The evening air was still cool when Minho slipped the sleek black Lamborghini into the driveway of the Jejjuk mansion, the low rumble of the engine echoing off the stone walls like a promise. Bobae sat beside him, her school uniform rumpled from the day's chaos, her eyes wide with a mixture of relief and lingering fear. The mansion's massive front doors were already closed; the only light came from the lanterns that flickered in the garden, casting long fog across the polished marble.
"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you back to the dorm?" Minho asked, his voice softer than the roar of the car. He glanced at the empty space where Jinho's silhouette should have been. The boy who had claimed Bobae as his own had vanished, his pride bruised after the cafeteria showdown, leaving Bobae trembling in the passenger seat.
Bobae shook her head, a faint smile breaking through the tension. "I'll be fine. Thank you, Minho. For… everything." She reached out, her fingers brushing his hand for a brief moment before pulling back, as if afraid the contact might betray the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
Minho gave a small, reassuring nod. "Just… stay safe. I'll see you tomorrow." He waved at her then pressed the accelerator, the Lamborghini's engine growling to life, and the car slipped away, its headlights fading into the evening. The mansion doors opened automatically as he approached, and a cold draft brushed his cheek as he stepped out, the sound of the doors closing behind him a final, echoing thud.
Bobae pov:
As I entered the house I went to my room and sat down on the bed lost in my own thought when I suddenly heard a hard blow on the door that nearly break it. It was my master who I'm betrothed to (jinho). what are you doing here? he asked with a cold voice, he dragged me down from the bed and squatted before me cupping my face in a horrible way that made me winced in pain. You should have just stayed with that scum bag, what re you doing in my house he yelled and dragged me by the hair This is what you see when you defy me. I told you, you're re mine and mine alone, I can do anything I wish to you and there's nothing your ancestors can do about it. You will be mine forever. I won't spare anyone who cross my path, not even Minho.... He groaned and stood up while laughing in a sarcastic way🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 this is my judgement he murmured, you will be locked in this house due to the result of your sin and you will do all the house chores. failure to do so will result in severe punishment.... Good night he smirked.
The next morning, the sun rose over the sprawling estate, but its warmth never reached the house where Bobae was confined. Jinho, still seething from the previous day's humiliation, had taken his frustration out on the one person he could control. He barred the entrance to the school, telling the principal that Bobae was ill, and ordered the house staff to keep her at home. Why are you keeping her here Mrs Lee asked. "She's to stay here and learn how to behave," he snarled to the housekeeper, his voice dripping with contempt.
After he left for school bobae stands up and went to the kitchen to start her work. Tears lacing her voice. Bobae you can do it this is not the first time you are doing this. She soloquized. She spent the day scrubbing floors, polishing silver, and washing endless piles of laundry. The chores were endless, each task a reminder of her powerlessness. By evening, her hands were raw, her back ached, and a cold dread settled in her chest.
As jinho came back from school everything was sparkling and twinkling, he smiled and went to his room and saw everything glowing, his clothes were washed, ironed and folded accordingly while some were hanged. He changed into his pyjamas and went to the dining room to eat; on getting there the table was empty he stand and went to the kitchen, he saw the older maid cooking (Mrs Lee). where is bobae? he asked. As the maid heard his voice she flinched. just tell me where she is I won't swallow you. She's in her room,she answered what is she doing?he asked. em she's sleeping, she's tired from the work she has been doing since morning I just want to help her do the cookings. Really? He asked and smiled in a devilish way ok no problem.
In the evening all the maid went out to get fresh air, except Nora who was left behind. bobae was in her room pacing up down she remembered she didn't make lunch. In less than a minute she heard a knock on her door her heart skipped. Who is there? She asked. It's me Nora the master calls for you. Ohh ok she stammered I will be there shortly.
In the living room jinho was sitting on the couch reading and bobae standing before him. master you sent for me?? Why didn't you make lunch he asked not lifting his gaze. I'm sorry sir I slept..... Before she could finish the statement a resounding slap was welcomed by her face. How dare you? Ugh how dare you!!!!!? He roared at her. don't worry I won't waste my saliva as he dragged her by the hair down the stairs they got to his study it's was so dark that she could barely see anything, but jinho was wearing glasses with those things he will see every where. he released her and walked to a table and press a button on it and another door, maybe door to hell opened, It's a basement. "You'll learn to respect me," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear. He pushed the door open, revealing a small, dimly lit room lined with ice blocks that glimmered like a frozen lake. The temperature dropped sharply as the door closed behind him, sealing Bobae inside.
The ice room was a relic from a previous era, used to store rare delicacies. Now it served as a prison. Bobae shivered, pulling her thin uniform tighter around her shoulders. The cold seeped into her bones, making her teeth chatter. She huddled against the icy wall, trying to conserve what little warmth remained. Minutes stretched into an hour, and the chill deepened, turning her breath into a thin fog.
Jinho pov:
As I emerged from the basement I smiled triumphantly. you will be mine no one can take you away from me.
I chuckled walking to my room on getting to the living room every where was scattered, all the maid running Helter skelter, my mouth formed o I was amazed and was like what's happening!?; but I didn't mind asking I just went to my room to sleep with the heart that when it's ten minutes later I will go unlock bobae, but as I was about to drift to sleep my brother barged in. Where's bobae? He asked. Me in the middle of sleeping and clear eyes I answered she should be in her room, where did you put her? a punch land on my face which made slumber run for his life 🙂 I don't know where she is, she not an object or a needle find her very well you will see her I smirked trying to hide the fear on my face. Junpyo Grabs him by the collar, the maid told everything you did to her, so take me to where she is. As jinho saw that his brother is losing patience. He said, I can't take you there but I will tell you where she is....
Just as despair began to creep in, a soft click echoed through the hallway. The door swung open, and a figure stepped into the frosty chamber. Junpyo, the eldest son of the Jejjuk family, stood in the doorway, his expression a mixture of concern and resolve. He had been away on business, returning earlier than expected. he hurried and whispered
"Bobae?" he called gently, his voice a warm contrast to the icy air. He moved quickly, shedding his coat and wrapping it around her trembling shoulders. "What happened?"
Bobae could barely manage a whisper, her lips blue. "Jinho… he… he locked me in here. I thought… I thought I would die."
Junpyo's jaw tightened. He lifted her into his arms, crushing her against his chest to share his body heat. "You're safe now. I won't let anyone hurt you again." He carried her out of the ice room, the cold receding behind them as they ascended the stairs.
He took her to his private study, a room bathed in soft amber light and the faint scent of sandalwood. He set her down on a plush sofa, covering her with a thick blanket. "Stay here." He disappeared for a moment, returning with a warm cup of ginger tea, the steam curling up like a comforting whisper.
Bobae held the cup with shaking hands, the warmth seeping into her chilled fingers. "Thank you," she whispered, tears finally spilling over her cheeks.
Junpyo pov:
I sat beside her, my hand resting gently on her back. "You don't have to thank me. No one should ever be treated like that." I looked into her eyes, seeing not just the frightened girl I had rescued, but the resilience that had kept her going despite the cruelty. I took it upon myself to ensure Bobae's recovery. U won't go to school this week you will stay at home and cool yourself I said and she nodded in acceptance I arranged for a private tutor so she wouldn't fall behind in her studies, and I made sure the house staff treated her with respect. I spent evenings helping her with homework, our heads bent over textbooks, the silence broken only by the occasional rustle of pages. after a particularly long study session, Junpyo poured two glasses of wine and led Bobae to the balcony overlooking the garden. The night sky was a tapestry of stars, the moon casting a silvery glow over the roses.
" bobae can I tell you something I asked. Yes why not she answered. I will be straight forward. Ok she nodded
I like you, I want you to be mine, since the day I set my eyes on u I like you already.
bobae was dumbfounded 😮😮😮😮😮
I've been thinking," Junpyo continues, his voice low, "about how you've changed my life. I was always focused on the family business, on responsibilities I thought defined me. You showed me there's more to life than those things.
Bobae turned to him, her eyes reflecting the moonlight. "I never asked for any of this," she said softly. "I just wanted to be free, to be… me."
Junpyo reached out, taking her hand in his. "You are free, Bobae. With me, you can be whoever you want to be. I… I have fallen deeply in love with you." He paused, searching her face for any sign of hesitation. "If you feel the same, I would be honored to stand by your side, not as a master, but as a partner."
Bobae's breath caught. She had endured so much—the fear of never escaping the mansion's walls. Yet here, in Junpyo's gentle gaze, she felt a glimmer of hope, a chance at a future she had never dared to imagine.
She withdrew her hands, a small, firm gesture that spoke volumes. I don't feel the same I'm sorry. As she wanted to turn around to leave the study He dragged her back and pulled her into a tender embrace, the cool night air wrapping around them like a promise of new beginnings. Please stay with me he whispered in her ears. I'm sorry I can't she pulled away and left the study. I slump on the couch in the study feeling rejected.
Bobae pov:
As I left the study for my room a thought came to my mind that maybe if I become friends with the senior master I will be able to see my parents again. Cuz I've not been allowed to go see them and they are not allowed to come see me, I missed them so much especially my mom. On getting to my room the door was locked.
What will I do like this? will I have to go to back to the study? No I can't do that (I grunt).
10 minutes later, bobae was dozing off already when Mrs Lee came out and saw her at the entrance of her room, she tiptoe to where bobae was, guess what? She was slumbering, she tried to open the door to bobae's room but the door is locked ( how can jinho be so cruel like this? Why is he giving this girl a hard time) Mrs Lee lamented.
Bobae? Bobae?? Bobae??? Wake up.