Seulgi couldn't help but smile. She had only met Irene yesterday and she's seeing her again today. "It's been awhile."

    "Ah, really? It feels like it was just  yesterday." Irene joked. Seulgi tried to control her laughter. It wasn't even that funny but the joke came from Irene so she just had to laugh out loud. I'm an idiot. But at least she has a sense of humor.

    "How have you been?"

    The girls continued running and playing around. Irene watched them like a hawk. "Same old, same old." Yeri climbed up the ladder for the slide, with a huge smile on her face.  She smiles just like her mom, Seulgi thought. "How about you?" Irene said, smiling at her.

    Seulgi couldn't help but panic a little. Irene had such an amazing smile, it gave her butterflies. She wasn't even sure it was butterlfies, it was more of bees. She could even hear them buzzing in her ears.

    "Seulgi?" Irene said, looking concerned.

    "Oh. Sorry. I spaced out didn't I?" Snap out of it, Seulgi. Keep it cool. "I'm  o-" Just before she could finish her sentence, Yeri was about to fall. The young girl had missed a step on the ladder. Seulgi ran as fast as she can. Thankfully, they weren't that far from the playground. She was able to catch the Yeri just before she could have fallen. "Gotcha."

    Irene's eyes widened. She ran to Seulgi's side. Taking her child from Seulgi's arms. "Yeri-ah! I told you to be careful!" Irene was frantic. She was checking if her daughter had any brusies. She looks so cute even when she's worried, Seulgi thought."Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

    Joy ran to their side. She held on to Seulgi's shirt. The older girl was caught off gaurd. She looked as worried as her mother. Seulgi put a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. She smiled at the younger girl to reassure her. "She's fine. Don't worry."

    "Mommy, I'm fine!" Yeri said with a smile on her face. "Unnie was there."

    "If unnie wasn't there you might have hit your head hard!" Irene said. "Maybe we should go back home."

    "NO!" The two young girls said together. That's right, no!, Seulgi thought.

    "But what if this time, you get hurt for real? I don't want that to happen."

    Joy tugged on Seulgi's shirt. "Seulgi unnie is here. She can watch over us with you."

    "No, sweetie. Seulgi unnie might be busy. We can't ask her to do that for us." Irene said. Honestly, she wouldn't mind if Seulgi wanted to help her out. It was a handful watching her two children all by herself. But she didn't know Seulgi well enough. They only met yesterday. She looks like a teddy bear, but what if she turns out to be the opposite of that? Irene thought.

    "Oh, it's actually fine." Seulgi smiled. "I don't mind."

    "But don't you have other plans?" Irene was relieved. But she didn't want to take advantage of someone she just met. She didn't want to take the risk. "I don't want to be a bother."

    "No, it's fine. Really." Seulgi replied, patting Joy's head.

    The two young girls rejoiced. "Yay! Thanks unnie!" Joy said. She grabbed Yeri's hand. And ran to the swing. "Let's play over there!"

    "But-" Irene didn't even bother finishing her sentence. She knew the girls wouldn't hear it anyway. She looked at Seulgi and said, "Thanks but you don't have to."

    Seulgi gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna kidnap you or your kids. Besides, it looks like you needed help anyway. I'd be happy to watch over them with you."

    Irene let out a sigh. Seulgi did seem like she was okay. She had a great vibe and not a creepy one. Plus, something about her felt really warm and bright. "Oh, alright."

    The two spent the rest of the afternoon getting to know each other and watching over the kids. Irene learned that Seulgi wasn't so bad after all. She found out that Seulgi used to live with her parents, grandparents and older brother but moved out because she wanted to be independent.  She also learned that Seulgi loves to draw, and it's something she does often. Seulgi told her that she has a collection of stickers, pens and notepads. Irene thought it was cute. And based on her observation, Seulgi was such a smiley person. Being around her was so refreshing. It was what Irene needed, a breath of fresh air.

    "I talk too much, don't I?" Seulgi said, looking slightly embarrassed. "Tell me about you."

    "There's not much to say." Irene said, looking down. Irene wasn't much of a talker. She was shy. She'd rather listen to people talk.

    "Ah, well I guess it would be weird to talk about your life to someone you don't know much right?" Seulgi smiled. "That's okay. I'm sure I'm gonna get to know you better someday."

    Irene couldn't help but stare at Seulgi with awe. She knew Seulgi was younger than her but she had a mature mindset. She was glad that Seulgi didn't push her to talk about her life. Irene looked at her watch, it was 4 pm. They've been out for 3 hours. "It's getting a bit late."

    Seulgi looked at her watch as well. "Oh. I didn't even realize we were out that long."

    "We'll go ahead then." Irene said.

    Irene stood up. She was walking towards her children. "Wait!" Seulgi said.

    The older girl looked back at her. "Yes?"

    "I, um, I'll walk you guys home."

    "No, no. It's fine." Irene said, shaking her head. "We live pretty far from here."

    "I insist." Seulgi said. "I wouldn't mind walking. I've been eating too much lately, I need to get rid of the fat,"

    Irene was about to refuse. She hesitated at first but agreed to it eventually.  Seulgi couldn't help but smile. She still didn't know much about Irene but she definitely wanted to get to know her better. She could tell that Irene was being very careful. It was probably because of her ex that she didn't want anyone in her life, Seulgi thought.

    The older girl walked ahead and held onto Yeri's hand. "Sooyoungie, please hold on to your sister's hand, alright?"

    "Is Seulgi unnie coming too?" Joy said excitedly.

   "Yes, she will." Irene said, smiling at Joy.

    Joy squealed. Seulgi thought it was adorable, she let out a little laugh. The younger girl grabbed onto Seulgi's hand. And Seulgi let her take it.

    They looked like a happy family. The four of them hand in hand. They were all laughing and smiling. Seulgi was just glad she got to spend time with such lovely people. Irene's house was a few blocks away from the playground. It wasn't as far as she thought it was.  She wished it was farther so she could have spent a little more time with them.

    "You kids go on ahead. I'll make dinner for you soon." Irene said. "Thanks Seulgi."

    "It was my pleasure." Seulgi said, smiling brightly at the older girl.

    Irene smiled back at her. "I would let you in but the place is a mess right now."

    "It's cool. I have to go anyway." But if you asked me to stay, I would.

    "Thanks again, Seulgi. I really appreciate that." Irene said so genuinely. "Well then, goodbye."

    Seulgi was a bit disappointed. She could tell that Irene didn't really want to be alone, but she didn't want to ruin anything when they just met. "Bye. I'll see you tomorrow." Seulgi's eyes widened. I did not just say that. "I mean, I...I..I...."

    Irene chuckled. "I'll see you tomorrow then. Same time, same place?"

    Seulgi froze. She wasn't really sure what she was so surprised about. Was she surprised about what she just said or was she surprised about what Irene just said?"

    "Alright then. Goodbye Seulgi." Irene said, with a smile on her face. She patted Seulgi's cheek lightly. "You better go now before it gets dark."

    "Um, yeah. I better go." Seulgi said, still in a daze. Irene chuckled again before going inside and closing the door.