RUBY
I woke up to the sweet melody of a French love song echoing in my mind. I swayed to the tune as I made my way to the bathroom to freshen up. Despite the dread of another grueling day ahead, I found solace in the one thing that brought me joy - languages. I was multilingual, a skill I'd honed by sneaking into libraries after school to devour books on linguistics.
As I got dressed, memories of my passion for languages flooded my mind. I recalled the thrill of discovering new words, exploring interpretations, and unraveling the nuances of different tongues. But those carefree days were behind me now. My every move was monitored, and the security was suffocating.
The haunting memories of last night's events crept back into my mind, shattering the fleeting sense of nostalgia. I couldn't help but wonder how a beautiful woman like Rachael had ended up with a monster like Liam. Her fate served as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked around me. I knew I had to tread carefully to avoid meeting the same demise.
With a deep breath, I steeled myself for the day ahead. I grabbed my cleaning brush and headed downstairs, resigned to my duties. Today's task was dusting the dusty surfaces, a never-ending chore that seemed to suck the life out of me.
Hours passed before Liam arrived, accompanied by a group of men who appeared to be business associates. Their fine features and accents marked them as Korean. Liam's stern gaze locked onto mine. "Come and take off their shoes," he ordered.
I reluctantly approached the men, bending down to remove their shoes. The pungent smell emanating from their feet made my stomach churn, but I suppressed my disgust.
One of the men, Mr. Jang, smiled at me. "You have a beautiful maid here, Mr. Liam."
Liam's expression turned scathing. "You call her beautiful? Please, Mr. Jang, spare her the compliments. She looks like a beast."
His words cut deep, like a dagger to my chest. How could he speak of me with such contempt? I felt a surge of anger, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of gratitude when Liam rebuffed the men's advances.
The second man, with a slightly better grasp of English, asked, "Can I have her for tonight? She looks like a sin I'd like to commit."
Liam's response was immediate and fierce. "No one touches her! Do you hear me?!" His deadly glares silenced the men.
For a moment, I wondered why Liam was so defensive. If he truly saw me as a beast, why wouldn't he give me away? But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something there, something that gave me a glimmer of hope.
"She's mine, and mine alone," Liam declared, his voice firm and possessive.
The third man, undeterred, suggested, "At least let's have her around us today as we discuss the contract. It wouldn't hurt to steal glances at her."
Liam's stern expression brooked no argument. "Back off," it seemed to say.
I stepped aside, watching as the men entered the living room and took their seats on one of the couches. Liam turned to them, asking, "So, gentlemen, what can I offer you?"
Mr. Jang replied, "Anything would do."
Liam turned to me, and I expected him to order me to serve them. But instead, he said, "Go to your room, and call one of the maids to come serve them. Your work here is done."
I stared at him in shock. This was the first time in months he'd asked for a maid's service when I was present. Was it pity, or was there another reason?
I stood frozen, lost in thought, until Liam's yell jolted me back to reality. "Have you suddenly gone deaf?"
I stuttered, "Nnn...no, sir. I'll do just that." I quickly made my way to the maid quarters, my heart jumping with joy. Finally, I'd get to rest properly for the first time in a long while.
I did as I was told and retreated to my room, collapsing onto the bed with a deep sigh. A wave of relief washed over me, soothing my frazzled nerves. For the first time in months, I felt a sense of reprieve, a brief respite from the constant drudgery.
As I lay there, I tried to calm my racing mind and surrender to the exhaustion that had been weighing me down. But despite my best efforts, sleep eluded me. My mind refused to quiet, and my body felt restless, my limbs twitching with pent-up energy.
I tossed and turned, my thoughts swirling with a mix of emotions. There was gratitude for the unexpected break, but also anxiety about what the future held. Fear lingered, a constant companion, reminding me that my situation could change in an instant.
Eventually, I threw off the covers and got out of bed, deciding to take a walk through the mansion to clear my head. I moved stealthily, careful to avoid detection by the men in the living room. The last thing I needed was to draw attention to myself and invite trouble.
As I walked, the silence of the mansion enveloped me, a welcome respite from the chaos that had become my life. I wandered through the deserted corridors, my footsteps echoing off the walls. For a brief moment, I felt a sense of freedom, a fleeting illusion that I was in control of my own destiny.
As I strolled through the gardens, the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers enveloped me, calming my senses. I was about to leave when the sound of familiar voices caught my attention. I cautiously raised my head, peeking over the foliage to see who it was. My eyes landed on the three Korean men - Mr. Jang, Mr. Ju-won, and Mr. Ha-joon - standing in a huddle, their voices hushed.
Their conversation was indistinct, and I found myself drawn to their words, curiosity getting the better of me. I carefully moved closer, hiding behind a cluster of flowers to remain unnoticed.
As I listened intently, I realized they were speaking in Korean. But I had a secret advantage - my proficiency in multiple languages. I focused my mind, concentrating on the sounds and rhythms of their conversation, trying to pick out words and phrases that I could understand.
(우린 그냥 그를 죽일 수 있어) I held my breath as Mr. Ha-joon's words hung in the air: "We could just kill him." My eyes widened in shock, and I instinctively clamped my hand over my mouth to stifle a gasp. The sudden silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken meaning.
The three men stood frozen, their faces expressionless, as if awaiting a reaction or a response. I remained statue-still, fearful of making even the slightest sound that might betray my eavesdropping. My heart pounded in my chest, racing with the implications of Mr. Ha-joon's words. Who were they planning to kill? And why?
(나는 우리가 그가 먼저 계약서에 서명하게 해야 한다고 생각한다, 그렇게 하면 우리는 완전한 접근 권한을 얻을 수 있을 것이다)
Mr. Jang's voice broke the silence, his words dripping with calculated precision. "I think we should let him sign the contract first, that way we would gain full access." His eyes seemed to gleam with a mixture of greed and strategic intent, sending a shiver down my spine.
The other two men nodded in agreement, their faces set in determined lines. I felt a growing sense of unease as I realized that they were discussing something far more sinister than I had initially thought. Who was the person they wanted to sign the contract, and what kind of access were they seeking?
(당신이 계약을 바꿨기를 바라나요?)
Mr. Ha-joon's question was laced with a hint of skepticism. "Hope you've switched the contracts?" His eyes narrowed slightly, as if daring Mr. Ju-won to contradict him.
(네)
Mr. Ju-won's simple affirmation, "yes," seemed to carry a weight of significance. His voice was low and even, but I sensed a hint of reassurance beneath the surface, as if he was confirming that their plan was indeed in motion.
(나한테 묻는다면 이 나이대의 젊은 성인들은 정말 바보야)
Mr. Jang's voice dripped with disdain as he said, "Young adults these days are such fools, if you ask me." His words hung in the air, punctuated by the sound of their menacing laughter.
The three men shared a knowing glance, their eyes glinting with amusement and superiority. Their laughter sent a chill down my spine, a cold realization that they were discussing something sinister.
My heart pounded in my chest as the pieces fell into place. I couldn't bear to listen anymore, my mind reeling with the implications. These men had a hidden agenda, one that involved eliminating Liam and seizing his wealth. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized the danger that lurked beneath the surface.
Their conversation had exposed a web of deceit and corruption, and I had stumbled into it unknowingly. I knew I had to be careful, that one misstep could prove fatal. With a sense of trepidation, I quietly retreated from my hiding spot, my mind racing with thoughts of escape and survival.
I stood frozen, my mind torn asunder by conflicting emotions. Part of me screamed to warn Liam, to alert him to the danger lurking in the shadows. But another part, a part fueled by the pain and suffering he had inflicted upon me, whispered to let him face the consequences of his own evil deeds.
Hadn't he brought this upon himself? Hadn't his cruelty and heartlessness earned him the hatred and betrayal of those around him? I thought of all the times he had belittled me, used me, and discarded me like trash.
And yet... something within me hesitated. Was it compassion? Empathy? Or was it simply the fear of being entangled in a web of violence and deceit? I didn't know. All I knew was that I had to make a choice, and that choice would determine not only Liam's fate but also my own.