Bae Joohyun or Irene, 29 years old work as a lawyer. She is one of the most sought after attorney as she successfully handled lot of cases. Despite her impressive achievement in her carrier, she is really down to earth that make her staff feel comfortable working with her. She might look cold but actually she is really warm with people around her.

As typical day, after office hour end she will go back straight to her house. She is not type of roaming around or hangouts on weekday unless her friends invite her out. Irene stayed alone at her house while her parents and her sister working abroad.

“Welcome home Joohyunnie” her maid, Mrs. Jung greet her when she enter the house

“Aigooo, thanks imo”

“How was your day?” Mrs. Jung helps Irene to carry her bag

“Better than yesterday, today not really tiring”

“That’s good then. You looked miserable yesterday”

“Sorry for making you worry” Irene said sincerely

“I don’t want you to sick like before. You work too hard until abandon your health. It’s not good”

“Imo, you sound like umma” Irene whine cutely

“Your umma trained me well that I sound like her now” both of them cackle “Do you want to eat now or after you wash up?

“Emm, I will wash up first after that we eat together”

“Alright, I will set our table”

“Okay”

Irene and Mrs. Jung really close to each other. That woman is like her second mother since they spend lot of days together and stay at same house. Mrs. Jung worked with Irene almost 8 years already. She treated her like her own daughter.

Both of them have dinner together as usual. Mrs. Jung just makes simple dinner as Irene request. She doesn’t want to waste food so she asked Mrs. Jung to cook enough for both of them.

“It has been a week since you request for your favorite food. Are you that craving?” Mrs. Jung adores the younger girl enjoying her food. She love seeing Irene eating because that girl never wasting her food unless she is sick

“I will miss these foods when you leave me that why I asked you to cook this every day. I won’t get boring eating this every day if you cook for me” Irene talk while munching the remaining food in

Mrs. Jung looking at Irene sympathetically “Aigooo poor thing, you know that I don’t mean to resign but my daughter need me by her side when she deliver her baby since that is her first child”

“I know imo. Don’t worry about me. Your family is first. I don’t know how to thank your family because they let you stay here with me instead of by their side. I owe them a lot” Irene said sincerely

“You’re also really good with them. You always buy lot of things for them when I go visit them. They will miss you a lot after this”

“I will visit you when I’m free and I hope I can go when your grandchild born”

“Okay, make sure you call me before you go. Don’t make surprise or I can’t cook for you because you not inform me early”

“Okay imo”

“My replacer will arrive this Friday”

Irene put her spoon on her plate as she done eating “Oh, I almost forgot about her. Do you think I can stay with her like I stay with you?”

“Of course, you should trust me. I look for a good replacement for you. She is my best friend and we come from the same hometown. I know her since we’re young. She is kind person. You will make good relationship with her”

“I hope she will be like you”

“Don’t worry. She understands people in your age because she also has a daughter. That’s why she agrees when I told her that I want her to replace me as your maid because she wants to close with her daughter. That kid work here at Seoul and they see each other just once in a while. They can meet often since she will be here soon”

“Oh I see. I hope things go well for us. Don’t forget to teach her everything that she needs to know about me and this household”

“Sure thing”

“Imo let me wash dishes. You’re tired after cooking and cleaning this house so you should rest”

“Aigooo you start again. Let me bring these to the sink then you wash it”

“Okay!”

…………………………………

Friday evening Irene’s new maid arrive at her house. Mrs. Jung gives briefing to her friend about everything that she need to know about their employee and about the house. The new maid takes note on everything that was told. She can’t wait to meet Irene

Irene arrived at home as usual. She greeted by Mrs. Jung and her new maid

“Welcome home sweetie” Mrs. Jung greet Irene

“Thanks imo”

“Joohyun, this is your new maid, Mrs. Kang”

“Hello Ms. Bae” Mrs. Kang bow politely

“Hello Mrs. Kang” Irene bow back

“Thank you for accept me here as your maid. I’m very thankful Ms. Bae”

“I hope we can work well together. Just call me Joohyun”

“Okay Joo…Joohyun”

“Joohyun, you don’t remember her?” Mrs. Jung asked

Irene frowned while looking at Mrs. Kang “We’d met before?”

“Yes, she celebrated chuseok with us last year. Don’t you remember that you keep praising kimchi that she made?”

Irene smile brightly as she remembers they celebrate chuseok at Mrs. Jung hometown last year and Mrs. Kang also together with them. She brought lot of foods for them and all of it is very delicious but the one that Irene like the most is kimchi that she made

“Aigooo imo why do you don’t tell me early? I thought she is someone I never see”

The elders chuckle at Irene antics “I thought you remember her, aigooo”

“You know that I’m quite forgetful. You often nagging at me because of that” Irene chuckle then she looked at Mrs. Kang “Imo, I’m sorry because I don’t remember you. What a bad person I am”

“It’s okay sweetie, I totally fine with that. Your imo told me that you like my kimchi so I made some for you”

“Really? Thank you very much imo. I can’t wait to eat it”

“Shall we eat now or you shower first?” Mrs. Jung asked

“I shower first then we eat”

“Alright”

Irene skipped happily to her bedroom while the elders go to dining table to prepare for their dinner

“She really a good person” said Mrs. Kang

“I told you. You don’t have to worry. She will treat you like her own mother”

“I missed my daughter more after I saw her” Mrs. Kang said

“Oh, did Seulgi know you’re arrived?”

“Yeah, she said she will visit me soon but I need to ask Joohyun permission first”

“Don’t worry, she will allow you”

“I hope so”

20 minutes later, they settle at dining table and start dinner. Irene really enjoy their dinner and she eat more than usual. Suddenly Mrs. Jung phone ringing and she excuse herself to answer the call

“Imo, thank you for bring kimchi for me. I missed it a lot” said Irene

“I will make for you so that you can eat it anytime”

“Aigooo thanks imo. I love other foods too. I don’t remember the foods that you made last time but I love all of it”

Mrs. Kang chuckle “I will make delicious foods for you every day”

“I look forward to it” Irene chirped

“Joohyun, can I ask something?”

“Sure, what is it?”

“My daughter said she want to visit me so if you don’t mind, she want to come here” Mrs. Kang speak carefully

“No problem imo. She can come here anytime. Why would I stop you from seeing your daughter, right?”

“Thank you Joohyunie. You really a good person”

“Don’t mention it imo. I just want everyone to be happy. Let’s be comfortable around each other. I would like to meet your daughter too someday”

“I will introduce her to you. She is around your age”

“That’s good then”

Mrs. Jung returned to the table after the call. She let out heavy sigh soon as she sit on the chair

“What with that sigh?” Mrs. Kang asking

“I will leave tomorrow. Soojung and Taeyeon will pick me up”

“Already?” Irene asked “I just having fun with both of you here and tomorrow you will left us” she pouting

“What to do sweetie. Sooyeon needs to do check-up next Monday but Soojung have to return here on Sunday because Taeyeon need to work. Miyoung also out of town for few days so she can’t accompany Sooyeon that’s why I need to go back” Mrs. Jung said apologetically

“It’s okay imo, I understand. I don’t get to buy something for unnie and her future baby”

“You can bring it when you visit them”

“Alright”

……………………………..

Irene wakes up a bit late on Sunday. She wants to sleep more since she doesn’t have anything to do. Mrs. Jung already goes back to her hometown with her daughter, Jung Soojung and her daughter-in-law, Kim Taeyeon. She started new life with her new maid, Mrs. Kang. As Mrs. Jung said, Mrs. Kang is really a motherly figure. Both of them have same character that’s resulting Irene can adapt with her in no time.

After done with her morning routine, Irene goes downstairs to breakfast. Mrs. Jung is busy at the kitchen and she greet Irene with wide smile

“Good morning Joohyun”

“Good morning imo”

“Have a sit. I will serve you breakfast”

“What you made today imo?”

“I made toast for you” Mrs. Jung put a plate on the table and a glass of warm tea

“Aigooo, it looked delicious” Irene eyes sparkle when she saw the big size of toast that served in front of her

“I saw it on internet so I tried it before. My daughter likes it a lot. I hope you do too”

Irene takes a big bite. No doubt, it taste really good and match with her taste “Omo! It really delicious imo”

“Really?”

“Yes, I love it so much”

“Alright, enjoy your breakfast. I want to continue prepare for lunch” said Mrs. Kang

“Okay imo”

When she done eating, Irene washed the dishes even Mrs. Kang told her just to put in at the sink. She want to do the work too even she have maid

“Imo, what you cook today?”

“You request for pork stew so I will make it for you”

“Aigooo! Thank you imo!” Irene squeals happily

“You’re welcome” Mrs. Kang also smiling wide seeing Irene cheerful when hear about her favorite food

“Imo, let me help you prepare it”

“Is it okay? You should rest at living room. I can handle this”

“Imo, I rest a lot yesterday. Let me help you, okay?” Irene showing puppy eyes that her maid can’t resist anymore

“Alright, you can help me chop the veggies”

“Okay!” she grab the knife and chopping board then bring it to the kitchen island

“Be careful with knife. I sharpen it yesterday”

“Okay imo, I will be good”

Both of them focus on their task. Irene chopping the veggies diligently while Mrs. Kang working on other ingredients

“Joohyunie”

“Yes imo”

“My daughter is on her way here. She will arrive in few minutes”

“Oh, okay”

About 20 minutes later, doorbell ringing signaling someone is arrived. Mrs. Kang quickly goes to front door and Irene tailing behind

“Umma!” Mrs. Kang daughter squeal soon as she saw her mother opening the door. The girl jump to her mom then circles her arms and long legs around her mother. She cling like a koala

“Yaaa Kang Seulgi, you’re heavy!” Mrs. Kang pats her daughter while carrying her carefully

“Don’t you miss me umma?” Seulgi stand on her own feet now

“We just meet each other last month. If I miss you, it won’t be that bad. Just a little bit”

“Umma, you’re so mean” Seulgi fake her cry and playfully punch her mom shoulder

“Don’t act like idiot here. This is not our house” Mrs. Kang twist Seulgi ear

Irene is smiling watching Mrs. Kang and her daughter interactions. Both of them look so close with each other and joking like best friend. How she hope that she can do that with her mom but sadly her mother is far from her. She also noticed that Mrs. Kang daughter resembles her a lot and the girl looked like a bear. She literally a human bear with squishy cheeks and monolid eyes

“Joohyunnie, this is my daughter, Kang Seulgi” said Mrs. Kang “Seul, this is Ms. Bae Joohyun”

“Nice to meet you” said Irene with shy smile

“Nice to meet you too Ms. Bae” Seulgi smiling wide as usual

“Joohyunie, do you want to eat first? I will serve lunch for you” Mrs. Kang said

“You not join me?” Irene asked

“But Seulgi is here…” Mrs. Kang said hesitantly. She don’t want her employee feel uncomfortable when she invite her daughter to eat together

“It’s okay imo. We can eat together. We cook a lot earlier, right?”

“If that so, I will set our table”

“Sure thing”

They go to dining table then Mrs. Kang told Seulgi to sit while waiting for lunch to serve

“You sit here properly. Don’t walk around” Mrs. Kang commands her daughter

“Ayy umma, I’m not kid anymore” Seulgi complain

“Just sit down Seulgi, I want to do my work. 5 minutes more you will complain you’re starving”

Seulgi giggle “Okay umma” Irene just watching them with smile on her face

Seulgi almost drooling seeing her favorite food served on the table. The smell itself already makes her stomach growling. She know any foods that her mother make are all delicious. Mrs. Kang joins the girls at the table after done serving the foods

“Umma, no chicken?” Seulgi suddenly asked

Both Irene and Mrs. Kang attention goes toward her “No, why?”

“I thought you will cook chicken. Usually when I visit you, you will cook chicken for me”

“Kang Seulgi, we’re not at our house now and Joohyun is not eating chicken so you don’t ask for it. If you want chicken, you can eat later when you go back to your apartment. I won’t cook something that Joohyun can’t eat”

“Okay” Seulgi pouting then she continue eating

“Imo, you can cook chicken for Seulgi if she visit us here” Joohyun stated

“It’s okay Joohyun. Don’t mind this kid” Mrs. Kang said apologetically

“It’s not every day she comes here so it’s fine if you pamper her. We can add chicken to our grocery list next time when we shopping”

“Okay then. Thank you for that”

“No problem imo”

“Did you two shopping together?” Seulgi asked curiously

“Yes, we will go out together to buy food stock” said Joohyun

“Why? Are you jealous?” Mrs. Kang asked jokingly

“No, I don’t want shopping with you. You will drag me here and there when we go out”

“Okay, no chicken for you. Forget it”

“Umma, I’m just kidding. You can call me anytime if you want to go out with me but you must ask for permission from Ms. Bae” Seulgi shake her mother arm

“Serve your right” Mrs. Kang smirk then she noticed Seulgi pick the veggies in her plate and put it on her plate side “Why you not eating that veggies?”

“I don’t like them”

“Aigooo, eat it. Don’t waste food”

“You eat for me umma” Seulgi quickly scoop the abandon vegetables and put it on her mother plate

“I never hear someone die eating vegetable. You just so picky” Mrs. Kang sighs

“I can’t help it”

After done eating, Irene offer to wash dishes as usual. Mrs. Kang clean the table while Seulgi bring the dishes to sink

“Do you need help?” Seulgi asked

“Emm, you can help me dry them. The towel is inside the cabinet”

“Okay” Seulgi get the towel from the cabinet then proceed to dry the dishes “Ms. Bae, thank you for accepting my mom to work here and treat her well”

“Just call me Joohyun”

“Okay Joohyun”

“I also thankful that your mom takes care of me like her own daughter. She is really nice to me” Irene said sincerely

“She talked a lot about you. I know she enjoy working with you”

“I’m happy to hear that” Irene smile

“Umma talk a lot. I hope you don’t mind that” Seulgi chuckle

“Of course I don’t mind. I’m not good at making topic to talk about so I like it when someone can start conversation with me first”

“Now I know why umma like you a lot”

“Why?”

“You just go with the flow. Umma like someone who is can deal with her antic. Me and unnie always do something opposite that’s why she always nagging at us. We’re still kids in her eyes but that make our household lively when we visit her at home”

“I can see that earlier” both of them giggle “She still babying you even she nag at you at the same time”

“What she said is different from her action. Earlier she said she don’t miss me but early this morning she scold me when I said I wake up late that’s why I don’t come here early. I suppose to be here for breakfast but my eyes not cooperate at all”

Irene cackle imagining Mrs. Kang nagging at her daughter on the phone early in the morning “She really funny”

“I told you”

“You’re done drying?”

“Yup” Seulgi hang the towel properly at the place that prepared for the towel

“Let’s go to the front”

“Okay”

Mrs. Kang sits at living room watching drama when the girls join her

“You guys done?” she asked

“Yup” Seulgi plop herself beside her mother

“I packed the leftover stew for Wendy. Don’t forget it when you go home later”

“Okay umma” Seulgi answer lazily “Umma, you watch this drama too?”

“Yup”

“I thought you’re not fans of drama”

“I addicted to this drama. I watch it every weekend. Joohyun also watch this too”

“Really?” Seulgi asked Irene

“Yes, this is my favorite weekend drama” Irene confirmed

“Joohyun, if she watch TV a lot don’t forget to cut her wage” Seulgi said to Irene

“Then you will pay half of your salary to me as replacement”

“I don’t want” Seulgi shake her head

“Make sure you eat before you visit me next time because I will not cook for you”

“Umma really mean these days” Seulgi whining

“You also same”

After spend time around an hour at Irene house, Seulgi decide to go back

“You want to go already?”

“Yes, I have match this evening”

“Aigooo, I told you don’t play a lot. You just recover from sprained ankle and today you will play again”

“My ankle is good now umma. Don’t worry, I am very healthy now. Wendy will take care of me if something happen” Seulgi pinch her mom cheek

“You troubling her a lot”

“Correction, we troubling each other” Seulgi said and her mom glare at her

“Why she not come with you today?”

“She goes out with her girlfriend, Jung Eunji. Remember Jung Eunji?”

“A girl in the photo that she showed to me before” Mrs. Kang said

“Yes”

“She is really beautiful and you, when do you want to introduce your girlfriend to me?”

Seulgi sighs “Ayy umma, I don’t have girlfriend. Do you want me to pick random girl and introduce to you?”

“You better not do such thing”

“You go and find a girl for me. I think it’s better so I don’t need to introduce to you”

“Your problem is you’re ugly that’s why you still don’t have girlfriend” Mrs. Kang said coolly

“Umma, Joohyun is here. Don’t say such thing. She will think I am ugly” Mrs. Kang just shrug her shoulder. Seulgi ask Irene after that “Joohyun, I am not that ugly, right?”

“Yeah, you look good” said Irene

“See! Umma, you really have bad sight”

“Whatever”

“Joohyun, thanks again. See you next time”

“Alright, see you too” said Irene. She and Mrs. Kang walk Seulgi outside

“Umma, is there anything you want me to buy when I come next week?” Seulgi asked

“Just buy anything but not something sweet”

“Alright, do you want chicken feet?”

“That’s good too”

“Alright, remind me again”

“Okay” Mrs. Kang nods her head

“Bye umma. Take care” Seulgi peppered her umma face with wet kisses

“Eww Kang Seulgi” Mrs. Kang hit Seulgi bum “Drive carefully. Say hi to Wendy”

“Okay umma” Seulgi enter her car then she roll down the window “Bye!”

“Bye” Mrs. Kang and Irene waving at Seulgi

……………………………

Seulgi never miss to visit her mother at Irene house while the house owner getting comfortable having Seulgi around. They getting close with each other and become friend. To Irene, Seulgi is very friendly, bubbly, and funny also easy-going

“Aigoooo, it rain heavily outside” said Mrs. Kang. She and her daughter at living room after have dinner together while Irene taking bath

“I hope it will stop soon” Seulgi checking her watch “It almost 10 PM”

“Can you stay tonight? I don’t want you to drive. It very dangerous” Mrs. Kang said worriedly

“Umma, I don’t think your boss will allow me to stay”

“I will ask her later”

Irene comes from upstairs wearing pink pajama. She joined the mother and daughter at the couch

“Aigooo, look like rain won’t stop soon” said Irene

“Joohyunie, can Seulgi sleep here tonight? I don’t want her to go home late at night. It very dangerous” Mrs. Kang asked with hope

Irene smile “Sure, I don’t mind”

“Really?” The Kang looked at each other happily

“Yup, you can sleep here. I also think it dangerous to drive at this weather”

“Thank you for considerate” both of them bow their head

“No problem. Seulgi can sleepover on weekend so both of you can spend more time together” Irene stated sincerely

“Aigooo Joohyun, you really a good person” Mrs. Kang said tearfully

“Not a big deal imo” Irene happy seeing Mrs. Kang looked cheerful “Seulgi, you can sleep at guest room. Imo will show you later. I also provide spare clothes at the closet so you can change to comfortable cloth”

“I have spared at my car. I will get it later” said Seulgi

“Okay then” Irene nods “I want to go to my room now. Both of you also can take rest”

“Alright, goodnight Joohyun”

“Night imo, night Seulgi” Irene leave to her room while the Kang watching her

“Umma, she really gifted with kind heart”

“I’m very lucky that I work with someone like her” said Mrs. Kang

“You’re right, at least you not working under pressure”

“Yeah, let sleep. It’s late already. I will show you guest room”

“Okay”

……………………………

Next day after breakfast Irene and Seulgi sit at living room watching random TV show. Mrs. Kang at the backyard

“Do you have anything to do today? I mean it Saturday” Seulgi initiate their conversation

“Hmm, usually I just stay at home. I don’t really go out”

“You’re homebody, huh?” Seulgi chuckle

“Yup, how about you?”

“Since umma is here, my weekend schedule is visiting her. Before this, I will workouts on Saturday morning and evening I play soccer with my friends or sometimes we just hangouts. I made some changes now; my workout is on Sunday night”

“Ooo your weekend schedule also pack. You’re busy person” Irene joking

“I guess so. I can’t just stay still doing nothing”

“So you’re playing today?”

“Yup, I will go out for awhile and play then come here again tonight”

“Okay”

“Do you want to come with me?”

“Can I?”

“Of course”

“Emm, I would like too”

“We will out on 3 PM or so”

“Okay!” Irene chirped

…………………………

“When do you start play soccer?” Irene asked while they are on the way to mini stadium where Seulgi and her friends will meet

“Emm since high school, I used to represent school to play soccer”

“You still play for club now?”

“I just play as hobby now. Umma against it when I wanted to join club, she don’t want me to hurt here and there” Seulgi chuckle

“Imo love you so much that’s why she don’t want you to hurt”

“Yea, she is really protective since before. Even until now she always check on us especially me. It really hard for her to let me far away from her because I am clumsy type but thankful I can take care of myself”

“Oh, you have older sister, isn’t it?”

“Yup, she work at Busan that’s why you never see her but she drive umma to your house before because that time she visit umma and they come together to Seoul”

“I still at work that’s why I don’t see her”

“Yeah”

“What about your father?”

Seulgi scoff before answer the question “Do you believe me if I tell you that I don’t have father?”

Irene looking at Seulgi apologetically “Uhmm is he…gone?”

“I never meet my father, not only me but unnie too. We still kids when he leaves us”

“I’m sorry to hear that”

“It’s okay, we get over it now and it’s not a big deal to us. We also don’t want to think about him. Why would we care about someone who doesn’t need us, right?”

“Yup, I agree” Irene nods firmly “All this while imo is alone at home since you and your unnie are working?”

“Yes, she is alone. Umma insist to work because she is boring doing nothing at home but we not allow her” Seulgi giggle

“Why?”

“She work really hard raise us until she need to do lot of job just to feed me and unnie. Now it’s our turn to pamper her and let her enjoy her time that she don’t have chance to feel when she is young. We not stop her if she wants to go on trip with her friends or shopping as long as it not working. Mrs. Jung your previous maid is umma best friend and she really nice to our family. We really close with each other. Mr. Jung also treats me and unnie like his own daughters.”

Irene smile while looking at the monolid girl “You and your unnie are really good daughter. Imo must be happy seeing you two grow up well”

“We’re very naughty since kid and umma often punish us. She hit us with hanger because we always make chaos and mess around with other kids at our village” both of them laughing

“Is she still hit you with hanger nowadays?” Irene still giggling

“No, she changed her weapon because we’re growing up. She use broom now”

Irene laughing heartily “Are you serious?”

“Yes, I tell the truth. Last time when we go back, umma chase me and Wendy around our house with broom because we accidentally break her favorite flower pot when we play soccer at the yard”

They crack again as Seulgi telling funny story of her and her mother “Aigooo, you’re really naughty. No wonder imo is very angry. You broke something precious to her”

“We don’t mean to break it. It is just accident. Umma not talking to us whole night and next day we have to round the town to find the same pot to replace the broken one. Luckily they have it”

“Poor imo” Irene wipe her tears that pooled on her eyes due to laughing

They arrived at the venue after 30 minutes driving. Seulgi lead them inside the stadium after take her duffle bag from the car trunk. Some of her friends already arrive and they wearing same jersey

“Yo! Kang Seulgi!” a tall brown hair girl greets Seulgi from the bench

“Oh Hayoung!” both of them bump shoulder

“Unnie, where are you from? Why you not come with Wendy unnie?” Hayoung ask

“I from my mother place that’s why we come separately”

“You’re from hometown? When did you go home?”

“I from her boss house, idiot” Seulgi knocked Hayoung head lightly

“Ouch unnie, it’s hurt”

“Serve your right” said Seulgi “Joohyun, have a sit”

“Thank you” Irene sit beside Seulgi on the bench

Seulgi proceed to change her outfit. She changed to their team jersey and put on her soccer boot. Irene is silently adoring her. She mentally admit that Seulgi looked really cool. Suddenly, a loud voice distract her thought

“Kang Seulgi!” there is Wendy run towards them like no tomorrow

“Is dog chasing you?” Seulgi asked after Wendy stop in front of her

Wendy send glare to her best friend “I thought you not coming”

“Of course I come. It not like I am at other city”

Suddenly Wendy noticed unfamiliar figure sit on the bench watching them “Seul, is this our new teammate?”

Seulgi flinch a bit “Ayy, this is umma employer. She is Bae Joohyun”

“Oh I see, hi Ms. Bae. Nice to meet you” Wendy turn polite suddenly

“Nice to meet you too, just call me Joohyun” Irene said with smile

“And call me Wendy”

“Sure thing”

Then Hayoung interrupt “I also think that she is our new member since she comes with unnie. By the way, I