(Soojin's POV)

This neighbourhood is equidistant from all the hospitals and near my workplace. It had been my dream to find a big house in this neighbourhood for mum and I to live in. I have not achieved my dream yet, but this is a start. I'll be renting a place here for me to live in temporarily until I can afford a bigger house. Mum would continue staying at the old apartment. I'll be working extra hard from now on so that I can make my mum happy. So that we don't have to depend on him anymore. We'll finally be free. 

Jugyeong offered to let me stay at her home, but she's too kind. It would be too much trouble for her family. I can't do that to them. But, when she did tell me about how a good friend of her mother was renting one of the rooms in their house, I was overjoyed. I was too busy to make a visit earlier but it looked good in the pictures so I decided to take it. The landlord sounded very nice as well.

I was stunned when the landlord called me when I was with Han Seojun. It was rushed but I believed now was a good time to settle the agreement. She said it would not take long so I believed that it would not be a huge inconvinience to Seojun either. 

Seojun looked really uncomfortable in the cab. He's probably nervous someone might recognise him and start a scandal. So I decided to finalise the details as quick as possible so I rushed out of the cab to talk to the landlord. I still don't think anyone would recognise him with the cap and the mask, but it's better to be safe than sorry. 

I walk to the main door and ring the doorbell. I could hear the chiming ring of the doorbell from outside. The door opened to a lean, smiling woman. 

"Kang Soojin?" 

"Yes, yes. It's nice to meet you."

"Hello my dear, I'm Auntie Han. Come in, come in."

She is very friendly. She held my arm and directed me into her home. The house had a nice hallway decorated with old pictures of who I presume to be her son and her daughter. I am starting to think her daughter looks very familiar. There were significantly lesser pictures of her son and all of them were childhood pictures. Maybe her son died when he got older. Note to self, do not ask her about her son. 

We sat down at the dining table and she served me tea. 

"You have a lovely home, Auntie Han."

"Thank you, dear. After you drink your tea, I'll show you the room."

We talked for a bit before hearing the doorbell ring. 

"My silly girl, she always forgets that she has the keys. She'll open it herself.  Drink your tea."

She then guided me to my new room. I was glad it looked exactly the same as the pictures. Small, but neat. The walls were painted pink with tiny white flowers and some silver glitter. I liked it. It was spacious enough for a bed, desk and a wardrobe. That's better than the rest of the rooms I've seen before. I could not help smiling. I liked the place. 

"I like it, when can I move in?"

Mrs Han smiled and opened her mouth to reply when she was interrupted by another series of doorbell chimes. 

"Stupid girl, she has the key. I'll go get the door."

I followed her down back to the first floor. She peered through the peephole and gasped. Her eyes widened.

"Some idiot is trying to break in! He's got a mask and a cap! This neighbourhood is usually safe so this has never happened before!"

It seemed unlikely for a burglur to attack now, it was not even dark yet. 

"Should I call the police?"

"No, we can catch him. Together. Here, let's hide behind the couch. We'll catch him red handed. Come, come."

She pulled me behind the couch as we waited for the burglur. 

This did not seem like the best idea and I was skeptical, but it is her home. She's my landlord. So it's best I listen to her. 

I equipped myself with a badminton racket lying around and Mrs Han gripped tightly onto a baseball bat. 

Click

He had done it. He unlocked the door. 

I could hear his footsteps, slow and careful. 

Mrs Han faced me. 

"Three...Two..."

She did not wait till one. She charged at two and hit the burglur with the bat. He doubled over with pain and fell to the ground with a loud thud, clenching his stomach.

I walked towards the burglur and was horrified to see Han Seojun, grunting in pain. 

"MUM!"

Mum? Why would Han Seojun call Mrs Han his mum?

Oh wait. 

It can't be right? Oh no. Oh no no no no no. No. How did I fail to see this? How did I not put two and two together? Oh no. 

Mrs Han gave a puzzled look and removed his mask. She squinted her eyes. Realisation hit her and her eyes widened. 

"Seojun, my boy! My sweet boy, I did not realise it was you! Why didn't you tell me you were going to stop by? I missed you so much, my baby."

She helped him up and gave him an affectionate hug. Seojun, still confused, hugged her back.

"Mum, please wear your glasses. And what the heck is going on here?"

"Oh, this is Kang Sujin. I'm renting the room on top to her."

Seojun raised his eyebrow and scratched his head. 

"Why would you do that? That's Gowoon's room."

"It is not being used, Gowoon does not live here anymore she's living with...."

Awkward silence. Deafening silence. Painful silence. 

Mrs Han gave Seojun a guilty look. 

"WHAT?"

"WHY DOESN'T SHE LIVE HERE?"

"IS IT JUYEONG?"

"I'M GOING TO KILL HIM"

"I'M GOING TO KILL HER"

"I'M GOING TO KILL THEM BOTH"

Seojun was full of rage. His eyes reddened with anger and he was clenching his fists. 

I wished I was somewhere else. Anywhere but here. 

To make matters worse, I heard the squeak of the door opening. A young girl, with dark hair and spectacles cheerfully walked into the house, wearing yellow pajamas. Oblivious to everything.

"Mum, I forgot to take my...."

Seojun made eye contact with her. She stopped in her tracks, rooted to the ground. 

Pin-drop silence. 

Mrs Han let out an audible gulp. 

This girl was the subject of the family discussion. Han Gowoon.

What was I doing here, stuck in this Han family discussion?

I wish I was somewhere else. Anywhere but here.

I wish I was somewhere else. Anywhere but here.

I wish I was somewhere else. Anywhere but here.

Anywhere but here.