Like A Star (별처럼)

chapter thirteen.

After they were done eating, Leeteuk offered that he will bring both Taeyeon and her daughter back to their house. Taeyeon agreed as they rode Leeteuk's car.

Moments later, they reached Taeyeon's apartment. Taeyeon offered that Leeteuk should rest inside for a while since his trip back to his dorm may take a while. Leeteuk accepted the offer as they all went inside the apartment.

"Umma, can I play with my friend next door for a while?" Little Hyesun asked as she held her toys.

"With Jang Minkyo? You like him don't you?" Taeyeon joked her daughter.

Hyesun pouted at her umma's statement.

"Okay. But don't stay for too long! It's almost nighttime."

Hyesun nodded and she ran out their apartment. Her friend was just next door, 4 years old in American age, but 5 years old in Korean age. His full name was Jang Minkyo. He was her classmate in her school. He was the one who defended her when the other students bullied Hyesun.

Taeyeon stayed inside her apartment. She threw herself on the couch and started chatting with Leeteuk.

"Thank you for protecting Hyesun a while ago." Taeyeon told him. "Why were they bullying her anyway?" She wanted to know why they always bullied her daughter. Though she already had a guess why, she had to make sure. "Was it because of her dad again?"

Leeteuk nodded. He felt sorry for Taeyeon. He saw her tearing up.

"This is all my fault..."

Leeteuk went to her as he consoled her. He hugged her tightly as the smaller girl cried into his chest.

--

"Jeogiyo!"

Hyesun was playing along with her friend Minkyo when a tall man greeted her.

"Wooyoung-ajussi? Umma told me not to talk to you."

Wooyoung was shocked. Hyesun lived there? In Taeyeon's apartment?

"Hyesun-ah, where is your umma?" he asked, just making sure if she was really their daughter.

"I'm sorry ajussi. Umma said I really can't talk to you."

Hyesun continued on with her playing. Wooyoung didn't give up.

"Please Hyesun, tell me where your umma is."

Hyesun felt pity so she told him instead.

"Umma and I live there." She pointed. Wooyoung knew this was the door going to Taeyeon's apartment, as stated in the small piece of paper. He immediately hugged the little girl, knowing she was his daughter.

"Hyesun-ah..."

Hyesun was not the type of person to just rudely push someone she's not close with when hugging her. So she asked why was he doing that instead.

"Ajussi? Why are you hugging me?"

Wooyoung pulled himself back as he cupped his daughter's face.

"Hyesun-ah, is your umma inside? We need to talk."

Hyesun nodded as she was still confused. Wooyoung left her and her friend for a while, now turning to Taeyeon's apartment door.