Dayun’s POV,

Safe… I felt safe for the very second time in the past 7 years or so… due to the same reason… Moon Insoo.

Safe, as in, an emotional way rather than the physical one. Because I’m sure, I have enough in me to defend Iseul and I except some extreme conditions. I’ve got at least that much in me to survive.

But he makes me feel emotionally safe by staying near me. I’m not sure how to put them into words but his presence makes me feel like I’ve got someone beside me. When I look at him, I feel like everything would end up fine and that things will get better. I don’t know why but that’s how I feel.

This warmth I get from him, I’ve never experienced this before. For the past 7 years, never has there been a time when I could be worry-free, pain-free. But right now, in his embrace, I feel no worry, no pain.

Even though, I believe I’m strong, being cautious and worried about my and Iseul’s safety all the time, has taken its toll on me. I’ve always been drowning into an ocean of uncertain depth, not knowing when my world would break apart.

But right now, here, in his arms, I feel like I can finally take a break and… Breathe.

I don’t know how longer I can feel this, or how longer he’d be with me. But I want to have this, whatever this is, until it lasts.

I also don’t know what I am to him or he is to me.

My friend? My boss? Someone my daughter treats like her own father? Someone who cares about my daughter like his own? I don’t know and it doesn’t matter. Because now… All I know is… I need him.

He held my body in one of his arms and his other hand held my head, slowly stroking my hair as I buried my head in his chest. Everything about him calmed me down. His scent, his touch, his periodic heart beats that I could hear, his breath that I could feel against my shoulders, the way he gently stroked my hair… Everything got me relaxed and made me feel light.

“Thank you… Thank you so much Moon Insoo……………….. I’ve thanked you countless times but they’re never enough.” I thanked him, not breaking the hug, but it only came out as a quiet whisper.

“No, I’ve to thank you……………... Lee Ah-reum.” He told me softly.

“Me…?.......... Why…?” I asked him softly.

“Just because........... I have to.” He replied.

I couldn’t understand what he meant but at that time, I didn’t feel like giving them much attention, for the moment, was too beautiful to think about anything else.

…

“Uhm… I- I’m sorry, I just realized that you’re getting late for work. You have to go.” I told him after parting, having suddenly remembered that he has to go to office. But he still held my hands as he spoke, “Ahh… It’s fine. Being the owner and CEO, I at least have that privilege.”

Hmm… That’s odd. I’ve never heard him say something like that or go to office late for any reason. But thinking about how I was the reason he said that, made me feel selfishly happy.

I was about to tell him that it's fine to leave when I noticed his eyes... They were damn tired. How come I didn’t notice them till now. Now that I have a closer look at his face, I can see how tired he actually is. He hasn’t been sleeping properly lately.

Without thinking much, I cupped his face to have an even closer and clear look, “Woah… Look at your eyes. Weren’t you been sleeping well?” I asked him worried.

“No- No. I- I slept well.” He said which was more of a soft whisper.

“No. You did not………… You have been working without proper rest for the past few days. You should take a nap……….” I suggested and further added, “I can help you with that! Lay down. I’ll massage your head. You’d fall asleep in seconds. Trust me.” I said pointing to my lap. At that, I could notice his eyes grow wide as he gave me a startled look.

“What? On your- On your lap? No, I- I’m good- You really don’t have to-” He stuttered.

'Damn. Just thinking about it makes my heart anxious.'

“Ow… Don’t be such a kid. Let me do something that I’m good at.” I said simultaneously making him lay down on my lap.

“But-”

Even though he was pretty reluctant, he eventually obeyed and got comfortable on my lap as I began doing what I call my Magic massage. Making soft and relaxing circles on his temples.

Mrs. Park, my neighbour, taught me this trick and I’ve helped her sleep a lot of times with my massage. So, you could call me a professional.

…

“How is it?” I asked him enthusiastically, having noticed that he was silently enjoying it.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

“It’s………. Relaxing.” I heard him say.

“See… Told ya!” I couldn’t help but feel proud.

“Well… From now, you don’t have to worry about being stressed anymore. Whenever you can’t sleep, I’ll be there to help you!” I stated continuing my massage.

After a moment or so, I could feel Insoo’s muscles get relaxed as his eyes slowly fluttered close.

…

I thought that he has slept but,

He mumbled something softly, with his eyes still closed,

"Can you promise that?"

Growing cautious of the serious tone he used, I just let out a, “Hmm?”

“Can you promise me that you’d help me whenever I can’t sleep..?..... Whenever…?” He asked stressing the last word as he further added a caution, “Think well before you answer……..Because…….. I tend to get greedy and clingy.”

When he said that I couldn’t help but stop my massage in the middle, his words sounded rather too deep, expecting a sincere answer from me.

“Well, why wouldn’t I?”

I answered after thinking for a long moment but by then he had already fallen asleep.

~

~

Nine days passed on very quickly. And now I can walk easily. It’d hurt when I move fast. But, I can resume my every day activities now. My healing rate was very good that even the doctor was impressed.

It’s Friday today. Insoo told me to take rest and start to work from Monday but I insisted on working today.

I was very bored at home. Iseul would leave for school and Insoo would leave for office. I have to be alone all day except during lunch when Insoo comes home. It’s really boring. Plus, I’ve got a lot of work to complete too. More than a week’s work to do!

So, we went to work after dropping Iseul at school. One good thing about staying with my boss is that I don’t have to worry about being late to office.

We went early. Not many people have come. And the ones present didn’t ask me why I was absent for the past few days. No one suspected anything.

No one except… Jae-mi.

She attacked me with questions as soon as I entered the office. I haven’t called or messaged her for the past week as my phone was broken when they attacked me. I totally forgot about her. Of course, she’d be mad.

So, during break, I had to tell her everything. She was shocked to find out I and Iseul were attacked and even more shocked to find out that Insoo was the one who helped me. And had her greatest shock when she found out that now I stay with him.

She was upset that I didn’t ask her for a place to stay. But later, I explained her, why this was for the best.

She then got convinced and she was even glad that I stayed with him.

But not for the reasons I told her, but because she thinks she could meet Chul-ho more. She even went as far as to think that we might get to go on a double date someday.

...

How is she even-

Uhm-

Let’s just leave that. I don’t even wanna talk about that.

As for work, it went smoothly. We had a meeting with an Italian company in making mobile parts and it went well. We also got to visit the site where the construction works of the new showroom have already started.

How fast things move at MoonTalks is crazy.

Then, I started to work on all the reports that were left undone when I was absent. And with that the day ended quickly.

Insoo suggested that we shall leave early that day. I was confused but still left with him.

We went straight to Iseul’s school to pick her up and she was very happy to see us so soon. Her happiness doubled when Insoo told her we were going to… A fair.

“What? We are going to a fair?” I asked him confused.

“Yes… There’s a 21-days fair in the city. Today’s the last day. Let’s go there.”, he said excited.

“But why?”

“Why would people go there? To have fun! And it’s weekend too. I read about that in a newspaper. There’s a lot of entertainment for kids and adults too. It sounded good.” He told me excited but after a moment his excitement drained when he added, “Well… If you don’t want, I won’t force you. But, trust me, this isn’t a place that is unsafe. I won’t do something reckless.” Referring to our last time at park.

“No. No. It’s not that. I trust you.” I quickly denied.

Iseul urged me to come too. She got all excited listening to what Insoo said.

Well,

It sounded fun. So, I gave a nod.

Iseul was rather too excited about going there that she wanted us to go there right away. It took us a long time to convince Iseul that we can’t go there looking like this and that she has to change out of her uniform. And she agreed to change only because Insoo told her people in the fair would bring her back to school if she went there in her uniform.

…

When we went home, Iseul was the first one to get changed followed by Insoo.

And I, was last one to get ready. Usually, I don’t give much thought on what I wear. But today, for some reason, I wanted to look nice.

Even though there was no particular reason that I wanted to look good, I would be lying if I say Insoo's, “You look pretty…” didn’t give me butterflies.

We headed to the fair. It was around 6 by then. And the place was pretty much crowded since it was the last day of the fair.

Just like Insoo said, the fair was amazing. There were countless rides for kids, and adults too. There were food courts that served swoon-worthy foods, fun-filled mini games and sales with discounts as high as 50%.

Even if I become a millionaire, I would still buy things at discounts. Getting things for half the price is such a bliss even though they are know to be scams.

“Momma, look! There’s a clown!” It was the first thing Iseul said as she screamed with excitement looking at the tricks the man who dressed like a clown did. We stopped by to watch the same old tricks that never really get old. And Insoo even got Iseul to take a picture with the clown guy.

Then, we got to ride on Ferris wheel, Cup and saucer and even Octopus ride.

When we rode on Ferris wheel, I was worried and really thought that Iseul would be afraid. But that girl was the most care-free one among the three of us.

We took a lot of rides without break, not getting tired at all. But it wasn’t the same case for a late 30-ish couple who rode together with us, along with their little daughter, on a few rides before.

“Perks of being young parents, huh?” I heard the man say, all tired, when we had just finished another ride.

And for which, I was about to give him a long ass explanation on what our relationship actually was,

“No. You’re mistaken. Actually-”,

When Insoo interrupted me as his arms snacked around my waist, quickly pulling me close, side-hugging me as he said, “Well… Gotta agree on that.” with the softest of smiles looking at me.

Making my heart do a back flip at that.

His reason for lying - It is easier to lie than to give them a long and strange explanation.

Easy for you to say. It is my heart that forgets to beat every time you suddenly pull something like that…… Not yours.

Have pity on my heart, sire.

…

Time passed, and we took a break only to eat varieties of snacks and then continued trying different rides and only stopped after about two hours when I grew tired.

And of course Iseul still wasn’t tired. So, just as usual, we let her play Bumper cars as we stood not very far from it.

…

I stood there looking around. And that’s when my eyes fell on………… Ice creams!

Noticing my star-struck reaction on seeing the ice-cream parlour, Insoo spoke, “Let me go get them for you.” and was quick to leave even before I opened my mouth to tell him the flavour.

And he came back not very long after, “Butterscotch!” I half-screamed when I saw two cones of butterscotch ice-creams in his hands, not caring about how silly I sounded.

“How did you know I like Butterscotch? I didn’t even tell you what I want…” I asked him surprised.

Even though it was just a casual question, I could see Insoo's eyes open wide in shock like I had discovered something I shouldn’t have or like he did something he shouldn’t have. But his eyes quickly changed expressions as he nervously said, “Uhm- Well… I……….. Just guessed?”

Even though, I found his act strange, I didn’t ask him anything further as all I wanted was to snatch the ice-cream and devour it which was just what I did as I quickly grabbed one of those and attacked it hungrily making him laugh at that.

What shall I do? I really love them and it’s been ages since I had one!

We didn’t speak anything further and just enjoyed our ice-creams silently while watching Iseul enthusiastically play her game.

When,

“Can I ask you something?” Insoo asked out of nowhere. To which I just let out a 'Hmm' as my tongue was too busy tasting my ice-cream to answer in words.

“Why is that man hell-bent on finding you when he has nothing to do with you?” He asked me all serious.

“Well… Knowing him, I guess there are two reasons. One, he thinks I’m his property and he wants to obtain me at all costs. Two, since I was with them, I know things about them that he wouldn’t want other to know and he may think that I’ll reveal them which is… kinda stupid. But yeah, that’s it.”

I had to pause eating to answer him but immediately resumed.

“Woah, they’re two crazy reasons to chase someone.”

“Yeah, they are!……………… But why would you talk about him now, while I’m having a best time. Don’t ruin my first time visiting a fair by mentioning him.”

“What- First time?! Are you even an earthling? You haven’t been to a freaking fair before?!”

He asked me shocked to which I answered him after thinking for a moment, “As far as I remember, no… Never………………… I’ve never visited any amusement parks too. Though, I and my friend planned to go to this amusement park once, we never got to execute it.”

To which he curiously asked, “Friend? Who? Jung Jae-mi?”

“It’s a boy…”

To be continued…