Anyone who loves romance novels probably likes tropes, cliches, those traditional story arcs that you never mind reading again and again and again. What makes them fresh is the details, the writer’s execution of the different story elements, and the strength of the characters. Villains are a romance novel staple. Sometimes it’s a real person, sometimes it’s a concept. Tan and Sinna’s villain is a beautiful, rich, super successful female idol’s idol named Choon Hee.
In this week’s blog, which picks up where last week’s left off, our villainess makes her appearance known — and what our heroine and friends do in response is hilarious. As baddies go, she’s pretty classic, but hey. You gotta interrupt all the laughs and love with some drama every now and then to keep things interesting! Let me know what you think.
The picture is of South Korean actor Lee Dong Wook, who I’m loving in Tale of the Nine-Tailed.
XOXO,
SS
“You can’t wear that,” Lani said, as soon as she got in.
“She’s not, fool. We’re stopping by her house first.”
“My outfit is already laid out. I’ll be ready in 20 minutes or less,” Sinna promised.
“Ain’t nobody rushing you, girl. These motherfuckas’ll wait,” Tommy laughed. “I don’t even know these people. They’re Sookie’s friends. I just want to go and see her face, but she swears it’s worth my while to attend this party. We’ll see. I already told her if I don’t make any money in the first hour, I’m out. I gotta ton of work to do.”
Sinna laughed. “You mean, you don’t want to stand on your box and be admired as Sook Hee’s beautiful Black friend?”
Tommy rolled her eyes. “Is there any money in that?”
“You mean, Sook Hee’s beautiful Black friends,” Lani corrected, stressing the plural.
“Of course,” Sinna said. “You gotta share some of this burden, my girl.”
“And your contribution will be even more generous since you’re connected to a huge K-pop group.” Lani smirked.
Now it was Sinna’s turn to roll her eyes. “Sookie seems to want a lot from me this evening.”
They had a good laugh over that.
Tan texted her two hours into the party – Tommy made some money in the first hour. Someone wanted to throw a large event at Dominic’s hotel, but wasn’t having luck securing a date. Tommy promised to smooth their path and in 10 minutes had an appointment booked for them to go in the next morning to sign the contract. So, Sookie was given another two hours. – Where are you?
At a party.
Can I come?
Sure. I’m sure everyone would love to see you.
Bik’s with me.
I’m sure everyone would love to see him too.
Lol. Text me the address.
Done.
“Bik and Tan are on their way,” she told Sook Hee. “Put the address in my phone.”
Their friend was happy to. When she found out they were 20 minutes away, she was so gleeful, she actually danced in place. Then she dashed off to the kitchen to see if their favorite drinks were available.
“How does she know what they like to drink?” Lani
Sinna shrugged. “It’s one of Sook’s unspoken gifts, the ability to remember everyone’s choice of alcoholic poison, undertone and shoe size.”
“Like how Tommy can remember who does what all around the country.”
“Exactly.”
Sinna frowned suddenly. “Now, I wonder what happened?” Sook Hee’s pale skin had just turned to milk. She turned toward the door. “Well well,” she murmured.
Lani and Tommy turned to look.
“Who’s that?” Tommy wanted to know.
“That is Choon Hee,” Sinna said softly.
“Where have I heard that name?”
“She’s billed as the Asian Mariah Carey,” Lani explained. “You also heard the name because Sookie said she’s after Tan.”
They both turned to look at Sinna, who was her usual serene, unbothered self.
“You’ve met her?” Tommy
“She came to the studio once while I was there. Threw herself into his arms, several times.”
“What did he do?” Lani wanted to know.
“Pushed her away each time and told her we were dating.”
Tommy grunted, satisfied. “We gotta watch that bitch.”
“She looks like the stubborn type.” Lani
“Oh, she is,” Sinna laughed. “Spoiled too.”
“Well,” Tommy said softly. “Since she’s on her way over, let’s see how she likes your new engagement ring.”
Sherrod Story - Here lies your book boyfriend...naked. 