Loving Mr. Perfect of All Imperfections (SHINee Onew)

Chapter 4: Stepfather and Ms. Cheri

I take a deep breath first before turning around to greet my mother's new husband. I can sense that he is under the influence of the spirit of alcohol.

"Good evening samcheon."

"Tssk... What is good in the evening? Seems like you are so inspired huh?" He said it in a tipsy way.

"Ahh... Aniyo."

"Who is that?"

"Ahh, just a chingu that I ask to drop me by since it's already night."

"Ahh... Chincha? What about that?" He points the ring on my finger.

I already sense something wrong is going on. I hide my hand behind my back. "I... Friendship ring."

"That looks expensive and beautiful."

I nod. "Hmm... Samcheon, it's getting colder here, let's get inside ne?" I turn my back to him.

I can feel him holding my arms tightly. "Can I have that?"

I hold his hand and unfasten it away from my arm. "I'm sorry, but I can't. This is not something that I should give away."

He gives me a surprise through slapping my cheek. "So you are ungrateful to me now!" He holds me tightly again.

"Let go of me." I said firmly in a low voice.

"Hahaha... Aigoo, you know how to fight back? Where was that meek Eun Jae that I like to slap and kick?"

"Hajima..." I try to suppress my tears. There's no way you will let this man ruin you Eun Jae. Just don't mind him.

"What if I don't?"

"What is going on in here?"

I feel relieved when Cheri, a mid fifties lady neighbor of ours, butt in. "Imo..." I run towards her when my uncle's grip loosens.

"Ya... Who are you to meddle with us? Mind your own business!"

Cheri looks at me and holds my arms. "Gwenchana?" She looks at me with worries. I nod as a reply. She then looks at my step father with seriousness. "I do not wish to meddle Chang Woo, but my conscience cannot just watch other people being hurt by others. What do you want from her for you to slap her like that?"

"Huh?! Money! Wae? Can you give it to me huh?!" My step father snorts.

Cheri takes her wallet from her pocket. I stop her. "Aniyo imo. Don't give him money."

"Gwenchana. Just for today."

"But—"

"Ya... Why stopping her?!" My uncle stops me.

Cheri gives 500 won to my step father. The latter happily gets it and then walks away.

"Mianhe-imnida imo. Here get this." I try replacing the money by giving her the exact amount she gave, but she pushes my hand gently and smile.

"I told you, it's okay. Nothing to worry about it, arasseo? Hmm... Why don't we get inside my house first?"

I don't want to be rude so I nod at her. Cheri has become like a second mother to me. Whenever I have problems, she always offer a help. We've been neighbors for quite some time already. 3 years to be exact since the day she moved to the house next to ours. The poor woman has no family. She once told me that she has a child from a man she dearly loved, but she gave up her daughter to that man because she was facing a big problem and she believes that that man can only save their daughter.