“Call me if you are lonely.”

Naeun smiled to her colleague and pulls her handbag; puts on her heels and walks to the elevator.

As always; the women gave her a sick look while men trying to squeeze themselves inside so that they can touch or brush themselves against her.

“Do you want me to send you home?”

A manager from the Human Resource asks her but Naeun decline while showing him her car key. That shuts him off so she fastens her pace to get into her car.

Heaving a sigh and congratulates herself for going through another tiring day, she then press on the gas pedal.

+++

“How is your day today?”

She asks the toddler and he grins at her while his ice cream; a reward because he is being a good boy today.

“We study about dinosaurs.”

“Wow that’s exciting.”

Naeun said cheerfully and her son laughs. He eats his ice cream and cleans his mouth with a wet tissue.

“I know now which Dinosaur can fly.”

“Good boy.”

He cheered with the compliments and Naeun unbuckles his seat belt.

“Let’s help mommy cook and we can eat dinner okay?”

The toddler just say yes for everything and Naeun glad he is a happy kid; despite living with only one of his parents.

The mother and son have a happy conversation while Naeun makes dinner and they end the day after she reads him a storybook about Dinosaurs again.

“Sleep well honey.”

She kisses him on his forehead and sighs before walking to her own room.

“Again, good luck for tomorrow.”

She said to herself and switch off the light, went into a deep slumber.

+++

She is cheerful as she greets the staffs and her colleagues before going into her room. Shortly after, her assistant came with a file.

“The urgent one. I texted you.”

“Okay. Send them in.”

“Sure.”

She sips her coffee before putting them away, smiling when a knock was heard.

“Nice meeting you Mr. Lee.”

She greeted first and he took her hand, soft in his.

“Have a seat.”

He left her hand in reluctant before he sat.

“I see that you are having a problem with the quota?”

“Ah yes.”

He said when he finally gain his senses. He opens his tab and shows her and the discussion starts getting serious.

“I will try my best to accommodate you.”

“Thank you Miss Son. You are lovely.”

“I’m doing my job.”

She said, giving him a file that she had checked and he took it while brushing his fingers on hers.

“Really l. You are lovely and pretty. I like you.”

He said out of nowhere and Naeun simply chuckles.

“Thanks.”

“No. I’m serious.”

He said and she still has the same smile before she said.

“You will grow out of it.”

He was flustered but she shows no change at all.

“I’m going to come again.”

And she smiles at that too.

“Remember my name, Lee Taemin.”

“Of course I will.”

He finally smile before he went out. She shakes her head; resuming her work.

“Just another guy.”

+++

“Miss Son.”

She stops walking; turning to the voice and she saw someone quite familiar but she can’t really remember him.

“I’m Lee Taemin.”

“Oh.”

She said, finally smiling.

“What are you doing here?”

“For you.”

He said, holding out a flower bouquet to her.

“Thanks.”

“Can we hang out? For a cup of coffee maybe?”

“I’m sorry but I have to fetch my son.”

She said as she glances at her watch.

“Son? You are single right.”

“I am a single mother.”

She corrected him and he nods.

“If you don’t mind, will you treat me to a cup in your house?”

Naeun was hesitant but she shrugs. What will she lose? A cup of coffee?

“Sure. Just come over when you are free. But after office hour.”

“What about now?”

Naeun jots down her address and gave it to him.

“Come after half an hour of something. I should prepare.”

“Alright. Thanks Naeun.”

Naeun raises her eyebrow and he chuckles.

“I can address you comfortably right?”

“Fine. It’s up to you Mr. Lee.”

“You should call me Taemin.”

Taemin said and grinning cheekily. Naeun shrugs, chuckling.

“Okay Taemin.”

And she left after that or she will have to deal with her sulking son after.

+++

“Who is this?”

The little guy asks when he saw the stranger and Naeun smiles after she puts down the coffee in front of Taemin.

“Guess.”

She said, sitting beside her son.

“A new daddy for me?”

He asks with sparkling eyes and Naeun laughs.

“No baby. He is a friend of mine.”

“Ahh.”

He responds; drinking his water from his sippy cup.

“Do you want me to become your daddy?”

Taemin asks and the little guy looks at Naeun before looking back at Taemin.

“Mommy said you are a friend.”

“But I can be a daddy for you.”

“Wow you can?”

Taemin nodded; glancing at Naeun who doesn’t seem moved by his action or anything. Strange.

“Can he mommy?”

He asks and Naeun laughs.

“He is just pulling your leg hun.”

“What if I’m not?”

“What do you mean?”

“I told you then that I like you.”

“And?”

“And I’m serious?”

“So what should I do? I heard the same thing over and over.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I often was asked out and all. Do you think I am in the position to accept it all?”

“Naeun, it’s about me and you now. I seriously like you.”

“And I have to say thank you let’s date like that?”

“What’s wrong with that? You can always try. I will take good care of you.”

Naeun sighs; looking at her son who was looking at her; round eyes.

“Okay then. Try. Let’s see if you can stay.”

“I can. I will prove it.”

“Okay.”

She said shortly and Taemin smiled. The coffee is tastier now that he is accepted.

+++

“Should I stay here?”

Taemin asks when he came again to her house; nearly a month after they start dating. Naeun chuckles as she beat the eggs.

“You like my house that much?”

Taemin laughs and hugs her from the back, kissing her hair.

“I miss you when I went home every night.”

“So you are thinking of staying with us?”

“I can right? I can stop those knocks and such things.”

“You are right. That lessen after you are seen around.”

She said, turning on the stove.

“See.”

He said, tightening his hold on her waist, kissing her neck.

“Okay fine. But let me go for now. Min going to come home in a while.”

“Okay.”

He said and only leaving her after he nibbles her ear and went to sit on the kitchen stool; watching as she cook.

“You are a wonderful sight to watch.”

He said and Naeun just laugh it off.

“I am.”

 

+++

 

“I’m going to get him to sleep.”

“I can come too right?”

“Your choice.”

She said, hugging her sleepy son as she walks to his room. She puts him down and proceed to take a story book and lie down beside him; Taemin sat on a chair; looking around. Then is when he saw a man’s picture in a frame beside Minjun’s bed.

“Who is that guy?”

He asks when Naeun closes the door to Minjun’s room. Naeun calmly walks to the TV room and switch on the TV.

“That’s Choi Minho.”

“I didn’t ask for his name.”

He growls as he said that and Naeun looks at him before she watch the show airing.

“He is Minjun’s father. My ex husband.”

“Why is his picture still in here? Do you still love him?”

“I stop loving him but he is my baby’s father. I can’t stop him from kissing his father picture at least.”

“Okay fine. But why is it in a frame?”

“What is your problem Taemin?”

“I don’t like it. I want you for myself.”

“It’s not that I around with anybody. I only sleep with you. I don’t go find Choi Minho again.”

Taemin heaves an angry breathing before he calms down.

“Sorry.”

He said and she too calm down and switch off the TV.

“Stop showing me this kind of attitude.”

She said, hugging him. Taemin hugs her tighter and kisses her shoulder.

“I won’t.”

 

+++

 

“Want to come to my house for a drink?”

“No thanks Mr. Kim.”

She said with a smile and he stops her while grabbing her wrist.

“My wife is old and she is not fun anymore.”

“I am sorry but I have someone.”

“Don’t act pure. I know you are single but with a kid. I can pay you if you want.”

“Stop it.”

She said as she pulls her hand away and smiles so that people won’t know what is going on. She walks very fast to her car and boarded it. She heaves a sigh but was shocked when a fuming Taemin is out of her car.

“You are not bringing your car?”

“Come straight home.”

He said and went to his car she suppose. She turns on the ignition and speed off. She was thinking of cuddling with him so that she can feel a bit at ease but as soon as she is inside, he was standing like a mad lion.

“I don’t like the way you act when he said those filthy things to you.”

She sighs. He might have heard it earlier. She removes her heels and puts down her things and stands near him.

“I have to let it pass. And more things. Because that’s how I’ve been living for the past 7 years. If I react on everyone who wants to sleep with me, how do I survive? I have a kid to feed. I’m not a lone person.”

“You have me now aren’t you? I can provide for you.”

“And what?”

“Naeun. I just want to show you.”

“Show me what? That you are grateful that I slept with you?”

“No. Damn it.”

He spat and she is red. Her eyes are blazing. Taemin heaves a breath and calm himself down.

“I love you. That’s why.”

“Bull. If you love me, you have to trust me that I didn’t sleep with them. Why are you asking as if you are suspecting me?”

“I don’t like it. I don’t like how people view you.”

“I’m a single mom with a kid. I am easy target as for them. Just that.”

“You are not.”

“Admit it Taemin. You just want to sleep with me too when you saw me.”

“That was in the past. Now.”

“You admit it at last.”

“But that was then. Now I’m serious.”

“Think it over. You have to deal with a lot more. People will send me gifts, letters and even toys.”

Taemin’s jaw hardens.

“I can’t.”

Naeun chuckles.

“I know. Then go. No one is stopping you.”

“Naeun ah.”

“Just go.”

“.”

He said; storming out of the apartment. Naeun laughs and laughs until she was tired. She then lean on the wall and cried.

“You left too.”

She mumbles; her tears keep storming out.

+++

An hour after Taemin left, Naeun had taken a shower and is fresh. Her son is about to come home from his pre school so she quickly prepare lunch for them both. But like usual, she made an extra for the man who just left.

She laughs at her own mistake and left the food as it is on the table; running to the door when she heard the bell.

“Why are you here again?”

She said, surprised to see him again. She was expecting her son but she just realize that he will be home in another half an hour.

“I told you I’m serious.”

“So what? You can’t understand me.”

“I know. But I’m marrying you no matter what.”

Naeun supposed to be overwhelmed by that but instead she feels nothing.

“I’m not marrying you.”

She said, pushing him away to close the door but Taemin already walks into the house; didn’t budge a little when she pushes him.

“What now Taemin? You clearly said that.”

“When you are married, no one dare touching you.”

“Do you think that is enough to make me want to get married?”

“Then what? You did love me right? Think about your son.”

“I don’t want him to undergo this once again. I have enough with his father.”

“I won’t leave. Please trust me.”

“What make you so sure? You left just now.”

“I’m not leaving. I still have my stuffs here. I’m giving you time to relax.”

He said, heaving a breath. Naeun was silent as well. Right. He didn’t take any of his things earlier. He left his phone too.

“I’m going to marry you. I will register our marriage. Your son will be mine. And we could have more kids in future too.”

He said, his voice softens. He walks to her.

“Consider it please. I can’t promise to be calm all the time but I will never let you suffer. I’ll protect you.”

“How long do I have?”

“Eh?”

“How long are you giving me time to think?”

Sighing again, she looks at him

“I have to think Taemin. I can’t just say yes or no out of the blue. My mind state is not that right.”

“Take it. The time that you needed. I’m not forcing you.”

She nods. He awkwardly pushes his hand deeper in his jeans pocket. There is a pregnant silent for a while before Naeun break the silence.

“Stay for lunch.”

And Taemin did.

 

+++

 

The next morning came and Naeun wakes up to Taemin face and she walks out of the bed to check on her son.

When she saw Minjun still sleeping, she went to wash her face and brush her teeth. She plans on making a heavy breakfast since everyone is on leave so she did.

She is in the middle of stirring soup when she receive a warm kiss on her nape and soon a strong arm is hugging her.

“Morning.”

He greets her lazily and she smiles instead of answering.

“I’m bathing Minjun since he had woken up.”

He said and pecks her lips before he brought her son to the bathroom and she can hear Minjun laughing which make she smiles as well.

“Do I accept him?”

She thought and sighs once again. Never once she thought she will get married again but staying with Taemin all these months; she had become weaker and her soul needs him.

She tried plenty of times to push him away so that she won’t love him but she can’t. Every time people tried to take advantage of her; she wish she has Taemin with her.

He is a mad person. He is hard headed at time but when he is with her, he treats her the softest.

She turn off the stove and went to him who was about to change his clothes. She smiles and hugs him so tight.

“I say yes.”

She said and Taemin smiles; lifting her up before spinning her around.

“Thank you. I promise I will change to be a better person.”

She nodded when he said that. She doesn’t care if he is still behaving like how he was. She is going to just marry this guy and she hope this time it will lasts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Done!

Supposed to be Jongin’s but I got request for another Taeun so here we go.

Love, CherryKaiEun