answer the phone. "Sup babe, missed me?" Stephanie asked and chuckled when Layla made a sound of disgust. "Girl please, I called you so you can get your miserable ass out of the house." Layla stated and Stephanie raised an eyebrow as she stuffed another spoon full of rice in her mouth. "Oh? Hit me." Stephanie said. "Guess who's the best friend in the world? Me, yeah. And guess who might have gotten their best friend a job?" Layla asked with a smirk on her face and Stephanie almost choked on the rice she was eating.

Stephanie stopped eating and stared at Layla in disbelief. "No fucking way, really?" she asked suspiciously. Layla rolled her eyes and nodded with a smirk. "I may have said a little something to Tommy and apparently Tommy's friend who owns a company was looking for someone with your skills. So, what do you say? You interested?" Layla asked and Stephanie grinned in delight. "You bet your fucking big black fat juicy ass I'm interested. I ain't got a degree in business for nothing" Stephanie whined and Layla snorted. "Say less, I'll send you the information and you just do your thing. I'm definitely sure you'll get this opportunity." Layla stated before blowing a kiss and ending the call.

Stephanie grinned and looked up to meet her siblings' curious eyes. She laughed and clasped her hands in excitement. "Guys, I might have found a job."