episode_0015

Phew..!

When I came to my senses, I found myself sitting on a plush leather seat.

Only then did the foggy memories return.

From the moment I heard Manager Choi’s imposing words to the sudden act of both of us boarding the limousine,

It all happened in the blink of an eye, making me wonder if this was real…? It took me until I thought, “Manager Choi is well-off,” but I never imagined it would be to this extent…

Wow… Riding in a limousine that I had only heard about…

I always thought I would never have such an experience, but it’s true what they say about life being unpredictable.

Lost in inappropriate thoughts, I suddenly remembered Mr. Baek, the owner of the car, and glanced at him.

“…”

What met my eyes was a cold and sharp beauty.

Her expression, usually unreadable, was even more inscrutable now.

“Manager…”

“Uh..? Uh, Mr. Baek.”

“….Hmm.”

“…Can’t you address me by my name today?”

Seeing the cute Mr. Baek pout with dissatisfaction, asking to be called by his name, which I found annoying for some reason,

The unease I felt at the office seemed to dissipate a little.

Maybe I misheard!

“Haha… Should I? Miss Baek… Eun-seol invited me to her house for once, so using this tone continuously seems impolite.”

“Please drop the ‘Miss.’”

“Yeah… Eun-seol…”

“Hehe… Thank you, Manager… No, Min-soo… Oppa.”

“…??”

Not only did she call me by my name comfortably, but also “Oppa”…

“Eun-seol… It’s fine to call me by my name, but calling me ‘Oppa’ at this age is a bit…”

“Why? I’m calling you ‘Oppa’ because you are!”

“…Uh! Right! It’s not bad to hear ‘Oppa’ after a long time!”

Gulp.

I didn’t mishear…

Perhaps it was due to feeling the chill again throughout my body.

Like a herbivore encountering a predator, I unconsciously moved my body away to keep my distance.

Swoosh.

Swoosh.

However, from the moment our eyes met, I was already outmatched.

Escaping seemed nearly impossible.

No matter how much I tried to create distance, it was futile as Eun-seol moved her body in sync, now snugly against my side.

Not stopping there, she rested her head on my shoulder.

“Hehe…”

“…”

Someone help me!

—

“The young lady has arrived.”

“…Already arrived?”

After a short or long period passed, we could tell we had arrived at Eun-seol’s house.

Stepping out of the car, we were greeted by a vast mansion.

Given its size, it made sense for it to be nestled in the mountains.

How long had it been?

Several maids approached us standing in front of the gate.

“Welcome, young lady… and Mr. Kim Min-soo.”

A woman who seemed like a representative among the maids stepped forward to greet us.

“We sincerely welcome you to our estate.”

“As the honored guest personally invited by the young lady, please rest and enjoy your stay.”

“We will do our utmost to accommodate you.”

“Oh… Thank you.”

“Haha… Then, let me show you around.”

“Min-soo Oppa… Let’s go eat first…”

After exchanging polite greetings, the two of us, escorted by Eun-seol, began to walk.

Observing them, the chief maid, Jin Ga-young, who was watching from afar, subtly nodded her head when our eyes met.

“…She used to sing songs about the person the young lady liked.”

Having cared for the young lady since childhood, she prided herself on knowing her better than anyone else.

Would the young lady ever develop feelings for someone…?

Indeed, the young lady detested those whose appearance did not match their inner selves.

Approaching her based on looks or wealth without a dark heart was impossible; no matter how uninterested she appeared, it wouldn’t work on her.

After decades of this lifestyle, finding a suitable match for her seemed like a lost cause.

So when the young lady called me for relationship advice, I was truly surprised.

Finally, it seemed like spring had come for the young lady…

Listening to the story that was blurted out in an excited tone, it was truly a man who closely resembled the ideal type the young lady had always desired.

After extensively detailing the qualities of the man she loves, the young lady seemed to realize something as her face turned red in contrast to her expressionless demeanor. She then lowered her head as if trying to conceal it.

Upon witnessing this, a determination arose within me… to unconditionally make our young lady’s love come true, even if it means sacrificing my life!! That is the duty of a devoted maid!

Following that, numerous plans were devised, such as the lunchbox operation to gradually get closer by capturing the man’s attention or the strategy of using the stern young lady’s personality to unexpectedly display cuteness.

However, it seemed like things didn’t always go as planned.

Every time I returned home and saw the young lady looking gloomy, my heart ached.

But finally…! It seems like the young lady has decided to play her trump card, fearing being exposed for deceiving and possibly facing disdain. She had been postponing the plan to call him over to the house, but now she has made up her mind.

All that remains is the young lady’s proactive approach and my unwavering support from behind.

Fighting, young lady…!

Stomp, stomp

Two individuals wandering through the vast mansion, feeling like they would get lost if alone, and encountering servants who bowed 90 degrees every time they crossed paths, clearly indicating that this was a wealthy household.

“Wow… It was impressive just from the outside, but the interior is even more amazing…”

“Oppa… You must be surprised already… It’s not allowed…”

“Come this way.”

“It’s so delicious..!!”

“It’s much tastier than anything you can buy..?!”

Minsoo, unable to focus on the world-renowned chefs’ dishes, nervously moved at the sight of Eunseol for the first time. He ate the food hastily, as if saying, “When did this happen?” Plates piled up on both sides as he indulged in the feast!

And Eunseol, smiling contently while watching Minsoo eat.

“Minsoo oppa…. Eat slowly.. The night is still… quite long, you know?”

Chuckle

He was so engrossed in the cheese before him that he didn’t realize his foot was about to enter the cat’s mouth.

“Phew~ That was delicious.”

“Did you enjoy it… Minsoo oppa?”

“Oh..! Sorry.. Eunseol, we should have eaten and talked together, but it was so delicious that I think I enjoyed it alone…”

“Hehe.. No, because you enjoyed it… I feel fuller just watching… I selected only the things you like… Luckily, they suited you well.”

“But… even after eating, do you feel like something’s missing?”

“Yeah..? I’m full, but… Oh, maybe dessert..?”

“Well, that’s not bad either, but… there’s something much better, right? Something special that you can only taste at our house..”

“…?”

“Geez… This taste!”

“It’s good, right..?”

In one of the many rooms in the grand reception hall, Minsoo and Eunseol were sharing expensive whiskey.

Initially hesitant due to the possibility of making mistakes when drunk, Minsoo offered to abstain. However, for Eunseol, that was expected.

“Oppa’s behavior patterns are obvious.”

As the maid who was waiting clapped her hands, she brought a bottle of x-calen whiskey that easily exceeded twenty million won.

Although there were even more expensive drinks available, they were excluded to avoid being too burdensome. Preferences and tastes of the beloved man? Those had been understood long ago.

Even the brother, who had firmly refused before, couldn’t resist the allure of the dazzling whiskey.

Both Minsoo and Eunseol were getting tipsy.

“It’s time to… speak up.”

“Now I have the courage to say it.”

I decide to reveal my hidden feelings.

“Oppa…”

“Yeah..?”

“Do you… dislike me?”

“Why would I dislike Eunseol…?”

“Living so well like this… and yet, to my brother… there are things I’ve been hiding… about my personality as well…”

“Aish~~ Why dislike Eunseol for something like that? Probably had no choice but to hide it due to unavoidable circumstances..”

“Rather than that, being honest now… showing it to me, wouldn’t that make me more grateful?”

“Because you think of me as special..”

“Personality… I think that’s one of Eunseol’s charming points!”

“Having better abilities than anyone else, never boasting,

appearing weak on the outside, but stronger than anyone on the inside when not trying to pass off my work to others!”

“I… rely on you so much because I don’t speak up..~”

“Pfft, Brother, are you already drunk?……. But still, thank you so much, Brother.”

‘A person who loves me for who I am even after revealing everything.’

‘I like you, I really like you.’

“Pffft, you look so good when you smile~”

Acting like he has no learning ability, Minsoo, who got drunk again after last time

Originally, he had no intention of this happening

As mentioned earlier, he had to endure the cold stares with Mina after a drinking session

And now, he’s causing a scene not just anywhere but at a rich girl’s house..?

Minsoo sensed a threat to his life that he could sink into the sea without anyone noticing

However…

He tried to control himself

As an ordinary commoner, could he miss the opportunity to drink expensive liquor that he might not have the chance to drink in his lifetime…?

Contrary to his thoughts, his body and mind acted separately

Liquor stored at the optimal temperature and a good atmosphere

With each sip swallowed down his throat, the tremendous taste that made all the drinks he had before seem ‘ordinary’

Just delaying the inevitable, getting drunk was part of the plan

And how much did he drink?

Empowered by the increasingly relaxed atmosphere, Eunseol confesses her love that she has kept hidden until now

“Oppa…”

“……”

“I… actually like you so much, Oppa… I feel like I’m crazy about you… even now… in this situation where we’re alone… my heart is racing… I can’t stand it.”

“…..”

“I like you, Oppa.. please… go out with me.”

“…….”

He messed up

Can’t take it back now… better to keep quiet than to reveal his feelings and continue to be anxious

Silence filling the room

… As the quiet time continues, my heart grows heavier

Bad thoughts start to invade my mind

Was this really… the best choice..?

Did I confess for nothing..? It seems like Oppa doesn’t like it…?

Not regretting it..?

What if he really… really rejects me…?

Leaves me for another woman…? No… no….. I can’t bear to see that happen

Should I just lock him up here?

Sticky, dark thoughts consuming me, accompanied by shallow breathing sounds

“Saeak…. Saeak..”

..?

“…Oppa, are you sleeping…?”

Wait.. he’s asleep…?

“Kooo…”

“…… Ha”

This guy…!

Isn’t this going too far unintentionally?

Minsoo, not just drunk but completely lost in sleep

Drinking strong alcohol like that, it was a natural consequence

Eunseol, trying to wake him up roughly as her head heated up

“Oh…ㅃ”

But through the unbuttoned shirt in front of her, she sees his exposed white neck

“………”

Lips completely defenseless unlike usual

“………..”

Slowly waking up like a sleeping cat seeing a sleeping mouse

“Oppa….?”

“Is Minsoo Oppa sleeping??”

“If you don’t wake up now, who knows what I might do later?”

Swish

Long eyelashes exuding maturity even though her eyes are closed

Sweet scent of alcohol from her lips as she speaks

Can’t take it anymore

She climbs onto Oppa’s stomach on the couch

Unbuttoning the fidgety shirt buttons with long fingers, revealing flawless white abs

Gulp…..

“…This is your fault, Oppa.”

“Well then… starting from the lips…”

The seemingly endless night passed, and morning came once again.

“….Ugh.”

“Ugh, my head…”

As I regained consciousness, I realized I had woken up in a strange bed.

Where am I..? Was my house always this big..?

The sun should rise…

..!!

“….Gasp! Oh no! Did I cause another accident?”

How foolish… after making such resolutions, why did I think it was fine to drink like that at my age? I wonder if Eunseol would be disappointed…?

What should I say when I meet her… Oh please, let nothing have happened..!

*Thud*

“Gah..”

“..? What’s… with you, Oppa, looking like you’ve seen a ghost..”

“..Ah! It’s nothing at all.”

Judging by her expression, she doesn’t seem too upset…

“Eunseol.. Did something happen last night? After drinking whiskey, my memory seems to have gaps.”

“… ”

Eunseol made a complex and subtle expression as soon as I spoke.

Am I going to die here? At least I should stay until Taeyang gets married…

“No, nothing happened… Oppa… You just fell asleep like you were dead right after getting drunk, didn’t you…?”

“I was a bit tipsy too… so I just moved you to the room… and that’s all I did.”

“Oh..? Oh, I see! That’s good! I was worried I might have caused trouble while drunk~”

“…You don’t need to worry about that.”

“Come on, it’s… throbbing… Let’s go for a hangover cure… A high-class hangover dish… You can’t get it just anywhere, you know?”

After having breakfast, Minsoo hurriedly left for home as soon as he found out he had stayed out without informing Taeyang.

Upon returning home, Eunseol, who had escorted him, was approached by the exclusive maid Gayoung with a smile, asking about the events of the previous night.

“Did you succeed, Miss?”

“…No, I failed.”

“Oh… I see.”

“I’m sorry for saying unnecessary things, Miss.”

“It’s okay.”

“…But Miss, this isn’t your only chance, right? Let’s make sure to succeed next time!”

“Haha, yes, we should, shouldn’t we?”

‘Haah… Haah, Oppa…’

‘…Look.’

‘…?’

‘Darling… I miss… you….’

‘…..’

…No matter how much I love someone,

I don’t want to do that to someone who’s asleep.

I still have a long way to go.

Even though I want to conquer it, when the opportunity arises, I mess it up…

Still…

There is a possibility…

It doesn’t seem like Oppa has no feelings for me at all.

If I keep trying, maybe Oppa will notice me?

Even if he doesn’t notice me, it’s okay

Because I have strength

I’ll let it go this time, but next time…

Haha

I’ll wait for you

I love you, Oppa.