Nina sighed for the umpteenth time that day. So many things were running inside her head and it was beginning to make her dizzy. Sipping the cup of coffee she had in her hand, her eyes wandered to the glass sliding door where it faced the beautiful beach. She made her way over, silently sliding the door open and stepped out, immediately welcomed by the cool sea breeze. Nina stepped closer towards a garden table placed on the veranda and took a seat, running her right palm up and down her left arm to warm herself up.

        The sight of the waves crashing down onto the sea and the cries of the birds in the sky eased her mind. That is what she loved about this beach house. It was peaceful to her messed up mind and the scene was breathtaking. So is the owner, a voice whispered inside her head and she shook her head softly, smiling shyly at her own thoughts.

        She was so lost in her own world that she failed to hear the sliding door open and footsteps coming closer towards her. Only when she felt a hand on her shoulder did she turn with a jump and smiled at the sight of Mrs. Wu. "What are you doing out here wearing only a T-shirt and jeans, dear?" she asked as she slid onto the chair next to her.

        Nina looked down at what she was wearing and smiled. Indeed, she only had on her plain white baby-T matched with her denim jeans while Mrs. Wu had a grey cardigan covering her T-shirt and black trousers to match it. Despite her simple dress up, she still looked elegant. "I was just... enjoying the breeze," she answered with a soft smile.

        "I can see that. But I'd surely prefer not having to call Minseok over again to treat another patient." Mrs. Wu chuckled. "Aren't you cold?"

        Nina shuddered. "A little bit. But I just wanted to sit out here for a while. Didn't plan to stay long actually," she assured the elder. "Why are you here, Mrs. Wu? I'm pretty sure you were inside giggling on the phone earlier," she teased. Nina was now free to joke around with the elder since they had bonded a lot during her stay. She laughed when the elder blushed and pretended to hit her.

        "Aigoo~ teasing an elder." Mrs. Wu chuckled and leaned back in her chair. 

        "Sorry, Mrs. Wu."

        Mrs. Wu turned to her with a soft smile and said, "Mom."

        "Pardon?"

        "Mom. Call me mom, Nina."

        Nina was taken aback by the sudden request. It's not like she hated it, but rather she felt guilty of calling her that. I'm not his real girlfriend. Nina, what are you doing to a poor innocent lady? Mrs. Wu mistook her silence and disappointment immediately flashed through her face. "You don't have to if you don't want to, Nina. I-"

        "No, it's not that." Nina quickly said. "It's just..." she couldn't find her words. She wanted to call her 'mom' since she's the second closest she has as a mother figure aside from her stepmother, but the guilt was eating her up inside. What do I do? Looking back up to her, Nina's heart softened and she reached for her delicate hands. "I'm just surprised, mom."

        Mrs. Wu then yanked the younger into her arms, awkwardly hugging her since they were sitting slightly apart, but nevertheless Nina felt the warmth and she melted into the hug. When they pulled away, the elder kissed her forehead tenderly, earning a smile for her.

        "Thank you," she said as she pulled away, keeping their hands connected.

        Nina frowned. "For what?"

        "For everything. For being here for Kris, for coming back when he's so...." Mrs. Wu sighed and gently rubbed their hands together. "He couldn't sleep well nor did he have any appetite since you left. He said you guys somewhat had a fight and he didn't know if you were coming back." Nina looked down, feeling guilty yet her heart beats crazily inside of her chest. "I was worried about him," Mrs. Wu continued. "He was lifeless. I can tell that he was stressed with all the work and at the same time depressed that you left."

        "Mom-"

        "Let me finish, sweetheart," she smiled gently. "I was worried that you'll never come back. Not only for the sake of Kris, but also mine. I've grown so fond of you, Nina, that I can't bear it if my own son ever hurts you. As you know, I don't have a daughter and having you around warms my heart."

        "It maybe too much to ask but Kris is not a perfect guy - none of us are. So I ask you to stay with him despite his faults and learn to love him more just the way he is. He's a lonely boy, that son of mine, and I'm more than thankful to see him smiling like this with you. Stay by his side and shower him with all the love that he deserves. Can you do that?"

        Nina felt her heart swell with her request. We're not really together, she wanted to say. I'm just doing him a favor after what I did pn his wedding day. Although I'd do it again if I'm given the chan- What am I thinking? Aigoo Nina, wake up! You're just here to act!

        "Nina? Can you do that for me?" Looking into the eyes of a mother pleading for the happiness of her only son melted her and she soon found herself nodding at her request.

        "I'll be right here, mom. Always."

        Kris woke up from his nap feeling better than he did the night before. However, he couldn't compare it to the morning he woke up to find Nina sleeping peacefully by his side. He thought he had been dreaming for sure but when he moved his finger on her delicate cheeks, she softly moaned in her sleep, causing his eyes to widened in surprise. He then continued watching her sleep for a while before she finally woke up, and seeing her eyes open had brought him happiness.

        He sat up and looked around his room, hoping to see a certain someone and slumped in defeat when he didn't. Slowly standing up, Kris made his way to the bathroom and freshened up before making his way downstairs. A warm smell of something baking made his stomach growl in hunger and he followed it to the kitchen where he found Nina standing by the kitchen counter, her back to him. Slowly and silently, Kris made his way to her and without thinking, wrapped his arms around her thin waist.

        She jumped at the contact and tried to turn but Kris held her firmly in his arms and rested his chin on her shoulder. Nina froze at that, wondering what was up with him but she couldn't help but feel giddy inside. Butterflies set in her stomach as the seconds pass and she started to melt in his arms. Very slowly, Nina leaned back in his touch and rested her head against his shoulder, unaware of the smile on his lips as she did so. She placed down the butter knife she had in her hands and simply placed her hands on the counter, not knowing where to put them.

        "You stayed." Kris whispered, causing a shiver down her spine with his voice.

        "I told you I would, didn't I?" she whispered back with a smile on her face.

        "You did. And I'm glad you're here."

        Nina smiled bashfully at this and thanked the Lord that he couldn't see her face. But Kris could somehow read her and knew that she was blushing at his words. Smiling, Kris tightened his arms around her waist, causing her to yelp in surprise.

        "Kris-"

        "Thank you."

        Silence. With Kris still holding onto her, she felt her heart beating so fast that she was going to faint but she worries that Kris might be able to hear it. When she felt Kris moving his chin, she let out a silent breath of relief only to feel her heart stop for a second when Kris leaned his head entirely on her shoulder, his face hidden at the side of her neck. Feeling his soft breathing against her skin caused shivers down her spin and Nina struggled to calm herself.

        "What are you baking?" Kris asked, still whispering. His breath hits her neck as he spoke and Nina knew she was about to faint soon.

        "C-Chocolate r-rolls." she replied quietly, hoping that he couldn't hear her stuttering. Which is impossible. "Uh... how are you feeling, by the way?" she asked, hoping that he'd move his head and allow her to breathe.

        Thankfully he did but only to return to his previous position, placing his chin on her shoulder. "I feel better than last night. I felt like I was hit by a truck," he replied, unconciously sounding like he was whining to her.

        Nina couldn't help but to laugh softly at that. "You were pretty sick," she commented.

        "Yeah. It's been a while so I guess my body just gives in to the sickness."'

        "Hmmm..."

        Not knowing what else to say, Nina could only nod and stayed still as Kris continued to hold her from behind.They stayed in this position for almost three minutes before the timer on the oven decided to ruin their moment and he reluctantly let her go. Still blushing, Nina hurried to the oven and took the chance to breathe and calm her rapidly beating heart. She took out the rolls she had baked and set it to the side, letting the aroma waltz in the air. Kris stepped beside her and she jumped in surprise.

        "Why are you so jumpy?" he asked, sounding quite amused.

        "I'm just surprised, that's all. You move too silently for my liking," she defended herself. She pretended to make herself busy with the rolls in order to avoid looking at him.

        Kris chuckled. "I'm taking that as a compliment."

        When Nina turned to him, he had a smile on his face and his eyes seemed to shine brightly compared to the times she'd ever seen him. She absentmindedly approached him and reached out to his right cheek, surprising both of them. She was about to pull back but Kris stopped her and held the hand that was on his face and stared into her eyes.

        "You should smile often," Nina whispered, seemingly in daze as she stared into his brown orbs. "You look really handsome when you smile."

        "Do I?" Kris asked in a whisper, his question sounded neither arrogant nor proud. He was genuinely curious. 

        Nina nodded. Silence engulfed between the both of them as they continued to stare into each other's eyes, very much lost in their own worlds. Various emotions swam in them, pulling them in closer, and when they do, Kris leaned down and captured her lips into a soft kiss.

Updated as promise! Hi minions!! How are you guys?? You guys doing okay? Tell me you're still alive lol. Anyways, welcome to my new subbies! I'm so happy you guys subscribed and commented on TWB! You are now in my shrine, minions! hahahaha... I hope you like my new update. I don't know what I just wrote though -_-"

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