Author's note: This fictional work contains scenes of forced (non-consensual) nudity.
Apologies for any errors in Korean language or culture. Please let me know if anything needs to be corrected.
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"Who are you, and why are you mowing our lawn naked?"
She stood at the top steps of the estate's stone patio, a drink in one hand and her phone in the other, taking picture after picture of my nakedness.
"Uh, I'm Tanner," I said, lamely trying to hide my privates behind the thin handle of the lawn mower. "Mr. Choi hired me to house-sit and fix up the place while the family is out of the country."
"Bullshit. Old man Sorenson does that when we're away."
The ice in her drink clinked as she took a sip while eying me over the top of her glass.
Whoever she was, she had the Choi family resemblance: heart-shaped face, beautifully lidded eyes and a darker skin tone. She looked to be about mid-twenties and was kind of short and kind of stout, but very attractive. A simple blue sundress hugged her modest figure, her silky black hair falling in messy tendrils to her shoulders.
"Yeah, you got me," I said. "I drove all the way out here to mow the lawn for free. And later I'm going to trim the hedges in front for free, too."
She cocked her head. "Oh, snarky fucker, are you?" She set her drink aside, then advanced down the steps, raking my naked form from head to toe. I had never felt more embarrassed or exposed.
"Okay," she said, "So you're the new caretaker. Did grandfather put a nudism clause in your contract?"
I lowered my eyes. "I know this looks weird. My work clothes got soaked with rotted leaves and crap when I unclogged the culvert this morning. We're in the middle of nowhere. It's hotter than hell and the lane has a locked gate. Plus, the driveway alarm would alert me about any cars. So, you know... I figured I'd get the lawn mowed then go put something on."
"Oh, makes perfect sense," she said. "Who wouldn't spring at the chance to mow their employer's lawn buck naked? Except for those boots and that cowboy hat, of course."
She speared me with a wry look, making me feel even more foolish.
"Gotta keep the sun off," I said. "And it's not safe to mow in bare feet. Anyway, I've been here for a week. The nearest neighbors are like 30 minutes down the road and except for deer, there's been no one. How'd you get past the gate?"
"I'm family. I know the code."
"And the driveway alarm? I have the app on my phone. Even with the mower going, I would have felt it vibrate."
Narrowing her eyes, she scanned me again. "I'm almost afraid to ask, but where exactly are you keeping your phone?"
I bent and pulled it from the top of my boot. Sure enough, the driveway alarm app showed no alerts.
"Thank god," she said. "I pictured you having it somewhere less hygienic." She chuckled and took another sip of her drink. "Anyway, I know exactly where the car sensor is. And I know grandfather would get an alert too. So, I parked at the top of the lane and walked down until I could shut it off."
I shook myself. Why was I feeling cowed by this person? Mr. Choi left me in charge of the property. And granddaughter or not, she just admitted she didn't want him to know she was there.
"So, what brings you here?" I asked, squaring my shoulders. "Mr. Choi was pretty clear there were to be no visitors."
She looked at me askance. "You're a little slow, aren't you, hayseed? I'm Hanna Choi, granddaughter. Our whole family comes here all the time. And I've decided to stay a few weeks. To take in the country air and all that stuff."
"Huh. Well, Hanna. Mr. Choi said nothing about that. In fact, he said the whole extended family was traveling."
"They are."
I looked at her expectantly.
"Uh, I stayed behind this year," she said. "Busan is
such
an armpit in July."
"I see. Well, since you're staying, I'll just text to let him know."
She grabbed my wrist when I tried sending a text. "No one needs to know I'm here, got it?"
"I have responsibilities," I said. "How do I know you're even who you say you are?"
She pulled a driver's license from her phone's case and stuck it in my face. Sure enough, she was Hanna Choi, age 24, two years younger than me.
"Still gotta let him know," I grumbled.
"Do that," she said, "and he'll get 20 photos of you in the buff followed by a tearful voice mail from his only granddaughter."
She pressed the back of a hand to her forehead and wailed, "Oh, revered
harabeoji
! I was worried that your beautiful property was not being properly cared for. Imagine my shock finding this
chon-nom
so shamefully naked and wagging his pasty little
jot
in my face."
She lowered her hand and smiled smugly.
I blew out a breath. "You're a real piece of work, aren't you?"
"You have no idea, nature boy. Hey, which room are you staying in?"
The house had two floors with six bedrooms. Mr. Choi had invited me to take the guest bedroom at the far end: it had an ensuite bathroom and king bed with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake.
Hanna shook her head when I told her.
"Nope. I'm staying in that one. You'll take one of the rooms down the hall."
"What? Mr. Choi said I could use it. I've got all my stuff in there. Why don't you just use one of the others while you're here?"
"It's the best room in the entire house," she said. "Reserved for honored guests. Which is me, now."
Whatever, I thought. It wasn't worth fighting over.
"I'll get dressed and move my stuff," I said with a sigh.
"No, I like you like this," she said.
"Uh, what?"