Min Jeong’s POV

I sat at my usual place, observing Seungho at work while I waited for him. It has been a few months since we got together. I come here everyday to work on the show I have been doing, but he does not know. I cannot let him know. Everyday, I would be here when he is already out there, and I would go back to my car when he is about to end his shift. At first it felt like I was betraying him, but as time passed, it feels like a routine.

“I notice you come everyday.” A voice behind me said, startling the daylight out of me.

“.” I muttered as I turned around.

The carnival owner stared at me. I have successfully avoided him many times. I must have been too comfortable that I let my guard down.

“Aren’t you that… girlfriend of the freak Yang Seungho?” He asked, mocking.

“He is not a freak.” I hissed.

“Really?” He asked, eyeing my laptop.

I slammed the cover of my laptop down.

“You don’t have to hide. I remember you. You were the one who wanted to produce that docu-drama on these freak shows.” He said.

“Stop calling them freaks!” I raised my voice.

He let out a mocking laughter. I clenched my fist to prevent myself from punching him in his nose.

“Don’t act like you’re sincere about him. If he isn’t who he is, if he isn’t beneficial for you, answer from the bottom of your heart, would you really fall in love with a freak like him?” He asked.

Just as I was about to reply, he leaned in closer to me.

“There comes your freak. You know, the art of betrayal is not getting caught.” He whispered into my ear, and then walked off.

I turned behind to see Seungho walking towards me, looking surprised.

“Seung.. Seungho.” I couldn’t help but stutter.

“What’s going on?” He asked, looking behind me where the carnival boss walked off.

“Nothing. Nothing.” I said.

“Nothing? But I saw him talking to you. And… pretty closely.” He said.

“It’s nothing. Really.” I tried to keep my cool.

“Did he hurt you? Threaten you?” He asked.

“Yah! I am Min Jeong. Am I that easily threatened?” I asked.

“That’s true.” He said, letting out a slight smile.

I smoothed his messy hair before giving him a peck on his lips.

“You usually wait in the car.” He said.

“Well, it’s kinda stuffy in the car, so I thought I come out.” I said.

“Ahh, really?” He asked, eyeing my laptop and the tableful of papers.

“You don’t trust me?” I asked.

“Who else would I trust if not you?” He asked.

“Let’s go.” I said as I packed my stuff.

“Let me help you.” He said.

“Ah, no!” I reacted a little too quickly.

He stared at me in confusion.

“I mean, I can do it myself. You go grab your stuff. You’re so slow!” I said.

“I am slow?!” He looked surprised.

“Yes. I give you five minutes to get to the car or else I am driving off!” I .

“YAH! You wouldn’t even be done in five minutes!” He protested.

“Four minutes now. Keep talking~” I said.

“ARGHHH!!!!” He looked so cute when he got confused and started running like a penguin.

When I got to my car, I saw my Seungho pouting angrily at me.

“Aigoo~ Who made my penguin angry?” I .

“You said five minutes!” He yelled.

“Five minutes for you, not me.” I poked his cheek.

“I ran!” He yelled.

“Good for you!” I laughed as I pushed him into the car.

***
On the way back, he kept looking at me and making all sorts of strange faces.

“Stop trying to distract me!” I laughed.

He laughed as well.

“You remind me of Aeri, laughing like that.” I said.

“I am her father, after all.” He said.

“That’s true.” I replied.

“So…” He said.

“Hmm?” I responded, but eyes concentrating on the street.

“How’s work? What have you been working on?” He asked.

I was taken aback by his sudden question.

“Wh.. what?” I asked.

“You know, just curious about what have you been working on.” He said.

“Working on… Nothing much these days.” I said.

“Really?” He asked.

I looked at him.

“I am just curious. I mean, the field you work in, you guys hardly stop.” He said.

“Yea, but I haven’t been doing much lately.” I lied.

I never expected myself to lie so smoothly to him. This is bad.

“How about the show you said you were working on?” He asked.

“What show?” I asked.

“That one you were doing when we first met.” He said.

“Didn’t I tell you I am not doing it anymore?” I lied again.

One after another, once you start a lie, there is no end to it.

“Would you be able to share with me if you are working on another show?” He asked.

“Why not?” I asked.

“Then be sure to share with me. It must be interesting to see through the entire process.” He said.

I smiled. I am sorry, Seungho.

***
Back at home, Seungho and I were busy preparing dinner while Aeri went crazy with Panpy.

“Aeri, what are you doing?” I asked when I saw her cornering Pandy.

“Pwaying!” She said, blocking Pandy’s way, not letting him escape.

“My poor puppy~” I laughed.

Seungho took a glance and laughed.

“One look and you can tell what kind of lady she would be in future.” I said.

“That’s if she becomes a lady at all.” Seungho said.

He washed his hands and went to Aeri, carrying her up.

“Why are you bullying the poor puppy?” He asked.

“I am not buwwing!” Aeri pouted.

“Really?” Seungho asked, putting Aeri in her baby seat.

“NOOOO!!!!” She whined. She hated being confined in there.

“No whining.” Seungho warned.

Seungho has gotten much stricter with Aeri these days. The girl is growing up and would get out of hand if Seungho allows her to have her way. Then again, despite how strict he is, she always gets her way with him. But she is smart enough to not take advantage of it.

Pandy ran to Aeri’s side, sitting obediently next to her while Seungho and I lay out dinner.

“Here you go.” Seungho said, putting Aeri’s plate of food in front of her.

“NOM NOM!” She cheered.

Anything edible can make this girl happy.

“Seungho, eat.” I nudged him when he lost himself staring at her.

“Huh? Oh.. Haaa… Okay.” He giggled.

“Apapa!” Aeri called out.

“Yes, baby?” He asked.

“Chicken!” She raised her fork with a piece of chicken stabbed on it.

The piece of chicken fell onto the floor. Even before any of us could react, Pandy pounced onto it and swallowed it whole.

“AHHHH!!!!” Aeri screamed.

“Pandy ate it!” She pouted.

“It’s okay, it’s okay!” Seungho coaxed her.

“Pandy!” I stared at the puppy. He whimpered softly, causing my heart to flutter.

“Just because you’re cute.” I muttered.

“Eat your own food! Do you understand!?” I scolded him.

Aeri was still pouting, looking really upset.

“Look!” I said, pointing to the plate.

“More chicken!” I exclaimed.

“Chicken!!!” Aeri clapped.

“Oh my god~ Why are you so cute!?” Seungho clasped his hands over his chest and laughed.

“Just like you.” I said.

“Aye~” He blushed.

“I have something to tell you.” He said suddenly.

“Hmm?” I looked at him.

“Starting next week, I’ll be going back to work in the café at night.” He said.

“Eh? Why?” I asked.

It has been awhile since he worked night shift in the café. The café did not need that extra help after all since they were hardly packed at night. I could tell that Seungho was a little reluctant at first, but being able to spend time with Aeri at night made up for it.

“Just… It’s the peck season. The exams are coming so students are bound to study late. The boss asked if I could return for a few months to help out. It will be really tough on Kiki to have to handle it alone. Besides, that boy should be studying too.” He said.

“I see. Oh well. Go ahead.” I said.

“Can I ask a favour from you then?” He asked.

“Say.” I said.

“Aeri. Could you help me…” I cut him off mid-sentence.

“Look after her at night? That goes without a saying, silly.” I said.

“Thank you.” He smiled.

“I’ll take this chance to get her so close with me that she wouldn’t want you anymore. I have been waiting for this since forever.” I whispered into his ear before running off.

“WHAT!? NO! YAH! YOU CAN’T!!” He shouted.

“Apapa!” Aeri yelled before he could run after me.

“Yes?” Seungho asked.

“Sit!” Aeri commanded.

“Aeri ah, Appa…” Seungho muttered, but sat down after all.

I laughed at how he could not defy his daughter after all.

“You better don’t.” He mouthed.

I stuck out my tongue at him.

To others, he may be a father that gets controlled by his daughter, but to those who understand, this is bliss. 

***
I've never had a good day since the start of 2014, and today is just ultimate. This is just so depressing. I hope yours is better~