Besides intruding on his private grounds he really didn't like Eun Bi talking about Soo Ae.

"Yes, someone very important. Can you go?"

"Do you volunteer somewhere?" She asked. "Can I come along sometime?" 

"I'm tired, can you leave?" 

Eun Bi stared at him before complying, "All right then. Rest up. I'll make something good to energize you in the morning."

As she started toward the door he turned, "Eun Bi." 

She turned around anticipating him to say something nice. Her eyes protruded as she waited with expectation. 

"You," he started, "know we're just friends, right? Whatever mom says, I'll figure out who I want to marry on my own. Don’t pin any hopes on me, so while you're here lets just live comfortably." 

"Sure," she offered a smile before closing the door after her. 

Sehun stared at the door, as if to make sure she wouldn't waltz back in then turned to stare at the drawings from Soo Ae he prized. 

*****

"Mommy," Soo Ae flipped onto her side so that she could look at her mom. 

"Mm?" Namjoo moaned sleepily. 

"Do you like Uncle Se-Se?" 

Namjoo's lids opened. In the dark of their room the only light came through the narrow window. The shadows of the window frames landed on the blanket at their feet. A light penetrated on Soo Ae's face, but not clear enough for her to make out her daughter's distinct features.

Unlike her, Soo Ae possessed sharp cheekbones and a narrow chin. Her eyes were narrow and long, not big and round like hers. If anyone were to say anything, they'd say her daughter didn't look like her at all. Namjoo knew she'd be uncomfortable with such comment and she wondered if Soo Ae would ever realize she wasn't her biological mother and if she would hurt when she realized the truth.  

"Go to sleep, Soo Ae," Namjoo adjusted the blanket over her and patted her back comfortingly, just the way she used to when Soo Ae was a baby.

On those nights Soo Ae had been unfamiliar with this person that had taken her in. Namjoo had had a hard time and wondered, at a point, if she knew what she was doing. Eventually, Soo Ae began clinging onto her and Namjoo never felt so wonderful. When she heard that word "Mommy" she wanted to cry, she was so touched, reborn as a human. Someone loved and needed her existence. Namjoo had never felt so thankful for being alive.       

"You said you dated him."

"That was a long time ago."

"So it's not the same? You don't like him again?"

"The only one I like is right here," Namjoo tightened her arm around Soo Ae and shook her. 

Soo Ae giggled and laughed. 

"My girl is so big now." Namjoo placed a round of kisses on her face to her heart's content.

She'd long promised that she'd shower all her love on this beauty. She'd give Soo Ae everything.    
 
"I'm still your baby!" 

Namjoo shook her again and felt Soo Ae's hair brush her face. 

"But mommy, I like you and Uncle Se-Se," Soo Ae went on. "Do you think he likes you too? He always comes to see us and he always buys your favorite food."

"Enough Soo Ae," Namjoo called. "If you don't sleep now you won't be able to wake up in the morning and if you can't wake up in the morning mommy's going to be late for work and if she's late for work she's going to be in trouble."

Soo Ae whined before wrapping her tiny arm around her. 

Namjoo didn't like the thought of embellishing into any kind of relationship. She'd already strayed so far from the line of innocence and purity that if she ever got with anyone, she'd just stain their pride and reputation. In the months when Soo Ae was still a baby she'd done her worst just so the little baby could live. Those memories were far locked away in the corner of her mind and she'd promised herself never to get involved with anyone. 

Though Sehun had once known her as a wild person, she'd done even worse after raising Soo Ae. She was so far from the person he retained in memory. If her daughter knew...if anyone else ever found out the things she'd done she didn't know how she would ever have courage to confront the world. She was embarrassed and ashamed and even hated herself for a long time. No matter how many times a day she showered, she never once felt clean.           

So long as her past remained she'd never forgive herself. All she wanted was for Soo Ae to grow up well.  

*****

"Is there a girl Sehun likes?" Eun Bi questioned the next morning. 

His mother turned to her abruptly, taken aback by what she'd just heard. 

"No!" She denied flatly. "I wouldn't allow it anyway. Why would you think that?" 

"I feel like he's giving me the cold shoulder lately." 

"That boy," his mother grumbled. "Just you wait. I'll talk some sense into him." Turning to Eun Bi she smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry about Sehun. He's just one of those boys who likes being mean to the girl he likes." 

"Do you know if Sehun visits an orphanage or volunteers there?" Eun Bi wondered. 

"Why?" Sehun's mother returned her attention to scrubbing the dishes in the sink so that they were as clean as the waxed floors.  

"He has a kid's drawings on his wall," Eun Bi explained. "If he does, I want to do it with him too. I want to connect with him. Maybe he feels distant with me. Ever since he started university he's always studying or off with the guys somewhere, he's never made time for me."

"A child?" His mother frowned. "Definitely not. I don't even know what he's up to these days." 

Eun Bi processed her words into thought, "Then you really don't know who he's been meeting up with in the evenings?" 

"Well, I'm sure he's busy too. He got right to working after graduating. I'm sure it's not easy for him." 

"How come I feel like he's been meeting up with someone lately," Eun Bi commented.  

Growing up with Sehun had given her the ability to read his emotions even when he didn't say anything. Most of the time she was right on the dot. The strange vibe she'd been getting from him lately gave her much suspicion. Business, was all he said, but what business exactly? For all she was aware of, even Chanyeol didn't have much business outside of work.  

That left her to believe Sehun was hiding something and it bothered her. She thought about those pictures on his wall and felt even more bothered. The insecurity it showered her was an unsettling feeling that settled in the deep pits of her stomach. Until she found the answer she wouldn't stop think about it.  

What person, besides family and teachers, posted up children's drawings like that?  

"He seems to like that child a lot or why else put up their drawings like that?"

Everyone knew she liked Sehun ever since he'd said he'd married her when they were young; because she liked him, she wanted to know everything about him. She believed Sehun still liked her, it was just he'd forgotten his feelings and she'd work hard to make him remember them.  

"You're just thinking too much," his mother tried. "Who else would Sehun have time for if it's not you? I already told you, you're the only one I approve of."

Eun Bi couldn’t help but smile happily. Of course, who else but her could be beside Sehun in the future? 

"Mom, do you know what time Sehun usually gets off work?"

*****

The women in his household were all of the same possessive type. His mother had practically forced him to down all the food Eun Bi had cooked that morning, disallowing him to leave till the table was clear. Eun Bi had even forced him to promise that he would be home for dinner. He was in his worst state right now, suffering from indigestion from eating so fast. Grabbing his phone as soon as he escaped the house he impatiently dialed and waited for Namjoo to pick up. 

"What is it?" She sounded like she was panting. 

"You didn't leave yet, did you?" 

"We're almost out the door." Namjoo replied then called back, "Soo Ae hurry up." 

"Don't leave yet," Sehun groaned into the phone. 

"Why?" Namjoo asked impatient herself. "Go on to work. Don't come here. We're heading toward the bus stop." 

"My stomach really hurts. Can you bring me some medicine?"

He heard Namjoo let out a groan, "Where are you? I'm going to be late for work." 

Sehun chuckled painfully into the phone, "Why worry about that when you have me?" 

"Sehun, really." 

"I will speed you to work, don't worry." He promised. "Bring me some medicine, huh? My stomach's really killing me." 

"I'm giving you five minutes," Namjoo answered and hung up. 

When he drove up to the curb almost six minutes later he saw Namjoo holding Soo Ae's hand by the walk. As always, Soo Ae only seemed to be the one ecstatic to see him, waving and jumping about with that grin. 

Pulling open the door Namjoo buckled Soo Ae into the backseat before sliding into the seat beside him. 

"Here," Namjoo held out a bottle of pills to him and unscrewed a water bottle. "Why are you sweating like that?" 

"I told you," he repeated himself, "stomach hurts."

"Why would your stomach hurt in the morning? Did you eat something spicy?" Namjoo asked handing him the water bottle. 

"You'd laugh if you knew." He muttered throwing the pills into his mouth and swallowed them along with the water. 

"Shouldn't you have someone like your mother give you medicine then?"

Placing the water bottle into the cup holder he immediately drove off, "If you're that curious, go live in my house then." 

"I want to visit Uncle Se-Se's house!" Soo Ae exclaimed from the back seat. 

"We aren't going there." Namjoo held her stance. 

"Aww...why? I want to see Uncle Se-Se's mom and dad." Soo Ae said. 

Pulling on a smile Sehun promised, "Next time, Soo Ae. I'll take you to my house for sure."

"What are you talking about?" Namjoo shot him an eye full. "Soo Ae is not coming to your house." 

"Why are you worried about it?" Sehun wondered. "If she wants to then she can, not like you have to tag along." 

Namjoo narrowed her eyes at him and victoriously laughing held his hand back for Soo Ae to give him a high-five.

"Why argue when you know Soo Ae's here?" Sehun wondered. 

He could spot irritation creeping onto her face the exact same way when they were younger. Lines would crease her forehead as she drew her brows together and lips would become a stiff line, her eyes threatening to glare.  

"One of these days you're going to have to stop coming by," Namjoo said staring out of the window. "I didn't come here for you to serve us."  

"Serve?" He repeated with a slight laugh. "Why do you make it sound so bad?"  

"I'm serious," she turned to look at him.

"I already said it's because I want to see Soo Ae."  

He caught Namjoo looking back through the corner of her eyes before saying, "Of course, but not everyday like this. You're not family, so it's different. Go home every few nights to have dinner with your family. Your parents would want to see your face instead of you going home after they're already sleeping." 

When he pulled up to the salon Namjoo immediately pulled off her seatbelt. 

"I'll pick Soo Ae up from daycare. Thanks for the ride." Was all she said before closing the door.

"Your mother's stingy," Sehun commented as he watched Namjoo walk into the salon, throw a smile onto her face while greeting her co-workers. 

As he drove forward his eyes shot toward the rearview mirror to watch the salon disappear into the distance.  

"Uncle Se-Se," Soo Ae called out, "is it true that you used to date my mommy?"  

Sehun felt his brows shoot up in surprise.  

"Mommy said it to Tao Tao yesterday."

"Yes, your mom used to be my girlfriend. Is it interesting?" Sehun replied.  

"Really?!" There was excitement in the young girl's voice. "Then do you still like mommy?"

Chuckling he said, "No. We're just friends."  

"Really?" This time she sounded somewhat disappointed. "Mommy said she doesn't like you."  

Sehun felt like turning around to look at the little girl.  

"She did?"  

"Well she wouldn't answer me, but I'll take it as she doesn't." Soo Ae giggled.  

Sehun released a baffled laugh, uncertain whether Soo Ae meant it or not. He'd thought he and Namjoo were on good terms, but did Namjoo find something unlikable about him?

When he walked out of work that late afternoon he discovered Eun Bi waiting for him in the lobby. The first thing that popped up into his mind was to heave a sigh before walking toward her.  

"What are you doing here?" He wondered.  

She turned to him after looking around, "So this is where you work? It's neat. You must get paid a lot."  

"Go home, I'm about to leave."  

Eun Bi quickly stepped in front of him, "Then lets go together."  

"I have things to attend to."  

"Is it urgent?"  

Sehun couldn't find the words to answer. He couldn’t speak about the daycare or the salon or Namjoo's apartment. For some reason he didn't want her to know.  

Smiling as if she'd won she said, "Lets go home. Mom is waiting. You said you'd eat at home tonight."

He bit down on his tongue and felt her grab his arm to drag him out.  

"Look who's finally here for once," his mother commented when he walked into the kitchen and smiled at Eun Bi. "And it's all because of our daughter-in-law."

Tired of her daughter-in-law talk Sehun gave up and plopped down at the table. He didn't want to fight against them because two against one didn't sound very likely. As they worked their way to fill up the table he knew they'd have their way. No matter how much his mom and Eun Bi chatted his eyes kept darting toward the clock.  

*****

Namjoo had to admit she was a little surprised Sehun hadn't picked Soo Ae up from the daycare. It felt too quiet as they made their way home. Usually she'd hear Soo Ae and Sehun joking around, gaining up on her, or talking about how they'd play before dinner. As if to slow down time she'd walked Soo Ae to a store and bought her ice cream before walking the rest of the way home. Out of the corner of her mind she recalled Sehun handing her ice cream so that she, too, could eat alongside Soo Ae. 

No one was standing in front of the door when they reached home and she didn't sight Sehun's car in the lot. He would have come, she thought, with bags in his hand ready to call for Soo Ae. And while preparing dinner she felt less life in the apartment. All the noise that came from the next room was Soo Ae quietly dressing and redressing her dolls. She couldn't help but feel like Soo Ae was just as bored, but refused to say anything. 

"What are you doing Soo Ae?" Namjoo called out. 

"I'm taking Momo shopping." 

"You are?" Namjoo asked. "And what are you going to buy?" 

"A dog." 

"A dog?" 
 
"So that Momo can have someone to play with. Mom, can I buy another doll? I feel like Momo needs a family." 

Namjoo stopped chopping and looked up to see Soo Ae taking her doll around the dollhouse. Her lone figure in the next room looked lonely and sad. 

After setting the table Soo Ae finally asked what she'd been curious about the whole time. 

"Are we not waiting for Uncle Sehun?"

"I don't think he's coming," Namjoo reached out to her hair. "Tonight lets eat on our own. Ok?" 

"Mommy, don't you think it's lonely without him?" Soo Ae asked only holding her spoon without eating. 

"No," Namjoo replied, "I have you, so it's not a bit lonely." 

As she smiled to urge Soo Ae to eat she still found her eyes lingering toward the door.