:: chapter twenty-three ::

‘I remember I met him when I was just in first year highschool, it was like those of my ordinary days before. I skipped school for I find it boring and I’m not really in the mood that day,’ he started as she sat between his legs and leaned on his body. He then took her hand and laced his fingers with hers as he let out another sigh. Dara quickly brought his hand on her lips kissing it gently as she was assuring him. ‘If my memory serves right he was just a new prosecutor that time that happened to be assigned for the gangster and students to students totally stupid to the point of recklessness fights,’ he breathed out as he wrapped his arms around her and leaned his chin on her shoulder as she can feel his breath kissed the crook of her neck.

‘That day a huge student gang fight broke and I was one of them and he was there to stop us from killing each other and if he weren’t there I pretty much think I probably ended up killing someone. Somehow that day I just lost to the blood rush inside me. After that fight we were brought to the police station in which we went supervision and was even put to jail as our parents arrived one by one to pick us but then no one arrived for me for I stubbornly refuse to tell them who I am nor who my parents are and that maybe caught his attention,’

‘He sat in front of me as he gave me a packed meal with a smile. ‘You’re a Kwon right?’ he whispered as I glared at him. ‘Don’t worry I’ll keep it as a secret,’ he chuckled as I kept my silence still staring at him. Then he started telling stories, he started acting comfortable like we knew each other for a long time,’ Jiyong said half chuckling as Dara smiled. ‘Like me?’ Dara asked as she glanced at him. He nodded and kissed her forehead. ‘Like you,’ he whispered with a smile.

‘After I got home I thought our connection will stopped there although I’m quite sure that wouldn’t be the last day of our meeting knowing that in the future I could be in another fight. But then he was pretty stubborn and kept on acting like we were friends he would just barged inside my old apartment bringing cans of beer asking me fto drink with him as if I'm not a minor, then he would tell long stories and would just be there keep on talking and talking...’ Jiyong’s lips curved into a bitter smile as his memories played inside his head like he was just standing in the middle of it watching it. ‘Stories?’ Dara giggled knowing one thing that she and her brother had in common would be they love telling people stories.

Jiyong pulled her closer as he tightened his embraced on her. ‘Come to think of it he was always telling me about his sweet little sister whom he loved so much,’ he whispered as Dara stiffened for a moment before she let out a smile. ‘Really? Who would have thought that you knew me even before we met,’ she chuckled as he followed. ‘Yeah, who would have thought?’ he said chuckling but as the seconds past the laughter died as his hand tightened his hold on hers.

‘Then I got tired of keeping up on him. I hated how I felt pathetic because of what he has been doing. On how he tried to shower me attention knowing I was lacking one terribly. Then one night when we were drinking and while he was telling stories about his fiancée like a smitten girl I got fed up and told him to stay away from me, no, that’s wrong every day I keep on telling him to stay away from me but never once did he gave up on me. He’s stubborn and that is one thing you two have in common,’

‘Until the day that he introduced his fiancée to me as he introduced me to his fiancée as his younger brother may not be blood related...’ Jiyong trailed off as a lump rose on his throat. Dara felt his sudden stiffness as she brought his hand on her lips again and kissed it. Jiyong buried his face on the crook of her neck as he tried to compose himself as the reality of losing his chance just hit him hard. ‘But always connected in heart,’ Jiyong continued as he pulled himself up.

‘Then that whole day we spent time together or should I say he forced me to spend time with them and I honestly felt like a chaperon following them here and there but in that day also I noticed how her fiancée would keep on looking at me like she was smitten or having this huge crush on me. At first I brushed it off knowing our age difference and probably my mind is just playing tricks on me but when your brother stood up from our table to order foods that’s when I saw I was not imagining nor over thinking things as I saw her burn red and get fidgety and that’s when a stupid idea came into my mind as I glanced at your brother... an idea that would make him stay away from me for good since I am getting tired of him acting like we were close or something,’

‘I was just waiting for the right timing and I didn’t even think it would come probably unconsciously I was hoping it will never come but it did. Your brother as trustful as he is, he let his fiancée went to my place ahead of him and his fiancée followed. Everything happened to fast that it felt so surreal; I grabbed the opportunity and the last thing I knew we were making out when your brother entered the room... then there was a big chaos as I just saw myself thrown on the floor with a punch from him, which I knew I deserved,’

Jiyong’s lips pressed on a thin line as he raked his hair frustrated as guilt hammered his chest. Dara turned around to face him as Jiyong avoided her gaze and turned his face on the left. Dara gently made him face her as his tears escaped. Dara gently wiped it as a genuine smile curved in her lips. She leaned her forehead with his as he felt his breath just stopped. ‘Seeing you right now was more than enough to know how much you regretted what happened,’ she whispered eyes locked on his. ‘Ji... please believe me that nothing in this world, nothing that you did in your past and no one can ever change the fact that I love you so...’ she whispered. ‘That I got the perfect man,’ she giggled as Jiyong quickly embraced her as he started crying once more feeling so lost as Dara wrapped her arms around him assuring him of everything. ‘Don’t leave me,’ he begged. ‘Why would I do that you’re mine remember?’ she asked. ‘All yours,’ he answered.

‘After the incident, I got what I want as he stopped meddling with my business, stopped visiting me and treated me as if he never knew me. I moved out of my old apartment and got lost contact of them, until one day I just learned about Ji eun’s death,’ Jiyong said as he pulled Dara into another embrace as he just felt vulnerable as Sanghyun’s every word kept on ringing inside his head, mocking him. ‘Ji Eun unnie died in an accident... that’s what I’ve been told,’ Dara honestly said as she laced her fingers with his. ‘That’s also what I heard, until recently when your brother seemed to blame me for it... I did a research about it and found out that she didn’t die in an accident rather she slashed her wrist and committed suicide. She left no note or anything and up until know no one knew why she killed herself,’ Jiyong said as his jaws clenched.

‘Ji it’s not your fault,’ Dara whispered as she kissed his hand once more. ‘Please don’t be hard on yourself...’ Dara said almost begging. Jiyong’s lips curved into a smile as he gave a quick peck on her neck making her yelp in surprise. ‘I love you Ms. Mine,’ he whispered as Dara’s lips curved into smile. ‘I love you more and more...’ she trailed off as she turned around and faced him once more. She then wrapped both her arms around his neck as she pulled him into a sweet kiss. ‘And more,’ she whispered in between their kiss as Jiyong completely claimed her lips.

...

Dara stared at her reflection on the mirror as she was sitting on a high stool with Jiyong staring at him as he was holding a silver scissor on his hand. ‘Are you sure about this?’ he asked for the nth time as she chuckled at him, he was more nervous than her. ‘You love your hair right?’ he asked. She nodded to him. ‘Of course I do,’ she smiled. ‘Then what’s the need to cut it?’ he asked. ‘For a change?’ she shrugged giggling as the latter rolled his eyes. ‘We can do this tomorrow better I will bring you to a salon to get your hair done,’ Jiyong suggested as he run his fingers on his hair.

Dara shook his head as she reached her arm on him which he took. She then pulled him to her. ‘I want you to do it for me...’ she smiled at him. ‘Please,’ she added as Jiyong let out a sigh. ‘Why are we doing this again?’ he asked. ‘Because they were looking for us,’ Dara chuckled. ‘But Dara your hair... it’s beautiful... it’s such a waste,’ Jiyong said as he caressed her hair. Dara pouted.

‘I’m starting to think you’re having an affair with my hair,’ she pouted as Jiyong let out a chuckle. Dara hold his hand and gave it a light squeeze. ‘Please,’ she smiled at him as he let out another sigh and forced a nod. ‘Are you really sure?’ he asked for the last time earning him another chuckle from her. ‘Yes please,’ she answered giggling. Jiyong then inhaled as he started brushing her hair. He then lifted his arm and gently tilted her head as he started cutting her hair. Dara can’t help not to smile as she stared at their reflection on the mirror, on how serious he was. It was not just an ordinary haircut for her. Every cut represents of the things she wanted to let go and every strand that fall represent a new her that was ready to face anything with him.

Crazy right? How you could just love anyone that you were willing to forget anything, let go of anyone just for that special someone. How you are ready to forgive the greatest sin, swallow your high pride just for that someone. How your heart just keep on beating his name though pain accompanied it. A smile spread on her lips as her eyes drifted on him who was focusing on her hair and instantly she knew she didn’t just fell in love it was more than that.

...

Jiyong smiled as he stared at her sleeping figure. He can’t help not to feel his heart skip a beat as the thought of waking up every morning and being welcome by this sight just made his heart flutter. He then gently kissed her forehead as he got out of the bed wanting to prepare breakfast for her. He can’t help his lips not to spread a giddy smile as he remembered what happened last night. He covered his face with his palm and shook his head in disbelief on how much he changed in a short span of time. He then grabbed his underwear and gray sweat pants and put it on as he gently paced out of the room avoiding waking her up.

He then paced down the stair as he heard the doorbell rang. He raised his brow as he glance at the wall clock. It was exactly seven in the morning and he already got someone at their door. He shrugged thinking probably the bills have arrived. He lazily opened the door still scratching his head without bothering putting up a shirt as he paced to the gate. He opened the gate as he met the most unexpected visitor.

...

‘I must say you got some taste,’ he said as he sipped from the coffee that he prepared himself as his eyes roamed all over the house. ‘What are you doing here Ill woo?’ Jiyong asked as he leaned on the wall and stared at his mother's secretary and secret boyfriend Jung Ill Woo. ‘Come on Jiyong aren’t you even excited seeing me?’ he chuckled as he placed down his cup on the wooden table in front of him as he leaned and made himself comfortable on the sofa. ‘Do I look like I’m excited to see you?’ Jiyong said full of sarcasm. ‘Spill it out why did Mom send you here?’ he added acidly as Ill Woo grimaced for a second.

‘Jiyong I assume you were aware of the threats that prosecutor Park is sending us,’ Ill Woo said dropping all the playfulness. ‘Don’t tell me Prosecutor Park is scaring the company,’ Jiyong said in voice lacking interest. ‘Jiyong listen okay... there are other girls there... I heard she’s not that beautiful and plus who knows probably all she wanted is your money,’ the latter said as he took his cup and took sip on it again. He almost jumped on his place when he heard the loud sound that Jiyong’s fist created as it clashed with the wall. He lifted his gaze on him as he saw his eyes glistening with anger. ‘Say one more thing about her and I’ll slit your throat. She’s not you Ill woo,’ he gritted as Ill woo stiffened in his place.

‘If all you got is shit I would be thankful if you leave this place as soon as possible before I lose all my patience to you, you damn son of a bitch,’ he gritted once more as Ill Woo felt goosebumps conquering his body. From the start he was aware that Jiyong was never fond of him but then he never said anything even he knew the affair between him and his mother, not one word came out from his mouth. He remained silent and never said a single thing which he took as his way of respect for their decision. Today he can’t believe he was witnessing his anger and was even hearing him curse, he doesn’t know why but it was like he was waiting for him to hate him and curse him probably out of guilt that he was being selfish for not letting go of his mother.

‘Jiyong... listen first,’ he said in a calm voice as he placed the cup back on the table. ‘The company don’t need a scandal and you too don’t need it especially you will be introduced as the only heir for your company so please stop this foolishness,’ he added as Jiyong gritted his teeth more. ‘You know what if this is all about that motherfucking company, you can have it and I’ll be happy if you shove it inside your ass,’ he gritted as his fist tightly clenched avoiding losing his patience since he doesn’t want to wake Dara with this kind of commotion nor ruin his whole day. ‘Tell them to disown me if they want or they could release a press statement that their son finally died and burn in hell,’ he added as he raked his hair in frustration. ‘Don’t say that,’ Ill woo said calmly.

‘If that’s all then please take one of my suggestion and leave,’ Jiyong said as he opened the door only to see another visitor. He let out string of curses.

‘You want some?’ Ill woo offered as the lady sitting beside him shook her head and just thank him. Jiyong tightly shut his eyes at the sight in front of him. Ill woo was already an eye sore and now Kim Tae Hee his dad’s secretary and well secret girlfriend was now sitting in front of him besides Ill Woo. He rolled his eyes and honestly can’t get the idea on what’s with his parents and their secretaries. ‘Tae Hee,’ he called to her as he ran his palm over his face. ‘Please just get over with what my dad said,’ he added as the lady stared at him with a smile on her lips.

‘I’m glad to see you happy Jiyong,’ she said as she heaved a sigh making Jiyong look at her. Jiyong have always seen her making effort to get closer to him or to at least make him feel that she cares for him although all he did was to give her cold shoulder. ‘Thank you,’ he mumbled as he leaned on the wall. Tae Hee smiled sweetly at him. ‘You changed...’ she trailed off. ‘A lot...’ she added as not only her eyes but also them darted it on the staircase as a petite figure was pacing down still rubbing her eyes with hair messy and just wearing a huge shirt of him. ‘Ji,’ she called out as Jiyong went to her.

She then tiptoed and gave him a quick peck on his lips still oblivious to the presence of their visitors. ‘Good morning baby,’ she whispered to him as Jiyong smiled and pulled her into and embrace kissing her hair. ‘Good morning too,’ he greeted as both visitor of them stared at him mouth almost hanging open upon witnessing him being sweet, smiling and cuddling in front of them. Ill Woo pressed his lips on a thin line much like Tae Hee as they both witness the child they once thought the coldest person ever alive in this planet.

Noticing their presence Dara gasped as she quickly bowed down to them. ‘Good morning,’ she greeted in respect as both stood up and bowed down at her. ‘Good morning too,’ Ill Woo smiled. ‘And I’ll take you’re Ms. Park Sandara,’ he added as he reached his hand which Dara bashfully accepted and shook. ‘Nice to meet you,’ Ill Woo said with Dara nodding to him. ‘Nice to meet you to Mr—‘

‘Ill Woo, Jung Ill Woo,’ Ill Woo interrupted with a smile as Dara blushed. ‘I’m Tae Hee, Kim Tae Hee,’ Tae Hee then interrupted as she offered her hand to Dara with a smile as the girl shook her hand. ‘Nice to meet you I’m Park Sandara,’ she bashfully said as she quickly went beside and almost hide behind Jiyong making the two chuckle at her cuteness. Dara then stared at Jiyong as the latter ruffled her hair and gave a quick peck on her lips. ‘Tae Hee is my dad’s girlfriend and secretary while Ill Woo is my mom’s boyfriend and secretary,’ he said as Dara’s lips form an o as she stared at both smiling. ‘You’re mom and dad got taste,’ she chuckled as Jiyong laughed with her. ‘I know right I actually inherited some,’ he said wiggling his eyebrows making Dara blush to the roots of her hair as Jiyong laughed and started cuddling him forgetting the existence of Ill Woo and Tae Hee.

‘Why are they here by the way?’ she asked as she took her seat on one of their couch as Jiyong fell silence. ‘I’ll be honest Ms. Park we are here to ask you two to break up,’ Ill Woo said straight forward as Dara stared at him surprised and almost not breathing. ‘Baby how about you take a bath and change clothes and let us settle things here,’ Jiyong said as he gently grabbed Dara’s hand as he sat in front of her. Dara gave him a worried look. Dara shook her head as she felt the corner of started to sting. There it goes again, reality was really catching them. Slowly, little by little people whom they left behind were starting to show themselves wanting to rip them apart. Dara held Jiyong’s hand without noticing how tight her grip has become as her nails were digging on his skin. She bit her lips trying to suppress her tears only to fail.

Jiyong wiped her tears away as he looked at her eyes he can see fear and pain. He then gently pulled her face to him as he gently claimed her lips and started kissing her not minding the presence of their visitor who kept their eyes on them. Jiyong gently pulled away from her as his lips curved into a smile. ‘Baby I’ll see you in a while okay...’ he whispered as he leaned his forehead on hers. ‘Trust me,’ he whispered staring straight into her eyes as she smiled weakly and nodded. ‘That’s my girl,’ he whispered ruffling her hair as Dara stood up and bowed down to the two as she went up stairs.

‘I’ll appreciate it if you don’t really put stress on her,’ Jiyong sharply said as he stood up and faced both of them. ‘Tell my parents that they can disown me if they wanted but I will never let Dara and I be separated. My words are clear and I trust both of you to be really smart so please kindly leave our house before I kick you both out,’ he added in a hiss as he ran his fingers through his hair. ‘Jiyong...’ Tae hee called as Jiyong snapped his head on her glaring. ‘Your dad said that if you prefer to be stubborn he’ll have no choice but cut your allowance,’ she said as Jiyong let out a chuckle. ‘Tell him to suit himself,’ he answered. ‘Your mom said that too,’ Ill woo butted in. ‘I don’t need their money,’ Jiyong said arrogantly.