Chizoba POV:
As I stepped off the plane at incheon International Airport, the crisp air hit me like a slap sharp and clean, a total contrast to the humid hug Lagos gave me on my way out. The terminal buzzed around me: people rushing to gates, announcements bouncing off the walls, and that steady hum that made it clear Seoul never slept.
Beside me, my mom adjusted her scarf, scanning the crowd.
" There he is," she said, her face lighting up with a smile I hadn't seen in a while.
I followed her gaze. A tall, distinguished man was walking toward us, flanked by two men in black suits that screamed bodyguards energy. His coat looked expensive, the kind of fit that didn't just say rich , it whispered class. As he got closer, he bowed politely, then, to my shock, pulled my mom in and kissed her on the forehead.
My brows shot up. PDA? Here? I'd read that Koreans weren't exactly big on public affection especially the older ones. Even forehead kisses were kinda private. But this man, my new stepfather, clearly didn't care about norms.
" Welcome to Korea ," he said, his voice deep and smooth. " I trust your flight was comfortable."
I nodded, still trying to wrap my head around the whole thing. " Yes, thank you."
He motioned toward the exit. "The car is waiting. Let's get you both home."
As we walked, the two men with him subtly formed a circle around us, like I was some kind of VIP. I didn't know whether to feel safe or overwhelmed. One thing was clear this was a whole different world. A place full of rules I didn't know and people I hadn't figured out yet.
When we stepped into the sleek waiting outside, I paused to glance back at the terminal. My heart thudded.
"Here we go," I whispered, sinking into the leather seat, bracing myself for whatever came next.
As the car glided smoothly through the quiet, well-paved streets of Seoul, I started out the window, wide eyed. Everything looked so… intentional. Sleek buildings, glowing neon signs, people dressed like they walked off a runway. Lagos traffic could never.
But my jaw really dropped when we turned into a gated estate that looked like something out of a K-drama dream.
The compound was massive lined with cherry blossom trees, tall security walls, and a kind of silence that screamed old money. And the mansion? Wow. Three stories of glass and black marble, with a symmetry so perfect it looked AI generated. Even the fountain out front looked like it had a marketing team.
"Jesus is Lord," I whispered under my breath as the car stopped in front of the entrance.
My stepfather stepped out first, smooth as ever, adjusting his coat like a chaebol villain, then opened the door for my mom like it was second nature. Before we even got to the steps, the front doors opened on their own of course they were automated and a while lineup of staff bowed like they rehearsed it.
My mom looked mildly amused and turned to him. "Where are the kids?"
"They're at school," he replied evenly. "They'll be home after extracurriculars."
Extracurriculars? In Lagos, that just meant extra wahala ( suffering) after school hours.
A maid approached, bowing slightly. "Miss Chizoba, please follow me. I'll show you to your room."
Room, she said. But what I walked into was a suite.
The cream and gold color scheme, velvet curtains, a massive bed that looked like royalty had slept there, and a chandelier that sparkled like it had tea to spill. There was even a walk-in closet bigger than my mom's shop and a private balcony overlooking the koi pond. I could see my reflection in the glossy floor.
"This is my room?" I croaked, staring like a bush girl (unsophisticatedgirl).
"Yes, Miss. If you need anything, just press the button on the nightstand."
I blinked. Button?
I looked down and saw a sleek touchscreen panel on the bedside table with neat icons labeled: Room Service, Temperature, Music, Lights, Maid Call.
"God, abeg o," (Ican'tbelievethisishappening, Godplease), I muttered, tiptoeing into the room like the marble might vanish under my feet.
I dropped my carry-on bag on a velvet bench and spun slowly, taking it all in. This was my life now? Private driver, staff that bowed, and a house that looked like a Vogue Home feature. My mom? Living like a soft-life ambassador.
I sat gently on the bed and ran my hand across the silky duvet. "Na wah… see money." (that'salotofmoney)
Meanwhile.... (Author POV)
At a prestigious high school nestled in the heart of Gangnam, students flooded the courtyard, chatting, laughing, some rushing off to cram academies, others lounging around like they owned the place.
In the midst of the polished chaos, Minji Noh sat on a bench under a cherry blossom tree, her phone clutched tightly in her manicured hands. She kept glancing at the time and smiling to herself like she had a secret.
"She's probably landed by now," she whispered, tapping her screen excitedly.
Her best friend, Jiyeon, titled her head. " Who landed?"
" My new sister," Minji beamed. "She's finally here! She flew in from Nigeria today."
Jiyeon blinked. " Wait…your dad remarried?"
"Last year," Minji said, brushing a petal off her shoulder. "But she's just moving in now. I've seen her pictures, she's so pretty! I can't wait to show her around. I already planned out her whole first week."
She swiped to a Notes app filled with things like Matching nails, Bingsu run, Teach her to dress like a K-idol, and Help her make a cute instagram.
Across the courtyard, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, Jihoon Noh stood silently, watching the students without really seeing them.
His headphones were in, but no music was playing.
Minji spotted him and waved enthusiastically. " Oppa! Aren't you excited?"
He didn't answer. His face stayed blank, unreadable.
Minji frowned, waking up to him.
"You're really not going to say anything? Our sister just arrived today. You're not curious?"
Jihoon shrugged. "I didn't ask for another sister."
Minji narrowed her eyes at him. "You didn't ask for that hideous haircut you got last month either, but we all have to live with things."
He smirked a little, but didn't reply.
Minji rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I'm going to be the best big sister ever"
As the dismissal bell rang, she looped her arm through Jihoon's and tugged him toward the gate.
"Come on. Let's go home. I want to be there before she opens her suitcases!"
Jihoon let her pull him along, quiet as ever, eyes clouded with thoughts he wouldn't say out loud.
Back at the mansion... Chizoba POV
After a few minutes of catching my breath, I finally stepped out into the hallway. Everything felt surreal. The walls were lined with paintings that looked like they came with insurance, and the floors were so polished I could see my future in them. I followed the faint sound of paining music drifting through the house, trailing my fingers along the banister as I made my way down the grand staircase.
Form downstairs, I heard my mom's cheerful voice. " She should be coming down any moment."
I stepped onto the last stair, and my mom looked up at me with that proud glint in her eye. "There she is."
My stepfather turned toward me too, calm as ever. "Did you like your room?"
"I … yeah," I said, glancing around the living room that looked more like a five star hotel lobby. "It's crazy beautiful."
Right then, a soft chime rang from the door.
"That must be them," he said, giving a quick nod to a butler.
Them?
The butler opened the door, and in bounced a girl like a glitter bomb, glossy black hair, sparkly eyelids, and a voice that hit like ten espresso shots.
"YOU'RE SO PRETTY!" She squealed, throwing her backpack aside and rushing toward me like we were long lost sisters.
" Hi …hello?.. wait" I stammered, caught off guard.
"I'm Minji! Your new sister! You're even prettier than your Instagram pictures. Oh my God, we're going to be besties."
Before I could process any of that, a tall guy walked in behind her, quiet, expressionless, like someone dragged him here. Our eyes met briefly.
"Jihoon," he said simply, then walked past us and up the stairs like he hasn't just introduced himself in the most dramatic house I'd ever seen.
Minji grabbed my hand. "Don't mind him. He's allergic to social interaction." She turned to our parents. "She's perfect. Can she sit beside me at dinner?"
My mom laughed, my stepfather just nodded like he'd seen this chaos before, and I … well, I was just trying to keep up.
And just like that, day one of my new life officially began: one overly dramatic sister, one emotionally unavailable brother, and a mansion big enough to get lost in.