{ 14 }

Kwon Group of Companies, 2:57 PM

“As you can see in this chart, the chain of hotels of Kwon Group of Companies always stay on top as Asia’s–” Jiyong took another glance at his watch. He looked at the presentation in front of him, irritated. Damn, I’ve got 3 minutes to get to Yuri Mall. And unless I can teleport, there’s no way I could do that.

He was worrying that Park Sandara will have a bad impression of him. He doesn’t quite understand himself– again. These days, ever since Park Sandara came to his life, there had been a lot of things which he doesn’t understand about himself. Even though that girl practically made him wait for two hours in the frigging café, he just let it go after one text message from her. One text message. It only took one text message from her to crash Kwon Jiyong’s unforgiving streak. Damn Kwon, you’re becoming a pushover.

He suddenly stood up, earning the looks of everyone in the conference room. “We’ve gone overtime. I still have another appointment, so let’s continue tomorrow.” He commanded and all of them just bowed to him as he left the room.

He half-ran to his office, afraid that some employees might see him, and he just grabbed his keys before riding the elevator. He instantly stepped on the gas as soon as he rode his car since he knows that it was already 2:59 PM.

The traffic was bad and he took that chance to send a message to Dara, in case she was there already.

To: Park Sandara

I’m coming already.

When the stoplight turned green, Jiyong drove almost close to the limit just to get to the Yuri Mall. He chose the place because it was the closest mall to KGC but still, no place is close when the traffic’s being a bitch.

As he parked his car, he noticed that there was one unread message. He took his phone and saw that it was from Dara.

From: Park Sandara

It’s okay ^O^ I’ll wait for you!~~ ^__^

Unknowingly, a smile crept on his lips upon reading the message. Dara was a breath of fresh air. No one texts him with those weird emojis other than his sister Yuri, but Yuri seldom texts since whenever she has free time, she goes where Jiyong is.

He was about to enter the café when he heard a voice call out his name. “Omo, Jiyong oppa!”

He turned his head and saw his younger sister, Kwon Yuri, walking towards him with lots of shopping bag in her bodyguard’s hand. Yuri hugged him. “Oppa, I thought you’re at office today? I was just about to go there.”

Jiyong smiled uncomfortably. “I’ve got an appointment, Yul.”

Yuri’s eyes squinted. “Hmmm, appointment? At a mall?” She chuckled. “I bet it’s a girl, oppa.”

“Yah, Kwon Yuri!”

Yuri only laughed at him. “Seriously, oppa, chill!” She turned her head to her bodyguard, Choi Minho. “Minho-yah, can you just wait for me in the car? I’m going with my oppa for a bit.” After that, Yuri entwined her arm with Jiyong and they went straight to the café as Minho hopelessly stared at the younger Kwon.

--

School, 2 PM

“Minkki!” Dara cutely called her student teacher.

“Yes, unnie?” Minji asked, smiling.

“Uhm… Can I ask you a favor?”

“Sure, unnie!”

“Can you handle the remaining classes?” She asked, her eyes pleading. “I just really have to go somewhere–”

“Of course, unnie!” Minji nodded, grinning. “You have a date, I guess?”

Dara reddened at Minji’s remark. “No– no way! Of course not! You kid…!”

The student teacher laughed at her reaction. “Seriously, unnie, you don’t have to hide it. Besides, it’s quite obvious. You’re wearing a flowery dress today and I see you even put on light make-up. Wooyoung oppa and Donghae oppa noticed, their stare lingered at you when you opened the door. Even I and Sohee unnie noticed!”

“Aish. It’s not a date, okay? I’m meeting him because he asked me for help–”

“Okay, unnie! Forget I said anything.” Minji laughed and was about to walk to the door when she added, “I HEARD IT’S A HE!!!” After shouting that out loud, the younger girl ran outside to prevent herself getting hit by Dara.

“He? What he?” Donghae asked curiously.

“It’s nothing, Hae.” She answered as she cleaned her place and grabbed her bag. “See you guys tomorrow!” Dara dashed to the door to avoid the unnecessary questions.

“Oh, I guess that’s the ‘he’ then, Donghae.” Sohee teased before getting back to work.

Donghae’s brows met. Dara’s meeting a guy?

--

Dara arrived at Yuri Mall by 2:27 PM. She felt really guilty because she unintentionally stood up Jiyong yesterday. She could see some guys checking her out as she settled herself on one of the tables. Aish, why did I even wear this dress?!

Because somehow, you want Jiyong to notice that you’re pretty, dummy!

IT’S NOT THAT!!!

Okay, Dara, lie to yourself.

She sighed heavily. Jiyong’s still not around. Anyway, she arrived early so she ordered a drink for herself to kill time while Jiyong’s not here.

It was already 3 PM but he was still nowhere to be seen. Dara fidgeted with her phone in her hand. Will he come? Aish, Dara, stop doubting. When Jiyong promises something, he will surely do it.

She took a deep breath and decided to just trust Jiyong. That was when her phone vibrated and she saw a message came from him.

From: Kwon Jiyong

I’m coming already.

She smiled upon reading that. Of course, Jiyong will never disappoint. When he says something, he will always remain true to his words.

To: Kwon Jiyong

It’s okay ^O^ I’ll wait for you!~~ ^__^

When she already sent that, she suddenly regretted it. She had momentarily forgotten that the Jiyong who’s coming to see her now is not the same Jiyong who used to be her boyfriend. She became too comfortable and she even sent a text message with her favorite emojis!

She slapped her head with her palm. I hope he won’t think I’m weird or something, she thought.

After a few more minutes, she saw that Jiyong was already walking towards the café. He was wearing a black suit with his hair brushed up. Dara sucked in her breath as she continued to stare at the perfect Kwon Jiyong. Every girl really gives him a second look, and she feels great knowing that that one fine specimen was about to meet her.

But then, a beautiful girl suddenly called him and he turned his attention to her. The two of them look overly familiar to each other and she noticed that he was a different Kwon Jiyong with that girl. Dara could see how he let his guard down when that girl talked to her. He smiled freely, unlike the time when she saw him at his office where the employees greet him but he never said anything other than him bowing a little. Dara could feel jealousy seeping through her every fiber, but of course, she held it in. She has no right to feel that way anymore. As Jiyong pointed out last time, he was only seeking her help because he hates being kept in the dark.

Dara didn’t even notice that the two are already walking towards her, with the girl’s arm entwined with Jiyong’s. She felt another wave of pain stab her heart, but she did her best to look unaffected as the two approached her.

Jiyong stopped in front of her table. The girl brightly smiled at her and sat on a chair in front of her while Jiyong sat beside the girl. “Annyeonghasaeyo! Are you the person Jiyong oppa’s meeting?”

She said Jiyong ‘oppa.’ Damn! Stop it, Park! She smiled at the girl. “Yes, I’m Park Dara, your oppa’s friend from the university.”

“Oh jinjja?! That’s great! So you guys have known each other for years?” Yuri gushed excitedly.

“Uhh, yeah, sort of.”

“So, how did you meet Jiyong op–”

“Yuri! Stop that. Isn’t Minho waiting for you? Go home already!” Jiyong scolded as Yuri was getting ready to fire Dara more questions. Yuri… Her name suits her. They’re both pretty, she bitterly thought.

“Aish, just tell me if you want Dara unnie to yourself! Tch.” She turned to a surprised Dara. “Okay unnie, can you hand me your phone for a minute?” Dara wordlessly gave Yuri her phone and after a second, the latter’s phone rang. She gave Dara her phone back.

“Thanks, unnie! I’m Kwon Yuri, Jiyong oppa’s dongsaeng, so don’t be jealous of me, okay?! Bye oppa and unnie! See you guys next time!” Yuri waved at the two of them and walked out of the shop.

What the… Dara thought. Sister?!