Warmth Lies Within | MiChaeng

You Are Safe

I think I overreacted a little. I shouldn't be pushing her to something she doesn't want. But I need to make sure what's she really want.

"I am sorry if I might scared you somehow or looked very demanding. It just that you want to leave without even having a proper discussion with me. I want you to remain in this house just the way you were when my parents were around." I paused a little while looking at her, then I continued.

"Ms. Mina, what do you exactly want to do? What do you really wish to do? Do you want to leave or stay? Please don't think you're being selfish and just be honest with me. I want your real desire. Do you wish to stay?" I looked at her in the eye anticipating her answer.

Part of me wants her to stay. But at the same time, I don't want to force anything on her.

Since she wants to move to another apartment, that means she has no place to go back to. Which only give me more reason to keep her in the house.

She stayed silent looking at her hands. I can see how hesitant she is to speak her mind. Most likely she won't show her real desire. So I have to deal with this fast.

I can use my parent's testament that they left to open after the ten days end to my favor.

"Ms. Mina, how about this. Why don't you stay here until I open my parent's testament, which is 6 more days from today? Please. I want you to be there and listen to what they want to say to us. So please, until then, just stay here and after that, I won't stop you from doing what you want." My eyes were getting watery from mentioning my parents. I have been speaking about them casually but their absence is paining me deeply. It's choking me slowly, Little by little.

I can see that she understood my message. My offer is only a temporary solution for now.

He expression start to soften. She looked into my eyes and let a small sigh. "Okay. I will stay here until then. As you wish."

You can't imagine the happiness I am feeling right now. I was able to buy myself some time to convince her staying. Mom, Dad... I will make sure to take good care of her.

I smiled at her, "Thank you for not turning down my offer. Now that you're staying, let's just pretend that we just meet and start introducing ourselves to each other." I fixed my position and start introducing myself.

"Hello, I am Son Chaeyoung, and I am 18 years old. You can call me Chaeyoung. What about you?" Just like that, I said it with excitement waiting for her response.
She bends her head, then she chuckled a little. "Hello Chaeyoung, I am Mina. You can call me Minari if you want. It's nice to meet you."

"Okay Minari, hehe I like this name, I will be calling you that from now on since you already gave me permission." Mina laughed at my childishness and said, "as you wish Chaengie."

I was surprised, that came out of nowhere. But I like it though, I am not complaining. But she didn't mention her full name. I won't push her to open up. I hope that I can make some progress while she's staying here with me.

Mina then seems to remember something, "oh, I forgot to mention my age. I am 21 by the way. And don't bother about the age difference because it doesn't matter to me as well as I believe that, since you lived in the United States, you also learned that there is no formal addressing for an elder."

I was completely shocked. She's bigger than me in three years. Are you kidding me? I am in disadvantage here. And I thought that I am going to have the leading role in this house. Fate... Why you so harsh on me :(.

She saw how surprised I was with her age. Well, I was basically being brave before and talking with confidence not aware of the age gap between us. Yes, I lived outside Korea for a while but I have never forgotten my manner at all. Giving respect to an elder is something that I won't ever give up on.