Their Maid // Ateez ff

Chapter 1: Advertisement

As I walk out of the hospital on the last day of my fourth year, I breathe out heavily, trying my best to figure out what to do. 

Over the Summer vacation I won't have the same tutoring jobs paying my bills and my jobs here at the café on campus will cease to give me that steady way of paying the loan sharks. 

I take in my surroundings, the city suddenly seeming much duller and more uninviting, my brain buzzing as I try to find a way out of this mess.

Last year, I'd managed to land a cleaning job at a motel. Well, luckily is putting it generously. My hands got wrecked after all the scrubbing, and I had headaches for months even after the job ended, thanks to all the chemical fumes hanging in the air.

I think I nearly killed myself a few times by creating chloramine.

Don't mix ammonia and bleach, kids.

As I round the corner near my apartment, something catches my eye—an old, peeling flyer stuck to the side of a telephone pole. It's probably been hanging here for some time. My steps slow as I lean in closer to read it.

Looking for a maid. 7.500.000 KRW per month

The words are followed by a phone number and a small note at the bottom: Call to inquire. Must be available for full-time work. Accommodation included. Send a picture with details.

My stomach tightens with a mix of hope and hesitation. It looks sketchy—something about the lack of information, the urgency, and the fact that someone might've already taken the job offer. But at this point, I'm desperate, and desperate people do stupid things. It is a lot of money.

The flyer doesn't even mention who I'd be working for. A group of boys, it says. How many boys? What kind of job would this even be? Cleaning? Cooking? Something worse?

Still, the thought of getting accommodation amongst other things and having a few less thing to worry about is tempting. I take a photo of the flyer with my phone and quickly walk away, stuffing my hands in my pockets, trying not to overthink it.

I walk inside my apartment, locking the door as I get in, and sit down on the couch. 

I pull out my phone and look at the picture for a bit, deciding to type out a message in the whim. 

Hi, I saw your ad for a maid position. I'm interested in learning more. I can send my info and picture if you'd like.

I hesitate before hitting send. What if it's a scam? But the thought of my empty bank account makes me press the button anyway. I have to pay off the loan somehow, and it does seem to pay well. I need about 6.000.000 KRW a month to pay it off, but if I give more, I might get out of it sooner. 

Almost immediately, my phone buzzes with a reply: Send your details. Age, availability, allergies, dietary restrictions, any medical conditions.

Allergies? Medical conditions?

I frown, wondering why they'd need to know that before even meeting me. But then again, maybe they're just trying to be responsible. I shrug it off and quickly type out my information, attaching a selfie. Nothing too glamorous, just simple and professional. 

With a shaky hand, I hit send and wait for what feels like an eternity before my phone buzzes again:

You're in. Start tomorrow. Details will be provided on arrival. Here's the address. 

My breath catches in my throat as I stare at the message. No interview, no questions—just like that, I'm in.

---