I watch as Lee Know's fiancée sweeps into the penthouse like she owns the place.
"Uh, come in..."
"I'm Sofia Russo, Russo Industries. As the new maid, you'll probably be seeing me here a lot and--"
"I'm not a maid. I'm (YF/LN), the boys' nanny."
"Oh. Well, in any case..."
Sofia gives me a meaningful look, clearly expecting me to get out of her way.
"Uh...it's weird Lee Know didn't invite you to his birthday dinner."
"I'm sure he would've if he'd known I was in town."
"He didn't call and check?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but we talked last night. I just hadn't decided to come back yet."
"Right, sorry. I didn't mean to pry..."
"You did, but I understand. Someone like you can't help but be interested in the lifestyle of the rich and famous."
Sofia pushes her way back me, heading straight for the dining room. "Sofia? What are you doing here?" Lee Know asks surprised by her presence.
"Happy birthday!"
Sofia greets Lee Know with a kiss on the cheek, then she offers him a small velvet box.
"Platinum cufflinks? Thank you, they're wonderful."
And boring. Lee Know already has, like, a million of those.
"Only the best for my boo-bear." Sofia reaches out and tousles Mason's hair. He stiffens in his chair. "Aren't you happy to see me, Mickey? I brought presents for you boys too!"
"I'm Mason."
"That's what I said. How would you like a new watch? It's Armani! I got a matching one for you too, Mickey."
"Thanks, just what I always wanted." Mickey replies sarcastically.
"You have great taste."
Has she even been around kids before?
"What a thoughtful gift, Sofia. Armani timepieces might be a little mature for them, but that's something we can discuss later."
"You're never too young to become a style icon." Sofia moves to sit in the open chair--my seat--when she notices me still standing there. "Well? Aren't you going to clean up the dishes?"
"Uh...like I told you before, I'm not the maid. And even if I was, that's not how you speak to other people."
"Semantics. If you're not going to clean up, then you're dismissed."
"Sofia, you can't just--"
"Ooo, Min-ho, you'll never guess who was in first class with me on my flight!"
"--talk to--"
"Chrissy Teigen! Can you believe it? Now there's a style Icon!"
Lee Know tries to cut in again, but Sofia talks right over him. He shoots me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry."
"Lee Know..."
At least he tried. Sofia just won't let him get a word in edgewise.
Sofia is still yammering at I start to back toward the door. "...Goodnight, everyone." I return to my room and plop onto my bed, still unsure what just happened. I pull out my phone to text the one friend I know who'll understand.
ME:
-OMG Sofia is here.
JENNY:
-WHAT!!!
ME:
-She dropped in unannounced during Lee Know's birthday dinner.
-She's freakin' terrible!
-You should've seen the way she was treating everyone.
-She LITERALLY called me the help.
JENNY:
-Gross.
-What did Lee Know say?
ME:
-Nothing.
JENNY:
-EXCUUUUUUUUUSE ME?!
ME:
-He tried.
-But Sofia kept talking over him.
-Honestly, I think Lee Know was too shocked to do more.
JENNY:
-I hope so cause otherwise...
-WTF.
A knock on the door pries me away from the phone screen.
If it's Sofia with dry cleaning or something. I swear I'm not accountable for my actions.
"(Y/N)."
Lee Know is standing in my doorway, shirt unbuttoned and chest bare, looking tired and disheveled...and yet somehow, still incredibly sexy.
"Lee Know, hey... Is everything okay?"
"Can we talk? Sofia's gone, and the boys are down for the night."
"I was about to go to bed, actually."
"It won't take long. I need to apologize for what just happened." Lee Know massages his neck tenderly and releases a heavy sigh. My hands itch to help him relieve some of that tension, to stroke him, to touch him... His gaze meets mine, pleading with me. "Please. I don't like how we left things back there."
After a lingering look, I step back and give Lee Know space to enter the room. I close the door behind him and turn, gasping softly when I find him surprisingly close. "I'm so sorry, (Y/N). I never should've let Sofia talk to you that way. I should've been more insistent that she stop immediately, instead of trying to wait for an opening." Lee Know reaches out and places his hands over my shoulders. I tense, wanting him to touch me and leave me alone all at once.
"Did you know she was coming?"
"No, I had no idea. She was supposed to be in Italy for another week. To be honest, I thought she had forgotten my birthday."
"She made me feel like I wasn't even there."
"I told her that was completely unacceptable as soon as I finished putting the boys to bed."
Despite everything, a smile tugs at the corner of my mouth at his words.
"Oh? Aunt Sofia didn't want to do it?"
"She...struggles with them. I decided to save us all an hour or two and take over."
I meet Lee Know's gaze, and feel myself start to throw a bit. His hands slip away from my shoulders, causing me to shiver as they go.
"Lee Know, I forgive you. You make it hard to stay mad at you."
"Good."
"It's not the same as an apology from her, though. Also, why isn't Sofia here, talking to me herself? Is she too good to apologize to 'the help' ?"
"I told her to go home, I just...I just wanted to enjoy what was left of my birthday. Everything had been so perfect...until she got here."
Lee Know closes his eyes and rubs his neck with a pained expression. "I just got these knots out and they're already back." Almost without even realizing it, I step forward and offer.
"Maybe I can do something about that for you."
I move behind Lee Know and slip my palms over his shoulders, digging my thumbs into the tense muscles. He groans loudly.
"Oh my God... That feels... But you've already done more than enough, (Y/N)."
"Not as far as these knots are concerned." Lee Know moans again, and a shiver courses through me at the sound. My lips find his ear, speaking just above a whisper. "Tell me where it hurts."
"A little higher... Almost--Ohhhhhh..."
My thumbs dig into his back, and I feel him melt into my touch.
"You should take off your shirt."
Lee Know swallows and turns, giving me a long look before obeying. I can't help but wonder what he's thinking... But then Lee Know flicks open the buttons on his shirt and shrugs it off his shoulders. All my thoughts disappear as he tosses the shirt to the side. I brace my palms against his shoulders and work on the stiff muscles, relishing the chance to touch him.
"You sure know how to make a man feel... Mmmmm."
"I'm a woman of many talents."
"You've been proving that since day one. I suppose that's another reason why I couldn't stand Sofia treating you like that."
"We don't have to talk about it. I mean, you're right, it was messed up, but...birthday law mandates we pause that conversation and focus on you."
"You're too good to me, (Y/N)."
"And don't you forget it."
My hands travel lower along Lee Know's torso, until I'm rubbing my thumbs along his hips. My fingertips graze the curve of his ass.
"Is this okay?"
"(Y/N)..."
Lee Know shifts under my touch. "Yes, I just feel...restless."
"I know what you mean."
Lee Know twists to face me, and suddenly, I'm gazing directly into his eyes. I skim my fingers along his jaw, drawing him close.
"So...when do I get my massage?"
He reaches for me, his eyes darkening with desire.
"(Y/N), I--"
"Dad? Can I have my nightlight tonight?"
Startled back into reality by Mason shouting from his room, I jump to put some space between us. "Sounds like Mason needs you." Lee Know nods, eyes still locked on mine. Finally, he pulls his shirt back on.
"Be right there, buddy! (Y/N)..."
"It's okay. Go." Lee Know gives me one final lingering look before turning to leave. I swallow hard, watching him go.
The next morning, I find Sofia taking up my usual spot, baking something in the oven. From the smell of things, she doesn't have a lot of experience in the kitchen.
"Sofia! I didn't hear you come in. If you're looking for Lee Know, I think he already left for work..."
"Actually, I'm here for the twins. I hope you like goat cheese because I'm making everyone breakfast quiches with cauliflower crusts."
"...Yum."
Mason and Mickey trundle into the kitchen behind me, still half asleep.
"What's that smell? "
"I think it's coming from Sofia."
"Good morning, boys! I'm taking you two out for some step mommy-twins bonding time today! After we have a nutritious, homemade breakfast, of course."
I decide not to mention the cardboard box for frozen breakfast quiches stuffed in the trash can.
"And don't think I forgot about you, (Y/N). You get to spend the day helping Robin plan the engagement party."
"Is that the thing Dad was telling us about the other night?" Mickey questions.
"Yeah, Aunt Sofia won't be just our aunt anymore." Mason informs him.
"That's exactly right, boys. Your father and I are going to make our official debut to the world as an engaged couple..."
Let me think about it...Lee Know said it was okay? Technically, he's the one who's my boss, so I just want to be sure..."
"I love that you're such a hard worker. And yes, Min-ho totally backs me here."
"Well, if he approved it and you're taking the kids anyways..."
The oven dings, and Sofia hurries to remove the quiches. She ignores me and smiles at the twins.
"Let's dig in, then get dressed for the best day ever!"
"Yay..." Mickey cheers sarcastically with a scared look on his face that Mason matches. After forcing down two store-bought quiches, I take the subway to Lee Enterprises to meet Robin.
"(Y/N), it's delightful to see you again."
"Hey, Robin. Let's get this over with. I don't want to spend more time thinking about this engagement party than I have to."
"Tell me about it. But at least I have company this time. I usually have to do all this party planning by myself, which leaves me drowning in caterers and decorations...but now we can drown together."
"You're really not trying to sell this, huh?"
"Come on, (Y/N), I thought we could be honest with each other. Let's go get our hands dirty."
Robin leads me into his office and the two of us get to work.
"Here are Sofia's lists for us...
"That's not so bad."
"Plus, these."
"Wait, seriously?"
"Don't forget these."
"You've got to be kidding me! Please tell me this is some kind of sick joke."
"Even I'm not this funny. I don't know why she bothers asking for help if she's going to micromanage like this."
" 'Entree suggestions'...'Decoreation do's and don'ts'...'Party games that highlight not only Russo and Lees as companies, but also as a couple'...Damn...there's something seriously wrong with her. When did she even have time to do all this?"
"I'm pretty sure vampires don't sleep. Ready to wade through the appetizers?"
Robin passes me yet another list.
"It's all deconstructed fancy stuff... Aren't there going to be kids at this thing?"
"Kids have never been Sofia's strength."
"Well, I say we try to sneak sliders in there."
Robin's eyes gleam with mischief, and he grins.
"Somebody not liking Sofia over there?"
"I didn't say that! She's so...refreshing. Like a cold job. Reminds you that you're alive."
"Because you feel like it's killing you?"
"...No comment. But I'm really not trying to mess with her. I just want the people at her party to actually be able to eat."
"As someone on the guest list, I appreciate it."
"Appetizers, check. What's next?"
A few hours later, Robin hangs up the phone after bargaining with an antiques dealer over the chandelier Sofia apparently has to have at the party. "I think that's actually everything. Drinks?" I grin as Robin moves to the cart in the corner of his office, casually pouring two glasses.
"I have to say, I'm pretty impressed by the way you tackled everything. When we first met, I figured you were..."
"Just a party boy?"
"Can you blame me?"
"I know Lee Know introduced me as his assistant, but my actual title is Deputy Chief Operating Officer. It's a little more complicated than taking messages and scheduling meetings. There are days Lee Know and I don't even see each other...or our father, for that matter."
"'Our father'? I thought you were just unofficial siblings."
"I lived with the Lees throughout middle and high school. They practically adopted me, all that was missing was the paperwork." Robin seems suddenly preoccupied with his drink, trying to act a little too casual. "Lee Know always had everything handed to him growing up, no questions asked. the important job, the cute kids, the fancy fiancée... But me? I've had to work for everything, and it's still not enough. I'm right behind him though. It's a close call which one of us will win in the end."
"Do I sense a little sibling rivalry here?"
"Of course not. I wouldn't be here at all if it weren't for him. I'm sure he's going to be awarded the position of CEO after Dad, and he's going to marry Sofia. It's practically a done deal. I'm just next in line in case he totally F's it up."
"Really? I didn't know that..."
"Yeah, it's just too bad Lee Know and Sofia...Never mind."
What? He can't leave me hanging like that! I bet I can get Robin to give me the deets on this so-called engagement.
"It's too bad that Lee Know and Sofia...what?"
"I probably shouldn't be airing all our dirty laundry in front of a complete stranger..."
"I'm not a stranger! And sometimes I literally do Lee Know's laundry. Don't I deserve to know what I'm cleaning up."
"I thought you weren't a maid?"
"I'm not, but it's physically impossible to take care of two seven-year-old boys and not do the wash sometimes."
"Fair enough. Their engagement has a lot more to do with business than love. It's basically an arranged marriage."
"An arranged marriage? That makes a lot more sense. I just couldn't figure out what Lee Know could possibly see in Sofia."
"I mean, she is beautiful, wealthy, and smart. The fact that she's also a real piece of work is mostly an addendum. Our dad, he's what you might call...conservative. He won't step down as CEO until Lee Know marries Sofia and merges the empires."
"Seriously?"
"I know, right? To be fair, Lee Enterprises plus Russo Industries is a heady combination...much like this scotch."
Robin takes a sip from his drink.
"Still..."
"Oh, you're not wrong about it being backwards as hell. But Dad thinks having a wife and kids will help cement a man in his life."
"And the fact that Lee Know already had both those things?"
"Utterly beside the point. Deep down, I think Dad does want Lee Know to be happy, but he's a 'my way or the highway' sorta guy."
"Your dad sounds like a real asshole. You can't just force people to do what you want, no matter how good you think it is for them."
"Oh, he's not forcing Lee Know. He entered the arrangement willingly enough. I, for one, didn't think he'd go through with it. I figured he'd tell Dad off, maybe even resign. But here we are, planning the engagement party, so..."
Robin shrugs.
"Fact of the matter is, Lee Know already married for love once. And he's told me he doesn't think lightning strikes the same place twice."
"He doesn't think he'll ever find love again?"
"Pretty much. Explains the 'what the hell' sentiment behind this whole thing, if you ask me."
I shake my head, surprised at the pang in my chest at Robin's words. "Poor Lee Know..."
"Sofia's not so bad. If you have to settle down, why not settle with a rich, beautiful robot?"
"Fair point. But Sofia is terrible with the twins."
"(Y/N), everyone is terrible with the twins. It took Lee Know months to find you."
"Really?"
Robin gives me a long unreadable look..
"Anyway, Sofia doesn't care. She and Lee Know want the same thing, to advance in their companies."
"What do you mean? Is Sofia going to be CEO of Russo Industries too?"
"According to her father? Absolutely not. But he'll be hard-pressured to find a reasonable excuse if she manages to merge them with Lee Enterprises and get the board's backing."
I take a deep drink from my glass before asking my next question.
"Do you think they will last?"
"Lee Know's practically built for long-term commitment. I wouldn't be surprised if it lasted."
"Even though they aren't really in love?"
"Lots of married people aren't in love. And I know Lee Know wouldn't want to put the boys through any more upheaval than they've already had in their lives. I'd put money on them being together until the twins go off to college if not longer."
I take another sip of my drink as I try to process everything I just learned.
"Did I ever tell you about the time Sofia tried to order a pizza over the phone? It was hilarious. She asked if the 'caterers' had been to Le Cordon Bleu, or if it was just the chef."
"The caterers?"
"She meant the delivery drivers."
I giggle, accidently dribbling some of my drink onto my top.
"Crap!"
"Here, let me help you."
Robin springs up and grabs a handful of napkins.
"I know how this sounds, but that stain is less likely to set if you take your top off..."
"You're not getting me out of my clothes that easily."
Robin smiles, leaning close and carefully dabbing at the droplets.
"Hey, you can't blame a guy for trying."
"A-hem." I gasp as Lee Know steps into the office, staring down his brother...whose hand is still on my breast. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Lee Know!"