As the plane touched down in Korea, Junpyo felt a familiar sense of duty wash over him. He had avoided coming back for so long, but family obligations had finally caught up with him.
Clara stood up, gathering her belongings. "Shall I go ahead and arrange for the car, Mr. Junpyo?" she asked, her voice efficient.
Junpyo nodded, his eyes fixed on the window as the plane taxied down the runway. "Yes, Clara. And make sure the driver knows to take the scenic route. I want to get a feel for the city again."
Clara nodded and quickly exited the plane, leaving Junpyo to collect his thoughts. As he followed her off the plane, the humid Korean air enveloped him, and he felt a sense of nostalgia wash over him.
The drive to the family estate was uneventful, with Clara working on her laptop and Junpyo staring out the window. As they approached the estate, Junpyo's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and sighed. His mother.
"Hello, Mother," he said, his voice neutral.
"Junpyo, darling! Welcome back to Korea," his mother said, her voice dripping with sweetness. "I trust you're settled in?"
Junpyo's eyes narrowed. "I'm on my way to the estate now, Mother. What do you need?"
"Oh, just a little family gathering tonight. Your father wants to see you. And, of course, there's someone I'd like you to meet."
Junpyo's gut twisted. He knew exactly what this meant. "I'll be there," he said, his voice tight.
As he hung up, Clara looked up from her laptop. "Everything okay, Mr. Junpyo?" she asked, her brow furrowed.
Junpyo's expression softened slightly. "Just family business, Clara. Nothing to worry about."
The car pulled up to the estate, and Junpyo's eyes widened as he took in the familiar sight. It was just as he had left it, grand and imposing. But something felt different. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.
As they stepped out of the car, Junpyo noticed a figure standing in the doorway. Bobae. She looked different from the other servants, with a quiet confidence that intrigued him.
"Welcome back, Mr. Junpyo," she said, her voice soft.
Junpyo's eyes lingered on her face for a moment before he nodded. "Thank you," he said, his voice a little softer than he intended.
As they entered the estate, Junpyo couldn't help but notice the way Bobae moved with a quiet efficiency, her eyes cast downward. He wondered what her story was and why she seemed so different from the others.
Meanwhile, Jinho watched from the shadows, his eyes fixed on Bobae as she greeted Junpyo. A spark of jealousy ignited within him, and he felt a sudden urge to claim her as his own.
"Bobae," he called out, his voice low and commanding.
Bobae's eyes flicked to Jinho's, and she quickly excused herself from Junpyo's side. "Yes, sir?" she asked, her voice demure.
Jinho's eyes narrowed. "Show me to my room. I need to change before dinner."
Bobae nodded and led Jinho to his room, her heart racing with anticipation. What would happen next? Would Junpyo's arrival change anything?
As Bobae helped Jinho change, she couldn't help but wonder about Junpyo. What was his story, and why did he seem so different from Jinho?
The questions swirled in her mind as she served dinner, her eyes meeting Junpyo's across the table. For a moment, their gazes locked, and Bobae felt a jolt of electricity.
What was happening? She was just a maid, after all. She shouldn't be noticing the way Junpyo's eyes crinkled at the corners or the way his smile seemed to light up the room.
But as the night wore on, Bobae found herself drawn to Junpyo, despite the danger that lurked beneath the surface. She knew she had to be careful, but she couldn't help the way she felt.
As the evening drew to a close, Bobae curtsied to the family and excused herself, her heart racing with excitement. She had a feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn't even imagine.