IDMPYU 07

7. Fulfill Your Duty

“Hyunsook, is Jihyun not here?”

Manager Kim came to the annex with unusually quick steps, unlike her usual self.

“Why do you keep asking about Jihyun? She clearly said she’s off on weekends.”

Hyunsook answered in a sulky voice, her eyes barely open. Manager Kim sighed deeply.

“Who else? Young Master Seungho asked where Jihyun is.”

After having lunch on Saturday, Seungho spent the late afternoon in the underground study and called for Manager Kim. Seungho, who usually had little interest in household matters, had only one reason for looking for her: to call Jihyun, who was his age.

“Young Master, what can I do for you?”

Although Manager Kim, who was like a mother figure to Seungho, bowed politely, he did not look up from his book.

“He told me to send that girl here.”

She knew “that girl” referred to Jihyun. Seungho oddly called her often but never by name. He always pointed to “this one” or “that one,” as if Jihyun was dispensable in the mansion. This was troublesome for Manager Kim. Jihyun’s face was pale after recently running an errand for Seungho.

Hyunsook suspected something unpleasant had happened to Jihyun and asked Manager Kim to excuse Jihyun from weekend work from now on. Along with a stern glare telling her not to treat part-timers like staff.

“I’m sorry, Young Master,”

Manager Kim’s mouth dried up nervously. Seungho rolled his eyes, urging her to get to the point.

“Jihyun has been excused from weekend work.”

“……”

Manager Kim had always found Seungho difficult. Though still a young boy, there was something overwhelmingly intimidating about him. He felt like a fierce beast perched at the top of the food chain pyramid.

People whispered that when this little beast finished growing, he would surpass his older brother Myungho and take over the company, becoming greater than the previous chairman. Manager Kim agreed.

Despite the cool temperature ideal for preserving books, sweat dripped down her back.

The displeased look when she said Jihyun couldn’t come made her extremely uncomfortable. Enduring the suffocating silence, Manager Kim regretted not raising Jihyun’s hourly wage to get her to work weekends.

“W-well, just in case, I’ll check the annex.”

When she changed her tone, Seungho’s cold gaze softened a little.

“Do so.”

Hoping that Jihyun was indeed in the annex, Manager Kim turned around.

“I don’t understand why Seungho keeps calling for Jihyun like that these days.”

Complaining with a dark expression, Manager Kim asked Hyunsook again.

“So, where is Jihyun?”

“She went out to have fun.”

“When did she leave? Where did she go?”

Hyunsook was calm despite the pressing questions.

“I don’t know. She’ll be back today. She’s at that age where she should be out and about.”

Thinking of Seungho’s cold gaze—the other person of that roaming age—Manager Kim grabbed her temple as a headache surged.

“If I get fired, it’ll be all your fault, Hyunsook.”

“Eh?”

Hajun leaned his arms on the table, staring intently at Jihyun who was sipping her drink through a straw.

She had picked a pink soda and also chose strawberry macarons for dessert. It was so like Jihyun. Her lightly brown hair and eyes made her look even more exotic under the light.

“Is it okay to mooch like this?”

Jihyun looked up at Hajun after biting into a macaron with her small mouth.

“Of course.”

Hajun smiled and took a gulp of the cola in front of him. His throat always dried up whenever their light eyes met.

From the first time he saw her wandering around like a lost stranger, he wanted to get close before any other shady things could approach her.

“Eat as much as you want. I’ll buy more.”

Jihyun frowned and shook her head slightly.

“This place is expensive. I need to save money.”

Her serious concern about her wallet was cute. Most kids at the academies around here probably never worried about money. Hajun was one of them.

He had rebelled against his parents who insisted he go to Seomun High and came to Cheongmyeong instead. Thanks to that, his life was comfortable.

The school had a manageable hierarchy and rivalry, so Hajun thought he’d just focus on keeping his grades steady. His friends kept nagging him to transfer to Seomun, but he had no intention.

He had fun friends like Miri and good social relationships. Especially after meeting Jihyun, he felt glad he came to Cheongmyeong.

“Do you go to an academy around here, too?”

Jihyun’s question pulled Hajun out of his thoughts.

“Yeah, my parents made me.”

“Isn’t Miri around here too?”

“Miri’s probably in the building next to this one.”

Hajun carefully studied Jihyun’s expression as she looked around nervously. He worried irrationally that she might feel distant because of these details.

It was obvious Jihyun couldn’t afford an academy—her faded hoodie and worn sneakers proved that.

Still, Jihyun always shone.

“I’ll ask Miri to come along next time.”

When Hajun said Miri’s name, Jihyun’s eyes brightened.

“Really?”

He had been secretly anxious when Miri begged Jihyun to go to academy together. It was obvious how much the Seomun kids would envy Jihyun. Dealing with those who approached her was already tiresome at school.

“I should get going.”

Jihyun finished her drink and stood up.

“Already?”

“You should study.”

Jihyun looked determined, suspecting Hajun was slacking off. Still, she was like a little bunny…

“Choi Jihyun, don’t you know I’m really good at studying?”

Her smirk made Jihyun chuckle. Hajun’s smile lifted too. He knew Jihyun only smiled like that around him and Miri.

“I know. Very well.”

Finding even her sarcastic reply cute, Hajun tried to stop Jihyun from leaving.

“Come on, I’ll walk you home.”

“No, I’m fine. You go to your academy quickly.”

Jihyun waved her hand. Knowing she hated feeling pressured, Hajun reluctantly nodded.

“Alright, see you at school then.”

Jihyun nodded and turned away. Watching her long hair sway as she walked off, Hajun shouted,

“Don’t stray from the path, don’t follow strangers, and go straight home!”

Jihyun waved back as if responding. Hajun couldn’t take his eyes off her for a long time, feeling an uneasy sensation that she might disappear.

Jihyun personally experienced how thin the line between heaven and hell was.

On a lazy afternoon, she felt happy drinking good coffee and meeting Hajun at a cafe. But the moment she saw Seungho standing at the mansion gate, her mood plummeted.

Leaning sideways with arms crossed, he stared at her with sharp eyes. As she tried to ignore him and pass by, a low voice stopped her.

“Where did you go?”

“Just outside for a bit…”

Jihyun frowned in reluctance, but Seungho persisted.

“So where?”

“I don’t think I need to tell you…”

She trailed off. She hated using honorifics outside the house; she’d done enough groveling indoors.

Seeing his crooked smile, she lowered her eyes. It seemed like he was about to call her “servant” again.

Deciding not to expect any more answers, Seungho scanned her up and down with a sharp gaze.

“Well, then, I’ll go.”

She hurried toward the gate, but Seungho was faster. He grabbed her wrist easily.

How long had she been out? A chill radiated from his firm grip, startling Jihyun.

“What’s this… Ah!”

Suddenly, he pulled her toward him and pressed his lips close to her ear.

“You must be seriously mistaken…”

“……”

“As long as you live in this house, you have no right to remain silent when I ask.”

Jihyun was shocked. Such arrogance coming from a teenage boy was astounding.

Without raising an eyebrow, Seungho continued in a low, eerie voice ringing in her ear.

“You’re an employee of this house, and I’m the employer. So I think this advice is reasonable. What do you think?”

Jihyun had no idea why he was so angry. Being an employee didn’t give him the right to treat her badly or ignore her. Seemingly displeased with her silence, Seungho touched her Achilles’ heel.

“Don’t believe me? Then should I show you exactly where the employer and employee stand?”

Jihyun swallowed. Instinctively, she knew he was referring not to her, but to Hyunsook as the employee.

She didn’t want to hear any more of his nonsense. Turning her head, she glared directly at Seungho.

“Stop talking nonsense.”

Amusement like delight flickered in Seungho’s eyes as he looked at the angry Jihyun.

“Finally, I get to see your face.”

“As you said, I am an employee, not a servant. I wish you’d stop making outdated remarks.”

“Oh, really?”

Despite his mocking tone, his eyes were cold as ice.

“Then fulfill your duties as an employee. If you do, I’ll do my best as the employer too.”

“I’ve never failed to fulfill my duties.”

Jihyun answered firmly, which irritated Seungho, who then cornered her against the wall.

“Do you really think so? Then you’re mistaken.”

Raising her chin with a long finger, he stared her straight in the eyes and moved closer.