Forever

Chapter 2: Back Home

"I'm home..." Yeji stares at the mansion in front of her.

Yoohyeon was not lying when she said she took care of the mansion. The grasses cut, the shrubberies trimmed, the pond cleaned, and even the paint of the mansion seemed freshly painted. It feels like the mansion is alive and occupied. And now Yeji is starting to wonder about the fraction of the inheritance Yoohyeon used for the maintenance.

"I hope that fraction is not 1/2......" Yeji shakes her head, unlocking the main gate.

With her carrier in tow, she walks the tarmac of the mansion. The memories of her childhood start to pour in while she walks down the road. It has been seven years since then. Seven years since the dark night that changed her life into the way it is right now. It was all good times until then, and that making Yeji tearing up.

"Yoohyeon-unnie even planted the same roses as Mom used to have... Yep. This is definitely 1/2." Yeji chuckles as she touches the pink rose at the main garden gently, giving it a quick whiff for the aroma.

Now that she has reached the main entrance, she searches for the keycard to unlock it. To her surprise, the door suddenly unlocked and opened from the inside. As the double doors wide opened, inside stand four women wearing maid outfit. Yeji immediately freezes upon seeing them, her slant eyes opened as wide as they could.

"Good afternoon, Madam Hwang. We were expecting you." The maid in shoulder lengthed blue hair greets her with a bow. The rest follow her action, bowing all the same.

"Wh- wha- Who are you?! And what are you doing in my mansion?!" Yeji squeaks, her voice high pitched.

"Pardon my manner, Madam Hwang. I should've introduced myself first. I am Shin Ryujin; the head maid of your mansion. This is my staffs; Choi Jisu, Lee Chaeryeong, and Shin Yuna. Ladies, please introduce yourself to Madam Hwang." The head maid introduces herself, gesturing to her staffs to do the same.

"Good afternoon, Madam Hwang. I'm Lee Chaeryeong. I'm in charge of your kitchen." The woman with the auburn hair greets, her face reminded Yeji of a fox. A cute fox.

"I'm Choi Jisu. I'm in charge of your garden. You can call me Lia." Lia bows, a warm smile on her lips as she greets Yeji.

"So, Lia. As for Julia?" Yeji tilts her head. Lia nods, approving the conjecture.

"So you're the one that planted the pink roses in the main garden?"

"Yes. Miss Yoohyeon requested for it. Do you like it, Madam Hwang?" A speck of worry arises from Lia's face, afraid that the choice of flowers did not meet the new lady's preference.

"Definitely. A job well done, Lia. And you have to be Shin Yuna, right?" Yeji turns to Yuna. The puppy startles, flustering so bad she stutters.

"Y- y- yes! Shin Yuna, at your service! I- I- chambermaid!" Yuna bows 90°, squeaking her words out. Ryujin sighs, rubbing her forehead at her youngest staff's action before apologizing to Yeji.

"I apologize for my staff, Madam Hwang. Yuna is the newest member of my staff. Please pardon her manner." Ryujin bows once more on behalf of Yuna.

"Ryujin, Chaeryeong, Lia, and Yuna. Alright. I remember your names. Sorry, but can you help me with this?" Yeji pulls the handle of her huge carrier.

Immediately Lia and Chaeryeong tend to her while Ryujin leads her into the mansion. Yeji stops for a moment at the great staircase, staring at a specific spot of the step. Ryujin realises Yeji is not following her, turns around to check.

"Madam Hwang?" Ryujin calls, her voice soft.

"You cleaned it up..." Yeji mutters.

As the one who had been taking care of the mansion, Ryujin knows what Yeji was referring to. When they first stepped into the mansion, everything is in a mess. And the truth of the mansion was exposed, explaining the reason why it was left in such a state. The one on the grand staircase would be the beginning of the puzzle.