[Morning /8:00 a.m]
Haneul came downstairs with Haru, one hand hovering near her back as she bounced down the steps, her school backpack snug on her shoulders.
"Haru-ah,"
Haneul warned softly,
"don't jump so fast. You'll fall on the stairs."
She slowed down only a little, still smiling as she continued ahead of him toward the dining area.
At the breakfast table,
Taekyun was already seated.
His attention remained on his phone while the chef carefully placed dishes in front of him.
Just then,
Bora entered the residence.
She walked toward the table and bowed properly.
Haneul returned the bow with a polite smile.
Haru also bowed, smiling brightly.
Taekyun lifted his gaze, gave Bora a short nod, then his eyes shifted to Haneul.
Haneul met his gaze and nodded with a small smile.
Haru bowed to her father as well before walking toward her chair.
Haneul pulled out the chair for Haru, helped her sit, then took the seat beside her.
The chef brought their breakfast and placed the plates neatly on the table.
Bora turned and headed toward the kitchen.
Moments later,
Nayeon entered the dining room.
Taekyun looked up from his plate.
"Good morning,"
She said casually.
Haneul stood immediately and bowed politely, a soft smile on his face.
Haru slowly turned her head to look.
When she saw Nayeon, she lowered her gaze and began eating quietly without responding.
Taekyun's eyes stayed on Haneul.
What got into him?
Haneul had never bowed to him like that
yet here he was, bowing to Nayeon.
Nayeon noticed and smiled.
"What's up, Haneul?"
"I'm good,"
Haneul replied slowly.
"Did you sleep comfortably last night?"
She smirked and glanced at Taekyun.
His jaw tightened slightly, his gaze fixing on Haneul.
"Oh, of course,"
Nayeon replied, turning back to him.
"It was very comfortable.
Too comfortable, actually."
Haneul smiled faintly.
Nayeon shifted her attention to Haru.
"Haru-ah, going to school?"
Without looking up, Haru nodded.
Taekyun spoke calmly,
"Sit and eat.
You have to leave early for Itaewon."
Nayeon sat beside him.
"Yes. I'm just waiting for Jina.
She's tired still sleeping."
Bora returned with Nayeon's breakfast.
"Here, miss."
"Thank you, Bora,"
Nayeon said with a smirk.
Bora turned to leave.
"Bora,"
Nayeon called.
She stopped.
"Yes?"
"It'd be better if you came with me to Itaewon."
Bora bowed, glanced briefly at Taekyun without answering, then quietly left.
"Ahh OK" Nayeon smiled.
Haneul looked at Nayeon.
"You're leaving so soon?"
She smiled.
"If you want, I can stay."
"Oh,"
Haneul replied,
"why not?"
Taekyun placed his cup down harder than necessary.
His eyes moved to Haru.
"Haru-ah, eat quickly.
You'll go with the driver today."
"No,"
Haru replied immediately.
Haneul turned to Taekyun.
"Aren't you taking her?"
"I have something to do first,"
Taekyun answered coldly.
Nayeon noticed everything.
Haneul nodded and began feeding Haru himself.
Haru pouted slightly, glancing at Haneul.
"It's okay,"
He said gently.
"Abba has work today, alright?"
Nayeon looked at Haneul and teased lightly,
"Haru calls you umma?"
Taekyun shot her a sharp glance.
"Haru likes calling me that,"
Haneul replied calmly.
Nayeon nodded, her smile lowering.
"Oh. That's great."
From behind, a voice sounded.
"Good morning, guys."
Jina entered.
"Morning,"
Nayeon replied.
"Good morning,"
Haneul said with a smile.
Nayeon pushed her chair back, but Jina walked past her and sat on the other side right next to Haneul.
She smiled at him.
"You slept well?"
Haneul asked.
"Of course,"
Jina replied.
"How could I not, when I was thinking about you all night?"
Haneul blushed.
"I really want to stay here for many days, Haneul-ah,"
Jina added with a pout.
"Oh,"
Haneul replied warmly,
"you can stay if you want."
She smiled brightly.
Haru placed her glass on the table and looked at Jina.
Jina noticed.
"Oh, Haru-ah. You're already ready for school?"
"Hm."
"Did you make a lot of friends?"
Haru nodded.
But Jina caught it the faint jealousy in Haru's eyes.
She had noticed it since last night but had ignored it.
Nayeon rolled her eyes.
"Did you pack everything?"
"I don't even have luggage,"
Jina replied.
"What would I pack?"
"Then get ready,"
Nayeon said.
"We're leaving for Itaewon."
"Hm."
Nayeon kept glancing at Jina.
Taekyun slowly pushed his plate away and looked at Haneul.
Suddenly, Jina sighed and said while eating,
"If I were an Alpha, Haneul, I'd take you with me for sure."
Haneul looked at her with widened eyes, then smiled.
Jina laughed.
"See how cute you are."
Then she froze.
Three identical gazes locked onto her.
Haru.
Taekyun.
Nayeon.
Dead and Sharp.
As if she had said something illegal.
Jina looked at Haru.
Haru quietly grabbed her backpack and stood, leaving the table.
Taekyun and Nayeon stood as well.
From behind, Bora approached.
"Haru, let's go."
Haneul looked around, stunned.
The same expression.
The same reaction.
He hurried after Haru toward the garden.
"Haru-ah, wait."
Taekyun went upstairs.
Nayeon stormed back toward her room.
Jina stared at the walls.
"Oh God….. where did I get myself stuck?"
"I can't even joke anymore."
"No wonder they're Kims."
Even the child had that same dead gaze.
"And now I have to deal with that stubborn prince again,"
She muttered.
"I'll have to please her for days again.
I can't. I'm really done."
She stood and headed toward her room.
[9:00 a.m]
Taekyun still hadn't come downstairs.
Haneul stood in the kitchen with Bora.
"Is Taekyun not going to the office today?"
"He already got ready,"
Bora replied.
"Sir said he'd leave early after his workout"."
"I thought he wouldn't even meet Miss Nayeon and Miss Jina before they left."
"Oh,"
Haneul said.
"I'll check."
He left the kitchen and headed upstairs.
[Guest Room]
Jina shoved Nayeon.
"You ugly beast, that's enough."
"If you're angry, stay angry,"
She continued.
"My lips are swollen.
Did you forget I hate big lips?"
Nayeon smirked.
"Sorry, sorry. But I don't like them thin.
I like them fluffy,big like..."
Jina slapped her.
"You psycho. Get up. We're late."
"I'll shower first."
"Hurry."
Nayeon stood and pointed.
"Jina, look there."
Jina turned.
And Nayeon kissed her cheek.
A hard kick landed straight into Nayeon's stomach.
"Oh,what the"
"Finish that sentence,"
Jina said coldly.
Nayeon raised her hands.
"I was about to say
what the beauty."
Jina glared.
"Go. This beauty will shower you today."
Nayeon smirked.
"Sure."
"With beating."
"No, thank you"
[Upstairs]
Haneul stood outside Taekyun's room for a moment, then knocked.
The door opened immediately.
Taekyun stood there.
Haneul stepped back.
"Oh."
He nervously held his sleeves and smiled.
"I was asking if you're not"
Taekyun's eyes dropped to his hands, the way he clutched his sleeves.
Electricity shot through him.
"Come in."
"Huh?"
Taekyun pulled him inside and shut the door.
Haneul froze.
"Are you okay?"
Taekyun turned away, fists clenched, knuckles white.
"You took long,"
Haneul said softly.
"I came to ask if you're going to the office."
"Haneul."
"Yes?"
"Don't get close to others too much."
Haneul blinked.
"Huh? Are you angry with me?"
Taekyun stepped forward.
"You said you're only here for me and Haru."
Haneul nodded.
"Then you don't need to be friendly with others."
"But she's your"
Taekyun grabbed his shoulders and kissed him, pulling him tightly by the waist.
Haneul's eyes widened, breath caught.
"Mm…... uhmm"
Taekyun held both his wrists with one hand, kissed him deeper, then lifted his shirt slightly and pressed a kiss to his chest.
Haneul shivered.
What's gotten into him?
Taekyun released him slowly, letting Haneul's feet touch the ground fully.
"Are… are you jealous?"
Haneul whispered, stepping closer despite his racing heart.
"Taekyun"
Taekyun said nothing.
He stepped back and took his watch from the table.
"I just"
Haneul said
A knock interrupted them.
"Sir, they're leaving."
"We're coming,"
Taekyun replied without looking at Haneul.
After a moment,
He glanced at Haneul once then turned, opened the door, and walked out.
Haneul stood there, heart pounding.
What's wrong with Taekyun all of a sudden?
He never acts like this.