Translator: Nox

Chapter 12

12. Ugly and Scary Man?

Thinking of Kangwoo, Naeun hid her true feelings and said,

"He acts all high and mighty. He looks a bit scary."

Hyesun interpreted Naeun's words however she wanted.

-That ugly? How ugly does he have to be to be scary?

She couldn't bring herself to say he was handsome.

"Anyway, we won't run into each other much. The house is huge."

Hyesun asked curiously.

-How big is it in pyeong?

"I don't know exactly. But it's several times bigger than our old place."

-Hey, that's great then. Jiho likes it too, right?

"Yeah, he loves it."

-If it's not uncomfortable, it's a good opportunity. Living separately in the annex is basically like your own house.

Agreeing with Hyesun, Naeun said,

"Still, I probably won't be able to invite you over. It's someone else's house after all..."

-What do you mean invite? You could still visit once, right? How can someone live without ever inviting a friend over?

"Is that so?"

Listening to Hyesun made it seem that way too. Hyesun whined about not having met in a while.

-You were busy even when I said I'd treat you before. Let's drink at your place.

"Sounds good."

Beep beep beep!

After repeatedly entering the wrong password, the front door lock shut down completely. As she tried to punch in the code again with beeps,

"Who the hell are you?"

A middle-aged woman with a sharp voice opened the door, and Misuk scowled.

"Who are you?"

"Who am I? I live here. Why are you keep punching the password into someone else's house? Who are you? A thief or something?"

The door suddenly opened from inside as she grumbled about putting everyone to sleep.

"What?"

"My daughter definitely lived here."

"I don't know if your daughter lived here or not, but this is my house now. Don't touch the password again. Before I call the police."

As the woman tried to close the door, Misuk grabbed it and said,

"When did you move in?"

"A week ago."

"She moved without telling me. Ah, then the deposit! There must be a deposit here."

"What are you talking about?"

The woman slammed the door shut on Misuk's mutterings.

"Unbelievable."

Misuk immediately called Naeun, but she didn't answer. Fuming, Misuk went back home but didn't enter right away, pacing nearby. The place Misuk was at now was an 80-pyeong villa, a gift from Hayoung's boyfriend. The two had been living there for two years. After receiving the villa, Hayoung had told Misuk she wanted to live independently.

[Mom, you stay here and take care of Minho and Naeun. I'll live alone.]

[What are you saying? You're going to live alone in that nice villa? I want to go too. Me too.]

"Can I come in?"

Having grown tired and annoyed of living with Jiho, the two had left Naeun and Jiho behind and moved to this 80-pyeong villa. Before entering the house, Misuk called Hayoung.

-Yeah.

"Did that guy leave?"

-Yeah. Come on, Mom.

When Hayoung's boyfriend came over, Misuk would step out as a condition. As Misuk entered, Hayoung was filing her nails.

"It's not easy applying nail nutrition cream. No time for the nail salon."

Misuk perked up at her words.

"Why no time? Did you get a broadcasting gig?"

"Yeah, I got a gig."

Misuk chattered excitedly at Hayoung's boastful tone.

"It's been a while. When was your last broadcast? Oh, and hey. Naeun moved without telling us."

Hayoung's eyes widened.

"Moved? Where'd she get the money?"

"Right? Where'd the money come from? She must've used the deposit from there."

"Mom, that deposit isn't much."

"Still, she should've told us. Aren't you curious about Jiho?"

"Mom, I told you not to mention Jiho in front of me. You said to think of him as just Naeun's son. I've completely forgotten I even gave birth. Look at my figure. Does this look like someone who's had a baby?"

Her flat stomach made it impossible for anyone to think she'd ever been pregnant.

"Mom, let's not talk about this. I just gave birth and handed him to Naeun, so he's hers now. That's why seeing Naeun tires me out."

"Right."

Hayoung frowned at Misuk, who spoke as if hiding something, and asked,

"Why? Do you need something from Naeun?"

"I asked her for 400,000 won, but she didn't send it."

"What? Mom, I gave you living expenses last time, and you're short 400,000 won already?"

Misuk sighed at Hayoung's words.

"Ah, it just happened that way. Hey, can't you give me more living expenses? You're decked out in luxury brands."

Hayoung was head to toe in designer clothes, shoes, and bags. She always insisted celebrities needed this level. She didn't want to look cheap anywhere.

"Mom, you think I bought all this luxury stuff? He gifted it all to me."

Misuk fiddled with a nearby bag and said,

"Hey, let's sell one or two. The credit card bill bounced this time."

"Mom!"

The mother-daughter duo, who resembled each other, bickered over money, their voices echoing through the luxury villa.

At the kindergarten, Naeun saw the missed call from Misuk and sighed. If she told Misuk she'd moved, she'd demand to come to the new place. And seeing where she lived now would obviously cause problems. Naeun pondered ways to keep Misuk from coming to the house and interfering.

Mom, I ended up moving to an even smaller place. Lend me some money. Last time Jiho was sick and we went to the hospital, living expenses ran short. The new place has a smaller deposit and higher rent.

With a good idea, Naeun texted Misuk.

Please send 3 million won, Mom.

After sending the text, it showed as read immediately, but no reply came. She probably wouldn't call for a while. Misuk always went radio silent whenever money was mentioned, fearing even a little would be taken from her. Her sister Hayoung did the same, ignoring child support for Jiho completely.

"Yeah, Jiho. You're my son. You've been my son since then."

From feeding him milk as a newborn, burping him, holding him, to the unforgettable moment he started talking and called her "Mommy" with a bright smile. All those memories flashed by like a panorama.

-4 -

After Gyeonghye visited the kindergarten and met Naeun, the director treated her much more warmly.

"Teacher Han, I suggested we eat together, but you must not have time."

"Yes. I end up working even after hours sometimes."

"I see? Still, let's eat together sometime. It'd be great if the chairwoman joined us."

"The chairwoman?"

"I told you. She said to contact her anytime. How about we three make a plan? I have something to ask her too."

Naeun shook her head at the director's words.

"I don't particularly want to meet the chairwoman separately."

"Oh, come on..."

"Next time if there's a chance."

Not wanting to drag it out and get tired, Naeun placated the director to some extent.

Late after all the children had gone home, Naeun was cutting colored paper. Tomorrow was the day the kids would make round paper rings. She needed to prepare and cut the paper in advance. Jiho was playing off to the side.

Even after moving, the nanny picked up Minho, and Naeun went home late with Jiho. She'd told them it was best not to let on at the kindergarten.

If the director found out Naeun was living with the family, she'd make a fuss. She'd hound her to create opportunities somehow.

"Mommy, are you done?"

Bored of playing alone, Jiho asked.

"Why? Does Jiho want to go home early today?"

"No."

But the child seemed unusually listless. Naeun finished organizing the paper and touched Jiho's forehead.

"You feel feverish..."

She checked his temperature right away—it was nearly 38 degrees. Debating whether to give fever medicine or go to the hospital, she decided and piggybacked him.

"Jiho, let's go to the hospital with Mommy."

"No. I don't want to go to the hospital."

"We still have to. Otherwise, you'll feel worse."

Naeun took a taxi straight to the hospital.