"Umm suprise?" 

The woman who entered watched as the other two fix themselves. One being her daughter went towards her and with a shocked and embarrassed expression.

"Mom? What are you doing here?"

"What, I'm not allowed to visit my only daughter anymore?" The older woman joked before pulling Seulgi's ear. "Yah! Learn to lock your door. What if a burglar went in here?"

"Owww~! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Seulgi tried to let the hand of her mom stop grabbing her ear but that woman had an iron grip. And Seulgi was starting to get afraid that her ear would come off. But suddenly she pulled into a tight embrace. She couldn't see her mom's eyes right now but she could tell it was teary. It's been months since she met her mother, they've both been busy by work and school that they barely met up, only a few calls and texts were exchanged.

Mrs. Kang would be crying a bucket of tears if it were not for the person who was also in the room. It'll be weird if the Kangs were to be crying infront of guest, so she pulled herself together and went to meet the new face.

"Good evening,  I'm Seulgi's mom." She let out her hand which Irene gladly took.

"Good evening as well, I'm Irene. Seulgi's friend, I uhh live a few floors above Seulgi." Irene noticed that the older woman brought a large bag which meant she was to sleep over so Irene immediately excused herself to leave. Mrs. Kang refused at first because she wanted to meet Seulgi's new friend but Irene said that the two should spend time together and that she'd only ruin it.

Irene got her things and congratulated Seulgi once more and said her goodbyes. Mrs. Kang's eyes never left the girl until the door was finally closed. But before the mother could interrogate her daughter Seulgi decided to clean up and get a drink for her mom before they started talking.

"So, how was school. You never told me what you got." Mrs. Kang was filled with excitement in finding out what place her daughter got. And when she heard the news she was filled with so much joy. 

Seeing your daughter achieve and reach her goals makes the mother smile. It was like yesterday when Seulgi was confused which side was left and right and now she's grown up and reaching a higher place in life. Mrs. Kang regrets not doing more for her, she can't even send her own daughter to college thus making Seulgi go for a scholarship. Nevertheless she was beyond happy with her daughter and she could never been prouder.

"She's your friend huh?" Mrs. Kang takes a sip from her tea.

"Yeah. Met her a few months back when she moved in."

"Do friends normally do that?" She was referring to the position they were in, which by the way was very close to each other as in they can feel each others breaths.

"N-no that was an accident. I wanted to turn down the volume but she didn't give the remote."

"And that lead her being on top of you?"

Seulgi's ears were turning red and her mother ended up giggling at the sight of her daughter. The older Kang wished she could always see her daughter smile but thats not why she came here.

.

.

.

"Seulgi, dear.... your dad's gonna be executed."

That was all that Seulgi needed to hear to stop thinking. It was like a problem after a problem, did the world hate her this much? That flicker of light that gives her hope just died right in front of her leaving her in total darkness.

The Kangs cried together before drifting off to sleep.

______________________________

*Knock knock

Irene stood waiting outside Seulgi's door holding a cake she baked just this morning. A gift for Seulgi's mom. It was 8:39, Seulgi was probably sleeping Irene thought so she expected Mrs. Kang to open the door. But to her surprise Seulgi was awake.

"Morning Irene. What are you doing here?"

"Morning to you too, I brought a cake for you and your mom." Irene says while lifting up a plastic showing Seulgi what she brought.

"Ohh, sorry my mom left already. She'll be back in a few months I'll give it to her when she comes back to visit." Seulgi replies rubbing her eyes.

"It'd be expired by then." Irene giggles as she enters the place. She puts the cake inside the refrigerator as Seulgi goes to the couch.

"Did you eat already?" Irene asks,

"Yeah, mom made me breakfast."

Seulgi seemed very....tired? Dead? Sad? Well it wasn't the lively voice of Seulgi nor was it her sleepy voice. So Irene went to the monolid girl, who was covering her eyes with her arms, probably blocking out the sunlight.

As Irene raised the girls arms away from her face she noticed that Seulgi's eyes were red and puffy. 'Did she cry last night?' She made Seulgi sit up as she continued observing her.

"Are you ok?"

'Yeah, what a stupid question of course she isn't ok.' Irene thinks to herself.

"Yeah... I'm fine."

'And what a stupid reply.'

"Seul, you don't look like you're fine. Is something bothering you?"

"N-no it's nothing, I don't want yo trouble you."

*sigh* "Seulgi, I'm your friend. I'm here when you need someone to talk too, when you're feeling down, say anything and I'll go to you. Now if you don't want to tell me, I can call Wendy. She's probably someone who could comfort you bet-"

"My dad is scheduled to be executed."

Now that wasn't something Irene was expecting, and she couldn't give any comfort saying 'it's going to be fine' because what does she know.

"I'm sorry." 

"No need to apologize it isn't your fault." Seulgi says.

"If you don't mind, can you tell me?" Irene asks, sometimes telling someone about their problem or what they're feeling can help you feel better.

"He was arrested years ago due to the act of drugging and almost kidnapping a student. No one defended him, not in public, he no chance for court. Me and my mom tried our best but it was no use. It was useless against her, the student was a very well known model, so its quite obvious whose side to pick."

Irene stayed silent, she didn't want to interrupt her. So Seulgi continued.

"That's why I wanted to become a lawyer, and I would be able to take on the case if only there was someone who could suprevise me but no one would help. I thought that I'd be able to graduate before they decided on his life but turns out I'm too late."

It was a heartbreaking scene when the Seulgi and her mom found out that the man in their family was being taking away from them from a crime they believed he did not do. The evidence were there, there was CCTV, fingerprints, witnesses, everything but even with all of these the Kangs did not believe.

"No its not!" Irene said with a very confident and loud voice.

"Irene, you can't do anything. They already decided on a date." 

"And when is it?" Irene questions back

"3 weeks from now." Seulgi says sadly, 

"That's enough time! I want you text me your fathers name, the year the act was done, the person who took the case, and any other important details. Or email me!" Irene bolts up from the couch and quickly grabs her things and runs our her door.

It's not enought time, Seulgi thinks, it takes a month or longer to set up at court. But this was Bae Irene we're talking about, you never know with her. So Seulgi sent Irene what she wanted and went back trying to sleep.

__________________

Irene made call to her family's personal lawyer and was able to persuade her to taking the case. However the lawyer was very hesitant and worried when Irene mentioned the name of the Seulgi's father, but agreed at the end.

Irene went up to her room after leaving Seulgi, and decided to take matters in her own hands. Sure it's not her business with the case and she may only know a little about law but she sure as hell she can do something to help Seulgi's family. Pieces about Seulgi were coming together.

Why her mom had to work so hard that Seulgi decided to take up a scholarship, only one person was providing for the family and Seulgi is too busy to take a part time job. This is also the reason why Seulgi wanted to become a lawyer. Irene smiles to herself, when Seulgi picked her future to help someone she loves makes Irene admire her more. Not to mention the relationship of Seulgi and her parents, they had a powerful bond that Irene couldn't help but feel a little jealous.

Again~ being rich and having the name of Bae had its perks. She was sure this was going to work.

*cough* *cough*

'Yeah better not to run next time.'

__________________________

2 weeks have passed and it was the day of court and Irene was staring at the picture of Seulgi's father, Kang Mingyu, who was put into custody and court due to drugging and close kidnapping of model and student, Park Sooyoung.

"Aaak!" Irene massages her temple when she feels a short pain. The pain later wears off and Irene makes her way to the elevator.

*Ding*

Irene sighs to herself, she hopes this days ends up fine. The transport makes a sound signaling someone entering and it was no other than Seulgi. Seulgi immediately gave Irene a big gigantic hug and Irene smile inwardly, hugging the latter back.

Seulgi been saying her thanks every second when she found out that her father got a chance on court. Although the public disagreed with the jury to hold a court for this horrible act they were able to convince them that its only fair.

The two left together and went to the place where it was being held. Seulgi wanted Irene to come inside with her but Irene simply refused, she just didn't like to witness the trial. While she stayed outside the room there was so much people entering and you could hear the sound of camera's clicking and people talking.

Irene, with her short height, could not properly see what the buzz was all about but she took a guess that it was probably Park Sooyoung. Irene couldn't help but feel guilty, Sooyoung was probably sad that the person who could've abducted her was having a chance to live and be free. If Irene didn't know Seulgi she would've agreed to execute the man but execute isn't the nicest thing to do.

Irene didn't know if she was seeing things but she believes that she just had eye contact with the model. She won't lie but the model was indeed gorgeous not to mention she was pretty young. The model entered the room and Irene was left to buy some tea to calm her hurtful mind.

__________________________

The trial took 4 days for the judge to finalize with his decision. News flash: he's proven not guilty.

During the 4th day, Seulgi was able to persuade Irene in listening and spectating the trial but Irene chose to sit at the back. Even from afar Irene could see Seulgi and her mom's face when Kang Mingyu was claimed not guilty, aside from them Irene noticed Park Sooyoung's expression. She seemed not bothered or sad....weird.

Seulgi spent most of her time with her father, they bought stuff for him and helped him move in back into the small apartment where Mrs. Kang lived in. It was during a hot afternoon that Irene found Seulgi outside her door.

"Irene, my family is asking you out for dinner. We want to thank you for everything."

Irene was quite busy that day but she could always make time. Besides Seulgi wouldn't take no for an answer not like Irene was going to say no. She agreed happily and Seulgi told her where and what time before leaving.

'A family dinner huh? I wonder when was the last time I had one.'

___________________

'What to wear?' Was played on Irene's mind. She couldn't wear her sweaters to a dinner and she does not have the best fasion sense so she texted Wendy on what clothes to wear.

Wendy, Irene learned, was very outgoing and social.She'd ask Irene about her parents business but Irene would only give vague answers. But she'd also give Irene advice and tips for things like now. Irene took a picture of her wardrobe and Wendy told her what to wear. Which was a normal white    t-shirt with a red flannel shirt over, black jeans and flat shoes. 

Before Irene entered the restaurant someone tapped her shoulder. She turned her head around and she felt something poke her cheek. It was Seulgi's index finger.

"Hehe~" Seulgi grins and giving off her eye-smile which made Irene smile as well.

"How did you do it?" Seulgi starts,

"Well..... a little bribery did the trick."

"Wha- you did what?!?!" 

"Hahaha! I'm joking, I'm not like that." Irene says as she hits Seulgi's shoulder. "Ms. Hwang is a very good lawyer, good as in she's the best. You should be thanking her not me."

"And that is what I will do." Seulgi hooks her arm with Irene's as they finally enter the restaurant. "Are you afraid? It's just my parenrs besides they'll obviously like you since you helped alot" she assures Irene.

Seulgi's parents were sitting at the far back near the window. When they reached them, Seulgi introduced Irene (even though she wanted to do it herself), Seulgi's mother was first to react as she gave Irene a big warm hug that Irene thought felt like a mama bear's hug. Irene already felt like Mrs. Kang already likes her, she still has to prove to the father that she was a good friend to Seulgi. First impressions always count.

Too bad this one didn't end good.

.

.

.

"YOU!?"

Mr. Kang's voice startled the 3 and caught the attention of the others inside the restaurant. Luckily there were only little present and they went back to minding their own business.

"M-m-me?" Irene points to herself as she replys with a shaky voice. She was scared at what he meant. Did she do something wrong?

"What are you doing here?!"

"She's with me, appa, she's the one who helped us get you out." Seulgi explains.

Mrs. Kang was able to calm her husband down and made the younger ones sit down. Seulgi and Irene sat beside each other while the parents were opposite of them. Seulgi held Irene's hand under the table hoping that it would comfort her.

"May I ask why you helped me?" Mr. Kang asks as nicely as he could because he remembered that she was a guest.

"Because Seulgi and your wife need you. They say you're not guilty and I believe them. And you deserve a second chance, killing someone is wrong." Irene answers hoping that her voice did not sound scared or weak.

"And why? Why would you help me when you're the VERY reason why I ended up there?" He says as he slams his hands on the table.

The 3 were shocked by his question and his actions filling their minds with confusion.

"I don't know what you mean. This is the first time I ever met you." Irene answers honestly, she doesn't recall ever meeting him nor attending any law or judiciary matters. But the more she thought about it the more she got scared.

"LIAR!" Mr. Kang slams his fists on the table again,

"Dad!"

"Mingyu!"

Both Seulgi and Mrs. Kang said in unison while Irene kept quiet. Before anything could get worse the manager went forward and asked them to leave, apparently they were causing a ruckus in the restaurant. Mrs. Kang apologized and bowed towards those inside before ushering the others to leave. Seulgi stayed by Irene's side as they walked, why could her father dislike Irene so much? Irene has done everything for them.....

"Irene, I'm sorry for my husband's behavior. He shouldn't have treated you like that. We'll take our leave and I'll talk to you girls later." Mrs. Kang smiled apologetically and turned to her daughter and hugged her.

She wispered to Seulgi, "Your father is so gonna get it when we go home. Sorry for tonight though, do something to make her happy and forget about what happened earlier, okay?"

Seulgi and Irene watched the couple leave before Seulgi started walking pulling along Irene. Irene didn't care where Seulgi was taking her, her mind was filled with dinner's event. So when Irene actually paid attention she found herself infront of a food stand.

Irene blinked a few times when she felt a slight nudge on her shoulder, she turned around to see Seulgi holding 2 platters of tteokbokki.

"We haven't got a chance to eat anything at the dinner so I hope you don't mind the food." She says while Irene took the food from her. A small growl was heard which seems to come Irene's stomach making her bow her head in embarrassment. 

Seulgi chuckled as she watched Irene eat and they continued their night talking about anything and anyone.

They were sitting on the bench that was a few blocks away from the suite. Enjoying the night sky and cold breeze, the sound of distant cars, and the quiet silence between the two. Quiet yet a comfortable one.

"I think your parents hate me." Irene started with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"They don't. Mom obviously loves you, as for my dad..... he's probably confused you with somebody else. Don't worry about it, even if my dad slightly dislikes you I'll change his mind."

"And how will you do that?"

"Easy, I'll simply tell him all the great things about you. How you wake me up in the morning so that I won't be late for school. How you help me sometimes in my studies. When you go to my room and do my laundry and cook for me. How you remind me to eat and take care of myself. How you text and call me when I need someone to talk to How you helped me keep my scholarship and save my dad. How you've been the greatest friend in the world and the best.  Honestly I can go on but I made my point didn't I?" Seulgi ended with a wide grin. She turned her head to the other who remained silent while she was talking. She was surprised to see the girl near tears.

"Wha-what did I do?" She asked the crying girl,

"You made me sound like a nagging friend." Irene said joking with tears in her eyes.

"You kinda are. By the way don't tell Wendy that I said you were the best."

"Hehe, I won't."

Seulgi thought the tears were over but Irene started streaming tears. Worrying her like hell!

"Hey, why are you crying?" She said as she gave the girl a hug letting the older bury her head in the crook of her neck. 

"Your words.....they mean alot."

Seulgi gave a small smile as she released her hug, she gave Irene a pat on the head,

"You're so cute so stop crying already, your tears are being wasted."

Irene didn't know why she stopped crying easily and why her cheeks felt warm. But she smiled back at Seulgi shyly.

"Can you do that again?"

Seulgi tilted her head to the side not understanding what she meant which looked adorable to Irene.

"Can you pat my head again?"

Seulgi nodded and raised hand and gently patted her head, brushing her hair as well. It was a simple gesture but to Irene it meant many things. Irene melted into the pat and smiled in satisfaction. She seemed too happy that when Seulgi stopped Irene frowned immediately from the loss of contact. 

"Aigoo~ you're really so cute. Anyways c'mon." Seulgi says as she lends out her hand.

"Where are we going?" Irene asks as she gladly took her hand and intertwining their fingers.

"Home of course!" They both walk back to the suite.

Home....what's a home? To some it merely a building where people stay for shelter. A home is where you're comfortable. A home is where your loved ones are. And even cliche as it seems, home is where your heart is.

'Where's my home? In Daegu? Or here?' Irene then looked at Seulgi who was smiling all the way back and then looked at their hands. Irene smiled to herself, 

'I guess Seulgi's my home'.

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Sorry, im so so so sorry!

Sorry×100

I wanted to update but things came up and I got busy​​​. I promise to try to update faster. Thank u for those who read, commented, subscribed, yur support means alot. Sorry for any errors.

See ya! :))