A fate for love

Chapter 19: Family

Time skip to next day

Elina arranged their breakfast on the table, calling out, "Emma, breakfast is ready!"

From her room, Emma's voice echoed back, "Yeah! I'm coming!"

As Elina finished setting the table, she grabbed a list and checked it, muttering to herself, "Okay, so everything's there—"

Emma walked out, already dressed for the day. Elina noticed and nodded approvingly. As they both sat down, Elina remarked, "Good that you got dressed up early. We can head out right after breakfast."

But Emma frowned slightly, reminding her, "Mom, I told you about me and Jieun going shopping, right?"

Elina bit her tongue, nodding as she remembered. "Oh, right, right! I'm so sorry, I forgot." She smiled sheepishly, then added, "It's okay, you can go with Jieun. Just check the list and let me know if you need anything."

Emma nodded with a smile as they began eating. Elina suddenly asked, "Oh! And do you have enough money with you? Or should I give you more?"

Emma chuckled, shaking her head. "It's okay, Mom. I have enough, and you know I don't shop much."

Elina nodded slowly, though she still looked a bit unconvinced. "Okay, if you say so."

As they ate, Emma hesitated for a moment before asking, "Um... Mom?"

Elina, still focused on her meal, nodded, "Yes, Emma?"

"How are things going at the office?" Emma asked, trying to sound casual.

Elina laughed lightly. "What's with the sudden interest?"

Emma shrugged, trying to play it off. "I just felt like asking."

Elina nodded, a smile on her face. "It's going well."

Emma bit her lip, then said, "Mom, you do know you don't have to give up any opportunities because of me, right?"

Elina looked up, her gaze turning suspicious. "What's this about, Emma?"

Emma quickly shook her head. "No, it's nothing. I just wanted to remind you... You almost gave up coming here because of me"

Elina's gaze softened, and she smiled gently. "I won't, Emma."

Emma gave a small, relieved smile, but before she could say anything else, Elina leaned in with a teasing glint in her eye. "By the way, speaking of things going well... how's Jiho?"

Emma nearly choked on her breakfast. "Mom!"

Elina chuckled, "What? I'm just curious. You seem to mention him a lot these days."

Emma rolled her eyes, trying to hide her embarrassment. "He's just a friend, Mom. We have a show coming up, that's all."

"Mm-hmm," Elina hummed playfully, clearly not buying it. "Just a friend, right?"

"Mom!" Emma protested, though a smile tugged at her lips.

Elina shrugged, letting the topic drop. "Alright, alright. Just enjoy today with Jieun and focus on your show. Don't worry about me."

Emma nodded her head, still smiling. "Yes, Mom."

Elina smiled back, pleased to see her daughter in good spirits.

Time skip

Elina and Emma had just finished their breakfast. As Emma was placing the dishes in the sink, the doorbell rang. Emma looked up and said, "I'll check, it must be Jieun." Elina nodded, continuing to clear the table.

As Emma opened the door, she was greeted by Jieun's cheerful smile. "Hey, Emma!" Jieun greeted, her voice warm and friendly.

"Hey! Come on in," Emma said, stepping aside to let Jieun and her driver inside.

As Emma closed the door, Jieun looked around the house, her eyes subtly taking in every detail. She noticed several photo frames filled with pictures of Emma and her mother, lost in thought until Elina approached her with a warm smile.

"You must be Jieun?" Elina asked with a small smile, her tone polite.

Jieun quickly snapped out of her thoughts and returned the smile, bowing slightly. "Good morning, Ms. Elina!"

"Good morning dear," Elina replied kindly with a smile looking at Jieun.

Just then, Emma returned, and Jieun gestured to her driver, who stepped forward and handed over a few bags and a bouquet to Elina. Elina accepted the gifts with a small frown of surprise.

"I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I brought some chocolates and flowers for you. I hope you like them," Jieun said with a friendly smile, her voice sweet and sincere.

Elina blinked, momentarily taken aback by the gesture, then smiled. "That's very thoughtful of you, Jieun. Thank you. I do like them."

Jieun smiled in return, seeming pleased. "I'm glad, you like them."

Turning to Emma, she asked, "Shall we head out now, Emma?"

"Yeah, just need to grab my bag!" Emma said, hurrying to her room.

As Elina placed the gifts on the table, Jieun spoke again, her voice softer. "Ms. Elina, is that Emma and her friends?" She pointed to a framed photo on the wall.

Elina glanced over and smiled. "Yes, that was on her 13th birthday."

Jieun looked at the photo with a curious smile. "Would it be okay if I took a picture of it? She looks so adorable."

Elina hesitated for a moment but then nodded, returning Jieun's smile. "Sure, go ahead."

Jieun quickly snapped a picture and as soon as she was done, Emma returned with her bag. Jieun slipped her phone into her jacket pocket as Emma approached her.

"I'm done!!" Emma said, standing beside Jieun.

"Great! Let's get going," Jieun replied, and the two headed for the door.

Elina followed them to the door, waving as they headed towards Jieun's car. "Have fun, girls!" she called after them.

Jieun waved back, and Emma smiled, giving Elina one last goodbye as they drove off.

In the car, Emma turned to Jieun, "You really didn't have to bring so many things, Jieun."

Jieun playfully rolled her eyes. "One more word about it, and you'll see," she teased.

Emma shook her head, a small smile on her lips. "Alright, thanks."

Jieun nodded with a smile and then turned her attention to her phone. Meanwhile, Emma's phone buzzed with a notification. She glanced at it, seeing that Elina had transferred more money to her account along with a message: [Have fun!]

Emma shook her head, smiling to herself as she looked out the window, thinking, 

She never listens to me.

____________________

Back at home, Elina carefully placed the flowers in a vase, arranging them thoughtfully. As she worked, she talked to herself, "I hope she has fun today. She's always so busy with her studies,"

Satisfied with her work, Elina went to change and tied her hair into a bun. After gathering her shopping list and other essentials, she checked the list one last time and nodded to herself. 

"Alright then, let's go," she said, heading out the door.

Elina stepped out of her house, locking the door behind her. Just as she turned to leave, she heard someone calling her name from a short distance away, 

"Ms. Elina!"

-To be continued

There will be another chapter update today!!

ENJOY

<3