Chapter 6
In kitchen,
Sizzling*
Small footsteps approach
Mom ,What are you making? While holding her long skirt.
You wake up, Ryo.
Lifting him into her arms.
I'm making your favourite pudding? You wanna eat?
Yes mumma, with joy.
Good, Go quickly, brush your teeth, and come back.
Ok, mumma I'll be back in min.
Yes go.
Meanwhile, Ryo went to brush.
I'll put breakfast on table.
Ryo came,and we eat breakfast together.
He get excited whenever I'm with him.
Then I pack some lunch, not for me, for ryo .
And, Then I took a taxi and left for the office.
And as usual,
The office smelled of polished floors, coffee, printer ink, and too much ambition.
I chose not to take Ryo to the office, and I won't do so again. Because
I kknow I wouldn't be able to focus on him the way he deserves.
I had barely survived my first day, but. now, somehow I had to show up for the second
So,
Ryo stayed at home with a neighbor I trusted just for a few hours. My chest ached everytime when I have to leave him, but I told myself: this was necessary.
It was for him.
I ensure myself. that,
He is safe. I could survive just for him, for a little while.
The elevator doors opened on the seventh floor, and the office felt even bigger today.
Employees moved efficiently, speaking softly in hushed tones that seemed to hum through the air.
I mustered my courage and
I clutched my bag tighter and started walking toward my desk.
Then I heard it: a laugh.
A Derisive laugh.
Sharp. Silvery. Mocking.
I froze,
A woman stood by the corner of my desk, perfectly dressed, hair glossy, makeup flawless.
Her eyes flicked to me.
And I knew immediately. She was trouble.
I'll have to stay away from her.
"Ah… you must be Sizu Kim," she said, her tone sweet but cutting underneath.
"I'm Hana, my sister works here too… well, technically, I'm just keeping an eye on things."
You can consider me as you– senior .
My heart skipped a beat.
Sister? , Who…?
Who's even she?
She smiled, teeth perfect, but her eyes were sharp as a blade.
"You're… interesting," she added, leaning slightly closer.
A subtle glance at my badge then back at me.
"I hope you know how to survive here. Not everyone is… forgiving."
I forced a polite smile.
"Thank you. I'll try my best."
She tilted her head, observing me like a predator studying prey
Then, without an another word, she swept past me in high heels, her laughter trailing behind.
She was about my age and had come with a few girls. Anyone could tell just by looking at her that she was here to harass me and cause trouble.
I exhaled shakily.
That was. unsettling.
She is a cunning woman,That's all I can think of that moment.
But, Thankfully. Everything turned into ok .
The rest of the day passed slowly.
I'm proud of being Ryo's mother because he behaves well at the neighbor's house.
And. The neighbour said that ryo is cute and discipline boy. Not just because neighbor praise him. Because,
Where six-year-old kids usually demand for new things, clothes or trips, he only helped me. Never ask for thing's. Sometimes I feel like I'm being unfair to Ryo, I should fulfill his wishes.
but when his soft hands touch my cheek, I gain the strength to get through each day and to try to give him everything that other kid's receive at his age.
Everything ok with ryo.
But,
Hana's presence felt like a shadow over my desk. She would pop up in meetings, whispering to coworkers, casting looks that made me feel like I was constantly being judged.
One wrong move, and I could feel her smirk anticipating my failure.
And kick me out.
ML—Siwoo was quiet, watching from his office with his usual sharp gaze.
He speak rarely, but I caught him glancing at Ryo once, something passed in his eyes I couldn't name.
Recognition? Suspicion? Worry?
Something else?
I didn't know. I only knew that the tension between him and me was growing, and now… Hana's presence made it worse.
By late afternoon, I almost spilled some coffee on my shirt during a small mistake.
Hana's laugh echoed softly.
I wanted to vanish.
Just disapper
But then, in the middle of chaos, I remembered Ryo.
The small boy waiting at home, trusting me to survive.
And I straightened my shoulders, swallowed my fear, and whisper:
I will not let her break me. Not today. Not ever.
The job wasn't just a job anymore, it felt like something I have to do it, in any matter.
The office felt endless.
And I knew this wasn't just a job.
It was a battlefield.
I have to survive for ryo.
A world I hadn't prepared for.
But I had to learn… quickly.
–To be continued