✔ 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇

Chapter 21

Gumi's thoughts revolved around her previous date with Taehyun. Whenever she thought about it, the girl felt his warmth and the tingling in her stomach. She could still feel his hand on hers and couldn't even manage to think about anything else while getting dressed for work.

It was impossible.

Her head kept returning to the sweet smile and the big, dark eyes.

But there was something else Gumi should be thinking about, and it was called the 'competition'.

It was taking place on the evening of today and she admittedly tried to suppress her doubts about it. After all, the redhead was a little afraid of the competition.

It was about her future.

At least everything was fine with Sooji again, because after Gumi had been taken home by Taehyun, she had asked the musician for his autograph. She had then given the little photo card directly to her younger stepsister and thus made peace again. But there was still Areum, who Gumi hadn't spoken to since the argument.

Gumi didn't know how or if she should talk to her either.

But when the music lover reached for her jacket, which was hanging on the hook next to the front door, her eyes fell on the living room. There, the girl could see her stepmother on the sofa, wrapped in a large blanket, and it was the first time she had ever seen her like this.

Areum normally walked around in smart clothes at home, but now Gumi's stepmother was sitting there in her pyjamas watching television.

A really rare sight.

Her dark brown hair, which was usually tied up tightly, was in a loose bun today. No make-up. Just puffy eyes that sluggishly followed the action of the television program.

This image stung Gumi's heart because she never wanted the widowed woman to feel like this. You could see that she was in a bad way and even though the redhead would have liked to approach her, she hesitated and lowered her eyes.

Because Gumi wanted to go to this competition today, whatever the cost.

"Go on," came the whispered voice of Sooji, who was standing on the stairs, holding on to the banister with her hands and, like Gumi, peering into the living room. Areum couldn't see her children, at least not from her position. "You'll be late for work," Sooji added, nudging the redhead.

Gumi nodded immediately, pulled on her jacket and waved silently to her sister. "You're right," she whispered and gave her a smile. "See you around." With those words, the redhead disappeared from the house and hurried to get to work. It would only spoil her mood if she was late as well. So Gumi was glad when she arrived on time and took care of the first orders straight away.

At least that way she could distract herself a little and not constantly think about the argument between Areum and her or the upcoming competition.

But when she put the two smoothies down at a table where two young girls were sitting, she heard a conversation that turned her stomach. One of the girls with light blue hair put her smartphone back on the table when Gumi arrived and she could see Kang Taehyun's face on the screen. She was already gulping at the sight, but then the blue-haired girl put another damper on her by turning to her friend and saying, "If I do tell you, he smiled right at me at the concert. I melted!"