A House That Feels Like Home
The living room that greeted me the moment the door opened was the complete opposite of the tidy hallway.
“The house… is a bit messy, isn’t it?”
Seo Ha-jun gave an awkward smile, but I was too stunned to answer.
“I’ve been really busy lately because of a case… so I haven’t had time to clean.”
He spoke as if making an excuse, but this was on another level.
“B-but! The master bedroom and Ji-an’s playroom are clean!”
When I remained frozen with my mouth agape, Ha-jun continued with his desperate defense. I simply stared at him, utterly dumbfounded.
“…Yes.”
I managed one word before turning my head away.
“…Please, come in.”
His face was filled with a mix of sadness and injustice, but anyone who saw the state of the living room would have reacted the same way.
“Mmm…”
Ji-an squirmed in his arms, clearly uncomfortable with Ha-jun trying to remove her shoes.
“There, there. Let’s get you to bed.”
Ha-jun soothed her in a low, gentle voice, slipped off her shoes, and headed straight for the master bedroom.
I set my own slippers in a corner by the entrance and stepped into the living room, drawn to the window. Beyond the glass flowed a river spanned by a bridge. The high-rise view—something I usually only saw from a company rooftop—captured my gaze completely.
He really does live in a different world.
I was lost in that thought when Ha-jun, having just laid Ji-an down, spoke from behind me.
“It’s quite beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Yes… it really is.”
I answered briefly to the voice at my back. After staring out the window for a long moment, I turned around to find him standing right beside me.
“Are you feeling a little better now?”
His question still carried clear concern. I avoided his eyes and nodded.
“Yes… thanks to you.”
Even as I said it, an uneasy feeling lingered. A stranger’s house. A stranger.
Just yesterday, I had been in the home I’d shared with my family for years. Strangely enough, this unfamiliar place felt far more comfortable.
Why is that?
I probably already knew the answer. But I shook my head, pushing the thought away.
If I admitted it, I was afraid I would seem too pathetic.
“Seoyeon?”
When I stayed lost in thought for too long, Ha-jun called my name carefully.
“Ah… I’m sorry. I was just thinking for a moment…”
He gave a small nod and moved toward the kitchen.
“Would you like a cup of coffee? I find it helps a little when my mind is crowded.”
I hesitated to answer, but I couldn’t refuse the sincerity in his voice.
“Then… I’d appreciate it.”
Ha-jun smiled briefly and set the coffee pot on the stove. The sound of boiling water and the rich aroma of beans soon filled the kitchen. I slowly walked over to the dining table.
On it lay a pile of documents, pens, and a half-empty coffee cup.
“The table’s pretty messy, huh?”
“Ah… well… it feels lived-in. I actually like that…”
The moment the words left my mouth, I couldn’t believe what I’d just said. Ha-jun seemed to feel the same; he let out a soft chuckle and began brewing the coffee.
I sat at the table, fidgeting with my fingers as I glanced at the scattered papers. The folders carried intimidating titles: Witness Interview Preparation Brief and Court Submission Document Copies.
I hadn’t done anything wrong, yet a chill ran down my spine.
Apparently I’d been staring too long, because Ha-jun, still making coffee, asked with a playful smile.
“You don’t have anything to feel guilty about, do you?”
“What?! N-no, of course not!”
It was clearly a joke, but I waved my hands frantically and answered far too loudly.
“I’m teasing. Other people get tense too when they see the documents at my place.”
My face burned with embarrassment. I didn’t know why I’d reacted so sensitively, but at least the tension had eased a little.
Ha-jun looked at my flushed face for a moment, then gently slid a coffee cup toward me.
“I made it a bit milder.”
I wrapped both hands around the warm mug, and my heart finally settled. One sip carried a soft, nutty aroma that slid smoothly down my throat.
“It’s delicious…”
The words slipped out naturally. Ha-jun smiled warmly.
“I’m glad it suits your taste.”
Still smiling, he began organizing the scattered documents on the table. His hands moved with surprising precision and speed, clearly used to the task.
“Just a moment…”
After a while, he picked up one folder, disappeared into a room, and returned with several more. He placed them carefully on the table, hesitated, then spoke.
“This… is the employment contract. Given my job, I’ve gotten into the habit of making everything clear upfront…”
“Oh, that’s fine. I was planning to sign a contract when I came to see Ji-an anyway…”
Ha-jun let out a small sigh of relief and nodded.
“That’s good. I was worried I might be making you uncomfortable by bringing it up so suddenly.”
Every word from him carried consideration. I tried not to get used to that kindness, but I couldn’t stop the warmth blooming in my chest. I forced my eyes back to the contract.
Working Conditions. Work Hours. Pay Date. The various items felt unfamiliar after so long.
“If anything bothers you, please tell me.”
I nodded and continued reading until my gaze stopped on one line.
Work Schedule: 5 days per week, 5 hours per day
Monthly Salary: 2,968,660 won
“…Is this correct?”
When I asked cautiously, Ha-jun nodded as if it were obvious.
“Yes. As you know, Ji-an is very energetic, and since she isn’t in good health, you may need to take her to the hospital from time to time.”
Then he let out a small sigh and said something that shook me.
“And… Ji-an doesn’t see you as just a ‘caregiver.’ She thinks of you as… family.”
“E-even so, this seems like too much.”
It felt far too generous for the work I’d be doing, and a wave of guilt made me protest.
“Honestly, I’m afraid Ji-an would throw a fit if it wasn’t you. I figured I should at least hold on to you with money.”
I couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious, so I simply stared at his face. A faint smile played on his lips.
“You’re joking… right?”
I smiled weakly. He shook his head.
“Half joke, half truth. Ji-an likes you so much. I can’t ignore that either.”
“If you put it that way… I can’t possibly refuse.”
I picked up the pen and wrote my name in the signature space.
Name: Seoyeon
Signature: [Signed]
“Then… I look forward to working with you starting next week.”
“Likewise. Please take good care of Ji-an.”
A brief silence settled between us with the signed contract in the middle. Ha-jun neatly filed it away, then looked up at me.
“Ah. Also… I’ll need a copy of your ID and your bank account details…”
I flinched at his words. Only then did I remember I was supposed to have applied for a new ID yesterday.
“Ah… I don’t have one yet…”
“Pardon?”
“I haven’t applied for it yet… If I go next Monday, it should be ready in a day or two…”
Ha-jun nodded in understanding.
“That’s fine. There’s no need to rush.”
Relieved, I picked up my phone to add a note to my calendar—and saw a text from my wife.
“Ah…”
“What’s wrong?”
My small, involuntary sigh drew Ha-jun’s gaze. I quickly turned off the screen and shook my head.
“It’s nothing. I just… think I should head home now.”
My voice trembled at the end, and I instinctively looked away. That short message felt strangely sharp, like it had dragged me back to reality.
Ha-jun watched me silently for a moment, then nodded.
“Then I’ll drive you home.”
“Oh, that’s alright. I can take a taxi…”
I waved my hands, but he continued firmly.
“In a way, today is your first day. You should learn the route, right?”
I couldn’t refuse after that, so I gave a small nod.
“Then… thank you.”
Ha-jun grabbed his car keys and headed for the entrance. As I followed, I kept glancing back.
Ji-an was still sleeping in the bedroom. Leaving without saying goodbye felt strangely heavy. I wondered if I should wake her, but the thought of her peaceful sleeping face stopped me.
“Will Ji-an be okay if she wakes up?…”
“It’s only five o’clock. She’ll probably sleep for another hour.”
I asked carefully, but Ha-jun reassured me. His words eased my worry, yet the regret only grew. The air in the hallway felt cold compared to the warmth inside the home.
I followed his back in a daze until we reached the car. He opened the door and said something, but I barely heard it.
The moment I got in, I sent a text to my wife.
I hadn’t done anything wrong, yet my hands were trembling.
“Are you alright?”
Ha-jun glanced at me with concern, but I could only nod instead of answering. Anxious, I looked out the window. The gloomy sky perfectly mirrored my heart.
Before long, familiar scenery appeared. My heart pounded even harder.
“Is this the right place?”
“Yes…”
The apartment building came into view right after I answered. I tried to get out quickly, but the rain made me hesitate.
“Just a second.”
Before he even finished speaking, Ha-jun stepped out and walked to the trunk. I got out too, only then noticing him pulling an umbrella from the trunk.
“Come this way.”
He smiled briefly at me—already soaked from the rain on my head and shoulders—and gestured. When I hesitated, he came over and held the umbrella over me. He looked at me for a moment without speaking, then said in a low voice.
“Seoyeon, if anything happens… don’t carry it all by yourself.”
At those warm words, I could only manage a short reply.
“Thank… you.”
It was barely a whisper, but he nodded as if that was enough and handed me the umbrella.
“Go inside. I’ll see you next week.”
I gave a small bow and walked toward the apartment entrance. When I glanced back, Ha-jun was still standing there holding the umbrella, his figure blurred by the rain. Even after I reached the front door, that image refused to fade.
[Beep—]
The sound of the door lock opening was immediately followed by Seo-jin’s sharp voice.
“Dad, did you sell your body?”