Chapter 06

Taeyeon just finished drying her hair, she stared at her reflection in the mirror—smiling to herself knowing that she’s wearing Tiffany’s pyjamas. The woman went to her neighbour to fetch her daughter while she took the time to take a shower. She came out of the bathroom and was greeted by the sight of Tiffany’s bedroom. She was about to look around when the door suddenly opened and a small girl entered, running towards her. “Taetae!” the child yelled. She bent down to meet the kid’s level and opened her arms to receive her embrace. “Taetae you’re here!” she smiled brightly.

“Hello” Taeyeon greeted, chuckling at how warm the child’s welcome is to her. “You seem to have missed me a lot huh?” she held her by her shoulders to look at her.

Irene nodded her head, “You said you were gonna eat with mommy and me, I was waiting for you Taetae.” She pouted.

“I was just a little busy but I’m free now. Have you had your dinner?”

Another nod, “I have. Did Taetae eat already?”

“I did too. Why don’t we eat breakfast together tomorrow before you go to school and then we can have lunch after?”

Irene’s eyes widened in excitement, “Do you promise? Are you going to sleep with mommy tonight?”

Taken aback by the question, Taeyeon almost choked on her saliva, “Well—err I am going to sleep here.” She laughed awkwardly.

“Taetae can sleep next to me! I will share my bed with Taetae.”

“Yah! Are you saying that because of my height!?” she faked scolded Irene.

The kid giggled, “Taetae is cute, like me.”

“That is something we can both agree on.” Taeyeon nodded her head and they both laughed.

“Should I be jealous that my baby girl is getting too close to Taeyeon?” Tiffany asked, leaning her shoulder on the door frame.

The duo stopped laughing and looked at her, “Mommy! Taetae and I are cute!”

“Yes honey, you are.” Tiffany chuckled. “Was my kid bothering you?” her gaze averted to Taeyeon who has now carried Irene in her arms.

“Not at all. She was just being sweet.”

“Mmm” Tiffany nodded her head, “Joohyun-ah, it’s time for you to sleep.” She coaxed, making her daughter frown.

“Where will Taetae sleep?”

“I’ll sleep on the couch” says Taeyeon.

“No, we have an inflatable bed, I can get it ready in to time.” Says Tiffany.

Taeyeon shook her head, “The couch is fine, it’ll be just another work for you to deflate after I used it. Let me just use the couch, it’s really comfortable there, I’ve tried it.”

“Your back will hurt.” It was Tiffany’s turn to frown.

Taeyeon smiled, “It won’t, trust me.”

“Fine, the couch it is.” Tiffany gave up. “Come on Joohyun-ah.”

“Okay mommy.” Irene sighed. “Taetae, let’s go sleep.” The child ushered.

“Why are you ordering Taetae around?” Tiffany squinted her eyes at her daughter.

“Because I like Taetae.” Irene blurted nonchalantly. “Let’s go Taetae!” she chirped which Taeyeon immediately obliged to. The kid gave her the directions that led her to her bedroom while being carried in her arms. Tiffany just watched the two interact and couldn’t help but smile to herself, ‘Is this the effect of my longing for you when she was still in my womb, that she was born attached to you? Is it possible that she feels connected to you because you were the only one I’ve ever thought of while she was still inside me?’ she thought, she couldn’t help but wonder why is her daughter so attached to Taeyeon when she only met her a few times. Joohyun is not even the type to make friends with stranger easily, especially with adults that’s why it’s a mystery to her why does she act so close to Taeyeon.

Tiffany took out some pillows and a blanket for Taeyeon to use, she also adjusted the couch so it could have a little more space and for Taeyeon to feel comfortable sleeping on it.

“Whew! She’s finally fallen asleep.” Taeyeon emerged from Irene’s bedroom just in time Tiffany finished setting her bed.

“Sorry about that, she seems to be very fond of you.”

Taeyeon smiled, “Don’t worry about it, I like hanging out with her too.” She laughed. “It feels like having a daughter.”

“You like her now because she’s still a little behaved, wait until she makes you run around the house before you’ll be able to feed her or have wrinkles telling her to do her homework.” Tiffany walked towards the kitchen that was just across the living room. “Want some tea?” she ask, turning on the electric kettle.

“Sure” Taeyeon followed her and took a seat on the stool. “Isn’t it tiring to raise a kid all by yourself?” she asked while watching Tiffany take out some mugs and tea bags.

“It is but sometimes I do get help from my friends, especially when I need to extend my time at work. It gets exhausting to come home and prepare a meal, her uniform, her snacks, the materials and books she needs for school and while you’re doing that you also have to worry about cleaning the house and doing the laundry and teach her with her homework. It’s a lot of work really.” Tiffany explained, leaning on the counter while waiting for the water to boil.

“Did you ever thought of finding a partner to at least make it a little easier?”

Tiffany shook her head, “I can’t, it’s hard to find someone who will be able to accept me and Joohyun altogether that said and the fact that I can’t love someone else.” She smiled bitterly.

“You’re still in love with that person you hurt?”

Tiffany nodded her head, “I’m still hoping that one day, she can love me again. Does that sound selfish to you?”

Taeyeon tilted her head to the side, “What if she moved on and found someone new?”

“I won’t force myself on her, god no. The last thing I wanna do is hurt her again, I just want to make things right and make up for that stupid mistake. If she’s moved on and happy with someone else, then I’ll let her be but I don’t think I can ever love another for as long as I live.” She looked into Taeyeon’s eyes, hoping that somehow