The next day, Taeyang's house was quieter than usual. Jiwon was nowhere to be seen in the kitchen, there was no sound of her cheerful steps, or her jokes that always broke the silence of the house. Taeyang, who had just come down from his room in his work clothes, felt something was different. He glanced at the living room and kitchen, but they were empty.
"She's in college, right?" he muttered under his breath as he opened the refrigerator to get a bottle of water. Usually, Jiwon was already standing in the kitchen in her basic household uniform, trying to cook something that was either successful or not.
Taeyang sat at the dining table with a cup of coffee, but this time it felt lonelier. He looked at the chair across from him, which Jiwon usually filled with non-stop chatter. "Looks like I'm getting used to him here," Taeyang said to himself, unconsciously smiling a little.
That day at the office, Taeyang tried to focus on his work. However, his mind kept drifting. He remembered Jiwon's smile, her silly comments, and how she always managed to make the house feel more alive. In fact, he was surprised to realize that he missed Jiwon a little... a lot.
Later that afternoon, when Taeyang returned home, he was greeted by the same silence as this morning. He took off his suit, hung it on the back of the door, and walked into the kitchen. There was no smell of Jiwon's cooking, which was often mixed up due to her experiments. There was only the usual scent of home.
While sitting on the living room sofa, Taeyang stared at the television screen that was on, but his mind wasn't entirely there. He reached for his cell phone and opened a contact. His finger stopped at Jiwon's name. He almost typed a message, but then stopped. "Do I look weird contacting her first?" she murmured, hesitating.
In the end, however, she typed a short message.
Taeyang: "How was your class today?"
A few minutes later, her phone vibrated.
Jiwon: "Tired, but not bad. Why, you miss me, huh? ;)"
Taeyang read the message and shook his head with a small smile. "You bastard," he muttered before replying.
Taeyang: "Don't be too confident. I'm just curious. The house is too quiet without you."
Jiwon: "Wow, so I made the house livelier, huh? That's good to hear! Don't worry, I'll be back tonight when the work is done."
Taeyang just stared at the screen of his phone, feeling strange how Jiwon's presence as a maid was now an important part of his life. He didn't reply to the message, but his heart felt calmer knowing that Jiwon would be back that night.
And that night, when the door opened and Jiwon entered with a tired but cheerful face, Taeyang, who was sitting on the sofa, looked at her with a faint smile.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Jiwon asked as she put down her bag.
"This house is too lonely without you," Taeyang replied briefly, making Jiwon a little surprised.
"Wow, is that a compliment? Or just a subtle way of telling me to never come out again?" Jiwon teased with a laugh.
Taeyang just shook his head. "Consider it a compliment. But seriously, don't push yourself too hard. If you're tired, just rest."
Jiwon looked at Taeyang with a warm smile. "Thanks, boss. But I'm fine. Besides, I still have plenty of energy to bother you."
And with that, the atmosphere of the house returned to life as usual, with Jiwon's ever-colorful presence.
That night, after finishing up her coursework, Jiwon told Taeyang that she was going home to her own house to rest.
"I'm going home tonight, Taeyang," she said casually as she picked up her bag on the sofa.
Taeyang, who was sitting at the dining table, looked at Jiwon with a slightly confused expression. "Going home? Don't you usually sleep here?" he asked in an even tone, though there was a slight sense of loss that he was hiding.
"My house is close by. Besides, I have to take care of some things there," Jiwon replied while putting on her jacket. "You know, I can't fully live here."
Taeyang nodded slowly, trying to cover up the loneliness that suddenly burst into his mind. "Alright. But don't forget to eat dinner first. I don't want to hear about you starving on the road."
Jiwon chuckled. "Take it easy, Taeyang. I can take care of myself. Besides, it's only for one night. I'll be back tomorrow."
Taeyang sighed and nodded. "Okay. But be careful on the road. If there's anything, let me know right away."
Jiwon smiled widely, feeling a bit of genuine concern from Taeyang even though his manner remained cold as always. "Yes, boss! Thank you for your concern," she said as she walked towards the door.
Before Jiwon could get out, Taeyang suddenly called out, "Jiwon."
Jiwon turned around, a little surprised. "Yes?"
Taeyang hesitated for a moment, but finally said, "Don't stay out too late. And if you need anything... you know who to call, right?"
Jiwon looked at Taeyang with a warm little smile. "I know, Taeyang. Thank you. Good night."
After that, the door closed, and the house went quiet again. Taeyang stood in the living room, staring at the door for a few seconds before finally returning to the sofa. He turned on the television, but his mind wasn't fully there.
Meanwhile, Jiwon walked home with light steps. Her house wasn't far away, only a few blocks from Taeyang's house. During the trip, she smiled a little, remembering how Taeyang had suddenly become the center of attention tonight.
Upon arriving at her own home, Jiwon felt a little homesick for the atmosphere at Taeyang's house. However, she tried to ignore it. She sat in her modest living room, gazed around, and thought. "I've really gotten used to Taeyang's house," she muttered with a small smile.
That night, despite being in each other's homes, both Taeyang and Jiwon realized that something had changed in their relationship. I don't know what it was, but each other's presence now meant more than just friends or associates.
The next day, Taeyang woke up earlier than usual. After realizing that Jiwon wasn't home because she went back to her own house last night, he felt that the atmosphere of the house was a little different-less quiet. However, he didn't care about it for too long because today he had to complete an important task in Gangnam.
After putting on a neat formal suit with a black suit and thin tie, Taeyang grabbed his briefcase and rushed to the car. His job this time is quite challenging. He had to attend a meeting with an important client as well as handle several investigative reports.
On the other hand, Jiwon also wakes up early for college. When she leaves the house, she accidentally sees Taeyang warming up the car in his yard. Jiwon smiles a little, but chooses not to say hello so as not to disturb.
However, when Taeyang was about to get in the car, he glanced at Jiwon who was just coming out of the small alley next to his house. "Jiwon?" called Taeyang in a rather loud voice.
Jiwon stopped, a little surprised. "Oh, Taeyang! Morning," she replied with a casual wave.
"Are you going to campus?" asked Taeyang as he walked over.
"Yes, I'm going to class this morning. But why are you all dressed up? What's wrong?" Jiwon asked while looking Taeyang up and down. "You look like a magazine model."
Taeyang gave a small sigh. "I have an assignment in Gangnam today. There's a lot of work. Are you okay with going home last night?"
Jiwon nodded with a smile. "It's okay, really. My house is close by, right?"
Taeyang nodded slowly. "Okay. Then, be careful on the road. I'm leaving first."
"Yes, Mr. Taeyang," Jiwon replied with a playful salute, to which Taeyang simply shook his head as he got into his car.
Taeyang arrived in Gangnam and went straight to the office building where the meeting was held. He met with some important clients and attended a serious meeting that lasted almost three hours. After he finished, he walked out to have lunch at one of the small cafes near the building.
However, while she was enjoying her coffee there, her cell phone rang. It was a message from Jiwon.
Jiwon: "Taeyang, did you eat lunch? Don't skip meals, working all the time isn't good for your health!"
Taeyang smiled a little as he read the message. Although the tone of Jiwon's message was joking, he felt that there was genuine concern in it.
Taeyang: "I'm having lunch right now. Don't worry. How are you?"
Jiwon: "I just finished class. But I'm not hungry. I'm just looking for a seat in the library."
Taeyang: "Don't forget to eat too. Don't just be busy studying."
Jiwon: "Ready, big boss!"
Taeyang chuckled a little at Jiwon's response. The short chat made him feel a little lighter in the midst of the workload.
After finishing his duties in Gangnam, Taeyang returned home tired. When he opened the door, the house was eerily quiet. He glanced into the living room, hoping to find Jiwon there, but there was no one.
Taeyang sighed, put down his bag, and plopped down on the couch. He stared at the ceiling with his mind drifting. Apparently, Jiwon's presence had become an important part of his routine.
At the same time, Jiwon who was studying at home also felt something was missing. She stares at her cell phone, as if hoping for an incoming message from Taeyang. However, her phone remained silent.
"Why am I thinking about him, anyway?" muttered Jiwon, shaking her head.
At Taeyang's house, she was thinking the same thing. Even though he was tired, his mind couldn't escape Jiwon's cheerful figure. Something had changed in her, and he was beginning to realize it. However, he chose to keep it to himself... at least for now.