The Mrs. Kim

Chapter 7

It had been over a month since that drunken night, and 17 days since Lisa had somehow become her neighbor's daughter's unofficial new mother—not that she was counting, of course. The whole arrangement was starting to feel bizarrely normal. It came with perks, too. If her friends planned a spontaneous night out or an impromptu trip, Lisa had the perfect excuse. All she had to do was tell her mom she was going with her (fake) boyfriend, and just like that, she was free.

Despite the unexpected role, Lisa's priority remained her academics. She managed to visit Eunseo three, maybe four, times a week if her schedule allowed. These visits were brief, usually two hours in the evening, either during dinner or as bedtime approached. Conversations with Mingyu, her so-called boyfriend, were limited to the essentials—arrangements for Eunseo, maybe some small talk about her studies. Occasionally, she'd ask for his take on a tricky homework assignment or get ahead on her studies. Finals were months away, but she wasn't taking any chances. Mingyu, for all his quiet intensity, was annoyingly smart. Why wasn't he working in a hospital instead of giving massages?

Today was different. Mingyu had asked her to pick up Eunseo from school for the first time. One of Lisa's professors had assigned a research project that led her to the town library, a quiet refuge far from the bustling campus. She'd spent the day buried in books, the silence a balm to her overstimulated mind. When she finally emerged, the sun was lower in the sky, and she realized she had just enough time to get to Eunseo's school.

The sight of the school gates made her stomach twist with nerves. Clusters of mothers and nannies stood in animated groups, chatting as they waited for their children. Lisa hung back, hovering at the edges, feeling like an intruder. Her black leather bag and plastic file case were out of place among the diaper bags and strollers. She felt impossibly young, her navy blazer and high-waisted jeans doing little to disguise the fact that she didn't belong. At least she'd worn sneakers—heels would've been a disaster.

When the school bell rang, the noise was almost deafening. Children spilled out of the building, and Lisa felt a rising panic. Her eyes darted through the sea of little faces, trying to find Eunseo. The crowd pressed in, the chatter growing louder. Was it always this overwhelming? Her heart pounded, and her breath came in short, shallow gasps. She swayed slightly, the edges of her vision blurring. Was she really about to have a panic attack in front of a bunch of moms and nannies?

"Mama!"

The frantic thoughts screeched to a halt as a familiar voice cut through the chaos. "Mama!" There, in the midst of the crowd, was Eunseo, running towards her with open arms.

Lisa barely had time to kneel before Eunseo launched herself into her arms. She hugged the little girl tightly, a mixture of relief and something warmer spreading through her chest. She wasn't aware of the curious looks from the other women nearby, who recognized Eunseo immediately. They knew her father, after all—how could they not? Mingyu was the only man who showed up to these things, and he was a striking figure, tall and handsome, with a kindness that made him stand out even more. He was always alone, too. They had assumed Eunseo's mother was out of the picture. Until now.

"Mama, look! I got three stars! Papa said if I was good, you'd come to pick me up!" Eunseo's voice was full of pride as she showed off the three star stamps on the back of her hand.

"Madre mía, I didn't know you were Mrs. Kim. You look so young." The voice made Lisa glance up, still holding onto Eunseo. Three women stood nearby, each with a child in tow, their eyes filled with polite curiosity. Lisa rose to her feet, giving them a small nod.

"Buenas tardes, señoritas."

One of the women stepped forward, her smile warm but questioning. "You are Mrs. Kim, right? Eunseo called you 'mama,' so we just assumed..."

Lisa managed a smile, though her heart raced. She could feel the weight of their stares, and more eyes from the crowd had turned in her direction. Her grip on Eunseo's hand tightened just slightly.

Before Lisa could formulate a response, a teacher approached with a warm smile, accompanied by the same woman Lisa had seen last time. "Buenas tardes, Mrs. Kim. I received a call from Mr. Kim letting us know that Eunseo's mother would be picking her up today. It's lovely to meet you. Eunseo has been doing so well lately—she talks about you all the time." Lisa's cheeks flushed at the comment. That infuriating man—did he enjoy putting her in these awkward situations? What was he thinking, calling her Eunseo's mother? The arrangement was supposed to be strictly between the three of them—four, if she included her own mother.

"You're Mrs. Kim?" Another teacher spoke up, her tone laced with curiosity. Lisa's gaze flicked to the woman's name tag: Ningning, an assistant teacher, probably around Lisa's age. "But when I saw you—"

"I am Eunseo's mother," Lisa cut her off sharply. She had to think fast before Ningning said something that might blow her cover. "We've met before, Teacher Ningning. I apologize for how our last encounter ended. I was just being protective of my child. Seeing her alone on the streets... well, it was disappointing. We trust this school, which is why we send our children here, right? So, I hope it won't happen again."

Lisa's words struck a nerve, causing Ningning to blush and look away, clearly embarrassed. The reminder of that incident had clearly stung. Lisa knew she was pressing her advantage, but she had to stay in control. Ningning had already been reprimanded when Mingyu reported the incident, so the last thing she needed was another public scolding. But with everyone's eyes on her, Ningning forced a smile, though it was obvious she wanted to roll her eyes and curse Lisa under her breath. Teacher Edna, the advisor, quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Yes, Mrs. Kim, we sincerely apologize. We assure you that it won't happen again. Teacher Ningning is new and still adapting, but she's excellent with the kids and is doing her best."

"Yes, Mrs. Kim," Ningning added, her voice strained. "I apologize for my small mistake."

"Small mistake?" Lisa's voice was sharp, her patience fraying. "She was nearly taken by a stranger."

The women around them gasped at Lisa's words. She hadn't meant to let that slip, but Ningning's dismissive tone had pushed her too far. Teacher Edna's awkward laugh filled the tense silence. Clearly, neither of them had expected this conversation to escalate. "Oh dear, Teacher Ningning didn't mean it that way. Since that incident, we've been extra cautious. I'm sure Teacher Ningning has learned from the situation, Mrs. Kim, and won't repeat it."

Teacher Edna nudge Ningning who was frozen on her spot from too much shame and embarrassment. She cleared her throat and gather all her patience left. "I'm very sorry, Mrs. Kim."

Teacher Edna nudged Ningning, who stood frozen in place, the weight of shame and embarrassment pressing down on her. She cleared her throat, gathering the last shreds of her composure. "I'm very sorry, Mrs. Kim."

Lisa nodded curtly, eager to end the conversation. Eunseo's small hand gripped hers tightly, a clear sign that the little girl was feeling just as uncomfortable. "Very well, thank you. We should be going now. It was nice meeting you all."

As they turned to leave, Lisa finally allowed herself to exhale, the tension slowly draining from her body. She could still feel the eyes of the other women boring into her back, but she didn't care anymore. She had survived the encounter, but all she wanted now was to go home and collapse onto her bed. Of course, that wasn't an option—she still had to watch over Eunseo. Maybe they could both take a nap once they got home. That wasn't a bad idea. After the day they'd both had, some rest would do them good.

As they walked away, Lisa could only hope she had handled the situation maturely. She didn't have the energy to deal with that black cat if he found out about what had happened during pick-up hours. The thought of Mingyu's piercing gaze and the inevitable smirk that would follow made her shudder. She wasn't ready to argue with him about this—especially not today.

The warm glow of the early evening sun filtered through the curtains of Eunseo's bedroom, casting a soft light across the room. The television hummed quietly, paused on the opening scene of a Disney movie, its vibrant colors muted by the stillness that had settled in. On the bed, Lisa lay with Eunseo nestled against her, the little girl's head resting comfortably on her shoulder. They had both drifted off to sleep, lulled by the familiar comfort of the animated film.

After picking up Eunseo from her school earlier, Lisa had brought the little girl back to Mingyu's apartment. They had settled in on the kid's bed for a Disney movie, Eunseo cuddling up next to Lisa. It wasn't long before both of them dozed off.

Lisa stirred, the faint tick of the clock on the wall drawing her back to consciousness. She blinked, momentarily disoriented, before glancing down at the small figure beside her. Carefully, she disentangled herself from Eunseo's tiny grip, pausing when the little girl mumbled something in her sleep. Lisa smiled softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from Eunseo's forehead before quietly slipping off the bed.

When she got to the living room, Lisa noticed the apartment was quiet, almost too quiet. A quick glance at the clock made her realize it was already 6 PM, and Mingyu still hadn't returned home. Curiosity flickered in her chest as if to why the man wasn't home yet, but she pushed it aside. Mingyu was a grown man; he could take care of himself. Besides, there were more immediate concerns—like dinner.

Lisa padded into the kitchen, her bare feet silent against the cool tiles. She tied an apron around her waist. She opened the fridge and began pulling out ingredients, ss she worked, the sounds of the kitchen filled the apartment: the soft hiss of oil in the pan, the rhythmic chop of vegetables, the clink of utensils against metal. The aroma of simmering sauce soon wafted through the air, wrapping the space in a cozy warmth. Lisa allowed herself to get lost in the routine, the simple comfort of cooking for someone else―Oh don't judge her too quickly, she does this too to her mama.

Too engrossed, she didn't hear the door open, nor the quiet footsteps that approached from behind. It wasn't until she turned to set the table that she saw him—leaning casually against the kitchen doorway, arms crossed, with that infuriatingly smug smirk on his face.

Lisa froze, her heart skipping a beat. Mingyu's hair was slightly tousled, his clothes casual, yet he still managed to look effortlessly put together—annoyingly attractive even after what must have been a long day.

"Didn't mean to scare you," Mingyu drawled, his voice thick with amusement. "But it's not every day I come home to find someone else cooking in my kitchen."

Lisa recovered quickly, rolling her eyes as she set the plates down with a little more force than necessary. "Well, if you're going to leave your daughter in my care, the least I can do is make sure she's fed. Consider it a service, free of charge."

Mingyu chuckled, pushing off the wall and sauntering over to her, his presence making the kitchen feel a little smaller. "You're really making yourself at home, aren't you?"

Lisa shrugged, fighting the flutter in her chest as he drew closer. "Someone has to make sure you two don't starve."

There was a brief silence as Mingyu studied her, his gaze lingering a moment too long. "You're really getting into this whole mother role, aren't you?" His tone was teasing, but there was something else beneath it, something more complicated.

Lisa straightened up, crossing her arms defensively. "Only because someone keeps putting me on the spot," she shot back, trying to ignore the way her pulse quickened under his scrutiny. "What's your excuse for enjoying it so much?"

Mingyu's eyes sparkled with mischief as he took another step closer, their proximity almost too intimate.

"Maybe I just like seeing you flustered. It's something... I haven't seen in a long time." He tilted his head slightly, as if trying to recall the last time he had playfully flirted with anyone.

Lisa scoffed, turning away to hide the blush that crept up her neck. "You're insufferable."

"And yet, here you are, playing along," Mingyu countered smoothly.

Lisa turned quiet. Those words made her think that she was indeed playing along. Ever since their encounter, she always found herself going back to his apartment whether its intentional or not. She couldn't keep reasoning that she's intrigued because we all know it's so much more than that, Lisa is damn attracted to him long before that incident even happened. And now he's here in front of her, invading her space. Damn, he smells so good.

Without thinking, Mingyu reached out, his fingers brushing against hers as he moved to untie the apron. The touch was light, almost hesitant, as if he wasn't entirely sure of what he was doing. "You're doing a good job," he said, his voice softening, the teasing edge gone. For a moment, their eyes met, and the usual back-and-forth between them faded, replaced by a quiet intensity that neither seemed prepared for.

What the hell is happening?!

Lisa's breath caught in her throat, and she quickly stepped back, breaking the spell. "Dinner's ready. You should wake up Eunseo before she sleeps through the night," she managed, her voice a touch too brisk.

Mingyu didn't press further, sensing her discomfort. He simply nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "You should check on her, after all, you're practically her favorite person these days," he suggested, his tone gentle.

Caught off guard and still trying to adjust to the "Mama" role, Lisa tried to play it cool. "I'm not sure if you've noticed, but this isn't exactly a 24-hour childcare service," she retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Mingyu chuckled but gestured for Lisa to follow him. She did, the soft patter of their footsteps echoing as they walked down the hallway.

They entered Eunseo's bedroom, the door creaking slightly as they pushed it open. The room was bathed in a soft, dim light, the walls decorated with pastel colors and stuffed animals that lined the shelves. Eunseo lay on the bed, her small form barely making a dent in the covers. She stirred slightly as they entered, mumbling something incoherent, but didn't wake.

Mingyu watched as Lisa approached the bed, her movements careful and tender. She brushed a few strands of hair away from Eunseo's face, her touch light and affectionate. "She's so attached to you," Mingyu murmured, he too followed, taking the TV remote at the bedside table and turning the flat screen TV off.

Lisa glanced up, their eyes meeting across the room. She could never quite read him; every smirk and playful remark seemed like a shield, keeping her from seeing what lay beneath. The way he interacted with others was the same way he interacted with her—polite, gentle, practiced to perfection. But she'd watched him long enough to notice the cracks in his facade. His smiles never quite reached his eyes, hinting at the weight he carried inside.

She'd seen him take deep drags of his cigarette, his thoughts miles away, or drink too much on that damn veranda, trying to numb himself from whatever haunted him. It was always the same routine, and somehow, she understood. The need to escape, even if just for a moment, even knowing that tomorrow would only bring more of the same despair.

"Maybe because she's the only one who doesn't drive me crazy," Lisa replied quietly, looking away as she felt the weight of his gaze on her. Her tone was serious, but there was a hint of something else, something softer.

Mingyu chuckled softly, the sound breaking the tension. "I guess that means I'll have to try harder."

Lisa couldn't help but smile, shaking her head at his persistence. "You do that."

Mingyu stepped forward, sitting on the edge of the bed. He called Eunseo's name softly, his voice coaxing the little girl from her sleep. Eunseo mumbled something again, still half-asleep, but when she heard Lisa's voice, she finally opened her eyes. With a sleepy smile, she reached out, wrapping her arms around Lisa's waist.

"Mama..." Eunseo's voice was soft, drowsy, but full of warmth. Lisa giggled softly, brushing her hand through the little girl's messy hair.

She might actually get used to that, and somehow Lisa isn't complaining.

"Dinner's ready," Lisa said gently, trying to ignore the way her heart swelled at the word 'Mama.'

"Did Mama cook it?" Eunseo asked, her eyes brightening as she looked up at Lisa.

"Yes," Lisa replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Eunseo smiled, she quickly went to her papa. "Did you hear that, Papa? Wawisa cooked something for me."

Mingyu returned the smile as he hugged his daughter warmly, but his gaze was fixed on Lisa. "I heard," he said softly. He stood, lifting Eunseo into his arms and the little girl's arms wrapped around his neck. As he turned his heels to head back to the kitchen, he shot Lisa a playful smile over his shoulder. "Thanks, Mama," he teased, knowing full well how much the nickname irked her.

Lisa rolled her eyes, though there was no real bite to her words. "I told you to stop calling me that."

Mingyu just grinned, the warmth in his eyes betraying how much he enjoyed ruffling her feathers.

Lisa couldn't help but feel a strange warmth in her chest. She was starting to care—maybe more than she should. But for now, she pushed those thoughts aside. There was dinner to be had, and for tonight, that was enough.

As Mingyu carried the still-sleepy Eunseo out of the room, Lisa lingered behind, her footsteps slowing. Something had caught her eye. Among the neatly arranged dolls, storybooks, and toys, a picture frame was lying face down.

A small frown tugged at Lisa's lips. Her almost instinctive need to fix things kicked in, so she walked over to set it right. But when she turned the frame over, she froze.

The photo showed a young woman smiling brightly as she held a newborn baby. The joy in her eyes was so clear, it made Lisa's heart ache.

A lump formed in her throat, making it hard to swallow. The reality of the situation crashed down on her, heavy and cold. This moment, this feeling of belonging, it wasn't real. It was all a pretense, a fantasy she'd allowed herself to indulge in.

Lisa wasn't Eunseo's mother. This wasn't her family. She was just a stand-in, filling a role that belonged to someone else.

What was she thinking?!

The question lingered in her mind as she carefully put the frame back on the shelf. She took a deep breath, trying to push away the heaviness in her chest. With one last look at the photo, she turned and quietly followed Mingyu and Eunseo out of the room, the warmth she'd felt earlier now replaced by a chill she couldn't quite shake.

You've seen the red flashing lights, Lisa. Don't act like you weren't warned. They've always been there, and you chose to ignore them. What was it for? A brief escape from your own reality? Or are you grappling with that same daddy issues?