NOVEL WEB Chapter 9: ⁹:A smile you didn't mean to show
🍕 Chapter 9: A Smile You Didn't Mean to Show
Just then, Jiwoo and Taehyun came running into the living room again, the boy practically bouncing on his feet.
"Appa!" Taehyun cried, arms flailing with excitement. "You know what Momma said? She said she'll take me to Disneyland!"
Seojun looked at Jiwoo, surprised. " Jiwoo—you might be busy, and there's no need to push yourself just for—"
Jiwoo held up a hand, stopping him mid-sentence.
"Seojun," she said, smiling gently, "I told you yesterday I'm free for a few days. Besides, taking Taehyun to Disneyland is just an excuse. I've wanted to go there for years."
Seojun stared at her, startled. "Really? You've wanted to go?"
She laughed. "Yeah. I never got the chance. So… I thought maybe now's the right time."
He paused, then smiled warmly. "Then we'll definitely go. It's still early, and Disneyland is only about 20 miles from here. What do you say? Today it is?"
Taehyun jumped in excitement. "YEAHHH!"
Jiwoo clapped along. "Alright then. You two wait for a bit—I'll go get changed."
"Okay, Momma!" Taehyun shouted after her as she disappeared into her room.
---
While Jiwoo was getting ready, Seojun quickly booked the tickets online, glancing up every now and then to check on Taehyun, who was playing with the buttons on the couch and humming happily.
And soon enough, they were on their way.
---
🎠 Later at Disneyland Paris
The excitement was palpable. From the moment they entered the theme park, Taehyun's eyes widened at every colorful structure, his small hand gripping Jiwoo's tightly while Seojun walked beside them.
They rode carousels, spun in teacups, and even braved the small rollercoaster—Taehyun's triumphant "Yayyy!" echoing through the air as he flailed his arms like a superhero. They snacked on churros and cotton candy, and Jiwoo bought him a pair of oversized Mickey ears that kept slipping down his forehead.
At one point, Jiwoo and Taehyun sat together on a slow boat ride through a fairytale-themed river, watching animatronic characters dance along the sides. Jiwoo looked at him, his cheeks flushed with joy, and for a fleeting second—she felt a strange tightening in her chest. Like she'd lived this moment before.
She shook it off.
"Momma!" Taehyun said, mouth sticky with strawberry syrup, "This is the best day ever!"
Jiwoo laughed, wiping his mouth. "You think so?"
Taehyun nodded. "Because I'm with you. I want every day like this!"
Seojun, walking behind them, heard it all. His gaze never left Jiwoo—not her smile, not the way she reached down to brush Taehyun's hair, and certainly not the way her eyes glistened at the boy's words.
You already love him, Seojun thought, a lump rising in his throat. Even without knowing why.
Maybe—just maybe—she'd find her way back to him too.
"Ugh, I'm hungry," Jiwoo whined lightly, stretching her arms out like a lazy cat as they stepped out of the souvenir shop.
Taehyun immediately perked up like a spark had ignited in him. "Pizzaaaa!!" he squealed, jumping with joy, his Mickey ears bouncing comically with each hop.
Seojun chuckled, ruffling his son's hair. "Okay, okay, as you guys say. Pizza it is."
They found a small but lively pizza café within the park that had red-and-white umbrellas and checkered tablecloths. Jiwoo chose an outdoor table under a maple tree, the dappled sunlight painting soft patterns across the wood. While Taehyun was busy choosing the largest slice in the display window, seojun went to place their order at the counter.
A few minutes later, he returned with three plates, a smile tugging at his lips and laughter still warm in his voice. "Three pepperoni specials, and a little extra cheese for our prince."
"Yayyy!" Taehyun squealed, digging in like he hadn't eaten in days.
Jiwoo giggled and picked up her slice, taking a small bite. "Mmm, this is actually really good."
Just as seojun was about to sit, a small, fluffy creature came bounding toward him—tongue out, tail wagging at full speed.
"Aww, hey buddy!" Seojun said, immediately crouching down and scooping the little dog into his arms. "Where did you come from, huh? What's your name?"
The puppy barked cheerfully, curling into seojun's chest like he belonged there.
Jiwoo paused mid-bite, her eyes falling on the scene before her.
There he was— Seojun —smiling down at the tiny dog like a child who had found his favorite toy. His boxy smile peeking out, his eyes soft and gentle, his laugh so carefree it made Jiwoo freeze.
She had been looking at the puppy, but now… her gaze shifted. It wasn't the dog she was staring at.
It was him.
There was a warmth in her chest she didn't understand, like sunlight creeping into a room she thought was closed. Her lips curled slightly into a soft smile—completely unintentional. Her eyes softened. In that moment, the world melted into background noise.
"Momma?" Taehyun's voice pierced through the fog.
Jiwoo blinked and turned quickly toward him, flustered.
"Y-Yes?" she said, her voice an octave higher than usual.
Taehyun tilted his head like a curious little puppy himself. "Do you also like dogs?"
"Huh? Dogs?" Jiwoo repeated, trying to refocus. Her cheeks flushed.
Taehyun pointed his greasy little finger toward her. "You were staring at that doggy like this—" he widened his eyes and gave a dramatic 'in-love' expression.
Jiwoo panicked internally but quickly forced a laugh. "Oh! Haha… yes. Dogs. I like dogs. They're, um, very cute," she said, trying to hide her embarrassment by looking down at her plate.
Thank God, she thought. He thought I was looking at the dog.
Meanwhile, Seojun was still playing with the puppy, who had now flopped onto his back in the crook of Seojun's arm, paws wriggling for attention.
Just then, a young woman rushed toward them.
"I'm so sorry! He just slipped out of his leash and ran toward you," she said, slightly out of breath.
Seojun looked up, smiling with the doggy still in his arms. "Oh no, it's okay. He's adorable! I think he just made my day."
The woman laughed. "He must really like you. He usually avoids strangers."
"Well, I must be a dog magnet," seojun chuckled, scratching behind the pup's ear.
Jiwoo watched the interaction silently, her pizza long forgotten. Her expression was unreadable—eyebrows faintly furrowed, her posture slightly rigid.
Something tightened in her chest, and she didn't understand it. Was it discomfort? Annoyance? Jealousy? No. That couldn't be it. She barely knew this man.
And yet…