From Reluctance to Desire: A Mafia Story [JJK]

✨THE COLD STARE AND THE UNSEEN DANCE✨

A week had passed since the wedding, each day blending into the next in a blur of cold stares from Jungkook and an overwhelming sense of isolation. But this morning, something was different. A soft, sweet voice woke me from my sleep. Startled, I sat up in bed, my heart pounding as I faced the unexpected guest.

"Good morning, Mrs. Jeon," the woman said with a warm smile. She looked poised, dressed in a neat uniform. "I'm Juliana, the head maid of the household and you can call me Julia."

Confusion furrowed my brow. "I thought there were no maids here... only a few guards."

The woman chuckled softly, her tone friendly. "Oh no, ma'am. There are ten maids, two cooks, three gardeners, and 27 guards stationed around the property for your protection. Additionally, there are Jungkook's personal guards—Alex Edmund and Luca Wilhelmus. You just haven't seen much of us yet."

I blinked, absorbing the information. All this time, I had felt utterly alone, wandering the house in solitude, not realizing there was an entire staff present. The realization hit me like a wave of relief. I wasn't as isolated as I had thought.

The maid, whose name I learned was Hana, led me downstairs, her steps light and graceful. As we descended into the large, polished foyer, she began introducing me to the rest of the staff. The cooks greeted me with polite nods from the kitchen, the gardeners waved from the windows overlooking the expansive garden, and the guards stationed around the house acknowledged me with quiet respect.

As I met the other maids, I felt a sudden warmth spread through me. They were all kind, polite, and welcoming. For the first time since I had moved into this grand, cold mansion, I felt like I wasn't completely alone.

Hana smiled warmly as she guided me around. "We're here to help with anything you need, Mrs. Jeon. You don't have to worry about a thing."

I smiled back at her, a sense of comfort creeping in. "Thank you... I'm really glad to meet you all."

The loneliness that had weighed on me for days felt lighter, like a burden I didn't have to carry anymore. There were people here, people who seemed to care in their way. As I walked through the house with Juliana, I felt a strange sense of belonging, even if it was just for a brief moment.

I was still taking in the warmth and friendliness of the staff when I asked, "Where were all of you for the past week?" The curiosity in my voice was clear—I had felt so alone, yet the house was supposed to be full of people.

One of the maids, Hana, smiled softly and replied, "Mr. Jeon's father gave us a week's leave after the wedding, ma'am. Only a few guards were left in your house to ensure your safety during that time."

Her words caught me off guard. My safety? And then something else struck me—the way she said "Your house." The phrase felt strange, almost foreign to me as if this mansion could ever really feel like my home.

As I mulled over that thought, my eyes drifted to a tall, blonde-haired man with a deep brown complexion, standing quietly to the side. His presence was striking—he looked strong, with a sharp, attentive gaze. Hana introduced him as Alex, one of Jungkook's personal guards. Beside him stood a black-haired, pale-skinned man who looked equally imposing but more reserved. His name was Luca.

Both men introduced themselves with a polite, almost formal respect that made me uncomfortable. I immediately tried to lighten the mood. "Please, just call me Y/N. There's no need for all this formal stuff."

But they quickly shook their heads, almost in unison. "That wouldn't be appropriate, Mrs. Jeon," Luca replied softly, his voice deep and respectful. There was no bending this rule, it seemed.