Just Enough For Her Little Dream: Book Two

In Joo

I've never seen In-kyung this bright. I watch her chat all the way to Jongho's place. In-hye quietly looks out the window and ignores their conversations. She is in awe. She takes in every single piece of scenery we pass through. She even smiles and it makes my heart sigh in relief.

For once, I made the right choice for my family.

I sit back in my seat and hear Jongho tell In-kyung all the things he wants us to do here.

"I even bought us tickets to Disneyland! Oh and Universal and—"

In-hye practically jumps in her seat and says, "Disneyland?! I've always wanted to go there!"

"Dreams come true here," Jongho says. "Welcome to the land of opportunities. If you're smart enough, of course, but I don't worry about you three. You are all so awesome. You could do anything!"

In-kyung gives him a warm smile at those words. I can tell she lied to me about her feelings toward Jongho. She is still in love with him and he certainly is still mesmerized by my sister.

Exhaustion slowly starts to make us drag our feet to the front door. Jongho is quick to take most of our heavy luggage inside. We have to take two trips back to the car to get everything down. When I enter his house on the last trip, my eyes go wide.

"Woah," I whisper. My sisters also stop by my side to look at his house.

Jongho notices our surprise as he finally closes the front door. "Welcome to my place, guys. Please. Don't be shy about anything. This is your new home now."

"You have such a beautiful house, Jongho," I say as we slowly follow him on his tour of the place.

"It's actually my grandfather's place. We've been living here since I first moved to the States. It's not that huge, but it's something comfortable."

In-kyung scoffs. "Compared to our place, this is a mansion."

Jongho does a warm smile as we stop at his backyard. He puts a quick hand on her back and warmly says, "I'm glad you like it here. Make yourself at home."

They have a quick moment of a warm look when In-kyung returns his soft smile. I look at In-hye who quietly looks around. She feels my gaze and looks up at me. A mixture of exhaustion and excitement makes her seem as if she were five years old again. My heart melts and I give her a small smile. She returns it and it's enough for me to bring her in for a side hug.

"Well," Jongho says as he turns back into the house. "You guys must be tired." He leads us through the hallway that takes us to the kitchen. "But before you ladies rest for tonight, I thought you'd be hungry. So I made a little something to celebrate."

My mouth falls at the beautiful decorations in the kitchen and dining area. In-kyung doesn't seem to realize that it's for her birthday until she sees the cake in the middle of the dinner table and covers her mouth as a blushing laugh comes up her chest. I've never seen her this bubbly before, but it's cute. I do a small celebratory gesture as I give my sister a tight hug.

"Oh my goodness!" In-kyung says as she gives Jongho a hug. "It isn't even my birthday anymore."

"I know. You had to spend it in the air. But you deserve a party. Please, ladies. Sit. I've made kimchi and seaweed soup."

The last time we had seaweed soup for a birthday was when I turned eighteen. It was the only time my parents could afford the plate. My heart soars for this sweet gesture from Jongho. I approve of him even more as he gives In-hye her own plate without kimchi with a small wink.

"The Oh sisters are here already?!"

My sisters and I look up from our plates to see Jongho's grandfather come in with a small limp and a wide smile. My sisters and I stand to give him a bow and Jongho is quick to take a hold of his arm. Once he's at the table, we give him our hugs and warm smiles.

"It's such a pleasure to see you again, grandfather," I gently say.

"Likewise, In-joo. Is this little In-hye?!"

In-hye steps out of her seat and gives Grandfather a shy smile. "Thank you for taking us in, grandfather."

"Look at you! You're all grown up! I've only seen you in pictures that your aunt used to show me."

This comes as a surprise to me. Our aunt never really showed any sympathy for In-hye. But I guess she keeps surprising us even after she's passed away.

I watch In-kyung come out of her seat to give Grandfather a respectful bow. "It's so nice to see you, grandfather. Thank you so much. Sincerely. My sisters and I are in debt with you."

Grandfather has the same approving smile I have toward Jongho. Jongho watches their interaction with a sparkle in his eyes as Grandfather says, "Don't worry about it, my dear. You three are the best version of the Oh family. I am glad to be of help to you. I cannot wait to see how you three thrive here."

"Grandfather," Jongho now says. "It was In-kyung's birthday yesterday. We're celebrating right now. Please sit while I serve you seaweed soup."

"I see! So that's why you were so stressed about having the house perfect today!" He gives us a wink that makes us quietly chuckle as Jongho does a nervous laugh.

"Please let me know if any of you want seconds."

"I already want seconds," Grandfather says as he takes a taste of his plate. "This is amazing, son! In-kyung. It's a good thing you're here now. His food is better when you're around."

I do a small laugh as my sister quickly hides her blush. "Oh my, grandfather. That's not true. His food is always delicious." I see Jongho give my sister a sweet blink before returning to his plate.

We had such a nice dinner. I was happy to see my sister get an appropriate meal and celebration for her birthday. We sang to her as Jongho turned on the candles on her cake. She was so bright. I saw a new side of her and I was so proud of her. I could see a new light shine on her as she came near the candles. It was like she became brighter than all the lights outside the window. She was beautiful.

As she blew out the candles, the lights of our new city were the only light in the house. I look at them now as I finish unpacking in my new room. It feels like we're in a hotel with such nice bed sheets and pillows. Everything is slick and tidy as if it had been just brand new. Does everything look this perfect in this city?

Poor Jongho wanted to give up his room for me or In-kyung, but we insisted that the three of us could sleep together. So he happily gave us the biggest room for us to take. There are two beds in here big enough for us to share.

I look out this new city now. It's called Chinatown. I can tell. Its beautiful lighting and signs give off the culture. People walk around as if it were the safest place in the world. Perhaps it is.

"Unnie?"

I turn to look at In-kyung starting to get comfortable next to In-hye who has fallen fast asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

"Mm?"

She comes to stand on the other side of the window frame and looks out with me. She smiles, showing such peace. I've never seen this look on her. I understand what her heart might be feeling now. We made it. At last, we are safe and complete. We can do whatever we want without having to look behind our shoulders.

We are new women in this quiet world.

"Thank you."

"For what?" I softly say.

"For leading us here. For letting me come here. For coming with me." She looks back at me and my heart melts at her loving eyes. "This is the best birthday gift I could ever have and it's perfect having you and In-hye with me."

I run a soft hand down her cheek and give it a kiss. She blushes for the hundredth time today and we quietly watch the first day of our new lives come to an end.