Ji Eun shivered in cold. It was raining heavily in Seoul. She hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday, the day she had taken her very first step in Seoul. She has to find a job as soon as possible. The little money she had managed to steal from her appa’s wallet was enough to keep her and little sister alive for tomorrow but what’s next?

   Searching for a job is hard. Especially at an unfamiliar place.

   “Unnie.. gwaenchanna..?” Ji Hye asked, seeing Ji Eun’s lips trembling hard.

   Ji Eun barely mouth a “Ne..”

   Ji Hye was a bit more energetic as Ji Eun starved herself just to make sure Ji Hye consumes enough meal. “Unnie, wait here.” Ji Eun didn’t have much energy to stop Ji Hye so she just let her sister go. Plus, she’s seven years old already so she didn’t bother that much.

   “Omo..”

   Ji Eun’s eyes looked up to see an ahjumma with her sister trailing behind. It took all of her energy to stand up with the ahjumma kindly helping her. Then they entered a flower shop. The ahjumma gestured at them to sit at the sofa for customers. She then disappeared through the back door and came back with a tray filled with two bowls of ramyun and orange juices.

   “Ahjumma mianhae.. You two looked like you hadn’t been eating for days and the only instant thing which is fast enough to cook is this ramyun, geuronikka-“

   “Ahjumma.” Ji Eun croaked in, cutting the ahjumma. “Jeongmal kamsahamnida.”

   The ahjumma nodded slowly and produced a motherly smile. Ji Eun was stunned. Her mother used to smile like that. A motherly smile that warmed the daughter’s heart.

   “Go on eating. Don’t be shy.” The ahjumma just smiled seeing them eating. Poor girls, she thought.

   As Ji Hye was busy eating, Ji Eun noticed the ahjumma also brought a few pair of clothes. “These was once my daughter’s. I think it will suit you okay but it may be a little big for your sister. I hope you can bear with it for a little while.”

   Ji Eun pushed the clothes back. “Aniyo. It’s okay ahjumma. We wouldn’t trouble you anymore. I’m just looking for a vacancy. I’ll work and I’ll pay for the food we ate just now.” Ji Eun said  firmly.

   The ahjumma just smiled. Aigoo, exactly the same with my late daughter. "Well, actually, I need an extra hand here so if you would like to take the offer, I would be glad. You wouldn't have to trouble yourself to find another job and I don't have to go to look further for a new worker. Right?" The ahjumma could really understand how teenage girls like this were thinking. Must have been a rich daughter, judging from the way she seemed to want a proper deal.

   Ji Eun seemed to consider the deal before slowly nodding. "Alright. I'll accept it." She said firmly.

   "On one condition though."

   Ji Eun frowned a bit at the sentence. Ji Hye listened at the conversation silently.

   "You don't have any place to sleep at tonight right?"

   Ji Eun nodded slowly.

   "Then you're gonna have to spend the night here until you can afford to rent another place. Arasseo?" The ahjumma said strictly though her tone sounded soft.

   Ji Hye brightened at the thought. Ji Eun couldn't help but to accept the offer. Think about Ji Hye, Ji Eun ah..

   "Now go change your clothes. You're all wet."

   Ji Eun hesitated a little. "Ahjumma, your name?"

   "Ahh.. I forgot." She laughed to herself. "Shin Eun Seuh. You can call me Shin Ahjumma. How about you two?"

   "Annyeonghaseyo.. Park Ji Hye imnida.." Ji Hye bowed ninety degrees to Shin Ahjumma.

   "Aigoo.. you have a great manner." She patted Ji Hye's head. Ji Hye grinned.

   "Annyeonghaseyo.. Ji Eun imnida.." Ji Eun said slowly. Bowing her head.

   Shin Ahjumma smiled sweetly. "Go and rest now. It's getting late. You both should be sleeping by now."

   Ji Eun glanced at the clock hanging on the wall saying it's almost nine p.m. Shin Ahjumma's house was just upstairs of the flower shop. It was not large, of course, seeing that it's a shophouse but it was not that small either. There was two bedroom. One was obviously for Shin Ahjumma but the other had clearly shown that Shin Ahjumma had once owned a daughter. The room was girlish enough, assuming from the furnitures and the pink walls.

   "Ahh.. this was my daughter's room." Shin Ahjumma said as she noticed the look on Ji Eun's face.

   "Was..?" Ji Eun asked slowly as she helped Ji Hye climbed up the bed. She sat at the edge, watching Shin Ahjumma reminisced her moments with her daughter as she looked past the window.

   "She.. died. Last two years." Shin Ahjumma said simply and Ji Eun didn't ask further. But Ji Eun was a bit surprised, learning that her daughter passed away two years ago, the bedroom looked pristine.

   "I cleaned her room every day. She was a neat person. I'm sure she doesn't want her room to look messy."

   Obviously, Ji Eun thought. Shin Ahjumma laughed a little. She turned around and sat at the edge of the bed beside Ji Eun.

   Ji Hye's eyes were shut but Ji Eun knew she haven't slept yet. She needed Ji Eun's singing for her to sleep or else she would have nightmares.

   "Now, enough with my sappy dead daughter story. What made you come here?"

   Ji Eun took a time to memorize this Shin Ahjumma. She is one cheerful person for a lonely one. "My mother is dead." She said slowly.

   "Ahh.." was all Shin Ahjumma could say. If I went first, would my daughter be like this too? Shin Ahjumma thanked God for not letting her go first so she could take care of her daughter.

   "My father too." Ji Eun said.

   Shin Ahjumma sensed a lie in Ji Eun's words but didn't question it. "Now, go to sleep. Do you want the lights off?"

   Ji Eun shook her head. She used to like to sleep with lights off but she didn't dare to do it now. She felt so lonely.

   Shin Ahjumma nodded and disappeared silently through the door. She wanted to tuck Ji Eun to sleep but Shin Ahjumma knew more not to push Ji Eun.

   "Ji Hye ah.." Ji Eun called softly.

   Ji Hye opened her eyes immediately. "Unnie.."

   "Shall I sing you a lullaby now?"

   Ji Hye nodded and Ji Eun started to sing softly.

   Kris oppa, I'm living fairly very well in Seoul right now. I hope you would pray for me and Ji Hye's safety here. Ji Hye was very ecstatic when we arrived here ^^

   Sent.

   Ji Eun remembered the time she discovered the letter Kris left her. He left her a phone number but didn't mention whose number it was. He said to text this number when she's in trouble. That person would definitely help her. Kris's words in the letter clearly showed that it's not his number, but Ji Eun couldn't help but to think of the number as Kris's.

   Since umma's death, appa's business hadn't been going very well, and he started going home, drunk. He became very violent and started beating us. But oppa always became the 'representative'. He would take all the hittings instead of us. One day, he couldn't stand it anymore and decided to run away. He thought by his absence, appa would stop beating, and became himself again. Oppa thought appa was beating him because he looked the most like umma out of the three of us. But oppa was wrong.

   Appa started to blame Ji Hye for umma's death. Umma died shortly after she gave birth to Ji Hye. But I will always protect Ji Hye. Always.

      "Kris oppa.. andwae.. andwae.. you can't leave us.."

      "Appa.. don't be like this.. appa.. stop.. it hurts.. stop!"

   Ji Eun woke up gasping for air. She then covered her eyes from the bright sun coming through the windows. She glanced  to her right. No sign of Ji Hye.

Ji Hye! Ji Hye! Ji Eun stood up immediately and ran downstairs. She let out a long breath as she found Ji Hye watching Shin Ahjumma arranging flowers in a pretty plastic wrap.

   "Oh, unnie you're up?" Ji Hye waved at Ji Eun. Shin Ahjumma looked so engrossed in arranging the flower. Once she was done, she turned to Ji Hye, "Yeppeuji?"

   Ji Hye nodded ecstaticly. It's the first time Ji Eun saw Ji Hye smiled so.. sincerely.

   "Alright. So you're both up now, I'm gonna go and make a breakfast." She turned around to face Ji Eun stopping her.

   "Ani, gwaenchanna ahjumma."

   "Aigoo, can't you let me be happy for a little while Ji Eun ah?" Shin Ahjumma winked at Ji Eun and disappeared to the kitchen, which was just at the back. So basically, the upstairs contain two bedrooms, a small living room and a bathroom. The kitchen was down here.

   As soon as Shin Ahjumma disappeared, Ji Eun glared at Ji Hye. "Yah! How dare you just disappear like that early in the morning?! You didn't even wake me up!" That was the first time Ji Hye woke up earlier than Ji Eun.

   "I was about to wake you up, but you looked so tired.. I asked Shin Ahjumma, she said to let you rest too so-"

   "Shin Ahjumma!" A blonde haired guy entered the shop. He looked utterly surprised to have found two young girls instead. He stood still, eyes wide opened seeing Ji Eun.

   "Dugunya?" Ji Hye asked with her angelic voice, ending the awkward moment.

   Ji Eun was speechless. How could someone so hot exist like this..

   Daehyun was even more speechless. Park Ji Eun.. "I'm Daehyun oppa. How 'bout you cute girl?" He asked, although he already knew. He squatted so that he was on the same level with Ji Hye.

   "Park Ji Hye imnida. Annyeonghaseyo.." She bowed at Daehyun.

   "Aigoo.. so cute." He patted Ji Hye's head.

   Ji Eun rolled her eyes.

   "I saw that." Daehyun said and rose to his feet. He tried hard to maintain a composed face. "Do you happen to know where Shin Ahjumma is?"

   "Oh! Daehyun ah!" Shin Ahjumma appeared with a tray of breakfast. "Just in time! Come and have a breakfast with us!" She exclaimed.

   "Oh, gwaenchanna ahjumma. I was just stopping by to ask if you need me this evening." I need to get away from here as soon as possible.

   So this guy also works with ahjumma.. Ji Eun found her staring at Daehyun, who caught her. She blushed immediately.

   Shin Ahjumma served the breakfast on the coffee table, gesturing Ji Eun and Ji Hye to sit who followed obediently. "Aigoo, Daehyun, I was wondering when you will stop by just to hang out at my flower shop instead of working on anything you could do here."

   "Jinjja.. you don't have to trouble yourself ahjumma.."

   "Aigoo.. just sit down and go help yourself." Ji Eun sat beside Ji Hye while Shin Ahjumma and Daehyun on another sofa.

   Daehyun spoke after he sipped his tea, "I wonder if you need me this evening-"

   "Ani-yo.. There's nothing left for you to do.. But the little fence you made at the back there, you might need to take a look. But you don't have to rush. It still looks good. I just think you might have to fix a little bit after the next few days." Shin Ahjumma explained.

   Daehyun just nodded.

   "Oh, Daehyun ah, I think you already know, this is Ji Eun and Ji Hye. Ji Eun is my new worker." Shin Ahjumma announced.

   Daehyun nodded again, taking the chance to watch Ji Eun.

   "But ahjumma, where did you find her? She doesn't seem to be that properly dressed.." Daehyun arched an eyebrow to Shin Ahjumma.

   I.. haven't had shower. Ji Eun glared at Daehyun who smiled evilly back.

   Shin Ahjumma just laughed. "Ji Eun, this is Jung Dae Hyun. He lives not far from here. He always come and help me here at this shop to keep this lonely ahjumma a company." She laughed to herself and Daehyun just smiled.

   "Emm.. The cookies you made are so yummy ahjumma!" Ji Hye exclaimed.

   "Geurae? Manhi mogo, neh?" Shin Ahjumma smiled.

   Daehyun flashed a grin. Ji Eun found herself stunned by his beautiful smile but she shook those thoughts away immediately. "Ahjumma, thanks for this wonderful breakfast. I'd like to stay but I have some few things to do."

   "Of course." Shin Ahjumma escorted Daehyun to the flower shop front door with Ji Eun and Ji Hye trailing quietly behind. "Come and stop by later."

   "I will." Daehyun answered and disappeared after bowing to Shin Ahjumma and smiled to both Ji Eun and Ji Hye.

   "Now go shower if you don't want to be embarrassed in front of a hot guy." Shin Ahjumma said to Ji Eun. Ji Hye laughed.

   Ji Eun blushed. So Shin Ahjumma acknowledged that Daehyun is.. hot.

   It was later that afternoon Ji Eun saw a red ferrari stopped in front of the flower shop. Ji Eun stared at the car in amazement. A girl stepped out of the car. Whoah. Jinjja yeppeo. A total princess. Her body is very slim. Her skin is very fair. Her eyes are sparkling. Her hair looks expensive. Her dress is also very pretty.

   Ji Eun then looked at herself. Very.. different. She sighed to herself. The way she walked, it's like there's a red carpet in front of her.

   "Oh, Shin Ahjumma, you got yourself a pretty worker." The rich girl smiled prettily at Ji Eun, who was totally, shocked. Her voice is also very pleasant, Ji Eun slowly making a note of this girl’s awesomeness inside her head.

   "Annyeonghaseyo.." Ji Eun bowed to the girl who bowed back. She even has a good manner. So.. perfect. Ji Eun found herself drooling over the rich girl.

   "Oh, Tiffany ah," Shin Ahjumma appeared from the back door. "What were you saying just now?"

   "Ahh, your worker here is very pretty." Ji Eun blushed and continued to clean the flowers' rack.

   "Right?" Shin Ahjumma giggled to herself. "Her name is Ji Eun."

   "How did you find her?"

   Shin Ahjumma lowered her voice. "Can we have a little talk outside Tiffany?"

   "Of course." Tiffany said, following Shin Ahjumma obediently while eyeing Ji Eun who was working hard dusting off the rack.

   "I found her and her younger sister, homeless. So I asked them to stay with me." Shin Ahjumma said slowly right after they were outside the shop.

   "That's very nice of you ahjumma." Tiffany smiled. "Have they gotten into school yet?"

   "About that.. I'd like to ask for your help Tiffany." Shin Ahjumma said in guilty.

   "Ahh.. gokjeong hajima ahjumma. I'll help you for sure. Besides, I like her. If she could go to school with me, it would be nice to finally have a best friend."

   "That would be very nice. Thank you Tiffany." Shin Ahjumma held Tiffany's hand. "She has a very pretty voice.. I heard she sang her sister a lullaby last night."

   "Really?" Tiffany's eyes brightened. "That would make her easier to pass into the school. But of course, if she couldn't, I'll make sure her pass."

   Shin Ahjumma just nodded, acknowledging Tiffany's richness. "How about her younger sister?"

   "Oh, I have yet to meet her! Jinjja bogoshipeo-so! How old is she?" Tiffany eagerly asked.

   "Seven."

   "Ahh.. gwaechanna, there's a primary school at this end of the road, not far from my school too, you know that right?"

   "Of course.."

   "It's settled then!" Tiffany exclaimed. "She must be very pretty like her sister Ji Eun too right?"

   "And very smart." Shin Ahjumma added.

   "Of course." Tiffany smiled. "Oh, ahjumma, I need a bouquet of white roses. Umm, 23 pieces of them."

   "Alright."

   "In the meanwhile, I want to get to know my to-be bestfriend!" Tiffany winked at Shin Ahjumma and did a little dance as she went near Ji Eun.

   Shin Ahjumma just shook her head. Aigoo, Tiffany..

   "Hello there." Tiffany patted Ji Eun's shoulder who was trying to learn how to arrange a bouquet of flowers.

   "Annyeonghaseyo.." Ji Eun smiled an awkward smile to her. She couldn't get use to this lively atmosphere yet.

   "Aish, no need to be so formal with me, Ji Eun. Please tell me you will agree to be my best friend?" Tiffany held Ji Eun's hands tight.

   Ji Eun blinked a few times. Best friend? What’s with the sudden? She nodded slowly seeing the sparkle in Tiffany's eyes. It's the first time someone wanted to be friends with her so sincerely.

   "Jinjja?" Tiffany exclaimed. She danced a little and Ji Eun laughed. "Aigoo, mianhe. That was quite rude." She rubbed her cheek.

   "Ani-yo, it seemed like you.. really.. like to dance." Ji Eun stuttered a little. It's been a while to have a girlfriend. A nice one to be added. A pretty nice one.

   "Em, dance jinjja johahaeyo. Do you like to dance?" Tiffany asked.

   Ji Eun shooked her head. "I don't know how to dance." Tiffany's face fell a little bit. Seeing that, Ji Eun quickly said, "But, I would be glad if you are willing to teach me."

   "Wah, jinjja?" Tiffany exclaimed again. "Of course I will!"

   She is very cheerful.

   "Tiffany ah! Your flower's done." Shin Ahjumma shouted from behind the counter.

   "Neh!" Tiffany shouted back. "I'll go first Ji Eun. We'll meet again later. Goodbye!"

   "Neh.. goodbye.."

   As soon as Tiffany's car drifted off from sight, Ji Eun literally ran towards Shin Ahjumma.

   "Who-"

   "She was my late daughter's best friend." Shin Ahjumma cut in, without taking her eyes off the monitor on the counter.

   "Ahh.."

   Shin Ahjumma suddenly looked up with a glint in her eyes. "Come! We have some shopping to do!" She exclaimed.

   Ji Eun appeared blank. "Shopping..?" She mumbled as Shin Ahjumma dragged her hands and went blabbering about how she always liked to buy school things for her daughter.