Perfect Possession - Episode 82

“I didn’t know you could make custard cream at home.”

 

“I even make cakes, you know.”

 

Jaehoon was amazed, watching Seo-yeon skillfully make the cake base, even though she said it was her first time. Seeing her make the cream herself for Tae-yul, who loved custard more than whipped cream, filled him with adoration. All he had done was stir or pour the batter into the mold as she instructed.

 

Jaehoon approached Seo-yeon and gently hugged her from behind.

 

“There’s still a lot to do.”

 

Seo-yeon said with a smile.

 

“I’m hugging you because you’re so impressive.”

 

“If you put all these ingredients in, you’ll have to mix them again.”

 

“Don’t worry. I’ll do all the heavy lifting.”

 

“You also have to keep stirring it over low heat so it doesn’t burn, you know?”

 

“I can do that too.”

 

“If you’re thinking I’m going to smear cream on your cheek and play around, forget it. We really have a lot to do.”

 

“No, why would I play with cream that I worked so hard to make? Are there people who do that?”

 

Seo-yeon sensed the seriousness in his voice and realized he was being sincere. She turned around with a dumbfounded expression. His dark eyes were so earnest that she couldn’t even laugh.

 

“You’re serious.”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Ah… so you’ve never smeared cake cream on anyone’s face on their birthday?”

 

“Why would I do that? With cream I worked so hard to make.”

 

Seo-yeon slightly curled her lips and reached behind her, dabbing her finger into the whipped cream she had prepared beforehand.

 

“That’s what makes memories.”

 

“I don’t need those sticky memories.”

 

“Really? It wouldn’t be so bad.”

 

“I hate even the thought of it.”

 

“Hmm… then get ready to be attacked.”

 

Seo-yeon said quickly and smeared the whipped cream on Jaehoon’s cheek. Before he could react, she smeared more on his nose.

 

“Ugh, what are you doing?”

 

Seo-yeon hugged Jaehoon’s waist and whispered close to his lips.

 

“There’s always an option that comes with playful teasing between lovers… actually, that’s the main course.”

 

She licked the cream off Jaehoon’s cheek with the tip of her tongue. Before the sweet whipped cream could even melt, she sucked the cream off his nose with a soft smack.

 

“How is it?”

 

Jaehoon’s lips curved attractively at her seductive whisper.

 

“You should have said that sooner. I would have welcomed it with open arms.”

 

“Then it wouldn’t be fun.”

 

Seo-yeon lowered her long eyelashes slightly and then raised them with a smile. Her dark eyes gleamed dangerously.

 

“You know I always pay back what I receive, right?”

 

Jaehoon licked his tongue over Seo-yeon’s lips, embraced her, and reached out his arm. Just before his hand touched the whipped cream, Seo-yeon moved the bowl away. She whispered in a husky voice.

 

“We really don’t have time. It’s already 11 PM. If we want to handle our excited son’s energy tomorrow, shouldn’t we get some sleep?”

 

Jaehoon narrowed his eyes at Seo-yeon and moved away from her, grumbling.

 

“Damn, it’s not like your love has cooled down or anything, right?”

 

“I’ll take that as a joke.”

 

“If it has, I’ll just…”

 

“Just what?”

 

“I’ll cling to you.”

 

Seo-yeon lightly smacked Jaehoon’s butt and laughed.

 

“Yes, yes. I understand. So, come over here and stir this so it doesn’t burn.”

 

“Damn, touching my butt and then telling me to stir so it doesn’t burn.”

 

Jaehoon grumbled as he stood in front of the stove, stirring the custard cream to prevent it from burning.

 

“But even though it takes a lot of work, it’s worth it when I think of Tae-yul.”

 

“Right? I told you it would be a special gift.”

 

Seo-yeon gave Jaehoon a charming wink and started preparing the fruit to top the cake. She took out Shine Muscat grapes and blueberries, which Tae-yul loved, and cut the strawberries in half to put inside the cake.

 

With all the preparations done, the two began the final touches. While applying syrup to the three-layered cake base, Jaehoon made diplomat cream to put on the bottom layer.

 

“So, mixing custard with whipped cream makes diplomat cream?”

 

“Yes. You put the cream you’re making on the bottom layer, then custard on top of that, and then spread whipped cream all over and top it with fruit.”

 

“At least it’s ending. I thought we’d be up all night.”

 

“It’s only this much because we’re doing it together. Imagine if I did it alone.”

 

“Why would you make our son’s cake alone? Of course, I have to help. All done.”

 

“Let me see. Hmm, you mixed it well. Okay, then shall we put it all together?”

 

Seo-yeon clapped her hands and winked. As planned, the two thickly spread different creams on each layer and spread whipped cream all over the cake while turning the turntable.

 

“It’s better than anything you can buy.”

 

“Right? Look. It’s totally awesome.”

 

“There’s no comparison. Now we just put the fruit on?”

 

“Yes, just pile it on and we’re done.”

 

The two excitedly piled fruit on top of the cake. Jaehoon, fascinated by the finished cake, took several pictures of it. After putting the cake for Tae-yul in the refrigerator, it was past 2 AM when the two fell asleep. Although physically tired, Seo-yeon’s heart was light, and she slept soundly in Jaehoon’s arms.

 

 

“Waaaah.”

 

Tae-yul, seeing the cake that was brought out, widened his eyes and let out a long “waaah” as he stared blankly. Once again, an exclamation of admiration trailed from Tae-yul’s mouth.

 

“Waaaahwa.”

 

After exclaiming for a while, he clapped his hands and jumped up and down. Tae-yul hugged Jaehoon and Seo-yeon at the same time and shouted excitedly.

 

“Tanyu’s?”

 

“Mommy and Daddy made it.”

 

“To give to Tanyu?”

 

Tae-yul asked, looking at Jaehoon.

 

“Mommy made it with all the things Tae-yul likes. You have to say ‘Thank you.'”

 

“Yes.”

 

Tae-yul said politely and bowed deeply, saying loudly.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Happy birthday, Tae-yul. Daddy helped make it too.”

 

Seo-yeon hugged Tae-yul and kissed him. Tae-yul, breaking free from her arms, bowed deeply to Jaehoon this time.

 

“Daddy, thank you.”

 

Tae-yul, practically flying into Jaehoon’s arms, gave him a passionate kiss and then stood up and sat in front of the cake.

 

“Mommy, Tanyu blow.”

 

“Wait a minute. Let’s sing together and blow it out when Ms. Kim and Mr. Park get here.”

 

While waiting for the two, who were like family, Ms. Kim came in with an awkward smile. Seo-yeon sensed that something was wrong and smiled brightly at Tae-yul before approaching Ms. Kim.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

Ms. Kim glanced at Jaehoon and lowered her voice.

 

“The Madam and Chairman have arrived.”

 

“Now? Where are they?”

 

“They’re in the car in the parking lot. Mr. Park is with them.”

 

“They’re not getting out?”

 

Ms. Kim nodded silently. Seo-yeon closed her mouth and turned to look at Jaehoon. Jaehoon, who had been stopping Tae-yul from constantly reaching for the cake, felt Seo-yeon’s gaze and stood up.

 

“Who’s here?”

 

Jaehoon asked, having heard the conversation.

 

“The Madam and Chairman are in the car.”

 

Jaehoon’s expression hardened instantly, and he said shortly.

 

“I’ll go out.”

 

“No. Let’s go together.”

 

“There’s no need.”

 

Seo-yeon smiled gently and called Tae-yul.

 

“Tae-yul, Grandma and Grandpa are here. Let’s go say hello.”

 

“Huh? Who?”

 

Tae-yul, tilting his head at the unfamiliar names, hugged his dog doll and took Seo-yeon’s hand.

 

“Tanyu say hello?”

 

“Just go and bow like you just did.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Seo-yeon gently stroked Tae-yul, who readily agreed, and headed to the parking lot with Jaehoon.

 

Jaehoon didn’t know that the two, who had been living in Switzerland for over a year, had returned without a word. They had even informed him of their departure through a secretary, so he wasn’t particularly bothered that he didn’t know about their return.

 

He was worried about why the two had visited on Tae-yul’s birthday of all days. He was afraid that they might hurt Seo-yeon. He held Seo-yeon’s hand tightly.

 

Seo-yeon’s thoughts were slightly different from Jaehoon’s. She didn’t think it was a coincidence that the two had come here on Tae-yul’s birthday. Mi-ryung knew Tae-yul’s birthday. She wondered if the two had come to celebrate Tae-yul’s birthday, and her heart fluttered.

 

When they arrived at the parking lot, Chairman Han’s secretary was standing outside with Mr. Park. However, Mi-ryung and Chairman Han were inside the car.

 

Jaehoon approached the two. Mi-ryung’s gaze rested on him first. Chairman Han was looking away but slowly turned his head.

 

“What brings you here? Did you come from Switzerland?”

 

“We’ve returned. It rained too often, and I missed the Korean weather.”

 

“You’ve arrived?”

 

Jaehoon greeted Chairman Han, who was looking at him.

 

“I heard about the Dubai contract. Ahem, you worked, worked hard.”

 

Chairman Han even cleared his throat as he awkwardly praised him. Jaehoon doubted his ears for a moment. Chairman Han had never praised him for anything he had done before. Not even once.

 

Jaehoon was surprised that he didn’t dislike the praise from Chairman Han, whom he had resented and hated. He couldn’t open his mouth easily and barely managed to say, “Thank you.”

 

“Today is Tae-yul’s birthday, isn’t it?”

 

Mi-ryung opened her mouth, looking at Seo-yeon, not Jaehoon.

 

Seo-yeon bowed to the two of them then.

 

“Have you been well?”

 

“We’ve been fine.”

 

Mi-ryung turned to look at Chairman Han, and he reluctantly glanced at Seo-yeon.

 

“It would have been fine if the weather wasn’t so bad.”

 

“You look healthy. Did you know it was Tae-yul’s birthday today when you came?”

 

Seo-yeon spoke carefully to Chairman Han and then shifted her gaze to Mi-ryung.

 

“It just happened that way.”

 

Seo-yeon hugged Tae-yul, who was hiding behind her, and showed him to Mi-ryung and Chairman Han.

 

“Tae-yul, these are Grandma and Grandpa.”

 

“Hello. I’m Tanyu.”

 

Tae-yul put his hand on his belly and introduced himself. Mi-ryung’s eyes wavered for a moment, and she said quietly.

 

“You’ve grown a lot.”

 

“He looks like Jaehoon.”

 

“He takes after both parents, not just one.”

 

Surprisingly, Mi-ryung contradicted Chairman Han’s words. She gestured to Chairman Han’s secretary, who opened the trunk and unloaded a pile of gifts.

 

“I bought these because I thought Tae-yul would like them. It’s good timing since it’s his birthday.”

 

“There’s no need to…”

 

“Thank you. Tae-yul will like them. Tae-yul, Grandma and Grandpa bought you birthday presents.”

 

Seo-yeon quickly interrupted Jaehoon’s words. She could feel how much courage they had mustered to come here. Seo-yeon wanted to acknowledge that at least.

 

“Really? All for Tanyu?”

 

“Yes. You have to say ‘Thank you.'”

 

“Thank you. Tanyu like.”

 

Tae-yul bowed so deeply that his body swayed and smiled brightly. Even Chairman Han’s lips relaxed at Tae-yul’s smile, and the corners of his mouth twitched.

 

“Thank you for thinking of us.”

 

Jaehoon still greeted them stiffly.

 

“Then we’ll be going.”

 

Mi-ryung said, glancing at Jaehoon once. Chairman Han’s secretary got into the car and started the engine, and the car slid out of the parking lot.

 

Seo-yeon entrusted Tae-yul to Jaehoon and followed the car.

 

“Seo-yeon!”

 

Seo-yeon heard Jaehoon calling, but she knocked on the car window. The window rolled down, and Mi-ryung looked at Seo-yeon again.

 

“Madam, please come in. We haven’t cut Tae-yul’s cake yet.”

 

Mi-ryung, looking at Seo-yeon with greatly shaking eyes, slowly opened her mouth.

 

“I’ll come next time. I hope that by then, both you and I will be a little more comfortable with each other. Have fun with each other today.”

 

“…Thank you. I’ll see you next time.”

 

Seo-yeon stood there without moving until the car left the parking lot. Jaehoon approached and warmly wrapped her hand in his.

 

“I hope I can call you Mother next time.”

 

“Call me when it feels natural.”

 

“Ah, our Tae-yul has a special cake and special gifts. This birthday is really special. Right, Tae-yul?”

 

Seo-yeon took a deep breath and said brightly.

 

“Yes. Tanyu like. Mommy, let’s go eat cake quickly. Tanyu want to eat.”

 

“You brat, you only use honorifics when you want something. Let’s go sing Happy Birthday and have the cake cutting ceremony.”

 

Jaehoon put his arm around Seo-yeon’s shoulder and smiled happily.

 

“How about you sing the song as the representative?”

 

“Absolutely not. How about you sing it instead? Tae-yul, don’t you want to hear Mommy sing?”

 

“Huh? Want to hear. Want to hear.”

 

Tae-yul urged loudly, and Seo-yeon laughed playfully and pretended to clear her throat.

 

“Okay. Well, let’s do it. Just don’t cover your ears.”

 

The three of them entered the house with light steps to eat the delicious and special cake. Seo-yeon’s heart swelled as she saw the relationship, which she thought could never be restored, slowly changing. No matter how much you hate them, family is family.

 

Soon after, Seo-yeon’s clear voice singing Tae-yul’s birthday song echoed throughout the house.