"We should go to Paris and Milan before school resumes this new year. You could ask Lay ge for his private plane, you know he could never say no to you." Tao suggested as he sipped his macchiato. 

Eunhee, Tao, and Umi are sitting at Sant Ambroeus at the Hanley Building in Manhattan's Upper East Side. It is officially winter break. Schools have been shut down and the people of New York have been bustling about doing some last minute Christmas shopping. The three went around Lexington Avenue to do some shopping themselves and Tao became a bit grumpy because of the abundance of shoppers going about. 

"Urgh. Why did we have to choose this date to shop?" Tao groaned. "I also don't understand why we have to do traditional shopping? We literally can get any of these brands' exclusive showrooms ready for us." He said as he pointed on the shopping bags beside him. There was at least fifteen. 

"Oh, lighten up, Zitao. It's my first Christmas in the city. I wanted to feel like a real New Yorker." Eunhee pouted. During the past few months, she has gotten closer to her brother's friends and with Umi and Gabrielle. Aside from Yixing, she became closest to Tao because they are almost the same age and she will be starting in his school once classes resume on January. 

"Then we should have went downtown," Tao snorted. "What's wrong with you?" he asked a sulking Umi, who kept on sighing and mixing her cappucino. 

"I miss Kris. I haven't seen him in three days." Umi gave another sigh. 

Now that University was done for the year, Kris, Luhan, and Gabrielle all went back to Shanghai to celebrate the holidays with their families. Umi is going to fly to London to spend Christmas with her mother and their relatives. 

"That's okay, Umi. You'll see him before the year starts," Eunhee then looked at her apprehensively. "You are going to my parent's New Year's party, right?" 

"Wouldn't miss it for the world. Do you know how much buzz this party of yours has created? For the first time in almost a decade of living in New York, the elusive Kims are finally hosting a party at their home. And a winter party at the Hamptons? A very eccentric idea but the society pages are loving it. Even girlfriend number 12 has been raving about it since we got our invitation." Umi recalled. Mr. Ryuzaki, Umi's father is a playboy, tech tycoon who changes partners as frequent as Umi changes her hairstyle. The girl got really tired of trying to get along with any of her father's companions that she resorted to not caring about them and just assigning them numbers. They're not going to stay long enough anyway so she doesn't bother remembering them. 

"I thought your father was with wife number 4?" asked Eunhee. 

"They're getting a divorce because of girlfriend number 11 and she's getting a pretty hefty amount."

"What happened to girlfriend number 11, then?" 

"I don't know, actually." Umi said with a shrug. "But anyway, Ems, for the party. What's the theme?" 

"Winter Dreamland." Eunhee answered. "Basically it's just Winter Wonderland but more... whimsical. Mama wanted it to be a bit different from the usual winter theme, but I think she just changed the name. Can't wait to see how Ashley and her team are going to put a spin on it though." 

The Kims are throwing a New Year's Eve party at their mansion in Montauk. Everyone has been talking about the party because not only is this the first time that the very private family is opening their home for other people, but there have also been rumors that the long lost Kim daughter is going to be introduced at this party. Well, the rumors are true. Papa and Mama planned this party to officially introduce Eunhee to the society. Granted that they still want to keep their privacy, only a few close friends and business acquaintances are invited. Of course all of Minseok and Eunhee's friends and their families are on the guest list. 

"Oh, before I forget Emily. Here is a list of the books that you could go through before school starts, Lay asked me to give you one because apparently you are very particular about your academics." Umi handed the younger girl a small notebook with notes. "I also included some useful information and tips about the teachers and students in Pencey, you never know when it's going to be helpful." 

"Thanks, Mimi. I'll make sure to use it well." Eunhee said with a smile. She should really treat Yixing to dinner sometime. 

"Hey! How come gege didn't ask me? I'm a current student at Pencey Prep, I know this better than Umi does." Tao protested.  

"Tao," Umi looked at him pointedly. 

"What?" 

"Honey," Eunhee gave him an awkward smile. It's not that Tao is a bad student, it's just that academics is not on top of his priorities list and it is very evident with the results that he gets. 

"You know what, fine!" Tao grumbled. "I never knew why I wanted you two to be friends, anyway. Ever since then you two started ganging up on me." 

"Tao." Eunhee called. 

"What? You traitor!" 

"You want me to buy you a Profiterole?" Eunhee now knows very well how to charm her friend when he is sulking. 

"You really are a Kim. You guys are great at these things." Tao said with a snort. "And please add a slice of apple crumble pie while you are at it." 

"Mama? Papa?" Eunhee hung her coat at the closet at their home's entrance. She wasn't expecting anyone to be home, but she was hoping that they were. She bought a Verona cake from Sant Ambroeus for her parents and her brother, but it seems like they are all out. Minseok is probably with Yixing or Jongdae somewhere (Jongdae's parents are arriving from Seoul in two days to spend time with their son and long lost niece), Papa is probably back at the company, and Mama might be busy organizing the party at the Hamptons. 

She placed the box of cake on the dining table and went to her father's study. Surprisingly, Papa is home sitting in his chair facing away from her. "Papa?" 

The chair turned around to reveal an unknown man who is about thrice Eunhee's age. He looks kind of familiar but Eunhee just doesn't know where she saw him. "Excuse me, sir. But do I know you?" 

The man took a few steps to Eunhee. "Now that I can see you closer, I can say that you do really look like her. Especially the eyes." 

"I'm sorry?" 

"Kang Jieun. You really look a lot like your mother, Eunhee." 

"You know my mother?" 

"Of course, my dear. I can't count the number of times that I said no to her when she asked for your father's contact information. I can also remember the tears that she shed as she bravely threw the money that I tried to offer her in my face, and when she tore the cheque that I wrote for her." The old man said. 

"Haraboji?" 

"Hi, my granddaughter." 

Eunhee didn't know how to react. This is the man who tried to turn her mother away when she asked for help. This is the man who said that Eunhee is not related to them when she was still in her mother's womb. Does he still resent her? Will he order her to leave her family? 

"Your parents didn't want me to come anywhere near you after they found out what I did. I never get to see you when you were discharged from the hospital. I never got the chance to explain myself. Even now, Minwoo is still not allowing me to see you nor does he talk to me." The old man sighed. "I just want to tell you that I'm sorry, Eunhee. I am deeply sorry for what I have done to you. I know about everything that happened to your life and that could have been avoided if I just believed your mother. She wouldn't have had to run away to Seoul, you wouldn't have been born in that hospital and switched with another baby, you wouldn't have suffered so much in Busan. I tried to look for you. For almost a decade, I realy tried. I'm really, really sorry, my child." He hasn't noticed, but his tears were already flowing from his eyes. "I'm a heartless person and I don't deserve your forgiveness. But I just wanted- I just wanted you to hear me out."

Eunhee was frozen in her place. Her haraboji doesn't look like he is a bad man. Maybe he was just really doing what he thinks is best for his family. Honestly, if she was put in the same situation as haraboji, she would have done the same. 

"Thank you," he said. "I am very sorry to bother you, I will get going now. You have grown so very well, my dear. I hope that from now on you will not feel pain, but only know of happiness. If ever you need anything, anything at all. Don't hesitate to