#skz 00

Twenty-seven missed calls, innumerable text messages, and left voicemails. All of these were sent to you in a mere span of two hours. Facing your phone and going through this could cause only one thing: panic.

For the past two hours, you had remained isolated from the rest of the world as you gave a presentation on the growing demand for global and accessible internet marketing to your clients and how you, as the operations manager with your team, could help them achieve this. Needless to say this was crucial for you, who had sacrificed a whole damn week of sleep, over a hundred coffees and several un-complained headaches.

You were stressed right now. Thinking of the worst possibilities. Why would your five year old’s school and teachers call you at unexpected hours. Was he alright? Did something happen to him? Being a single mother was more difficult than you anticipated.

You immediately took your leave from your corporate building, storming into your car and driving abruptly to your son’s kindergarten.

Your heart rate increased as you reached the reception to inquire about the matter. The only thing you needed right now was to hold your son in your hands. He was the reason for your life, even though you had previous thoughts of dropping him when his father fled away after learning about your pregnancy.

"Yes, Ms. Y/L/N. Ye-Jun injured himself during the swimming session today. We tried to reach out to you but didn’t receive any response back."  The woman who appeared to be one of the school's authorities stated with a rather questionable look on her face. It was now clear she was judging you.

It was not something new for you. Everyday societal condemnation for being a single mother. You were portrayed as some careless and unempathetic woman for still pursuing your career and your dreams. An invisible label was attached to you. You thought to yourself as you now drove back home, where your little one was.

"Ding Dong" the bell alarmed, and the doors of your apartment opened for you only to see your son, Ye-Jun, dressed up in chocolate, gummy bears and food sparkles. The little Pororo apron made it evident he had been creating some mess in the kitchen.

"Look, Mumma’s back home! Give her a hug!" exclaimed Hyunjin. For the past two years, he has been your boyfriend. He was one of the rare humans who accepted you as you were and not to mention that your son approved of him.

You still remember your first date. You were almost sweating. You did not want to lose a person like him, someone who actually cared and respected you, someone you could trust and love. Would he change? Would he also leave? Why would a pretty boy like him date a woman like you? You lacked the "youth tag’ while still in your twenties.

But Hyunjin was different.

You could recall his and Ye-Jun’s first meeting and you sure had never been that nervous before. Would your three year old accept a random guy you bring home some day as his mother’s boyfriend, and in the bigger picture, his dad figure? That stage of your life was filled with doubts, insecurities and questions to say the least.

It took Hyunjin just one Woody x Buzz Lightyear impersonation to pass your son’s vibe check and ever since they had been gelling well together.

It was just about an year ago when Hyunjin earned the "dad" title during the Bring Your Dad to School Day when Ye-Jun suddenly blurted out "dad" and you still clearly remember the tears of joy Hyunjin shed that day.

Later that night, after cleaning up and dinner, you tucked your son into his bed, caressing his wound and still blaming yourself the same, for never being there for him when he needed you the most. You did not even realize when the tears started to drop out of your eyes. You were tired of holding them back anymore.

Suddenly, you felt a pair of arms wrap around you. Obviously, obviously it was Hyunjin who now hummed warmly as he brushed his nose to your nape.

"Is there something on your mind? You know I’m always all ears for that." He affirmed. Was he even real? You probably saved a nation in your past life to have found a human like him.

"Nah, it’s just.. Ye-Jun, I’m somehow always absent whenever he needs me". You explained out.

"Come on, Y/N! Isn’t it too harsh to blame yourself for everything? Toddlers are prone to these things, and that’s how they're going to learn and grow. Remember the last time he kept on falling while crossing on the swing, if you would’ve helped him through that, he’d never have crossed on it on his own. Ye-Jun is a strong little one like his mom moreover. Oh, by the way, how was your presentation? Hyunjin ended his monologue with a question.

You were still so engrossed in his parenting skills 101 that you paid zero attention to his questions until he made his signature pouty face.

"Have you ever thought that no one can do what you can do?" You said.

"Hmmm, to be honest, I think of that every day of my life." He retorted amusingly.

You did not even realize when the night fell and you fell asleep.

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