365 Days of You

Chapter 12

Seoul Angel House

Mina looks  up at the banner that looks warm and welcoming. The driver stops the car just a few hundred metres away from the closed gates. Mina gets off the car, glad Ho-jin has dodged the paps cleverly again.

It is her eighth day at the home for children. She always stops the car at a safe distance from the home and prefers to walk the rest of the distance.

She wants to be known as an ordinary individual, not as the wife of a famous singer. She has always liked her normalcy and the home offers her that.

Every morning she takes a small path from back gate in the garden to a nearby park and walks a short distance to a coffee shop where Ho-jin picks her up to drive her to work in a different car than he normally uses for Nayeon.

It's complicated, but she prefers that over being chased by the paparazzi. It's also what Nayeon has ordered.

In the beginning Mina has insisted she uses public transport and Nayeon has brushed away the suggestion with a simple Just how fast can you get away from the paps if you are waiting for a bus?

It has irked her that she can't make her own decisions, but she doesn't dare argue with Nayeon. The lesser they speak, the lesser are the chances for a disaster.

She walks with a spring in her steps to the home. Some of the kids playing in the secured playground wave at her. It makes her happy to see them smile. She waves back enthusiastically as she enters the lobby.

"Good morning Mina-ssi. You look happy." Her boss Cho notes as she sees the younger girl walk in with a big smile on her face.

"Just in a good mood unnie."

She hasn't bumped into Nayeon for three days. It always leaves her in a good mood. The anxiety and unpredictability only comes with Nayeon.

"Good. Menu for the day is in the kitchen. Beom called in sick. I couldn't find a cover for him."

"Don't worry. I can make do without him." Mina replies, as she takes her jacket off and hangs it in the cloak stand.

"Grab a drink and then start working. No need to tire yourself out so early in the morning." She says with genuine concern.

This new girl has been a blessing to the home. She not only efficiently manages her crew, but is also extremely good with the kids.

"Yes ma'am." Mina gives her a two finger salute.

Cho chuckles softly at the playful reply.

It is almost at the end of her shift when Mina gets a call from Tzuyu.

"Do you know where Nayeonnie is? I want to wish her for her birthday."

"You're asking me?" Mina asks derisively. "I  didn't even know it's her birthday today."

"Sorry. It's just every birthday she pulls this disappearing act and we don't know where she vanishes."

"Oh. I wish I can help you but I really have no idea."

"No worries. I'll see you later unnie."

Mina bites her lips as she looks through the window at the expanse of trees in her view. Every birthday? Mysterious. She has to admit she's intrigued.

The clock chimes five times.

She retrieves her coat from the stand and checks her appearance in the mirror again. As she walks past the play room for kids, she is stopped by a familiar voice.

"Oh that's right. I'm a Princess. Just like all of you. Where is my crown?"

She hears the sound of kids laughter, shuffling of papers and crayons around.

She peeps inside unable to hold her curiousity.

She isn't dreaming.

It is Nayeon.

Laughing like a child, looking carefree and happy. A Nayeon she's never seen before. A Nayeon she's never imagined seeing before.

"Such a good lass, that wife of yours."

She jumps, startled. Cho stands by her side, a smile glazed over her face as she watches the kids interact with Nayeon.

"How do you know her?"

Cho raises an eyebrow at her questioningly.

"You don't know?"

Mina shakes her head to show she is ignorant about this part of her wife's life.

"Her younger brother Nam-ji was a special child. He was in this home. She wanted him to be with her, but her dad wouldn't let her. Said it won't be good for her image." Cho sighs and pauses as she looks at Nayeon with a pained look on her face.

She clears her throat and continues, "When she turned twenty-one, she wanted to take over his guardianship, so she can take him home but sadly Nam-ji passed away that year after years of constant struggle to live."

Mina feels her stomach twist in knots.

She turns back to look at the older girl who is now helping a child make a tierra.

"She has been celebrating her birthday here ever since she turned eighteen. Nobody except the staff knows and I incline to keep it that way."

She says silently asking Mina not to share what she's just told with anyone. Mina nods her head in understanding.

Nayeon is now reading the kids the story of  The Beauty and the Beast with a dazzling smile on her face.

"Unnie, can I ask you a question? Did she get me this job?"

Mina holds her breath. She hopes Nayeon isn't hoping to amend her mistakes by flashing her money and power.

"No." Cho replies honestly. "The only thing she requested was not to reveal about her visits to the home to you." She shrugs.

Mina nods. Nayeon must have not expected her to be in the home until five. Her shift usually finished at four.

She chews her lips as she contemplates what she's just heard. Why does Nayeon hide her good side and only picks her bad side to be displayed to her and the world?

Nayeon laughs brightly as a little girl jumps into her lap, tackling her for a hug.

Mina touches the glass as if to get closer to the older girl.

"And that is how kids, the beauty started liking the beast." Nayeon turns the page over to a new chapter, unaware of how a new chapter has just begun in her life.