An Ordinary Morning?
"Master... has she left already...?"
I realized Baek Hayoung, who had been lying beside me all night, was gone, and turned to Seoyeong.
"It's been a while since she took off, I think? Pretty sure it was an early morning flight."
.....What the hell, that monstrous stamina...? She had sex with me until dawn, and she still managed that? I'd assumed she'd miss the flight or at least struggle to get up. But no... she boarded a dawn flight without a hitch..... I'd always known Hayoung wasn't normal, but part of me couldn't help admiring her.
"But... Minseo..."
Seoyeong's gaze shifted into something far from casual as she leaned in close to my face.
Here we go again... Don't make me nervous.... Her sudden closeness, that strange glint in her eyes pushing right up to my nose, made me swallow hard.
"Wh-what is it..."
"You've been paying a lot of attention to Hayoung unnie lately, huh? Feels like you've gotten even closer than before—"
With a playful, lingering look full of mischief, Seoyeong grilled me. Her hand had somehow drifted onto my thigh, and she was pressed so close her breath tickled my nose.
"N-no, it's not like that... We went to bed super late, so I was just worried...."
I couldn't meet her eyes as I answered. But it wasn't an excuse—it was genuine. We'd crashed late, so I asked out of concern.... Still, hearing her say we'd grown closer made me suddenly self-conscious, my cheeks heating up.
".....You know I'll be with you for the next three days, right...?"
Seoyeong let out a soft breath, her deep gaze trembling faintly as her hand gently—stroked my thigh.
......
......
......
And then... a strange tension flowed between us, faces inches apart.
"...."
No words came out. I knew I should respond.... but all that escaped was the faintest breath. With only five centimeters between us, Seoyeong stared intently, and my breath caught—not from fear or terror, but from her intoxicating aura.
Her trembling pupils for some unknowable reason.... Those endlessly soft red lips... Her face was adorably dimpled like a deer's, but the contrast with her fiery red short hair only amplified her allure.
Having her so close like this... I found myself speechless without warning.
Gulp—
I just swallowed, saying nothing, and she murmured,
"Not gonna answer...?"
Her voice was tender, silky, her eyes quivering as she asked again.
"..Yeah.."
For some reason, her husky whisper struck me as cute. Is this really the Seoyeong I knew...? A whirlwind of thoughts filled my head—
Mwah—
Seoyeong suddenly pressed a soft kiss to my lips. The plush feel of them made my eyes widen in shock.
"Good enough. Let's go eat."
She pulled back, rolling out of bed. Still dazed from the kiss, my face flushed as I replied,
"C-can I rest a bit first...?"
"Who's stopping you? Eat first, then rest. Hurry up—"
The cute vulnerability from moments ago vanished, replaced by her usual carefree self. In a flash—like Hayoung last night—Seoyeong scooped me up princess-style.
"S-Seoyeong! I got it, put me down! I can walk!!"
Panicking at the thought of the maids seeing, I shouted, but she just grinned wider, hugging me tight as she strode out of the room.
Ah... right, this is who she is....
I regretted ever finding her cute, even briefly, and squeezed my eyes shut against the impending embarrassment.
Truth be told, compared to crawling naked on a leash in front of the maids or getting gangbanged, a princess carry was nothing. But for me, humiliation was an emotion that never got easier, no matter how often it hit.
In the end, amid envious glances from the maids toward Seoyeong, we arrived at the restaurant.
At least it's better than being naked... phew..
My face burned a little, but it was worlds better than worse scenarios from before.
"Today's~ special is.....braised short ribs~"
Seoyeong beamed with unusual excitement, lifting the lid on the steaming dish. Savory steam rose, revealing tender beef chunks glistening in red sauce.
Gulp—
I'd had no appetite moments ago, but that mouthwatering sight made my stomach growl on cue.
".....Whoa.... insane..."
The words slipped out as I stared, juices dripping from the ribs.
"How's it look? Delicious, right?"
"Yeah... the chefs here are always amazing. This looks incredible too."
Recalling how I'd eaten nearly every meal here, every one a delight, I nodded.
Is this level of cooking standard in the mansion...? Probably costs tens of thousands per serving, right?
I worried what if Hayoung made me cover the food costs.
"Seoyeong, thanks for the meal—"
Shaking off the needless anxiety, I looked up—only to find her expression off. Angry...? Upset...? A mix of both? Had I said something wrong? Cold sweat beaded as I racked my brain.
What's going on...? What did I do...?
"I made this dish. For you...."
Her voice was pouty, her eyes brimming with disappointment.
Ah......
It clicked why she looked hurt, and I scrambled to fix it.
"N-no, I meant it looks pro-chef level! After eating here so much, if I can't tell it's yours, doesn't that mean you nailed it? Haha.."
Awkward laugh, gauging her mood.
.....
"...Really?"
Luckily, my words landed. Her face softened into a goofy grin.
"Hmph, fine. Try it."
She portioned some onto my plate. Blowing on the hot braised ribs, I took a bite—the meat melted tenderly, spicy-sweet sauce exploding on my tongue.
"This is seriously the best...? You're the best cook among the executives."
I hadn't tried the others' cooking, but a little exaggeration to boost her mood couldn't hurt.
"Yeah? Eat up, my Minseo~"
Her smile stretched ear to ear as she ruffled my hair. So predictable. Lee Seoyeong wore every emotion—anger, sadness, joy—plain on her face.
Curiosity bubbled up. Why was she so good to me? Because she cherished her slave? Out of old colleague loyalty? Or... did she still have feelings for me?
"Phew... so full.."
Mixing rice with the sauce, I'd devoured a bowl and felt like I might burst. My first hearty lunch like this, maybe...
"What now?"
"Shower first... then..."
"I'll be in the office. Wash up and come. I'm bored."
She gazed at me softly.
"...Okay...."
Turning on the shower, warm water cascaded over me.
Shhh—
"Haa...."
I sighed, sorting my thoughts. Three days with Seoyeong. I wanted smooth sailing, but that look in her eyes earlier said otherwise. Dodging her might be best, but defying her wasn't an option. I'd have to bide my time and slip away.
I had a mission, after all. Seo Jiyu. The mystery spy. Uncovering her affiliation was my goal. I hadn't seen her since that one encounter—frustrating—but I'd find her.
Use the MP3's recorder to get her talking... Figure out her group. But would she spill secrets easily? Unlikely. My best shot: leverage my slave status... and, humiliatingly, my body.
I'd never seduced anyone in my life, but now I needed to.
"Haa... hope I get results in three days.."
I clenched my fist, murmuring low.
Creeeak—
"I'm here.."
I eased open the office door, peeking in.
"Yeah. Come in."
Seoyeong, glasses on, hammered the keyboard intently. Busy? I sat on the sofa, watching.
Hoodie and dolphin pants—casual—but glasses and focus gave her a fresh allure. Didn't expect this side... She actually works hard. Thought she'd delegate everything.
"Like what you see?"
Catching my stare, she paused, sauntered over, and plopped beside me.
"Uh.. yeah.. first time seeing you like this.."
"I get shit done when I need to."
She grinned, draping an arm over my shoulder.
"You seem good at everything... cooking, workouts..."
"Always lived by 'do what you want.' Even the mafia—my choice."
As she spoke, her arm tugged me closer, my arm brushing her soft chest. The oversized hoodie muted it, but I noticed.
She continued,
"What I want, I get. Always."
Her gaze turned serious, inching toward earnest.
"...Yeah.."
I nodded along, but unease prickled.
"Kang Minseo."
"Yes..."
Her solemn tone, calling my full name, tensed me up. Why so serious now...?
So different from earlier—this gravity wound me tight.
".....Remember when I confessed to you before?"
Twitch—!
My body jerked at her words. Confusion swirled—why bring this up now?—as my pupils quivered faintly.