Three days later.

The previous day, Eun Jo had packed her things lightly and took a taxi to work.

Her luggage was merely a change of underwear and pajamas, a few blouses and skirts.

Her generous employer had told her she could go home on weekends, so she only packed the essentials.

Oh, just in case, an old tshirt and jeans, and also an old apron.

There was another headache as much as the fact that she had been going into Kwon Jae Ha’s house in the past few days.

Lee Min Ah.

She was so persistent like a burr, her constant probing was headacheinducing.

[“Does it make sense that you’re not going home?”] [“You once said not to come home.”] [“Sis! Are you just going to keep saying something different? You should tell me what’s going on!”] [“It’s just as I said yesterday. There’s a place offering a lot of money, so I took up some work.”] [“Work? What work, by who? This is because of me, isn’t it? No way Kwon Jae Ha, are you trying to appease him because of the money he lent? I thought you guys were not close?”] [“Why does he have to do anything with me, it’s not related. Stop making up unnecessary stories and focus on Da On.”] [“What should I focus on! How much! How much did you give those gangsters!”] [“I told you it’s not related to those people. If you’re free, look up the news. Our company was sold.”] [“…What?”] [“Don’t ask anymore. I’m the head of this house, aren’t I? I decided to do it because I had to and I could.”] [“Sis… then, do you have to quit your job? What’s going on…”] [“I’m not saying I’m quitting right away or anything like that. Just know that much. Surely, you don’t think I’ll get into an accident somewhere. There’s nothing to worry about.”] [“…….”]

And then, Da On.

Last night, he seemed to not understand what was going on and coolly told her to enjoy her trip.

But as soon as he woke up in the morning and saw Eun Jo’s suitcase, he burst into tears outright.

In fear that the child might get badly hurt, Eun Jo’s heart was racing.

[“I’ll just be there for one night, really. Promise!”]

She was filled with resentment towards Kwon Jae Ha.

But she could not backtrack on a decision that had already been made.

[“Because of mom’s work, I’m going to sleep over near Jogi. Just for one day. It’s not like I’m going far away, it’s like Daon is going on a field trip.”] [“I just ate lunch and came back! Auntie said that bag is for long trips! I’m going too!”]

Minah, who had forcibly separated the sobbing Daon from Eun Jo, awkwardly pulled the child into her arms.

[“Hey, clever boy. Your memory is excellent……”]

The sorrowful wailing of the child pierced Eun Jo’s heart.

[“……”] [“Daon, will you upset your auntie like this? Auntie also said, um, right…”] [“Why is auntie my mom! Auntie is auntie! Yoon Eun Jo is mom! Lee Minah is auntie! I hate both!”] [“Baby…come here, puppy.”]

Eun Jo pulled the child tightly into her arms once again.

Holding the small body and pressing her lips to his warm forehead, Eun Jo realized.

Even as she was trying to comfort the child in this moment, the one truly being comforted was herself.

She was reminded once again, painfully, of how precious this was.

[“Listen, mom will……”]

Eun Jo, who placed a small hand over her lips, whispered that she would buy seasoned chicken when she came back.

[“Seasoned and fried, two chickens.”] [“Eh……?”]

The chubby cheeks, gleaming with tears and resembling glutinous rice cakes, wiggled.

[“Eeek so cute, have the tears gone back in?”]

Only then did Eun Jo, who had regained her smile, peck the child’s lips.

The light suitcase made a loud wheel noise as it rolled.

Why did it have to be red, of all colors if she brought it to the office, everyone would bombard her with questions.

There was nowhere to leave it, quite a predicament.
“Senior!”
“……Jang Mi.”
“Why do you have a suitcase? Are you going on a trip, Senior? I haven’t heard anything.”
“No, it’s not a trip. It’s just luggage. I have some circumstances.”
“Hmm, it doesn’t look heavy. Let me carry that handbag for you, please.”
“Thank you, but it’s fine, let’s hurry. Did you eat breakfast?”
“No, these days I eat a Starbucks bagel for breakfast. Let’s stop by together, Senior.”
“Shall we?”
It was an ordinary, fresh start to the morning.

At least until before lunch.

“Well, even if I say it’s time to quit now, what can I do if the Chairman Park insists we go out to play golf occasionally….”
“Uncle!”
“Whoa!”
Lee Sung Chun dropped the phone he was holding as the door flung open and a voice loud enough to shake one’s eardrums echoed.

It was Wang Na Na.
“You… you, this kid.”
“Why! Why didn’t you tell me!”
“Ah, speak gently! Don’t you know your uncle’s heart is weak! Ah did this kid eat up a train’s worth of anger, what a loud voice.”
“You said you would make an office for our brother!”
“Our brother?”
“I mean Kwon Jae Ha! Kwon Jae Ha!”