JAE RA : But?

TH : Uh-... Can you please call, Ji hae too?

Jae Ra went silent for a moment.
"Did they figh- Mind your own business, Jae Ra!" She immediately curbed her boundaries and picked up her professional smile.

JAE RA : Oh, sure! I'll be waiting for you then.

He seemed a little distressed at his tone as he simply hummed a response, before hanging up.
Invariably, with an unconscious will, her concern was poked by his apathy.

But, instantly reminding herself of her frontiers, she invested more on to the Job she was there for. And repeated the same trained words to Ji Hae over the next call.

JI HAE : Oh, okay. I am-...I mean, we are coming.

JAE RA : (-politely-) I will be waiting then.

She looked at her phone confused, as the call ended. The couple unceasingly made her wonder with every petty thing that she never once considered for any other clients she has guided.

Her short wait was met an end with the family traversing towards her from the elevator. She turned herself to face them, displaying her bright work smile.

Little Jae hyung sped up clutching his tinier toy-dinosaur against his chest, the moment he spotted her in the spacious lobby. His transparent and couthy nature obligated one to omit aside one's probity, coated with the work ethics. Seeing his innocence, she just wanted to be the 'Emo' he looks up to, the actual Jae Ra that hides under her tourist guide mask.

She smiled and knelt down to receive him safely as his small steps neared her.

TH : Jae hyung-ah. Be careful!

He, after alerting his son, made his way to the reception with his wife following him. That sole scene made her realize the perfect family they were. She instantly concluded to their stoppage being a concern they faced together in their room.

Maybe she was only trying to rule out the thousand baseless comments that her mind passed on, from the mere outlook of their relationship.

JAE HYUNG : (-distracting her as he reached her arms-) Why did you go so early yesterday? (-pouts-)

JAE RA : Aigoo~ Emo is sorry, I had some works. (-evening down the small crease in his t-shirt-) Did you sleep well?

JAE HYUNG : (-sheepish smile-) Yes, I did with my Dad and Nuggong-ie! (-showing his toy-)

JAE RA : Nuggong-ie? (-curiously-)

He pointed the highlighted green dorsal part of his dinosaur, as he patiently explained himself.

JAEHYUNG : Nugsaeg(green) and Gongryung(dinosaur). So, Nu-Gong-ie!

JAE RA : (-showing utter surprise-) Ah, that's your Nuggong-ie?

He nodded proudly flashing his teeth smile making her awe and curve up her lips, diving in his tiny moments of gay. The four year old imparted the insight to live and cherish the smallest moments of life that the older often fail to do, busy chasing after the happening ones. The young boy amazed her.

Soon cut by his parents of their bonding time, Jae Ra stood up as she greeted them, wearing back the mask of wide smiles.

JAE RA : (-slight bow-) Did you sleep well? All three of you look stunning! (-sweet smile-)

Taehyung showcased a tired smile while his wife, standing on his left, spoke openly.

JI HAE : (-bright smile-) Thank you, Jae Ra-ssi.

JAE RA : (-smiles back-) Shall we go, get you a healthy breakfast for a fresh start of the day?

Jae Ra prioritized Ji hae's expressions as she replied more enthusiastically. The father-son were rather busy carrying out their own little fun session even in that peculiar and odd time.

The guide led them outside only to find a whole car of bodyguards, reporting. Who, would be following them everywhere for their protection.

Marching to the company car, Jae Ra held the door open to let them in. Ji hae went to the other side, where the driver held the door open, and got inside.
Jae Hyung entered from Jae Ra's side with a little help from his Dad, while the latter halted by the door, not getting in.

JAE RA : Is anything wrong, Sir?

TH : (-thick accent-) I asked you not to call me that.

JAE RA : (-nervously-) I am sorry, Taehyung-ssi.

TH : (-sudden cheer in his tone-) Can I sit in the front?

JAE RA : (-politely-) Actually, I have the addresses to set on the GPS. Please be comfortable with your family. (-smiles-) Back-seats are especially made softer for our company cars.

He didn't look at her nor responded with certainty, but just hopped in next to Jae hyung without a word.
She shut the door gently and went to the other side getting in the passenger's seat.

"Is he still a kid that he wants to sit in the front?" Jae Ra pondered to herself.

Jae Ra entered the location in the navigation bar of one of the highest rated places, she mapped out yesterday at her office.

As they started our journey, she looked at the rare view mirror to find it positioned in a way that it gave her the complete view of Taehyung.

He was quietly looking outside through the black washed glass window, slid down half way. The natural air, that he preferred over the AC, blew his soft lustrous hair with his white mask covering his mouth till the bridge of his smooth nose.

His sad eyes held the same wist, encapsulating his countenance with an uncanny melancholia.
Jae Ra immediately whipped her gaze back at her lap, hunching his eyes diverted to the rare view mirror.

Taehyung was annoyed with himself for letting his paranoia butt in every petty matter. Just to keep her away from other guys.

It was to be dealt with before it grew any profound. He tried enjoying the view to distract himself from the bother, that her sitting next to the driver-perhaps a male-gave him.

In a few minutes drive, they arrived at the place. Jae Ra carefully looked up before selecting that particular home, which was both in the proximity of their Hotel and had quality taste.

Guiding them inside while taking tend of every trivial detail-from getting them a suitable table to asking the staff of a special care and preference-Jae Ra waited at a far yet a visible distance.

In the restaurant, the expertize and proficiency in her work, gratified his heart with content. He was delighted to watch her carry herself with the same professionalism she had with her last job.

Although, the fragmented sleep from last night had him a little drained out on energy, her hard work in taking utmost care of his taste and preferences induced a certain satisfaction in him. To at least enjoy the vacation that she had planned with such diligent heed.

And so cheerfully, Taehyung ordered their breakfast.

Jae Ra from her stand breathed in relief as their orders were severed in no time with, so far, no discomfort visible in their visages. However, with its arrival, Jae hyung started to cry for Icecream after he noticed an older kid have one outside.

It took no less seconds to catch her notice that. It prompted her to talk their concern and deal with the same as efficiently as she could.

JAE HYUNG : Appa, pleaseee.

TH : Jae hyung-ah~ Seriously, ice cream for breakfast?

JAE HYUNG : I'll have it after I have these. (-pointing his breakfast-) Please~~(-shaking my hand-) Please~ Appa~~ (-cutely-)

His insistence and stubbornness always reminded him of Jae Ra.
He rightly used all his cute faces and sweetest smiles to bribe him- all her tactics. Taehyung would sometimes wonder if he had been tutored personally by her.

TH : (-chuckles-) Okay fine. Let's go.

He was about to stand but interrupted by Jae Ra, who came with a concerned look on her face.

JAE RA : Is there a problem? The food is not good?

TH : Ah, No no. He just wants Ice cream. So, I was going to get him one.

JAE RA : (-smiles-) Oh, no problem. I will get that, you can have your breakfast.

JAE HYUNG : (-getting off the chair by himself-) Yes, emo! (-holding her hand-)

JAE RA : Don't worry. We'll come in a minute. (-assuring him with a smile-)

He nodded with a pleased expression as she flashed her excited teeth smile to Jae hyung. And they walked away to the counter together.

"Why on earth is Jae hyung so fond of her?" Taehyung smiled at his thought, "I don't blame him."

His eyes affectionately watched them as Jae Ra lifted him in her embrace so he could comfortably point at the flavor he wanted.
Taehyung didn't realize his unconscious smile, following each of their movements until Ji hae's voice flushed it all away.

JI HAE : Oppa~

TH : (-cold voice-) How many times, do I have to tell you? "Oppa" is not a word for you to call me.

JI HAE : (-whiny tone-) We are here in a vacation. Can't you treat me a little nicer, atleast?

TH : It's not "we" and cut with that tone.

JI HAE : (-sighs-) Then, what am I to you? Back in Korea, you sleep in a different room. Here too, you've booked a separate room for me. For God's sake, can you for once consider me as you wif-

TH : (-cutting her off and glaring at her-) You are only Jae hyung's mom to me. And don't start a scene here. I am not in a mood to argue with you right now. (-eating his breakfast-)

JI HAE : You have become colder after coming here. (-after a slight pause-) What is the reason?

Taehyung didn't bother to reply, concentrating on having his breakfast peacefully.

JI HAE : Is it, perhaps, because of that tourist guide? Oppa, do you like her? I've noticed that you act differently around her too.

Taehyung dropped the fork on the table in a vex and leaned back.

TH : I asked you not to create a scene here and.. (-clenching teeth-) ...don't call me Op-

He was stopped from completing his sentence as he noticed Jae Ra and Jae hyung, walking back to them.

TH : (-continues eating-) Just have your breakfast, Jae hyung is coming.

They returned with a big Ice cream bowl in Jae Ra's hand. Taehyung plastered a bright smile on his face, to hide the ruins Ji hae caused to his mood.

Jae Ra, with her pure smile for Jae hyung, placed the bowl on the table before him while the little one climbed up his seat by himself.

JAE RA : Here you go.

JAE HYUNG : Thank you so much, Emo. (-sweet smile-)

JAE RA : (-to the couple-) I'll wait outside. Please enjoy your breakfast. (-slight bows and leaves-)

"Are you really getting married Kimchi?" Taehyung wistfully wondered, watching her walk away from their table.

Ji Hae noticed him staring at every step she took to leave. Presenting herself ideally was a common courtesy, but Taehyung's reactions towards Jae Ra's presence were slowly starting to faze her out and pique her nerves.

The care and affection evident from his eyes made her wonder where she had gone wrong. Where she was lacking that Ji Hae failed to earn this stare all these years. The one that Jae Ra, effectively, grabbed in merely 3 days.

JI HAE : (-wanting to distract him-) Oppa, have your breakfast.

He gave her an icy scowl and looked ahead, clearly provoked. But, he contained it with a straight face, heedful of Jaehyung's company.

TH : I am done.

"Yeah, all I got were these cold stares." Ji Hae scoffed internally.

TH : Jaehyung-ah, keep Nuggong-ie aside for awhile. Tasty food is waiting for our Jaehyung to eat them. (-scooping a spoonful-) Ahh~ (-attempting to feed him-)

JAEHYUNG : I will eat with my hands! (-holding the spoon with his mini fingers-)

He adorably fed himself spilling a little on the bibs tucked around his neck.

TH : Onh, onh. Careful. (-cleaning the bits around his face-) Appa is so proud of you. (-smiles seeing him eat-)

Jaehyung, enjoying the food to the fullest, brought a slight spontaneous smile to Ji Hae's face too. Ceasing away all the displeasure for a moment that his father had caused her.

In a while as they finished, they exited the restaurant after Taehyung paid the bills by his card.

JAE RA : (-smiling to them-) Did you enjoy your breakfast?

_____________

Anyways, talking about the cliffhanger, now how do you think will Ji Hae act towards Jae Ra?

Wonder till the next chapter. ;)