Myungsoo's POV~

In the evening, I packed up my stuff into my laptop bag and left my office. I took the elevator down to the lobby to meet with my lawyer, Mr. Kim. When he noticed me, he bowed and I bowed back once I reached him.

"Did I keep you waiting?" I asked and he shook his head.

"I've just arrived," he answered and stepped aside to let me walk ahead of him. "We should get going. We can't keep her waiting."

I walked ahead of him and loosened my tie.

"She can wait. If anything, she should be more scared of me than I am of her," I smirked, glancing over my shoulder at him to see his reaction.

"We must remain professional though," he said, monotone. I chuckled and lead us out to my car.

*****

We arrived at our destination and I got out of the car with Mr. Kim following behind. We both walked up the familiar steps and with every step I took my blood boiled remembering what had happened here. I swallowed my anger down and knocked on the door once we reached it. Mr. Kim and I patiently waited for the owner of the house to come open the door.

I looked at my watch and not even a minute passed...it felt like forever. I raised my hand up to knock again when the door flung open. Appeared in front of me was an elderly lady who looks like she hoards thousands of cats...just kidding, it was just Ms. Jung.

You could smell the alcohol from her clothes and her hair was a mess. Not to mention, she has aged quite a lot despite the short amount of time since our last meeting.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, not happy to see me. It's not like I was happy to see her either. I turned to look at my lawyer and let him take over.

"Ms. Jung, I am sure you know our reasoning for coming here this evening," he simply said and expected her to know. She rolled her eyes and sighed.

"I've got the money prepared, but I could have just sent it to you," she groaned as she shifted her standing position. I smiled and stepped closer to her.

"That's true, but I thought it'd be better to personally collect the money myself since it's been awhile," I said and she narrowed her eyes at me, suspicious. "If you have it prepared, go fetch it for me."

"Just because you come from a wealthy background doesn't mean you can just order me around," she scoffed in disbelief.

"Oh my, where are my manners. Please go fetch the money for me," I continued to smile as my lawyer nudged my arm. It was his way of telling me to shut up.

Ms. Jung muttered under her breath and closed the door on us; I'm sure she was going to get the money.

"Unprofessional," Mr. Kim coughed out the word and I couldn't help but snicker. "I get she did some horrible stuff to that child, but we can't let our personal feelings interupt our work. And if I have to remind you, this visit still counts as your working hours, so please don't let your anger slip out nor should you enjoy having entitlement over her."

I took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled, "It's not like I enjoy being entitled to others. She just pisses me off and so unneccesary words just come out."

"At least you're aware of it," he said and the door opened. Ms. Jung handed up a thick envelope and my lawyer took it. "This isn't the proper setting to check the contents in the envelope, so we'll have to check it at my office. But I do want you to know that if we stumble upon a problem, such as fake money, then the consequences will be big. Do you understand, Ms. Jung?"

"Yes," she sighed and he bowed to her, but I wasn't done talking. I really only had one reason to personally see her. I looked at Mr. Kim and gave a small smile.

"Thank you for assisting me today," I said and looked down at my wrist watch, so that I can make my personal talk short for him to return to work on time. "If you'd please leave me alone with Ms. Jung and head to the car first, I'd appreciate that. I have a personal request of her to ask."

He looked at me with a suspicious frown, but I assured him I wasn't going to do anything illegal. Speaking with our eyes, he sighed and said, "Don't do anything that will put your name on the headlines of the news. In other words, do something stupid and you're dead. That's the best advice I can give you as your lawyer."

I smiled, "Trust me a bit more, yeah?"

With that he walked down the steps and towards my parked car. I turned to Ms. Jung and she looked at me with an impatient expression, not wanting to deal with me. I swallowed hard and sighed before doing the unthinkable, especially with this woman.

I bowed at a 90 degree angle and asked, "Can you promise me that you won't ever go near Jisu?"

There was a silence that didn't last long when she laughed.

"Like hell I would," she said, but I didn't straighten my back because that wasn't the answer I was looking for.

"Promise me...you'll never contact her or hurt her," I said, firmly, yet desperate.

"My, this is a new side of you I'm seeing," she snickered. "I'll promise you that I won't ever go near her even if I was to die the next day."

That brought relief into my chest and I raised my upper body up to thank her, but instead I was left with the door slamming in front of me. I took it as my que to leave and that she really didn't want to see me or Jisu anymore. That's what I had hoped for anyways.

With a long exhale, I turned around and walked down the steps to my car. Mr. Kim looked at me through the window and I gave me a smile to show him that I really didn't do anything that would ruin my image. I could see him snicker in my car and lifted up his arm, tapping on his wrist watch telling me it's time to go back. I got in my car and drove back to my office building, since he left his car at my building.

We both stepped out and I walked him to his car.

"Hey, thanks again for assisting me this evening. I know I told you I didn't want to involve you with Jisu's situation, but I thought it was more appropriate to have you with me," I said and he turned to look at me with a smile with his hand on the car door handle.

"You're welcome, Myungsoo-ssi. With a request like yours, I would not have left you to go alone anyways," Mr. Kim said and he looked at his work bag where the money was. "I'll count the cash and make sure they're all real. Once I finish, I'll give you a call and you can give it to young lady, Jisu. For now, get some rest and have a good evening."

He bowed to me and I gave him a bow back. He got in his car and drove off as I turned back to where my car was, ready to finally go back home after a few weeks.

*****

I opened the door to my apartment and was welcomed by the smell of soybean paste soup. I couldn't help, but bring a smile to my face as I entered. I loosened my tie and ed my blazer jacket when I heard light footsteps approaching me. It was Miyeon with a stuffed bunny in her arms. Upon seeing her in a long time, I smiled even wider and felt a sense of calm in me.

I kneeled down and opened my arms wide, "Miyeon-ah! I'm back! Give me a hug."

"No," she said as she ran away. I stood there in shock and in disappointment. 

Jisu came around the corner with an apron on and a wooden spoon in her hand. I looked up at Jisu and narrowed my eyes at her. "What did you do to her?"

"Nothing, that's her favorite word now," she said and walked away, leaving me speechless too. She didn't even greet me! What's gotten into those two?

I sighed and decided to untie my shoes since I was already kneeling down. Just as I took off my shoes, I head someone came back.

"Oh! And welcome back home, Myungsoo!" Jisu exclaimed with a bright grin and ran off. I stared at the empty space and scoffed into a smile.

"She didn't even say my name formally," I chuckled and took off my other shoe.

I got up and walked into the living room to see Miyeon coloring in a Princess coloring book; no surprise there. But with Miyeon growing older, her interests in toys and making a big mess has gone down. It's kind of saddening to know that she's growing up and she'll only be two! I'd say she's quite mature for her age.

I walked up to her and gave her a light kiss on the top of her head before walking towards the kitchen to see Jisu cooking. For some reason, she looked different today...I mean, I've seen her wear an apron before and I've seen her hair up in a ponytail, but there was a different atmosphere today. It wasn't bad though, it was just an unsual atmosphere.

Just then, she turned around and we made eye contact; she smiled and something hit me against my chest, but the funny thing is...nothing and no one was hitting me. Jisu wasn't anywhere near me and Miyeon could care less about me right now, but something was hitting my chest at a rapid pace.

"I'm glad you're back home, oppa," she said as I continued to stare at her with this weird thumping feeling. "Why don't you go get dressed into something more comfortable? I'm just about finished, so we'll have dinner in a bit. Oh, and Haneul unnie said she'll be coming later tonight to pick up Miyeon, if that's fine with you?"

"Yeah, it's fine," I said and she smiled again before turning her back to me. I slowly walked away from her, glancing back here and there wondering if she had cut her hair or something...honestly, there was something different about her today.

I went into my room and changed into a plain t-shirt and sweatpants before heading back out. I walked to Miyeon and decided to play with her until Jisu was done with dinner. I did quite a few things with Miyeon and realized I've missed some things while I was gone. I can't have a full converstaion with her nor fully understand her just yet, but she was beginning to say actual words now; it was kind of bittersweet.

While doing flashcards with Miyeon, I saw Jisu reaching up to grab a bowl that was too high up for her. I got up from my seat and walked over to her.

"Are you trying to get that?" I asked, pointing to the white bowl that her fingers barely reached. She nodded.

"Are you going to get it for me?" she asked with her eyes sparkling. I already knew what she was imaging...those cliche scenes where she's on her tiptoes to reach the bowl while I reach it from behind her. She's watched way too many dramas that her expectations have gone up.

"No, you are," I said and walked over to grab a chair for the dining table. I scooted it over to her and placed it right beneath the cupboard. "Use your brain once in awhile, it's not that hard to grab a chair and step on it to get stuff from high places."

She was pouting now, but did I care...not much.

"Fine," she mumbled in disappointment and stepped on the chair. "But make sure I don't fall, okay?"

"Whatever," I said and watched her get the bowl from the cupboard. I reached my hand up to grab it from her so that she'd have more hands to get the rest. Once she got everything she needed, I helped her get ready for dinner. I scooped up rice into our bowls while she scooped up the soup into another bowl. I set the bowls on the table and helped get the side dishes I got from my mother-in-law.

"Jisu, go get Miyeon for dinner and I'll finish up here," I ordered as I cut the kimchi into smaller pieces.

"Okay," she answered and headed into the living room.

Once I was done, I neatly organized the side dishes on the table and took a seat when Miyeon and Jisu came back. Because we had no high chair for Miyeon to sit in, I had her sit in my lap since I was the taller one for her to reach over the table.

"Thank you for the food," Jisu and I chorused, then we began to eat.

I don't think I've had Jisu's soybean paste soup, but I have to say, it was delicious! I knew she was a good cook, but I didn't know she was this good. Miyeon seemed to be enjoying it too as she gracefully ate her soup; or at least she tried to without spilling the soup onto my lap, but I didn't mind.

I reached for a tissue to wipe , but Jisu already had a napkin on Miyeon's lips. I looked at Jisu and she smiled, "Do you know what this kind of makes me think about?"

"What?" I asked, chewing on kimchi and looking at what to eat next.

"It makes me think that we're like a family," she shyly giggled and I looked at her in disbelief, but I softened my expression when I saw the face she was making. There was a hint of her usual dream-like imaginations, but the sadness was more obvious. I still don't fully know what her past was like, but I knew she didn't have a good one.... It must have been lonely for her.

"But really, we do look like a happy family eating dinner together," she lightly laughed and gently brushed her thumb against Miyeon's cheek. There was that feeling againg...something was hitting against my chest as I watched Jisu's hand pull away from Miyeon. She returned to eating her food and for once, I didn't say anything about her imagination of us being a "family". I would have laughed it off or told her something mean, but I couldn't bring myself to say such a senseless thing.

It wasn't long when we finished dinner and I left to take a quick shower since Miyeon basically dumped her entire dinner on me.

Jisu's POV~

While Myungsoo oppa was taking a shower, I cleaned up the table and washed the dishes, remembering to keep an eye on Miyeon here and there. I rinsed off the soap from the dishes I had just washed and neatly stacked them on the dish rack to dry. I took off my pink rubber gloves and placed them on top of the sink divider, then joined Miyeon in the living room to watch the cartoon she was watching.

Soon enough, Myungsoo oppa walked out of his room and joined us. I glanced at him and it was a bit unreal to think he was finally back. After my nightmare, I knew he came by every night to check up on me, but him being here right now was different from him visiting me in my sleep.

"You're staring too much," he whispered without even looking at me. My heart raced, after being caught, and I immediately turned my head back to the TV. I heard him chuckle and I couldn't help but glance back at his direction. He was now staring at me. "Your face has gone red."

I gasped and slapped my hands against my cheeks. He was now laughing, but I didn't mean to slap my own face so hard that it'd be painful. I rubbed my cheeks and turned away from him.

"Geez, you're always making fun of me," I mumbled, still feeling my heart race.

"I wasn't making fun of you," he smiled, but laughing just a bit. "I was only stating the fact that your face was red. You slapping yourself was all on you. Do you need me to get you an ice pack?"

"I'm fine," I pouted and we focused our attention back to the cartoon...somewhat; maybe it was just me who couldn't focus. It's been awhile since I've seen Myungsoo's face and to hear him tease me it made me happy inside.

Just then, the bell rang and he got up to see who it was through the security monitor. I had a feeling it was Haneul unnie, so I decided to pack up Miyeon's stuff into her tiny backpack. As I thought, it was her, but Woohyun oppa was with her too.

"Miyeon-ah~!" Woohyun sung as they entered the apartment. "Appa's here~!"

"No," she said as her eyes were glued on the TV screen. He was hurt, anyone could tell that for sure, but you could tell he was used to it too.

"Fine, appa's going home," he said turning around, but Haneul unnie grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him with her into the living room.

"Grow up already," she said, rolling her eyes. "She's the child, not you."

Seeing how they interact with one another was cute. I smiled while watching them and eventually Miyeon turned her attention away from the TV to take a quick look at her parents, then turned back to the TV. Haneul unnie walked up to me and asked, "How was she today? I hope she didn't give you a hard time."

I shook my head and said, "Not at all. She was good, as usual."

"Really? At home she's crazy," unnie giggled and turned to Myungsoo, who was with Woohyun oppa. "What about you? You didn't give Jisu a hard time, did you?"

"Shouldn't it be the other way around?" he scoffed and continued on with his converstaion with Woohyun.

"He never changes, does he?" she said with a head shake, then turned to Miyeon with a sigh. "Alright, Miyeon-ah, it's time to go home."

I picked up Miyeon's stuffed bunny while unnie turned off the TV and picked an upset Miyeon up. I've never seen Miyeon cry that loud or kick and fling her whole body around. It really was surprising to see her like that, but unnie was obviously used to it. I could only watch in shock along with Myungsoo; Woohyun oppa sighed and took Miyeon in his arms.

"You're hurting your mother," he said and she cried on his shoulder. "We have to go home, it's getting close to your bedtime."

Miyeon was still crying, but not at loud anymore. I handed unnie Miyeon's backpack and she apologized for Miyeon's behavior.

"No, it's alright, although it's a first for me," I softly smiled.

"Well, since it's late out, why don't we take you home?" she asked and I shook my head. "Huh? Why not? Do you have someone coming to get you?"

"Uh, no...it's just...," I looked at Myungsoo for help. It's always the same situation, he won't help me.

"Or do you feel uncomfortable for us to take you home?" Haneul asked, but I was quick to deny it.

"No, its not that! I..uhm-"

"She's living here," Myungsoo said out of nowhere.

Silence. No one spoke or moved.

I didn't know how to react, but somehow an awkward laugh came out of my mouth.

"As if he'd let me live here," I said looking back and forth from everyone.

"It's true, she's living with me," he said and I panicked even more. I mean, I guess I am happy that he's admitting it, but at the same time, I could lose my job as Miyeon's babysitter. What would they think?!

"Jisu-ah," Haneul softly called my name.

"U-Unnie, it's not like that...y-you see...I-"

I felt a hand on my shoulder with a gently squeeze. I looked up and Myungsoo was looking at them with serious eyes.

"I won't repeat myself, but this is her home now," he said and I could feel my legs going weak. "It's kind of a hard to tell you how it happened, but she's living with me. I can't keep hiding it either when I know you guys would find out later, so I'm telling you now."

"Myungsoo-ah, you do know what would happen if your staff and others found out a high schooler was living with you, right?" Woohyun said, concerned for his reputation.

"I know, but I couldn't leave Jisu alone where she was living," he said with a soft voice. "I can't tell you what happened, but this is the only place for her to live until she can afford an apartment herself. I'll be careful, so keep this a secret from everyone else, please hyung."

Haneul and Woohyun looked at each other and they smiled.

"I wasn't going to tell anyone anyways," Woohyun oppa said and that brought relief into both me and Myungsoo oppa. "I won't ask what happened, but I'm assuming it had to do with what we talked about a long time ago when you started seeing Lawyer Kim?"

Myungsoo nodded.

"I see. So you were able to protect her after all," Woohyun smiled, proud. "Although I didn't think you'd take her into your own apartment, but I know you did the right thing."

"Thanks, hyung" Myungsoo oppa sighed and looked at me. I couldn't help, but smile along with him.

"So that's why you always refused to have me take you home," Haneul unnie grinned with a wink. I blushed at her reaction and she giggled. "But to even think that Myungsoo oppa let you live with him is unsual, isn't it? Especially a high school girl?"

"Ask all the questions you want, I'm not going to answer any of them," Myungsoo said and walked to the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of water and chugged it all in one go.

"You wouldn't have taken her in if you didn't have any sort of feelings towards her though, right?" Woohyun asked with a smile that looked more like a mischievous smirk. We all looked at Myungsoo anticipating for his answer. Myungsoo oppa set the glass cup down and glared at us all.

"Stop with all the questions or else you're never welcomed back here again," he said and walked away into his room, shutting the door behind him.

Haneul and Woohyun oppa laughed with their joke while I looked at Myungsoo's closed door. Why did he bring me here?

"What'd I tell you Jisu," Woohyun said nudging my arm with his elbow. "You're special."

That made my heart race and I could feel my cheeks flushing red. Knowing Myungsoo, I wouldn't be someone special to him.

"I have to agree with oppa on this one...he won't admit it, but we know our Myungsoo. He's taking care of you in his own way," Hanuel smiled and patted my shoulder. "And I don't think it's wrong of you to think that you really are someone special to him."

I looked at her with wide eyes and wondered if she could read my mind. She giggled and gave me a hug.

"I do ask that you talk to us as well if there is something worrying or bothering you. You're basically family to us now, so talk to us too when you need to," she said and I hugged her back, tightly.

"Thank you, unnie," I said and we let each other go. We decided to end our brief converstion since Miyeon was asleep in Woohyun's arms, so we said our goodbyes and they left.

I was heading to my room, but I stopped in front of Myungsoo's room wondering if he was mad from earlier. I balled up my fist and raised it up, hesitating to knock on his door, but wouldn't that annoy him even more, especially if he's already mad? I probably shouldn't bother him either, he's just finally starting to get some good rest from working long hours the past few weeks. I sighed and turned around, walking to my room.

I shut my door behind me and went straight to my desk to study since I had a quiz coming up. I looked over the notes Gongchan gave me during class and I still didn't understand what most of them meant.

"Ph-Photo-s-sy-syn-th- aish, whatever!" I groaned and knocked my forehead on top of my desk, but I immediately regretted it. "Ahh, that hurt."

I rubbed my forehead and winced in pain. I pouted while looking at the big word and sighed, "Why do we have to know what ph-photosyn...whatever this word is? It's not like I'd use it in my everyday life, tch."

I flipped through my notebook and textbooks scanning the words, but not remembering what I had just read. Why did school have to be so hard? What's the point of it?

I sighed again and placed my cheek against the cold wooden desk, staring at the clock. It was an hour before midnight and yet, I didn't finish my homework for tomorrow's lesson. I was tired and could barely open my eyes when I heard the door creak open. I raised my head up and saw Myungsoo flinch when he saw me.

"Oh, I didn't know you were still awake," he said, surprised in an awkward way. "Why are you still up?"

"I was studying," I said and looked at my now messy desk. "But I'm not really getting anywhere."

I looked at him with a tired smile, "And you? Did you need something from me?"

He looked flustered and scratched the back of his ear, "I wanted to check up on you...to make sure you were sleeping well."

My heart raced and it made me happy to hear he was still worried about me. I no longer felt tired and smiled with full energy.

"I don't get those nightmares anymore since that night," I assured him and he nodded.

"That's good," he said and there was silence between us. "Uhm, well...I just wanted to check up on you, that's all. Don't stay up too late studying either."

I nodded and he turned around to leave, but he stopped after just one step. My eyes were glued to him, wondering what was on his mind now. He looked over his shoulder at me with a serious expression.

"I also want to let you know that I met with Ms. Jung," he said and I felt a different kind of heart race. I widened my eyes and opened my mouth to say something, but I didn't know what to say other than, "Why?"

He sighed and walked into my room, slightly closing the door behind him. My eyes followed him as he went to my bed and sat on the edge of it.

"Since that night, I worried a lot about you," he said with a concerned, yet soft expression. "I wondered if she was looking for revenge or something. I wondered if she wanted to hurt you or take you back. There was a lot on my mind, so I had to see her to make sure she wouldn't ever go near you again. I wanted her to assure me that she was done with you for good."

I knew he was worried about me, but I didn't know he was that worried to the point of having to find assurance from her. I was touched, honestly...it made me want to cry.

"Why are you crying?" he asked with wide eyes.

I gasped and realized I really was crying. I quickly wiped my tears away and laughed it off.

"Why am I crying?" I laughed, but that only made me cry more. I covered my face with my hands and quietly cried...or at least I tried to be quiet.

"Do you only cry when I'm around?" he sighed and I felt his arms wrap around me. "Don't cry, Jisu. I don't know why you're crying, but don't."

I sniffled, "I-I'm sorry. I-I didn't m-mean to...it just c-came out."

He didn't say anything and held me closer to him.

"I mean, if it makes you feel better, she paid you back so you'll be able to get your money back," he said with an awkwardly brighter voice.

"I don't care about the money," I said and used the end of my sleeves to wipe my nose. "I'm just glad she didn't do anything to you and I'm thankful that you're worried about me. I know you don't like me much, but I didn't know you could worry about me to the point of feeling uneasy. If I hadn't met you, I don't know how long I would have kept up with her or if I would even have had a place to stay."

I pulled away from his embrace and looked up at him, still having tears roll down my cheeks.

"I guess I'm crying because someone actually cared for me...someone thought of me...someone worried about me...someone fought for me," I said, swallowing up the feeling of wanting to cry again. "I was happy."

He frowned at my words and reached his hands on my cheeks, gently drying my tears with his thumbs.

"And continue to be happy," he softly said. I felt like time had stopped. "You won't be sad anymore, I won't let her hurt you or take you away. Besides, what kind of Prince in shining amor would I be if I couldn't protect the Princess? Like in your fairytale stories?"

My heart couldn't stop pounding from his touch, his closeness and most of all, his words. I placed my hands over his and smiled, "You don't need to be a Prince in shining armor...just be Kim Myungsoo; the one I fell in love with at first sight."