Chapter 10: Refused
Si Yoon woke up the next day with a throbbing discomfort running through her whole body. She blinked, bewildered, as memories of the night before came pouring back to her. Her muscles ached, and she winced when she shifted beneath the sheets. Woo Hyun was gone for work, which left the place uncomfortably silent.
Si Yoon took a deep breath and sat up, gripping the covers around her. The sumptuous settings of Woo Hyun's chamber were stifling in the early light, an acute reminder of her new life. She got up from bed and went to use the bathroom, seeking for respite from the pain in her muscles.
Si Yoon sighed softly as she slid herself into the heated bath, hoping that the water would ease her sore body and rushing thoughts. She tried to forget about Woo Hyun's claim on her, the power of his stare, and all of the emotions that left her appearing defenseless and disoriented. However, the harder she fought to let go, more she remembered.
After what seemed like a lifetime, the housekeeper, Ms. Han, lightly tapped on the restroom door and emerged with a tray of food. "Good morning, Miss Si Yoon," she said with a courteous smile, laying the serving platter on the adjacent table. "I have brought you some breakfast. Would you wish to keep it here?"
Si Yoon offered a small nod and went out of the bath, covering herself in a towel. "Thank you, Ms. Han."
The housekeeper left her alone to dine, and Si Yoon dragged herself to eat a few bites despite her lack of appetite.
She wandered through the grand hallways, eventually finding herself in the villa's library. The room was vast, lined with shelves that stretched from floor to ceiling, filled with books of every genre and era. The large windows let in streams of sunlight, making the room feel warm and inviting. Si Yoon allowed herself to get lost in the pages of a novel, finding some solace in the words as she sat curled up in a plush chair.
Ms. Han followed her later that afternoon and offered to show her around the residence. Si Yoon agreed, eager to get acquainted with her new surroundings. The villa was much more stunning than she had imagined, with tastefully appointed rooms, sprawling gardens, and an outdoor pool overlooking the distant hills. Despite the magnificence, Si Yoon was unable to overcome the sensation of being caged.
Si Yoon was unable to avoid worrying about her accumulating debts and the men who would shortly arrive to retrieve them. She had to figure out a way to repay them, and the seriousness of her circumstances pressed heavily on her. She passed the remainder of the day creating a strategy for earning sufficient funds.
The night arrived swiftly, as did Woo Hyun's return. Si Yoon was sitting in the dining area as she noticed his car come into the driveway. Her pulse missed a beat as he entered, and she immediately dodged his gaze. The recollections from the day before reappeared, causing her face flush with humiliation and perplexity.
Woo Hyun quickly observed her plight. He smirked internally, pleased by her attempt to act like nothing took place. But his gaze exposed his enjoyment, a gleam of contentment flickering over them as he looked at her.
"I see you're settling in," he remarked casually, his smirk lingering as he observed her. "How was your day?"
Si Yoon hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "It was fine… I spent some time in the library and got a tour of the house."
Woo Hyun nodded, taking a seat across from her. There was a moment of silence before Si Yoon gathered the courage to speak again. She knew she had to bring up her debts, no matter how much she dreaded his reaction.
"Woo Hyun," she said softly, selecting her phrases cautiously. "I have been thinking about my predicament. I still need to make payments off the bills that my father left behind. "I was hoping you would let me work so I could start paying them off."
The plea hung in the atmosphere around them, and Si Yoon dared herself to have faith that he would consider it. Woo Hyun's look dimmed and she realized immediately that her hopes had been shattered.
"No," he stated firmly, leaving no space for discussion. "You're not working."
Si Yoon's heart sank. "But I have to repay the loan sharks." "They won't wait forever."
Woo Hyun's eyes squinted as he drew slightly closer. "I've told you previously that I'll manage it. You are staying here, Si Yoon. I would rather not see you leaving the house, and I definitely do not want you working. It is not subject to discussion."
He wanted to keep her away from the prying eyes of his family, especially his grandfather who would think of his attraction as more than that and might even cause harm to Si yoon since she had nothing to offer.
His comments hit deeply, and Si Yoon noticed a rush of rage and powerlessness pour over her. She had no input in the issue, no power over her own destiny. Woo Hyun wanted to keep her within his watchful gaze, and there was absolutely nothing she could change about it.
Si Yoon sighed inwardly, realizing that there was no way out of this. It wasn't just about her debts but she wanted to have some money to rely on when the contract was over. However, she realized that it was next to impossible without Woo hyun's agreement.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone