An abrupt set of footsteps came behind Ji-ah, making her jump. She whirled around and found herself face-to-face with a middle-aged woman looking at her with an enigmatic expression.
She was dressed in a dark bow blouse and long black sleek pants, her hair neatly tied into a low bun. The woman stood upright, her posture composed and calm. Ji-ah guessed that the woman was someone of authority in this place. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she was caught red-handed. She shouldn't have eavesdropped.
"Miss, how may I help you?" The woman asked in a measured tone.
Simultaneously, the voice from the room stopped, leaving only silence in the hallway.
"I.. was looking for the bathroom! Yeah. Do you know where it is?" She blurted out, managing to bluff as she mentally scolded herself for her nosiness. She quickly composed herself, trying to act nonchalant.
The woman nodded politely, her demeanor unfazed. "The bathroom is that way, miss." She pointed toward the opposite end of the hallway.
"Oh alright, thank you." Ji-ah quickly bowed and backtracked, hoping the woman wouldn't ask her any questions.
She entered the bathroom and heaved a sigh. The bathroom was rather modern, a stark contrast to the mansion's historical look. She decided to stall in the bathroom for a while to avoid seeing the woman again when she leaves. She checked her hair in the mirror when her phone buzzed in her pocket.
Haeun:
Ji-ah where are you? I've been looking for you. Please reply me.
21:49
You
I'm in the bathroom. I'm coming back.
21:50
Haeun must've been worried. Ji-ah took in the breath and pulled the bathroom door slowly, peeking out to the hallway. Luckily, the woman was already gone. As she was leaving, she heard the young woman's voice again from the room just now.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Kim, I can't work here anymore."
Ji-ah couldn't help but be nosy again. Something was wrong, and she needed to know.
"What do you mean by that?" It was the voice from the woman that caught her just now.
"It was great working with you. I'm sorry I can't be here any longer." The young woman sounded distressed.
The door swung open, and the young woman rushed out into the hallway. Ji-ah quickly ducked behind a pillar, holding her breath.
"She left." Mrs. Kim's voice sounded from the room. There was a moment of silence.
"Yes, Your Highness." She continued. She was talking on the phone.
Your Highness? Was the woman talking with the host? Ji-ah stood still behind the pillar, waiting for the woman to leave. She cautiously peered out when she heard the door close, seeing the woman leaving around the corner. She really needed to get back to Haeun now.
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𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 | 정원
Fanfiction𝕭𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊─── "Dance for me." The figure on the throne said. Her throat felt dry. Even in the dark, she could sense his eyes on her, tracking her every move. She couldn't place what it was, but something about his intimidating aura made...