Chapter 14

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"Can I help you?" Jisoo peeks inside the kitchen shyly as the chief and maids turn around to look at her from cooking.

The head of housemaids, Jihyo, closes the stove and looks at her for a moment before giving her a nod to come inside.

Jisoo bows and enters the kitchen. "I have nothing to do upstairs so I just want to give you a hand, if you don't mind." She kindly requests Jihyo.

The woman in her late forties, Jihyo, gives her a smile. "You are our young master's darling and soon to be the lady of this household. I don't think I can order you, dear."

"You can treat me normally, Aunt. I will always be a commoner even if I'm Tae's girlfriend. Also, I'd like to help you when you prepare breakfast. That way, I can learn how to use the utensils and where they are placed in the future."

Looking at the girl heedfully, Jihyo and the maids start to give her a tour around the kitchen that is as vast as one house. Memorizing what they instruct, Jisoo makes a friendly bond with all the workers and helps them prepare breakfast for everyone.

"You'll get the burns so let me do it instead, Jisooya." Jihyo tries to move her away as she's too persistent to fry the chicken, not afraid of the oil splashing on her body.

"Aunt, I've been doing this for a very long time and I can handle this much. So don't worry." She flashes the woman a big smile and turns the drumsticks up and down easily.

"Oh my, what is going on here? Everyone is gathering up." Grandma walks into the kitchen curiously and all the workers greet her with a bow in unison. "Oh, Jisooya. You are cooking with them?"

Closing the shove for safety, Jisoo replies energetically. "Yes, Grandma!" She hands the rest to Jihyo and washes her hands to follow after Grandma.

"Why are you doing the houseworks? You should take a rest or look around the mansion. After all, you're going to be this mansion's lady. You'll be in charge of all the responsibilities for the household." Grandma and Jisoo strolls to the dining room hand in hand.

"I know, Grandma. That's why I want to be familiar with all the places and befriend the people who work here. They are very kind." 

"It's because you are affable, Jisooya. If it's anyone else, I don't think they will be this nice to them." Grandma laughs, patting her head affectionately.

Jisoo feels the love of a family that has been a void in her heart from Grandma. 

Grandma takes in her reaction. "Taetae must have told you about our family's matters. Yes. We may lead a luxurious life but never a peaceful one. Which is why I was dubious about the partner he's going to choose and caused a big deal. As the heir, the weight of family business lands on his shoulders. He can't just choose anyone to marry into our family." She holds her hand gently. "Now that I know it is you who is going to be beside him and face all the hardships, I am at peace."

The smile she returns to Grandma doesn't reach her eyes at all. The guilt is eating her alive. One day, her lies and deceptions will be revealed. And she doesn't think that she can bear to see Grandma's reaction.

That she isn't actually affable nor kind. The current one is fake. Nothing about her is real right now.

***

“The breakfast is lavish today.” Mingyu sat down beside his wife as he rolled the sleeves up. “And also very appetizing.” His eyes set on Jisoo. “I heard you helped and prepared together with them, Jisoo.”

Giving him a nod, she smiles expectantly. “I did, Mr. Kim.”

“You are going to be my daughter soon. Call me Dad from now on, okay?” 

“Yes…Dad.” 

That earns a cluster of affectionate chuckles from the table. Everyone starts to have breakfast with the spoons clicking on the plates and bowls. Jisoo chews slowly and deliberately, wondering how she has been seeing rich people in negative lights since she was a kid and she realizes she doesn't have the right to judge Taehyung's mother for being paranoid. After all, no one can know who is bad or good unless you have lived with them closely.

You should not decide one’s personality upon hearsay and rumor. They can be exaggerated by envious people from person to person. The Kim family is indeed ostentatious in public eyes but deep down, they are just another ordinary family that has conflicts and discords.

She almost flinches when Taehyung leans closer to her and whispers, “Let's go meet your brother today.”

Her head turns to him with surprised eyes. It's just two days since she hasn't seen her brother and only gets to call Mrs. Bae to know his condition through the phone. She feels relaxed, it is actually thoughtful of him to personally help her when he has done more than the promised contract deal.

“Alright.” She gives him a slow nod and continues to eat.

***

“He can be released from the hospital.” The doctor says. “But the scars on his face need extra care to not leave them permanently. The kid is very sentimental right now because of the violence. I suggest you to watch after him closely and do not leave him alone, not out of sight. He's hot-tempered as you know.”

Acquiescing whatever the doctor says, Jisoo quickly glances at Seokjin who is sitting on the bed inside the room. He has changed his hospital clothes and is ready to leave as soon as possible. She wants to give her brother a big hug that everything is going to be fine and she is never going to abandon him, ever again, but that is all in her head. She can't force her way inside his heart right now. He needs time to heal.

“Thank you.” She murmurs and moves away from the room, not wanting Seokjin to see her face and throw a fit again.

When she turns around, Taehyung is there waiting for her. Giving him a light smile, she walks to him.

“Are you okay?” He asks, matching her gentle steps. “What are we going to do about him?”

“I don't know. Even though I want him to stay with me, I can't do that since I am living with you right now. And he won't agree either.”

“There are so many spare rooms in my mansion—”

“Tae.” She stops him immediately. “I don't want to take advantage of your kindness. I owe you so much already and you know how much I hate to burden someone constantly.”

“You are not burdening me at all. In fact, you are saving me from my own misery too. We are helping each other, remember? Isn't he living with your aunt's family? How come I don't see them around when Seokjin has been hospitalized for days?”

She sighs. “I think they don't want to come because they're afraid I might ask them to pay for the bills…” a bitter smile forms on her lips. “I realized too late how my Jinnie is suffering in that family. What if they used the money I gave them monthly for their benefits and not for him? I thought living with a family and owned household was better than my shabby apartment. He must have been mistreated by that family without my knowledge.”

“Hey, don't blame yourself.” His hand gently holds her wrist, catching her off-guard. He overlaps his hand on hers. “Let's take him to my mansion.” When she opens her mouth to deny. “Listen to me. He is still a highschool student and apparently faced a traumatic incident. How can you let him stay in that family again? He can't live alone either. Jisoo, don't reject it. Because you have no reason to feel guilty at all. I want to help you on my own account.”

“But…” she trails off. “How can I talk to him when he hates to see me?”

Squeezing her hand a little, he assures her. “I will talk to him.”

Her eyes widen. “Will it work out? He doesn't know you…”

“I'll let him know all of our plans and schemes and try to convince him. He may be a grumpy kid but I'm sure if we induce him with understandable reasons, it will work out.”

She can't tell that method will work out as he said but she has to try at least. She can't let Seokjin out of her sight. Not anymore.

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