Ch15- Prince Charming

Prince Charming

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

                  

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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.

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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.

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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.