twice imagines [ON GOING]

another chance; p.jh

Neutral Reader

"Kids, am I right?" you say, trying to look casual as you leaned against the wall with a drink in your hand.

You'd been watching the woman ever since she entered the restaurant. No, you weren't trying to be a creep, you just noticed that she had a child with her. Of course, there was nothing wrong with that exactly, but she looked so tired and worn out that you wanted to do something.

So when she left the place with her son crying, you turned to the waiter. "Excuse me," you call one over to your table. That woman who just left with her son. Could you tell me her order?"

He gave you a funny look. "Uh, I'm not sure I'm supposed to-"

"No, no," you cut him off, taking out your credit card, "I'll pay for her. And myself. I'm done."

The woman returned shortly, her son asleep in her arms. She returned him to his car seat and, although her face was weary, her eyes were full of love. You took your chance to approach her.

Now, she glances at you, her hand automatically reaching for her sleeping son's hand in a protective manner. Oh wow, her eyes.

"I mean," you add hastily, not wanting her to understand it wrong, "they're cute and all, but sometimes they can be a bit much." You punctuate your sentence with a small laugh, trying to sound friendly, but her expression remains unchanged. You sigh. "I'm not doing a very good job, am I?"

"What do you want?" She half-snaps.

You understood why she was wary. After all, who wouldn't be if a random person in a long, black coat suddenly just talked to you? "I noticed you and your son earlier," you explain. "I.. volunteer at my sister's preschool, so I know a thing or two about kids."

The woman evidently relaxes. "Yes..." she says softly, looking fondly once again at her child. "I don't know what's wrong, sometimes. Maybe it's because he's a little lonely. It's just me and him, after all."

"Where's his father?" you blurt out, not thinking. She scowls again, the aura surrounding her turning hostile. You mumble out a quick apology, but she waves it off.

"It's alright. when he found out I was pregnant, he just disappeared. We weren't married yet, but engaged and were about to in a few weeks. He's a coward," she added, "for leaving. Maybe he wasn't ready for fatherhood, but that doesn't mean he had to abandon his son completely, does it?"

"I completely agree," you nod. "Your son is adorable. It's obvious he has your genes." Whoops. Hope she doesn't think you're hitting on her.

She blushes anyway, so you keep going. "If I may, I would suggest he tried going to my sister's school. She's a wonderful teacher, and the children are well-behaved."

"I'll think about it...?" You notice her words end in a question mark, and you grin.

"Y/N. I'm Y/N."

"I'm Jihyo. nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too, miss Jihyo. Please, think about my offer."

"Of course."

You sent her a playful salute and she smiles, walking up to the counter. But the cashier says, "Your meal has been paid for, ma'am." She looks around for you, but only sees the tip of your coat flash out of sight.

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atp expect me to show up with one update then disappear for a couple of centuries