CHAPTER 5
Later that day when Min-Jun returned to wipe away the dust, Mr. Wilton casually asked, “So, what’s your name?”
Min-Jun turned to face him because he didn’t want to appear rude, but it was hard to look him straight in the eyes.
“My name is Min-Jun.”
The man nodded, and continued, “Elena said you came from Korea to study, right?”
“That’s right,” Min-Jun answered and thought to himself: Nice. You didn’t even bother to introduce yourself.
“What are you studying?”
“English.”
“And what made you decide to work as a maid, if I may ask?”
Min-Jun felt like he was being interrogated a bit, but he replied anyway, “I wanted a change. I guess. I had a couple of jobs before this one, but they were all one and the same. And I don’t like to work with too many people very much, so-” he trailed off, not sure what to add.
The man looked at him with his penetrating eyes, so Min-jun quickly turned to continue dusting. Once again he had that lingering feeling. He knew that if he turned to face the man, he would find his boss’ eyes fixed on him; his face turned pink at the thought.
Dusting in this room was a strenuous task, but suddenly he heard the man approach him from behind. He could swear that his heart stopped beating when his boss put his palms on top of his hands.
“Careful.” The man began guiding his arm. “Those are fragile objects.”
Min-Jun shivered from the touch and felt light-headed when the man’s body slightly pressed to his.
What is he doing?
“Do it like this,” the man added and Min-Jun let his hand to be guided in slow side to side movements.
Oh my God, I’m afraid I might pass out.
He prayed his legs wouldn’t betray him, but the man pulled away and left him to continue by himself. Min-Jun wasn’t sure if he was grateful or disappointed or both at the same time.
When Min-Jun finished dusting around the statues, next were the bookshelves that reached up to the ceiling. He looked up, thinking about how to best approach the task. When his boss spoke up, “You can use that ladder to reach the higher shelves.” And pointed to the right corner of the wall.
Min-Jun looked at the man then at the ladder again. There was no way he was going to be able to dust top shelves without the ladder since the house had a high ceiling.
But…
It wouldn’t be such a problem if the shelves weren’t on the wall behind his back. So at some point I will have to go up to dust directly behind him... and... I’m wearing this short dress.
Min-Jun really, really hoped the man wasn’t that perverted as to peek under his skirt.
What am I thinking? Not every man is into men anyway. I’m overthinking it.
“Are you afraid of heights?” His boss interrupted Min-Jun’s train of messy thoughts.
“No. No… I just- I’m on it.”
“Be careful.”
The man had a neutral expression on his face while Min-Jun’s cheeks flushed. He headed for the ladder and climbed up.
***
Aidan left Min-Jun to continue with his task, but while Min-Jun dusted, he followed him with his gaze occasionally, pausing his own work to finish drinking his coffee.
He took his medicine and wasn’t in a hurry.
He knew he would have a nice view, so he didn’t want to miss it.
He liked the way Min-Jun’s skirt swayed as the boy worked, the way he stretched his arms to reach all corners of the shelves.
When Min-jun was directly behind him, he didn’t turn. He was a gentleman after all. He noticed that Min-Jun had long and slender legs, which should be enough to satisfy his curiosity, at least for now. There’s still time to discover other details about the young man, Aidan was sure about it.
When Min-Jun was about to finish with the shelves, a knock echoed through the room.
Elena entered and said, “It’s lunch time.” She looked at Min-Jun as well. “Take a break, Mr. Han. Come eat with us.”
There wasn’t room to complain, so Min-Jun climbed down the ladder to head after Elena, who had already disappeared down the hallway.
Mr. Wilton rose to his feet at the same time, allowing Min-Jun to notice that he was a head taller than he was.
When Min-Jun’s eyes widened, he smirked and let Min-Jun pass him and exit the room first.
***
Once at the table, Min-Jun shuffled his feet while avoiding eye-contact with everyone.
His boss was sitting at the head of the table and to Min-Jun’s surprise he motioned him to the empty seat on his left.
Since Elena sat on Aidan’s right and other maids lined up after Min-Jun, the gardeners took the other empty seats, so Min-Jun had no choice but to sit beside the man.
“Let us introduce our new maids,” Elena spoke up when they all settled at the long table. “Min-Jun and Ava are our newest staff.”
All the eyes in the room were on him, and Min-Jun suddenly regretted joining them for lunch.
“And don’t hesitate to help your new colleagues with anything. They are still learning.” She clasped her hands and looked at Min-Jun then Ava. “Ok, so I won’t keep you long– Bon appetite.” She gave them a smile, and the clinking of cutlery followed soon after.
There were various dishes lined up on the table, so Min-Jun was glad he had options.
Although he’d grown to enjoy English cuisine, he was in a new place and worried he might not like what was on offer.
They all ate chicken soup first and then began digging into the main course.
As Min-Jun put a piece of roast meat and rice with salad onto his plate, he could feel Mr. Wilton’s gaze on him again, and he bit the inside of his cheek.
Elena broke the silence again: “I already mentioned to some of you that our next charity day will be held on Tuesday in two weeks. If anyone would like to help, feel free to inform me. Those of you who are not familiar with these occasions, each month we organize a charity event for sick and orphaned children. This time we’ll stay in London. ”
Three hands were raised. Two maids and one of the gardeners volunteered. Initially, Min-Jun didn’t think he was interested in going, but after a while he thought he might at least consider it.
“Thank you,” Elena said. “I will note it. And… There’s another thing I wanted to mention–we’ll have a party on October thirtieth. Also, in two weeks. We’ll start with preparations after the charity day.”
“Aidan, it’s your birthday already again?” one of the gardeners asked, looking at Aidan with a grin.
“Yeah. Another year has passed,” Mr. Wilton replied with a smile as he wiped his lips with a napkin. “But this celebration will be a little bit bigger. I will celebrate my thirtieth round around the sun.”
“Oh boy! And you’re still not married. Dang it!”
“That’s not the goal of every person on this planet, Rick,” Aidan added, “You should know by now that I’m not a family person. I prefer my freedom.”
“Haha! You sure do! And no wonder.” The other man looked knowingly at Aidan.
Min-Jun just absorbed every bit of information quietly and stared at his plate.
So, his name is Aidan, and he’s not taken. He only asks questions and interrogates but doesn’t bother to introduce himself in return.
***
Min-Jun finished his shift and he went to change into his clothes. He was worn out and couldn’t wait to get home, shower, and sleep. Even though it wasn’t that late, he knew he would collapse once he got home.
After changing, he went to look for Elena in her office. He knocked once then twice, but there was no answer. He turned and went towards the front door and saw her outside through the glass. When he opened the door, Elena turned to him.
“You already finished? I didn’t notice the time.”
“Yeah. The whole day passed quickly.”
“So how do you like it so far?”
“I like it.” Min-Jun nodded, trying his best to look satisfied. The job itself wasn’t that bad, but…
“I’m glad to hear that.” Elena gave him a smile.
“I also wanted to tell you that I’m willing to volunteer…” Min-Jun trailed off, not sure how to finish his thought.
“Yes, of course. I’ll add you to the list.”
Min-Jun nodded. “Thank you. See you tomorrow.”