Mornings were supposed to begin with something calm and predictable, something as simple and comforting as a warm cup of coffee resting between your hands while the world slowly came to life around you, but your mornings never seemed to follow that kind of gentle routine, instead throwing you straight into chaos as you sprinted down the street with uneven breaths and a racing heart, your bag hitting against your side with every hurried step while the bus ahead of you began closing its doors, forcing you to shout without hesitation as you waved your arms in desperation, fully aware that if it left without you, your day would only get worse from there.
"WAIT—!"
Your voice cut through the morning air, louder than you intended, drawing attention from people nearby, but you didn't care, not when the driver hesitated just long enough for the doors to reopen with a reluctant hiss, giving you a narrow window to reach the steps and pull yourself inside, breathless and slightly disoriented as you muttered a quick thank you before lowering your gaze and moving down the aisle, ignoring the stares that followed you as you searched for a seat, eventually settling near the window where you could at least pretend to disappear from everyone's attention.
Only then did your body begin to register the exhaustion it had been carrying since the night before, your arms aching and your back stiff from falling asleep at your desk after hours of studying, a habit that had become far too common lately as you pushed yourself to keep up, because unlike others who seemed to grasp things effortlessly, you had always needed to work harder, to repeat, to memorize, to stay up longer just to reach the same results, and although it was tiring, you didn't resent it, because studying gave you a sense of control, something steady in a life that rarely stayed that way for long.
You leaned your head lightly against the cool glass of the window, slipping your earbuds in as soft music filled the silence, your breathing gradually slowing as the city outside began to shift, the crowded streets giving way to quieter roads and fewer buildings until the scenery became more isolated, more distant, matching the quiet tension that slowly settled in your chest as your thoughts drifted back to the one unavoidable reality waiting for you at the end of this ride.
You were late.
Again.
And your grandmother—
You closed your eyes briefly, exhaling slowly as a faint shiver ran down your spine, because being late once might have been overlooked, twice tolerated with a warning, but four times in one week was something she would never ignore, especially not when she was the head maid of one of the most influential families in Seoul, a woman known not only for her discipline and precision but also for her complete lack of tolerance when it came to irresponsibility, a fact you had learned the hard way more times than you cared to admit.
By the time the bus came to a stop, you had already accepted your fate, stepping off with a quiet sigh before making your way along the familiar path that led through the woods, your footsteps slower now, more reluctant, as the towering gates of the Black estate came into view, standing as imposing as ever, their presence alone enough to remind you of the life you had chosen when you moved to Seoul, leaving your parents and siblings behind in order to continue your education while working under your grandmother's supervision, a decision that had seemed reasonable at the time but now felt far more complicated than you had expected.
As you approached, the guards stationed at the entrance observed you briefly before allowing you through, though not without a comment that immediately tightened the unease in your chest as Luca leaned casually against the gate, his expression far too amused for your liking.
"You're late again," he said, his tone almost teasing as he glanced at you, "your grandmother's been looking for you."
You paused for just a second.
"…Am I still alive?" you asked dryly.
"For now," he replied with a grin.
"That's comforting."
He chuckled softly as you continued forward, though your steps felt heavier with each passing second, the mansion growing larger in front of you as you approached, its size and elegance still overwhelming even after all this time, the polished floors, high ceilings, and endless corridors creating an atmosphere that felt both luxurious and suffocating at the same time.
The moment you stepped inside, you immediately sensed that something was off, the usual rhythm of work replaced by a subtle tension as servants moved quickly through the halls, their voices lower than usual, their expressions more focused, as if something important was about to happen or had already begun, and you barely had time to process it before your name was spoken in a voice that made your entire body stiffen.
"Soo Yoo."
You turned slowly.
Your grandmother stood a few steps away, her posture straight, her expression calm, and her smile far too gentle to be real, her hands resting neatly in front of her as if she had been waiting patiently for your arrival, and for a brief moment, you almost allowed yourself to believe that maybe—just maybe—she wouldn't be as angry as you expected.
That illusion shattered the second your eyes dropped to her hand.
The knife gleamed under the light.
"Would you like some tea and cookies, dear?" she asked sweetly, her tone soft enough to fool anyone who didn't know her, but you did, and your instincts reacted before your mind could catch up as you turned and ran without another word, your footsteps echoing loudly through the hallway as her voice followed immediately after, no longer gentle but sharp and unforgiving.
"It's 10:47, and you were supposed to be here at eight!"
"I know—!" you shouted back, barely managing to avoid slipping as you turned the corner, your heart pounding as you tried to put distance between you and the very real threat chasing after you, a threat that, despite her age, moved far faster than anyone would expect, proving once again that underestimating your grandmother was a mistake you continued to make at your own risk.
Eventually, the chase came to an end, not because you had managed to escape, but because she allowed it to, stopping as suddenly as she had started before approaching you with calm, measured steps, her breathing steady unlike yours as she handed you a list without another word, the paper feeling heavier than it should have as you glanced down at it, your eyes widening slightly as you realized just how much work had been assigned to you.
"…Grandma," you began carefully.
"You will finish everything," she said flatly, leaving no room for argument, "Master Kai is returning tomorrow."
The name settled in the air between you.
Kai Black.
You had heard of him, of course, everyone had, though only in fragments and passing comments, enough to know that he had been abroad for years, that he was intelligent, distant, and not someone people spoke about casually, his reputation carrying a quiet weight that made your grip on the paper tighten slightly as an unfamiliar unease settled in your chest.
"He won't tolerate mistakes," your grandmother continued, her gaze steady on you, "and neither will I."
"…Yes, Grandma," you replied, lowering your head slightly.
She turned and walked away, leaving you alone in the hallway with the list still in your hands, your shoulders sagging as you stared at it for a moment before letting out a quiet groan.
"Just end me instead," you muttered under your breath.
The universe, apparently, wasn't done with you yet.
The paper was suddenly snatched from your hand.
You looked up immediately.
Elliot.
He stood a few steps away, grinning mischievously as he waved your task list in the air, his brown-green eyes sparkling with excitement as if he had just discovered a new game.
"ELLIOT—!"
He ran.
You ran after him without thinking, your exhaustion momentarily forgotten as frustration took over, your voice echoing through the corridor as you chased him, demanding he give it back while he only laughed louder, clearly enjoying every second of your suffering.
"Catch me if you can!" he shouted.
"I will—just wait—!"
"You're too slow!"
"I've been working since morning, you little—!"
Your words were cut off as he turned another corner, your steps quickening despite the protest from your already tired body, though the chase didn't last long before a voice interrupted the chaos, calm yet firm enough to make him stop instantly.
"Elliot."
He froze.
You did too.
Slowly, he turned around, his expression shifting from playful to guilty within seconds as Mrs. Black approached, her presence immediately calming the tension that had filled the hallway, her elegance and quiet authority making it impossible to ignore her even without raising her voice.
"Give it back," she said simply.
Elliot lowered his head slightly as he walked toward you, handing the list back without meeting your eyes.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled.
You blinked, surprised for a moment before nodding awkwardly. "It's okay."
"It's not," Mrs. Black corrected gently, her gaze soft but firm as she placed a hand on his shoulder, "you shouldn't trouble others."
He nodded silently.
Then she turned to you, her expression immediately warming.
"I'm sorry about him, Soo Yoo," she said, her tone kind, almost comforting, "he gets a little too energetic sometimes."
"It's really fine," you replied quickly, offering a small smile despite everything.
She studied you for a second, then smiled back. "I'll take him outside so he doesn't disturb you anymore."
You nodded, watching as she led him away, the chaos fading just as quickly as it had started, leaving you standing there once again with your list, your exhaustion slowly returning now that the distraction was gone.
You glanced down at the paper.
Then sighed.
This was your life now.
Work, exhaustion, and just enough chaos to keep you from ever feeling completely at ease.
And tomorrow—
You stared ahead, your thoughts quieting for a moment as that same name surfaced again, carrying with it a feeling you couldn't quite explain.
Kai Black.
You had never met him.
But for some reason—
It already felt like you were about to.