16 | Sleep Over

 

 

 

 

 

[Kim Residence]

 

 

"I'm home!"

 

It was as if it's the familiar voice he has been waiting to arrive, to fill the living room, 4 year old Daniel Kim excitedly jumps off of the couch and dashes to the door instantly. 

 

"Did you buy my favorite sweet corn?" Like an instinct, He wanna know immediately if his favorite was granted.

 

Taeyeon smiled genuinely to the little one in the house. Crouch down, she showed the paper bag but only to point on her cheeks as well. "Can I receive my kiss first?"

 

Without a doubt, Daniel leaned in and kissed the older's cheeks. He received his sweet corn, along with his sweet smile. "Thank you, Auntie. You're really the best." But to his dismay, he also noticed another person behind her, he instantly bowed to the latter as a sign of respect. "Good evening."

 

"Oh, almost forgot. Daniel, Meet Sunny Noona. Lee Sunny. She's your Aunt's friend." Taeyeon quickly introduced.

 

"A new friend?"

 

"Hmm, nope. An old friend."

 

"But I think I haven't seen her, Auntie." Daniel innocently uttered. He can't remember either if he had seen her from somewhere.

 

Sunny and Taeyeon eyed each other - just to let out a soft chuckle. Then they turned to the young boy,

 

"I haven't honestly introduce her to you because you know Auntie is busy, right?" Taeyeon smiled, as she explained. "But she's really an old friend. We've been contacting each other ever since we know each other..."

 

"Ah... I see." Daniel flashed a bright smile to Sunny. "Nice to meet you, Noona~ Welcome to Kim Residence~"

 

Sunny can't hold her feelings and crouch down. She was calm, outside - yet inside, her heart is damn beating fast. She was definitely happy to see him back. After four years, this is how Seohyun's other son is likely now. Just like the Daniel Seo, he look so cute and adorable. The dimple on his left cheek, chubby cheeks, fine lips, pointy nose, big brown eyes, the mole on his left shoulder, and his little eye bugs underneath, it all reminds her of his mother. She reach for his hair, she runs her finger there - convincing herself that the delicate hair were also like Seohyun's. She was definitely convinced it's Seohyun's son. It felt so amazing to have seen him back this big now. Cupping his cheeks, Sunny bit her lower lip, trying to hold back her tears. And she did it. However, she can't help but pull him for a hug. A tight hug. A hug that means so much for her. Slightly an apologetic hug for the kid. For making him believe he has no more mother. The guilt inside is seriously killing her. She so wanted to tell Seohyun already. But there was a fear in the other side of her. What if Seohyun will hate her forever? Just like what she is doing to Yul? She's scared to see how will she react. Thus, she needed to tell her no matter what. And that will be in the right time.

 

Daniel innocently looked up to Taeyeon, as if asking to her what is happening to the Noona, hugging him. Taeyeon simply smiled and gestures him to just stay still. He nodded and waited only. Until the Noona had pulled back, he frowned to see her creating tears. He hurriedly put the paper bag down and reach for her cheeks to wipe the tears. 

 

"Are you Okay, Noona?" His voice sounded concerned.

 

Sunny chuckled, holding his hands on her cheeks in place. Yet, she didn't missed and nodded to confirm it to the kid. She kissed his small palms and kissed his cheeks as well. Daniel couldn't help it and giggle. Sunny finally calmed down after a few seconds and pulled back, fixing his sleeveless shirt.

 

"Um, Nice to meet you too, Daniel. You're so adorable just like your Auntie was saying." She said with small smile.

 

"Wait, for your information Noona - Daniel is not my real name." The young boy corrected.

 

"Huh?" Sunny creased her eyebrows in confusions. She looked up to Taeyeon, the latter simply gestures to continue listen to the kid. When she looked back at him,  he smiled and spoke up.

 

"Since you're Auntie's friend, I'd like you to call me with my real name... Paul Kim." He smiled, proudly.

 

"Basically, Daniel is just a pet name. My brother has been in love with Harry Potter's real name... So most of the time, he call him as Daniel." Taeyeon explained.

 

"Damn, all this time I thought you named him as Daniel also!" Sunny can't take it and cursed instantly. She was literally stunned.

 

"Hmm?" The young boy innocently raised his brows.

 

"Oh, Paul, can you go to your play ground? Auntie and her friend will have a talk first." Hurriedly, Taeyeon ask Daniel, who's real name is honestly Paul Kim.

 

Obediently, Paul bowed to Sunny then got his sweet corn before leaving them by the door. Sunny stood up and was about to speak when Taeyeon took her hand and dragged her gently to the nearest couch.

 

"Wait there. I'll show you something I haven't shared." Taeyeon instructed, as she left Sunny.

 

A sigh was heard from Sunny herself, as she looked around the living room. The place ain't that big, just enough for two persons to live. She noticed a picture frame of a child in the corner, next to a teddy bear stuff toy, a smile creeps across her face, recalling that moment she first saw Paul after being born. She barely could believe he will grow up like Daniel as well. But she definitely noticed, Paul is so behave. Something that is so different from Daniel Seo. That part made her let out a little snicker.

 

"I'm going to like Paul as well." She announced, more on herself. Upon hearing faint voices outside, she got up and took a peek outside, through a sliding glass door. She caught the sight of the young boy, alone, eating his sweet corn. Yet, she noticed, she was watching an educational show through a laptop before him, on top of a table that just about his height. "Oh, I thought I can see him playing. He seems enjoying the video instead." she felt happy and proud, watching him enjoying an educational show.

 

There wasn't a moment after, Taeyeon went back with a brown envelope. She saw Sunny was watching Paul outside. Consequently, she also followed and took a peek as well.

 

"My bro sent him to a nursery. So basically, he do that every Sunday night. You know, to prepare himself for the next day."

 

Sunny turned to face Taeyeon. "You mentioned he meet Yul, right? So he was with his father in Jeju?" 

 

"Yup. For a one week of stay. I didn't expect to have heard a story of my brother about him, meeting a Kwon."

 

"So Yul didn't just went there for a business trip?" Sunny frowned to learn it.

 

"According to my brother's story, he had always caught him alone. Paul who has nothing to do, always spend his time with Yul there"

 

"I thought he's engage?"

 

"Guess? It's an arrange marriage. And probably, Yul doesn't like it. Um, on another topic... come to the living room." Taeyeon ushered Sunny to come with her, who casually complied. Once they were settle down, she opened the envelope and showed the files that she hasn't shared ever since they took the other son.

 

Sunny took her time understanding everything, until she made sure it was the right time to react. "Okay, so in other words, Mr. and Mrs. Seo never let you and your brother adopted him. Just for his sake, you called him Kim as a surname, so he won't be asking why he is 'Paul Seo.'" Apparently, the files he was reading is a legal document about Paul, and giving him a surname of Seo instead of Kim.

 

"Yeah. My brother at first doesn't like the idea because he really wanted to adopt him... but you know how powerful can Seohyun's parents be - so he has no choice. At least, Paul is with him." Taeyeon further explained.

 

"So if Seohyun will decide to take her son, she can do it?" Sunny got a little hope for the situation. She thought Paul was already adopted.

 

"Hmm, of course. But that depends on my brother. He is the legal guardian - Mr. and Mrs. Seo grant him that. It depends on him if he'll give Paul to Seohyun or not."

 

"Aigoo, this is so hard." Sunny sighed, not feeling the situation again. She give the envelope back and looked outside again. There was Seohyun's son, still too oblivious with his real surname and his mother is still alive. Not to mention, the Kwon he meet in Jeju was his real father. "Seohyun will definitely not going to take this easy. I know her well... if someone she trusted will turn her down."

 

Taeyeon reached for Sunny's hand, squeezing it for a comfort. "No worries, it wasn't only you. Seohyun trusted me, and I have been breaking it."

 

"We should tell her together."

 

"In the right time. For now, let's take it slow. Let's take it really slow, until we know she's ready to accept all of these."

 

Sunny looked down to their hands, sighing but smiling afterwards. At least, it wasn't only her. It's her and Taeyeon. She gives her a pat then turned again to Paul outside. She giggles quietly, as she realized, Paul was copying the actions on his laptop.

 

"He's so adorable."

 

"Yeah, and really... he behave well."

 

"Daniel is like a mix of  Yul and Seohyun's version, but this kid... he totally posses his mother."

 

"I know right?"

 

"Aww... I don't want to see him hurting as well."

 

"We are not going to do that."

 

"That's a promise?"

 

"Absolutely." Taeyeon reassuringly answered, flashing such a charming smile. "By the way, I got one trivia about him."

 

"Hmm?"

 

"I've mentioned, Yul meet him, right?"

 

"Yes."

 

Taeyeon had a quirky smile. "Just like Danny, he doesn't trust anyone that easy. Yul thought Daniel is his real name. He never told his real name because he doesn't trust him quickly."

 

"B-But he... ask me to call him Paul? How's that?" Sunny got confused.

 

"He saw you tonight with me. That means, I trust you. In an instant, he would trust you as well. So he ask you to call him like that. Unlike Yul, he was a total stranger. Though he find him really friendly."

 

"Oh, totally opposite with Daniel."

 

"Exactly."

 

Both girls let out a soft chuckle, as they enjoy more of their conversation.

 

 

 

 

[Im Mansion]

 

 

"Aigoo, Finally we are here." Unlike the last time, Yoona brought Daniel with her. That was after she learned Sunny isn't at home. She wanted to call her that she's with Daniel already, ready to drop him, but she change her mind, thinking that the girl must be so busy. So she end up bringing Seohyun's son in the mansion. 

 

Expectantly, Daniel woke up, yawning big time, along with his arms being stretch in the air. He turned to Yoona and flashed her a quick smile. "Daddy took care of me?"

 

"What do you think of me, your Nanny? Of course I did not!" Yoona joked, giggling.

 

An instant pout appeared in Daniel's face. He looked away, and looked outside. Only then he realized, they're not in front of his and his mother's apartment. "Wow. Where are we, Daddy? Is this a palace or hotel? Omo! or are we in the President's place?" He got all excited when he saw how big was the house outside.

 

Yoona didn't say anything. She stepped out of the car and opened the door for him instead. "We are in Daddy's home." She said, as she picked him up.

 

"Yeah, the biggest mansion in Seoul, Daniel." Butted Minho, as he passes at them. He went at the trunk to get all their belongings out.

 

Totally amazed, Daniel can't close his mouth. Still can't believe he is able to see such a huge house? "Daddy, this is huge. Are we going to stay here? How about Omma? Did you invite her?"

 

Yoona sheepishly grin. "You'll see later."

 

"So you invited her over? Can I see Omma now?" Daniel's eyes sparkled in excitement. He is going to wander around, surely.

 

"Hehe, shut up. Let's just get inside." Yoona casually put the young boy down to the ground and took his hand, before making their way to the door. Once they're just in enough distance, she opened it herself and walked in with Daniel, being amazed again by the chandelier hanging above them.

 

"Wow! Is that a helicopter, Daddy?" He pointed, and smiled in the process.

 

"That's not a helicopter, Danny. That's a chandelier."

 

"Oh, Chandelier." Daniel nodded in understanding.

 

"Come, I'm hungry." Yoona took the young boy to the kitchen, expecting to see Seohyun cooking. Yet, to her surprised, it was his brother, having a glass of juice. Yul who didn't expect their arrival, quickly rushes and envelope her for a warm hug. "Wow. Just when did you arrived?" she ask him.

 

Instead of her, Yul didn't missed the chance and crouch down to greet the little one with her. "Hello there. So you are the kid my sister has been telling about. I'm Hyung Yul. What's yours?" He presented his hand so he can have a shake with him.

 

But unexpectedly, Daniel was quiet scared. He instantly hide behind Yoona. "Nice to meet you, Hyung."

 

"It's Okay, Danny. He won't bite you." Yoona was a little amuse of Daniel's reaction. "Come on, shake his hand." Yet, the latter stayed behind, didn't move.

 

Yul sighed, getting up. "So he's indeed a little hassle, eh?"

 

"Yeah, but I enjoyed it. Anyway, have you eaten dinner?"

 

"Nah, your new maid and Miss Narsha-ssi hasn't arrive. The other maid said, they went out to buy some groceries. I'll just wait for them to arrive." Yul informed, casually.

 

"Why don't we cook for ourselves instead?"

 

"Um, excuse me." Minho's voice was heard by the door, all of them turned to him. "Hehe... the belongings. It's in your bedroom already. Oh, Hi there Mr. Kwon." He also waved to the tan guy before leaving the kitchen instantly.

 

"Hmm, I guess we should change clothes first, Danny." Yoona said, looking down to the young boy. The latter looked up and smiled to her.

 

"Yeah, you guys looked like have gone into a run or something." Snickered Yul, amusingly.

 

"Oppa, let's just cook later for dinner. Coz I guess, they'll take a little longer. It's a grocery for a whole week. Normally, Narsha-ssi will buy a lot."

 

"No wonder."

 

"We'll get going now. We'll see you later in the dining room." with that, Yoona stepped forward to give Yul a bear hug. "It's nice to see you again." and pulled back, flashing a warm smile. 

 

"I have my gifts for you in the guest room, you should see it later." Yul showed the same smile. But when he looked down to the kid under them, the latter quickly hide again. He chuckled softly. "He's scared."

 

"Yeah, I wonder why. Anyway, we'll see you later." with that, Yoona turned and picked Daniel up instead of just allowing him to walk with him. As soon as Daniel was carried out, He enveloped his arms around Yoona's neck and close his eyes tight, so he can't see Yul's face staring at him. Yul who witnessed the kid's antics, just smiled and yes, decided to cook for himself for their dinner.

 

After sensing they were out of sight from the tan guy, Daniel opened his eyes and sigh in relief.

 

"I know you don't like him that easily." Yoona whispered to the young boy.

 

The address boy looked at Yoona in the eyes. "I did not say like that. I... was only scared when he looked at me. I didn't expect to see your brother, tonight, Daddy."

 

"Chincha?"

 

"Yes." Daniel nodded innocently. He envelope his arms around Yoona's neck again. "But if I find him not like you, friendly... I won't like him." 

 

"You will like him eventually. Don't think of him first. Let's think of changing you to pajamas instead."

 

"Pajamas?" Daniel instantly pulled back and questioningly stared into the older. "I am really staying here? How 'bout Omma?"

 

"Only for tonight. Tomorrow morning, you'll be going home. And your Omma, you'll see her later. For now, let's get you to my room, Hmm?"

 

"Okay." Daniel giggles and once again went back, holding onto Yoona's neck. He especially buried his face to her neck. "I can't wait to see Omma tonight."

 

Yoona has a serene smile, creeping across her face, as she continued them to her room. She put Daniel down to her bed and ask him to behave as she took her pajamas. "Damn, I thought this will not fit you. It's too big." Unfortunately, she almost forgot she only have her pajamas. And looking into Daniel's backpack, there's only pants and two shirts. Rather than those shirts and pants, there weren't a comfortable clothing for sleep. So an idea had quickly make its way to her head, she took her white shirt instead. "Dan--" B