Just Enough For Her Little Dream: Book Two

In Joo

I go with Hwayoung unnie to the Lee mansion. She tells me that it might as well be called a palace since it is so large.

"Do you have some sort of transportation to get there?"

"Either my sister or her boyfriend will drive me there every time. If not, I'll take the bus."

"The bus only stops just before entering the Lee property. It's very exclusive. If you do go on the bus, you will have to walk for a little while to get to their estate."

I nod at her instructions and let my curious mind wonder about the Lee estate. It sounds so prestigious. I used to gawk over rich people and their lives, but now I am careful. In-kyung has bothered me so much throughout the week about this.

Be careful, please. Don't open up too much. Don't talk about our past. Don't mention what we've done in Seoul. Keep a low profile. You're only there to clean and that's it.

At one point I got annoyed at her. She acts like I'm a child, but I know she only does this because she cares for me. If there's anyone that fell into money's trap first, it's me.

So I keep her cautious words close to my heart as I look out the window as the world begins to change into this majestic land. It almost looks like a kingdom. Unnie was right. They are practically royalty.

We have to go through several stops for security checks. At the last one, Unnie says her full name and mine, and the men talk on their walkie talkies. After a long moment, they open the gates for us to pass.

Not ever have I seen such a glorious land like the one I'm entering. Jongho was right. It is like a mini city here. They have acres of gardens and lakes. They have all sorts of livestock and some men even stand guard with horses. The most beautiful trees and flowers all grow in their perfect spots on the estate. This is just the introduction. When we enter the driveway toward the mansion, my mouth falls agape.

It is literally the size of a palace. I am left speechless at its architecture. It's nothing I've seen before in Seoul or Singapore. It almost carries an old money aesthetic from its careful statues made of stone and towers combined with pillars of marble. I can only imagine how it looks inside.

We are guided to park by the water fountain in the middle of a circular parking space in front of the front entrance. There are doormen ready to open our car doors and doorman ready to open the large wooden doors of the entrance. As we step out, I suddenly feel so small among such beauty. It almost feels like I've made a wrong turn and made the mistake to show how out of place I am here. But the front doors open and an old lady comes out with a wrinkly smile. Her eyes shine with happiness when she sees Hwayoung. I can't believe unnie is friends with people like these. They may come in clutch at some point for sure.

"Hwayoung. It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Madam Lee. It's a pleasure to see you again after so many years." Hwayoung bows and I do the same. As I look down at my shoes with my bow, I become extra aware of my clothing. I should've looked for something nicer. I look like a mess. Even the Lady of the House looks majestic in her flowy, wide dress made of silk.

Madam Lee takes unnie's hand with such tenderness. She must have made quite an impact on this family. Well, I guess she does that with everyone she meets since she's become my only friend in this country. "How is your little one? How old is she now? She must be..."

"She's five years old now." I learn something new about unnie every day. Today, I'm surprised to know that she seems to have a daughter.

"Ah. She must be as beautiful as her mother." Madam Lee looks at me now and I give her a respectful smile. She studies me from head to toe for a second before giving me a smile of approval. "And you must be our new housekeeper. Oh In-joo, was it?"

"Yes. It's a pleasure meeting you, Madam Lee. Thank you so much for the opportunity."

She smiles at my humble gratitude and she nods. "Yes. I remember when I was in your shoes before my family got to this. I appreciate helping those who are sincerely and truly need it. I hope you will be as amazing as our Hwayoung."

I do a small chuckle and Hwayoung gives me a proud smile I tend to give my sisters sometimes. "She's even better. You'll love her."

"Well, shall we go in? You won't be working today, Ms. Oh, but I do wish to know about you. My dear Hwayoung. I do hope you will be joining us?"

Unnie does a respectful nod and says, "If you wish for me to stay, I shall." Madame Lee grows even happier and starts to guide us up the stairs of her palace.

I'm noticing the way unnie is speaking. It is a formality above I've never known before. It almost feels like talking to the royal bloodline. The only thing missing is "your majesty" or "your highness" at the end of each sentence. I really have to get used to it. I hope I don't sound too informal even with my basic formal responses.

The inside is just as glorious as the outside. The pillars are made of white marble and the ceiling is made of paintings I've never seen before. I can't help but stop and look all around me. At each turn, there is a new hallway that takes into a different open space of the mansion. I hope I don't get too lost here.

"In-joo."

I'm taken out of my silent awestruck observation as unnie calls out to me. She gestures at me to keep close and I quickly catch up to stand next to her. Madame Lee takes us to a gorgeous dining area that feels almost like a studio. No. I'd say that it is a library meant as a study room, too. The walls are surrounded by wooden shelves of books beyond books and some shelves are slid over to reveal several green chalkboards.

"This is my grandson's studio. He often likes to do his business work here or study. But he is not in the mansion right now. He's usually doing his equestrian lessons at this time. So we have about an hour left until he comes and kicks out."

Hwayoung does a soft laugh. "Yes. I remember Mister Lee. He had quite the temper."

"Yes. He has become silent since my son and his wife died. I am afraid he has disappeared into a world he lets very few people in. I wonder when he will be done grieving for him to come back to this world." Hwayoung does a sympathetic nod and my curious mind runs for this new person in this estate. So he is trapped in a world he has created? Death has trapped him and he's gotten used to it.

My heart seems to understand this person. I once had nothing but a heart filled with empty dreams after so much despair with the Park scandal. But I found a new world. I found a way out of the world that tried to tie me down. I hope he finds his escape someday, too.

"Well, Ms. Oh," Madame Lee says as one of the maids finishes putting down the tea set. "Tell me about yourself. I hope to know you well enough to let you in this home."

Unnie. Be careful. You know how our experience has been with rich families.

I sit up straighter and listen to my heart that will always choose the safety of my sisters. So I will let her have the surface of my story. Not everyone is brave or strong enough to go deeper into our past. They could drown like we almost did.