THE BITCH CEO (Im Nayeon)

60

NAYEON'S POV

"Mommy, can I go with you to the office? I want to see Grandpa's koi fish!" I heard my daughter suddenly asked while we were having our breakfast in the dining.

I looked up to her, her wide eyes shining with curiosity.

Then her little hands gesturing animatedly toward the dining table as if it were the size of the massive aquarium my dad kept in his office.

Her fingers danced in the air, making a vague approximation of the large tank, and she looked up at me, waiting for my response.

I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her, so eager and full of wonder.

She had always been curious, especially when it came to her grandfather's beloved aquarium, which I'd often heard her talking about in passing.

It was one of her favorite things to hear about, and now she was finally asking to see it for herself.

"Okay, but finish your breakfast first." I said, my voice soft and reassuring.

Her face immediately lit up like a Christmas tree. Her little eyes widened in excitement as she nearly jumped out of her seat, ready to get going as soon as possible.

She scooped up a spoonful of mashed pumpkin and hurriedly stuffed it into her mouth.

"Hey, slow down, baby," I called gently, wiping away the orange smudge from her shirt with a napkin as she tried to rush through her meal.

She paused for a second, her spoon frozen mid-air as she looked at me, clearly puzzled by my attempt to slow her down.

"Why the rush, sweetheart?" My mom's amused voice came from the kitchen door as she walked over to Haven's high chair, standing behind her with a loving gaze.

Haven smiled up at my mom, her excitement practically vibrating from her small frame.

"Mommy is taking me to her office so I can see Grandpa's aquarium with lots of fish!" She said in a tone that was a mixture of joy and anticipation, her voice high and full of enthusiasm.

She had heard about that aquarium for what felt like forever, but she had never actually seen it herself. Now that opportunity was so close, she could hardly contain herself.

I smiled at Haven's innocence, her excitement infectious, and I tilted my head in a half shrug, catching my mom's eyes.

"Well, you know dad's aquarium is a big deal to her. She's been asking about it for weeks. I guess she's finally ready to see it." I said, feeling a warmth in my chest as I glanced over at my mom.

My mom chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle Haven's hair affectionately.

"I remember when your father first set it up. He spent hours perfecting it. You know how he is with his fish." Mom said with a nostalgic look in her eyes.

I nodded, knowing full well how much my dad loved his aquarium. It wasn't just any fish tank, it was an enormous, half-office-sized display, meticulously filled with rare fish from all over the world.

Dad had spent years collecting each one, caring for them like they were his children.

I had grown up with stories of his fish-collecting adventures, and I knew Haven had already heard those same stories from him, along with all the little details of the exotic fish that swam gracefully in his tank.

My thoughts were interrupted by my mom, who suddenly turned her gaze toward me, a more serious expression replacing her amusement.

"Are you sure you're okay with this? Letting Haven go with you? The office, the people..." Her voice trailed off, a quiet concern lingering in her words.