By Zephyria “Welcome back, Mr. Campbell.”
After giving a short nod to the Butler who addressed him with precision, Winston stepped into the mansion. He was returning home much later than usual. The quiet mansion was even more silent at night, resembling a tomb.
As always, the Butler silently followed the mansion’s owner, who strode up the stairs with large steps. The sound of shoes echoing through the silence made the mansion even more eerie. The Butler assumed that the owner, who was walking with his lips tightly shut, would head to his room, but today was different.
He stopped before reaching his room. The Butler waited silently, noticing his gaze fixed on one side of the hallway. Winston stared at the closed door for a while, as if contemplating whether to go inside. The Butler simply waited for Winston’s decision.
Without taking too long, he started walking again. Winston opened the door to the room at the end of the hallway himself, then immediately stopped moving. As expected, the bed was empty. The Butler opened his mouth, noticing his gaze silently fixed on the neatly made bed, which showed no signs of being used.
“Mr. Yu-jin is resting in Angie’s room. I confirmed that they fell asleep together earlier, should I wake him?”
Winston said nothing. It was only after a few seconds of silence that he replied.
“No, leave him be.”
It was what he had expected, so he wasn’t surprised. It was also what he had been conflicted about when he stood in front of the child’s room. After uttering the short sentence, he readily entered the room and carelessly tossed his suit jacket and tie over the back of the sofa. The Butler quickly draped the clothes he had taken off over one arm and asked as he received them one by one.
“Are you feeling alright? I have prepared your medicine.”
The medicine and alcohol were on the tea table next to the window leading to the balcony, just like the day before. Winston immediately walked towards the tea table and poured himself a drink while standing. The Butler silently watched him down the glass full of whiskey in one gulp.
“Shall I get some ice?”
Only after placing the empty glass on the table did the Butler ask, and Winston shook his head. He then scooped up a handful of pills, threw them into his mouth, and emptied the glass of alcohol.
“I’m going to throw a party next weekend.”
The Butler paused and blinked at Winston’s words as he put down the glass. Winston continued, staring straight ahead.
“Invite as many people as possible. Especially everyone who attended the wedding and reception, without exception. Make sure no one is absent. It’s an important party.”
He was inwardly perplexed, wondering if it would be alright with such short notice, but the Butler had to follow orders unconditionally. He chose a submissive attitude instead of objecting.
“Understood. Then, what about the hostess… Shall I inform Mrs. Campbell?”
Yu-jin should naturally take on that role in situations like this, but it wouldn’t be easy at the moment. The Butler offered what he thought was the most reasonable alternative, but Winston’s thoughts were different.
“Shouldn’t Yu-jin do it? It’s Yu-jin’s role.”
“Ah… yes.”
With nothing more to say, the Butler simply replied, “Understood,” and stepped back. If Winston said so, he had no choice but to follow.
What on earth is he thinking?
The Butler was perplexed, but decided to focus on what he had to do right away. He had to start preparing for the party tomorrow. There was no time to send out invitations, so he would have to contact people by phone, and before that, he had to check the guest list….
“And.”
“Yes.”
The Butler, who was rapidly thinking through his tasks, heard Winston’s voice. He immediately stopped his thoughts and perked up his ears as Winston brought another glass of alcohol to his lips and continued.
“Tomorrow…”
The Butler inadvertently looked at his master in surprise at the words that followed.
* * *
“You want to have breakfast? With me?”
Yu-jin couldn’t hide his bewildered expression as he repeated the maid’s words. The maid, nodding with a blank face, opened her mouth.
“I will guide you to the breakfast room. Are you ready?”
“Uh, no. Just a moment.”
He had barely woken up. Yu-jin carefully detached himself from his still-sleeping daughter, got out of bed, and hurriedly rushed into the bathroom. Suddenly wanting to have breakfast with me? What’s his motive?
Winston had returned very late the night before. He had deliberately put the child to bed early and slept with Angela in her room, but he hadn’t returned until Yu-jin was completely asleep. Moreover, he had even considered the possibility of being dragged out of Angela’s bed in case something happened, but that was also a ridiculous thought.
All his expectations had been wrong, and now he suddenly wanted to have breakfast together.
Thinking that he couldn’t understand the man named Winston at all, Yu-jin quickly finished getting ready and came back out. After making sure that the child was sound asleep, he followed the maid.
Ah.
As he walked down the long hallway on the lower floor, he could smell the sweet aroma of coffee even before reaching the breakfast room. He confirmed that he was getting closer to his destination as the scent gradually intensified. Yu-jin forced down his ragged breath, disturbed by anxiety, and continued walking.
Finally, as he entered the breakfast room, the first thing he saw was the man sitting in a chair, bathed in sunlight, drinking coffee. The Butler, who was standing next to him, noticed Yu-jin and moved to hold the back of the empty chair across from him. The room, filled with the soft aroma of coffee, had a peaceful atmosphere with the bright light pouring in through the large open window and the occasional sound of birds, but Yu-jin couldn’t relax. He pulled his chin in, pressed his lips tightly together, and started walking. Winston must know that Yu-jin had arrived, but he was just looking at his tablet and didn’t react.
“Thank you.”
After waiting for him to come closer, he gave a short greeting to the Butler who had pulled out the chair for him, and the Butler opened his mouth after seeing Yu-jin settle in.
“Would you like coffee or tea?”
“Tea, please.”
“How about honey or lemon?”
“Both are fine.”
“Understood.”
The Butler then checked every detail, such as how he wanted his eggs cooked, how well he wanted his bacon cooked, and what kind of breakfast juice he wanted, before glancing at Winston and leaving without lingering. Judging by the skilled Butler’s attitude, it seemed he was checking if the master needed anything.
The sound of birds returned. Finally, they were alone. Yu-jin felt uncomfortable with the awkward silence, but he didn’t dare to break it rashly. After all, no good could come from that man opening his mouth.But the boy was waiting for him alone in the room. He was furious that he had summoned someone only to be ignored like this, but he was the one at a disadvantage now. In the end, Yu-jin had no choice but to speak first.
“What’s the matter? I doubt you just wanted to have breakfast with me.”
Winston spoke without even looking up.
“Wait.”
Again. He had said the same thing before, and Yu-jin had made it clear that he didn’t like it. Yet this man’s attitude didn’t change. Was he incapable of learning? Or did he think he could just ignore what I said?
Thinking that, there was only one thing he could do.
“Winston.”
Yu-jin reached across the table and grabbed his teacup. He continued in a quiet voice to Winston, who was still pretending not to hear him.
“Are you going to change your clothes, or are you going to talk to me?”
At the sudden question, Winston finally looked up. Seeing him still frowning, Yu-jin calmly added,
“If I spill this, you’ll have to change your clothes, wouldn’t it be less of a hassle to just tell me why you called me?”
The Butler, who had just returned with the tea, flinched in surprise. But Yu-jin still held the teacup and only looked at Winston. Winston, too, just stared back at him without a word. A few more seconds passed between Winston and Yu-jin, who were glaring at each other, with the Butler hastily trying to figure out what to do in case something happened.