Fools & Secrets ✔️

Siete

The Mrs. Kim

Chapter 7

It had been over a month since that drunken night, and 17 days since Lisa had somehow become her neighbor's daughter's unofficial new mother—not that she was counting, of course. The whole arrangement was starting to feel bizarrely normal. It came with perks, too. If her friends planned a spontaneous night out or an impromptu trip, Lisa had the perfect excuse. All she had to do was tell her mom she was going with her (fake) boyfriend, and just like that, she was free.

Despite the unexpected role, Lisa's priority remained her academics. She managed to visit Eunseo three, maybe four, times a week if her schedule allowed. These visits were brief, usually two hours in the evening, either during dinner or as bedtime approached. Conversations with Mingyu, her so-called boyfriend, were limited to the essentials—arrangements for Eunseo, maybe some small talk about her studies. Occasionally, she'd ask for his take on a tricky homework assignment or get ahead on her studies. Finals were months away, but she wasn't taking any chances. Mingyu, for all his quiet intensity, was annoyingly smart. Why wasn't he working in a hospital instead of giving massages?

Today was different. Mingyu had asked her to pick up Eunseo from school for the first time. One of Lisa's professors had assigned a research project that led her to the town library, a quiet refuge far from the bustling campus. She'd spent the day buried in books, the silence a balm to her overstimulated mind. When she finally emerged, the sun was lower in the sky, and she realized she had just enough time to get to Eunseo's school.

The sight of the school gates made her stomach twist with nerves. Clusters of mothers and nannies stood in animated groups, chatting as they waited for their children. Lisa hung back, hovering at the edges, feeling like an intruder. Her black leather bag and plastic file case were out of place among the diaper bags and strollers. She felt impossibly young, her navy blazer and high-waisted jeans doing little to disguise the fact that she didn't belong. At least she'd worn sneakers—heels would've been a disaster.

When the school bell rang, the noise was almost deafening. Children spilled out of the building, and Lisa felt a rising panic. Her eyes darted through the sea of little faces, trying to find Eunseo. The crowd pressed in, the chatter growing louder. Was it always this overwhelming? Her heart pounded, and her breath came in short, shallow gasps. She swayed slightly, the edges of her vision blurring. Was she really about to have a panic attack in front of a bunch of moms and nannies?

"Mama!"

The frantic thoughts screeched to a halt as a familiar voice cut through the chaos. "Mama!" There, in the midst of the crowd, was Eunseo, running towards her with open arms.

Lisa barely had time to kneel before Eunseo launched herself into her arms. She hugged the little girl tightly, a mixture of relief and something warmer spreading through her chest. She wasn't aware of the curious looks from the other women nearby, who recognized Eunseo immediately. They knew her father, after all—how could they not? Mingyu was the only man who showed up to these things, and he was a striking figure, tall and handsome, with a kindness that made him stand out even more. He was always alone, too. They had assumed Eunseo's mother was out of the picture. Until now.

"Mama, look! I got three stars! Papa said if I was good, you'd come to pick me up!" Eunseo's voice was full of pride as she showed off the three star stamps on the back of her hand.

"Madre mía, I didn't know you were Mrs. Kim. You look so young." The voice made Lisa glance up, still holding onto Eunseo. Three women stood nearby, each with a child in tow, their eyes filled with polite curiosity. Lisa rose to her feet, giving them a small nod.