I feel bad. I had no idea her mother was hospitalised. I really didn't know. I made her upset and now the air is awkward. She's just sitting there, going over some sheets as I watch her.

Her face isn't cheery as it normally is and her mouth is droopy and not forming a smile. I didn't want to get involved in her personal life, but I entered it without permission. I feel like a jerk.

She looks like she's going to cry. "Park?" She looked up at me and forced a smile. I can see it's forced. It isn't cheery and her face is dull. "Are we going to get on with this?" I pointed to the piano and she stood up.

I want to ask her if she's alright, but I feel awkward doing so. She stood beside me. "Hands..." Her stern voice wasn't there.

Gosh, I messed up.

I sorted out my hands and she started going on about some more stuff I should learn like how to play with both hands and stuff like that. The only thing I noticed, though, was her sad expression. She was speaking quietly and low, not the tone of voice I get annoyed with.

Her facial features were drooped and her eyes were puffy from up close. She's been crying. They're sore and red like her nose and cheeks.

Damn, maybe I am a jerk.

"Uhm... Chae?" I rarely call her by her name. I usually use her last name. She looked at me, answering in a small, broken 'hm?'.

"I just wanted to... You know... Apologise?" She furrowed her brows. "For yesterday? I acted like a jerk and shouldn't have read your texts."

She just nodded. Okay, I really messed up. I shouldn't have done that. That was awkward. I turned back around and she continued to teach me.

It was about an hour later when I felt she was becoming uneasy. She was fidgeting a lot and something was on her mind. "Are you okay?"

"Can I ask you something?" I nodded and she took a deep breath. "Is it okay if you ask your appa to pay me early?"

What.

Why does she want money?

"Huh?"

"I need to get paid early. I know I should wait a little longer, but I'm desperate." This is weird. Her hands are clasped together. Park begging? What a sight to see.

Options are out,

.1, be a jerk.

.2, be a nice jerk.

Option one sounds fun. I smirked. "Look at you. So needy." She suppressed her lips. "Beg then."

"What?" She looked at me weirdly.

"You want cash early, right? Beg like a dog." She hesitated before getting to her knees, pulling her hands up and bowing her head. I'm shocked. I didn't expect her to do that. I can't show her I'm vulnerable now. I heard sniffles and my heart clenched. She's crying.

"P-please? I really need the money. I can't do this without it. Jisoo, please?" I don't want to hear that.

At all.

My name in her sad tone. It sounds like my pitiful mother. "Get up." She did what I said, wiping her tears before looking at me.

I got up, going into my drawer. I pulled out an envelope. "Here." She was confused before she opened it and gasped.

"I-I can't take this!" She shoved it back in my hands.

"Take it. Seriously. I don't need it. It's a waste sitting in my drawer." I don't want my name to sound sad again. I only want Park to say my name happily or angrily, never distraught. "Don't do that."

She sniffled again, taking back the cash. "Do what?"

"Beg. I'm a total jerk. Remember that." She shook her head.

"I'm sure you're nice when you want to be." I rolled my eyes at her and she shoved the money in her bag. "I'll pay you back, Kim."

"No need."

"But I can't just not give anything back."

"Then promise me something."

"What?"

"Don't say my name that way ever again."

"She's such a jerk!" Jennie yelled, clenching on her slushy cup. "Next time I see her, I'll slap her."

I chuckled slightly. "No need, Unnie."

"Are you okay?" I nodded my head. "Aish. I can't believe she really made you beg. What a jackass." I smiled at her.

"She's alright. As you said, she can be nice." Jennie furrowed her brows at me.

"Seriously? After she invaded your privacy and made you beg? Tch. You have a weird taste." She crossed her arms, rolling her eyes. Jennie has a profession in rolling her eyes.

"She gave me money, Jen. You know how big that is for me."

"So when I offered it, why didn't you take it?" She looked at me with saddened eyes. "I love your Eomma as much as I love you. You know I hate seeing you struggle, " She held my hands in hers.

"Look at you being all sappy, " I tried to joke.

She glared at me. "Seriously. Your eyes are puffy, you cried. I notice when you need help, Chae. So let me help you." I removed my hands away from her, laughing as I tried to lift the mood.

"I don't need your help, unnie. I'm fine on my own. I will earn the money and pay for her surgery. I already gave the starting, they're letting me pay it off bit by bit."

She sighed, rubbing her temple. "Okay. You do what you want to do. If you find yourself in a desperate need of anything-"

"-Yeah, yeah, I know. Come to you." She smiled, squishing my cheeks playfully. That hurts. I pulled her hands off.

"I love you, wifey."

We call each other these thongs all the time. Jennie's girlfriend doesn't mind because we always do. Jennie would kick her ass if she ever complained about it.

I rolled my eyes again. She noticed and squished my cheeks. "Love you too, hubby." I finally pulled her off and the parlour was filled with laughter.

I walked down the street, my eye-catching onto a tall, beautiful lady. She was middle-aged and she wore a long, red dress that was complimented by a white purse. She wore a fluffy jacket and had men following her.

I stepped out of the way for her.

Until I realised,

she was coming for me.

What the heck.

I don't remember being well known that a rich lady would just come and talk to me.

Crap.

I think I just peed myself.

She was coming closer and I shut my eyes tight, thinking this was all a dream. I counted to ten and opened them once I reached the last number.

She was standing right in front of me, smiling.