Jeonghan looked at Seungcheol who had just arrived. He patted Chan gently, waking him up slowly. As soon as he was up, he carried the boy, placing him on one of his hips as he woke the other children.

"Appa!" Seungkwan said as soon as they were awake. The other kids greeted their father and he nodded.

"Have you eaten?"

Jeonghan cut in "They ate jjangjangyum for lunch. I have some leftovers in the fridge. Will you like some?"

Seungcheol frowned "Ani, don't bother"

Jeonghan nodded "what about dinner?"

seungcheol sighed deeply "I said, don't bother about me. Make sure the kids eat first" He looked at the children for some seconds then headed upstairs. Jeonghan knew he was in a bad mood but he couldn't be bothered with that. He was already late for his second job. He dropped Chan and flew to the kitchen immediately Seungkwan followed him.

"Go to your room. I'll soon be through"

"Let me help you open the packs. It will be easier" The boy said. Jeonghan smiled in agreement and set the water to boil while Seungkwan opened the ramyeon packs. When he was through, Jeonghan began to cook the food.

"Kimchi!" Seungkwan yelled loudly and Jeonghan smiled "of course, kimchi always goes well with Ramyeon"

It wasn't long before everything was done and Seungkwan set the table.

"And Appa, isn't he eating?"

Jeonghan sighed. "Your father doesn't want to eat"

Seungkwan looked thoughtful "But he likes ramyeon though"

He ran upstairs and Jeonghan knew he was going to pressure Seungcheol to eat. He sighed tiredly.

The other kids were now at the table and Jeonghan placed their food on it.

"wow, daebak! It looks delicious" Vernon exclaimed. Seokmin almost started eating but Jeonghan stopped him "We have to wait for your brother and father"

"But I'm hungry" The eldest child cried.

Seungkwan entered, dragging a reluctant Seungcheol by the hand.

"Look they are here," Jeonghan said and Seungcheol entered with a brooding face. He sat at the other end of the table looking uninterested.

"Now we can eat," Jeonghan said and they all began. From a corner of his eyes, he watched Seungcheol. He seemed to devour the food like a wild animal. He must have been so busy he didn't have time to eat and was too tired so he came straight home. Seungcheol suddenly caught him watching and Jeonghan noticed how he turned red. He four that was so cute.

Jeonghan fed both himself and Chan and throughout, he felt Seungcheol's eyes all over him. They all finished their meal and Jeonghan decided it was time to sleep. He stood up and carried a drowsy Chan to his room first before he returned for the others.

"It's time for bed"

Seungcheol stood up. "I'll take them"

He brought out his arms, a sign for Jeonghan to give him his youngest son.

"oh... Okay," Jeonghan muttered and handed the child over.

"Wait for me" Seungcheol whispered and left with the other kids behind him. They waved him goodnight and they were soon gone from his sight

Jeonghan cleared the table and washed the dishes. He was almost done when Seungcheol entered the kitchen.

"meet me in the living room," he said in a dry off-hand manner and left. Jeonghan scoffed and continued what he was doing. When he finished, he left for the living room. Seungcheol was sitting in a single armchair. He gestured for Jeonghan to sit at the other one opposite him and the blonde did. Seungcheol was about to talk but Jeonghan was faster

"Before you say anything, I need a spare key" He started.

"What?"

"I can't be waiting for you as I did today. I have another job so I intend to do my work and leave once my time is over instead of waiting for you"

Seungcheol nodded, taking a deep breath " Alright fine...."

Jeonghan cut in again. "Try to be coming home on time. If I had not been around, the children would have starved waiting for you"

"You'll cook something before you go and microwave it for them"

Jeonghan didn't say anything.

"Are you done?" Seungcheol said with raised eyebrows.

Jeonghan nodded and the other sighed in relief

"Now, I know you have some arrangements with my mother but you should forget all about that because I have my own arrangements that I will like you to abide"

Jeonghan listened.

"First of all, you are just a nanny, I don't want you getting too emotionally attached to my kids alright?"

Jeonghan didn't say anything but Seungcheol ignored it. As far as he was telling him his mind, he was satisfied.

"There are some parts of the house you should never enter without my permission and they are my room and the storage room basement. Never ever go there"

Jeonghan just nodded.

"Also, you should stay away from my personal affairs, don't try to take care of me or form a bond with me. I'm not interested in knowing anything about you so you shouldn't concern yourself with the things that I do"

Jeonghan stood up abruptly "Is that all? I'm late for my second job"

The latter was taken aback by his reaction "Yes...yes, that's all" Seungcheol muttered unable to make anything out of Jeonghan's character. Jeonghan bowed

"Then I'll be off" He began to leave when he stopped and stuck out his palm in front of Seungcheol.

"I almost forgot. You owe me one thousand won for the ingredients I bought to cook the jjangjamyeon"

"Oh... " Seungcheol gasped and went upstairs. He returned with the money and gave it to Jeonghan.

Jeonghan tried to look as blank as possible "Tomorrow, I'll write down the things needed in the house" He bowed "Good night, and have pleasant dreams"

Jeonghan left the house knowing Seungcheol was watching him. As soon as he was on the front porch, he threw his arms up in frustration.

"I hope you have bad dreams all night you jerk" He frowned. "Do you think I want to get close to someone like you?" he spat.

He stamped the ground and took a deep breath trying to calm his nerves.  When he felt better, he left for his other job. His boss was mad at him for coming late and as punishment, he deducted his salary.

Wonwoo was around when he entered.

"Yah, if you won't be able to handle it, just quit," He said to Jeonghan.

"I need the money" the blonde simply replied.

"What do you need money for so badly?"

"it's my personal matter, don't bother with that" Jeonghan said. Wonwoo rolled his eyes.

"Alright then, I'm off," he said and left.

Jeonghan was too tired to go home after the eatery closed so he just slept in the storeroom for the night and by five, he was up.

He went back to his apartment, bathed, and had a change of clothes. By six-thirty, he was at the Chois residence. He rang the doorbell and Seungcheol opened it.

"Good morning" He greeted but his boss answered with a nod.

"Prepare breakfast quickly, I'll go wake up the kids," He said gravely and Jeonghan bowed as he left. He checked the kitchen, there were some ingredients available for him to make pancakes for breakfast. He set to work immediately and soon he heard the familiar noises of the children.

"Oppa, you are making pancakes!" Minghao exclaimed as they all walked into the kitchen including Seungcheol. He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed.

"You remember when Appa made Pancakes?" Seungkwan said with a chuckle. All the children laughed and Jeonghan took a peek at Seungcheol's flushed face.

"He was bragging to us and even to second dad that he was an expert in making pancakes," Seokmin said and Jeonghan immediately caught the look in Seungcheol's eyes. He looked downright upset and uncomfortable. It was because the kids had unknowingly mentioned his late spouse.

"He made the pancakes but it was all soft and mushy. Second dad kept laughing at Appa..."

"Hey kids, why don't you go outside? Go set the table." Jeonghan said putting an end to the conversation. He knew that Seungcheol was looking at him but he didn't look back. The children started talking about something else as they left.

Seungcheol lingered for some time as if he wanted to say something to Jeonghan but he gave up and left. Jeonghan sighed. He wouldn't even know what to say to him. He finished cooking and served the food. They all ate with relish even Seungcheol. Though he tried to hide the fact that he was enjoying the food, Jeonghan could see it in his eyes.

When they finished, Jeonghan cleared the plates first before he went to help the kids prepare for school. Seungcheol had already gone to prepare for work so Jeonghan wrote down a list of things needed in the house as the kids dressed. When he was through, he marched them all downstairs. He told Seokmin and Minghao to arrange their rooms. This they did reluctantly. They all waited for Seungcheol to arrive downstairs but he was taking time so Jeonghan told Seungkwan to call him. The boy ran off and then rushed back down with a panicked expression.

"He's not answering!" The little boy cried. Jeonghan raced upstairs, his heart beating fast. The kids followed. He hoped that the man had not collapsed. Was he dead? When he got to Seungcheol's door, he shook the knob but there was no answer. The children began to cry

"Seungcheol! Seungcheol?" He shouted but there was no answer until finally, the door opened, and there, Seungcheol stood in all his glory, except for a white towel wrapped around his torso. A hand cloth was placed over his head and looked at them strangely as he stood at the doorway.

"What is it?" He said but blushed as soon as he saw Jeonghan ogling at his body.

He rushed inside and the kids followed but Jimin was emotionally wrecked. It had been a long time since Jeonghan had felt sexually excited. Seungcheol quickly put on a robe looking pointedly at Jeonghan who was trying unsuccessfully to stop blushing

"You scared us!" Jeonghan whispered. The kids had stopped crying and were looking at their father intently.

"Why didn't you answer when we yelled your name?"

It was then he noticed the earpiece plugged into his phone. Jeonghan looked ashamed of himself as he reddened.

"As you can see, I'm perfectly fine," He said.

"Apologize!" Seungkwan muttered pushing Jeonghan's back.

"Yah...why should I?"

Seokmin pushed his back lightly and he almost fell on Seungcheol. He held back quickly and bowed his head.

"I'm sorry but please don't make others worried"

Seungcheol pushed past him "I told you not to mind my business"

"Can you all leave now so I can get dressed"

He pushed them out and closed the door. Jeonghan couldn't help but curse him in his mind.

Asshole! Jeonghan thought to himself despite lusting after him minutes ago. He regretted it so much as he followed downstairs with the kids. Seungcheol came down after getting ready and requested the list and Jeonghan gave him. He read it without saying a word and then brought out his wallet. He counted the cash and gave it to him. He also gave him a spare key to the house.

Jeonghan bowed as he received it.

"Are you kids ready?" Seungcheol said and the kids noisily chorused. Jeonghan escorted them to the car and waved to them. The kids entered as Seungcheol watched. When the last one had entered, he turned to Jeonghan.

"Don't escort us to the car anymore" He said.

Jeonghan nodded but he didn't understand why Seugcheol was being so distant. The latter entered his car and drove off. Jeonghan returned to the house and began to clean. A house with five kids doesn't stay clean forever. There was always something that needed to be done. He did some laundry and vacuumed. When he was through, it was time to go to the market.

He left the house and met So hye just coming out of her house.

"Hey, where are you off to?"

"The market!"

"Same here" So hye beamed. "I'm going to make dinner for my fiance. I will introduce him to you someday"

Jeonghan nodded but his mind was preoccupied strangely by Seungcheol. For some reason, he couldn't forget that scene in the kitchen. He had looked so sad when the kids had talked about his late spouse. Lee So hye noticed the change in his mood.

"How is it, working with Seungcheol?"

Jeonghan sprung back to life, frowning "That man is so hard to deal with. I have never seen him smile. He gets angry at everything I do"

"Really? But what do you think personally?"

Jeonghan cocked his head to one side "I think he's just putting up walls. He doesn't want to give anyone the chance to get close to him..." He paused "I don't know, I have a feeling that he's punishing himself on purpose"

"Why would you think that?" So hye asked.

"I just have the feeling"

So hye laughed. "Let's stop talking about your arrogant boss and go to the market"

Jeonghan agreed and they both left.
*****
Seungcheol sat in his office during lunchtime. Several of his colleagues had all gone to eat but he stayed behind. However, from time to time, Jeonghan's face would appear in his mind especially his look this morning when he caught him in his towel. He couldn't help but let out a tiny laugh but then, a knock sounded on the door bringing him back to his senses

"Come in" He responded and a tall elegant man with defining features entered with a huge smile on his face. Seungcheol looked up and sighed. It was his friend Mingyu. The guy had continued to remain with him despite his cold attitude ever since Jihoon died. Others couldn't handle it so they separated from him but not his giant friend who had once confessed that he had a crush on him once but ever since he entered a new relationship, he was no longer crushing on him. They had been friends since high school and found it coincidental that they ended up working for the same company.

"Mingyu, what are you doing here? It's lunchtime. If you don't use it you won't have another chance to eat"

"As if... " Mingyu scoffed and laughed. Seungcheol just shook his head and continued his work.

"Yah, tell me what's going on?"

Seungcheol looked at him. "What do you mean?"

Mingyu scratched his chin thoughtfully "I don't know but there's something about you that seems different." He paused. "Are you dating anyone?"

"Dating? What the hell are you going on about?"

"Then anything new happening lately?"

Seungcheol heaved. "Why all these questions?"

"I don't know...."

"Okay, I got a new housekeeper. Are you satisfied?"

"Really? Your mother set you up again?" Mingyu muttered with laughter in his eyes.

"Seems like it!"

"So how is he? Is he handsome? Sexy?"

"I don't know and I don't care"

Mingyu groaned. "Why are you like this? You need to get a life man. I miss the old you"

Seungcheol didn't respond.

Mingyu grinned "You know what, I'm coming to your house this weekend. I must see this new nanny"

Seungcheol frowned. "You aren't invited!'

Mingyu smiled. "I've invited myself"

He laughed as he left while Seungcheol just shook his head. Jeonghan returned from the market with So hye. She went to her home to cook while Jeonghan returned to the house. He prepared bone soup and rice. By the time the kids returned, he was done. They greeted him energetically except Seungkwan who had a sulky expression on his face.

"Go upstairs and get changed," He said. They all marched upstairs but Jeonghan held Seungkwan back.

"Are you alright? Did something happen at school?"

Seungkwan wrested himself from his hold. "It's fine," He said through clenched teeth and ran upstairs.

Jeonghan thought he was the most outgoing lively one but he guessed he was wrong. The child was having a hard time but he didn't know him well enough to open up his heart to him so Jeonghan was going to take his time till he was ready.

He ensured that the two eldest arranged their rooms. After homework, they ate and watched TV except for Seungkwan. He kept to himself looking blank. Before he left for his second job, Jeonghan prepared dinner and left a note for Seungcheol. He waved the kids goodbye and left. Not long after, Seungcheol returned. He was earlier than usual. He found the kids watching cartoons.

"Where is Jeonghan?" He asked.

"He already left," Seokmin said and Seungcheol nodded. He went to the kitchen and saw the food in the microwave and his note on the fridge.

"Please enjoy the meal. Yoon Jeonghan"

Seungcheol smirked. Straight to the point. It was a lot like .....he stopped himself and left the kitchen. He did not deserve to be happy not after what happened. He deserved to punish himself. He knew deep inside that guilt was eating away at him. Nothing was ever going to be the same.

Thanks for reading. Have a pleasant day till the next chapter!