Chapter 3 - Out Of Reach

Unbeknownst Jieun sort of believed him. Her savor sounded somewhat genuine. Not a hint of lie did she sense in his expression. She followed him to the house where a maid stood behind the open door and waited for their arrival.

The woman greeted them with a light bow. Jieun then recognized the voice of the old woman as she welcomed them. She suddenly felt stupid for even think that God would talk with a person like herself. What deed had she ever commit to receiving such grace?

Embarrassed, Jieun wished to dig a big hole and hide but pretended as nothing was wrong on the outside.

The woman seemed to be in the middle of cooking, but still made time to serve them fruit and water as they waited.

He must be well off to have a slave. Jieun silently thought as she grabbed the glass of water with both hands. Although he only has one. 

After preparing the food he sent the housemaid out but out of the ordinary he instructed her not to come by the coming days. The woman immediately apologized without knowing why and asked him not to fire her.

When realizing the reason behind her behavior, he assured that he wasn't firing her but just giving her a break. As easy as one plus one is two, the housekeeper figured out that this probably was connected with the woman he brought home, but she also knew unless she wants to get fired, minding another's business shouldn't be her affair.

Sending off the maid, her savor headed back to the kitchen. He seated himself across the girl he just met this morning, who he already brought home and shared dinner with. This was a weird feeling. He'd always been alone at the dinner table, it was a strange feeling to have company. Not that it wasn't strange to let a girl you just met enter your house.

Actually he wasn't the type to bring anyone home. Not even a male. Why he brought her without checking her background or questioning her identity, was something he couldn't understand himself. It wasn't out of pity for a girl who couldn't remember her name or family. There was just something around her that pulled his curiosity.

Again. Why is he staring at me like this? Noticing her stare he cleared his throat and grabbed the fork. Jieun timidly took up the chopsticks on the table and pulled the bowl of rice closer to herself.

First know did Jieun notice the line. The table was clearly split into her food and his. Her side was with a bowl of rice, soup, and various side dishes contrary to him with only a deep bottomed plate with mixed vegetables. Why did he have so little? It made her feel a little guilty.

Thinking it was out of manner that the dishes were for her to reach, she pushed the meat dish to him. He raised his head, clearly tempted by her offer.

"Diet." He said as if that was reason enough. With a bitter glare, he spewed the tomato with his fork, as if he punished it for tasting so bad.

Lord speak a language I can understand...

"And that is...?" She dared to ask.

His eyes went from his plate to her. He kind of expected something weird to come out whenever she opened her mouth, but this was something he didn't see come.

"You've never seen anyone eating like this?" he asked. With a moment of silence, she pondered whether to say more.

She knew he already found her pretty strange just like she found this whole situation. But what could happen? He hadn't shown any ill-mannered act, only feeding her and taking her with him, he wouldn't kill her right? She shouldn't be afraid.

"I had, but only because they couldn't afford more-" Even those beggars had a bowl of rice. "Why do you have to starve?"

There are nicer ways to describe it. He was less pleased with the way she phrased it, but since she finally started to speak, he didn't want to be the reason for her to stop.

"There are some criteria...following being a star," He said stuffing in the tomato and slowly chewed. It didn't seem that appetizing in her eyes.

"Do you like being a star?" Her words made no sense. He didn't know if she was just pretending or really asked for an answer.

"Everyone does." He said not looking up from the salad.

"Not everyone," Jieun said silently, which didn't go unnoticed by him. His face moved to her, waiting for her to continue.

"Stars are far away, you'll never be able to reach them." She explained.

"Then what would you be?" he said anticipated.

"The moon."

She took it way too literally.

"Why?" His half grin grew to an arrogant one as if he didn't really believe her words.

"Because it's closer" she shortly replied.

Why not be a rock now you are at it.

Jieun didn't know why she kept speaking to this stranger as if she'd had known him more than just from this morning. But she felt at ease being with him. She wanted to do something for him in return, to show her gratitude for him being overbearing and even showed her hospitality. That's when the thought hit her. His clothes, which had caught her eyes since earlier.

"Should I... patch your clothes?" She said.

"What?" He looked rather surprised.

"The big hole on your knee" she noted. Even though he had a slave, it was strange how he couldn't afford to wear new clothes. His pants were all worn out, the hole on his knees said more than words.

"I bought them because of the rips and you want to patch them?" He retorted, lifting a brow.

Maybe I Shouldn't have brought it up. She kinda pitied him somehow. Did she hurt his pride by pointing out his flaws?

"Eating like a beggar, clothing like a beggar" she murmured to herself. Not thinking it would actually reach his ears.

"What?!"

"Nothing" she hurriedly replied and lifted the bowl to her mouth like some kind of shield. He knew she had been in some way timid even afraid of him, her sudden boldness was completely illogical.

"You aren't normal are you?" He blurted. "The sudden change of attitude is way too suspicious. Weren't you scared of me to death earlier?" He came straight on, not even caring if his words were harsh or offending. On the other hand, she wasn't scared of timid, his question caught her off guard and left her pondering.

He got something. Why am I not afraid anymore? Jieun had no idea. Why wasn't she afraid? She should be. That would be the most normal reaction. Unless this body's owner knew him, then maybe it could explain why she wasn't that scared of him.

"Do...you know me?" Her eyes while asking were enchanting and he had a hard time controlling his facial expression. For a moment he couldn't get his head straight.

"Ehem" he cleared his throat and stood up, pretending as if he never heard her question. It seemed like he didn't want to give an answer.

"It had been a long day... I.. Am going to wash up.. take your time eating." He placed his dish in the sink and hurried away as if he was in a rush. Ignorantly she didn't found his awkward retreat suspicious. Maybe she was being too much?

First, you cling to him and plead for life the next moment you frame him for knowing you, of course, he'll think you are weird! It even seems like he's afraid of you... Jieun sighed in frustration. Frustrated by herself.

Sometimes he feels like a stranger, other times not...What is wrong with me?!?

Jieun had read all the books in her family's humble library, some even twice, but couldn't recall any book mentioning a phenomenon like this. No script roll described a place like this. No books wrote about waking up in another world after taking a bath. She was more lost than a fish on land, but annoyingly answers don't come dumping for the sky when you need them. Maybe her sister was right, reading really wasn't helpful at all.

Jieun wouldn't accept that she had gone insane, even though that would explain a lot, instead, she just continued eating and think that she'd slowly figure out what this is and how to go back.

Take it easy step by step.

She put the empty dishes into the sink as she finished and tried to remember where the washroom was since she needs to wash up too. She remembers him telling her the interior of the house while the slave was making food.

He said something about a washroom down here. She walked through the corridor and chanted to herself,

Second door on the left, she grabbed the doorknob and turned it.

"YA!!!"

Oh lord! Her hand moved to cover her eyes and she turned around in the speed of the light.

"I'm sorry !" She hurriedly closed it. "You should have locked the door!" Her voice was decreasing as she fled the crime scene.

Aish!!  He squeezed his eyes while running his hands through the dripping hair. I'm not used to having her around!!

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***