✔ 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇

Chapter 31

Gumi sat at her desk in her cozy room and stared at the sheets of paper in front of her. The words and melodies danced before her eyes and she couldn't help but hum them softly to herself. The music flowed from her heart and filled the room with a soft, soothing sound. Her fingers stroked the paper as she looked at the lines Taehyun had written. Every word, every chord had a meaning and as a songwriter, it was special for her to be a part of it. Her humming grew louder and she closed her eyes to let herself fall even deeper into the music. Gumi felt alive and inspired and she couldn't wait to finish recording the song. She knew that this song was a part of Taehyun and hoped that they could touch people the way his song had touched her heart.

But as she leaned back in her chair, thinking about the future and what obstacles might appear, she heard the doorbell ring, announcing a visitor.

She immediately opened her eyes because she knew who it was.

Heart pounding, she jumped to her feet, left her room and when she arrived at the banister of the stairs, she could already see Taehyun standing in the doorway. Areum had opened the door for him and he smiled kindly at her. He was ready to talk to her mother Areum, had prepared thoroughly for the conversation and was determined to explain his intentions and commitment to Gumi and music.

Areum looked at Taehyun critically and said, "What are you doing here?"

Taehyun cleared his throat and took a step closer. His smile disappeared. "Good evening, Ms. Choi Areum. My name is Kang Taehyun. May I come in?"

Areum raised an eyebrow and looked skeptical.

It was clear that she had not expected him here and was equally unhappy about his presence. She made this clear to him by reluctantly pulling the door open further. "I've heard about you," she said curtly, her expression showing that her mood was already in the basement. "Well then, come in." She stepped away from the door, but looked at him over her shoulder as if she didn't have an ounce of confidence in him.

Taehyun glanced at Gumi and smiled, not seeming the least bit shaken by this woman's icy aura. "Thank you very much," the singer replied with a polite bow. "And since you've heard of me, I assume you know why I'm here."

Areum's dark eyes flitted searchingly over Taehyun's face before she crossed her arms in front of her chest and turned to face him again. She didn't notice Gumi, didn't take any notice of her and didn't take her eyes off the boy. "No, you tell me."

This only showed again that she was presenting him with a challenge. He was not supposed to bathe in serenity and so it was hard to guess whether or what she knew.

"It's about her daughter Choi Gumi," Taehyun began, deciding to tell only part of the story. She didn't need to know everything about it. Just the most important part. So he continued: "I heard her sing and I want her voice for my next album. I want to sing a duet with her."

Surprised, the mother blinked at him, not seeming to have expected Taehyun to mention Gumi's voice. "You've heard Gumi sing?" It sounded unbelievable to her, "She sang in front of you? I didn't know she dared to do that." It was as if she was more surprised that her stepdaughter had sung in public than that an idol wanted to record an album with her.