Monday Morning.
George Stacy sat at the counter, a steaming cup of coffee in his right hand as he shuffled through the documents spread on the surface.
The morning he was currently having was a rare respite in his always busy schedule.
It was pure chaos out there, pure madness.
'Like the world is nearing its end,' George thought with a sigh before sipping his coffee.
He immediately felt his brain rejuvenated, the caffeine shot directly into his brain.
Being the deputy lieutenant of the New York Police Department meant there was no ample time to rest.
He wanted to but couldn't.
Crime never slept and justice had to prevail.
He was its enforcer and that was never going to stop anytime soon unless he met an untimely demise.
Twenty years into the force, just how many bloody deaths of his colleagues had he witnessed?
Death was just part of the deal.
'Now what am I supposed to do when gangs are mysteriously turning to ash? Then there are these small gangs killing each other left and right,' George pondered, gently dropping the document he was holding.
It was then that he heard light footsteps coming to the kitchen area.
The low humming of a sweet melody was undeniable and rare in his household.
Maybe it was because he wasn't there most mornings to see his daughter, and when he came at night, he was all tired.
There was one person who loved humming in his house, always had that morning charm, heck, all-time charm.
Gwen's mother—Helen.
"Morning, dad," Gwen greeted him as she entered the kitchen, already dressed up for school.
"Morning Gwen," George replied, his analytical eyes scanning Gwen from his peripheral vision as she shuffled through the cupboards, moving like she was ready to float.
'Well, someone's in a good mood,' he thought, returning some of his attention to the papers.
"So… what are you looking at?" Gwen casually asked as she sat opposite George before nibbling on her toast.
George arched his brows, briefly glancing at Gwen.
"It's confidential work, Gwen," he said blandly.
"Really, dad? You know that won't work on me. Give me something even a little bit," Gwen insisted as she sipped on her coffee.
George sighed, his already sloping shoulders slouching even more.
"The usual gang-related cases that have been on the rise. That's the only thing you should know," he said.
"Oh. I hope you catch them soon, dad. Like you always do," Gwen said with admiration, a warm smile stretching her lips.
"You know me well enough, don't you?" George responded, allowing a small smile on his weathered face.
"I do this for you, Gwen. For… Helen. For the people of New York. For justice," he continued with indescribable emotions in his light blue eyes.
Gwen slowed down her chewing, looking at her father.
The corners of his light brown hair were already turning gray.
He really had a lot to handle to keep the city safe.
She had already dropped all selfish thoughts of wanting to spend more time with him, a long time ago.
So she simply just enjoyed every little chance they had.
There was a comfortable silence in the kitchen and soon, Gwen finished her breakfast.
She took all the dirty plates to the sink and after that, took her bag hanging by the chair.
"So can you tell your old man, what's the happy occasion?" George calmly asked as Gwen walked past him.
Gwen smiled knowingly, looking down at him.
"I'm not telling you anything, dad. It's a me thing," she replied, fixing the bag on her shoulder.
George chuckled lightly.
"Women. Just like your mother," he said, slowly sipping his coffee.
He then stood up, seemingly unconcerned, with an empty mug in his hand.
It looked like he already had an inkling of what was going on.
Just as Gwen was about to clutch the knob and go, George called out to her.
"Gwen."
"Yes?" Gwen said, turning her head to look at George.
"Tell that person they'd better keep you happy or else… I'll arrest them," George declared with a wide smile as he leaned against the wall, waving his lieutenant badge from side to side.
Gwen was left speechless for a few seconds.
"Dad! I never said anything!" Gwen lightly retorted, the corners of her lips twitching.
"But I said something," George said, leaning forward with an amused expression.
Gwen groaned in frustration and yanked the door open.
"Stay safe out there," George shouted, his voice perfectly in sync with the shutting door.
Gwen left hurriedly.
George faintly shook his head with a fatherly smile.
Gwen was growing fast. So at some point, she would find someone she liked.
He'd never thought it would be this soon.
"Shit. I'm growing old," he muttered, and looked at the ceiling with a reminiscent gaze.
"Helen, can you see our daughter?"
George caressed the ring on his left hand.
Pity.
She wasn't there.
Only the ghosts of her memories.
~~~<>~~~
Gwen was literally floating, the afterglow from that memorable Saturday still fresh in her mind.
How could she forget?
How could she forget that paradise, the only paradise in the hell called New York?
How about the unbelievable softness of her skin, the warmth of her breath and her velvety voice?
Those memories were deeply seared into her soul. Under lock and key. And only Seol Hwa could open them.
Just remembering all those yummy details elicited a stupid giggle from her.
An old neighbor that was going to work stared at her as if she was nuts.
Gwen didn't mind it one bit as she walked down the stairs to Seol Hwa's floor.
Coincidentally, Seol Hwa was just closing the door behind her.
"The coincidences are getting a little bit too much, aren't they?" Seol Hwa said as she walked toward the dazed Gwen.
"I would love them to continue actually," Gwen said honestly with a grin, breaking out of her daze.
"Really? Always the greedy one, you girl," Seol Hwa replied in a low voice.
"You said I'm allowed everything. Took them right out of your mouth," Gwen happily laughed.
"Greed wasn't one of them. I can't blame you though. It's only human nature," Seol Hwa replied in a serene voice.
"Okay, Oogway," Gwen giggled as she softly poked Seol Hwa's arm.
Seol Hwa eyed Gwen's finger and gently swatted it.
"Ouch." Gwen pretended to be hurt but Seol Hwa walked on, unperturbed.
"Tch, why is it so damn hard to fool you?" Gwen grumbled softly.
"Well, I'm older than you," Seol Hwa replied as the elevator doors opened automatically.
"No. We're the same age."
"Yes."
"Then, why did you say you're older?"
"Because I am."
"Ugh!"
Ding!
Even the elevator felt the rage bait.
Meanwhile, the streets of New York were undergoing tumultuous undercurrents.
~~~<>~~~
Yu_ner's corner:
Didn't feel like writing actually but also didn't wanna disappoint me inner self. It felt short to me, maybe even the 'shortest.' Better write than never.
You can read 20 chapters on my p a treon: a t r e o n.com/Yu_ner (remove the spaces)
Buy me coffee ko-fi/yunerr21.
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