The morning sunlight hit his little face and disrupted Yejun's blissful sleep. He reached for his sister, hoping to get cuddles, but she wasn't there. Sliding his small body off the edge of the bed, the baby made his way toward the voices. Valena's gaze made its way to the door as the baby toddled out rubbing his eyes sleepily. Scooping up Yejun, she set him on the counter and fed him a banana.
"Why me? You don't know if I can sing or dance. I could be tone-deaf and have two left feet. Why, out of all the people you could pick, me?"
Her voice quivered, and her eyes swirled with a mixture of distrust and hope. Kim Bonhwa wondered what she had to go through to have so little excitement even when being presented with such a wonderful opportunity. She wanted to show Valena the wonders of the entertainment world and give her something to dream about regardless of whether or not she had to take care of her siblings.
"Well, you have spectacular visuals. I have only seen how you carry yourself and the way you roll your ankle in dancers. Your control over your breathing is remarkable and your voice is angelic. I know without a doubt you could be the most amazing female idol in K-pop history. I have been doing this for fifteen years, and my mother was in this industry as well, so I have seen it all. I have to say, I have never seen a person more suited to be an idol than you. If you let me, I as your manager will make you the best female artist the world has ever seen."
Kim Bonhwa didn't hold anything back. The woman who seldom praised anyone just told a girl she just met that she was the best idol material she had ever seen. Valena's eyes started to sparkle, and she felt honored to be praised by the best manager in the entertainment business. Kim Bonhwa was someone she had admired as a strong, independent woman for years and now she was going to be her manager!
"Please take care of me, Eonni!"
As she surprised Kim Bonhwa with a hug, her face glowed, and her excitement was contagious. Although startled by the embrace, Kim Bonhwa started to feel the corners of her lips rise before she briskly pulled them back into a straight line.
"If you wake your siblings up, they can get breakfast at my house and you can meet my mother."
Even though it was an if-then question, Valena didn't mistake her commanding tone. Replying with a quick yes, she took Yejun with her to find her siblings already up and dressed.
"Is that Kim Bonhwa-shi?"
"What is she doing here?"
"Why are we eating at her house?"
"Why do we have to meet her mother?"
"She is even prettier in real life!"
the rapid-fire questions made her laugh as she sat on the bed and pulled Nabi into her lap.
"Remember when I told you that mom and dad have work in another country?"
She paused, while they nodded their heads with large waiting eyes.
"Well, because they left so suddenly, we don't have anywhere to go. I tried to figure something out, but I don't have enough money left. So two days ago, when I went to find mom and dad, I saved a lady's life. I forgot about it, but that lady's daughter is Kim Bonhwa-shi. She came to find me, and you're going to have breakfast with her mom. I need you to be on your best behavior. They are nice people, so don't worry about anything. Would you like to meet her?"
Her calm, reassuring voice made the kids feel like everything was alright. Haru was still suspicious, but the Nabi became extremely excited. Taking a deep breath, Valena held the baby in one arm while holding Nabi's hand with the other. As they moved from the bedroom to the kitchen, she could feel their nerves,
"These are my siblings. Haru, Nabi, and Yejun."
Kim Bonhwa's first impression of the kids was that they were polite and well-behaved. With a small smile, she tried to speak softly.
"My name is Kim Bonhwa. From now on, I am going to be taking care of your sister. Do you think I can do a good job?"
They had grown up hearing about how great Kim Bonhwa was and how their sister dreamed of being an artist under her. Haru calmly replied,
"Of course! Eonni always said she wanted you to be her manager! She said you are honest and fair!"
Nabi agreed as she nodded,
"Yup! Yup! She said you were the best in the business! No one can beat you! She said you take good care of your people!"
Km Bonhwa had always thought that children were the most honest people in the world. Seeing Valena's embarrassed face she chuckled and stood.
"Shall we go?"
Nodding, Valena picked up the baby and slung his backpack over her shoulder. The door opened to reveal a tall man good looking man in a business suit with several bodyguards behind him. They all bowed deeply as Kim Bonhwa said,
"This is my secretary Park Byung-ho. If you need anything ask him. They will get your bags, and Park-shi will drive us to my home."
"Nice to meet you. I am Jin Yeon, and these are my siblings. Please take care of us!"
Valena and her siblings bowed as the bodyguard's hearts melted. They had been with the old madam as she followed the group. They saw how well-behaved and cute the children were and felt the overwhelming need to protect them.
"The bags are in the rooms. Thank you for your help!"
She bowed once more and led them out of the room behind Kim Bonhwa. The bodyguards all agreed that they had never met a more polite girl. Valena made all the kids put on masks and hats while they waited for the bodyguards in the elevator. Their curious gazes burned holes into the children as the bodyguards filled the remaining space.
"Eonni, would you mind if we switched elevators on the second floor and have bodyguard-shi take us to the car first? I don't want you to have any negative rep, and I would like to keep my siblings out of the press until I'm able to protect them."
Her voice held a stern yet delicate tone as she asked while pressing the second-floor button. The bodyguards had already been given the order to follow the miss, and thus one followed her into the next elevator, leaving behind his envious comrades. Watching her and the kids leave, Kim Bonhwa and Park Byung-ho shared a knowing look as they were further impressed by the girl.