SS- Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The following Monday, I rode to school with Bom and her parents. They had an appointment with the Principal first thing in the morning and I guess they are going to tell Mr. Kang of Bom’s medical condition. I can see my bestfriend’s anxiety in her eyes although she tried to be her usual cheerful self as she kept on fussing about her purple beanie. The gauze is no longer needed since the wound has closed but there’s a spot of baldness the size of a penny that she tries to hide with her hair. She made me promise not to tell the rest of our friends yet and that she’ll tell them herself when she’s ready. There’s no problem with that since I don’t think I can even begin to say the words without bawling my eyes out.

Upon reaching the school parking lot, Bom and her parents went to the direction of the Principal’s office on the west wing of the building while I proceeded towards the other side where our first period, Math is held. I gave Bom a quick hug before we separated.

It was still pretty early with 20 minutes to spare before the first bell rings so I took my time walking to my locker first and I was arranging and rearranging the books inside and after that, my gaze caught the several pictures of Bom and me and the rest of the gang on the back of my locker door. I must have spaced out for a bit because I didn’t notice Chaerin.

“Boo!” she bellowed, looking like a mischievous cat.

“Hey” I greeted, not even having the energy to scold her for creeping up on me.

She leaned her back on the locker beside mine, crossed her arms in front of her chest and propped one foot back. “I saw you” she said, looking at me intently.

I tilted my head slightly. “Uh ... you saw me … big deal” I replied, not getting what she really means. My mind was not so sharp that morning.

“Last Friday. At the mart. With the new transfer dude.”

My eyes must have gone bigger and bigger by each word that she said. Good thing I was not facing her. Ottokae? What should I tell her? I can’t lie. She saw us. And besides, why should I lie? I mentally sighed and faced Chaerin. “We just ran into each other” I said acting like it’s no big deal.

Her cat eyes seemed to zoom in on me. “Really? Looked to me like it wasn’t the usual run in” she mused. “You were acting pretty close when you hopped in on his motorcycle.”

Ommo! She even saw that? Chae is one of my closest friends but it just didn’t feel right that I tell her about Seunghyun first before Bom. Somehow, with the recent news, my love life seems insignificant compared to Bom’s condition. That’s why I didn’t get to tell her about it.

“It was nothing, Chae” I shrugged, closing my locker. I walked towards our classroom but she followed and walked beside me. I decided to change the subject. “Bom is here already.” I sounded cheerful, hoping to divert her attention.

“Really? That’s great! Where is she?” She started glancing around.

“Uhm, at the principal’s office. You know … since she skipped the first week of classes” I reasoned.

“Ohhh” she nodded. 

We’re near our classroom when she held my arm to stop me from going in. “So, how did you know the new guy?”

Darn.

************************

The school bell has rung for maybe a couple of minutes before our teacher, Miss Yoon, came inside the room looking suspiciously red eyed, followed by Bom.

“Are you okay?” I mouthed at her and she nodded. She took the seat beside me which I saved for her since last week.

Some of our classmates especially our friends called her attention, just saying hi and it was nice to see her again and a general consensus that she looks great with her losing weight, etc. Normally, Miss Yoon gets prissy when the class is noisy but she didn’t seem to mind now and she has her back against us. I swear I can almost hear her sniffs with her facing the board. After a while, she faced us and started taking the attendance. During class, she didn’t call out Bom from still wearing her beanie. Normally, caps, hats and beanies are not allowed inside the class but it’s no longer a normal setting, isn’t it? Somehow, that little exception bothered me. Bom’s illness is getting more real for me each passing day and it fills me dread.

*********************

Its lunchtime and we are sitting at our usual spot in the cafeteria. We are occupying two tables which we’ve put together side by side so we can all fit. Bom brought a bag of goodies full of snacks, candies and chocolates from the US and we are all sharing and eating them instead of having healthy lunch meals. Bom is sitting across me on the table and she’s glowing being the center of attention and was telling us humorous stories of her adventures last summer and I was laughing along with everyone, momentarily forgetting that she also spent time in the hospital during her vacation.

In the middle of recounting her story in the Hollywood Walk of Fame, she stopped and looked at me, eyes opened wide. “Hot guy alert!” She then arranged her beanie and started patting her hair. “Behind you,” she semi-whispered. “Don’t look!” she added, belatedly. But of course, before she was able to say that, I already turned and looked behind me.

It’s Seunghyun.

Oh my God. Oh my God. My head was chanting. He’s like 20 feet away from us but definitely coming into our direction. I did tell him last Friday that he’s welcome to join us any day for lunch so I can introduce him to my friends but today is not a good day for me. How can I tell him that it’s not the right timing? He saw me and smiled. I gave him a brief smile and willed myself to look away. I looked at Bom, practicing her flirty smile and also caught Chaerin looking at me, seemingly amused and expectant. I told her earlier of my brief encounter with Seunghyun before the school term started and how I didn’t know that he was going to transfer to our school. I also made her promise not to tell anybody else of what she saw last Friday since I don’t want people starting rumors about me and him since we barely know each other. It is the truth, in a way.

I felt his presence behind me so I turned and looked up to meet his smile. “Hi.”

“Hi” he returned.

I can sense the tension from everyone around me, or perhaps, the tension is all emanating from me? “I, uhm, … everyone … this is Choi Seunghyun. He just transferred here last week, I’m sure you’ve all heard about him …” I said nervously. “This is everyone …” I looked at Seunghyun and gave a rundown of all the names of the occupants of the table.

“It was nice to meet you all” he said after I’m done. “Don’t worry, half of the rumors you’ve heard aren’t true” he joked which resulted to nervous laughter from some. I bet thoughts are running through their heads which ones are true. Ha!

Taeyang, who is sitting beside me moved and made some space between us so Seunghyun can also sit. “Join us” he said.

He looked at me first then at Taeyang. “Thanks”

Now that he’s sitting beside me, the memories of our last meeting came flashing back and … and that kiss! I feel my face going red from the sudden recollection so I grabbed my strawberry milk so I can hide my blush.

We were rowdy earlier but there’s an uncomfortable silence now and I feel bad because I’m supposed to make Seunghyun feel welcome but then, how can I forget how we parted the last time? My eyes landed on some chocolate bars. “Have some” I offered.

He picked a Mars bar and opened it casually and took a bite. I was looking at his every movement like everyone else so I mentally shook my head to clear my thoughts and get the conversation started. “Uhm, guys” I start “apparently, the transfer guy that everyone was talking about is my friend.”

Seunghyun looked at me when I said that.

“How did you two meet?” asked Bom with a smile at Seunghyun and with a pointed look at me. I can tell from her eyes that she means, “You owe me a story later.”

I’ve imagined a different scenario when I tell her all about this boy who I suspect I’m falling in love with. But with everything that’s happened and with everyone looking at us, waiting for my answer and with what I told Chaerin earlier, I can only tell them of how we met without sounding giddy and lovestruck. I made it sound like I’m telling a boring anecdote when I started telling them about the incident at the tangerine grove. I didn't tell them about the shared lunches, the lighthouse or even the ride with my mare or his Ducati. 

Thankfully, the boys were more interested about the motorcycle and Seungri in particular was lamenting about the fate of Seunghyun’s Ducati more than the accident.

“It’s all working fine now” Seunghyun said. “I already rode it to school this morning.”

“Yeah?! Can I see it hyung? Maybe let me ride it even for just a while?” Seungrat said excitedly.

This rat is amazing. Just last week, he was afraid of Seungyun’s laser beam eyes.

“Sure” Seunghyun answered, gamely.

“Good thing Dara was there” piped Chae and gave us a knowing look. “Who knows what could’ve happened if she wasn’t.”

“Yeah” Seunghyun agreed. “I actually thought I died and gone to heaven when I saw her hovering at me and she took off her shirt.” He looked at me teasingly and I die of mortification. This guy, what is he saying?

“Bwoh?!” was their collective gasp.

“It’s not what you think!” I appealed to them. “He was bleeding and it was the only thing I can think of that time.”

“How come when you hit me with a baseball last year and broke my nose, you didn’t take off your shirt?” cried Seungri, pretending to look offended.

“Because that was during P.E., you idiot. Besides, I did bring you to the clinic, didn’t I?” I huffed. “And just an fyi, it was my pink crop top so I was wearing another shirt underneath okay.” I looked at Seunghyun squinting my eyes and he just chuckled.

“Ommo!” exclaimed Bom. “Was it the pink top with butterfly print?”

I nodded. Bom knows the rest of my wardrobe more than I do.

“Wasn’t that your favorite shirt?”

I face-palmed in my head. Argh. I didn’t want Seunghyun to feel bad about it and I saw in my peripheral vision that he was looking at me. “It was an old shirt” I said, nonchalantly. “And I have a new favorite … the one you gave me from Saks.”

The girls made a reaction to this saying how come I got a shirt and they didn’t. Oops. I didn’t mean to reveal that. Sorry, I mouthed at her. Bom glared at me.

“So, you’re the famous half of Park sisters. I’ve heard so much about you. Where in the States did you go to?” asked Seunghyun and Bom immediately turned charming, looking pleased.

“Oh, we went to NYC and California.” My bestfriend answered. “And yes, I am Big Park and she’s Small Park.” She laughed.

“We lived in San Francisco before my Mother moved to Chicago” Seunghyun shared.

Bom’s doll eyes went rounder. “Oh? So you came from the US before you moved here?”

Seunghyun nodded. 

“You speak good Korean” observed Taeyang.

Seunghyun shrugged. “My parents are both Korean and we speak Korean at home growing up. And we didn’t move there until 5 years ago.”

I was somewhat taken aback by his willingness to share things about him today. He was somewhat secretive before so what changed? I remained silent though and was just filing in the information I hear about him in my brain.

Seungri brought back the conversation to motorcycles and pretty soon, the boys were talking about cars. Seunghyun revealed that he works part time at Yang’s Garage and yes, he can help Taeyang with his father’s old car. They pretty much manipulated Seunghyun’s time and I didn’t get to speak a word to him at all, all through lunchtime until school ended.

Bom, as expected, interrogated me about him after school as we waited for her Mom to pick us up. I guess they don’t want her commuting from now on. Chaerin and Minzy were waiting with us at the front steps of the school. Bom offered to drop them off.

I was again forced to recount the story I already told them earlier. I felt kinda bad keeping something from my bestfriend but telling a different story now would hurt Chae and I don’t want to make her feel like I can’t confide in her. Perhaps, in the future, I can tell them the whole story.

“Are you sure you don’t have any romantic feelings for him?” Bom faced me, as if doing a cross-examination.

“None. He’s just a new friend.” I answered with a straight face. 

I must be doing better at acting because she nodded and said, “Good.”

“Don’t tell me you like him?” Minzy asked Bom.

Bom gave a besotted smile. “He’s exactly my type. Doesn’t he look like a Korean James Dean? What do you think, Darong? Do I stand a chance?”

“I-I don’t know …” I replied, feeling nervous. “Do you … do you really like him?”

She sighed dramatically. “I think he’s the one!”

“Didn’t you say that about Siwon?” Chaerin reminded her. “And Jiyong and Teddy …”

“And Yongwa?” supplied Minzy.

We laughed. Bom is always in love. Or claimed she’s in love with a new person almost every month. Her ideal type changes constantly. When she makes these pronouncements, we’d learned to take it with a grain of salt. 

Still, her latest crush has gotten me nervous and feeling ill. Hopefully, it’s just one of them phases.

*********************************

The next day, Seunghyun caught up with me after lunch getting my Science book in my locker. He didn’t join us for lunch today.

“Hey” he said breathlessly. He looked like he had been running. “I thought you were already in your room but I didn’t see you there.”

I was a bit surprised. He knows what subjects I’m taking and my classroom? I looked at him expectantly. “I had to get my book” showing it to him.

He opened his back pack and got something inside which he handed to me.

I took it without fully realizing what it was. 

“It’s an old shirt” he said while I look at the rolled up black cloth in my hand. “It’s my favorite, though” he added. “I-I tried removing the blood on your shirt but it wouldn’t fully come off so …”he trailed, his right hand lightly rubbing his nape.

I look at him standing in front of me, looking shy all of a sudden and uncertain. Meanwhile, my heart is doing somersaults and my mind refused to formulate the words I wanted to say.

He snatches the shirt all of a sudden and I was surprised. “I knew it was a bad idea. I’m sorry” he said. “I’m going to buy you a new one.” He opens his bag to put it back in but I snatched it back from him.

“No!” I burst out. “I want it.” I clutched it in my chest, afraid he’ll take it back.

He looked at me intently. “Are you sure?”

I nod enthusiastically. “Yes.” 

Is he kidding me? Of course I want it! I unrolled the shirt and I saw that there’s an outline of a bear brick in red at the center as the design. I put it in front of my nose and smelled the clean detergent scent and somehow, it also smelled of Seunghyun. I don’t know if it’s his cologne or what but he has a certain smell which I really like. I’ve been in close proximity with him before back when we rode on my Tamtam and then again, when we were on his Monster. I’m pretty sure that his smell will forever be remembered in my olfactory memory.

“Thank you. I really like it.” I told him. “I’ll treasure it well.”

He seemed pleased with what I said coz he reached out to pinch my nose. “I’m glad you do.”

He was about to say something more but then, the bell rang. “Oh shoot, we’ll be late. I’ll walk you to your class but Shop is on the other end …” he said regretfully. 

“Don’t worry. Go” I waved. “I heard Mr. Han is pretty strict.”

He nodded but before he left, he handed me a small paper. “That’s my number” he smiled. “I got a new phone.”

I watched him sprint away from me until I couldn’t see him anymore. I then folded his shirt, my shirt now, lovingly and I found a small paper bag inside my locker where I placed it inside. 

I may look calm but inside, I wanted to squeal. I wanted to dance. I wanted to spazz. I have a boy’s shirt. Seunghyun’s favorite shirt!

I am definitely going to treasure it. I am going to have it framed and hang it inside my room. Or better yet, I am going to wear it to bed every night until it’s nothing but reduced to threads. Gah! I wonder what will happen if I suddenly scream in this deserted hallway just to let out my feels inside?

I know I’m late on my next class but I didn’t care. Nothing and no one can wipe away the smile on my face the rest of the day even after our Science teacher scolded me from being late. 

Bom could only look at me like I was going crazy but I couldn’t tell anyone of what happened. I wanted to keep it inside me and treasure the memory a little longer.

That night, I sent Seunghyun an SMS with a simple “Goodnight.” I didn’t even include my name.

He replied right back. “Nyt, tangerine girl.”

I slept with the biggest smile on my face, wearing his shirt.

*****************************

A/N:

Giddy much? I am. =^.^=

 

 *bisous*

~mzbookworm4life

 

Ch15- Prince Charming

Prince Charming

**********************************

Jiyong’s POV

I’m a responsible citizen. That’s why I decided not to drive home and stayed in the hotel last night. I almost finished the whole bottle of Jack while Youngbae only drank one bottle of beer. He got on his car first and I had the intention to go home but decided not to at the last minute. You can’t drink and drive, right? And what do you know; the room next to Sandara is vacant so even if I always stay at the Presidential suite, I opted not to. I mean, what if a guest came in wanting to get the nicest room, right? Besides, I haven’t had the chance to stay in one of our junior suites so might as well.

I woke up very early, feeling a little bit of headache so I called up the lobby to send me an Advil. While taking a shower, I had this marvellous idea of ordering breakfast. So I picked up the phone again and ordered almost everything on the breakfast menu. I smiled to myself. This is going to be a good day.

She is now giving me an annoyed look which I ignore. “Where do you want to have breakfast? Here,” I ask standing next to the glass table in the small dining area which is big enough for four, “Or … breakfast in bed?” I wiggle my eyebrows playfully.

I can tell she was thinking of something probably scathing to say, judging from the way she looks at me and her furrowed brows. But before she can formulate her answer, I started removing the food covers and delicious aromas fill the room.

I make exaggerated sniffing sounds. “Mmmm mmmmm…”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m going back to sleep” she declares and turns toward the direction of the bedroom.

“Are you sure?” I ask. “I hate to see all these delicious food go to waste…” I started putting the dishes on the table. “Let’s eat while it’s hot.”

She already took about three steps away when we hear her stomach grumble. She stops. Changing the trajectory of her destination, she turns towards me. I hide my smile and continue to fill the table. There’s barely enough room left for us to eat. I think I ordered too much.

“I changed my mind.” She sits on a chair. My mother always says that a woman can always change her mind. It’s her prerogative.

I nod and urge her to dig in. 

I am amazed by the amount of food she eats. She must have sampled each and every dish. Girls are usually demure and proper in front of boys but not her. She eats like a man and her hair looks like a bird’s nest and she didn’t even wash her face. But why am I finding it cute?

“It’s rude to stare, you know” she says without looking at me.

“How can you eat like that and still be as skinny as you are?”

She shrugs and continues to eat.

“So … how are you and Youngbae?” I ask.

“Good” was her short reply.

“You seem to be much closer …” I surreptitiously look at her to see her reaction.

“How is the mission going?” I continue.

“You can ask your friend” she looks at me. “I don’t like discussing affairs of my client.”

I hold both of my hands up, “Sorry.”

“Do you have anything planned for the day?” I change the subject.

“I was planning to lounge in bed when somebody” she looks at me pointedly, “rudely interrupted my sleep.”

Oh man, this girl is making me work. Why is my charm failing me now? I think of safer things to talk about when we hear a cellphone ringing.

She gets up and goes to the bedroom. She immediately returns holding her phone and I see her face lit up and she chuckles. She sits on her chair and types something. I see her smile once again, looking at her phone.

“Something amusing?” I ask, curious.

“It’s Youngbae” she answers. “He sent me the picture we took yesterday.”

I feel something akin to jealousy all of a sudden. Youngbae made her smile and I couldn’t.

“You wanna see?” she offers and although I didn’t want to, curiosity got the best of me.

I see the two of them with foamy moustaches as well as some on the tips of their noses holding coffee cups, smiling dorkily at the camera. Yup, definitely feels jealous now. “Is he coming?”

“Late in the afternoon. He says he still has a class. How about you? You go to the same university, right?”

I nod. “I’m done with mine. I have everything I need before the Christmas break.” We continue to eat. “What will you do all day since, you know, Bae would’nt be here til the afternoon?’

“I don’t know … maybe I’ll try the Jacuzzi” she says with a smile.

“Mind if I join?” I say, half-jokingly.

“Sure, why not?” she replies and I almost choked on my coffee. Did I hear her right? I look at her unbelievingly.

She’s looking at me mischievously and bursts out laughing. “In your dreams” she trolls.

“Tch!” I snicker. “Very funny, Dara.”

“That’s Sandy to you, Blondie.”

“I prefer Dara” I say.

“And I prefer you call me Sandy” she counters.

I pout. “Youngbae calls you Dara.”

“That’s Youngbae.”

What can I say to that?  I just bit into my toast with crispy bacon and scrambled eggs.

I watch her as she calls somebody on the phone.

“Hi Suzy! Just heard your voice message.” I hear her cheerful voice greeting the friend I remember meeting a month ago. I see her nod, listening to whatever her friend is saying. “Yeah, we waited ...” She frowns. “Oh ... so Sunny won’t be back ‘til tomorrow?” She looks sad. “I was going to invite the two of you to hang out and sleep here at the hotel.” She pouts. “Oh, you still have practice? Alright ... Yeah, its okay ... don’t worry ...” She nods some more. “Yeah, maybe next time ... Arasseo ... Good luck on your play .... Fighting!”

Her shoulders slump as she puts the phone down on the table beside her plate.

“Your friends are busy?” I ask. She sighs without answering me and proceeds to finish the food on her plate. “I can keep you company.” I say with a smile. “I don’t have anything to do anyway.”

Still, she remains silent.

“Do you like swimming?” With this, she looks up from her plate and glances at me. “We have an Olympic sized pool, uhm, I mean the hotel has an Olympic sized pool. I was planning to take a dip later but you can join me if you want.”

“I don’t have a swimsuit” she says.

“That’s not a problem” I answer. “They have a shop below ... I’m sure we can find one that fits you.”

It took her several seconds before she answers me. “Okay. Do you think the laundry service can have my clothes ready after we’re done swimming?” she asks, referring to the clothes she’s wearing. “I forgot that I don’t have spare clothes.”

“Sure. Let me handle it. I know the head of the housekeeping staff.” I assured her with a smile.

I wait for her by the pool area, lounging on one of the reclining beach chairs, sipping on a freshly squeezed orange juice. After our breakfast, she said that she’d sleep some more and she’ll just meet me here. It’s been 2 hours since then. I called her in her room 30 minutes ago saying that I sent one of the female employees from the shop to show her some swimsuits that she can choose from and also sent housekeeping to take care of her laundry. I wonder what’s taking her so long. Maybe she changed her mind? I was tempted to call her phone again but resisted. She was already annoyed that I secretly typed in my phone number on her phonebook earlier, thus getting her number in the process, when she forgot it on the table after we ate.

After 10 more minutes, she decided to show up and I was floored when she removed her robe. She’s wearing a two piece yellow bikini that greatly compliments her skin making her look like she’s glowing. I admit I have seen many sexy and curvier girls but something about Sandara and the way she moves makes her a lot a whole lot sexier in my eyes.

“I thought you’ll be swimming by now” she says, sitting at the chair beside mine.

“I was waiting for you.”

“The pool is really big” she comments, taking in the surroundings. “You ready to swim now?”

I nod and we made our way to the pool and I made a show of expertly diving in, trying to impress her. When I emerged from the water, I look to see if she saw me dive but she wasn’t even in the water yet. She was talking to one of the resident lifeguard, Park Tae-hwan. Feeling put out, I swam to get near them and I hear Tae-hwan offering his services in teaching Sandara how to swim and saying rather boastfully that he’s part of the national swimming team.

“Don’t you know how to swim” I ask Sandara, interrupting them.

“I do” she replies.

“Heard that?” I say to Tae-hwan. “She knows how to swim so there’s no need to teach her.”

“Oh, but there are a lot of swimming techniques and I can teach you a proper method for holding your breath longer in the water” he explains to Sandara. “I’ll make sure that you’re safe.”

She smiles at him but shakes her head. “Maybe next time.”

He pouts, trying to look cute. God, I want to vomit. “There are other people swimming” I say. “Why don’t you offer them lessons instead?” I say to him with a pointed look. “Besides, I’m with her so I’LL make sure she’s safe.”

Tae-hwan looks at me but knows that he can’t argue with the boss so he politely bows at Dara and me and walks to the other side of the pool area.

“There was no need to glare at him, you know” Sandara says, swimming near me.

“I was not glaring.”

“You were.”

“Was not.”

“Whatever.” She swims away from me and I propel my legs to catch up.

We have been swimming for 3 hours now, sometimes taking a break to drink or eat some fresh fruit. I’m finding out a lot of things about this girl as long as we talk of general subjects. But whenever, I try to act or say something flirty, she clams up and shoots me down. So I stayed to general topics and we even had a debate on the country’s politics. It’s such a waste that she had to stop going to college because she seems to be a very smart person. I call her Dara now and again and she still corrects me and insists on calling her Sandy but I pretend not to hear. When I insisted that she call me by my name instead of Blondie, she said that Blondie suits me better. So I told her that I’ll keep on calling her Dara and she can call me Blondie all she wants.

Its way past lunch time now and I was thinking on inviting her to have dinner with me since she said that she was still full and refused to have lunch when I hear Youngbae calling her name. We were frolicking and laughing in the pool playing games like who can swim faster when I see my bestfriend looking at us. I suddenly felt guilty, seeing him.

“Hey” I say.

“Hey” he says back, looking briefly at me and then to Dara and back at me again.

I can tell by the way he looks that he’s not pleased.

“Youngbae!” Sandara called. “I thought you have a class this afternoon?” She gets out of the pool and puts on her robe.

“I do but I decided to ditch the last subject. Besides, I remembered you left your clothes in my car” he says, showing her the paper bags he’s holding.

She gave him a big smile. “You always seem to know what I need” she says appreciatively.

I am now out of the water as well and also put on my robe.

“When you texted me earlier that you’ll go swimming, I didn’t know you’ll be with Jiyong” he tells her.

Oh, so Dara informed him. No wonder he knows where to find her.

“Yeah. He kept pestering me” she answers while she gave me a smirk.

“I did not” I protested.

“You did, too!”

Youngbae was silently looking at us. I felt like I owed him an explanation so I said. “I didn’t feel like driving last night so I stayed the night. You know, don’t drink and drive ...”

He stayed silent. Darn. I feel like I messed up.

“Have you eaten?” Dara asks him while rummaging through one of the shopping bags.

“I was hoping we’ll get an early dinner” Bae answers.

“Okay. Let’s do that. Let me shower first. Blondie, you wanna come with?”

My eyes lit up. This is a first. Maybe Sandara is warming up to me. “Sure!” I immediately answer failing to notice my bestfriend’s look.

We were silent the ride up in the elevator. Youngbae followed Sandara to her room and he didn’t comment when I stopped on the room next to hers. “We’ll see you in an hour”, was all he said.

We decided to just eat at the hotel’s restaurant since we serve all kinds of international dishes. We took the table where there’s most privacy and partly hidden. Our conversation was casual with Sandara mostly doing the talking. I think she can sense the sudden uneasiness between us two guys. In the middle of dinner, she excused herself to go to the ladies room.

For the first time that were alone together, there was uncomfortable silence between Youngbae and I. Feeling guilty, I cleared my throat after a couple of minutes and decided to end the silence. “Are you mad at me?”

“Is there something I should be mad about?” he looks at me.

Knowing what he’s alluding to, I decided to come up with an explanation. I kept on thinking when I was in the shower earlier after we went back to ours rooms what I’m doing and decided that I treasure Youngbae’s friendship more than my growing interest with Sandara. YB is my closest friend and is more of a brother to me and I will not let a girl come between us. That’s what I wanted to tell him. I like Sandara, I admit, but not enough to ruin years of friendship. Besides, I easily lose interest once I get to spend more time with a girl. I figured part of my fascination with her is because she seemed aloof at first and hard to get. I find the chase part of the thrill and it loses its novelty once I have the girl’s attention. That would be the case with Dara, I reason. She is just another girl, I convince myself.

“If you mean Sandara, there’s nothing to worry about” I say.

“Are you sure there’s nothing?”

“There’s nothing going on between us. I was just having fun.”

“She’s not somebody to play around with, bro” he says with some heat. “I thought I made my intentions clear.”

“I know. I know and I swear there’s nothing ... I was just bored and it was fun getting her riled up. You know me ...”

“I do know you, that’s why I’m worried. You like to play around girl’s hearts and then leave them when there’s a new conquest.”

“I’m not that harsh” I protested.

“I would like to forget about this Jiyong” he said. “I’d like to think that you still honor our bro code.”

“Of course! I swear. Sandara was just a ... a way to past the time ...”

“I’d appreciate it if you won’t think of her that way or in the future or else ...” he warns.

“I got it. Youngbae, I’m sorry. I swear, this will be the last time I’ll approach her like this.” I raise my right hand. “So, are we cool?”

He nods.

**************************

Sandara’s POV

I sensed that Youngbae wasn’t happy to find me spending time with Jiyong. He was practically sulking when we went back to my room and was pretty quiet until dinner. I noticed that Jiyong was not his usual noisy, flirty self as well. I tried to make the atmosphere lighter suspecting that the reason could be me. I am not that dense. I know that Jiyong is interested in me although I try to discourage him but Youngbae? He doesn’t like me that way right? He likes another girl.

Wanting to take a break from the tension, I excused myself to go to the ladies room when I remembered that I forgot to bring my purse. I went back to our table when I heard the two friends talk.

I decided not to let my presence be known as I eavesdropped in their conversation when I heard my name. Finally, after calming myself, I went to the ladies room without getting my purse.

After dinner, I asked Youngbae to accompany me out.

“Where do you want to go?” he asks.

“Hmmm... I feel like drinking. Do you like makgeolli?”

“Uhm, I’ve never tried it.” He answers hesitantly.

“I’m sure you’ll love it. C’mon! Just the two of us ... it’ll be fun” I say and pull his arm up. I purposely did not include Blondie.

Youngbae gave me his eye smile. “Let’s go.”

*************************

Jiyong’s POV

I wanted to say I like makgeolli too, but of course, after my conversation with YB earlier, I would look like a fool. With a heavy heart, I watch them leave me still sitting at our table.

**************************

No One’s POV

“Ya!” Dara pokes Youngbae who’s now lying on her bed. They somehow found their way back to the hotel and with the help of a bellboy; they managed to get the silly drunk Youngbae inside the suite. 

“Shish!” she smirks. “Who gets drunk on rice wine?” she says loudly, her words slurred and kicks off her shoes and lies beside Bae. “Ya!” she kicks him in the shins. “Get off my bed!”

Youngbae was mumbling something.

“What?!” she tried to sit up to hear him clearer but the room started spinning so she lies back down. Again, she couldn’t make out the mumbling. 

Youngbae turns to face Sandara. “I said ... was I saying something?”

Dara laughs. “You’re drunk.”

“You are, too.”

“I’m not! I’m just tired and sleepy” she gives a huge yawn.

“Tch!” Youngbae smirks and pulls Dara near him by her waist.

“Ya!”

“Why are you still pretty when you’re drunk?” slurs Youngbae.

Sandara felt warm by his words or maybe because of his arm round her waist. Whichever, it is, she smiles and snuggles closer to him. It didn’t take long until he hears his gentle snore.

“Why are you so sweet to me? Are you also just bored with your life and finds me as an amusement?” she asked softly at the sleeping Youngbae. Somehow, she didn’t feel so drunk anymore.

                  

***********************************

The next day, Dara woke up first and immediately sat right up upon realizing that she and Youngbae are in a spooning position. It had been a long time since she’s woken up with somebody beside her after she and her second boyfriend broke up. Youngbae is still fast asleep so she decided to take a shower first. When she’s done, she saw him sitting up in bed like a lost boy.

“What happened last night?” he asked.

“You got silly drunk that’s what.”

“Aargghhh … my head is killing me …” he said, holding his head on both hands.

“Why don’t you take a shower and I’ll ask somebody to bring up a headache medicine and order breakfast?”

Youngbae groans and stayed put so Dara pulls him up and pushes him towards the T&B. “Hand me your clothes so I can also ask laundry to pick them up. You stink” she teases, which made Youngbae pout. He nevertheless followed Dara’s orders.

After around 20 minutes, he emerges only wearing a towel around his waist. Little droplets of water can be seen and Sandara can’t seem to keep her eyes off off the trails they make and disappear as they reach … she caught herself staring and looks up to see Youngbae looking at her, seemingly amnused. Feeling mortified, she turned around and started arranging the already arranged table with the dishes she had ordered for their brunch.

“Hurry up and get dressed” she said. “I ordered soup that’s good for hangover.”

“You forget” Youngbae said coming behind her, “I don’t have my clothes with me.”

“Oh, right.” Sandara furrowed her brows. Why is she feeling embarrassed all of a sudden? Youngbae is just another man like any other. Maybe it’s because she has been celibate for far too long? When was the last time she had sex? Gah! What are you thinking Sandara? She asks herself. “Let’s eat then,” she said and sat down.

Youngbae wanted to test if his nakedness is having an effect on Dara. He’s usually a shy guy but he’s a man on a mission. He boldly pats his stomach and his budding abs. “Few more months and soon I’ll be having six pack abs” he said. “What do you think? Should I go for 8packs?”

 “Drink the soup before it gets cold” she said, ignoring his question. “And here’s an Advil.”

Youngbae thanked her and they ate with Youngbae sharing stories about what’s been happening at school and their businesses and Sandara also began opening up about her life. She told him about the brother that she misses in Jeju and how she can’t wait to see him graduate soon so they can be together. She also told him about her dream of becoming a fashion designer and that she plans to go back to school next school year. Youngbae voiced his support and even told her that he can take care of school expenses to which Sandara just shrugged, knowing that he will be out of her life in less than a couple more months. Something about that made her sad but she didn’t dwell on it and instead asked Youngbae what he’d like to do after they ate.

“Just leave it to me” Younbae winked. “I know the perfect place to go.”

And it was perfect. Sandara couldn’t hide her excitement as she kicked off her shoes and felt the sand on her feet. The weather is perfect for a beach outing and Youngbae was glad to see her laugh and carefree. Her tinkling laugh is the most wonderful sound he’s ever heard his entire life.

***************************

Dara closed the door and leaned against it when she entered her house. She placed her right hand over her beating heart and tried to rationalize what she was feeling. Youngbae just saw her to her door, making sure that her ex-boyfriend is not waiting for her again. But before he walked away after saying goodbye, Dara stopped him and gave him a brief kiss on the cheek. It was the first time that she’s done that and although it’s nothing compared to the kisses that she gives when she’s with a client, that simple kiss felt more intimate than any other kiss. It was one that she gave without thinking that it has something to do with business. It was a kiss by a girl to a boy she likes. That’s why her heart is beating fast. That’s why she’s confused and refusing to explore and think about her emotions. Youngbae is a client and she musn’t forget about that. 

The thing is, Dara has met a lot of bad boy types and jerks and Youngbae is a breath of fresh air. Maybe that’s the reason why you like him …you just like him as a person, she reasoned to herself. He’s a decent person for a change. Besides, this is the longest contract that she’s had and it’s like they are together everyday forcing them to know more about each other.  You’re just lonely, Dara, she tells herself.

She filled the kettle with water, wanting to have some tea before she sleeps but before she got the flame going, she heard knocks on her door and thinking that it was Youngbae, she readily opened it only to find the last person that she wants to see.

Before she can shut the door close, he grabbed it and opened it wider. “We need to talk” he said.

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“I do.” He tells her and was about to go in when she stopped him.

She snickered. “Funny you say that. If I remember correctly, the last words you said to me were “Get lost! and I never wanna see your face again!”

He looked contrite. “It has been three years, Dara. Three long years.”

“That’s not long enough. So please, just leave me alone and stop stalking me!” She made another move to close her door but he grabbed her arm this time.

“Just listen to me first. I have been patient, Sandara” he said. “I’ve been waiting for a chance to talk to you the past two weeks and I can’t wait any longer.”

She gave a bitter laugh. “Wow! You still have the prince syndrome, I see. Well sorry to make you wait your highness” she said sarcastically. “Why don’t try waiting a little more … say until … forever?”

“Dara …” he looked like he was struggling “I’m sorry … I’m sorry for the things I said in the past. I’m sorry for everything … I was too angry at that time and it was wrong of me to take it out on you … if you’d just give me another chance …”

Sandara used to fantasize that she herself begged for his forgiveness until he takes her back. Days grew into weeks and that hope slowly turned into hate until it consumed her and she imagined this scene where instead of her, it’ll be him who begged for forgiveness. She wished for this to happen before, didn’t she? So how come she’s not feeling any sense of pleasure from it? The apology had come too late and she realized that she just don’t care anymore. Finally, she realized that she’s over it. She’s over him. Any lingering emotions that she felt for him before, be it love, hate, guilt, remorse …. It’s all over now. The memories she kept inside for too long, she can now let go. Surprisingly, seeing him face to face like this somehow was healing on her part.

“Please let me go, Siwon-shi … you’re hurting me” she said, pulling her arm away from his grasp. “I have nothing to say to you so please leave me in peace.”

“No” he said with conviction. “I am not leaving until you hear me out.”

“Let me go!” she tried to free her arm but he was stubborn.

“Not until we talk.”

“You let her go or I’ll make you” said a menacing voice behind them. 

Flashback...

Youngbae was still grinning from ear to ear as he drove home thinking about the goodbye kiss that Dara gave him. He was whistling to no tune in particular when he noticed the shopping bags at the backseat. Thinking them as a great excuse to see her again, he made an abrupt U-turn.

“Youngbae?” Dara called.

“Was it him?” Siwon gripped her arm tighter. “Were you with him that’s why you didn’t go home for the past three days?” He asked sounding like a jealous lover.

“Yes. So what?” she answered challengingly. 

He pulled her closer to him making her wince.

“You son of a bitch!” Youngbae flew in rage and threw a punch which connected to Siwon’s jaw making him let go of Dara and fall to the ground.

He was about to throw another one before Siwon can stand back up but the bodyguards who were silently standing in the shadows emerged and in a matter of seconds, they had Youngbae flat on the ground. They kept on kicking and punching him making Sandara hysterical with her shouts and plead for them to stop. 

Siwon is now up and wiped the blood on the corner of his mouth and Dara grasped at his hand asking him to order his men to stop. Siwon looked at his men and said the word and they immediately stood on guard again. Dara can hear Youngbae groan and she can see blood on his face as he attempts to stand up. She stepped to help him but was stopped by Siwon and he dragged her away from her house.

“We need to talk somewhere private” he said.

“D-Dara … don’t … go …” Youngbae attempted to reach her but one of the men stepped on his back forcefully sending him back to the ground.

“Don’t hurt him!” Dara cried. “I’ll come with you” she said to Siwon. “Just tell your men not to hurt him anymore …”

Siwon gave them a look and they retreated away from Youngbae. “Let’s go” he said to Dara and shen went willingly this time after giving Youngbae an apologetic glance.

**********************************

Author’s Note:

Sorry for the late update. I went on a long and much needed vacation …

  

To those who are missing some Tabisan action, I have another ongoing fic, “Sharing Seunghyun”. Please do check it out. I am going to update that story next. 

*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.