By Zephyria Side Story Episode 10 (End)
The season ripened. Summer blazed as if to burn everything, then faded away, painting the fallen leaves yellow and red.
Life after the vacation didn’t change much. As always, most of their lives revolved around the baby, and the two spent more time with Kwon Hae-ah.
Seo Jeong-won cared for Kwon Hae-ah obsessively, even more than before. The nanny’s embarrassment grew daily. Her reason for being in the house was to take care of Kwon Hae-ah, but she had become the most useless person in their lives.
The nanny considered the situation, endured it, and finally cautiously told Kwon Tae-hee about it when Seo Jeong-won began to handle even the baby food and naps.
“He takes care of Hae-ah all day long… I thought you should know. Even when I offer to do it, he adamantly refuses, so I can’t force myself to hold the baby.”
“I understand. I’ll talk to Jeong-won.”
“Yes, CEO.”
Kwon Tae-hee sighed as he pondered the nanny’s words after she left the study. He couldn’t help but know why Seo Jeong-won was going to such lengths, even with someone to look after Kwon Hae-ah.
After the summer vacation, Seo Jeong-won began to take care of the child even more than usual. Guilt crept into Seo Jeong-won’s eyes as he watched the baby, who had been crying only a week ago, now smiling brightly. After that, everything surrounding Seo Jeong-won began to revolve around Kwon Hae-ah.
He had been watching, but the moment he heard that Seo Jeong-won was overdoing it, he thought it would be good to draw a line. It was a moment when he needed to say that there was no need to go this far.
Kwon Tae-hee slowly moved after finishing his thoughts. As soon as he left the study, he saw Seo Jeong-won sitting next to Kwon Hae-ah at the dining table.
He was feeding the baby baby food with the nanny. The silicone spoon was naturally in Seo Jeong-won’s hand.
“Jeong-won.”
“Yes?”
“Just a moment.”
“Now? Ah… Hae-ah is eating, so please wait a little.”
Kwon Tae-hee moved at the refusal that came out in a difficult voice. He forcibly got up from his seat and handed the spoon, which he held as if he couldn’t let go, to the nanny.
“He’s almost done eating…”
Kwon Tae-hee, who soothed Seo Jeong-won’s regret, headed to the bedroom. As soon as he closed the door and entered, he sat Seo Jeong-won on the edge of the bed and lowered himself to kneel on the floor.
“What’s wrong?”
“Jeong-won.”
“Yes?”
“Did something happen?”
Seo Jeong-won’s eyes widened as he didn’t understand what he was saying at the low question. He stared intently at Kwon Tae-hee, slightly lowering his head because of the different eye level.
“What…”
“Lately, all of Jeong-won’s attention has been focused on Hae-ah, which makes me feel left out.”
“Ah…”
“Since the vacation.”
He hadn’t been unaware that Seo Jeong-won hadn’t let go of childcare for several weeks, but the reason he had left him alone was because Seo Jeong-won wanted to, but it was putting a strain on his daily life. His body, weakened by childbirth, often fell ill. Therefore, he needed to get enough rest, but he was worried about his health because he wasn’t doing so.
“I’m fine…”
“Were you very sorry?”
“…”
“For leaving only Hae-ah behind?”
Seo Jeong-won, who seemed surprised by the direct hit, quickly avoided his gaze. Then, after a beat, he nodded.
“I also needed time alone with Jeong-won. It feels like it was originally mine, but trying to share it… is a bit difficult.”
“…”
“I understand. From now on, let’s make sure Hae-ah comes with us.”
Kwon Tae-hee smiled and reached out his hand. He untangled the fingers intertwined on his thigh one by one, held them, and pressed his lips to the fingertips.
“But you know what? I wanted to go on this vacation only with Jeong-won, but the baby’s age wasn’t suitable for flying.”
“…Yes?”
“I could have taken him, but the doctor doesn’t recommend it, so how could I go with him? I worry several times over whether something that seems good is really good for our child.”
“Ah.”
Seo Jeong-won, nodding as he looked at Kwon Tae-hee, who was being honest, carefully revealed his heart. It was the inner thoughts he had been hiding with the word “fine.”
“I felt sorry to Hae-ah. We are now a family of three, but it seemed like only Executive Director and I were having too much fun and happiness.”
“That can happen.”
“Of course, I know that my parents took really good care of the baby at their house, but when Hae-ah cried as soon as he saw my face… I felt strange.”
“That can happen too. Hae-ah likes Jeong-won so much. From now on, let’s all do it together.”
Seo Jeong-won mumbled that he was sorry as he listened to the calm and affectionate voice. He also knew that he was taking care of Kwon Hae-ah too much. But it was difficult to take care of him moderately. He didn’t even know the standard of moderation, and he just felt relieved when he was in contact with the child.
So, even though there was a nanny, he would snatch the baby away as if taking it away whenever he heard a cry. He couldn’t overcome his anxiety and guilt, so he pretended not to know that she was embarrassed every time.
“I was too… harsh.”
“I think it’s an understandable action, but I don’t think you should feel sorry to the child. It was our wedding and honeymoon.”
“…Honeymoon?”
“It’s a trip that you can only take when you’re newly married, so that’s a honeymoon. That’s what I thought.”
Seo Jeong-won thought that the meaning he knew and the meaning Kwon Tae-hee knew were slightly different. He knew that a honeymoon was a trip that a couple took after their wedding, but Kwon Tae-hee defined it as a trip taken during the honeymoon period.
“There’s also a saying that the interpretation is better than the dream.”
Kwon Tae-hee shrugged with a sly smile. Seo Jeong-won couldn’t help but laugh at his natural attitude, as if to say that he could think that way.
“…That’s right. I also needed time alone with Executive Director.”
“Thank you.”
“…”
“Next time, let’s make sure Hae-ah comes with us. But with the nanny too.”
Seo Jeong-won couldn’t say no to Kwon Tae-hee, who insisted that the nanny should accompany them on the family trip. Before he could open his mouth, he said firmly that he could never give up on that. He insisted that he needed time alone with him no matter what.
“We are a couple before we are parents. And Jeong-won said so too. That he likes being with me.”
He didn’t know why the words “I need time alone” had turned into “I like it,” but he nodded because his expression was too firm to correct.
“…I understand. Executive Director is right.”
Kwon Tae-hee, who was appalled by the elevated word choice again, got up instead of pointing out that part and realizing the age difference. He pulled Seo Jeong-won’s chin and kissed him lightly, then smiled sweetly as if to melt him.
“We’re also parents for the first time. There’s no need to try to do everything well.”
“…”
“Hae-ah is loved enough. He’ll definitely know when he grows up a little more. How much love our daughter has received.”
Seo Jeong-won’s expression softened at the words that were comforting just to hear. He reached out and hugged Kwon Tae-hee, who was fidgeting with his hands on his thigh.
“I think I was too anxious. It would have been better if I had told Executive Director, but I didn’t know. I vaguely thought that if I treated Hae-ah well, it would be resolved.”
“Tell me from now on. We are Hae-ah’s fathers and a couple. If you share your worries and anxieties, they will be lessened. I’ll tell you too. Without hiding anything.”
Seo Jeong-won nodded at the affectionate voice. He answered quietly that it would be nice if he did, and hugged him a little tighter.
“It’s difficult.”
“That little child makes me worry a lot.”
“I wish there was someone to ask, but there isn’t… I want to be sure that I’m doing well, but I can’t, so I’m more anxious.”
“Why are you worrying about that? You’re doing well enough. It’s amazing to watch. Sometimes I’m jealous.”
Seo Jeong-won’s eyes widened as if surprised by the unexpected compliment. Moreover, it was difficult to guess what he was jealous of.
“…Jealous?”
“I’m jealous. I want to be loved by Jeong-won as recklessly as Hae-ah. I think every day that I wish you would look at me with those eyes.”
Kwon Tae-hee took Seo Jeong-won’s hand and pulled it to his heart. The heart under the small palm was beating fast. It was different from his calm expression.
Seo Jeong-won, who unknowingly curled his fingertips, looked up at Kwon Tae-hee with surprised eyes.
“Are you… not feeling well? It’s beating too fast.”
“Sometimes my heart hurts when I look at Jeong-won.”
“If it beats this fast… it could really hurt.”
Seo Jeong-won, who carefully unfolded his fingers again, gently rubbed his chest. Then he smiled shyly. This moment felt more real than any confession or words of love.
He raised his gaze, which had been staring silently, and glanced at Kwon Tae-hee, then lowered his head, put his ear to his chest, and quietly checked the sound.
“Will it be like this forever…?”
“Probably.”
“Then it would be really… nice.”
His neatly closed eyes curved softly. Seo Jeong-won, who had even pursed his lips, felt that his anxiety was completely gone.
Affection filled him to the brim.
It was a garden of autumn that was steadily ripening.
〈The Garden of Tedium Side Story End.〉