Translator: Nox

Chapter 3

3. Live-in Tutor

She was about to fall asleep when her phone rang. It was her best friend, Hyesun. Wondering what could be the matter at such a late hour, Naeun quickly answered.

"Yeah, Hyesun. What's up? It's late."

Naeun answered in a sleepy voice, burrowing deeper under the covers. Her eyelids were already heavy; she had been drifting in and out of sleep.

Hyesun's excited voice came through the receiver.

-What's late between you and me? I got a job!

In an instant, Naeun's eyes flew open.

"Really? Congrats! That's awesome!"

Naeun sat up, brushing back her messy hair with her hand, her heart filled with joy. Sleep vanished as if it had never been there; just hearing Hyesun's voice brightened her mood.

-At a huge corporation, no less.

Hyesun added proudly. Naeun's eyes widened in admiration.

"Wow, that's definitely big league. So when's your orientation?"

Genuine happiness for her friend colored Naeun's voice.

-Starts next week.

Hyesun's excitement was palpable, making Naeun smile in response.

"Congrats for real. You worked so hard for this."

Naeun thought of Hyesun's struggles, knowing better than anyone how tough the job hunt had been.

Hyesun let out a light sniff and chuckled.

-Yeah. Man, getting through that employment gate is no joke—can anyone even survive it? Who knew I'd end up at a company after retaking exams?

Naeun burst into laughter and nodded.

"Still, that's something! And at Myeongseong Media, too."

She was proud that her friend's hard work had finally paid off.

-Yeah, they treat science majors well there.

Hyesun's voice brimmed with joy and pride. Naeun chimed in supportively.

"Right, landing a computer graphics job at Myeongseong Media isn't easy."

Her sincere words at the end moved Hyesun even more. Hyesun laughed softly over the line.

-Thanks for recognizing it, friend.

"You really did great, Hyesun."

-Yeah. Your path ahead will be all roses now, too.

Naeun laughed at Hyesun's words.

-By the way, did you know? Our CEO at Myeongseong Media is way more handsome than celebrities. You have to see him in person. Search 'Myeongseong Media CEO'—he pops right up.

Hyesun's voice bubbled with excitement over the phone.

Naeun let out a light, tired sigh.

"Pass. I'm wiped out right now."

-Oh yeah, that's right.

Hyesun switched topics with sudden interest.

-Hey, want to go on a blind date this weekend?

Naeun let out a bewildered chuckle.

Hyesun teased back playfully.

"Hyesun."

-Yeah, it's me, Hyesun.

-So stop calling my name like that. I told you—there's no guys or people on your path. You want to keep living buried in work?

Naeun paused briefly before replying calmly.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Jiho's all I need."

Hyesun's tone turned serious and suspicious.

-Be honest about Jiho. What's the deal? Whose kid is he? I still can't wrap my head around you having a baby. It's been five years, and we were together every day—then you disappear for a couple months and come back with a kid? And you expect me to believe that?

Naeun's chest tightened, and she hesitated before responding. Hyesun's persistent doubts weighed on her heart, stirring guilt for lying to her friend and the heavy responsibility of keeping the secret. But she tried not to show it, answering evenly.

"My belly didn't show much, so you didn't notice."

Hyesun scoffed in disbelief.

-Try fooling a ghost. Even if it didn't show much, does it make sense for a pregnant belly to just stick to your back?

Naeun sighed deeply, covering her face with her hands. The truth she couldn't share lingered bitterly on her tongue. After a long hesitation, she replied quietly but firmly.

"Drop it. And Hyesun, just trust me. Do you have to dig up every detail?"

Hyesun sighed over the line.

-I'm your friend.

Naeun bit her lip, unsure what more to say.

"That's why—just trust me. Stop trying to figure it out."

A brief silence followed, and Hyesun seemed ready to wrap up.

Naeun gripped her phone, trying to wash away the guilt and sadness rising from deep within, but the weight of Hyesun's questions didn't settle easily.

Then Hyesun's deflated voice came through.

-Okay. It's not that I don't believe you... it's just hard to. Fine, let's say you're a single mom. Doesn't matter—try the blind date anyway. I already told him about Jiho.

"No thanks."

-Why?

"I just want to sleep now. And congrats again on the job, Hyesun. Treat me big time."

-Don't worry. One treat? I'll do two. Woo, finally escaping unemployment! Alright, good night.

"Yeah, night."

Tomorrow would dawn fresh after sleep. Right after turning down the blind date, thoughts of romance crept in. Closing her eyes, Naeun recalled the man with the intense presence—Minho's uncle, Kangwoo.

That morning, Jiho was stubborn about his clothes from the start.

"Mommy, it's hot."

"No, it rained a lot yesterday, so it's cold today."

She managed to coax him into one extra layer for the chill outside and headed to the kindergarten early. Gazing at the rain-soaked yard, she felt the crisp air anew. The sky had cleared, but the cold lingered everywhere. As she opened the door, chilly air followed her in.

Naeun rubbed her hands quickly to warm them. When the children arrived, their small, warm hands needed protection from the cold wind—she had to preheat the space. She turned on the classroom heater to adjust the temperature, watered the small potted plants by the window, and tidied up. Meanwhile, Jiho had taken off his jacket and hung it up on his own, then sat in his usual spot with a book. She couldn't help but feel proud.

Naeun closed the dew-covered windows and wiped the glass clean of tiny handprints. She considered keeping them shut to block the draft during indoor play, but the fresh air felt nice, so she left them cracked for ventilation before closing fully.

"Mommy, it's cold."

"You said it was hot earlier."

"Close the window."

"Okay."

As she shut the window, children began arriving one by one. Heading to the entrance to greet them, she spotted a man who seemed gigantic next to the kids approaching—Minho's uncle from yesterday.

Standing beside the children, his broad, tall shoulders made his already imposing height feel gigantic. Beneath his dark black coat, Kangwoo's expression was impassive, his gaze carrying an icy chill. Beneath his neatly groomed dark brows were deep, soulful eyes, but their silent scrutiny revealed little. His chiseled features were sharp as sculpture, his calm demeanor giving an air of indifference.

He felt different from yesterday. Somehow brighter? Maybe because it was morning. Still, holding Minho quietly, he exuded an aura that made approaching him daunting.

Kangwoo gave Naeun a slight nod and set Minho down.

"Uncle's here again, Minho. Hi."

As Naeun greeted them, Kangwoo replied with a faint smile.

"Yes. I'll be coming for the next couple of days."

"Got it. So you'll pick him up today too?"

"No. Someone else will pick him up today. If I give you their number, I'll send a photo."

"Ah, yes. Looks like the usual person can't make it."

"Yes, they're a bit under the weather."

She couldn't hand the child to just anyone, so getting a photo or number was standard. Kangwoo held out his phone. It was her first time giving her number to a man. Though he was a guardian, Naeun felt awkwardly shy, taking his phone with slightly trembling hands.

The latest model gleamed in blue-black, much like him. She entered her number and hit call; her phone in her pocket rang immediately.

"Teacher's full name..."

"Yes. Han Naeun."