Sanggyun couldn’t help but sigh when he heard ringing come from his laptop. That ringing meant only one thing. Skype. And a Skype call would be coming from only one person. Stacy Tune.

When they were in school, Sanggyun didn’t think much about Stacy. She had been the only foreigner at their school but she also was the smartest, that is until Sarang arrived. Before Sarang arrived, Stacy stayed with her clique, the upperclassmen—and the few underclassmen that managed to get in good with them—that believed they were top dogs at the school. Stacy came from a rich family that had business in South Korea. They weren’t the Shin family rich, but they had money. Before Sarang arrived, Stacy probably didn’t know that Sanggyun even existed and Sanggyun couldn’t really care less about Stacy.

But then Sarang became a student at their school and within a few months into the school year, Stacy was all over Sanggyun. His friends thought it was the best thing to happen so Sanggyun just decided to go with it. He didn’t know why she was into him all of a sudden but his friends told him to not question it. At this time, Taeyang had moved out and contacting him was difficult with their different schedules and when they were able to get together, it was to perform at clubs and Sanggyun didn’t think that was an appropriate time to talk about his personal life. Eventually, Sanggyun got Stacy pregnant and Sanggyun had no idea what to do. When he told his parents, they had gotten so upset that he was forced to move out and that’s when he finally was able to tell Taeyang everything. Taeyang allowed him to move in with him.

During the pregnancy, Sanggyun wished he would have talked to his brother about Stacy prior because his brother would have advised him to drop Stacy but that feeling went away when he first held his son in his arms. Taeyang had gotten a feeling that Stacy wasn’t really into Sanggyun when he told him everything and that feeling intensified during the pregnancy and even after. Stacy and Sanggyun managed to finish school, Stacy still top of her class but because Stacy was a year older, she graduated before Sanggyun and as soon as she graduated, she was leaving South Korea. She didn’t take Jiwoo with her though with the excuse that she needed to focus in college so she could provide a better life for them and Sanggyun ate that up. Taeyang had been royally pissed when Sanggyun told him this. He wasn’t mad at his brother—not as much at least—but at Stacy for taking advantage of the love that Sanggyun had for his son.

Because Jiwoo was left in Sanggyun’s care, he barely managed to graduate on time. And because Sanggyun was basically Jiwoo’s sole provider and he himself was so young, Sanggyun couldn’t go to college. Instead he began to work right away and with the help of his brother, friends, and Stacy—who merely sent an allowance once a month and hasn’t visited Jiwoo once since she left when he was still a baby—he was able to take care of Jiwoo. Fast forward to four years later and Jiwoo is being raised by the best appa and uncle in the whole world, according to him at least.

“Sanggyun, how is Jiwoo? Is he behaving well?” Stacy asked. Taeyang, who was somewhere in the apartment, answered before Sanggyun could. “You would know if you flew out and actually saw your son and be part of his life.”

Stacy merely rolled her eyes and Sanggyun cringed. She has grown used to Taeyang’s attitude and it didn’t even faze her. She made more money a day than Taeyang did in a month and that fact alone helped Stacy ignore him.

“He’s good. He’s actually learning how to write and is getting good at writing his name. Sangdo hyung bought him a book to help practice his letters.” Sanggyun informed her. He was actually very proud of his son and was happy of the fact that he could watch his son grow and learn about the world first hand.

“I learned how to do that when I was two. In multiple languages in fact. We’re going to have to work harder so he’ll catch up. We can’t have him be the same as everyone or God forbid, fall behind. I’ll send some workbooks and flashcards. Better yet, get him with a tutor that way when he starts school, he’ll be ahead of everyone.”

“What? But Stacy, he’s doing fine as is. He’s a kid, let’s let him enjoy it.” Sanggyun defended.

“My family doesn’t strive for ‘fine’, Sanggyun. We expect nothing but the best from everyone and everything and my son will achieve exactly that.”

“Your son?! You haven’t even seen him since he was a few months old! Who the hell do you think you are calling him ‘your son’?! My brother has been doing a fantastic job raising the kid you made together and you’re doing what? Living without worry in another country.” Taeyang had stormed from wherever he was in the apartment and was quick to put Stacy in her place.

“I am living in another country to provide for Jiwoo. I am here for work.” Stacy snapped.

“Please! Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been doing. Girls like you are all the same. While Sanggyun has been here trying to provide for Jiwoo and doing nothing but putting him first, you’re over there sleeping around and forgetting you even have a son!” Taeyang argued. Sanggyun could only watch, trying to figure out how to intervene without getting his brother upset.

“Hyung…” Sanggyun gently called out, tugging on Taeyang’s shirt sleeve.

“Don’t act like you know what I’m doing. As if you have any idea what I do. Your kind would never understand what we do. Forget it. As if I could explain it to you. Where is Jiwoo? I would like to speak with him.” Stacy simply sighed as if talking about what rich people had to do was so exhausting.

“Now wait a minute, Stacy-” Sanggyun said, shocked by what Stacy said.

“Your kind? Your kind?! Oh so because we don’t have money, that just makes you better than us. Well you know what, I can name a lot of people with less money than you who are 100 times better of a person than you will ever be. A sad excuse of a mother is what you are.”

“I’m done arguing with you, Taeyang. Now where is my son so I can talk to him?”

“Who says I was done?! So because I’m poor, means I have to-“ “Enough! Both of you! Jiwoo is with Sangwon. He took him to the zoo today and is going to watch him while hyung and I go to work.” Sanggyun finally decided to step in. He pushed Taeyang towards a bedroom. “Hyung, your shift starts soon, go get ready.”

“See, even people who aren’t related to Jiwoo make better parents.” “Hyung!” Sanggyun sat back down in front of the laptop with a huff.

“You can talk to Jiwoo later. Now I have to go get ready.” Sanggyun ended the call without letting Stacy say anything else and then went to go get dressed for work.

Sanggyun arrived to the café on time and quickly clocked in. He put on the apron and got to his spot behind the cash register. Sanggyun had been working for a few hours when it was time for his break. Hojoon decided to join him and the two found a secluded table that the customers never really used.

“How’s everything, Sanggyun?” Hojoon asked. Sanggyun only let out a heavy sigh which caused Hojoon to chuckle. “Not good, I take it.”

“Stacy Skyped me earlier today. She said some stuff that pissed hyung off and the two got in an argument. Other than that, everything else has been going pretty good.” Sanggyun shrugged.

“Your brother just wants the best for you and Jiwoo and you’re not the most confronting person with Stacy. He just doesn’t want her taking advantage of you.” Hojoon explained.

“I already gave up a lot just to raise Jiwoo. What more can she take advantage of?”

“Oh, you’ll be surprised. But enough of that. How would you like to make some extra money, Sanggyun?” Hojoon wondered with a grin.

“It’s nothing illegal, right? I have a kid, hyung.” Sanggyun seemed uneasy which caused Hojoon to laugh.

“No, no. Nothing illegal. A friend of mine has a catering business and he has a big event this Saturday and is low on staff. He asked me to ask around for extra hands. He’ll pay you 15 dollars an hour and the event basically lasts 6 hours. It’s not a lot of money but every little bit helps. And if you do good, you can get hired again.” Hojoon explained.

“What time do I need to be there?” Sanggyun asked.

“I’ll text you everything later today. For the uniform, black slacks, nice shoes, and a white button down shirt. It’s easy work, Sanggyun. And easy money.” Hojoon assured with a smile.

“Thanks, hyung. How’s everything been with you?” It was Hojoon’s turn to sigh this time.

“Have you ever fell in love at first sight, Sanggyunie?” Hojoon asked, confusing Sanggyun.

“Uh, no, I don’t think so.”

“Well I have. It happened a few weeks ago and has been bothering me since especially because I never got her name. She was a foreigner so she’s probably here for a short time but she’s been the only thing on my mind since.” Hojoon exclaimed.

“That must , hyung. I’m sorry I can’t help. But if it’s really meant to be, you two will meet again.” Sanggyun said with a hopeful smile.

A few days later Sarang sat in a beauty salon, getting her hair and makeup done for a ball that was going to take place later on that night. You couldn’t ask for another better way to spend her Saturday. Her outfit had been picked out the day before and all she had left to do was go home and get dressed then drive to her father’s house so she could ride with her dad and brothers in the limo.

“Miss Shin, you have a call.” A worker brought her phone over and handed it to Sarang. She answered the phone before putting it on speaker.

“Hello?”

“Shin Sarang, why have you not been answering your phone?! I have been calling you and calling you! I know your phone doesn’t leave your side so what the hell is it?!” Sarang was thankful for the fact that her eyes were closed because of her makeup or her eyes would’ve rolled so far back into her head.

“Grandmother, how are you? I apologize, my phone has been acting up and keeps blocking people in my contacts.” Sarang faked the sweet tone. “What is it that you need that my father or brothers could not handle?”

“I can tell that you’re busy. Never mind then, I will call your father. Goodbye.” Aera hung up and Sarang muttered ‘Good riddance’.

The two people working on Sarang’s hair and makeup heard her comment and they couldn’t help but laugh a little. Sarang would’ve quirked a brow had it not been for her eyebrows being done.

“The conversation doesn’t leave this area, understood.” Sarang simply said. The laughing stopped and instantly the two were bowing. “Yes, Miss Shin.”

“My, my. Miss Shin? How threatening.” Sarang looked at the mirror and saw Park Se Hee, Sehyuk’s and Minsung’s sister.

“Hello, eonni. Or should I say, Miss Park?” Sarang quipped.

“Eonni is fine, Sarang. Getting ready for tonight, I see.” Se Hee sat down in the chair next to Sarang and immediately two other stylists were working on her.

“As if I would come to this extreme for a night out at the club. How have you been, eonni?” Sarang asked. Se Hee and Sarang grew up together since their fathers were good friends but the two never became close like Sarang and Minsung. Se Hee would always have extra curricular activities for school or just hang out with other friends so Sarang and Se Hee never really saw each other as friends exactly. They got along though and always had nice conversations whenever they did see each other.

“I’ve been good. Busy, but good. Apparently oppa ruined Minsung’s bathroom though. Minsung is making oppa pay for his bathroom to be remodeled completely from bottom to top.” Se Hee sniggered.

“Oh, I’ve heard. Serves him right though. Doesn’t he have his own place with his own bathroom?” Sarang wondered.

“He likes using others to inconvenience them. Oppa was trying to find a way out of paying but even mommy and daddy are making him pay or else he’ll do the remodeling himself.”

“Can he even do that?”

“Nope so I have no idea why that was even an alternative. But it worked. He’s going with Minsung next week to meet with some people about his bathroom.”

“Guess I’m going to have a housemate for a while.”

A/N Changes were made to the story, somewhat minor, for Kim Minsung (previously known as Kim Hansol). The romantic interest for Rhythm has changed and to see exactly how, you can go back to chapters 2 and 6. Other than that, everything else is the same. Comments make me very happy! Love you all!