Being alone at home was not great at all. Dara already left the house early in the morning. She just stayed in her room after she

got back from the school and she only had plain kimchi ramyun for lunch. She glimpsed at the clock hung on the wall. 3.00PM.

She felt slightly regret for not being to follow Dara to go back to her hometown but she couldn’t break the promise she made

with Sunhwa and Kwanghee to have a work-related discussion.

“Come back home, Dara..Quick! And bring home some food!” she cried. She gulped her saliva at her sudden craving for

Dara’s mom’s fried tofu kimchi and beef deopbap.

And suddenly she remembered about her mom who lived hundred miles away from her in Seoul. She had to drive about 4 hours

to reach there. She felt grateful to his dad for buying a silver Hyundai Elantra sedan car for her use. Her dad was so eager to

buy her one but her mom said no.

“Come on, she’s not a little girl anymore. She has job. She can buy one on her own!” her mom yelled.

She was upset with her mom. Madam Lee was not like when it came to her other siblings. Every time her siblings asked some

money, her mom will just give it away so easily.  As a daughter, Chaerin felt she was been discriminated. 

She knew her mom was against her decision to become a teacher. Madam Lee asked her to go for science stream in university

just like Seunghyun, her eldest brother.  But she refused since she really loved teaching profession. Her mom was completely

furious, she nagged for days. Fortunately, her dad was always there to stand by her. Mr. Lee supported Chaerin’s choice since

he believed she had the right to choose which path she wanted to go. It was just her mom who did not want to understand.

What’s wrong of being a teacher? Isn’t a noble job?

If she didn’t think of her dad, she would like to run away from the house and just let her mom labelled her as ungrateful

daughter. Her heart ached since her mom treated her like an outcast. There were only other siblings in her mom’s eyes while

Chaerin just a ‘maid’.

“Chaerin, please do the laundry! Chaerin, please help me cook! Chaerin this, Chaerin that..blablabla” her mom ordered. Chaerin

who was only 9 years old at that time knew about the fact she was the eldest daughter in the house, she even realized that her

mom was actually taught her how to be a real daughter and reliable sister.

Her mom never let her rest, she would asked her to do this and that while her other siblings can go outside to play. They were

free to do anything. So unfair! She really wanted to scream that on her mom’s face but she pitied her. She understood her mom

state, she was tired with her workload at the office, and she needed a helper to manage all the chores. But it didn’t mean she

could burden her little daughter like that! She needed time for herself.

“You’re a girl. You have to learn all those from now. Once you grow up and ready to get married, I don’t have to worry to let

you go. You’ll feel grateful later..Just believe me!” her mom gave her the same lame answer every time she complained.

If that was her mom goal, then Chaerin could say Madam Lee was succeed to make her a reliable person.  Now, she was able

to do anything! But there was someone on lose. That was her little sister, Hyeri. She knew nothing. She was too lazy, it irked

Chaerin to death. She believed that was her mom fault why her little sister got that damn attitude. Her mom spoiled Hyeri too

much. There were times she felt that she was not her daughter and that woman was not her mom.

Ding! 

Ding! 

Ding!

The sound of door bell brought her back to reality. She got too carried away and found herself drowned in the painful memories

with her mom. She let out a big sigh and slowly made her way to the front door.

“Anyeonghaseyo” an old lady voice can be heard from outside.

“Oh.. Madam Woo..!Anyeonghaseyo” she bowed quickly as she saw her smiling at the door. Her eyes caught something in her

hands as she invited Jiho’s mom warmly into the house. She then leaded her to sit on the couch.

“I made extra red bean porridge today for you to have some..”

“It must be taste so good! Thank you so much!” Chaerin took the thermos from her carefully and she went to the kitchen. She

made two mugs of hot coffee and brought them to the living room.

“I ran out of sugar. I’m sorry if it not sweet enough for you. I’m planning to buy some groceries later this evening. I didn’t

expect you to come here” Chaerin gave her a bashful smile.

“That’s okay. Less sugar is better they said. Anyways, where is Dara?”

“She’s visiting her parents”

“You didn’t go with her?”

“Too bad...I have some stuff to settle at school” she placed the mugs gently on the table. Madam Woo nodded her head. She

glanced at Chaerin who looked so calm but still, she could sense that Chaerin was bothered with something.

“I heard something about you”

Chaerin let out a big sigh. She didn’t expect her to come up with that question.

“About me and Kwang Soo?” she still smiled anyway.

“It gave me shock. But I don’t think the rumour is true” she composed herself, did not want to offend Chaerin.

“I was shock too! But I’m going to ignore it anyway. We can’t shut people’s mouths, right?” she spoke calmly. She was so

going to use Dara’s advice this time.

“Good to hear then. I pity you tbh. You’re still new here yet people already made up ridiculous stories about you”

“Hahaha..I can’t deny that I was enraged with it tho. Poor Dara she had to hear me babbling about it for two days” Chaerin

laughed. Madam Woo felt so relief. She hoped Chaerin was not stressed out on this matter.

“So, you’re going to town today?”

Chaerin looked at the clock on the wall. Almost 4.30PM.

“Yes, later. Come with me too! You can be my shopping partner!” she said excitedly.

Madam Woo just chuckled.

“Haha..I’m too old for that, Chaerin! Normally Jiho will buy those groceries but once he arrived home, he won’t go out again.

Haishh...That lazy-!” 

Chaerin’s smile went bigger when Jiho’s name was mentioned.

“Is it okay for me to ask you to buy some things for me?”

“Sure. No problem!”

Madam Woo replied her with a happy smile on her face.

“Wait, I will write them down. I’m quite forgetful too” she giggled.

Madam Woo joined her laugh. She had fun talking to friendly Chaerin and she was pleased to see her smiling cheerfully like

that. It looked so genuine in her eyes.

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A/N: Chaerin will meet Jiho in the next chapter! Please anticipate :D

        Thanks for the comments..! <3