The Close Strangers

t w e n t y - t h r e e

Minhee smiles proudly once she ends the phone call with Yerim. She looks at her parents and also her older sister before searching for another person to call.

"Are you sure this is going to work out?" Her mother asks worriedly, "I'm afraid they will become madder and just blow unnecessary things out to each other."

"Also, what about Arinnie? How's she doing right now?"

Marcella holds her mother's hand, "Don't worry too much, Mom."

Minhee puts her phone on her ear, "Mark, come down now. We need your help."

She hangs up even before the person on the other line can say a single word. They can hear a door being opened and closed right away. Not long after that, Mark shows up at the dining room.

"Do you really need to call me when we're literally at the same house?" Mark asks in disbelief.

His family can see how he already took a shower. He also has changed his pajamas.

"How are things with Arinnie?"

Mark rolls his eyes, "If that's the reason why you asked me to come down, thenㅡ"

"Just answer it," Marcella cuts his words, but her voice is so soft that Mark can't get annoyed by it, "We're worried."

Mark sighs while leaning against the wall, "I can deal with her by myself."

"Then, what about Yerimmie?"

Different from how he reacted earlier, he can't answer this question. He remains silent since he's wondering about the same thing. Minhee has expected him to be like this, so she's sure her plan will work out.

"You know that our cousins will come today, right?" Marcella asks, but Mark frown in confusion.

"It's today? The grand opening ofㅡ what's the name? I completely forgot."

The parents will attend some grand opening event together today, so the kids decide to use this opportunity to spend time together as a big family. Mark can't even believe how he forgot about today. Even so, he knows it's because his head only has Yerim on it.

Minhee rolls her eyes, "It's today and by that fact, we need your help."

Mark stands properly, "What? You want me to drive Mom and Dad?"

"Oh, no, no," Their father shakes his head while putting down the glass he's been holding, "You don't need to do that."

Mark tilts his head, looking at Minhee to ask for an explanation, meanwhile, Lee Chang Wook decides to go to his bedroom.

"Can you please drive me to the supermarket near Mom's bakery?" Minhee pulls out her weapon which is her puppy eyes.

Mark sighs unconsciously because he actually doesn't want to do it.

"Okay, just get ready," He answers half-heartedly because if he can be honest, he doesn't want to go anywhere today, "I'll wait."

He really wants to refuse, but he just can't say the words. It will be fair after all because his sisters will be the one who cooks for lunch and dinner, along with Eunbi while the parents are gone.

He also notices how proud his mother by his decision as if they know Mark would do that at the end.

"But, before going there, we should stop by Mom's bakery first," Minhee says as she stands up.

"Why?" Mark asks, starting to regret his decision because that means he needs to spend more time outside with this not-so-good mood.

Minhee puts out a smile on her face, "Because Mingyu-ya requested us to prepare Mom's cupcake."