Cheng-Amusement Park

'Turn a little to the right, Cheng!' The photographer instructed. 'Kid, hold the pizza closer to your mouth.'

Deen moved closer towards the pizza, his mouth wide open. It took all his will power not to bite into it.

'How much longer?' he muttered.

'Last shot,' I muttered back, shifting a little right.

We were shooting for a pizza commercial. It was already noon and we were at our wits end. The photographer was unnecessarily demanding. If Deen was not with me, I would have probably thrown a tantrum and scrammed from there. Thankfully, it was the last shot.

'Cheng, tilt you head left and smile wider!'

Both of us cursed him inwardly. Finally, after an hour, the torturous shoot came to an end. Shin-Na strode forward with a towel and clothes.

'Sir, here are your clothes,' she said, bowing down. 'And here are your clothes, Deen.'

She smiled and handed them over to Deen.

'Do we have anything else on our schedule?' I asked her.

'Nothing on your schedule till tonight, sir,' she informed. Deen and I looked at each other mischievously.

'Shi-Na, can you call up Manager Ahn and tell him that our shooting has been extended for the day?' I requested. Shi-Na looked at me in surprise.

'If we go back now, they'll sign us up for other work,' I explained. 'Let's just take this opportunity and give ourselves a break. Tell the staff they can take the time off till it's time for the next schedule.'

Shi-Na gave a wide smile and bowed down. 'Yes, sir,' she said, barely containing her excitement. She hurried off to tell the other staff members. I turned to Deen, stooping down.

'Let's go to the amusement park,' I winked.

'Yes!' Deen threw his arms around me. I laughed and hugged him back. The little child's small gesture was heartwarming. How can someone abandon this child? I wondered.

Half an hour later, we walked hand in hand towards the amusement park near the studio.

'It sure is crowded today,' Deen commented.

'Hmm,' I said, scanning the crowd. The park was unusually crowded. It was a weekday and yet, people flocked in line at the ticket counter. I wore a face mask, just in case someone recognized us.

'Deen, whatever happens, don't let go of my hand,' I ordered him. 'If you get lost, your mom will kill me!'

'Yes hyung!'

I smiled. 'Let's go in.'

After buying the tickets, we entered the park.

'Where to first?' I asked. Deen scanned around, thinking which ride to choose.

'The merry-go-round!' he announced after much thought. He pulled my arm, leading me towards the merry-go-round. I helped him enter through the ride's gate. He mounted one of the horses, while I took out my camera to film him from the stands.

The ride started and Deen was carried around it. He was gleefully enjoying his ride, occasionally waving at me as he went in circles. I waved back, capturing his smile on my phone.

After a while, the ride stopped and Deen mounted off the horse. He ran towards me. 'Hyung, that was fun!' he said. 'Can we try the bumping cars next?'

I chuckled as he once again led me towards the bumping cars. This time, I also joined him in the small car.

'Let's gear up,' I grinned. Deen nodded in determination, The ride started and I steered the car expertly, squeezing through the cars and bumping into them first. Deen cheered from beside me as I swerved through three cars. As we bumped into the other cars, our laughter was uncontrollable.

'Hyung, let's ride that!' Deen pointed at the roller coaster.

'No,' I said strictly. 'You're too young to ride that.'

If I was on my own or on a date, I would be lining to ride the roller coaster. But with Deen accompanying me, I could not take the risk of getting him hurt.

'Hyung, please!' Deen pleaded. 'I'm not gonna be afraid. I swear!'

'No,' I repeated. 'It's not safe. Let's ride something else.'

Deen gave a look of longing towards the roller coaster. I pulled him gently, reprimanding him with my eyes. I was beginning to behave like his mother.

'How about we get some ice cream?' I suggested. Deen was still sulking. I sighed and led him towards a bench.

'Sit here,' I ordered him. 'I'll get some drinks, alright?'

'Okay,' Deen pouted. I strode over to a cart opposite the bench.

'Two orange juice, please,' I requested the seller. I paid for the cans and headed back to the bench, when my heart stopped. Deen was not there.