There was disappointment all over little Hye Soo's face when she heard Eun Young's response. She thought for sure it was her father that she saw. Could she really be wrong this time?
They went back inside the convenience store. As promised, Eun Young accompanied her daughter as the little one began to pick out the treats. Of course, she had to give a limit. Otherwise, little Hye Soo could easily clear out the whole shelf! The child was now in conflict as she could only get five. This was practically forcing her to rank them all and get only the top picks!
Suddenly, Eun Young's phone rang. This caught her daughter's attention too so the little one turned to glance at her. "Go on... I'll wait for you here." Eun Young said. With what happened earlier, there was absolutely no way she would leave her children out of sight anymore. Which is why even upon fishing out her phone from her purse, her eyes never left little Hye Soo. She couldn't risk the events earlier from happening again!
"Hello?" She answered without bothering to check the caller's ID. Little Hye Soo pointed at a candy seated on the top shelf. Consequently, Eun Young grabbed one and gave it to her.
"Eun Young." Dal Rae replied from the other line. Strangely, there was a hint of nervousness in her tone. Her voice was a bit shaky too.
"Hey, what's up?" Eun Young asked. Having remembered something, she went ahead first. "Oh, before I forget to mention, I'll be on leave for the next week and a half. I was finally convinced with my parent's suggestion to go on a vacation with the kids. Apparently, they're up for it as well!" She shared with a smile unconsciously forming on her lips.
"Wow that's great! I'm sure the kids would definitely enjoy that! Besides, you've been working your a** off for years already! You deserve a break..." Dal Rae commended.
Eun Young continued to observe little Hye Soo with her candy dilemma. She could tell that her daughter was really frustrated with having to choose only five. The little one was closely weighing which one deserves a place in the basket! Regardless, she still looked pretty cute! Eun Young couldn't help but stifle a laugh.
"A good break at that. You can catch up with us if you like. We're going to Hawaii tomorrow and knowing you, you're in love with the sun and the beach!" Eun Young suggested. She was already thinking of buying Dal Rae a ticket in surprise. She deserves a great vacation too! After all, she totally covered for her during her absences at work.
"Oh I'd love too! However, mom and dad wanted me to visit them for the holidays too." Dal Rae replied. "Why don't we go to Jeju Island on my birthday instead? You do know that it's my birthday next month, don't you?"
"Of course! How could I possibly forget that when you always seem to give me cringey memories on your special day?" Eun Young teased.
Hearing this, Dal Rae exclaimed from the other line. "Cringey?! I am so offended!" She cried.
Little Hye Soo pushed the basket back towards Eun Young's direction, signalizing that she was done. Sheesh! Choosing them all was tough! That's why she didn't dare steal another glance at the basket so that she wouldn't have second thoughts!
They then proceeded to the cashier to pay for the items. With Dal Rae still on the line, Eun Young continued. "Anyway, is there a reason why you called? I'm sure it wasn't because you just want to remind me of your birthday." She asked, suddenly shifting the topic.
There was a momentary silence between the lines. Eun Young had to check the screen of her phone just to make sure that the call was still ongoing. "Dal Rae? Are you still there?"
Hearing her friend sigh through the phone, Eun Young began to sense that something wasn't right. Regardless, she still waited for her to continue. "Eun Young, I found the result of their DNA test." Dal Rae announced. Instantly, Eun Young's heart began to pick up the pace again.
"I saw it myself earlier and... it was concluded to be positive."
---
"Chairman Lee." The man bowed upon entering the library to greet the chairman. This man is Jung Il's secretary. He had devoted himself to serving the chairman for years that he had already missed the opportunity to begin his own family. After all, he had a debt to pay. It was because of this man that he was able to finish college without paying a single cent, he's able to live without starving and he's earning so much in just a month. It was only natural for him to be this grateful to him.
Lee Jung Il, who was looking out the balcony, let out a sigh before turning to head back inside the library. Despite his old age, he was still very strong. He still had the image and the aura of the authoritative and powerful man of his youth. The chairman pulled out the chair under the desk and gracefully sat on it. Clasping his hands together, he then looked at his secretary with an emotionless expression. "Speak." He firmly ordered.
"We have validated the results earlier this morning from the hospital, Chairman Lee. Here is the copy of the official record that you requested." The man said before producing an envelope and handing it over to the chairman. Lee Jung Il opened it and pulled out the copy of the findings. "The paternity test was concluded to be positive, sir." The secretary reported.
"Aish!" The Chairman vented with frustration clear and apparent in his tone. All the while he was really expecting that this mistake could slip through! If this ends up being leaked to the press... F***! That bastard's going to ruin everything! Everything he built! Everything he worked hard for!
Swallowing, the secretary meekly asked. "Is there anything you'd like for us to do?"
The chairman pressed his lips to a thin line. Unresponsive, he stared into space as if he was processing his next actions. Damn it that child!
A little while later, he finally responded. "No. Just monitor his actions for now." The chairman said. "I'd like to see how he'll try to handle this one on his own."