You had been sweeping for hours. At some point, time had stopped making sense, blending into the repetitive motion of pushing the broom across polished floors that already looked cleaner than anything you had ever owned in your life. At first, you had tried to keep count, first floor, second floor, but now your body only registered exhaustion.
Your arms felt heavy, your back stiff, and every step you took reminded you just how much work was still waiting for you. You paused for a moment, leaning slightly on the broom as you stared down the hallway you had just finished. It was spotless. Perfect. And yet, it didn't make you feel accomplished. It only reminded you that you still had three more floors, windows.
"…I should just disappear," you muttered quietly, letting your head fall back for a second before forcing yourself upright again.
"Soo Yoo."
You flinched slightly, immediately straightening your posture as you turned toward the familiar voice. Your grandmother stood behind you, her presence alone enough to make you feel like you had been caught doing something wrong, even though you were just breathing.
"Yes, Grandma?" you replied quickly.
"Take a break," she said, her tone calm but firm. "Eat something, then continue. I told Jihwa to cover for you until you return."
For a moment, you just stared at her, unsure if you had heard correctly. Then your expression shifted instantly, relief flooding your features as a bright smile spread across your face.
"Really?" you asked, almost too eagerly.
Her eyes narrowed slightly at your reaction. "…Yes."
"Thank you, Grandma," you said, your voice filled with genuine gratitude as you dropped the broom without hesitation. "You just saved my life."
"You are exaggerating."
"I'm not," you insisted, placing a hand dramatically over your chest. "I was seconds away from collapsing."
She ignored that completely.
Your gaze drifted to the bag in her hand, then to the change in her clothes. "Are you leaving now?" you asked.
"I have been here since six in the morning," she replied. "I am tired."
You nodded slowly, understanding immediately. She worked harder than anyone here. If anyone deserved rest, it was her.
"You should finish your work," she continued, already turning away. "And clean the kitchen after you are done with the windows."
Your smile dropped instantly.
"…The kitchen?" you repeated weakly.
"Yes."
You stared at her back, disbelief written all over your face. "But why me—" You stopped yourself mid-sentence, quickly stepping forward and clasping your hands together. "I'm sorry, Granny. I won't be late again. Please, show mercy?"
She paused. Slowly turned her head. Looked at you.
That look was enough.
"…I will clean the kitchen," you said immediately.
"Good," she replied, continuing toward the exit as if nothing had happened.
"Joana was supposed to help you," she added after a moment. "But her child is sick. She took him to the hospital."
For a second, frustration surged through you, sharp and overwhelming. You wanted to complain, to argue, to scream about how unfair this was. But instead, you took a deep breath, forcing your emotions down.
"…Of course," you muttered quietly. "Why wouldn't that happen today?"
"This is not her fault," your grandmother said.
"I know," you replied quickly. "I'm just tired."
She looked at you for a moment longer, then sighed softly. "Finish your work and come home safely."
You stepped forward and hugged her before she could leave. "I will. Don't worry."
She hesitated, then lightly patted your back before walking out through the large doors, leaving you alone once again.
The silence felt heavier now.
"…Okay," you whispered to yourself. "You can do this."
"Where did you stop?" Jihwa's voice called out.
You explained quickly before heading to the kitchen. The moment you opened the fridge and saw the neatly prepared plate with your name on it, something inside you softened. Even after everything, your grandmother had made sure you ate. You sat down in silence, the quiet kitchen wrapping around you as you slowly began eating. Every bite helped, just a little. Your muscles relaxed, your breathing steadied, but the exhaustion never fully left.
"…I really can't feel my arms anymore," you murmured.
Still, you finished everything, cleaned up, and forced yourself back to work.
When you returned upstairs, Jihwa turned toward you immediately. "Done?" she asked.
"I'm done," you replied, reaching for the broom.
Her face lit up instantly. "Perfect! I'm going home."
You froze. "…Take me with you."
She laughed. "Do you want us both dead?"
"…Right."
And just like that, she left.
You watched her go, your expression falling slightly. "…I tried."
The mansion grew quieter as time passed. One by one, the other servants finished their work and left, their voices fading until only silence remained. By the time you reached the kitchen again to finish the remaining tasks, the sky outside had already darkened. The large windows reflected the dim lights inside, making the space feel bigger… emptier.
You moved slower now, your body protesting with every movement as you cleaned, organized, and finished everything on your list. You were supposed to leave hours ago. 18:30. That had been your time.
But then—
"Soo Yoo."
You turned, immediately straightening when you saw Mrs. Black approaching.
"Yes, Ma'am?"
"I need a favor," she said gently. "Could you rearrange my eldest son's room? The others didn't quite understand what I wanted."
You hesitated.
Just for a second.
Your body begged you to say no.
But then she continued, "I'll give you the week off after today."
Your eyes widened slightly.
"…I'll do it."
His room was enormous.
That was the first thing you noticed.
It wasn't just a bedroom, it was an entire space of its own. A living area, a study, a walk-in closet, a bathroom bigger than your entire apartment… even a pool. You stood there for a moment, taking it all in before shaking your head and getting to work.
You replaced the curtains first, removing the long white drapes and switching them for heavy black ones. The light in the room changed instantly, becoming dimmer, colder. Then came the decorations. Bright colors disappeared, replaced by darker tones, black, deep brown, muted shades that made the entire room feel… different.
"He likes dark colors…" you murmured, recalling Mrs. Black's words.
You worked for over an hour before your body forced you to stop. After a short break, you continued, pushing through the exhaustion until everything was finally in place.
"I'm sorry for bothering you this much," Mrs. Black said softly when she returned. "Everyone else has already left. You should go home safely."
"It's okay, Ma'am," you replied, your voice tired but sincere. "I understand."
She smiled gently before reaching into her bag and pulling out a small white package. "Here. A thank you."
Your eyes widened. "Mrs. Black, you don't have to—"
"Take it," she insisted, placing it in your hands. "Also… for Elliot. He actually likes you. He just doesn't know how to show it."
You blinked in surprise.
"…He does?"
She laughed softly. "In his own way."
You smiled faintly, bowing your head. "Thank you."
"How I wish I had a daughter," she murmured before turning away. "Get home safely."
By the time you finished changing and put your uniform into the washing machine, the house was almost completely silent. Too silent. The kind of silence that made you aware of every small sound, your footsteps, your breathing, the faint hum of electricity in the walls. You walked toward the kitchen, your throat dry, your body craving water.
The lights were dim. Shadows stretched across the floor. And for the first time that day, you felt uneasy. You reached for the door. Pushed it open slowly.
And then, you froze.
A figure stood inside the kitchen, moving quietly, almost like a shadow itself, bending slightly over the counter, arranging something you couldn't quite make out. Your heart started pounding, loud, fast. Your fingers tightened around the doorframe. He hadn't noticed you. Not yet. He didn't turn, didn't speak. He was there… but unaware of your presence.
For a long, tense moment, you just watched, breath barely moving, every muscle locked in place. And a tiny, nervous thought whispered in your mind: Who is he? And what is he doing here?
You didn't dare move. You didn't dare make a sound. All you could do was stand frozen, feeling both terrified and strangely… curious.