As he gestures for me to sit down across from him at an opulent table that looks like it belongs in a royal palace rather than an ordinary mansion, one thought crosses my mind—this is going to be one wild ride!
His eyes fix on mine with an intensity that feels almost dangerous, and I swallow the sudden lump that forms in my throat. He rests his head on his fisted palms under his chin. He looks incredibly handsome, and I find it hard to focus. We are the only ones in the room. He impatiently taps his chin with a finger, and I realize he is waiting for my answer.
"Uhm, yes—I can cook. I do cook." The words spill out before I've even thought them through.
He raises an eyebrow but doesn't seem impressed. "Good for you."
He remains silent, his gaze still fixed on me as if he is studying every detail of my being. I grip the hem of my dress tightly under the table while imagining all sorts of ungodly scenarios involving Lee Ye right here on this large table.
Eye to eye, we meet, even though he sits far away at the end of the table. How can he be even more good-looking than he appears on camera and in magazines? How?!
Finally, he opens his mouth to speak, and I press my legs together tightly to distract myself from the tingles forming between them.
"As you can see," he begins slowly, "my cook just got fired. I need a replacement."
"Oh!" I mutter, unsure of what to say.
He keeps silent for a moment before finally sighing and relaxing back in his seat.
Oh lord, can he look any sexier?
"You… are hired," he says slowly.
My eyes light up in a moment of victory, but my mental victory dance is cut short when he continues speaking.
"If you are going to work for me, there are rules." His deep voice sends shivers down my spine.
I nod repeatedly as he lists them off. "No fangirling around me. I eat twice a day. You will serve breakfast every morning at 7 a.m., and dinner at 7 p.m. sharp."
"Fangirling?" My voice squeaks slightly higher than intended.
Does he think I'm going to swoon over him? Oh, but yes I just might give myself away at this rate that I am really crazy about him. God help me.
"Yes," he replies dryly.
I nod again, trying to remember everything.
He continues with more rules about keeping things clean and not touching his personal items—like they're sacred relics or something. "You will be in charge of keeping the house clean thoroughly, but you are not to mess with my things or take my items to auction online."
"Again," he raises a finger, "rule number one, no fangirling."
"You are not allowed to enter my room or study without my consent even if it's for cleaning purposes."
Oh boy, I should have brought a notepad. How am I supposed to remember all this?
"Basically," he points up another finger, "the upper floor of this house is off-limits whenever I am not home."
"And lastly," he adds, "you may have to spend some nights here only when necessary. You will be assigned a room on this floor."
Before I can process what that means—am I moving in? He stands up abruptly and commands authoritatively, "Follow me."
He strides past me in an instant, and I scramble to keep up. "Yes sir," I stammer, only to bump my head against his hard back.
Ouch!
He halts abruptly, panic courses through my body. Oh no!
He turns around with a stern expression and pursed lips. I almost drool at how handsome he looks up close. The urge to cup his face in my palm is overwhelming.
"You," he begins, and alarm blares in my head.
No! He's definitely going to fire me!
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to bump into you. Please don't fire me." I plead with my eyes closed and hands clasped together in desperation.
He remains silent. When I don't hear him speak for what feels like an eternity, I finally open one eye. My gaze meets his chest before slowly traveling up until our eyes connect.
He sighs as he studies my face. A look crosses his features that I can't quite describe. Whatever it is makes my heart race.
Suddenly, that look vanishes from his face as he takes two steps back and turns away from me. Then he whirls back around abruptly and points a finger at me.
"One more thing, don't ever call me 'sir.' I don't like it," he says softly but firmly.
Oh!
"So what do I call you?" I ask, genuinely confused.
He tilts his head as if pondering this question before facing me again. "You figure that out."
With that cryptic remark hanging in the air between us, Lee Ye leads me through the mansion with an air of cool detachment that makes it clear he's not warming up to me anytime soon.
As we walk through the spacious living room filled with elegant furniture and art pieces that could probably fund a small town, I'm awestruck by the sheer luxury surrounding us—a stark contrast to my modest life.
"This is where you'll be working," he says flatly as we enter the kitchen area, a sleek space equipped with high-end appliances that look like they belong on a cooking show set.
"Wow! This kitchen is amazing." My excitement bubbles over as I take in the gleaming countertops and state-of-the-art stove. "I could whip up some mean kimchi fried rice here."
Lee Ye raises an eyebrow but doesn't seem impressed. "Let's hope you can actually cook it without setting off any fire alarms."
I chuckle nervously at the memory of Hye Ri's kitchen disasters back in college—like that time she tried making ramen but ended up creating some sort of soup explosion instead.
"Just remember," Lee Ye continues seriously, "I prefer traditional dishes around here."
"Got it! No instant noodles unless it's life or death." I reply dramatically while placing a hand over my heart as if pledging allegiance to his culinary preferences.
He smirks slightly before leading me back through the living room toward another door downstairs instead of upstairs where I'm reminded once again that it's off-limits especially when he's not home.
"This will be your room," he says curtly as we reach the door.
I step inside and smile at how inviting it feels—cozy yet functional enough for someone like me.
"Just remember, keep it clean." Lee Ye reiterates before turning on his heel and striding away down the hall without another word.
Just when I'm about to respond with something witty silently, the door swings open.
A woman bursts into the room looking frazzled. "Lee Ye! You need to see this." she exclaims breathlessly while holding what looks like a tablet.
I walk to them, seeing him raise an eyebrow at her interruption but motions for her to continue.
"There's been a leak," she says urgently.
"Leak?" Lee Ye repeats incredulously. "What kind of leak?"
"The kind that could ruin your reputation!" she replies dramatically before turning her attention toward me. "And who is she?"
I freeze as their eyes land on me—Lee Ye's piercing gaze with annoyance while the woman's eyes widen with confusion.
"Uh…" is all I manage to stammer out before Lee Ye cuts in sharply.
"She's the newly hired housekeeper," he states firmly but with an edge of protectiveness that surprises even me.
The woman narrows her eyes at me suspiciously before turning back to Lee Ye.
I feel heat creeping up my cheeks. Suddenly it feels like I'm caught in some bizarre reality show where everyone is scrutinizing every move I make.
The tension thickens in the air and I realize that's my cue to use the door…
Hye Ri's restaurant opening is today. After all the excitement about Lee Ye, his never-ending rules, and the little bit of drama that occurred, I boarded the bus to go celebrate and help out my best friend.
The atmosphere buzzes with excitement as customers fill tables adorned with colorful dishes that make my mouth water just looking at them.
"Hye Ri, this place looks amazing!" I exclaim as she rushes over with an apron tied around her waist.
"I know! Can you believe it?" she beams proudly before her expression shifts playfully.
"Congratulations Bubbles!" I squeal, hugging her tightly.
"Aww thank you, my Kitten." She draws out dramatically. "So tell me about your new boss!"
"Oh boy." My cheeks flush as we step into a quieter corner behind the counter where we can chat without interruption. "You won't believe who it is."
"Spill!" she urges eagerly while pouring herself some water from a pitcher nearby.
"Lee Ye!" The name tumbles out before I've even processed how surreal it sounds saying it aloud.
Hye Ri's eyes widen comically. She nearly drops her mug in shock. "The Lee Ye? The one you've been crushing on since college?"
"Yes! The very same!" My voice rises slightly with excitement mixed with disbelief. It's still hard for me to wrap my head around it.
Hye Ri bursts into laughter before leaning closer conspiratorially. "So does this mean romance could brew between you two?"
I roll my eyes playfully while trying not to smile too widely—because honestly? The thought sends butterflies fluttering wildly in my stomach. "Oh please! He's too busy being all mysterious and brooding. Meanwhile, let's not forget he's way out of my league."
"But you've adored him since forever. All those fan meets and concerts where you screamed the shit out of your lungs along with thousands of other fans?" she teases while nudging me playfully with her elbow. "Wow! What if you two hit it off?"
Just then Hye Ri leans closer again, her voice drops conspiratorially low, "What if you accidentally fangirl over him after all those warnings? That would be priceless!"
I groan dramatically as she bursts out laughing like a villain while burying my face in my hands. Oh God—what if that actually happens?
"Oh, come on… it's not like the world is going to end or anything." I shrug, reaching for the full glass of cold beer on the counter before downing it fast.
After a whirlwind of customers and laughter at Hye Ri's restaurant, I find myself reflecting on the bizarre day I've had. The thought of working for Lee Ye sends shivers down my spine—not just because he's a celebrity but because he's also my ultimate crush. If he discovers my secret fandom, I could be fired on the spot!
As I serve customers their meals, I can't help but replay our earlier interaction in my mind. What if he finds out? What if someone spills the beans?
"Hey, Kitten!" Hye Ri calls out from behind the counter, snapping me back to reality. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"More like I'm haunted by the thought of getting fired," I reply with a nervous laugh.
"Relax… just don't fangirl over him while serving his food," she jokes, winking at me.
"Right! Because nothing says 'professional' like dropping a plate while swooning over your boss." I roll my eyes but can't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.
As we chat and serve customers, we reminisce about my obsession with Lee Ye from college days. The posters on my wall, the countless fan meets where I practically hyperventilated just by watching him from afar. Just imagine how it felt to finally see him up close!
"Remember that time you almost fainted when you thought he waved at you?" Hye Ri teases, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"I was not going to faint!" I protest, though I can't help but smile at the memory. "I just... lost my balance."
Hye Ri bursts into laughter again. "Sure! Let's go with that."
Just then, the bell above the door jingles as another customer walks in.
The very thought of Lee Ye discovering my secret, sends a chill racing down my spine, tightening the knot of anxiety in my stomach. I can almost hear the clock ticking down to my inevitable doom, each second echoing the reality that my sweet fantasy could become my worst nightmare in an instant.
There's no brainer —once he finds out, it's game over!