ONE's AFFAIR ; DAERIN

Chapter 20. Care

HAERIN's POV

I quietly admire Dani as she sleeps. My thumb slowly caress her cheek, a few streaks of sunlight beaming in causing her to look like some sort of greek goddess. We stayed up to movie marathon so she slept quite late. It's almost 10:30 in the morning and she's nowhere near awake.

I softly chucked to myself before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before heading downstairs. It's weird how this feels, living with her, I meant. It feels like the time when me and Hanni first got married and moved in together.

I crack a few eggs into a big metal bowl, followed with flour, baking soda, sugar, milk, butter, a tiny bit of salt, and lastly, a bit of cocoa powder. Danielle mentioned once on one of our dates that her mom used to put cocoa powder in her pancakes and she loves it.

Danielle talks about her family in Australia a lot. She grew up in Australia but moved back here for high school and her parents moved back after her second year in college. She talked about how much she wants to go to Australia and visit her family for vacation, I really wish to make her dream come true. Maybe, I can even go with her.

I mixed the ingredients together to make a pancake batter, before I was about to cook the pancakes, I stopped myself. I washed my hands then went back upstairs. I wouldn't want to make the pancakes now and let it wait till cold until Dani wakes up.

I entered the bedroom and saw the puppy have already awaken. She's resting her back against the headboard while rubbing her sleepy eyes. She looks absolutely adorable, like an actual puppy. "Good morning," I greeted as I sat on the edge of the bed and pats her head. "Good morning," Danielle replied softly with a gentle smile on her lips.

She rests her head on my shoulder comfortably and hugged my body as if I'm a human sized teddy bear. It's hard to explain but a few cute muffled noises exit her mouth, it's a lot like a puppy sound but I like to call it Danielle noises.

"Pancakes for breakfast?" I asked while running my hands across the small of her back. "Yes please!" Dani looked up into my eyes with her big brown doe eyes, it looks a lot like a puppy's. I smiled as I pressed my lips against hers. "I'll make the pancakes, come down when you're ready." I rubbed her back before exiting the room and head back downstairs.

I buttered a pan then slowly pour the batter in. One by one, each pancakes were made to perfection! It looks so perfect and fluffy, this is possibly my best pancakes yet.

Suddenly, I felt a pair of arms wrapped around my torso tightly. I relaxed and overlapped her hands with mine. "It smells good." Danielle mumbled, peaking over my shoulders to see the pancakes. "Of course, I made it, after all." I replied proudly. I'm not that great at making food but with easy recipes, I can accomplish it easily.

I finish the rest of the batter and plated it. Each plate has a stack of pancakes, topped with fresh fruits and a 'twinkle dazzle' of cocoa powder and powdered sugar, quoted from the puppy herself. I moved my plate and put it beside hers. Usually, it would be normal to sit across from each other, but I want to be close to her. I don't ever want to lose her.

"Thank you for the food!" We said in unison before digging in. The fluffy pancakes literally melts in my mouth! Along with the tartness from the berries is just perfect. Danielle's reaction is way more dramatic than mine though. She acted as if she fainted and leaned against my shoulder which made me laugh.

After we finish our food, I put all the dirty dishes in the sink and turned around to go wipe the table. Just as I was about to go do the dishes, I see Dani about to wash them! "What are you doing?" I asked. "The dishes?" She said slowly as if she's unsure. I walked over to where Danielle is standing and took the dish away from her hand.

"I'll do the dishes and the cleaning. All you need to do is go relax on the couch, I'll come over once I'm done."

She looked at me as if I'm nuts or I'm an alien from outer space.

"No! You made the food so now it's my turn to do the dishes." She argued.

Usually, this would be how it works but not for me. I don't want her to do any work around the house, I'll do it. She's a princess that deserves to be given princess treatment, that's final.

"Well, no. You're wrong. I'll do the dishes so you should go relax." I respond. I cleaned her hands since she just touched the dirty plate and princess carry her to the couch. "Stay here."
I said firmly, kissing her lips. I put the TV remote in the grasp of her palm then went back to kitchen.

I did the eye signal, showing that I'll be watching and she better not do any hard work, before turning my back to face her.

I swiftly but carefully clean every utensils and dirty dish there is. I somewhat enjoy doing the dishes, it gives me time to gather my thoughts and problems. But at the same time, I hate it. I'm scared of facing them head on.

I washed my hands with soap after finish cleaning the dishes. I was about to go cuddle with my sweetheart but I suddenly remember the watermelon and green grapes in the fridge. I cut the watermelon into bite size cubes and washed the grapes. I put them into a big bowl, with the grapes on one side and watermelon on the other.

I could see her eyes lit up as she ran towards me and tackle me with a hug that almost knock the bowl out of my hand.

"I missed you!" She said, adorably, attacking me with multiple kisses. I chuckled while using my free hand to hug her.

"I was only doing the dishes!"
"It felt forever."

The puppy would not let go of me no matter what, but I'm not complaining. We cuddled and eat fruits together while playing board games and watch movies.

I don't need us to do anything fancy, just being able to spend time with her is enough for me.

MINJI's POV

I looked over to where Hanni is, she has been dealing with patients nonstop today and didn't have the time to eat anything. I walked over to where she is and tapped on her shoulder.

"You only have a few left right? Go to break first, I'll take care of them." I suggested. Before she could open her mouth to protest, I've already pushed her into the direction of the break room.

I sighed, going into the office to take care of the patient that has been waiting to be treated.

——

Hanni yelped as the cold can of coca cola came in contact with the surface of her cheek, making me burst out laughing. "Minji ah!" She exclaimed and furrowed her eyebrows, looking a lot like those seals that I see on instagram reels. "Here, take it." I gave her the coca cola.

I took a seat across next to her. "So what's up?" I asked. "Relaxing, that's what. It's so nice to just sit here and get a breath after taking care of patients nonstop." She took a sip from her coke. "Did you already have lunch?" I asked, not seeing any trace of food containers.

"Nope, I was waiting for you."
"Why?"

"What do you mean why?" She looked offended. "I always have lunch with you at work! I can't just end the cycle like that."

I chuckled at the statement. "Okay, what should we eat then?"

"I wanna try the tempura udon at the restaurant across the street. Shuhua said she ate it with Eunchae and it's really good."

"Alright, Udon it is!" I exclaimed then gently grabbed onto her wrist. Since I'm pretty hungry and the break room isn't too far from the entrance... I ran and dragged her with me.

"Why are we running?" Hanni said in between laughter. Hearing her laugh also made me laugh out loud. Our footsteps echoed through the empty hallway.

That's all it matters, hearing her laugh.