In the novel, thanks to Jo-Pil's 'behavior' that infuriated Ki-hoon as soon as they got to the mansion, Jo-Pil ate on his own, and after dinner, Ki-hoon went to his room and... Well, we know what happened from there on.
Because of that, it didn't cross my mind that Ki-hoon would join me for dinner if I changed our starting point.
I think I already scored brownie points for having gotten Ki-hoon's coat while I was asleep. So, did that mean he saw me in a slightly better light?
Only one way to find out.
"M-master," I called and Ki-hoon, who had been minding his business, slightly raised his head, and in-between his eyebrows crinkling in dissatisfaction.
Seriously, could he not frown each time he heard my voice? I was putting in a lot of effort to appear docile and meek.
"What did you call me?" He asked and I gulped.
"Master," I said. "You're my master since you bought me from the auction house."
"And who said you could call me master?"
Oh please, don't be such a cranky little kid.
"T-then, what should I say when I want to call out to you?" I asked but he did not respond.
Rather, he dropped his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his palm, gazing at me as if he were a tiger who wanted to figure me out before ripping out my throat.
He was handsome though. Wait, focus on what was important.
"You wish to call out to me?" He asked and I nodded. "For what reason?"
So I can check if your name is in the Book of Life, stupid. He was starting to get infuriating.
"Well," I slowly lowered my head. "...that's because it would be improper to call out to you with terms like 'Hey', or 'You there'. You're someone dignified, and for whatever reason, I have to call out to you at that time; I cannot slip up and be rude. So..." I raised my head and found him staring at me with a shocked expression.
Was that too much? He looks like he's seen a cow doing flips.
"Um, did I do something wrong?"
He covered his face for a moment and scoffed.
"Why are you so docile all of a sudden?" He asked.
"Pardon?"
"Back at the restaurant, you were quite bold and fearless, eating away at everything in front of you and speaking informally
Gosh, and I thought my acting skills were superb. Was he not falling for it?
"Well, to tell you the truth. At first, I thought you were a bad guy so I was a bit weary." I said. Now, I was spilling rubbish. "But they say anyone who offers you food is a nice person so I got too comfortable and acted a bit disrespectful. I hope you'll forgive me for that."
"Then, did you get scared and begin acting formal and polite because I threatened you?" He asked and I darted my eyes away for a second.
Well, not exactly but I have to save my skin and my butt, so...
"You didn't threaten me." I said. "And I didn't get scared either. I just... Decided to be respectful to the one who pulled me out of that dark and scary hole. Even if you brought me here with a purpose in mind, it is true that you gazed at a poor and helpless person like me and decided to 'help' me."
Nice, let's play the pitiful card right.
"It's thanks to you that I no longer have to run from debtors chasing me left and right, and it's thanks to you that I don't have to eat scraps for food. Just look at this table," I smiled faintly. "Even if you bought me because I'm that kind of Omega who can give you what you want," I raised my head and gazed at him softly. "... I'd still be grateful."
Nice. Very nice. I'm such a good actor. There's no way he would bear to lay his hands on me after I've praised him so much, right? And considering he still had feelings for Jo-Pil from his past, he wouldn't want to be cruel.
Now, I can expect either one of these three questions from him.
One, 'What makes you so sure that I'm the kind of good guy you make me out to be.' Come on, don't play the bad guy card.
Two, 'Do you not remember me at all?' So melodramatic.
And lastly, 'I'm not the only one who bought you. Will you still say those words after meeting the others?'
He would definitely ask questions along those lines and I was prepared to answer them all to the best of my abilities.
"Hwang Jo-Pil," he called,
"Yes, sir?"
"First off, I need to make something clear to you." He said and got up from his chair, walking towards me who was sitting there seats away from me. "I'm not buying the fact that you're this 'obedient,' and I can't help but think that you're scheming something secretly."
Whoops, he got me.
"But what could you actually do? You have no backing and no one is on your side, so even if you wanted to betray me again, you have no means." He stopped behind me while I sat straight with my gaze forward.
"A-again?" I asked. "Sir, have... Have we met before?"
This caused his eyebrows to furrow and he asked number two.
"Hwang Jo-Pil, do you really not recognize me?" He asked but I turned my head and looked at him in oblivion.
"Um, I'm sorry but I don't." I said and before he had the chance to even get handsy with me, I made another confession. "I had an accident over five years ago and I cannot remember anything from before then. All my memories right now revolve around me struggling for scraps and running from my debtors for the last five years." I explained and his countenance shifted.
"What?"
"So, I'm sorry if I don't remember you. You must've been someone I knew before five years ago." I looked at him with 'genuine' curiosity and asked. "Were we... Acquainted?"