The protector

Se-ri's year

2025, Fall

The first yellow leaves were falling all along the riverfront. Now that Gook was in charge of driving, she had way more time to observe the cycle of seasons. There was an arrogant August sun when Se-ri leaved the city, and a brisk breeze welcomed her in September, quickly turning itself in a blooming of autumnal yellow and orange.

"So, Gook, are you thinking about what to do?"

"Yes, still on the fence. The academic career is interesting, but I need to make money."

"One thing doesn't exclude the other. I can ask Hong to find you something compatible with your time schedule, in the weekends if you prefer."

"I can't work during the weekend."

"Oh. May I ask you why?"

"I have a daughter. She's with her mom during the week, but the weekend is mine."

"Gook! I didn't know you are a daddy! Oh, you incredible guy" and Se-ri immediately regretted her words as in the rearview mirror appeared the reddening cheeks of the bodyguard.

Her mood was good in that period. There was a scent of changes in the air. Not only Gook was finding his way, yet Gu too. He had always had the dream to expand the company opening subsidiaries in the USA, and seemed that he had finally found a reliable partner. His excitement was through the roof, he had always loved the USA - mostly, she suspected, because of the big roads and the petrol price -. Even his father had had to admit that it was a big step up.

Generous as he always was, her husband had found impossible to keep that fortune just for himself, and many times he had tried to convince her to follow him on his business trips – he was spending more time in the States than in Korea that Fall – both to spend some good time together and to open her company to the new market. Provided the increasing appeal of the Korean beauty routine, he always remarked, such a big market could have been the greatest score of her career.

Se-ri was still refusing his invitations, the work absorbing her so much that she really had no time to follow him. Her mom took Gu's place that Fall. The two often dined together in her penthouse, and then she remained with her daughter for long chatting hours, or they spent the weekend together. Little it takes to Se-ri before discovering that it wasn't for free. After years of silent observation, the old woman wanted to now openly investigate.

Gently yet insistently, her mom tried to get informed about everything. How about the heir? Had she seen a doctor? Did she know that some days of the month were more fruitful than others? Mhm. No. Yes.

Se-ri lowered her gaze while replying, and this alarmed her mom, so that the woman began to hammer her with questions. Until Se-ri confessed what was happening in their bedroom. Better, what was not happening.

This silenced her for some moment.

"I can't tell you I'm unhappy about it, Se-ri ya. I like Gu, but I don't think you two will stay together forever. And in case of divorce, your in law would fight against you to take the baby. You wouldn't be a mother, and you would be immensely miserable. You don't deserve more misery. One day, with Jeong Hyeok, you could think to adoption, or something else. Maternity isn't everything in life."

"Are you talking for real? You think the old Gu... "

"From the way he talks about his son, I'm sure he would do everything to keep the baby away from both of you and raise him/her as his real heir. He had always complained about his son. And Se-ri, how about his behave toward you? Now, I mean."