The secret of us -CHAENNIE-

Chapter 2 - Feel

The dining table within the mansion is filled with laughter as two little children, aged three and two, vie for Auntie Jennie's attention. It gets to the point where the one who was hugged has to come in and take each child by the hand, guiding them to sit down. If Jennie had to carry both at the same time, it'd be quite the challenge, given how chubby both the little boy and girl are.

"Auntie, please take me with you too."

"Where to, handsome?" Jennie carefully places her dashing nephew in his usual chair and secures him with the child harness, as she does every morning.

"Play with you."

"Auntie Jennie, carry me." The little girl's pleading voice makes Jennie plant a kiss on her soft cheek before settling her down next to her cousin. Despite the chaos, it's the kind of commotion that brings smiles to the faces of the Kim family.

"Let's have breakfast first, or you won't grow up smart," the woman gently chides.

"I want to be smart like Auntie," the little boy declares.

"Me too." chimes in the little girl.

"If you want to be smart, you need to drink your milk, you know," Jennie's tenderness makes her niece and nephew incredibly fond of her, and they both aspire to be as clever as their aunt.

The warmth of the family and the cuteness of the two children help heal the bruised heart of Jennie, bringing a rare smile to her beautiful face. But no one knows that deep down, her heart still cherishes the memory of someone's affection, never forgotten.

"How's work going, dear? Anything troubling you?"

"Not at all, Dad. Work's been quite manageable" She smiles at her father before pouring coffee into a cup and not forgetting to kiss him on each cheek, as is her daily ritual.

"What about mine?"

"On the way, Mom. You're so impatient, like a teenager," she teases lightly but doesn't forget to kiss her mother on each cheek as well. However, the noisy voices of the children required Jennie to return to her seat in them, even spoon-feeding them shrimp porridge.

The morning bustle before work continues to elicit laughter, but when she looks at the shrimp porridge, a shadow of sadness crosses her eyes before she adjusts her expression to a smile. No matter how much she misses the past, there's no going back to how things used to be.

Once, she was coaxed into cooking, and she chose to make shrimp porridge for her beloved, a dish they both adored. Her lover praised its deliciousness and asked her to make it many times, even when sick, insisting she feed her until the bowl was empty. But now, those days are gone. The warmth and gentleness of Jennie Kim is no longer cherished by that woman.

≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫

"Auntie?"

"Auntie Jennie?" The two voices call out, coaxing Jennie until she puts down her book and turns to lift her beloved niece and nephew onto the sofa to sit with her. Her day off is being hijacked by her mischievous niece and nephew, but she never minds hearing their playful pleas.

"What is it, Jiyoo? Joon?"

"I want ice cream."

"Me too.

"I want Auntie to buy me a robot."

"Me too." Jennie can't help but smile at the two rascals' pleading looks. After their nap, it's time for their requests. She knows why her siblings let their little ones come to her, it's because they don't want her to be alone with her loneliness. Even if no one knows the real reason why she sometimes seems lost in thought, they all prefer her not to dwell in solitude.