kyung tossed and turned in the bed not being able to sleep properly after what occurred a few hours before. her body was craving at least a few hours of sleep but her mind kept wandering. so much is on her plate at such a young age. she should be in college right now making something of herself... but instead she is roped up in an endless nightmare all because of her mother and father.

both of her parents were addicts who only got worse as all the years went by. it was hard for her to understand where everything went wrong. they both had steady jobs, decent income flooding in. while they weren't rich, they had it better than others... until they didn't.

memories of her childhood became visible in her brain. the unwashed dishes in the sink that hadn't been touched in months made her cringe. she frankly remembered the few beat up toys she had scattered around the apartment. cigarette butts plus ashes widespread through the red carpet that barley was ever cleaned. the smell of cigarettes, marijuana and alcohol could still be smelled even to this day

it was nothing short of a miracle that her mother gave birth to a healthy baby that had no defects or withdrawal symptoms. when kyung-jin was born...... it wasn't a beautiful moment at all. her mother was totally zoned out when delivering her first and only child at the time. no type of motherly instincts kicked in when her daughter entered the world. her father also wasn't in the moment either, he was in the delivery room high as a kite but the doctors and nurses acted oblivious

those first six months of her life weren't great. her parents didn't know how to soothe her, the truth is they were not ready to have a child. her grandparents mostly took care of her when her parents went to work. they did good for the most part hiding their addiction from loved ones and work associates. both were nervous the day kyung-jin was born going on a coke rampage snorting up as much as their noses could take

her love and hate relationship with her parents will always be a tug of war.........

the sudden whining randomly appearing in the room made kyung shoot up from the bed. she got up running across the room over to the crib, the baby started screaming her lungs out. kyung began to shush the newborn gently picking her up placing her head by her heart. she caressed her head that was full of jet black curly hair starting to bounce her body up and down trying to calm her

the babygirl began slowly but surely calming down hearing her heartbeat. kyung started rubbing her back causing her to fall back asleep, she tried fighting it but her eyelids kept drooping the more kyung hummed softly. she carefully laid her back in the crib then took this chance to take a long, steamy hot shower that helped loosen her tense body. those thirty minutes in the shower made a slight difference

when she was finished drying her damp body off with a clean towel, she got dressed into a black tracksuit then brushed her teeth. she let her long black hair air dry leaving it down. she grabbed her makeup bag sitting it on the bathroom counter quickly unzipping the zipper. the potted concealer was opened, her index finger gently dapping some of the product underneath her faint purplish black eye. the color yellow tried seeping through the visible mark.

she winced swiping the makeup on the delicate mark that was fragile. the concealer was the perfect shade that matched perfectly with her pale skin. the bruise was hidden well, almost looking like she never had been hit. when she exited the bathroom, her eyes scanned across the clock sitting on the nightstand. the bright red numbers showed it was eight a.m.

kyung knew she wouldn't be getting any sleep so she decided to head into the kitchen. her nose smelling food before she made it fully down the hall. when she cut the corner, her legs came to an abrupt stop seeing her childhood best friend washing dishes. her back was turned away from her, the loud water running down into the soapy pans was apparent.

kyung announced herself quietly, "goodmorning."

soo turned around smiling happily, "goodmorning! how'd you sleep?" she asked sounding caring and generous but that is always

kyung nodded taking a seat at the dining table, "i didn't." she admitted with a sigh

soo dried her hands then poured them both some omija-cha that she made the night before. she carefully walked over sitting the glass cup in front of kyung, "still having those nightmares?" soo asked going back over to the counter to grab both of their plates that were filled with food

"something like that." kyung answered sadly

she looked down at the plate noticing soo cooked her favorites; hotteok, fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs and candied bacon

soo sat across from her placing her plate in front of her, "maybe you should get on some type of medicine to help with those nightmares." soo softly suggested sipping on her tea keeping eye contact

"it's only been a month soo, they'll go away eventually.."

"yeah but you've been having these horrid nightmares since we were kids. the meds that a doctor prescribes will probably give you aid." soo proposed taking a quick bite of the warm, crunchy yet chewy bacon

kyung shook her head, "i can't afford it plus i don't want to turn into a walking zombie." she faltered looking down at her wrists that had bruises on them. she quickly pulled her sleeves down not even knowing they were there.

"i'll pay for the prescription—-"

kyung cut her off, "no you won't—-"

"kyung, yes!" soo raised her voiced then calmed herself down forgetting there is a sleeping baby in the apartment. she fixed her tone clearing her voice, "just let me help you, please."

"you already do enough for me and hana." she implied looking at her bestfriend with softened eyes

without soo, kyung would be a mess. they've been thick as thieves since they were four years old. when her grandparents weren't taking care of her, soo's parents were. they have always treated kyung like she was their own, showering her with nothing but love which was what she needed especially given the circumstances growing up

both of their mothers worked together at a high end company. they went to high school together and were very close, even attending the same college plus were dorm mates. but as the years started going by, they grew apart from each other. different paths and goals were set for both women who just couldn't relate to each other anymore after awhile

their friendship was severed and wasn't able to be fixed.

soo felt a bit irritated with her bestfriend asking, "why can't you just accept help from me?" she angrily started cutting her butterknife in her pancakes

"because i'm not a charity case soo——-"

she was cut off with the speed of lightning, "i never said you were because you aren't. it is okay to get help from the ones who love you."

kyung rolled her eyes to the back of her head, "you literally made a nursery here in your apartment plus gave your office up to customize a guest room for me and hana, let us stay here whenever we want and help me out with her when i have to work two jobs. that is more than enough."

soo chuckled, "you're so difficult at times." she murmured under her breath. kyung looked at her plate then glanced at soo, she reached over to grab her free hand giving it a tight squeeze which alerted soo making her look up

"i appreciate you. i don't want you worrying about me, okay? everything always works out right?" she asked quoting what soo always says no matter the condition

soo cracked a smile, "i'm always going to worry about you—-" kyung scoffed, "but i'll relax on the offers for now." she swore

"thank you." sudden grunts could be heard from the baby monitor that was on the kitchen counter, both of them snapped their necks looking at it. hana started crying profusely, kyung was about to get up but soo beat her to the punch

"i got her. eat your breakfast. after that, we're going out and having a girls day." soo insisted jogging towards the room

kyung rolled her neck around in a circular motion started to feel soreness sneak up on her especially in the back of her neck. she placed her hand back there, fingers starting to massage the tender spot that made her wince. the pain was unbearable but she wanted to get blood flowing

soo could be heard comforting the newborn baby, "it's okay sweetie, i got you." she cooed, kyung smiled hearing hana begin to calm down. hana is a good baby but she prefers to be held majority of the time. she throws a hissy fit when she doesn't feel someone near her especially kyung and soo. she knows their heartbeats and touch perfectly.

soo gave her a bath then fed her. both girls went to get ready when sitting her in the soothing baby swing soo bought. hana was dropped off at soo's parents house, her parents excited to have her for the day.

the two teenagers started off with going to the nail salon being the first customers of the day. the strong smell of acetone and nail polish drowning in their nostrils but they didn't mind. it was a fun way to start their morning off

after that, they did some shopping around seoul, kyung buying things for the baby. hana is her only and main priority and it was clear to soo who bought kyung some clothes. she deserves something nice for all the things she does, soo thinks she is one of the strongest women ever and her testimony backs that fact up

soo looked down at her watch to see it was eleven thirty, three and a half hours went by quick. they were now sitting in a huge park, it was a beautiful day to get some fresh air. not too humid yet not so cold, the perfect kind of weather

they were both digging into their sandwiches they grabbed by a nearby cute little cafe. boba tea sat on each sides of their feet. soo looked at kyung who was chewing softly, "enjoying today?" she asked starting a chat

kyung made sure to swallow her food, "i am. thank you for this." she said with a grin

soo patted her on the knee winking, "no problem." they both quietly laughed then started looking around at their surroundings

kyung leaned down to grab her large plastic cup, soo whistled, "who is that?" she heard her ask. looking up kyung's eyes followed who soo was staring at. coming in contact with a man in a suit who had a briefcase in one hand with a plastic grocery bag in the other. he had the most stunning features having to be in his early or mid thirties

he was walking around looking suspicious, kyung frowned watching him randomly walk up to a homeless man. soo leaned over to whisper, "he is handsome." she said in a seductive tone refusing to look away from him

"he's obviously too old for you." kyung reminded

soo hadn't heard a word she said. mesmerized by the man practically drooling over him. kyung frowned seeing the homeless man who had been handed some bread try to also reach for some money in the suited man's hand. he swatted his hand away smiling deviously sharing a few words with him before picking up his suitcase walking off acting like the interaction didn't happen

he started looking around for his next victim, his eyes gazing over at soo and kyung who looked away quick enough. both of them starting to sip their drinks acting normal. "i'm so confused." kyung said with a puzzled look on her face sitting her almost empty cup back down beside her

"i'm fine with being confused if i get to look at him for a little longer." soo expressed with a giggle finding her way back to staring, kyung rolled her eyes

she patted her on the back getting prepared to stand up and grab all her shopping bags, "let's go—-" she nudged her arm

"no wait! let's just stay for a few more minutes." soo patted her hand twice letting her know to sit still, kyung sighed. the man went up to yet another homeless person. motive of what he was doing was lost upon

soo groaned feeling her bladder starting to kick in, "i have to go to the bathroom—- dang it! i'll be right back!" she rapidly got up running to the nearest ladies restroom.

"that girl has the bladder of a squirrel." kyung mumbled laughing at her own sentence

"excuse me miss?" a friendly tone appeared from thin air

kyung looked over feeling like she missed something. the man in the keen gray suit was looking at her with a kind grin on his face, "yes?" she asked with squinted eyes and a nervous approach

"how are you doing today?" he asked taking a glance at all the shopping bags sitting on the bench, his eyes retuned to hers

"i'm doing good, yourself?" she asked forcing a grin, he nodded his head blinking his eyes

he spoke, "i'm doing good." kyung shot him a faint head nod, "that's good..." she faltered almost thinking she knew what he was about to do. extending his arm out, he asked her, "would you mind holding this for a second?" referring to the grocery bag

kyung almost hesitated but didn't want to come off as an asshole, "sure thing." she grabbed the handles of it sitting it on her lap

opening up his briefcase the man pulled something out, rustling paper could be heard. he sat it down in between their feet the revealing a pile of cash to her. kyung mentally gasped looking at the concise paper bills

"want to play a game with me?" the man asked with an intruding smirk

kyung had nothing to lose, "what game will we be playing?" she asked with her voice lingering

"rock, paper, scissors. you win two out of three rounds then this money is yours." he asserted folding the money in half then placing it inside his front pocket

kyung nodded, "let's do this."

the reads on this book are going up and i'm so excited to share this book with all, thank you everyone for reading, voting and supporting!! <3