"It's okay. We'll just buy a new one." She replied.
Eun Young grabbed her phone and her wallet from the drawer. "There's a convenience store nearby, wanna come with me to buy the sunblock? You can pick out snacks too if you like." She offered.
Of course, how could little Hye Soo say 'no' to that? She could already imagine pulling a basket full of candies later! Vigorously, she nodded. "Yay! Baby Hye Soo will come with mommy!" She happily cheered, making Eun Young heartily laugh at her daughter's cute reaction.
The convenience store was just a few blocks down the street. It was cold outside. As a result, there were only a few people around the area. They weren't far off yet from the entrance when Eun Young felt little Hye Soo's small hand tighten their hold around her finger. This gesture meant that she was cold and so Eun Young picked her up to carry her. Her body heat should do the trick.
Hye Soo clung to Eun Young's neck and she instantly felt her cold little palms. Geez, she was really cold alright! Eun Young made a mental note to buy her more heating pads for later. While walking, Eun Young also noticed that baby Hye Soo's little nose have become red along with her ears. She looked really cute that she couldn't help but nuzzle her daughter's cheek. "Hang on we're almost there." Eun Young whispered with smile.
The warm interior of the convenience store was a was a nice welcome to their shivering bodies. Upon entering, Eun Young put little Hye Soo down so she could walk with her around the small shop too. She also brushed off the remnants off snow that stuck on their coats. "Come, let's go find the sunblock! Stay close to me."
"Mommy, snacks!!" The toddler pouted. She wanted to go see the snacks already. After all, that was why she went with her mother here in the first place!
"Let's get the sunblock first and then we'll go get snacks, okay? Don't worry this won't take long." Eun Young assured her. In the end, little Hye Soo had no choice but to tail her mother. Hopefully, the store had her favorite goodies. Otherwise she had waited and crossed that painfully cold street for nothing!
On the aisle where most body essentials were located, there were a few choices of sunblocks to choose from. Eun Young grabbed a few bottles in case the kids would decide to swim to their heart's content. She also came across other things that they might need, including the heating pads she noted to buy her daughter. Consequently, it took her a while to gather everything.
Meanwhile, the little toddler was beginning to grow impatient. While her mother wasn't looking, she cautiously took a peek on the next aisle. Surprisingly, just as she suspected, the next aisle was designated for the snacks and instant noodles. Little Hye Soo could already see the packets of candies waiting for her! It was as if they were calling out her name!
The toddler glanced back. Seeing that Eun Young was still distracted, she made a run towards the candies. There were chocolates, vanilla coated sweets... oh and there was her favorite strawberry flavored hard candies too! She eyed all the treats that she would get. Afterwards, she thought of how she would be able to get them since the basket was with her mother.
"Yeah, please secure that in a plastic for me please." A familiar voice said. With that, little Hye Soo's attention shifted from the candies to the man standing by the cashier. He was tall and he was wearing a thick coat. The man was also wearing a black cap and although his back was facing her, the child definitely felt a sense familiarity with him.
"Daddy?" She mumbled to herself.
The man finished paying for the items. Afterwards, he grabbed the plastic containing the things he purchased before making his way out the store. Little Hye Soo followed the strange man. She knew it. When she saw his side profile, she was positive that she'd seen her father! She pushed her little legs as she ran after him. The tall man walks fast so she had to keep up!
The cold air once again met her as soon as she stepped out of the convenience store. She looked around and down the street, she spotted the man conversing with two homeless people. He gave the plastic bag to them, uttering words that little Hye Soo was unable to catch. "Daddy!" She tried calling out. She was about to go after him again when suddenly, someone shoulders from behind.
"Lee Hye Soo! What are you doing out here?! Didn't I tell you to stay close to me?!" Eun Young vented out of worry. Her heart was beating terribly fast. The moment she realized and saw that her daughter was out of sight, panic almost consumed her. Fortunately she was still able to gather her wits to look around before going outside in search for little Hye Soo.
Eun Young tightly hugged her daughter. "Are you mad mommy?" Little Hye Soo guiltily asked.
Eun Young shook her head before responding. "No." She breathed. "Mommy was just worried. Why were you out here anyway?" She parted from her to have a closer look at Hye Soo.
"I saw daddy. Come, let's go see him. He's right over there!" The child excitedly announced before pointing at the direction were she last saw the man. However, when Eun Young looked, there was only the sight of two homeless people and a pitch black Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita ignited to life. With the light emitted by a nearby lamppost, she was able to get a glimpse of the car's plate number.
"Let's go mommy!!" Little Hye Soo exclaimed worriedly as the car was preparing to leave. She tugged Eun Young's hand but her mother remained rooted in place.
It didn't take long before the car finally departed. When the vehicle was finally out of sight, Eun Young exhaled before turning to face her daughter. "Let's go back inside. That man you saw... that wasn't your father." She lied.