Sister, Back-off From MY MAN

Tuesday

"Mom where are we going?" Kiaraa asked her mother.

"Kiaraa, your school counsellor invited you to her home, so I am dropping you there" Chu Yu Ri informed Kiaraa on the way.

"Why did she invite me?" Kiaraa was sitting on the back seat of the car with her mother.

"She found you interesting and wishes to know you better" Chu Yu Ri used the words the counsellor suggested.

"Smart woman she is" 

Kiaraa's words confused her mother.

"Only smart people find me interesting" Kiaraa confidently said.

'This girl is epitome of narcissism' Chu Yu Ri helplessly thought and after reaching the counsellor's home, she met with the counsellor and dropped Kiaraa there.

Kiaraa looked around the counsellor's home in awe.

The house was an amalgamation of traditional and modern Korean architecture. This counsellor's house was clearly inspired by blending traditional elements with modern spaces and materials.

The traditional Korean roof was abstracted into a more dynamic element. Although the roofs were traditional the house was modern just like Kiaraa's. There was a Korean residential courtyard in the centre bringing the nature inside the home. There was no framing to what exists outside the walls.

"Your house is so beautiful" Kiaraa admiringly looked around the place.

"My husband designed it; he is an architect" The counsellor smiled as she could see Kiaraa has a very classy taste just like her husband.

"Amazing"

After Kiaraa satisfied her curiosity, the counsellor took Kiaraa to her counselling room and asked Kiaraa to have a seat on the couch opposite to her.

"Kiaraa, do you know why you are here?"

Kiaraa nodded her head, "You find me interesting that's why"

"True, I do. Therefore, I would be trying to know you better, is that fine?"

"Sure"

"For the beginners, I would wish to know what do you want to be when you grow up, Kiaraa?"

"I want to be like my dad and handle the whole Lee Conglomerate"

"Wow, doesn't that involve a lot of responsibilities?" 

"Yes, it does"

The counsellor smiled and said, "I believe you have a very high potential to be successful in the business world. That is the reason why I wished to talk to you and know you better"

Kiaraa looked confused so the counsellor continued, "Kiaraa, I saw your grades and checked your academics records. You are amazing in it but your social skills are a setback in your life. In the business world, only being smart is not enough. You need to be tactful and well-mannered too. Even if you are not truly well-mannered that's fine, as long as you can pretend."

"So, this is going to be counselling with you to train me how to deceive people?" Kiaraa concluded.

Counsellor: "…"

After taking a sip from the glass of water next to her, the counsellor took a deep sigh, "No dear, it is more like you will learn how to deal with people in the nicest way possible."

"That's what I said too" Kiaraa pouted.

"Yeah, but the way you said it was wrong. Why it is wrong and how you will correct is what you will learn after these sessions" 'Hopefully' the counsellor added this word at the end to herself.

"Okay" Kiaraa just nodded her head.

"To introduce myself, my name is Baek Ma-Ri. I was born in Seoul, grew up here and married my best friend from college, who is an architect. I have two children, a boy and a girl, both are grownups and are now studying in USA."

"I love understanding and helping people so I studied counselling in college. Until the last few years, I was a private counsellor but the principal of your school was my school friend and he requested me to take up a job there. He offered me a good amount and I only had to dedicate a few hours to school so I accepted this job, rest of the time I work as a private counsellor." 

Baek Ma-Ri shared her life story in short with Kiaraa. As a counsellor, she believed to share her own story with her clients so that they feel like they know her well.

Only after the clients believe they know this person well, they too would be comfortable sharing their life facts with them, is what she believed.

"Your life was boring" Kiaraa pouted.

Baek Ma-Ri chuckled, "I agree, now tell me about yourself Kiaraa."

"I am born in the Lee family, one of the richest ones in Seoul. My grandpa started his career with small businesses but my dad made them reach higher levels. He is my inspiration and I want to be like him."

"Very nice, good career goal you have in life"

"Thank you"

"Tell me about your family"

"It consists of mom, dad, grandpa, uncle, aunt, my uncle has one son, my aunt too has a son and my…" Kiaraa hesitated before saying, "And my sister"

"Why did you hesitate before mentioning your sister?"

"I don't consider her as a part of my family" 

"Why not?"

"I don't like her"

"Does she trouble you?" 

"No, it is more like I trouble her" Kiaraa was not sure why but she felt a bit guilty while saying this.

"Why don't you like her then?"

Kiaraa thought for a while before saying, "She doesn't feel real"

"Can you elaborate on that?"

Kiaraa hesitated before choosing her words, nevertheless she continued, "It feels like she is something else but portrays herself as someone else. She is not like me, she is different."

Baek Ma-Ri smiled seeing the confusion on young Kiaraa's face.

"Kiaraa, do you have friends?"

"Yes"

"Can you share their names with me?"

"Ian and Ji Hwan"

"Are they just like you or are they different?"

"They are different"

"You like them?"

"Of course."

"Then why do you dislike your sister for being different?"

This question forced Kiaraa to think deeply.

"They behave just like the way they are but Aera acts so weirdly"

"Weirdly?"

"There is this boy, she is clearly into and she keeps roaming around him"

"So?"