Loveless in Seoul

Chapter 6

Living with Jihoon felt like living with a ghost. He was rarely home, from the early hours in the morning to deep into the evening he was at work or the gym. If he was home, we would be in separate rooms. I would only hear the small sounds of life in the other room. Though, after a week I began to think having a ghost as a roommate wouldn't feel as lonely as living with him did.

Even on the weekend when he was home, he was either in his bedroom or his office. I tried to lure him out with food, but he would shoo me away and then come out for leftovers once I was in my bedroom. I began to feel like a hermit crab, even more so when my art supplies arrived in the mail. I set it all up in the corner of my room by the massive window, and would spend hours drawing and painting. It only filled the void for so long before I was riddled with boredom again. I cooked, cleaned, and maintained the house as best as I could only to earn a nod from Jihoon before he would go back upstairs after work. At first, even I didn't quite understand why I was trying so hard for him. Yet I've been known to be a people pleaser and can't stand the idea of someone disliking me without a good reason. A ridiculous notion, I know. But one I simply cannot control.

By Sunday, I was desperate to interact with someone, even if it was with Jihoon. We had acknowledged that this marriage was all only on paper, but that didn't mean we couldn't be friends, right?

Jihoon was kept away in his office, and after a few deep breaths and words of artificial affirmation under my breath, I stepped up to his office door. Through it, I could hear the small and soft tapping of his keyboard. When I knocked, it stopped abruptly. There was a long pause before Jihoon spoke.

"What is it?"

"Can I come in?" I asked through the wooden door. Another great pause.

"Why?"

Oh my God, Jihoon. To give you a belly dance, that's why. 

"I want to talk."

He said nothing at first, like I was the strange one.

"Come in."

I rolled my eyes, opening the door and stepped inside. He sat behind his desk, his fingers glued to the black keyboard. His office was as beautiful as the rest of the home, with a stunning view of the city behind him, the sunlight pouring in and casting nearly a blue hue to his raven hair.

"What is it?" He asked, but he didn't bother turning away from his computer work.

"Um..." I began in a small voice, my hands behind my back as I felt my nerves betraying me suddenly "Do you want to have dinner with me tonight? I thought maybe we could go out somewhere. Or if you wanna stay in, I'd be happy to make us something. I went to the store and bought us some food the other day."

"You don't have to do that, you know." he said, a hint of irritation like he was scolding a child "I have someone hired to do the shopping once a week."

"I didn't know. Either way, I wanted to get out of the house for a bit." I shrugged meekly.

"Did you not have a personal assistant in New York do your food shopping?" he arched a brow at me, at last looking at me.

"I did growing up, but I started doing my own shopping once I moved out."

Jihoon's doe brown eyes flickered up and down me, scanning me like the robot he was. Once he was done assessing me, he turned back to his computer screen. Hid voice was soft, but he had somewhat of an annoyed tone and a hint of resignation.

"I told you a few days ago I do not have much time from work this next week. I thought you remembered."

"I know," I sighed, unable to hide my small pout as my gaze fell to the floor "I just thought maybe you could take a little break."

Jihoon's eyes flickered to me once again. He seemed to take in my disappointed expression and pout, but it only seemed to irritate him further.

"You will have to entertain yourself, Princess." he huffed, typing again on the keyboard as if to show that he was done with the conversation. "Why don't you just go out and make some friends? No one said you have to stay here all day."

"I know." I mumbled sheepishly, feeling flustered for being called out like that "I just don't feel confident enough to do that yet. Not until I have a better grasp at speaking Korean."

Jihoon said nothing, just gave a small shake of his head and turned back to his work on the computer screen.

"You won't even come down to eat?" I asked gently, but still tried to push it.

"I will later." he answered shortly.

"Do you at least enjoy the leftovers I leave in the fridge?"

"They're fine."

"Is there anything I can do to improve? I'd love to know what you're favorite dish is. I haven't made a lot of Korean dishes, but I'd be happy to learn-"

"Rose." he snapped, his eyes burning into me now. "I'm asking nicely. This project is incredibly important."

I felt anxiety in my stomach curdle when he raised his voice at me, my lips instantly forming a deep frown. I opened my mouth to speak, then snapped it shut. Instead I said nothing, just spun around on my heels and slammed the door on my way out. I had lost any appetite for food or for Jihoon's company.

Later that night, I laid in my bed staring out the window. I listened as I heard Jihoon open the door to his office and trot down the stairs. Savaging for food, I assume. He was out of luck since I didn't bother making any food. Serves him right, I can only hope the man child starves to death.

My phone suddenly went off with a ding, Jihoon's name lighting up on my screen. My eyebrows furrowed as I picked it up and opened the message.

Your tutor will be here at 4pm tomorrow, princess.

A small sigh flowed from my nose. I suppose tomorrow I'll save him leftovers. But not too much, since he keeps breaking my rule.