AH 2

Chapter 02

The Gentle Housekeeper

The place she arrived at was a mixed-use apartment complex, quite different from Youngshin’s home in the large apartment complex.

The towering building stood prominently along the street, and since it seemed to have been built only recently, the entrance was extravagant from the moment she stepped inside.

Dajeong felt intimidated for no reason, so she gripped the shopping bag containing the side dishes she had brought and walked with determined steps.

The moment she was told that her workplace had changed, she had been practically pushed over here.

‘Just open the door and go inside. He might be sleeping right now.’

Thanks to repeatedly memorizing the password written on a small note, she managed to enter the apartment without making a single mistake.

Perhaps the owner liked things simple, because the apartment was so sparse that it felt almost completely empty.

“Let’s get this sorted out first.”

Deciding to simply do the work she had been assigned, Dajeong immediately headed for the kitchen and carefully opened the refrigerator.

What does he even eat?

She shook her head when she saw that the refrigerator contained little more than a few bottles of water and cans of beer.

Then why is the refrigerator so huge?

She wondered about it for a moment before quickly pushing the thought aside.

The psychology of rich people was beyond her understanding, so she had long since decided not to think too deeply about it.

She quickly arranged the side dishes inside the refrigerator and familiarized herself with the dishes and kitchen utensils.

Just as she was about to head into the living room to check the overall condition of the apartment, she heard it.

“Yaaawn.”

A languid yawn echoed through the quiet apartment.

Dajeong’s footsteps abruptly stopped.

What came into view was a man walking out completely naked, stretching his arms high above his head.

His hair was sticking out in every direction like a bird’s nest. He let his arms drop limply before tilting his head to the side.

“What? Who are you?”

Perhaps he was still half-asleep, because his barely open eyes stared straight at Dajeong.

“A thief?”

If she really were a thief, how could he be so calm?

Her eyes naturally traveled down over his bare body, and when they reached somewhere between his legs—

“You’re a pervert.”

If he thought she was a pervert, shouldn’t he at least make an attempt to cover himself…?!

Yet he stood there so shamelessly upright that Dajeong was the one who ended up flustered.

“I-I’m sorry!”

She never imagined her reunion with her first love would turn into a spectacle of naked flesh.

Her face turned bright red as though it were about to explode, and she immediately dropped her head.

The blood rushed to her face until it felt almost dark red, but Dajeong couldn’t bring herself to straighten her bent back.

Silence followed.

She squeezed her eyes shut, completely unsure of what to do.

Her waist remained bent at a ninety-degree angle until she cautiously peeked through her eyelashes.

That was when—

She heard the sound of bare feet touching and lifting from the marble floor.

The footsteps gradually drew closer.

Why is he coming closer?

Just as she was wondering whether she should step back, the approaching footsteps suddenly changed direction, only to come back again and stop right in front of her.

She could just barely see his straight legs in her lowered field of vision.

“So, what are you? Are you really a pervert?”

“Pardon? Ah, n-no, I’m not. I was sent by CEO Go Youngshin.”

“By my aunt?”

“Yes. My name is Han Dajeong. Starting today, I’ll be helping Mr. Go Jaewoon adjust to life in Korea.”

“Look up.”

Look up?

She still hadn’t recovered from the shock of facing him while he was naked.

She couldn’t ignore his order, but at the same time, she couldn’t bear the thought of seeing him like that again.

Then she caught a glimpse of fabric.

“Ah…”

She cautiously raised her head.

Fortunately, he had put on a robe, so she could avoid a repeat of what had just happened.

Dajeong breathed a huge sigh of relief inwardly, took a step back, and lowered her gaze.

He really doesn’t recognize me.

She hadn’t expected much, but Jaewoon acting as though they had never met still made the corners of Dajeong’s mouth twitch bitterly.

“You’re not needed, so you can leave.”

“What?”

She had been about to put aside her thoughts and tell him she would do her best.

He wants me to leave after one minute?

She couldn’t leave like this.

What about the secure job opportunity and the increased salary she had been promised?

Dajeong hurried after Jaewoon as he walked past her toward the kitchen.

“I heard it’s been a long time since you returned to Korea. I’ll help make sure you don’t have any trouble adjusting to your life here.”

“You’re not a kid. What do I need help with? People live pretty much the same wherever they are.”

“Even so, you’ll probably need someone to run errands and tidy up the house…”

“Not needed.”

Jaewoon opened the refrigerator because he was thirsty, only to find it packed with side dishes. His brow furrowed.

“I told her I can’t eat all this and it’ll just end up being thrown away, and she did it again.”

“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Having caught his muttered complaint, Dajeong quickly took out a bottle of water and held it out to him.

“You should at least make sure you eat properly.”

She knew perfectly well how pathetic she must look right now.

But she had thrown her pride onto the floor long ago while running countless errands for wealthy madams.

Would things really be any different just because she was standing in front of her first love?

Besides, she was standing before someone who didn’t even remember her. There was no pride left for her to show off.

The bittersweet memories in her heart were something she could keep to herself and occasionally take out to look at.

Romance was a luxury in the face of harsh reality.

Jaewoon stared intently at Dajeong’s smiling face. For now, he accepted the water, opened it, and took a sip.

Even while drinking, his eyes remained fixed on her face.

It was uncomfortable, but Dajeong continued smiling as though she didn’t notice.

“How old are you?”

“Huh?”

“You look too young to be doing this kind of work.”

“Oh. I’m twenty-four.”

“You’re still a little kid who smells of milk.”

“…Excuse me?”

He simply gulped down the rest of the water. Only after completely emptying the small bottle did he turn away.

“Only people over thirty are allowed in this house.”

It was an absurd excuse.

If such a rule really existed, Youngshin would never have sent Dajeong here in the first place.

“I don’t accept kids like you.”

“Wait. I can really do a good job.”

She couldn’t back down now.

She had already signed a new employment contract. Her previous job had already been officially terminated.

If Jaewoon kicked her out and she went back to Youngshin, she might lose her job altogether.

No matter how much Youngshin liked her, a dog sitter was someone who could easily be replaced.

There was a much greater chance that Youngshin wouldn’t take her back.

After all, she had been fired only a minute after being sent here. She would obviously lose Youngshin’s trust and only leave her disappointed.

But I have to return to school. And I have to contribute to the household expenses.

With her future suddenly looking pitch-black, Dajeong hurriedly stepped in front of Jaewoon.

“I may be young, but I’m good at everything. Really. I work quickly, too. I’m more than capable of staying by your side and taking care of whatever you need…”

“What are you good at?”

At some point, the sleepiness had completely disappeared from Jaewoon’s eyes. He looked completely different from before.

His bird’s-nest hair was still a mess, and his robe was loosely tied, looking as though it might come undone at any moment.

“Ah… um, well… I’m pretty good at cooking.”

After all, since Myeongju was always busy going out to work, Dajeong had been the one responsible for preparing meals at home.

“I’m good at cleaning, too. I keep things neat.”

“…”

“And if you need anything, I’ll take care of all your little errands without fail…”

“There are plenty of people who can do that.”

She needed to come up with another skill, but she had no special talent to boast about.

She was simply an ordinary girl who had maintained average grades and entered a liberal arts university. There was no reason for someone like her to possess some extraordinary ability.

Her anxiety made everything spin before her eyes.

Dajeong desperately reached for the one thing she had originally been hired to do—Lenny.

“I-I’m good with dogs, too!”

“…Are you saying I’m a son of a bitch?”

“No! I didn’t mean that! That’s not what I—!”

Jaewoon raised an eyebrow and let out an incredulous laugh.

Dajeong frantically waved her hands.

The situation seemed to be getting worse by the second.

Tears that would be completely useless in this situation threatened to spill from her eyes, so she simply bit her lips tightly.

Should I appeal to the history between us?

Jaewoon didn’t remember her at all, but perhaps he might at least know her brother, Kyungjun.

Maybe if she used her brother’s name to ask for a favor, Jaewoon might agree to keep her.

“I, actually, my bro—!”

At that moment, the monotonous sound of a phone ringing made Dajeong quickly close her mouth.

Jaewoon let out a small sigh and picked up the phone he had casually left on the sofa.

“Yes?”

—Did you meet Dajeong?

Apparently even holding the phone was too bothersome, because he switched it to speakerphone and casually placed it on the table.

Jaewoon leaned back into the sofa, almost lying down, and glanced at Dajeong.

—She should be useful. She may be young, but she’s capable. Leave whatever you need to have done to Dajeong until I go back to work.

“There’s nothing I need.”

—I’m here. I need to know how you’re living.

“You’re being pretty shameless about saying you’re going to keep tabs on me.”

—Well, you know I’m like that anyway.

He let out a deep sigh, pushed his hair back, and rested his head against the sofa.

—You said you didn’t like the last person I sent because she was too old. I thought an older woman would be more comfortable for you, so I sent one.

“Aha. So this time you sent me a baby?”

—I tried matching your taste this time.

Dajeong continued biting her lip, staring intently at the floor.

—If you send her away again, I’ll come there myself.

“…Aunt.”

—It might be nice for the two of us to live together for a while, just like old times.

Jaewoon clearly hated that idea. He grabbed his head and groaned.

That was when Dajeong realized.

I’m not getting kicked out of here.

She finally released her abused lips and lifted her lowered head.

Life slowly returned to her pale face.

At last, Jaewoon made his decision.

“Thank you for sending someone.”

—Good. My dear nephew, let’s see each other more often this year.

And with that, the call ended.

Jaewoon raised his arm and beckoned Dajeong over.

She quickly approached and stood in front of him.

Supporting his head with one hand, he nodded in the most relaxed position imaginable.

“Well, it’s come to this. Take good care of me, Ms. Han Dajeong. You’re good at everything, after all.”