Marry the Billionaire's Daughter

9. Fear

The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the garden as Chaeyoung awoke to the soft warmth on her face. She blinked her eyes open, realizing she was still outside, leaning against the tree. Slowly sitting up, she noticed Jisoo was gone, leaving behind only a faint impression in the grass where she had been sitting.

Chaeyoung stretched and rubbed her eyes, her thoughts swirling as she recalled the night before. It had been a peaceful moment with Jisoo-surprisingly so. Something about the eldest Kim sister was... different. Despite her aloof nature, there had been a vulnerability in her eyes, a fleeting moment of softness that Chaeyoung had caught just before falling asleep.
She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. It didn't matter. Jisoo was still her employer, and whatever connection she thought she might have felt was likely nothing more than wishful thinking.
By the time Chaeyoung made it back to her room, she felt more composed. She washed up, changed into her uniform, and prepared herself for another day of work. She had a job to do, after all, and she couldn't afford to get distracted.

As the day unfolded, the mansion bustled with preparations for an upcoming event. Chaeyoung found herself swept up in the whirlwind of activity, working alongside Lisa and the other maids to ensure everything was in place for another grand gathering.
By midday, she was helping arrange flowers in the grand ballroom when Jennie entered, her presence lighting up the room as usual. Jennie was different from her sister in so many ways-warmer, more approachable, and always smiling. She greeted everyone cheerfully, her eyes immediately landing on Chaeyoung.

"Chaeyoung!" Jennie called out, making her way over. "How are you holding up?"

Chaeyoung smiled, wiping her hands on her apron. "I'm doing well. Just trying to keep up with everything."

Jennie tilted her head, her expression mischievous. "I heard you were out in the garden with my sister last night."

Chaeyoung froze, her heart skipping a beat. "Oh, um, yes. She joined me while I was reading."

Jennie raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. "Jisoo doesn't usually take walks at night, especially with someone new. Interesting..."

Chaeyoung flushed, unsure of what to say. "We didn't talk about much. She just... sat with me."

Jennie chuckled softly, as if she found the whole situation amusing. "Well, that's more than she usually does with anyone. Be careful with her, though. My sister... she's complicated."

Chaeyoung nodded, not sure how to respond. She didn't want to overthink things, but Jennie's words lingered in her mind. Was there something more behind Jisoo's actions last night? Or was it just a rare moment of kindness?

Before she could dwell on it further, Jennie's tone shifted, growing more serious. "Speaking of my sister... You've probably noticed that she doesn't really... engage with the staff. It's not personal-she just has a lot on her plate with the family business and expectations."

Chaeyoung nodded, feeling a little more at ease with the explanation. "I understand."

Jennie's eyes softened. "I just don't want you to think that she's cold. She has her reasons for being distant, but deep down... she's a good person."

Chaeyoung smiled faintly. "Thanks for telling me."

Jennie gave her a reassuring smile and reached out to gently squeeze her shoulder before moving on to check on the other preparations. Chaeyoung watched her go, feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion. Jennie's protectiveness over Jisoo was clear, but it only added to the mystery surrounding her.

Later that night, Chaeyoung found herself outside again, this time sitting on a stone bench near the garden. The cool night air was refreshing, and the quiet was a welcome break from the day's hectic pace.
She stared up at the stars, her mind wandering back to her mother and the letter she had sent. She hoped her mother was doing well and that this job would help her get the treatment she needed. The mansion, while luxurious, felt like a world away from the struggles she had faced growing up.
Footsteps broke her thoughts, and she turned to see Jisoo approaching once again, dressed in her casual nightwear. Chaeyoung felt her heart skip, a nervousness settling in her stomach.

"You're outside again," Jisoo remarked, her voice low and almost playful.

Chaeyoung smiled awkwardly. "Yeah, I guess I just like the fresh air."

Jisoo took a seat beside her, her posture relaxed. "You seem to enjoy solitude."

Chaeyoung nodded. "It's peaceful out here. Plus, it gives me time to think."

They sat in silence for a moment, the night wrapping around them like a comforting blanket. Chaeyoung could feel the tension in the air, though she wasn't sure if it was from her own nerves or something lingering between them.

"Chaeyoung," Jisoo said suddenly, her tone softer than usual. "What do you think of this place? Of... us?"

The question caught Chaeyoung off guard. She blinked, trying to form a coherent response. "I think... it's beautiful here. Everything is so well-kept and organized. As for the people... I think everyone is kind in their own way."

Jisoo tilted her head slightly, her eyes searching Chaeyoung's face. "And me?"

Chaeyoung felt her cheeks heat up at the directness of the question. "I don't know you that well," she admitted. "But... you're different from what I expected."

Jisoo seemed to consider her words, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Different how?"

"Not as cold as I thought," Chaeyoung replied honestly, earning a soft chuckle from Jisoo.

"You're very observant," Jisoo said. "Most people just assume."

"I try not to assume," Chaeyoung replied. "I've been judged enough to know that first impressions don't always tell the whole story."

Jisoo's expression softened, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. "Maybe you're right."

They fell into a comfortable silence once again, the quiet night surrounding them. As Chaeyoung stared up at the sky, she couldn't help but feel a growing connection to Jisoo-something that she couldn't quite explain.

But whatever it was, it scared her.