Four Letters (Chaeyoung×MiSaMo)

[57] Instinct

Chaeyoung rocked her feet, scraping her shoes on the floor as she watched Mina pack her things in the bag. It was her discharge day and Mina was the one to take her.

The results for all the tests done came out all fine, no complications and no more treatment required. Turned out everything healed completely with time and the bullet that pierced through her shoulder had an exit wound, her head and her body had no injuries so her doctor told her she's good to go.

She just waited for Mina to finish, and then right after leaving the hospital they're going to her parent's house to have dinner. Probably that's why Nayeon and Jeongyeon didn't come today, to prepare the food they're going to serve her.

As she watched Mina getting everything ready, Chaeyoung is going through a lot of thoughts. Judging by how everything is turning out, looks like her plan of running away is drifting off of her mind completely.

Mina finally finished packing her things. She stood up and walked towards the woman, inhaling some air for confidence because she's about to ask something from Mina that would definitely change the whole course of this game.

The older looked at her with a questioning look, asking what she wants. Chaeyoung pursed her lips before telling what she came for.

"You see, the heater in Jisoo's living room wasn't working." She fiddled with her fingers as a lie once again came out of her mouth, a white lie as she may labeled. "So I was just wondering if I could stay in the penthouse for a few days." She looked at Mina in hope of hearing a yes.

But the older furrowed her brows making Chaeyoung nervously remained her eyes at her. The older woman scratched her head. "Do you want me to move out?"

The question took a laugh out of Chaeyoung, her hand instinctively made it's way to ruffle Mina's hair. She didn't expect such response, looks like Mina did not get her point. "I was meaning to ask if I could stay with you."

Mina widened her eyes. "You want to live with me?" She asked and pointed at herself.

"Yes. Is that okay?" Chaeyoung said with a genuine smile on her face. Mina let out rumbled words, stuttering and couldn't even produce a proper sentence. Chaeyoung just once again laughed at her. "I'll take that as a yes, come on." She took the bag and walked ahead of the older.

Mina smiled to herself and can't help but blush from anticipating. Chaeyoung just asked to live with her, nothing big but it makes her so damn happy.

×××

Mina and Chaeyoung arrived at the Yoo residence, coming home to a feast. A huge ass set of meals.

Chaeyoung stared in awe, couldn't believe this was all made for her. She smiled at her parents as they welcomed them at the dining room, both of them were welcomed with a hug as they sat beside each other.

They spent a fulfilling meal, filled with beautiful stories and worthy conversations. They even looked at some of her baby pictures, this moment could've been gold if only she doesn't have to pretend that it was the first time she saw those photos.

"I must've been a headache as a kid." She remarked, looking at a photo of her in elementary having paints all over her clothes and skin. Nayeon laughed as she reminisced that day.

"You always loved painting. You will steal the paints that we have on the basement and cut down an old shirt of your mother to use as canvas." Chaeyoung listened as her mother told stories that she surely remembers but have to act like she doesn't.

"You would hide at your tree house at the backyard and paint for hours using your limited set of diy tools." Jeongyeon continued, with a smile of pure bliss on her face. "But your art always turned great no matter what. You were resourceful and talented, that was your greatest strength and you were so good at it."

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. Chaeyoung knows that this stories could cause guilt to her parents, and she knows that is what's happening now.

"If only we had let you do things as you want, you would've been a great painter by now." Nayeon said with sadness in her tone, Chaeyoung heaved a sigh and held her mother's hands.

"I'm sure I understand. Parents only wanted what's best for their child, and I think your Son Chaeyoung understands you Mrs. Yoo." Chaeyoung consoled her mother, a smile was exchanged between them.

Nayeon was still happy despite the formality. She wants to give Chaeyoung some time and they won't shove the memories down her throat just so she could remember. Nayeon and Jeongyeon was happy enough that their daughter came back alive, that their Chaeyoung was alive.

And Chaeyoung knows and feels how considerate the people around her is, makes her feel more guilty but she wanted to find the right timing. She wanted to finally tell everyone the truth, but not now, just not now.

The time came when it was time to leave. The couple wanted them both to stay but they also wanted to give their daughter a bit of space. They watched as the two drove away and waved as they smiled to themselves.

As soon as the two was out of their sights, Nayeon almost fell on her knees if not for Jeongyeon catching her.

The thing about being parents is having an instinct that works only for your kid. And it does not just for a biological relationship, even friendships that lasted for years can know and earn this instinct.

For a kid that Nayeon and Jeongyeon raised for more than 20 years, they surely have that instinct as parents for Chaeyoung. They knows what the kid wants, what her expression means, her smiles, her frowns they know everything.

Even including when she tells the truth or when she was lying. They can definitely tell when their daughter, Son Chaeyoung is lying to them.

"She must've had a reason right?" Nayeon asked her wife who handed her a glass of water. Jeongyeon sighed and sat beside her wife on the couch, she shrugged her shoulders.

The answer? She doesn't know. If Chaeyoung is pretending not to remember anything then something must've happened, but that's what she can't answer.

Her kid, she knows her kid. Chaeyoung will not decide on something without enough reason, but that reason is still something that's hard for her to figure out.

But one thing is for sure, Chaeyoung is lying to them about her amnesia but to what extent is something they cannot measure. They will wait for their daughter for as long as they can. They will trust that the kid they raised is still there, Chaeyoung will tell the truth and they will see to it until the end.