Full description:

Sometimes, words speak louder than actions. But, in other cases, it may be the other way round.

It's been forty-seven years since Sim Daejung arrived in New York from Seoul, South Korea, stirring trouble wherever he passed by, whether with a simple gesture or a whole rant on his existential questions.

He passed his daredevil personality and creepy curiosity to his sons and daughter, who see him not only as a role model, but also as the force driving them to their goals.

That is, if they can pass the tests life poses for them.

Disclaimer:

This is an entry for the Open Novella Contest 2024 and is based on the following prompts:

#1 "Sometimes words speak louder than actions"

#12 "A midnight stroll and a meeting with a frantic stranger"

#13 "Every family has that one member of whom no-one speaks, and that's you"

#20 "Three strangers. Two secrets. One key"

#53 "The co-worker who irritates you the most just asked you for a big favor. They're not who they appear to be. And they know you're not either"

#60 "Look what you made me do (Taylor Swift)"

#67 "A promise is a promise. A secret is a secret. They must not tell anybody."

I also include prompt #72, but only in one section and as a flashback. Prompt #88 is also included, but, again, not as per se, but as a link to different sections of the story.

This novella is the fourth installment, or, better said, a spin-off of the Face series, for which I created Books 1-3 for the ONC. This book can be read as a standalone; however, if you want, you can read Face, Fairy and Feeling, the three original books from the series, to understand a little more about some characters.

Several of the protagonists are ethnically Korean. According to Korean naming tradition, the surname always comes before the first name. The story, however, takes place in the United States of America. You'll find out why as you read the story.

Main characters:

Sim Himchan (34)

The eldest of Sim Daejung's children. He's a freshly hired Art teacher at Grand Ridge High School. Among the three of them, he's the closest to his father character wise. He thinks he's good at keeping secrets; however, his certainties might be shaken by the upcoming events...

Sim Daegwang (32)

The middle child, he's also a reserved and introspective person. He wants to break out of his shell and prove he has more to offer than everyone else, including his parents and sometimes his siblings, think

Sim Seju (24)

The youngest child. She doesn't seem to suffer from the large age difference with her brothers. She believes in love at first sight and thinks everyone has a chance at romance

Kari Lane (34)

A fellow teacher at Grand Ridge High. She has a difficult relationship with Himchan, who, according to her, broke the "status quo" and caused mayhem after being hired. Things might change as she has to ask him for a favor...

Jake Dunigan (39)

Another teacher at Grand Ridge High. He's reclusive and barely trusts anyone. He's estranged from his family for reasons he won't reveal to anyone. The only person he regards as a potential confidant is Himchan

Rose Dugan (33)

A woman Daegwang bumps into by chance while taking a stroll one night. Although they don't know each other, she feels like she can trust him with a huge secret involving herself and another person...

Other characters:

Sim Daejung (73)

He's known for the trouble he caused in New York City for over forty-five years as much as he is for his art. He's an observant, yet mischievous and quite eccentric man. He is Himchan, Daegwang and Seju's father

Lee Daehwa (73)

She's known for her tendency to exaggerate things, including her own feelings for Daejung, to whom she's been married for thirty-five years. She is Himchan, Daegwang and Seju's mother

Kevin Salyer (24)

A former high school classmate of Seju's, he used to be her longtime crush. They ended up taking separate paths because of university, but they might reunite soon...

Shane Haskins (32)

A man who decides to come up with a complex plan to avoid arranged marriage to a woman he has absolutely no interest in. He actually loves another woman, but has no clue on how to confess his feelings to her...

Aubrey Hinds (29)

The woman Shane is supposed to marry. She has deep feelings for him, but is unaware that he doesn't want her. She has a casual encounter with Daegwang, to whom she ends up asking for advice...

Mae Salyer (57)

Kevin's aunt. She's the one who encourages him to approach Seju again, even though he's unsure whether she'll give him a chance

Shana Salyer (30)

Kevin's older sister. She also believes he should come clean about his feelings for Seju. As a rising artist, she gets to know Daejung and openly support his work

Hayley Linn (31)

An artist and aspiring author, she's Daehwa's protégée. She has been estranged from her family for ten years due to reasons she will only disclose to one person...