Beast, Blue Blood - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

A lit mansion came into view through the dark car window. As the car stopped at the entrance and the door opened, Eugene got out. Cox was waiting with the lobby door open. Eugene turned to the secretary who accompanied her instead of Nasiri and spoke.

“You did well. Have a good rest.”

The secretary bowed.

“Good night.”

As Eugene climbed the low steps, leaving the secretary behind, Cox spoke.

“You’re late.”

“Yes, a bit. Have you had dinner?”

“An old man like me eats however he can.”

Eugene chuckled.

“You’re not old.”

Then she asked.

“What about that friend?”

“Friend?”

Cox looked puzzled, then muttered as if he realized.

“Oh, you mean Young-soo…”

Eugene felt puzzled by his somewhat reluctant tone.

“Did something happen?”

Cox sighed softly.

“He’s completely useless.”

“Completely?”

Cox nodded firmly, leaving no room for doubt.

“Yes, completely.”

“Then how about washing dishes in the kitchen…”

Before Eugene could finish her sentence, Cox sighed again.

“Didn’t he try that? He broke an entire set of dishes.”

Eugene looked at the antique grandfather clock in the lobby.

“He’s only been here for half a day, hasn’t he?”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“Why didn’t you stop him after he broke one?”

Eugene’s question was more about Cox’s uncharacteristic handling of the situation than about the dishes. Cox, keeping his expressionless face, replied.

“He broke them all at once.”

Eugene closed her mouth, then reluctantly spoke again.

“Then at least cleaning…? He knows how to mop, right?”

“He doesn’t even grasp the concept of wringing out the water.”

Looking at Young-soo’s white and delicate face, she didn’t expect him to have any special skills… But still, he seemed like someone who had to fend for himself. Usually, aren’t people like that good at whatever they do? Maybe that’s just a prejudice.

Eugene smiled a little.

“Well, we can teach him slowly.”

It felt absurd even to herself to say she would pay a wage to teach an employee she hired to work, but she felt responsible as the one who hired Young-soo without properly verifying him.

Cox clicked his tongue softly.

“I told you not to pick up stray puppies.”

Eugene looked at Cox with puzzled eyes.

“I’ve never picked up a puppy.”

She had never raised a dog. There were always good-blooded, fierce dogs guarding the mansion, but they were her father’s. Eugene disliked those dogs. It wasn’t the fault of the mute creatures, but their fierce and boastful nature bothered her. Since she was mostly away from home, she never considered those dogs as her own.

But Cox spoke nonchalantly as he left.

“You picked him up in the end, didn’t you?”

Eugene was rarely at a loss for words. Young-soo was a person, not a dog, yet she couldn’t refute.

* * *

[Mr. Cox has arrived.]

The home AI, Lev, spoke in a soft baritone voice.

“Let him in.”

Eugene, sitting at her desk, answered, and soon the door opened, and she sensed someone approaching. Cox appeared at the open doorway leading to the study inside the room.

“I brought him.”

Following Cox, Hisha, with a nervous face, bowed politely. He was wearing a faded t-shirt and an equally worn-out shirt, but he looked cute even at night.

Cox left them alone and went out.

“Sit down.”

Eugene stood up from her desk and gestured to the sofa. Hisha sat opposite her.

Eugene asked.

“How’s the work?”

Hisha gave an awkward smile.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was this incompetent… Come to think of it, I’ve never heard anyone say I’m good at work.”

His hands, resting quietly on his thighs, were large and sturdy. They looked capable, but apparently, they weren’t.

Eugene smiled.

“If it’s unfamiliar work, that can happen. No one is good at something from the start.”

Hisha, expecting to be scolded or fired, looked surprised.

“You’re kind.”

At that, Eugene laughed a little.

“Am I?”

“What?”

Hisha didn’t expect such a reply and asked again. Then, thinking he hadn’t explained himself properly, he quickly added.

“Oh, yes. Thank you for giving me a job so readily and for taking care of me in many ways.”

Eugene made a ‘hmm’ sound and rested her chin on her fingers.

“Finding the right job for you is the key. Let’s see…”

As her dark brown eyes scanned him slowly, Hisha felt a slight tension. It was hard to tell if it was the tension of standing before an interviewer or something else.

“What do you like?”

Eugene’s question made Hisha think for a moment before he cautiously replied.

“Uh, sports…?”

“What kind of sports?”

“As long as it involves moving my body, I don’t dislike anything. I also like ball games.”

“Then you prefer physical work.”

Hisha nodded.

“Yes, I’m confident in that.”

Eugene considered making a joke about his performance in bed but held back, knowing it would be inappropriate. Instead, she said.

“Then I’ll tell Mr. Cox. Tomorrow, try various tasks and see what suits you.”

“Yes.”

Hisha answered cheerfully, making Eugene smile.

“Then you may go. Have a good rest.”

“Have a good night.”

As Hisha walked away, he suddenly turned back.

“Oh, by the way.”

Eugene, who had already returned to her desk, looked up. Seeing her, Hisha spoke.

“I heard this is your father’s house. Should I introduce myself to him…?”

Eugene’s desk was a heavy wooden one, the kind used by middle-aged executives smoking cigars. It seemed too bulky for her, as she appeared to suit a more stylish design. It wasn’t about gender or position; she simply seemed more suited to a sophisticated desk.

“My father is in the hospital. He’s quite ill.”

Eugene’s answer made Hisha murmur an ‘Oh.’

“I see. I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t know. No need to apologize.”

As she spoke, Eugene smiled. It felt like a steely smile, but that could’ve been his imagination.

“Then I’ll be off. Good night.”

Hisha left the room. Outside, he found Cox waiting, contrary to his expectations.

“Mr. Cox.”

“Follow me.”

Cox gestured and walked ahead. Though puzzled, Hisha followed without a word.

“By the way, what’s wrong with the director’s father?”

Hisha asked cautiously. Cox looked at him with a slightly surprised, almost astonished expression.

“Did the director tell you that?”

Hisha answered, still confused.

“Yes.”

Cox muttered, ‘That’s unusual,’ then continued.

“It’s none of your concern. Just know that much.”

Cox, now in the office, sat at a desk and handed him a tablet. A labor contract was displayed on the screen.

“There’s nothing special. Just follow three rules.”

“Three rules?”

Hisha asked as he looked.

“Don’t see, don’t hear, don’t speak.”

Cox’s stern face cast a shadow, creating a heavy atmosphere.

“That’s a bit vague.”

Hisha murmured, feeling slightly intimidated. Cox looked up, his expression back to normal, making Hisha wonder if he had imagined the previous intensity.

“It means don’t talk about what you see or hear here. If you’ve worked in society, you should know this basic principle.”

“But saying it like that is scary.”

“You’re timid for your size. Read and sign it.”

Hisha skimmed the contract. As Cox said, it was a standard employment contract. As he prepared to sign, Cox added.

“Oh, and one more thing. No dating here.”

Though a common workplace rule, Hisha felt his heart skip a beat as Cox added, expressionless.

“Absolutely.”

* * *

Hisha yawned loudly. He had woken up much earlier than usual. Cox, standing in front of the employees, noticed Hisha at the back.

“Mr. Kim Young-soo, focus.”

Hisha sheepishly replied.

“Sorry.”

All the employees of this mansion were gathered in the large kitchen on the first floor for their daily morning meeting.

Fuger-Dulloch Mansion had an early start. At dawn, 6 a.m., because the owner left for work early.

Cox, responsible for the daily briefing, seemed to remember something.

“By the way, this is Mr. Kim Young-soo. He started working here yesterday. Some of you have met him, and some haven’t, but you all heard the sound of the dishes breaking in the kitchen.”

People chuckled at that. Hisha gave an awkward smile. He had just slipped, but unfortunately, his arm had swung into a stack of dishes.

People turned to greet him one by one.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Welcome.”

Hisha bowed in greeting. He had worried about being treated coldly as a parachute hire, but everyone seemed kind and friendly.

Just then, the kitchen door, which could be pushed open with a body, cautiously opened, and Eugene, ready for work, peeked in.

“Oh.”

Seeing her, Hisha instinctively called out.