CH13- Found

Found

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Sandara’s POV

I watch Youngbae as he’s lying down next to my feet. He has his eyes closed but there’s a smile on his lips, like always. This guy always has a ready smile. It’s like he’s always happy and he affects the people around him. He’s like a little ball of sunshine. That’s it, I thought. He’s like the sun that always shines and gives warmth. Maybe that’s why I wasn’t feeling uncomfortable knowing that a man is inside my house right now. He is the first man that I let inside my apartment ever since I moved in this place a year ago.

“Hey, aren’t you going to ask me about last night?” I suddenly find myself asking. I don’t know why I said those words but last night’s events are still running in my mind. 

Youngbae opened his eyes and turned towards me. “Do you want me to? Is it okay if I did?”

I shrugged. I am now regretting my words. It was part of our contract that personal questions are not allowed. I have always stressed on this rule and I don’t know why I initiated on breaking it.

Youngbae sat up and looked at me. “Who was that guy?” 

Taking a swig at my beer, I answered. “He was my first love.”

Youngbae raised his eyebrows and knot his forehead. “What happened? It ended badly?”

I gave a bitter laugh. “Bad doesn’t even begin to describe the mess that we were in.”

He was waiting for me to elaborate but it felt like the words that were threatening to spill from inside me got clogged up in my throat and I couldn’t say any more. It has been three years, Dara. I remind myself. Three fucking years. But I can still recall that moment, very vividly … the time I wish I’d forgotten … when it all ended. I suddenly stand up and ran to the toilet. I heaved and puked all the contents of my stomach.

Youngbae knelt beside me as he pulled back my hair to keep it from the toilet bowl with one hand and was gently tapping my back with the other. “Are you okay?” concern is evident in his voice. “I told you to eat slowly … You ate too much, too fast!”

I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and flushed the toilet. I’m still a girl and I realized how embarrassing it was, for him to have seen what happened. Not only was it gross, all the food that he brought has now gone to waste.

“Mian” I said.

“Feel better now?”

I nodded. I then rinsed my mouth and gargled with mouthwash while he was standing at the door of my bathroom watching me.

“I shouldn’t have given you beer” he said, blaming himself.

“It wasn’t your fault” I said in a small voice. How can I tell him that remembering the past was what triggered the bile rising up my throat and not the food or the beer? Turning to the tactic women often use to escape from certain situations, I said, “I’m not feeling well.” His face suddenly looked more concerned. “I think I’ll lie down for a while.”

Youngbae was alert and even helped me with the futon and the pillows as I lied down.

“Rest” he said. “Do you want me to stay in case you need something?”

I shook my head. “No, I’ll be fine. I’ll just see you tomorrow, okay?”

“If you’re sure …”

“I’m sure.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow then … now that you have your phone with you …”

I smiled and held up my phone which was beside me. 

He picked up the beer bottles and the remnants of the takeout food before he let himself out. That’s what I appreciate about him. He has his own charm in his silent ways. I never intended to get this close to a client but Youngbae is starting to feel more of a friend now. Too bad, he is falling for the wrong kind of girl. Which reminds me; I ruined our game plan last night. I’d better make it up to him. He is not paying me all that money to be his friend. I have a mission to accomplish and that is to get him a girlfriend.

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Two days later …

I was supposed to dance at Lucky Seven last night but I couldn’t find the energy to so I called in sick. Dongwook oppa asked if I needed to be taken to the hospital or if I need company so he can let Byul or Youngbae know but I told him “No” to both and to keep it between us. I wasn’t really sick, but more of depressed and I didn’t want to deceive more people. Reassuring him that I’ll be fine, he agreed.

Youngbae was also busy with school and what he said, a sudden emergency in their company that he had to travel to Japan yesterday. He kept calling and checking on me every day, though. He still advised that I rest but today, I’ve decided to go to the café. With the amount he’s paying me, I can afford not to dance in the club or go to Black Widow like he suggested but I fought to keep those two jobs. I only agreed to an exclusive contract regarding the escort service. I can’t imagine myself just lounging at home in bed not doing anything in three months. Besides, what will I do after our contract is up? I would still have to go back to those jobs to earn a living.

Getting out of the funk that I’ve been in since the masquerade ball, I came to work with a renewed vigour and I even volunteered to work a couple of extra hours to cover for Suzy’s shift who was applying for a role in a small theatre company. 

It was the last hour and I was behind the counter, taking customer’s orders while Sunny concocts the blends, when I see him. He is standing in front of me, looking at me intently. 

He found me. I think back on the last words he said.  “Dara! I’ll definitely find you again.” He found me, my mind repeated.

Sunny must have noticed us when she gently elbowed me, reminding me that there’s a line of customers that’s waiting to give their orders. I tried to say the usual words of greetings but I couldn’t. His presence here took me by surprise. Sunny looks worried and whispered, “Are you feeling sick again?” 

“Huh?”

“You can rest. Don’t worry, I’ll take over” she said and faced him. “Good evening! Welcome to Black Widow! What will you be having for tonight?”

“A tall mocha latte, please” he answered, all calm. How can he be so calm?

“Would you like anything else?” He shook his head. Sunny confirmed the order and quoted the price. I see him give her a crisp bill. “One tall mocha latte for …?” 

Sunny now has a clear plastic cup with the black widow printed on it and a black felt marker on her hand. Waiting for his name, she asked again, “May I know your name, Sir?”

Still not leaving his eyes off off me, I hear him answer clearly. “Prince.”

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Flashback …

A girl and a guy are climbing a meadow, walking hand in hand. The weather is cool, perfect for a picnic and that is the reason why they are here. 

“Oppa, where did you find this place?” the girl asks.

“Secret …” the guy answers with a wink and proceeded to lay down the contents of what he’s carrying on his other hand under the biggest tree. “Voila!”

The girl clapped her hands in appreciation. “You really made all of this by yourself?”

“Of course, my princess. You know I’ll do anything for you, right?”

The girl smiles and got teary eyed. She still can’t believe that she is on a date with this wonderful man in front of her. The guy reaches out to pinch her nose seeing her expression. “I didn’t know you’ll be this moved” he teased. 

She blushes and tries to cover her chubby cheeks which she knows are now pink with both hands. “Aigoo! You’re so adorable!” he teases further and this time removed her hands and pinch her cheeks.

They laugh and continue gazing at each other’s eyes. This time, it’s the guy who blushes. He clears his throat and let goes of her cheeks but now holds both of her hands. “You know why I’m doing this, right?”

“I think I do” the girl answers, a little bit breathless.

He smiles and brings both of her hands to his lips. “Dara, will you be my girlfriend?”

She knows this is too good to be true but she doesn’t care. For the first time in her life, she is going to think of herself first. Consequences be damned! She nods and gives him a sweet smile. “Yes! Yes, my prince.”

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Present day ….

I knew I had to get away. I’m not ready to face him yet. Saying goodbye to Sunny, I slipped out by the back door as fast as I could.

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Author's Note:

 

Je suis désolée for the short update ... Next chap, Prince Charming will be revealed ...

Please check out my new story "Sharing Seunghyun". ^^

 *bisous*

~mzbookworm4life

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, modify, create derivative works, or in any way exploit any content of this story without a written consent from the author.

All rights reserved by Ms/Mzbookworm4life. © April 2013.