Chapter Text
It was a normal morning for me. I wake up from a late night of work to submit my work deadline at 3AM, went to sleep straight after and wake up at 5AM from the constant ringing of the doorbell and banging on the door. I silently sent a prayer to whoever that was disturbing my sleep to be in a hurry and that it better be important. With a groan and a "I'M COMING! STOP WITH THE NOISE MY GOD!" I went to open the door. Upon opening the door, all I see was my niece, Yeri and nephew, Daul, asleep on the floor surrounded by bags and a note sticking out of one of them. My sister Dawon and brother-in-law Kim Tan nowhere to be seen. I proceed to read the note.
** Dear Y/N, my dear sister,
Sorry to dump the kids on you suddenly, but your brother-in-law and I are in much need of a break so we're going on a trip across the world!
We won't know when we'll get back but we'll try to keep you updated!
I've left you 2 bags filled with each of their clothings, enough diapers, milk and necessities for a month and money to buy refills.
We are deeply grateful for this, y/n!
Love and kisses!
Your sister Dawon and brother Tan ❤❤❤ **
Unbelievable! Okay, it's not really unbelievable of my sister to do this, but for my brother-in-law to follow through with this! I felt betrayed! My sister was always one to wander about going on trips after working and saving for a while. She could be gone for months without ever telling us where she was. I imagine that's how she met Tan, her husband. But this was such a big and irresponsible thing for her to do. Without missing a beat, I quickly did a relay with my tired body to place the two kids onto my bed and moved their stuff into my apartment. After that was done, I quickly dialed my parents numbers, of course all while knowing that they're asleep. Mom always picks up and dad should already be awake around this time to prep himself to opening his shop.
"Yes y/n, what is it so early in the morning? Although it's rare enough for you to call us but still early nonetheless," mom spoke over the speaker. "Mom, did Dawon tell you or dad about going on a trip to you recently?" I asked, but before she could respond, I cut through,"Because she just did a ring and dash on me with Tan and they left their kids here only with a note saying they're on a trip and won't know when they'll be back." "SHE WHAT?! HONESTLY THAT GIRL! I thought being a mother on her own would mature her but I guess that's praying for alot," mom screeched across the line, "So, what are you going to do? You can't expect to leave them with us come morning because you know how busy we are just running the shop! And the in-laws are also busy with their own stuff!" "Then what am I supposed to do? I have a meeting to attend in a few hours and I can't just bring them along!"
"You figure it out, you're already an adult. There should be day-cares in the city where you can drop them off ain't there? Do that," mom said, but before she hung up,"Now if you'll excuse us, we need to go to the market for fresh ingredients." With a heavy sigh, I drop the call and went to sort out the bags. True to what my sister wrote, there's a bag filled with Yeri's clothes and another with Daul's. Another, slightly bigger, bag just for diapers and another with baby formulas and bottles. Knowing the habits of these 2 kids from what Dawon told me, I prepared a bottle for Daul that's a bit hotter that usual so when he drinks from it it'll be the right temperature, before I head to bed. It was slightly after 6AM that I got back to bed, my body literally melting in the comfort of the mattress. I instantly dozed off.
I managed to get an hour before Daul was screaming awake. I fed him the bottle and coaxed him back to sleep before he woke his sister up and there'll be double trouble. After settling him, I squeezed another 2 hours of sleep before waking up to a crying 2 year old looking for her mama. "Hey, Yeri, hey it's okay. Come here," I spoke softly to her, wrapping her in my arms,"Momma's gonna be back very soon, but for now you and Daul are gonna stay with aunty y/n alright? Let's go have snacks and let your brother sleep some more okay?" Carrying the teary toddler in my arms, I gave her apple juice and crackers while I sat across her on my laptop, looking for day-cares that accepts immediate placements. Unfortunately, the ones that usually accepts are already filled and other need a minimum waiting time of a week. Frustrated, I called, Choi Suwon, my best friend up, he's my agent for getting work, hoping he could help me.
"Y/N! How's my fave colleague and friend? What do you need this fine morning?" greeted Suwon cheerily. "Hey, Suwon, look I need help and this isn't work related. My sister left her kids with me for god knows how long and I can't be bringing them to the meeting we're having this afternoon! HELP. ME." I said gravely over the phone. "Whoa nilly, are you serious? Because if you are, you should already looked up nurseries and day-cares and already know that I can't help more than you already know." Suwon explained. "I knoowwwww," I whined, "But don't you have like trusted friends or family members nearby I can drop by before the meeting? Only for a few hours?" "Sorry babe, can't help there. The parents are on a 2-days getaway at Jeju and well, my friends I'm sure you too do not trust. How about asking those neighbors of yours? I'm sure they're nice enough to lend a hand?" suggested Suwon. "I've never converse with my neighbors! I'm practically a recluse, remember?! And I only have 1 actual house to consider as next door neighbor. Honestly, I've never even heard nor seen them the years I've lived here," I explained to him. "Then now is the time to make a connection with them! Go and ask them! What could possible hurt? At most you'd have to bring the kids to the meeting! But go nonetheless! I'll hang up now! BYEEEE," He hung up on me.
Okay, so I don't have a choice do I? Well, I pondered about asking them while showering the kids, since Daul had woken up, and fed them breakfast. I also took a shower myself too. I packed enough necessities for a day into a day bag for the kids and now here I am, standing outside the neighbors' apartment door with a kid on my waist and the other on my side. I knocked and the whole time, I caught on my breath. I heard a couple of voices and movements before the door opened to a princely looking guy with wide shoulders.
"Yes? How may I help you?"