The Gentle Housekeeper – Episode 1
“Are you asleep…?”
Dajeong called Jaewoon in a very careful voice.
She could hear his calm breathing.
She was only quietly watching his sleeping face, but she liked this time the most.
Because, at this moment, she could have Jaewoon all to herself.
She was both his sleep helper and his housekeeper.
Even though she knew her position, she was secretly in love with him.
Dajeong looked at his face for a while and gently touched his brow bone.
She traced down along his nose…
“Don’t touch me.”
Suddenly, Jaewoon grabbed her hand.
She was so shocked that she couldn’t say anything.
She knew there was no excuse for touching someone’s face while they were asleep.
She just opened and closed her mouth, not knowing what to say.
“I’m trying not to touch you right now too.”
“Why are you tempting me?”
Jaewoon sat up and leaned against the bed’s headboard.
“You’re 24 now. You should know better. Don’t you realize you need to be careful?”
“Touching a sleeping man’s face… while lying in the same bed.”
Jaewoon rubbed his eyes. He was exhausted from lack of sleep.
“Do you do this kind of thing to other guys too?”
“…You said I’m just a little girl who still smells like milk.”
“What…?”
Startled, Jaewoon dropped his hand.
Dajeong, still lying down, looked up at him and spoke innocently.
“You said I don’t even turn you on. So why are you making a big deal out of it now?”
She started to feel upset too.
“Besides, you were the one who touched me first.”
“So?”
“Huh?”
But Dajeong’s confidence didn’t last.
“So you touched me because I touched you? Do you even know how dangerous that sounds?”
As Dajeong hesitated, Jaewoon moved closer.
Now he was leaning over her, and her head touched the bed as he got on top.
“Have you ever thought seriously about what it means for a man and woman to touch each other while in the same bed?”
“…But you touched me first…”
“That’s because I really thought you were just a child back then.”
Jaewoon suddenly pulled off the blanket covering her lower body.
She instinctively closed her legs and pulled down her clothes.
“But now, you kind of turn me on.”
Dajeong froze. She couldn’t say a word.
Jaewoon moved closer until their noses touched.
“Are you scared now?”
His eyes looked different than usual—filled with clear desire.
Dajeong bit her lip, remembering how this all started—how she ended up lying in the same bed with him.
Flashback – Dajeong’s Family Situation
Poverty came without warning.
Dajeong had lived comfortably thanks to her dad, Hyungsik, who worked at a big company.
But when he suddenly lost his job, everything fell apart.
They could have recovered with the severance money, but her dad got obsessed with his business dream again.
“He failed again?”
Yes, again—and that word brought deep anxiety.
He wasn’t good at business but couldn’t stop trying.
He lost all the money and ended up in debt.
Her mom, Myeongju, threatened to die with him, and only then did he finally stop.
From that point on, poverty followed the whole family.
Myeongju still pinned all her hopes on her smart son, Kyungjun.
But Dajeong wasn’t the “hopeful child”, mainly because she was just an average student.
She had made it into a university, but not on a scholarship, so she had to work constantly to pay tuition.
While looking for better-paying part-time jobs, she got referred by a friend and ended up here.
“Dajeong, the CEO wants to see you.”
Unlike her brother, Dajeong wasn’t her mom’s pride. She was just someone trying to get by.
She had taken on this job mostly to care for a small white Maltese dog named Lenny.
Lenny followed her more than its actual owner, because taking care of it was her main job.
It wasn’t a typical part-time job, but it paid well, had health insurance, and offered good connections.
She could support her family and save enough to return to school next year.
“CEO, I brought Dajeong.”
“Come in.”
Kim, the secretary, stepped aside.
Even though Dajeong had seen the CEO for over a year now, she still felt nervous.
“Dajeong, have a seat.”
“Would you like something to drink?”
“No, I’m fine, ma’am.”
The CEO, Youngshin, held Lenny in her arms and sat down.
“It’s already been over a year since you started working here.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve done so well, I’m really thankful.”
“I’m just doing my job.”
Though only 24, Dajeong was calm and quick-witted, unlike most girls her age.
She had gotten this job almost by accident, helping out at parties and being introduced as a “good girl.”
Now, Youngshin was about to change her job.
“I want to change your work location.”
“Huh?”
Dajeong looked surprised.
“My nephew just came back to Korea. He’s been abroad for a long time, so I want you to help him adjust.”
“It’s not a big deal. Just bring him some food, pass along my nagging, clean up a bit…”
It sounded like she was sending her to babysit a 5-year-old.
“Also, let me know from time to time how he’s doing.”
But Dajeong knew.
This “nephew” was a 30-year-old grown man.
“He’s a bit wild, so both I and the chairman are worried.”
He was someone who had once been in her heart.
“Why? You don’t want to do it?”
“If you do well, I’ll write a recommendation letter for Shinu Group.”
“Didn’t you say you’ll graduate next year? You can’t work part-time like this forever.”
It was a sweet offer. A recommendation for one of the biggest companies.
“You’re smart and young. With a little help, you’ll go far.”
“So, what do you think?”
She didn’t need to think long.
Her current job was only until she returned to school anyway.
Better to grab a real opportunity now than to graduate with just an average business degree.
“I plan to return to school next year, so I can only work until then.”
“That’s enough. He should be adjusted by then.”
“So, you’ll do it?”
After a moment, Dajeong nodded.
Youngshin smiled and put Lenny on the floor.
She brought over a new contract.
“It’s not that different from your current contract.”
But the pay had increased. Dajeong was shocked.
“It’s only fair. You’ll have more work.”
With more income, she wouldn’t have to worry as much about bills.
Her mom’s salary mostly went toward debt and Kyungjun’s education.
Dajeong had to handle most of the household expenses herself.
She rarely met friends and hadn’t shopped in ages.
This new job would give her more breathing room.
“Alright, sign here.”
“Okay.”
She quickly signed her name—Han Dajeong.
Her job had changed. But as Youngshin said, not much would be different.
Just from dog-sitter to people-sitter.
At least people could talk. And this job came with real benefits.
And…
“I’ll be seeing him again.”
She’d be meeting her first love after 7 years.
Her heart pounded.
Was it because of the new job? The security? Or the chance to meet him again?
She didn’t know for sure.
But she was ready.
