The kitchen smelled of reheated rice and cheap soy sauce.
Yuna flopped onto the bench at the wooden table, her sleeves still rolled from the day's work. Across from her friend nari partner in crime and occasional roommate was already chewing noisily on a spring roll.
"I swear," said with her mouth half full, "for someone who scams billionaires, you sure eat like a broke college student."
Yuna grinned and stole the last dumpling from her plate.
"Well, Madam Gourmet, if you want Michelin-star food, next time you run a multi-layer forgery sting and dodge two security systems before dinner."
"I just thought there'd be chicken," nari huffed. "Like at least one dramatic dish. This feels like sadness."
"You are the drama," Yuna teased, biting into the dumpling. "Besides, carbs are the real comfort."
Nari shot her a glare but ended up laughing, snorting in that ridiculous way Yuna loved.
"You're lucky you're pretty, Deniz."
"Please," Yuna smirked. "Deniz is the pretty one. Yuna is the charming one. And you"
"I'm the one with the appetite of a small village," her friend cut in proudly. "No shame."
They burst into giggles, loud enough to startle the mansion cats prowling outside the window. Yuna leaned back in her chair, stretching, a soft yawn escaping her lips.
"I'm heading upstairs," she said, brushing crumbs from her lap. "Early start tomorrow."
Her friend gasped dramatically. "Blessed be the fraud. Go, queen!"
Yuna winked and grabbed the last bun from the plate. "Lock up behind me. And no midnight snacking. You're still on my last yogurt."
"You can't prove that!"
Yuna was already halfway up the stairs, laughter trailing behind her.
fog covered the ground like crawling mist. She stood barefoot in a swampy field, water rising to her ankles. The air felt cold and heavy. She turned around. A man was trapped waist-deep in the mud arms reaching out, voice trembling.
"Don't leave me," he gasped. "You're here for me…"
His face was blurred like a forgotten memory. His hands struggled to pull himself out, but the more he moved, the deeper he sank.
She stepped closer, unsure. Her breath caught in her throat. Then his head snapped up, as if he'd felt her fear.
"He's already here…" he whispered.
Yuna jolted awake heart pounding, palms cold.
She sat still for a moment, trying to calm her breath.
The old mansion creaked softly around her.
She got up, washed her face, and began changing. Her reflection stared back from the mirror soft brown hair tied up loosely, her skin glowing with the pale golden light of morning. She had delicate features, but her expression held something older than her years. Her eyes deep, rich brown like those of a deer who had seen too many wolves.
She wore her usual maid's uniform, the fabric hugging her waist, skirt falling just above the ankles. She tied the white apron in place.
Just then, the door creaked open and a woman stepped inside plump, talkative, with wild curls tucked under a scarf.
"Going somewhere?" She asked, raising a brow.
Yuna gave her a light smile.
"I'm heading back to the master's house," she said, brushing a few strands behind her ear. "Today's my last day. I'll be back by evening."
Nari made a face. "Quitting already? That fast?"
Yuna winked. "We've got enough now. No point staying where I don't belong."
She stepped outside. The city air hit her face crisp and clean after last night's rain. Her footsteps echoed on the stone path as she made her way to the bus stop.
The bus rolled in doors hissing open. She stepped inside, chose a seat near the window. The driver turned the radio up.
"You fall like rain I never asked for
But I don't run from the storm anymore"
She leaned her head against the glass.
Another bus pulled into the station beside theirs. Grey, older model. Its doors opened, too.
"Your winds carry me further
Even when I don't know where I'm going"
Yuna glanced to the side, then stilled.
There, standing inside the other bus, was a man.
He wore a dark coat, tall, sharply dressed a cap pulled low over his face, casting shadows over his features. His skin was pale under the morning light. His presence was quiet but piercing. Not someone you'd forget.
Suddenly, his eyes lifted.
Her rich brown eyes warm, deep, wide like a startled deer met his Black eyes.
Sharp. Cold.
Eyes like a lion who had seen blood before sunrise.
Time froze.
"The ground beneath me starts to move
you were never just the wind"
The bus doors closed.
His bus pulled away.
Yuna blinked. Her breath returned.
Still staring at the passing street, she whispered to herself:
"I don't know who you are. But I've seen you before... Haven't I?"
The radio played on.
"Blessed be the love" Blessed be the pain"