That morning, Jiwon arrived at Taeyang's house in high spirits. She was dressed in casual clothes, ready to take on her new duties as an impromptu housekeeper. Taeyang, still half-asleep, opened the door while rubbing his eyes.
"Good morning, boss!" greeted Jiwon cheerfully as she held up a plastic bag filled with rubber gloves and cleaning supplies.
Taeyang gave her a puzzled look. "Why do you look like you're going to war?"
"Because I'm serious, Taeyang. Your house will be spotless by nightfall!" Jiwon said confidently.
Taeyang just sighed. "Fine, if you're sure. But be careful. Don't make a mess here."
However, Taeyang's words were like a sign. It didn't take long for Jiwon to start her series of ridiculous stunts.
While cleaning the living room, Jiwon vigorously scrubbed the floor until it was shiny. Unfortunately, she forgot to tell Taeyang that the floor was still wet. When Taeyang walked in with a cup of coffee in his hand, he suddenly slipped.
"WOAH!" Taeyang fell in a very inelegant position, while the coffee in his cup spilled onto his shirt.
Jiwon, who was busy mopping, was surprised and hurriedly approached. "Oh my gosh, Taeyang! Are you okay?"
Taeyang looked at her with a flat expression, even though his shirt was soaked. "Jiwon, I'm fine. It's just... I didn't know that I had to wear a helmet in my own house."
Jiwon stifled a laugh but failed, and finally burst out laughing. "Sorry, sorry! But you have to admit, this is hilarious!"
"Funny for you, but not for my ass," Taeyang retorted as he stood up and wiped off his wet clothes.
After the slippery floor incident, Jiwon turned to the kitchen to cook lunch. "I'll make you a special lunch. Trust me!" she said confidently.
Taeyang, who was sitting on the sofa with a compress on his back, just glanced over from a distance. "Do I need to call the fire department beforehand?"
Jiwon ignored the comment and started cooking. However, the kitchen quickly turned into a battlefield. Cooking oil splashed everywhere, and the smell of fried onions was too strong to make Taeyang cough.
"Jiwon! What are you doing in there? Making lunch or chemistry experiments?" shouted Taeyang from the living room.
"Take it easy, boss! I'm making magic in the kitchen!" replied Jiwon, even though her face was covered in flour and sauce stains.
When lunch was finally ready, Taeyang eyed the plate in front of him suspiciously. "Is this safe to eat?" he asked.
"Of course it's safe! It's Jiwon's special!" Jiwon said while crossing her arms proudly.
Taeyang took a bite and was silent for a moment. "Jiwon, this... isn't too bad."
Jiwon smiled widely. "See, I told you I was reliable!"
"But it's too salty," Taeyang added as he took a glass of water.
Jiwon's face immediately frowned. "Well, at least I tried."
In the late afternoon, Jiwon sat on the sofa with a long sigh. "Boss, this job is harder than I thought. How can you survive alone in a house this big?"
Taeyang, who finally sat down in clean clothes, smiled slightly. "That's why I need a maid. But seeing the way you've been working today, I'm not sure you're cut out for this job."
Jiwon looked at him with a shocked expression. "Hey! I've been working hard all day!"
Taeyang just chuckled. "I know. But I think you're better suited as an annoying friend than a maid."
Jiwon laughed along. "Alright, I agree. But don't forget, boss, I'm still cheaper than a professional maid!"
That day, despite the chaos, the two of them were finally able to laugh together. Taeyang began to realize that Jiwon's presence, although often troublesome, gave a new color to his life that had been too lonely.
That night, after a day full of chaos brought by Jiwon, Taeyang was finally able to sit back and relax on the sofa while sipping a cup of warm tea. The usually quiet atmosphere of the house felt different after Jiwon's presence all day. However, the tranquility didn't last long.
The doorbell sounded. Taeyang frowned, confused as to who was coming this late at night. Reluctantly, he got up from the sofa and walked to the door. When the door opened, he was stunned to see who was standing in front of him.
A woman with long flowing hair, wearing an elegant black coat, looked at him with a faint smile. It was Hyejin, Taeyang's ex-girlfriend whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
"Hyejin?" said Taeyang in a surprised tone.
"Taeyang, long time no see," Hyejin replied while looking at him with nostalgic eyes.
Taeyang stood stiffly for a few seconds before finally letting her in. "Come in. Why are you here?"
Hyejin sat in the living room, looking around the spacious house. "Your house is so big. I never thought you'd live in a place like this."
Taeyang sat on the opposite sofa, looking at her carefully. "I need a quiet place. So, what's up? Why did you come all of a sudden?"
Hyejin smiled slightly, but there was a hint of awkwardness in her expression. "I just wanted to see you. I heard you moved here, and I was curious. After all, we never really finished our last conversation, did we?"
Taeyang sighed. He knew where this was going. "That was a long time ago, Hyejin. I think we've both moved on with our lives."
"Indeed," Hyejin replied, his voice a little quieter. "But that doesn't mean I don't miss you."
Taeyang fell silent. Those words brought him back to the past, when their relationship was still going well. However, he also knew that there was a reason why they parted ways.
In the midst of the serious atmosphere, there was a sudden sound of the back door opening loudly. Taeyang and Hyejin both turned their heads, and Jiwon appeared with messy hair and a plastic bag in her hand.
"Taeyang! I forgot to bring my phone earlier!" Jiwon exclaimed without paying attention to who was in the living room.
Taeyang held his forehead, trying to contain his embarrassment. "Jiwon, can't you see I have a guest?"
Jiwon finally noticed Hyejin's presence and immediately stopped her steps. She looked at Hyejin, then turned to Taeyang. "Oh... who's this, old boyfriend or new boyfriend?" she asked in an ignorant tone.
Taeyang's face turned red, while Hyejin just smiled a little. "I'm his ex-girlfriend," Hyejin replied calmly.
"Ah, ex! That explains the awkward atmosphere," Jiwon said as she placed her plastic bag on the kitchen table. "Alright, I don't want to bother you guys. I'll just get my cell phone."
Before leaving, however, Jiwon added, "Taeyang, if you need help making things more comfortable, just call me. I'm an expert at breaking the ice."
Taeyang could only sigh, while Hyejin chuckled. "Your friend is quite... unique," she said.
"He's not my friend, more like a walking problem," Taeyang replied dryly.
After Jiwon left, Taeyang refocused on Hyejin. "So, what exactly did you want to talk about?"
Hyejin was silent for a moment, then said, "I just wanted to make sure that you were okay. I know our relationship didn't end in the best way, and I feel guilty."
Taeyang looked at him gently. "I'm fine, Hyejin. But I think what happened in the past should stay there. We both have our own paths."
Hyejin nodded slowly, though there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "You're right. I just wanted to know that from your own mouth."
After a few minutes of talking about small things, Hyejin finally excused himself. Taeyang escorted her to the door, and before leaving, Hyejin said, "Thank you, Taeyang. I hope you find your happiness."
Taeyang smiled slightly. "You too, Hyejin."
After Hyejin left, Taeyang sat on the sofa, contemplating their conversation. Jiwon's presence earlier, though distracting, managed to break the otherwise heavy atmosphere. He realized that his new life was full of surprises-both from the past and from new people like Jiwon.
And that night, for the first time in a long time, Taeyang felt truly ready to move forward.