#22. Mask Singer 5-Time Winner? (9)
Nam Jeonghwa had gone out to check out the house we were moving into. Taeyang was already the apple of her eye, doted on endlessly. Since outings weren't recommended until after his three-month mark, she'd left him with Jua for the time being and headed out alone.
"This is really it?"
Nam Jeonghwa, who had never seen such a luxurious apartment before, couldn't hide her bewilderment. Unable to believe it easily, she double-checked the address. But nothing changed.
"Where are you from?"
As she stood near the apartment, a security guard appeared, suspicious, and asked her business.
"Oh...! I'm waiting for someone."
"What's the name of the person you're waiting for?"
"...Do I have to tell you that too?"
No matter how upscale the apartment was, wasn't it overkill to eye her so suspiciously just for standing there?
"For security reasons, we'd appreciate your cooperation."
"Jeonghwa?"
Just as she sighed softly, perplexed by the guard's insistence, a familiar voice rang out—one that made her smile involuntarily.
"Haesol!"
"What's going on?"
I'd made plans with Jeonghwa to check out the apartment, arriving right on time at the meeting spot. I spotted her looking troubled, talking to some woman.
"I was asking this lady to cooperate for security purposes. Sorry if we've inconvenienced you."
"Ah, I get it. She's moving into 603. I heard word was passed along in advance. She just wanted to preview the place before the move."
The security office might sound intimidating, but the guard on duty was a young woman. It wasn't that guards in this world were unusual; this complex just took security seriously.
"Could I see your card?"
"Here."
I pulled out the access card Silbia had given me ahead of time and handed it over. The guard scanned it on a machine.
Beep—beep—
"Party of four members total."
We wouldn't be here often, but I'd already registered the family members. Me, Jeonghwa, Jua unnie, and Taeyang—four of us now.
"Registering now. Could you give me the names of the family members?"
"Jin Haesol, Nam Jeonghwa, Jin Jua, Jin Taeyang."
"Registered. Next time, just tap this card at that reader to enter. Don't transfer it to anyone else, and if lost, contact the security office for a replacement. Especially don't lend it to acquaintances. Tell us in advance if they're visiting, and they'll have smooth access."
The guard rattled off precautions related to entry.
"You chose this place for the security. Not following procedure creates holes, which ultimately hurts you."
"Got it. I'll be careful. Even if it's a hassle, we have to follow it. Makes me feel safer knowing they check thoroughly."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Alright then, thanks for your work."
"Yes, you too."
Finally, Jeonghwa and I passed security and entered the complex.
"You scared me. She came up out of nowhere asking why I was standing here."
"Security really is tight, huh."
"Yeah, seeing how strict they are puts my mind at ease. But is this really the place?"
"Yes, it is. Why?"
"It seems too expensive. We're not well-off enough to live somewhere like this..."
The house was prepared for Taeyang's safety, so even if it burdened her, she couldn't refuse. Even I had to admit it was jaw-droppingly luxurious.
"Living here without paying a dime feels too rude. We've got some savings from the house deposit and what we've saved up? How about pooling it to cover at least part of the deposit?"
"I've already handled all that. Offering deposit money would just complicate things and be more rude. Time is money for that person."
I had to be firm, or she'd keep dwelling on it.
"It bothers me taking something so excessive from someone I've never even met."
"I'll make sure to compensate them properly so you're not indebted. Enjoy it without worry. It's the least for my son. Don't stand there so timidly—let's check out that path over there. Looks like a walkway inside the complex."
I took Jeonghwa's hand and headed toward the path.
The house mattered, but surrounding facilities were crucial too. Kid-friendly setups caught my eye often. Baby seesaws, swings—the playground floors were padded soft with cushy material to prevent injuries.
"Once Taeyang starts toddling, we can bring him here to play."
"They've got a black horse toy over there?"
"Huh?"
"Does Taeyang riding the black horse make him a white-haired prince?"
"You knew?"
I hadn't expected Jeonghwa to recognize me from Mask Singer.
"You think I wouldn't recognize your voice? I knew the instant I heard you sing. 'Oh, that's Haesol.'"
"From the first appearance?"
"Yep."
"Amazing. Most people didn't."
"Jua figured it out too. Even Taeyang went wide-eyed like, 'Daddy?' Ears perked right up."
"Really?"
Taeyang talk always made me grin like an idiot. He held all the world's happiness.
As we chatted amiably, a mom pushing a stroller approached from the opposite direction. She greeted us with a face full of warmth.
"Hello. You look new."
"Just moving into the apartment."
"Oh, nice to meet you! Newlyweds, right?"
"!!"
Jeonghwa startled at the mom's words, about to deny it, so I grabbed her arm to stop her and smoothly changed the subject.
"Your baby's adorable. We moved here after having ours. Heard the security's top-notch."
"Oh, you came to the right place. You can really relax here. Security's excellent. Management fees are steep, though. Hohoho!"
Security costs were baked into the fees, making them hefty.
I'd paid attention to the mom because her stroller held a baby boy.
"A boy, huh."
"Yes. Isn't he precious?"
"Ours is a boy too."
"Oh my! What a coincidence! Perfect."
The mom's eyes widened, and she clapped, continuing eagerly.
"Join our group. There's a club for parents raising boys in this complex. We share tips, hand down clothes, that sort of thing. Kids grow so fast—you buy outfits they outgrow quick."
"Big group?"
"Not huge. About 30 couples."
They'd said boy births were rare disasters, yet 30 pairs? Most parents with boys must live here.
Thanks to meeting this resident mom, we got the apartment scoop easily. Better than wandering—real residents gave vivid insights.
I couldn't handle all her chatter, so after the start, Jeonghwa took over.
"Kindergarten's a big issue. Especially trusting one with a boy. Kidnappings happen in a blink. A moment's lapse leads to horror. I moved here partly for that."
The mom struggled with school decisions too, raising a boy.
"Half the group plans to send, half not. But when push comes to shove, even 'never' couples change their minds."
Waaah—!!
Suddenly, the baby burst into tears, as if fed up with mom's yapping. She snapped to, laughed hohoho, and checked the time.
"Time flew. Gotta feed Jenny now."
"Fun talking today."
"Contact me after you move in!"
With her bubbly goodbye, the mom vanished. Silence hung between us.
"......"
"......"
"Some chatterbox, huh?"
"Hehe, yeah. Seemed fun. A bit talky, though."
Jeonghwa looked like she'd enjoyed a good gossip after ages. No bad vibes.
"Let's head to the house. Been in the park too long."
"Yeah, before it gets dark."
We hustled to 603, our new place.
"!!!"
Jeonghwa gaped at the house, mouth agape.
Honestly, I was stunned too.
How much did this cost?
Prime secure spot in the capital area. No cheap buy.
And furniture was already there—Silbia's doing, no doubt.
"What's with this furniture?"
"Uh... just use it comfortably."
So that's the 'gift waiting at home' I mentioned?
"Every piece is so upscale. Nothing like ours."
"Told you there'd be a gift. Guess it's this furniture."
"Not cheap stuff..."
Jeonghwa's expression was conflicted, even with new furniture.
Her unexpected reaction sank my mood. Felt guilty, though I hadn't done wrong.
"Furniture gift that burdensome?"
"Burdensome, yeah. But no way someone gives luxury like this for nothing. You seeing that person?"
"......"
Not casual 'meet friends' question.
"Dating?"
"Why else would a woman splash cash like this."
Asking a man's women was delicate. Men held less sway in relationships here.
"Not jealous. What right do I have if you make another woman? I'm the one who seduced my daughter's man. Just worried for you. Wealthy women do unimaginable things to claim men."
I pondered how to respond. Full honesty meant spilling too many secrets. Half-truths might work.
"She's wealthy, yeah."
"Sigh, figured."
"She's approaching me, true. But I don't see her as more than a friend. Got tangled by chance, good relations now, help received—but nothing for you to worry about. Not that kind of person."
"My ex got approached by a rich woman too. Normal guy changed. Didn't end well. Spending ballooned, then she left for another man. Never went back to normal."
Bad memory triggered? I gripped her hand tight.
Jealousy surged at how much ex-husband memories filled her life. Though she showed none.
"Let's check those rooms."
I led her, opening every door.
Slam! Slam! Slam!
Here it is!
Found the cheeky, Silbia-style setup room.
Furniture alone wasn't her gift. And sure enough, a ridiculously over-the-top room revealed itself.
"Eek! What's this?"
Jeonghwa screamed at the crimson room.
Huge bed, lavish red-and-gold bedding. Dangling red silk trinkets for mood. Lighting a mystical purple glow. Drawer topped with a basket overflowing condoms.
Not all. Wall shelves crammed with whips, adult toys galore.