the author curse is so real, I've been sick for a week, yesterday morning i cut my finger trying to open a can for my cat, and today i woke up with swollen eyes 😭😭
Gyeongseok rubbed the back of his neck nervously as he opened the door to his modest apartment. His daughter, Na-yeon, clung to his leg like a koala, her soft giggles echoing in the hallway. He glanced at you, standing there with a shy smile and a small bag in hand, ready for your babysitting duties.
"Thank you for coming," he said, his voice warm but a little strained. "I know it's short notice."
"It's no problem," you replied, crouching down to Na-yeon's level. "Hey there, Na-yeon. Are you ready for some fun today?"
The little girl peeked at you with curious, sparkling eyes before nodding and burying her face in Gyeongseok's leg again. He laughed softly, the sound deep and rich.
"She'll warm up to you," he said. "She’s just shy around new people."
You followed him inside, the cozy apartment filled with a comforting mix of home-cooked meals and lavender fabric softener. Na-yeon's toys were neatly arranged in one corner of the living room, and her tiny drawings adorned the fridge.
"Her bedtime is around eight," Gyeongseok explained as he slipped on his jacket. "And there’s plenty of food in the fridge if you get hungry. But, uh... if anything happens, call me right away."
You gave him a reassuring nod. "Don’t worry, Gyeongseok. We’ll be fine."
He hesitated for a moment, his eyes lingering on you as if he wanted to say something more. Instead, he simply gave a small smile, his gaze soft. "Thanks again."
Once he left, Na-yeon slowly came out of her shell. She tugged on your sleeve and held up a small stuffed rabbit.
"Want to play tea party with Bunny?" she asked in a tiny voice.
"Of course!" you replied, setting up a pretend table with her.
As the hours passed, the two of you built a pillow fort, read storybooks, and colored pictures. Na-yeon’s laughter filled the room, and you couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth spreading through you.
By the time Gyeongseok returned, the apartment was quiet. He stepped inside and found you on the couch with Na-yeon fast asleep in your arms, her small hand clutching your shirt.
The sight made his breath catch in his throat. You looked so natural, so gentle with his daughter. His heart swelled in a way he hadn’t expected.
He carefully approached, not wanting to wake Na-yeon. "How did it go?" he whispered.
You looked up at him, your face glowing with soft exhaustion. "She’s an angel," you murmured. "We had so much fun."
He crouched beside you, his gaze flicking between you and his sleeping daughter. "Thank you," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You don’t know how much this means to me."
"It’s no trouble, really," you replied, smiling.
But then his eyes lingered on you a moment too long, and you felt your cheeks grow warm.
"You're... really good with her," he said softly. "And I think you're amazing."
Your heart skipped a beat at his words. "Gyeongseok..."
Before you could respond further, Na-yeon stirred in your arms, her tiny voice mumbling, "Appa..."
Gyeongseok’s expression softened even more as he gently picked her up. She snuggled against his chest, still half-asleep.
"Maybe I can thank you properly sometime," he said, his eyes meeting yours. "Dinner, maybe? Just us."
Your lips curved into a smile. "I’d like that."
As he stood there with Na-yeon in his arms, the three of you felt like a family already—a thought that made your chest flutter.
