Chapter 5

Hakyeon

After Mr. Hwang dismissed us we bid goodbye to everyone. After making an excuse I returned to the costume closet. Determined to blend in better than I had after my last visit to Saint malo, I searched through most of the costumes, finding nothing that would allow me to blend in. Finally my eyes settling on a scrap of clothing that would be well suited. Unfurling the garment I found myself holding a dress. I glassed at the black digital watch on my wrist and sighed in defeat. “this will have to do for today.”

I returned returned the gown to a hanger and made made my way to the changing room in hopes of locating a wig. Tugging on the handle I found that it was locked. I let my head fall against the door with a soft thud. “I guess I should take a hint.” I kicked the door to let go of my frustration. I nearly burst out laughing when a key fell from the top of the door. The key unlocked the door and inside I found many different wigs of all colors and lengths. After deciding on a longer brown wig with the hair parted into two pigtails, I left the room, remembering to lock the door behind myself. Changing quickly I hid my cloths and reached back to find the knob. Instead my hand found a string. Following the string down was a metallic object. Tracing up I found the string attached to the dial. I fiddled for a minute trying to get it off before settling on using both hands. I found that the string was made of leather and the metallic object was an old wooden key. There was a post-it note over the dial from the janitor, I assumed. “you should really shouldn’t, but if you must go, with this you will be able to return.” I read aloud. I shrugged and grabbed the key and turned the dial to S.

Stepping back I placed the string around my neck and let it fall onto my chest, tucking it into the bust of the gown to keep it hidden. The dress was simple, darker brown over a white blouse that ended at my wrists. The dress fell to my ankle and soft boots made of leather tied up to the middle of my calf. I had also tied a white apron around my waist. Today if I were stopped, I hoped it would be obvious that I belonged in the kitchen

Although I was nervous, I was a little excited to test my acting skills. With a deep breath, I retraced the steps I took yesterday and found the same sitting room, this time it was empty. I felt no need to stick to the hidden passageways behind the walls. Daringly I walked out the door at the opposite of the room. I kept my head down trying my best to play the role of a lost kitchen maid. Behind the door I found a hallway. I walked a while and turned left to find another hallway. After my fourth turn into another hallway I sagged my shoulders in defeat. “Is that all this place is? Hallways?” I stomped my foot in frustration, forgetting the role I was to play.

I jumped and squeaked when a masculine voice chuckled behind me. “Are you lost sweetheart?”

I turned to face Kim Wonsik as I've never seen him before. He had a cocky grinned on his face and a devilish glint in his eye. One shoulder was against the wall, his arms crossed in front of him and his legs crossed at the ankle. His posture was an open invitation.

He leaned toward me , “well sweetheart, may I have the pleasure of knowing your name?”

I rolled my eyes. “It's cha,” I froze. I had nearly given him my name. “Ennn-ah?”

“Ravi, how many times have I told you to leave the kitchen maids alone?” Hongbin strolled up to us and threw an arm around Wonsik before looking over at me. His eyes grew with shock, but he quickly composed himself. I looked at him with pleading eyes. “I don't think I’ve seen you around here before. Are you new?”

I coughed slightly, “yes, just started this week in the kitchen.”

He lightly hit Wonsik chest and nodded as though  to say I told you she was new. “You're Sunny’s new help right?”

I nodded quickly at the supplied name, hoping that the instinct to trust Hongbin would not lead me astray. Hongbin chuckled, “Sunny will have your head if you chase off another kitchen maid.”

Wonsik sheepishly rubbed at the back of his neck, “Sorry sweetheart, I like my head on my shoulders.” With a small smile he turned to leave.

Hongbin looked me up and down with a slight smirk, “What are you doing in a dress, my lord?”

I rolled my eyes at his question. “Is there somewhere we can talk alone? I have a confession to make.”

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