🪻 Chapter 7: Breakfast With Momma
"Still," she said with a soft smile, "thank you, Seojun."
He didn't reply right away. His gaze lingered on her as if he were trying to memorize her features under the glow of the streetlight. Then he straightened a bit.
"Come inside for coffee?" she offered suddenly, surprising even herself. "I mean, if you're not in a rush."
Seojun gave a small, almost apologetic smile. "Tempting. But I should take Taehyun home first. He sleeps better in his own bed."
"Of course," Jiwoo said quickly, nodding. "That makes sense."
"But…" he added, "once he's settled, maybe next time, I won't say no to that coffee."
Jiwoo laughed gently, a hand brushing her hair behind her ear. "Deal."
There was a beat of silence, then she added, "By the way, now that the exhibition's over, I have some free time tomorrow. If you and Taehyun are planning to explore Paris, I'd be happy to show you around. It's easier with a local."
"Are you offering to be our personal tour guide?" Seojun teased.
"Think of it as a thank-you gesture for all the help today," she replied playfully. "And yes—if you need anything while you're here, don't hesitate to contact me."
"I will," he said. "I'll get your number from your manager."
She gave him one last smile, then stepped out of the car. The sound of her heels against the pavement echoed lightly as she made her way up the steps of her home.
Just before disappearing inside, she turned and waved.
"See you tomorrow."
Seojun rolled down the window slightly, his eyes following her until she vanished through the door. Then, he leaned back in his seat, his gaze shifting to the rearview mirror where Taehyun slept soundly.
A soft sigh left his lips.
"I'll make you remember everything, my love," he murmured under his breath, as the Paris sky turned deeper into twilight.
----
The soft glow of morning had barely begun to brush against the curtains when Jiwoo groaned from under her blanket. The melodic chirping of birds outside her window should've been peaceful… if not for the continuous buzzing of her phone beside her pillow.
Bzzz… Bzzz… Bzzz…
With a sleepy huff, she blindly reached for the device, squinting at the screen. Unknown Number. Again.
"Ugh… who is this disturbing me so early in the morning?" she muttered groggily, dragging the phone to her ear and answering it with a half-asleep voice.
"Hello…?"
A high-pitched voice chirped back almost immediately.
"Momma!!! Why did you leave me yesterday?"
Jiwoo blinked her eyes open fully now, surprised. "Taehyun?! Is this you?"
"Yes, Momma!" came the excited reply.
Her lips curled into a smile instantly, the sleepiness forgotten in a heartbeat. "How did you get my number, baby? Is your appa there with you?"
"Nooo, Appa's still sleeping," Taehyun replied in a loud whisper, as if it were a secret mission. "I'm calling you from Appa's phone. He got your number yesterday from your manager. I saw it when he was checking messages!"
Jiwoo chuckled softly, already imagining the adorable scene—Taehyun sneaking across the room on tiny feet, lifting Seojun's phone with the seriousness of a spy.
"Oh really?" she said teasingly. "And why did you call me so early, hmm? Are you missing me already?"
"Yes, Momma!" Taehyun said without hesitation. "You know, yesterday when you weren't with me, I told Appa to take me to you again, but he said we'd go in the morning. So I got up super early! But Appa is still snoring!"
Jiwoo laughed, heart overflowing with affection. She hadn't known this boy for long, but something about him tugged at her soul in a way she couldn't explain.
"Oh my Taehyun really wanted to meet me again, huh?"
"Yes! I want to be with Momma all the time!"
Jiwoo's heart gave a little squeeze.
"Aigoo~ you're too sweet," she cooed. "Then do one thing, hmm? Wake your appa and come to my house for breakfast. I'll make something delicious for you."
There was a small gasp from the other side.
"Really?! Momma will make breakfast for Taehyun?!"
"Yes," Jiwoo said, smiling into the phone. "So be quick now, okay?"
"Okay!! Bye, Momma!" he sang joyfully.
"Bye, baby," she replied with a soft laugh, already getting out of bed.
---
Meanwhile, at Seojun's apartment…
The blinds were still drawn, casting dim stripes of light across the room where Seojun slept peacefully, one arm slung over his forehead, the other on the bed.
His peace didn't last long.
Taehyun tiptoed into the room with wide eyes and an excited grin, clutching the phone tightly in his little hands. He approached the bed and dramatically yanked the quilt covering Seojun's figure.
"Appaaa~! Get up!" he sang loudly, bouncing lightly on the edge of the bed.
Seojun groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Hmm? Taehyun… what time is it?"
"Appa, get up! Momma said she will make breakfast for Taehyun!" the little boy chirped with excitement, tugging at Seojun's arm now.
Seojun was still rubbing the sleep from his eyes when he sat up in bed, his blanket falling onto his lap in a crumpled heap.
"Baby..." Seojun said in a groggy voice, blinking slowly as he looked down at his excited son, "I told you, didn't I? Appa will take you to see Momma later. She might be busy right now…"
But Taehyun puffed his cheeks, crossing his arms in defiance. "No, Appa! I already called her! Momma said we can come for breakfast!"
Seojun's eyes widened. "You what...?" His voice pitched slightly as he sat up straighter. "Wait—you called her? How did you know which number was hers?"
The little boy tilted his head innocently. "I asked the caretaker Aunty downstairs. I told her I need to call my momma. She helped me find the name 'Jiwoo' in your contacts."
Seojun sighed, partly exasperated and partly in awe. This boy... he's smarter than me sometimes.
"And what exactly did you say to your… to Momma?" Seojun asked, his tone gentler now.
Taehyun grinned proudly. "I told her Taehyun was missing her a lot and wanted to meet her. And then she said she would make breakfast just for me!"
Seojun blinked, stunned into silence for a moment. Jiwoo invited them? Willingly? Was this really happening?
His heart swelled unexpectedly, his eyes softening at the way his son's excitement glowed like sunlight in the room.
Thank you, my little champ, Seojun thought, watching his son bounce on his heels. You're helping Appa more than you'll ever know.
"Appaaa! Let's goooo!" Taehyun squealed, grabbing his father's hand. "Taehyun wants to meet Momma right now!"
"Okay, okay!" Seojun chuckled, scooping Taehyun into his arms and spinning him gently in the air, earning a round of giggles. "Let's get ready and go make some memories, hmm?"