collateral damage 🔞 - COMPLETE

•seventy-nine•

~~~~~Naeun

After work today, I walked to pick up the kids from school. I felt the whole time like someone was watching me, but I never saw anyone. Brushing it off as paranoia, I gather Ye-Jun and Mi-Hi and head towards home. They wanted to go to a park nearby, and knowing that Haerin and Jeongguk were not going to be home for a while, I thought letting them run off some energy would be a good idea.

When we got out of the school I noticed the beautiful black Mercedes, but didn't pay much attention. The school attracts children of wealthy and famous parents, so these types of vehicles are not uncommon. It's just the first time seeing this one... Ignoring it, I let Mi-Hi drag me along to the park. The kids run like cheetahs, laughing and chasing each other. They really are each other's best friend. The other kids here don't really interest them, but they manage to find a couple to play a game of tag with.

A presence next to me has me turning my head, and freezing in shock.

"Hello Naeun-ssi... How have you been?"

On the other end of the bench is Mrs. Choi. She's not really looking at me, but watching the kids. I don't know what to say to this woman... What could she possibly want?

"I've been well ma'am... How about yourself?"

I hate myself for being polite to her... But a piece of me is petrified and I don't want to rock the boat.

"Hmmm... I guess I have been feeling a lot of regret... You may not know, but my husband passed away a year ago."

She still is not looking at me, but I can read the posture. The slumped shoulders, downcast face, and fiddling fingers all read stress. Hearing that Haerin's father has died, I don't know what to say. I'm not sure what she'll feel, and I'm pretty worried.

"Why are you here Mrs. Choi? I saw you at Haerin's trial... She's gotten a lot of therapy, and is doing better than she has in years. I won't let you set her back..."

"You have taken good care of Haerin through the years Naeun-ssi... I'm not here to hurt her... I just thought maybe we could try to patch things up."

"Hmmm... It's not my decision... And I can't tell you how she'll react."

Small hands pat my leg, and I look to see Mi-Hi with her arms held up. I lift her onto my lap, and Ye-Jun just stands, staring at Mrs. Choi. He is not smiling, and the tension around everyone is getting thick.

"Naeun... As much as I want to stay and get to know my grandchildren... I will wait to hear from you or Haerin. Please take care."

As she stands, she hands me a piece of paper with a phone number. I tuck it away, and watch her walk to the Mercedes I'd seen outside the school. A driver exits, and hold the door open for her. With one last glance, she disappears into the vehicle.

"Who was she Aunty?"

"Ummm... Someone from your Mama's past. Don't worry Ye-Jun... She just wanted to talk."

"Ok... You looked mad at her though... Are you ok?"

"Yes baby... She wasn't a nice person in the past, but she may have changed... It's hard to say. Thank you for worrying for me though. Let's go get some ice cream on our way home."

"I cweam!!!"

I giggle at Mi-Hi and her clapping at the mention of her favorite treat. The 3 of us make our way to grab the snack and go home. My mind races at all the information I've learned, and I feel a headache coming on.

~~

The kids are in bed finally, and I'm sitting on the couch just waiting for Jeongguk and Haerin to come home. I won't tell them about meeting Mrs. Choi until I can figure out how it will affect Haerin... The slamming door causes me to jump, and I look up to see a pissed off Haerin storming into the room. She doesn't say anything, but moves by me towards her room. I go after her, not understanding what has happened.