TIES THAT BIND.

Zara Park's eyes snapped open, her heart racing as the familiar nightmare receded. She lay in bed, drenched in sweat, as the memories she'd tried to bury came flooding back. She was 15 again, standing in the cold, dark alley behind her family's apartment building. Her mother's venomous words still echoed in her mind: "You're nothing but a mistake, a filthy little mistake. You're not my daughter." The sound of her mother's hand connecting with her face still stung. Zara's fingers instinctively touched the scar above her left eyebrow, a constant reminder of that fateful night. She'd been on her own ever since, fighting to survive in a world that seemed determined to crush her. As she threw off the covers and got out of bed, the city outside her small apartment window seemed to stretch out like an unforgiving landscape. Zara steeled herself for another day of struggles, her eyes flashing with determination:She would not be broken. Zara hastily dressed in the dimly lit apartment, the sound of her stomach growling reminding her that she'd skipped dinner the night before. She grabbed her bag and headed out the door, joining the throngs of people rushing to start their day. As she walked, the city's sounds and smells enveloped her: the wail of sirens, the chatter of pedestrians, and the sweet aroma of street food wafting from the vendors. Zara's senses came alive, but her thoughts remained preoccupied with the troubles that had been plaguing her. Her phone buzzed with an incoming text from Ji Yoon, her best friend: "Hey, Zara! Good luck with your interview today! You'll nail it." Zara's heart skipped a beat as she wondered if she'd really get the job. She had applied for a maid position at a wealthy household, and the prospect of a steady income was tantalizing. As she turned the corner onto Gangnam-daero, a sleek black sports car screeched to a halt mere inches from her face. Zara's heart skipped a beat as she stumbled backward, her eyes locking onto the car's tinted windshield. The driver's face was obscured, but Zara sensed a piercing gaze sweeping over her. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the only sound the patter of raindrops on the pavement. Then, the car sped away, leaving Zara shaken and wondering... who was that? Zara took a deep breath and continued on her way to the interview, her mind whirling with thoughts of the mysterious driver and the job that awaited her. Zara arrived at the grand mansion, her eyes widening as she took in the opulent facade. She had never seen anything like it before. The online ad had described the job as a "live-in maid position" for a wealthy family, but she hadn't expected this level of luxury. As she stepped inside, a stern-looking butler greeted her, his expression softening slightly as he took in her bright smile. "Ah, Miss Park, welcome. You're here for the interview, I presume?" Zara nodded, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Yes, that's right." The butler led her to a lavish study, where a middle-aged woman with a pinched expression waited. "Mrs. Lee, this is Miss Park, the applicant for the maid position," the butler announced. Mrs. Lee's gaze swept over Zara, her eyes lingering on her worn shoes and faded clothes. Zara's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Lee. I'm eager to discuss the position and how I can contribute to your household." Mrs. Lee's expression remained skeptical, but she nodded curtly. "Very well, let's proceed with the interview." The questioning was straightforward, with Mrs. Lee inquiring about Zara's experience, skills, and references. Zara answered confidently, highlighting her relevant experience as a part-time maid and her excellent references. As the interview drew to a close, Mrs. Lee rose from her seat, her expression still pinched. "I'll leave you now, Miss Park. The master will be with you shortly." Zara nodded, her smile still plastered on her face. "Thank you, Mrs. Lee." As the housekeeper departed, Zara's gaze wandered around the opulent study. She had expected to meet the master by now, but it seemed she was being kept waiting. Deciding to use the opportunity to ease herself, Zara rose from her seat and made her way to the hallway. Mrs. Lee had mentioned that the bathroom was just down the corridor. As she walked, the silence of the mansion seemed to swallow her whole. Zara's footsteps echoed off the marble floor, making her feel like an intruder. Just as she approached the bathroom door, a faint cry pierced the air: "Master, please...!" Zara's heart skipped a beat as she froze, her hand on the doorknob. The cry was followed by a series of whimpering pleas, each one more desperate than the last. Her curiosity piqued, Zara hesitated, wondering if she should investigate. But something about the cries sent a shiver down her spine... Suddenly, the cries stopped, and an unsettling silence fell over the hallway. Zara's heart was racing as she wondered what was happening behind the closed doors... Zara walked through the hallway, her curiosity getting the better of her. She had to know what was going on. As she turned a corner, a door opened, and a tall, imposing figure stood before her. Zara's eyes widened as she took in the man's chiseled features and piercing gaze. He was dressed in a sleek black suit, and his dark hair was perfectly styled. But it was his eyes that caught her attention - they seemed to bore into her soul. "Hi," Zara said, trying to sound casual. "I'm Zara Park. I'm here for the maid interview." The man didn't respond. He just stared at her, his expression unreadable. Zara's nervousness got the better of her, and she asked, "Um, excuse me, but I couldn't help but hear some screams earlier. Is everything okay?" The man's gaze never wavered, but Zara detected a slight tension in his body. "I was just curious," Zara continued, "because it sounded really bad. I hope no one's hurt or anything." The man still didn't respond, and Zara started to feel uneasy. But she couldn't seem to stop talking. "I mean, I'm really excited about the opportunity to work here," Zara said, trying to change the subject. "I've heard great things about the household, and I'm confident I can provide excellent service." The man's silence was starting to unnerve her, but Zara kept talking. "I'm sorry, I'm just really nervous," Zara continued. "I've never worked in a household like this before, but I'm a quick learner, and I'm not afraid of hard work." The man's gaze never wavered, but Zara detected a slight raise of his eyebrow. Just as she was about to launch into another sentence, the man finally spoke. "Follow me," he said, his deep voice low and husky. Zara's eyes widened as she realized who the man must be. "You're... the master of the house?" she stammered. The man's expression remained neutral, but Zara detected a flicker of amusement in his eyes. He turned and walked away, expecting her to follow... Zara followed the master, her eyes fixed on his broad back as he led her through the winding corridors of the mansion. She couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation, her mind racing with questions about the strange screams she had heard earlier. As they walked, the master remained silent, his expression unreadable. Zara tried to fill the awkward silence with chatter, but the master's monosyllabic responses only made her more nervous. They eventually arrived at a large, ornate door with a brass plaque that read "Master's Office". The master pushed the door open, revealing a spacious room with a massive wooden desk at its center. Mrs. Lee was already seated in a chair opposite the desk, a file folder in her hands. "Master, I've brought the documents and credentials for Miss Park, as requested." The master nodded curtly, taking the folder from Mrs. Lee. He opened it, scanning the contents with an intense gaze. Zara shifted uncomfortably, feeling like she was under a microscope. After a few moments, the master looked up, his eyes locking onto Zara's. "Very well, Miss Park," he said, his voice low and husky. "I've reviewed your application. If you're still interested in the position, I have a contract for you to sign." He pulled out a thick, cream-colored document from the folder and slid it across the desk to Zara. She picked it up, scanning the pages with growing unease. The contract outlined the terms of her employment, including her duties, salary, and benefits. Zara's eyes widened as she read the salary: $5,000 per month, plus room and board in the maid quarters. But it was the rules that made her heart skip a beat: *The Master's Rules* 1. You will not leave the mansion grounds without permission. 2. You will not interact with outsiders about the household. 3. You will not enter the master's private quarters without permission. 4. You will not ask questions about the household. 5. You will not show disobedience or disrespect. 6. You will not keep secrets from the master. 7. You will not betray the master's trust. 8. You must taste the master's every meal before serving to ensure its safety. 9. You will obey the master's every command. 10. You must never, ever go near the last room at the end of the hallway. Zara's eyes locked onto the master's, her mind racing with questions. What kind of household was this? And what kind of master would create such draconian rules? The master's gaze never wavered, his expression unreadable. "Do you have any questions, Miss Park?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Zara hesitated, unsure of what to say. But something about the master's gaze made her feel like she was trapped in a game she didn't understand... Zara's eyes narrowed as she looked at the master. "I have to ask, why are there so many rules?" she said, her voice filled with curiosity. "I mean, I've never seen anything like this before. It's like you're trying to control every aspect of my life." The master's expression remained stern, his eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. "Your safety," he said, his voice low and husky. Zara's eyes widened in surprise. "My safety? From what?" she asked, her voice filled with skepticism. The master's gaze never wavered, his expression unyielding. "Sign the contract, Miss Park," he said, his voice firm. Zara hesitated, her eyes scanning the contract again. She thought about all the bills she had to pay, all the debts she had to settle. This job was her only way out. With a deep breath, she picked up the pen and signed the contract. "I'll do it," she said, her voice firm. The master's expression never changed, but Zara detected a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes. "Very well, Miss Park," he said, his voice low and husky. "You will start immediately." As soon as Zara signed the contract, the master nodded curtly and stood up. "You will be shown to your quarters," he said, his voice firm. But before he could call for Mrs. Lee, his phone rang. He answered it, listening intently to the person on the other end. Zara watched as the master's expression changed from calm to shocked. He muttered something under his breath and then turned to her. "Excuse me, Miss Park," he said, his voice tight with tension. He walked over to the TV and turned it on. Zara's eyes widened as she saw a breaking news headline: "KMC CEO Embroiled in Controversy: Kim Minho's Color Blindness Raises Questions" Zara's eyes snapped to the master, who was watching the TV with a mixture of anger and shock on his face. "Kim Minho?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's... that's you, isn't it?" The master's eyes snapped to hers, his gaze piercing. The news anchor continued, "Sources close to the fashion house have revealed that Kim Minho, the CEO of KMC, is color blind. This shocking revelation has raised questions about how a man who cannot distinguish between colors can lead one of Korea's most influential fashion houses." Zara's eyes widened in surprise. She had no idea that the master was Kim Minho, the CEO of KMC. And now, she was even more confused. The master's face was expressionless, but Zara could sense the tension emanating from him. And then, just as suddenly, the TV screen flickered and went black...