"Yìshù," Jumin said softly, glancing at Keiko who'd been staring out the window since she got in the car. "It's Chinese. Interesting name for a bakery."

Keiko glanced back at him, then looked out the window again. "That is the name of the painting that hangs in my dining area."

He nodded once, "The one with the woman? She's standing in the field, looking at the crumbling city in the distance, while painting a field of flowers on the canvass in front of her. It's quiet pretty."

"Thank you. My mother painted it." Keiko said softly. She pulled her phone from her pocket to turn it back on. She'd turned it off so Seven couldn't track her, a lot of good that did her.

Her movement gave Jumin a reason to look over at her. He watched her. Something about her captivated him, but he wasn't sure what. "Was your mother Chinese than?"

Keiko sighed at the missed texts before stuffing her phone back into the pocket of her jeans. "Um…no, Korean. She loved their culture though. She had always wanted to visit China, so my father took them for their honeymoon," she smiled softly as she remembered her. "She loved Mulan. She had quite a bit in common with her."

"Oh? She was a crossdresser than?" Jumin asked, then looked straight ahead again.

Keiko's eyebrows furrowed and her head snapped up. Then she saw it, the smallest smirk on his lips, the glint in his eye, and she couldn't help but laugh. "You have jokes Mr. Han. I see."

The sound of her laughter was a melody he wished to play on repeat. "I'm not your boss, I'm your business partner. Jumin is fine."

"Mmm…but you aren't my business partner either. I never actually agreed to take your deal," she chimed.

"You got in the car, and we're headed back to the apartment," he argued. "That was one of the conditions."

She considered this for a moment, "Fair," she said finally, then looked out the window again.

She was quiet only a few moments, but Jumin found he missed the sound of her voice and dug to find something to say. Something that would get her speaking again. "Did your mother paint often?" he asked finally.

Keiko glanced at him again and shook her head. "Yes, but that was the only painting she ever finished."

"She was gifted. It's a shame that there isn't more work from her."

Keiko couldn't help but smile at that, "That's…thank you. For saying so." He only nodded in reply. She leaned back in her seat. The car had come to a stop, and she watched out the window at the car beside them. Parents in the front seat and two little ones in the back. They appeared to be singing aloud with the radio and laughing. Her chest hurt a bit, her heart breaking. She envied the family she never had. Keiko glanced at Jumin again. He set, facing forward, stoic, and serious. She had no idea that inside his mind he was again digging for more words. A question to ask that would get her speaking again. Lucky for him, she was looking for a way to distract herself. "My mother was like Mulan," she said and Jumin eagerly turned an ear toward her, "Because she was willing to give up her life for her family. In the end…I guess she kind of did."

She grew quiet, so he pushed for more. "How so?"

Keiko shook her head, "I'm sure you don't want to hear any of that."

Jumin leaned into the middle seat, peeking around Driver Kim. "Looks like there's an accident just up ahead. We won't be moving for some time. I've time to listen."

She had to laugh a bit at that, "Well, so long as it fits in your schedule than," she teased.

Jumin smiled, "I'd like to hear it."

He was sincere and appeared almost curious. It threw her off. "Ok…well." Keiko nervously rubbed her legs, "Where do I start?"

"I find at the beginning usually works well," Jumin teased this time and smirked again.

She laughed again, shaking her head. "You are awful. You know that right?" He only shrugged. "Well then, the beginning it is. If you get bored, remember, you asked for it."

Then she told him the story of her life. Most of it. She left out the last few months. The scandal that drove her to Korea. She…wasn't ready for anyone to know that yet. She told him how her father was a prominent businessman in America. Her father and her uncle were partners in a trading business they built from the ground up. Keiko's father had traveled to Korea to meet with some clients when he met Keiko's mother. She was a server at a restaurant owned by her family. He knew that she would never leave Korea and return to the states with him. So, he quit his business. Left it to his brother. Then he moved to Korea with the money he had, hoping to win her heart. And he did.

Keiko's grandfather talked her father into opening another restaurant. Her grandfather had dreams of making a chain of restaurants and was sure, with his son-in-law's help, that it would be possible. And Keiko's father had learned to love being a chef. He was exceptional. But tragedy struck when Keiko was only 8. Her father's mother passed away. He left his wife and daughter in Korea to watch the restaurant and headed back to the states to attend the funeral. But there was a malfunction on the plane and an engine blew before the wheels could hit the landing strip.

He didn't make it.

Keiko's mother couldn't do it alone. Couldn't handle the restaurant or raising Keiko by herself. And her family would be no help, not when they were already discussing how Keiko would be raised and deciding her future for her. As it turned out, Keiko's grandmother had been helping Keiko's uncle raise his two sons after his wife ran off. She passed and he found he needed help. He offered Keiko and her mother an invitation. If they moved to the states and her mother helped raise his children, he'd offer her a job working in his mansion and she and Keiko could live there.

The painting that hung in Keiko's dining hall, was the work her mother did and gave it to her uncle as a thank you. He loved it. Hanging it in the foyer so that it was the first thing anyone saw when they entered his home. He insisted that Keiko's mother pursue this. When his sons moved out, he converted one of their bedrooms into an art studio for her. Sadly, she would never use it. At age 13, Keiko became an orphan when fate would laugh at her and steal her remaining parent. Her mother passed when a car's brakes failed, and it struck her as she crossed a crosswalk in the city.

Her uncle was happy to adopt his niece. He'd already raised her like a daughter and loved her like one. Years passed and his health began to deteriorate, so Keiko focused on taking care of him. She'd attend school during the day, then come home and care for him. After she graduated high school, she became his full-time caregiver. For the last four years of her life, she was by his side. He begged her to leave him and pursue her dreams. He always felt that Keiko's mother had missed her opportunity because she focused on her family and their restaurant. To him, her talents were squandered, and her life was never her own. He did not want Keiko to miss out on life for a similar reason. Because she felt the need to care for her family.

But Keiko was as stubborn as she was kind. She stayed by his side. So, he made her promise that when he left this world, she would pursue her dream at that time. That she would do with this life what she always dreamt of.

"I used the money he left behind for me to open a bakery here in Korea," Keiko finished. The way Jumin watched her when she spoke, how closely he paid attention to every word, it was…strange. She certainly wasn't used to anyone showing this much of an interest in her. "I couldn't stay in the states…I had hoped returning to Korea would reunite me with my family. They're still angry at my mother though, for leaving and not taking over the restaurant like they had wanted. So, they aren't speaking to me either." She chuckled, "Well, except Eun Sae who also managed to make them angry. I don't have a family really…or friends to be fair. She's all I have now." She frowned a bit, "Well, her and bakery."

He didn't like the look on her face. The way she leaned back into the seat and looked away from him again. Staring out the window in thought once more. "I can see why Yìshù means so much to you. I assure you Assistant Kang will treat it like her own. She'll communicate with you on every decision. It will be in good hands while you're safely in that apartment." Keiko only nodded but didn't look back at him. "And as far as family goes, you're welcome to see the members of the RFA as both family and friends." This did get her attention and she looked at him again. "You've lit a spark in them already. Given them something to look forward to. You're quite impressive Keiko."

She looked at him skeptically, unsure whether she believed him. "Thank…you." Was this that 'charming behavior' he puts on when he's making a deal? The one Jaehee spoke of. Or was this genuine?

"Let me help you…please," he offered her his hand. "I meant every word I said. That Yìshù is a good investment. That I will honor the fact that it is your bakery. And my conditions aren't unreasonable. You stay in that apartment and stay safe. You host the party. You be part of our family."

Keiko considered this. She was confident she could do this by herself, but it would be a lot of effort and getting some help wouldn't be so terrible, right?

"Sir, we've arrived at the seventy-third building," Driver Kim spoke from the driver's seat.

Finally, Keiko reached to shake his hand, but stopped. She spotted to soot on her hands and pulled her hand back, "Ok…I'll accept your help. We can be partners. I'll stay in the apartment, and I'll host the party."

Jumin looked down at her hand, "It is customary to shake. At least until I get a contract written up."

Keiko shook her head, "My hands are filthy." She looked around herself at the seat, "In fact, I believe I've dirtied up your car enough I don't want to also dirty up your person."

He shook his head, "I can wash my hands when I make it to the location of my meeting. And Driver Kim will have the car cleaned before he picks me up again." He held his hand out again.

She eyed it a moment before shaking it firmly. "Then alright. I'll talk to you later. Partner."

He nodded and when she let go, he pulled his hand back, closing it and holding it close. "Luciel says the apartment isn't far…still…call me once you've arrived."

She nodded and with that, she was gone.

Jumin looked down and ran his finger over his soot covered palm. Remember the feel of her soft hand in his. Considering her and the feelings that seemed to be seeping out despite the wall he put up.

Driver Kim watched him in the rearview for a moment and couldn't help but smile a bit before pulling away from the curb.

707: And that is how I got so many Honey Buddha chips!

707: *Smile*

Yoosung*: -_-

Yoosung*: That's not a true story.

Yoosung*: Come on! Tell me how you really got them!

Yoosung*: *crying*

ZEN: He's not really going to tell you.

ZEN: When do you think Keiko will be back? Do you think everything is ok?

JAEHEE KANG HAS ENTERED THE CHATROOM

707: JAEHEE!

Yoosung*: JAEHEE!

ZEN: JAEHEE!

707: JAEHEE!

ZEN: You already said her name.

707: I wanted to say it again.

Yoosung*: Is Keiko ok? Did she make it back to the apartment?

Jaehee Kang: I'm not sure. That's why I'm here. I'm looking for Mr. Han.

ZEN: *confused*

ZEN: Looking for him? Isn't he with you?

Jaehee Kang: There was a change of plans. Keiko's cousin will be staying with me, so I took her to my apartment. Mr. Han took the other car with Keiko to return her to Rika's apartment.

ZEN: *shocked*

Yoosung*: KEIKO'S ALONE WITH JUMIN!

ZEN: SEVEN!

707: On it!

707 HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM

Jaehee Kang: Mr. Han should have gotten here by now. I've been waiting nearly twenty minutes.

Yoosung*: What if he kidnapped her!?

Jaehee Kang: I doubt that is the case.

ZEN: He'll lock her in a cage somewhere!

ZEN: Bleach her hair!

ZEN: MAKE HER WEAR CAT EARS AND CALL HER ELIZABETH THE 4TH!

707 HAS ENTERED THE CHATROOM

ZEN: ACHEW!

707: I called her and she's at the apartment now.

Yoosung*: *sigh*

Yoosung*: Elizabeth the 4th?

Yoosung*: You got a little carried away I think.

ZEN: Don't pretend like you can't believe he'd do that.

JUMIN HAN HAS ENTERED THE CHATROOM

ZEN: Jumin! YOU WERE ALONE WITH KEIKO!?

Jumin Han: She hasn't called me to let me know she's made it to the apartment. I was checking to see if she was here.

Yoosung*: She's not.

JUMIN HAN HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM

Yoosung*: But Seven called her and she's fine.

Jaehee Kang: Mr. Han are you on your way?

ZEN: …

ZEN: …he just left.

Jaehee Kang: *angry*

Jaehee Kang: I guess I'll need to stall the client if he isn't here soon.

JUMIN HAN HAS ENTERED THE CHATROOM

Jumin Han: I called her. She's ok.

Jumin Han: She was talking to Luciel and hadn't called me yet.

ZEN: YOU WERE ALONE WITH HER!?

ZEN: YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WEIRD DID YOU?

ZEN: *angry*

Yoosung*: Is she cute!?

Jumin Han: What would I do with her that's weird? Where is your mind Zen? Are you picturing doing weird things with Keiko?

ZEN: *angry*

ZEN: You were alone with her!

ZEN: Anything could have happened! You should have let her ride with Jaehee!

Jaehee Kang: Are you on your way then? Do you think you'll be on time?

Yoosung*: Is she cute?

Jumin Han: It would have been less efficient for her to ride with Assistant Kang.

Jumin Han: We weren't alone, Driver Kim was here the whole time.

Jumin Han: I am on my way now and I should be there with time to spare.

Yoosung*: Is…she…cute!?

Jaehee Kang: Then I will go and finish preparing. Thank you.

JAEHEE KANG HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM

ZEN: So what did you do?

ZEN: Did you creep her out?

ZEN: I bet she's ready to run away right now!

Yoosung*: IS..SHE…CUTE!

Jumin Han: I offered to be her business partner and help her rebuild.

Jumin Han: So we'll be working together.

ZEN: *shocked*

ZEN: What? So you did take advantage of her! You've got her working for you!

Jumin Han: She isn't working for me. We're working together.

Jumin Han: I did agreed to it under two conditions though.

ZEN: What conditions?

Yoosung*: IS SHE CUTE!?

Jumin Han: That she wears cat ears.

Jumin Han: And allows me to call her Elizabeth the 4th.

707: *laugh*

707: You called it Zen!

ZEN: *shocked*

ZEN: ARE YOU SERIOUS!?

Yoosung*: Is this thing still working?

Jumin Han: Of course not. I asked that she return to the apartment and help with the party.

707: Is what working Yoosung?

707: *confused*

707: I think the cat ears would have been a good idea too!

ZEN: You're both impossible.

Yoosung*: Oh good, you can see my messages.

Jumin Han: I will pitch that idea to her. Cat ears when she works at the bakery. Should bring in plenty of customers.

ZEN: ACHEW!

Yoosung*: Is she cute?

Jumin Han: Why do you type your sneezing? And talking about cat ears shouldn't trigger an allergic reaction.

ZEN: Enough with the cats!

Yoosung*: *sigh*

707: Jumin

707: I think Yoosung was asking you a question.

Jumin Han: Hmm?

Yoosung*: …is she cute? T_T

Jumin Han: Is she cute?

Yoosung*: YES!

Yoosung*: …

Yoosung*: …

Yoosung*: Where did he go?

ZEN: WELL?

707: Oh the suspense is killing me! Hold on!

707: I need some chips!

Jumin Han: Aesthetically she is pleasing to the eye.

Yoosung*: -_-

ZEN: -_-

ZEN: Aesthetically she's pleasing to the eye? You're a real charmer aren't you?

Jumin Han: I've no need to charm her. We've already brokered a deal. Jaehee will write up the contract this afternoon.

Yoosung*: Does she smell good?

Jumin Han: *confused*

Jumin Han: She smelled like her restaurant caught on fire and she was cleaning it up.

ZEN: -_-

ZEN: You paint a great picture. Isn't there anything else you can tell us?

Jumin Han: Her skin was soft when I touched her.

ZEN: *shock*

Yoosung*: *shock*

ZEN: YOU TOUCHED HER!?

ZEN: YOU PERVERT! YOU CAN'T TOUCH A WOMAN WITHOUT HER CONSENT!

Yoosung*: I'm with Zen on this! You can't just touch people!

Jumin Han: She allowed it.

ZEN: I DOUBT THAT! I'M CALLING HER RIGHT NOW!

Jumin Han: I'm here for my meeting.

Jumin Han: Goodbye.

JUMIN HAN HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM

ZEN: AND IF SHE SAYS YOU WERE INNAPPROPRIETE…

Yoosung*: …

Yoosung*: He left again.

ZEN: *angry*

ZEN: I'M CALLING KEIKO!

ZEN HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM

707: What did I miss?

707: Oh! They left!

707: I told you she was cute! I saw her pictures!

Yoosung*: SEND US ONE!

Yoosung*: Or post it here at least!

707: I'll go get one!

Yoosung*: *cheers*

Yoosung*: I'll wait here!

707 HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM

Yoosung*: …

Yoosung*: …

Yoosung*: -_-

Yoosung*: You're not coming back are you?

Yoosung*: I really hate you Seven!