Sugar Daddy

Chapter One: Jeon Jungkook

The quiet hum of a mixer fills the silent kitchen, a tired Jungkook standing over it while absently staring at the white frothy mixture. He watches the blade whipping back and forth, mixing egg whites and sugar for perfect meringue drop cookies. The liquid fluffs up beautifully, a big cloud of sugary sweetness that has the dark-haired man smiling. He has a few joys in his life. This--his treats--are one of them.

"Daddy! Daddy!' a small girl cries, flying into the kitchen clad in crinkled plaid pajamas, and a proud smile. Her long brown hair is a wild mess of curls and loose scrunchie, bare feet slapping swiftly on the cool tile floor before she collides with Jungkook's legs. This little bundle of crazed excitement is the only other joy in his life. He instantly bends over and lifts his daughter in his arms, a bright smile engulfing his face.

"Morning, pumpkin! What are you so excited about?" Jungkook asks teasingly; he already knows what his daughter is excited for. It's the one thing she has talked about for months now, yet Jungkook still likes to play these little games with her.

"It's my first day at school, Daddy! C'mon! Get ready! You can't go like that!" she cries, struggling in his arms, yet he just laughs. He planned on dressing after he made today's batch of cookies for his shop. Sweet Addictions is his pride and joy; the confectionary is located in the center of Seoul near one of the train stations, giving him plenty of business and an opportunity to share his sweets with the city. Jungkook sets Momo down on one of the counters, grateful that she is excited about school, unlike other kids. Other kids are terrified by the prospect of being away from their parents, but Momo cannot wait to start preschool. It helps that she has also been accepted into one of the most elite academies in Seoul. Courtesy of Jungkook's stupid ex-wife and her new, very wealthy, husband. Jungkook hides his bitterness by smiling gently at his daughter.

"Calm down, Momo. Let me get these cookies in the oven, then we both can get ready, okay?"

"Can I have a cookie before school?" Momo asks with big eyes before Jungkook sighs and focuses on the meringue batter in the bowl. He scoops the mixture out and into a piping bag, equipping a star-shaped nozzle to it so they will form in cute tiny little swirls on the cookie sheet.

"You know the rules about sweets, Momo," Jungkook replies, piping the cookies out in neat orderly rows before tucking the tray into the oven. He sets a timer then turns back to the counter where his daughter sits, pouting sadly with her hands clinging to the wood edge.

"No sweets before school unless it's a reward for doing something good..." Momo quietly recites, her legs dejectedly kicking back and forth, "But...what if it's for my teacher? Not for me?" she asks, and Jungkook can't stop the chuckle escaping him. He knows she's trying to manipulate him for a cookie...and damn it if it doesn't work.

"I will give you two cookies. One for your teacher. And one for you at lunch. No sooner, got it?" he exclaims sternly, though he can't stop the smile that blossoms over his face when she happily squeals and claps her hands.

"Thank you, Daddy!" she launches herself at him, forcing him to catch her in a tight hug. Jungkook closes his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath as he thinks about all they've been through these past few years. An ugly divorce and custody battle, almost losing the shop, and his main reason for living. He tightens his hug, and Momo just hugs him back. She knows how unhappy Jungkook has been, how the stressed father hides all of his pain from her. But it is in these hugs that she tries to make everything right. Tries to use her skinny little arms and tiny hands to squeeze all of his pieces back together. Finally, Jungkook lets go of the hug, flashing Momo a smile she knows and loves.

"C'mon. Let's get you ready for school. The cookies will be done soon," Jungkook says, setting her down on the ground as she goes running out of the kitchen and up the stairs tucked in the corner of a small hallway. Jungkook follows her up the steep stairs, his calloused hand running along the wood railing as he approaches the landing for the door to his apartment. The best thing about Sweet Addictions is the fact he has a place to live right above it. He couldn't afford the commute from out of the city every single day, so being able to live above his shop is extremely convenient. And it makes it easier to keep an eye on Momo when he has to work. He flicks on the light at the top of the stairs before opening the door and chasing after his daughter who is already in her room, struggling with her uniform top and sweater.