Note: First (mini) couple argument in this series!

“Ah, geurae? Arasseo, oppa.” Jihyo said to the phone. “Ne…” She ended the call with Jaesuk. Keia came in with Gary and immediately jumped up and down the bed.

“Eomma, eomma…” Keia said, excited. Jihyo looked at her and smiled, reaching towards Keia. “We’re going to go to the theme park tomorrow right?” She asked, not giving Jihyo time to reply. “I’m gonna ride everything there! And you and appa have to come too!” She said. Instead of replying, Jihyo just laughed, holding Keia down and blowing kisses on her cheeks. Gary smiled and sat next to Jihyo.

“Ok, time for you to sleep.” Gary said, grabbing Keia’s feet and putting her in place. Jihyo laughed, tucking her under their blanket.

“Eomma, stay here. Here.” Keia pointed to her left. “Appa here.” She said, pointing to her right. Her parents laughed, but sat where they were told to.

“Is there any more requests, princess?” Jihyo asked, being sarcastic. Keia giggled and held onto Gary. “Jalja…” Jihyo said, and the two each left Keia a kiss on her cheeks.

“Saranghae.” Keia whispered, closing her eyes. “I’m sure tomorrow’s gonna be a fun day.” And she drifted to bed. After a while, Jihyo checked on Keia to make sure she’s fully asleep and then looked at Gary.

“Oppa… I don’t think I can make it tomorrow.” Jihyo said silently. Gary looked serious, not knowing what to say. They had cleared up their schedule so that they could go with Keia. Keia was looking forward to this too. It killed the both of them to have to break it to Keia in the morning. Keia had been excited the whole day. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow to arrive. They had promised Keia to go for a couple of weeks. Knowing that her parents were always busy, she knew this was a rare opportunity. Gary stayed silent, looking at his phone. Jihyo sighed and left to take a shower. She had just came back from a photoshoot.

Shower gave her a short break. A time to herself. She kept thinking about tomorrow and guilt kept haunting her. It wasn’t easy to find a weekday where the two could take Keia to the theme park. She felt bad for Gary too. He had been busy with showcases, and now she couldn’t even make it. She came out and Gary looked up from his phone.

“What are we gonna tell her?” He said, his tone plain. The two stayed silent, looking at their daughter for a while.

“I can’t say no to this, oppa.” Jihyo said, knowing that it was what Gary was actually hinting at. Gary then stood up and went outside, knowing that Jihyo would follow. Jihyo let out the breath she had been holding in and followed him outside, checking on Keia once more before shutting the door.

“You know how much she’s been waiting for tomorrow.” Gary said, disappointment was written in his eyes. “She even mentioned it before bed, and you looked her in the eyes without even feeling guilty about it?” He asked her. Keia squirmed in her sleep, hearing voices from outside the room. She opened her eyes and there was no one next to her. She got down from the bed and opened the door.

“Of course I feel bad, oppa. What are you saying?” Jihyo asked, remaining calm.

“Then what happened? You were free until you came home?” Gary asked, starting to raise his voice.

“Jaesuk oppa called while you two were outside. He asked for a favor, it’s very last minute, and he doesn’t know that we have something planned tomorrow.” Jihyo said. “I couldn’t say no either, oppa.”

“What are you even doing?” Gary asked Jihyo, shouting in his whispers. Keia looked surprised, but stayed silent by the doorway, suppressing her tears.

“Jaesuk oppa needs help running a charity with 25 orphan kids. Am I supposed to say no to that?” Jihyo said, starting to raise her voice as well. “Do you think I don’t feel bad for canceling? Can’t you tell that I didn’t say yes to her earlier because it breaks me?”

By then, Keia can’t stand the sight of her parents fighting and cried loudly. Both Gary and Jihyo were shocked to see Keia awake. They turned to each other, both knowing that it was their fault. They immediately changed their expressions.

“Did we wake you up?” Jihyo asked.

“Ah, mian, mian.” Gary said. He stood up and Jihyo followed behind him. Putting her hand behind his back. The two calmed down, they knew they had to put Keia to bed first, and think about it after. They knew arguing wouldn’t produce a solution, and hearing the reason, Gary understood as well. Gary lifted Keia up and brought her inside.

“Appa…” Keia cried, unable to calm down. As soon as Gary put her down, she started hitting him around. Jihyo grabbed her hands, stopping her from hitting Gary.

“She must’ve heard something.” Gary said. “She never liked it when I raise my voice. She knows something is up.” He whispered to Jihyo. Jihyo turned to see Keia. She continued crying, her face red, her eyes as well. Jihyo hovered over her, leaning her head on Gary’s arm.

“Eomma and appa woke you up…” Jihyo said, acknowledging it. Keia nodded, rolli