Hearts in chaos: Hearts Entwined book 4

4

Jin paced the living room of his spacious mansion, glancing at the clock every few minutes. It was just past three in the afternoon, and he was both anxious and excited to meet Mia again. The initial encounter at the grocery store had sparked something he hadn’t anticipated—a sense of hope for both himself and Jiwoon.

When the doorbell rang, he quickly smoothed down his shirt and opened the door, revealing Mia standing there with a bright smile on her face. Today, she wore a casual but stylish outfit—a light blue blouse paired with dark jeans, her hair cascading down her shoulders. She looked effortlessly put together, and Jin felt a rush of warmth at the sight of her.

“Hey, Jin! Thanks for inviting me over,” Mia said, stepping inside.

“Thanks for coming,” he replied, stepping aside to let her in. “I hope you don’t mind the mess. It’s been a hectic few days.”

Mia waved her hand dismissively. “No worries! I’m sure I’ll be able to help with that,” she said playfully. “But first, I’m really looking forward to talking about the nanny position.”

“Definitely,” Jin said, leading her to the living room. “Please, have a seat. I’ll grab us some water.”

While he filled two glasses, Jin couldn’t shake the nervousness he felt. He had gone through the police verification process and was confident in his choice to hire Mia, but there was still a part of him that was cautious. He didn’t want to expose Jiwoon to anyone who could potentially disrupt their lives again.

Mia settled onto the couch, her posture relaxed as she took a look around the room, her eyes glinting with interest. “You have a beautiful home, Jin. It’s very welcoming.”

“Thank you. It’s a bit empty sometimes, but I try to make it cozy,” he replied, handing her a glass. “I’m still getting used to everything since… well, you know.”

Mia nodded, her expression turning sympathetic. “I can only imagine. It must be a lot to handle, especially with Jiwoon.”

“Yeah,” Jin said, sitting across from her. “I want to provide him with a stable environment, especially after the divorce. Mina… she’s decided she doesn’t want anything to do with us, which is hard to process. I just want to make sure Jiwoon feels loved and safe.”

“I totally understand,” Mia said softly. “It’s really admirable how much you care about him. Kids are so resilient, but they also need support during tough times.”

Jin took a deep breath, appreciating her understanding nature. “I think that’s where you come in. I want you to be part of that support system. I hope you’ll help Jiwoon feel comfortable and happy while I’m at work.”

“Of course! I love working with kids. I promise to be there for him,” she said, her enthusiasm genuine.

“Great! So, let’s talk about the specifics,” Jin said, shifting into a more business-like tone. “I want you to have your own room in the house so that you can have privacy and a comfortable space while you’re taking care of Jiwoon.”

Mia’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “Really? That’s very generous of you.”

“It’s the least I can do. I want you to feel at home here. I’m hoping this will be a long-term arrangement if everything works out well,” Jin said, feeling more confident. “You’ll have access to everything you need—kitchen, laundry, and all that. Just treat the house like your own.”

“Thank you, Jin. That means a lot,” she replied, a soft smile on her lips. “I really appreciate your kindness.”

Jin felt his heart warm at her words. “As for salary, I was thinking we could start at a reasonable rate. I’m open to negotiation based on your experience. I want to make sure you feel valued for your work.”

“I appreciate that,” Mia said, nodding. “I have experience working with kids and can provide references if you need them. I’m flexible with my schedule and can accommodate whatever you need. I want to ensure Jiwoon has everything he needs, whether it’s tutoring, activities, or just playtime.”

“Perfect! That sounds exactly like what we need,” Jin said, feeling a surge of relief. “And about Jiwoon’s routines—he usually has nap time around two, and I like to keep his bedtime consistent, around eight. Mornings are usually busy since I get ready for work, so I’d appreciate any help with breakfast and getting him ready.”

“I can definitely help with that! I’m a morning person, so I’ll make sure he’s well-fed and ready to go,” Mia replied confidently.

“Sounds good. I’ll send you a detailed schedule, so you’ll know what to expect,” Jin said, feeling a sense of clarity in their arrangement.

Mia took a sip of her water, her expression turning more serious. “I know you mentioned you went through police verification. I understand the need to be cautious, especially with everything that’s happened.”

Jin nodded, feeling a bit more relaxed now that they were discussing practical matters. “I want to make sure Jiwoon is safe and secure, and I appreciate that you understand where I’m coming from.”

“Absolutely. I promise to be responsible and respectful of your home and your family,” Mia assured him.

Jin felt a rush of gratitude. “That means a lot. I just want to ensure that Jiwoon feels loved and cared for, and from our conversation, I can tell you’ll be great with him.”

“Thank you, Jin. I’ll do my best to make sure he feels supported and happy,” she said, her tone sincere.

They continued discussing the details of their arrangement—work hours, activities, and expectations. Jin felt more at ease with each passing moment. There was something refreshing about Mia, and he appreciated her directness and passion for working with children.

As they wrapped up their conversation, Jin looked at her with a newfound sense of trust. “I think we’re going to work really well together. I’m glad we met.”

“Me too!” Mia said, her smile brightening the room. “I’m excited to get started. When can I meet Jiwoon?”

“How about tomorrow morning? He’ll be thrilled to have someone new to play with,” Jin suggested.

“That sounds perfect!” Mia agreed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

As they prepared to end their meeting, Jin felt a weight lift off his shoulders. With Mia on board, he felt a glimmer of hope for a brighter future for him and Jiwoon. Maybe things would finally start to turn around.

“Thank you for coming over today, Mia. I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Jin said, walking her to the door.

“Me too, Jin. See you in the morning!” she replied, waving as she stepped outside.

Jin closed the door behind her, feeling a sense of excitement mixed with anxiety about what the future held. He had taken the first step toward creating a new normal for Jiwoon, and he was determined to make it a good one. With Mia in their lives, maybe they could find joy again.

Later that evening, after putting Jiwoon to bed, Jin sat on the couch with a glass of whiskey, reflecting on the day. He thought about the changes ahead and how he would navigate his new reality as a single father.

It wouldn’t be easy, but with Mia by their side, he felt hopeful. As he sipped his drink, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the beginning of a new chapter in his life—one filled with possibilities.