“I like you.”

Although there was hesitation, Tae Ha’s eyes sparkled, pushing away the deep darkness at the straightforward answer,

“As a person.”

These words followed without delay.

“You provide me with a place to live, don’t charge for meals, give me a salary, and even sometimes give gifts. Expensive ones too. And you say I can sell them. Moreover, you don’t make me work after hours, telling me to study instead. I like you, CEO.”

Not Kwon Tae Ha, but CEO.

“What about Kwon Tae Ha?”

“Pardon?”

“Not the CEO, but Kwon Tae Ha?”

At the blunt question, Eun Seo smiled faintly and fiddled with the tightly fastened seatbelt clip.

“I feel a wall. A huge wall. It’s like a dam or a mountain.”

If that wall were to crumble, I’d be hit by a flood of water and drown, or be buried in rough soil.

I don’t want to die.

Swallowing those words, Eun Seo lowered her head.

At that perfect sense of distance, Tae Ha focused on driving with an expression as if he had drunk water, letting out a small chuckle.

* * *

“You called for me, Chairman.”

Butler Jang closed the door of the reception room and greeted Chairman Kwon. Chairman Kwon gestured for Butler Jang to take a seat.

“We’re planning a small family event on Sunday. I’m thinking of inviting my younger uncle and his family for a meal. Since it’s cold, let’s do it in the indoor banquet hall.”

“The New Year has passed, but shall we serve rice cake soup?”

“Let’s have a formal dinner.”

Every New Year, Chairman Kwon held a family event. Sometimes big, sometimes small.

This time, it was an event inviting Chairman Kwon’s uncle’s family.

Chairman Kwon’s uncle was far from business, and his family was filled with prominent social figures like professors, doctors, and politicians.

“Butler Jang.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Does our Tae Ha seem not to favor Ha Eun?”

Butler Jang’s face reddened as he clasped his hands. It was a wonder how he knew that.

“The other day, Jung Woo brought Ha Eun, didn’t he?”

“Young Master Tae Ha seemed to have been busy.”

Butler Jang smiled and quickly answered.

“That’s right. It’s hard to gauge from just one meeting, but Tae Ha seems to show no interest at all. I’ve never seen him bring it up.”

“The young master is known for being tight-lipped, and they’ve only met twice, so he might just be shy.”

“Tae Ha, shy?”

Chairman Kwon laughed heartily and nodded. Guessing that since his son had never dated, it might be possible.

“So, I’m thinking of introducing them at my uncle’s house this time. At least Tae Ha won’t do anything impolite. If that happens, Ha Eun will be recognized as part of our family, and I think there’s no better opportunity than this. What do you think?”

Butler Jang’s heart swelled. It was something he had always dreamed of since bringing young Ha Eun.

An opportunity to enjoy what his friend and master, Hong Ji Soo, had enjoyed. A chance to have what Hong Ji Soo had, but she couldn’t, even though they were the same age.

[Hey, can’t we take her with us?]

Young Ji Soo asked her father, pointing at Hyun Jung who was lying face down on the street after being hit by her father.

[Do you want to?] [Yes. I want to play with her.]

Hong Ji Soo, in a neat dress with a small ribbon in her hair, looked like a doll. A being from a completely different world than Jang Hyun Jung, who was scolded daily.

That’s how Jang Hyun Jung was liberated from her alcoholic father.

A wide garden, a palace-like house, growing up there with Hong Ji Soo.

But as she grew up, what she felt wasn’t just gratitude. Hong Ji Soo was a person of a different class, and people thoroughly taught Jang Hyun Jung that.

When Jang Hyun Jung worked, Hong Ji Soo studied. Yet, Hong Ji Soo’s grades were not as good as Hyun Jung’s. People started to take notice.

Even if she got first place, she hid it, even if she received awards, she hid them, and she even gave up on her own.

And when Hong Ji Soo, whom she always felt was lacking compared to herself, started dating Kwon Gi Hoon, Jang Hyun Jung also began a secret relationship with Ji Soo’s half-brother. And she was abandoned.

Because Ji Soo congratulated her and revealed the secret to her mother. Her innocence became malice.

That’s when it started. When Jang Hyun Jung began to want what Hong Ji Soo had.

No matter how much she struggled and tried, the upper-class life that Hong Ji Soo enjoyed was strictly theirs alone. However, Hong Ji Soo was dead now, and it was almost at the final stage.

Unlike Hong Ji Soo, who was mentally and physically exhausted after losing two sons born before Tae Ha, Chairman Kwon was by no means an easy opponent. But it seemed that Chairman Kwon had changed his mind due to two accidents that happened to Tae Ha.

Whether it was Hong Ji Soo’s last wish, or the fear of Kwon Tae Ha’s untimely death that Hong Ji Soo always dreaded.

Butler Jang smiled faintly.

‘Stupid Hong Ji Soo.’

The price of trusting too much in the words of Butler Jang, who had always been smart, her friend and servant.

“I will prepare everything thoroughly.”

“I trust you. Oh, and if Tae Ha happens to ask about the reason for this gathering, just tell him it’s a New Year’s party. I’m worried he might run away again.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Butler Jang stood up neatly and left the room.

* * *

Sunday.

Eun Seo was translating a fairy tale while looking at a German book in its original language.

She had won several blind review translation contests, but no one came looking for her. The moment the blind was lifted, everyone shied away from her, a college dropout. Still, Eun Seo didn’t stop trying and always challenged herself.

That morning, after finishing the dishes, Lady An came to Eun Seo’s room.

“Hey, Eun Seo.”

Eun Seo placed a pen between the pages of her book and approached the door.

“What is it, Lady?”

“Sorry to interrupt your study, but would you like to do a part-time job?”

“A part-time job?”

“There’s a formal dinner at the West House tonight, and they’re short-handed. Originally, I and Lady Kim were supposed to go, but Lady Kim accidentally hit her toe and went to the hospital.”

“Oh my, is she alright?”

“They say she’ll be fine if she’s careful for a few days. The problem is that Butler Jang apparently made a fuss to Lady Kim to bring anyone. It’s become a bit awkward.”

Eun Seo held her words. She couldn’t guess what she had to do. Taking her hesitation as reluctance, Lady An continued.

“I’m sorry. The cleaning team has work today, and moreover, the Chairman isn’t the type to let just anyone into the house. Since you were introduced by Team Leader Choi, I think he’ll be at ease.”

“What kind of work would I be doing?”

“Nothing much, just kitchen work. Preparing ingredients and washing dishes, that’s all.”

Hearing this, it didn’t seem like much. It was work she had done to death at the community center. Plus, being in the kitchen meant she wouldn’t be too noticeable.

“Should I go now?”

“I’d be grateful. And the pay for working one banquet event is quite substantial.”

About an hour later, Eun Seo headed to the West House with Lady An in a car sent by Butler Jang.

The inside of the West House, which was a bit larger than the East House, was busy with a long-awaited family gathering.

The banquet hall was in a protruding part of the first floor of the main building, with a retractable glass ceiling that was opened for events in all seasons except winter.

Next to the banquet hall was a large kitchen. This kitchen was the center, with the dining room and banquet hall attached like wings.

“I heard there will be twenty-one people dining today. The Chairman’s uncle and younger sister’s families are coming.”

After greeting the kitchen team, Eun Seo rolled up her sleeves.

“Oh my, the young lady’s hands are quite skilled. I have several chef certifications, but you’re better than me. Where did you learn this?”

A West House staff member asked, watching Eun Seo prepare abalone.

“In the countryside.”

“You look like a city person with your fair skin, but I guess you grew up in the countryside.”

Eun Seo smiled and continued trimming the abalone.

“But I don’t see the young CEO.”

When the West House staff asked, Lady An answered.

“He went to the hotel. I heard a group of U.S. senators is coming today. They say he’s personally greeting them as VVIPs.”

“Ah, so that’s why he’s not here.”

“But why hasn’t Butler Jang shown up today? He usually comes in at all hours, glaring and saying, ‘Who told you to do it like this! It should be done this way!'”

Everyone in the kitchen burst into laughter at Lady An’s imitation of Butler Jang.

“Butler Jang is busy getting dolled up now. He’s sitting at the family table today.”

“Why?”

“You know Butler Jang’s daughter, right? I heard she’s marrying the young CEO, probably?”

“What! Why our CEO of all people?”

Lady An asked with a bewildered expression while taking out fish roe.

“We don’t know either. He turned down all those good positions. Maybe they were dating? That’s why the Chairman had no choice but to have them marry, they say.”

“Is that so?”

“Butler Jang must be thrilled. She’s not even his real daughter.”

“Don’t say things you don’t know. I heard before that the late madam had her eye on her from the start.”

“Oh my. Is that why she was raised so well? I saw her shopping before, and she was pretty and proper.”

“Anyone would pale in comparison to the CEO.”

At Lady An’s words, one of the West House staff leaned on the sink and laughed for a while.

“That’s right, absolutely right.”

“Eun Seo, the deodeok please.”

“……”

“Eun Seo!”

“Yes?”

“I asked for the deodeok. Do you have something on your mind?”

“No. No.”

Eun Seo barely came to her senses.

She had momentarily lost her mind at the news that Tae Ha had someone to marry. It seemed that all the things Tae Ha had said to her were just jokes after all.

[Are you wavering?]

Had she wavered? Seeing how her heart was reacting. What did she expect? Even though she knew this would happen.

[What about Kwon Tae Ha?]

He’s terrible. Having someone to marry.

Somehow, the light-hearted mood with which she had started the event server job sank into a deep mire. She had decided not to covet Kwon Tae Ha, not to be swayed by his words.

Something she couldn’t have, shouldn’t have, a tree she shouldn’t even look at.

One of the things that were common in her life, something she shouldn’t desire, something she should pass over.

That was Kwon Tae Ha.

“Here.”

The kitchen door opened, and Butler Jang, dressed elegantly, changed the atmosphere.

“The guests are starting to arrive. Who’s serving the food today?”

As two people raised their hands, Butler Jang looked around intently and pointed at the youngest, Eun Seo.

“Put on a uniform and serve the food.”

* * *

Clean tablecloths were laid on the banquet hall tables, and elegant centerpieces made of white phalaenopsis orchids were placed on top.

Twenty chairs were set up on both sides, centered on the head of the table, Chairman Kwon’s seat.

After placing wine glasses and individual tableware, the people who had been in the reception room entered the banquet hall one by one.

“It seems you’ve put in even more effort today.”

“Of course, we should pay special attention when uncle is coming.”

Chairman Kwon smiled and guided his nearly ninety-year-old uncle to his seat. After all of uncle’s family had taken their seats, along with Butler Jang, Ha Eun, and Jung Woo, Tae Ha still hadn’t arrived.

Unable to start without Tae Ha, the main character, Chairman Kwon asked his uncle for his opinion.

“Uncle. What should we do? Tae Ha called to say he’s on his way.”

“Given the occasion, why don’t we wait another ten minutes?”

“Shall we?”

Well-dressed people chatted while waiting for Tae Ha. Ten minutes passed like this.

The doors of the banquet hall opened on both sides, and Tae Ha entered, catching his breath.

“Tae Ha, you’re here now.”

“I’m sorry for being late.”

As Tae Ha apologized and took off his black coat, one of the employees hung Tae Ha’s still-cool coat in the closet at the entrance and immediately retreated to the kitchen.

“Now everyone is here. Let’s start with the aperitif and porridge. Eun Seo.”

“Yes.”

Eun Seo loaded the food onto a serving cart and headed towards the banquet hall.