Chapter 6

No…

No, he didn’t mean it that way.

Why would he.....?

I’m just overthinking.

I tried to convince myself, lightly slapping my cheeks as I stood in front of the mirror.

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t brush it off.

I shook my head, trying to stop the relentless train of thoughts. My head felt hot, no, my whole body felt hot. Feeling frustrated, I decided to take a shower.

I opened my suitcase, still unpacked from yesterday because I had been too exhausted.

My eyes landed on a light pink cropped tank top.

The one my ex had gifted me on my birthday.

It lay there, soft and innocent yet strangely tempting, as if it was calling out to me.

My fingers twitched.

Then, almost instantly, I slammed the suitcase shut and huffed in frustration before heading straight to the bathroom.

____________

When I stepped out of the shower, my phone buzzed.

I picked it up, rubbing a towel over my damp hair.

"I’m leaving for some work. Take care. Be respectful to Jackson." – Dad

I scoffed, locking my phone.

“What work?” I muttered. He had quit his job last month. Most likely, he was out gambling again.

But then.....

A strange thought crept into my mind.

Ryan is out.

My dad is out.

So..... it’s just me and Mr. Kim in the house?

The mere thought sent my heartbeat spiraling out of control.

It hadn’t even been an hour since I calmed myself down and here I was again.

I pressed my palm against my chest, taking a deep breath.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Again.

It wasn’t working.

Something was seriously wrong with me.

The house was silent. Too silent that I could hear my own heartbeat.

It felt like I was the only one there.

“Did Mr. Kim go out too?” I whispered to myself, my eyes drifting toward the door.

Why am I thinking like this?

It’s not like I’ve done anything wrong.

If I’m living here, it’s inevitable that we’ll be alone sometimes.....

After giving myself that weak excuse, I stepped out of my room and leaned over the railing, glancing downstairs.

No sign of Mr. Kim.

“Where is he....?”

I slowly made my way down, each step oddly loud in the silence.

“It’s not like I want to spend time alone with him,” I muttered under my breath. “I’m just.... just curious.”

“Mr. Kim?” I called out for him.

No response.

“Maybe he left too.....”

A strange disappointment tugged at me, one I didn’t even notice until it settled deep inside my chest.

Until my eyes fell on something....

A sticky note on the dining table.

“I’m in the garage. If you need anything, call me. Here’s my number. – Mr. Kim”

My lips curved before I could stop them.

There was a number written on the back.

I quickly pulled out my phone and saved it, pausing for a moment while deciding what to name the contact.

After a brief hesitation, I typed 'Mr. Kim.'

Simple. Safe. And he doesn't dislike me calling him that.

I slipped my phone into my jeans pocket.

I don’t have anything to do…

So there’s nothing wrong with going there, right?

Right.

I locked the door behind me and walked toward the garage beside the house.

Before stepping in, I slightly peeked through the open shutter...

As if I was about to do something forbidden.

And maybe I was.

Because what I saw..... It felt illegal.

He was shirtless.

Sweat glistened over his skin.

His muscles moved under tension as he worked on the car, every motion deliberate, controlled.

My breath hitched.

My mind went completely blank.

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry.

No… I shouldn’t----

My knees weakened, turning to jelly as I shifted my weight and accidentally stepped on a loose tool lying near the entrance.

And it made a noise, enough for him to notice.

Fuck.

He stopped.

Slowly, his head turned toward me.

His eyes widened not in anger, but in concern.

“Be careful !”

His voice was sharp, laced with genuine worry.

I quickly straightened myself, forcing the most awkward smile onto my face.

“Am I.... disturbing you?” I asked, my voice softer than I intended.

For a second, he just looked at me.

Then his lips curved into a small, effortless smile.

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “Not at all.”

He fully turned around to look at me properly.

“Come inside.”

I gulped hard before taking a step forward.

His eyes settled on me as I walked toward him.

Just his gaze alone made my nerves spiral.

I stopped a few steps away, forcing a small smile as I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“Do you need something?” he finally asked, breaking the silence between us.

A mix of nervousness and guilt twisted inside me.

“No..... I was just getting bored and.....” I trailed off, unable to finish.

He nodded with a faint smile, as if he already understood.

“Well, I’m not sure if I can entertain you with my mechanical skills.” he said.

My heart sank a little at his words.

Maybe he doesn’t want me here.

As if reading my expression, he suddenly chuckled.

“Since you’re here...... can you help me?”

The corner of my lips lifted instantly. Somehow, that was all the encouragement I needed.

“What will I get in return?” I asked, surprising even myself.

He raised his eyebrows, a smirk slowly forming as if I had just awakened his teasing side.

“What do you want sweetheart?” he asked, tilting his head slightly, his eyes never leaving mine.

Sweetheart

My heartbeat went wild.

I got lost in his gaze again.

Neither of us looked away.

For a few seconds, I forgot how to speak until he raised his brows again, silently urging me to answer.

I was the first to break eye contact.

Clearing my throat, I said, “I don’t know.... maybe you can answer one of my questions.”

He looked surprised again, then let out a soft chuckle as he turned back to the car.

“You can ask me whatever you want,” he said, picking up the tool he had been using.

I didn’t reply. Instead, I stepped closer, watching what he was doing.

But for some reason, my eyes kept drifting....

To him.

To his bare chest.

There was a tattoo on his shoulder, one that I had an inexplicable urge to trace with my fingers.

I clenched my fists, swallowing hard, forcing myself to look away.

“Can you pass me that wrench?” he asked, pointing toward a table cluttered with tools.

Wrench?

What does that even look like?

I walked over to the table, scanning the unfamiliar tools. After a moment of hesitation, I picked up one that looked like it could be a wrench.

Taking a careful step toward him, I held it out...

But my foot caught on something.

Everything tilted.

I lost my balance, my body slipping backward....

And just before I could fall....

A strong arm wrapped tightly around my waist, pulling me back.

To be continued