"Wait right there. I'll fix something up for you."
Yeo Ri glanced around the room somewhat curiously as she sat comfortably on the dark blue sofa in Kwon Tae Yang's living room.
She was swaddled in a fluffy dark blue bathrobe that was clearly too big for her size, but the oversized look had a lovely, adorable charm to it that made the owner of the house simply could not stop smiling.
"I texted your brother saying that you had to work overtime. He asked if he should come to accompany you, but I told him not to. I also told President Park that you'll be taking the day off tomorrow too." Tae Yang chatted as he busied himself in the kitchen, "Are you fine with orange juice? Or should I go buy some apple juice? There's a convenience store nearby, it won't even take five minutes."
While Yeo Ri was bathing, he had outdone himself and prepared a simple meal for her despite his limited abilities in the kitchen. He was sure she would be famished after such an ordeal.
It was 2 o'clock in the morning, but Yeo Ri's stomach rumbled inconsiderately despite her mood. She wanted to go home to Gun as soon as possible, but Tae Yang's proposition enticed her. Perhaps a light supper would be fine; after all, the man had already prepared everything for her.
Tae Yang carried a tray in one hand and a glass of orange juice in his other hand. On the tray laid a small cheese platter, some fruits, and an avocado toast topped with a perfectly fried sunny-side up egg.
He laid the offerings onto the coffee table directly in front of the baby kitten he had brought home. There was a flash of wonder in her eyes that brought the otherwise doll-like girl to life.
Yeo Ri reached for the toast with her bare hands, taking a tentative bite before her eyes sparkled. In a matter of moments, the entire toast had already been devoured by the surprisingly ravenous girl.
Tae Yang sat languidly next to her, watching her eat with indulgence dripping out of his eyes. She was simply too adorable.
Seeing her cute squirrel cheeks, he was tempted to give her a kiss.
The girl glared at him, as if annoyed that he was bothering her meal time. She ignored his affectionate gaze and continued to polish off her supper.
"I put your clothes in the bedroom. You can change into them after eating," Tae Yang said as he stroked her head.
Yeo Ri paused her chewing to reply, "okay." She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes.
The Kwon Tae Yang in front of her right now was nothing like his usual stoic self. His hair was tousled, but rather than a mess, it seemed like it had been styled to look that way. He wore a dark purple silken shirt, half-buttoned, his chest slightly exposed. He looked relaxed, his lips quirked up slightly in amusement. Rather than her ever-serious guard dog, he looked more like a playboy.
"What is it?" he chuckled, noticing her gaze.
"Stop looking at me. I'm trying to eat," she pouted.
"Okay," he smiled, humouring her by closing his eyes.
Yeo Ri ended her meal once she downed all her juice. She wiped her mouth with the hem of the bathrobe and stood up, quietly heading to the bedroom to change.
It was the same clothes she had worn at the start of the day. Since her bath took so long, Tae Yang had managed to wash and dry her clothes just in time for her to go home.
She changed quickly, discarding the bathrobe into the hamper.
Outside of the bedroom, Tae Yang was already waiting for her, holding his car keys and putting on a jacket over his thin shirt.
He held out his hand when he saw her. "Let's go," he said, "time to go home."
"Mm," Yeo Ri smiled for the first time since she left her house that morning. Yeo Ri grabbed his hand.
Home.
It was time for her to go home.