By Zephyria The girl, wearing a pointed, long witch’s hat askew, wore a dress with the same design as the hat, with a dark, dark background and large and small gold stars printed on it, and a red ribbon around her waist. The child, holding an excessively large plastic jack-o’-lantern in her arms, seemed to have been born for Halloween. Her skin was particularly white, her dark hair was draped over her shoulders, and her lips were a dainty red. Winston was simply mesmerized.
Yu-jin.
In an instant, he was transported back to the first time he met Yu-jin. Absurdly, he vividly felt the sunlight of that day, the smell of grass, and even the wind that tickled his cheeks. Back then, when there were only two of them in the world. He suddenly recalled a forgotten memory, along with the innocent face that had been bewildered when he first saw Winston. What was I thinking back then? What was the first thing I thought when I met those clear eyes looking at me?
He was an angel.
It was as if he could see small, cute wings behind his back. And perhaps it was true. Because if Yu-jin wasn’t an angel, then there were no angels in the world.
Of course, Yu-jin was older than Angela was now, but if he had met Yu-jin when he was the same age, and if Yu-jin had been wearing those clothes, wouldn’t he have been just as cute, or even cuter?
Of course. Who in the world could be as lovely as Yu-jin?
Memories that he had tried so hard to bury were revived all at once. Yu-jin smiling at him, Yu-jin stammering as he followed along in Spanish, the small, slender body that would always be clinging to the window when Winston came to visit, then jumping down with a shout of joy and leaping into his arms.
Winnie.The thought of Yu-jin smiling behind the pile of Halloween pumpkins made his heart ache. He felt the urge to fly to the island right away.
“Isn’t she lovely? Didn’t I tell you, there wouldn’t be a child as pretty as Angie at the party today.”
The Butler, who had suddenly appeared from behind, whispered in a low voice. He had put his heart and soul into preparing for today’s party, as well as dressing Angela, so he had every right to be proud, but Winston thought the Butler was wrong.
Today’s party, there’s no child as cute and pretty as Angela in the world.
He didn’t bother to deny the fact that he had suddenly remembered. It was obvious that Angela was the cutest child in the world.
Of course, she’s Yu-jin’s child.
No one knew how lovely and cute he was as well as Winston did. It couldn’t be helped. Now that Harold was gone, there was no one who had seen him as deeply and for as long as Winston had.
Even if there was someone, it didn’t matter. Winston was more than willing to send him to the same place as Harold. Such a thing should not exist in the world.
“…Angie.”
Winston, who had barely returned to reality thanks to the Butler, opened his mouth.
“Are you ready? Shall we go now?”
His voice was so kind and sweet that even he could hear it. Seeing the child tilting her head as if she thought it was strange, Winston deliberately turned away from the Butler’s face. Without waiting for an answer, he strode forward with large steps and scooped up the child. Surprised by the sudden situation, the child clung to Winston’s shoulder in shock.
“Eek!”
Winston was startled by Angela’s actions, who was clinging to him with all her might while holding a pumpkin in one arm. He felt a little guilty because he didn’t know the child would be so scared, but more than that, Angela was relying on Winston first, regardless of the cause, it was an unbelievable fact. If Yu-jin knew, he would be as surprised as Winston. But Angela was even more surprised.
I’m relying on the enemy!
Yu-jin’s face flashed through her mind for a moment. How disappointed would Daddy be in me? What about my brother!
Realizing that she had made a huge mistake, Angela hurriedly pulled away. The moment she turned her head with a sulky face as if nothing had happened, she suddenly saw a dizzying floor in her sight.
“Kk… Kkiaaaaaak!”
Angela screamed even louder than before in a panic and hugged Winston again. Seeing the child breathing heavily and clinging to him in fear, Winston suddenly had a mischievous thought.
“Are you scared? Just this height?”
Angela couldn’t answer and just nodded her head so hard that the wind was whistling. Winston, who had thought of Yu-jin again, couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Don’t worry, Angie.”
Just as she was about to get angry at the enemy’s laughter, Winston patted Angela’s back gently and said.
“No matter what happens, I won’t drop you or anything. I promise.”
The soft voice eased a corner of the child’s heart, which had been on edge. Angela hesitated and looked at Winston, and he smiled as if to prove his words. Her heart seemed to melt again at that face, but Angela hurriedly pulled herself together.
“I, I don’t trust Mr. Campbell.”
“Okay, I understand.”
Winston answered as if he didn’t care at the child’s stubborn declaration and then moved his body. Angela, who was suddenly frightened by the shaking view, leaned her whole body on Winston’s shoulder in a hurry.
I’m sorry, Daddy. This isn’t surrender. It’s a temporary truce!
Before coming here, Angela had joined hands with Adeline, whom she had sworn to hate until she died in order to stand up to a boy two years older than her who was mean to the neighborhood children. Angela was more excited by the fact that she was actually putting into practice something called ‘alliance’ from a drama she was engrossed in at the time, but in any case, the result was a great success because she even drove the common enemy out of the playground.
After that incident, Angela became a hero among her peers. She also became friends with Rosalind again, forgetting the past. A closer relationship after a rough battle, this is a true woman.
Just like Princess Rosalind.
When she resolutely raised her head, thinking of the wonderful protagonist she had seen in the drama, Winston stopped on the stairs. Invited guests were gathered below, waiting for them. The atmosphere seemed to be ripe enough. He was thinking of going down now.
Suddenly, he felt a small vibration. Winston, who had turned his head without thinking, paused when he saw Angela, who was pale and trembling. It was the first time he had seen Angela so frightened. It was on a different level from being scared by Winston’s pheromone scent.
“Angie, what’s wrong?”
Winston asked in bewilderment, but the child was still trembling all over, looking down at the people. Winston was inwardly embarrassed by Angela’s unexpected appearance.
Huu, Angela took a rough breath. Her eyes were frantically shaking from side to side, and she couldn’t calm down. The downstairs hall, which seemed far away, was crowded with people. It was a completely different atmosphere from when it was usually empty except for the employees who occasionally came and went.
What should I do?
Suddenly, fear washed over her. Angela was completely alone here. There was no one to protect her among so many strangers. Soon, her mind went blank and the trembling of her body didn’t stop. Seeing Angela breathing heavily, Winston hurriedly called her name.
“Angie.”
Angela had always shown a calm and mature side that didn’t suit her age, so he couldn’t imagine she would be so scared.
She’s just a three-year-old child after all.
He barely managed to hold back from swearing for a moment because he felt so pathetic. To calm Angela down, Winston asked softly.
“Don’t be so nervous, it’s not your first time at a party like this, is it? You did a great job last time, didn’t you?”
This was also the reason why Winston was careless, in addition to the child’s maturity. He thought she would be fine this time too because she had finished the party without any problems back then.
At Winston’s words, Angela vaguely recalled the last party. The party where Winston declared Angela as his daughter was quite fun.
She wasn’t trembling like this either. There was only one reason why Angela was able to confidently finish the big party she was experiencing for the first time.
“But, now.”
Angela opened her mouth with a tearful face. The child said to Winston, who was watching with tension without realizing it, in a very dejected voice.
“Daddy’s not here.”
At those words, Winston let out a deep sigh without realizing it. So many emotions rushed in at once that he felt dizzy. He felt the urge to bang his head against the wall as it was, but he barely managed to hold back.
Right, why didn’t I think of that? I saw with my own eyes how deep their bond was.
The situation seemed similar to then and now, but it was completely different. The reason why Angela can be so mature and calm is because Yu-jin is there. Because she believes that he will save her at any time, so she can do anything with confidence.
But not now. Because Yu-jin is not here, Angela can’t do anything. Even if fear rises to her throat, there is no one to save her anywhere. The child was completely alone now.
“…I.”
Winston managed to move his rough vocal cords as if he had swallowed sand and started talking. And he blurted out without realizing it.
“I’m here, Angie.”