In the Night
Minjae had just arrived home, exhausted. As she made her way upstairs to her room, she paused. A faint sound reached her ears. She listened closely, but with so many rooms in the mansion, she couldn't tell where it was coming from.
Just then, Madam Kim approached.
"Welcome back, young miss," the elderly woman greeted with a small bow. "What would you like for dinner?"
Minjae shook her head. "Nothing."
Her tone wasn't dismissive like it usually was with the other maids. She was more gentle with Madam Kim, who had served their family since her grandparents' time—on her mother's side.
"I made tteokbokki and spicy chicken—your favorite," Madam Kim offered.
"I don't feel like eating." Minjae declined again.
But Madam Kim didn't give up. "You're getting skinnier, Miss Minjae. You've been skipping dinner and breakfast a lot, and I'm sure you don't eat much for lunch either. That's very unhealthy," she scolded.
Minjae was dumbfounded. For a moment, it felt like her mother was speaking to her—just like in the dream.
"How about i make you porridge instead. Something light and easy to digest," Madam Kim insisted.
"Never mind. Just serve what you've already made," Minjae finally relented.
Madam Kim smiled, knowing that the only reason Minjae agreed to eat was because it was her favorite meal. As the woman turned to leave, Minjae stopped her.
"I heard some noises. Where is it coming from?"
"Oh, it's from the second sitting room," the elderly woman answered.
"Who's there?"
"Little Miss Mina. She's watching TV."
Minjae frowned. Mina should be asleep by now.
She turned and made her way toward the second sitting room on the second floor. As she got closer, the sound became clearer—it was a man's voice from the television. She slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Mina sat on the big sofa, her eyes glued to the large screen. Minjae had come to check on her niece, but her attention was immediately captured by what was happening on the TV. A young man was being interviewed—a popular model, Jeon Jordan.
As she walked toward Mina, Minjae found herself unable to take her eyes off the screen. The man's deep voice, sharp features, and mesmerizing eyes held her in a trance. She wasn't easily impressed by looks, yet this man was... different.
She gulped.
"Aunt?" Mina's voice snapped her out of it.
Minjae cleared her throat and turned away. "Oh. Hey, Mina," she said, trying to sound casual—as if she had been caught doing something she wasnt suppose to do.
Mina smiled. She had noticed Minjae's interest.
"You like the show?" she asked
"Absolutely not," Minjae denied instantly.
She walked over to the fridge in the corner and grabbed a drink. The truth was, she had no interest in these kinds of shows__ interviews and questions about people's lives never fascinated her. But the unbelievably good-looking man on the screen? That was a different story.
Mina giggled as she continued watching. Jeon Jordan wasn't just handsome—he was also funny. His witty responses made even the live audience laugh.
As the show ended, Mina grabbed the remote and switched off the TV.
"You're a fan?" Minjae asked as she poured herself a drink.
"A big fan," Mina grinned. "He's totally my type—tall, incredibly handsome, smart, funny... and his eyes? Oh my God."
Minjae raised a brow. "So I'm guessing it's more than just being a fan?"
"Well… I do like him," Mina admitted. "But he's way older than me—Hes like your age."
"My age? That's not way older," Minjae argued. "I was only ten when you were born. Besides, Great-Grandpa was sixteen years older than his first wife."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Minjae walked over with two glasses—one with wine and the other with juice.
Mina smiled as she taught of something
"Well__ you can just help me marry him into the family Since his your mate" Mina said teasingly but hopeful
"No Thanks" Minjae dismissed as she handed the juice to her
"Juice?" Mina asked
"What? am i suppose to give you wine?" Minjae asked
"You can try" Mina said with her signature adorable smile as Minjae just stared at her blankly
"C'mon aunty, i heard you took acohol even before you got to my age, u were very much a minor too then you know"
"I actually dont care about being a minor and whotnot, I heard you resumed school today therefore i wont give you cuz u will be going to school tomorrow" Minjae said as Mina mood changed at the mentioned of school, Minjae continued as she didnt notice the change in mina's expression
"At least i took it for the first time during holiday, i cant have you running around like a mad dog tomorrow at school, what would your mother say when she wake's up and find out" Minjae said as she gulped down the drink like a pro that she is.
"About that__" Mina began
"I was told to come to school with my Guardian tomorrow" She said
"Hmm" Minjae nodded reluctantly as she stood up to get another drink "Have you called your dad?" she asked but didnt get any response from Mina,
Silence
Noticing the tense atmosphere , Minjae stoped on her track and turned to Mina, Who's Bright expression was now replaced with a quiet silence
"Why do you have to go with a Guardian?" Minjae asked slowly walking back to Mina
"Did something happened?" she asked, a frow on her face__ As much as Minjae acts indifferent and rude to people, when it comes to her family having a hard time from someone else, she becomes aggressive, she rather be the one to give them a hard time than any one else, so she always say's.
Minjae sat beside her just then she saw a scar on mina palm, as she grabed her hand, staring at it for a while.
The scar was from when Mina grabed the chair and hit the male bully, Minjae Who was familiar with fights and violance could tell how her neice acquired the injury
"Did You hurt someone?" Minjae asked, Mina suprised by how her aunty found out without being told, defended
"They Hurt me first!" she said half yelling with a frown on her face, for some reason she felt like she was being judged again. Minjae gazed at her for a moment with a frown on her face, suddenly her frown deepened at the realization of something
"You were bullied?" she said, pure irritation in her voice, as she stands up angrily, she run her fingers through her hair frustratedly
"You let kids your age bully you?!" Minjae yelled angrily
"What could i have done?!" Mina yelled back, tears filled her eyes
"What do you mean what could you have done! You were bullied Choi Mina, how does that sound to you?!" Minjae yelled again, frustrated by the taught of it,
"Well thats the problem right here cuz im not a Choi!" Mina yelled, now tears was freely running down her cheek, from her eyes
"I am a Lee, and by Lee i mean i'm nothing" she sobbed,
She wiped her tears quickly, trying to compose herself. "I just feel like a rabbit thrown into a den of wild animals for dinner."
she wiped off the last drop of tears from her cheek, the room suddenly turned silent, Minjae was quiet for a moment
"How long has this been going in?" Minjae asked
"Long enough" Mina said
"Did your mom know?" Minjae asked
She shook her head "I didnt tell her" she replied
"And your father?" She asked
Mina hesitated before nodding regretfully
"And what did he do regarding it" Minjae asked again
"What could he do?" Mina scoffed bitterly. "He's a nobody."
Minjae studied her niece closely, her sharp gaze narrowing. There was something going on in her sister's family—something Mina wasn't saying.
But Minjae wasn't the type to ask.
She would find out herself.