Chapter 17
Seo Hee POV
The call ended, and just like that, my energy for the entire day disappeared.
"Am I wrong for expecting too much?" I whispered to myself as I fell onto the couch.
Suddenly, my mom walked in.
"I thought you said you were at work." she said.
"That's true, but I changed my mind."
She sighed lightly and sat down. "You need to be more disciplined about work, dear. If you keep missing work just because you're the boss, what are you teaching your employees?"
"Why are you nagging me so early in the morning, Mom?" I groaned. Then I paused.
"And what are you even doing in my house? How do you have my keys?"
"That's because I own the house," she said calmly.
I rolled my eyes. "It's high time I change those locks," I muttered under my breath.
"What's wrong?" she asked, moving closer and sitting beside me.
"Nothing," I replied quickly.
She studied my face for a moment.
"Is it a boy?"
"What? No."
"Is it about Laurel?"
I went quiet.
That was enough for her.
"What did she do this time?" she asked gently. "What happened?"
I hesitated, then sighed.
"Am I wrong for expecting too much from her?"
My mom didn't interrupt, so I continued.
"I mean… I know she's different. She doesn't love easily or trust easily. She's very straightforward. I just always thought maybe she would change, you know… enjoy life a bit more."
"Didn't you say she has changed a little since her brother came back?" my mom asked.
"That's true… but it's only toward her brother."
My mom smiled softly.
"You know her, Seo Hee. And you chose to be her friend. She is your friend even if she's not very expressive."
I looked at her.
"That doesn't mean she doesn't love you."
She gently held my hand.
"People like her are hard to get. But once you have them, they stay even in times when no one else does."
I swallowed quietly.
"When they make a promise, they keep it," she continued. "You might think she doesn't care because she doesn't show it, but that might be her way of loving… in its biggest form."
I sighed.
"But Mom… who is really your daughter? Me or Laurel? Why are you siding with her?"
She laughed softly and pulled me into a hug
.
"Both of you are my daughters."
I smiled a little.
"Now tell me," I said, pulling away slightly. "What are you really doing in my house?"
"Well," she said with a grin, "it's your birthday tomorrow, silly. I wanted to surprise you when you got back from work."
"Ohhh…"
"Don't tell me you forgot."
"Nooo! How can I forget my own birthday?" I said quickly.
Then I paused.
"Do you think Laurel will remember?"
My mom raised an eyebrow.
"You almost forgot your own birthday, and you're worried about Laurel remembering?"
She pinched my cheeks playfully.
"It hurts, Mom!"
"My baby is going to be 24 soon," she said softly, her eyes suddenly filling with tears.
"Time really does fly."
"Why are you crying?" I asked, my own eyes stinging.
"I'm not crying," she said quickly, wiping her tears.
"Since you don't like big celebrations, your dad and brother will be coming tomorrow to celebrate with you."
She stood up and walked toward the kitchen, already checking what to cook.
Five hours passed quickly.
But Laurel didn't call back.
"She must be busy," I said to myself.
Midnight came faster than I expected.
My phone suddenly lit up.
It was Kang Dae.
"Why is he calling this early?" I muttered, checking the time.
12:00 AM.
I panicked a little… but still picked up.
"Hello"
"Good morning, my princess," he said softly.
"Good"
"Happy birthday, baby," he cut in.
I froze.
"How did you remember my birthday? I didn't tell you."
He chuckled.
"When I'm interested in someone, there's nothing about them I don't know."
I felt my cheeks heat up.
"And besides," he added, "it would be a crime not to know a queen's birthday."
"Queen?" I repeated, blushing.
"Yes," he said. "You're my queen, Seo Hee."
"Thank you… for the birthday wishes," I said softly.
"Can I come over?" he asked.
I hesitated.
"Hmm… sorry. My family is around, and I haven't told them about you yet. It would be awkward."
There was a brief silence.
"Okay, Seo Hee," he said gently. "I understand. I won't disturb your beauty sleep on your birthday."
"Okay… good night."
Morning came quickly.
Voices filled the living room.
Dad must be here.
I rushed out.
"Appa!" I called excitedly.
He turned and smiled warmly.
"Isn't this my baby who just turned 24?"
"Baby my foot," Lee Joon said from the side. "She's getting old. In fact, she is old already."
"Appa!" I complained, pointing at him. "He's bullying me on my birthday!"
"He's just jealous of your beauty," Dad said, lightly scolding Lee Joon.
We laughed.
Then the doorbell rang.
"Are you expecting someone?" Mom asked.
"No," I replied.
"I'll get it," Lee Joon said, heading toward the door.
A few seconds later,
"Seo Hee!" he called. "You have a package!"
"A package?" I frowned and walked over, my parents following behind.
It was a bouquet delivery.
And outside was
A BMW.
My eyes widened.
Attached to the bouquet was a card:
Happy Birthday to my queen.
All eyes turned to me.
I smiled awkwardly and stepped closer to the car.
"It's so beautiful…" I whispered.
"I thought you said you don't have a boyfriend," Mom teased.
"He's not my boyfriend!"
"So… a friend?" Lee Joon asked suspiciously. "Do I know him?"
I felt nervous.
"No," I said quickly, walking back inside.
By afternoon, the tension had eased a little.
We were getting ready to go out when the doorbell rang again.
This time, I went to open it.
I could feel their eyes on me.
Another bouquet.
"Who is it from?" I asked the delivery man.
"Miss Davis. Laurel."
My heart stopped.
"She remembered…" I whispered to myself.
Inside the package was:
A bouquet
A brand-new camera
A Louis Vuitton bag
A Chanel purse
Perfume
Earrings.
"These are all the things I love…" I murmured, my eyes filling with tears.
Then I picked up the card.
Happy Birthday, Seo Hee.
Simple.
Just like her.
I carried everything inside.
"The guy must really love you," Lee Joon said.
"What guy?" I replied.
"These are from my best friend."
"It's from Laurel."
They all went quiet.
"Laurel?" he repeated. "She's never sent me gifts before."
I smiled softly.
"That's the difference between a friend… and a best friend."
At that moment, everything became clear.
She didn't call back.
Not because she forgot.
But because she had a reason.
To surprise me.
Sometimes, the people you think you're giving too much to…
Care about you just as much.
They just don't show it the way you expect.
But they do.
They always do.