{ 20 }

It’s eight in the morning and Park Sandara couldn’t decide on what to wear.

She had been up and about since 6 AM, but up to now, she couldn’t pick what to wear. Actually, she brought out an outfit last night. Then she thought that the ensemble wasn’t good enough. So she picked one again before washing her face. After she ate her breakfast, she stared at the clothes in her bed again, thinking how ugly they look. So she rummaged her cabinet again for more. She successfully picked out one outfit before going to the bathroom, but now that she stared at it for a long time…

It doesn’t seem enough for her taste.

“AISH!” Dara yelled, getting flustered as every minute goes by. At the rate she’s going, she may never pick out an outfit which she will render as “enough” to please her. She had been obsessing about how her look would be later, but up to now, there was still nothing. Zero. Nil. Nada.

She even tried searching on the net, but those tips felt too cutesy for her. She was worried that she’d look too much like a teenage girl who was trying too hard. She wants to leave an impression, but she doesn’t know how and she’s only got an hour left!

“I’m going crazy.” She whined to herself as she lay on the bed full of different kinds of clothes. There just couldn’t be anything good enough for her date with Jiyong.

Ssandara! What date are you talking about?!

Aiyaaaaa! I meant meeting! MEETING!

She continued lying on her bed pathetically when an idea snapped on her mind.

Should I use the “too girly” outfits again?

Well, the floral sundress the last time came from that untouched box. The last time she opened it was when Jiyong and her had a date five years ago. It was nearing their one-year anniversary, that’s why she even specifically asked for Bom’s help even though she feels embarrassed.

She totally dolled up that night, and she was glad that it had positive feedback from Jiyong. On top of that, Jiyong even prepared an event for her, making the night more special.

-Flashback-

“Yah Kwon Jiyong.” Dara tugged at Jiyong’s sleeves before whispering, “Are you sure we should go in here?”

Jiyong coolly glanced at her and offered his arm. “You’re dressed so prettily today. I couldn’t afford to just take you anywhere.” He grinned.

Dara was about to smack her with her girly purse when the two of them got inside the elegant restaurant. “A reservation for Kwon.” Jiyong told the receptionist.

Dara was so close to poking the flirty receptionist’s eyes since her gaze and voice when she looked or talked to Jiyong was really sultry and provocative. “Oh, Mr. Kwon. Your table is ready.” She then called someone who accompanied the couple to their table, but not before sending Jiyong a flirty wink.

She practically growled and when Jiyong turned to look at her, he laughed heartily, uncaring of what the other people were thinking. “Yah Kwon Dara, you’re really crazy. Don’t tell me you’re jealous of that girl?”

Hearing him call her Kwon Dara has a really big impact on her, but she tried not to show that to him, since he’ll grow smug on her again. “You jerk!” She hissed.

She didn’t even recognize that they were now at the restaurant’s balcony, with petals of roses scattered on the ground. There was only one table in the center, and it was overlooking the sea. The table had a candle in the middle, and there were even flowers for decoration. There was also a grand piano on the left side. Dara was left staring in awe at the fantastic view before her.

“Whoa, that event was surely daebak!” Dara commented, completely unaware that the event she was talking about was made for her.

Jiyong chuckled. “Park Sandara, you’ll be the death of me.” He said in between fits of laughter.

Dara curiously stared at Jiyong. “Why? Did I say anything wrong? It really is an awesome event for the gi–” Suddenly, her eyes widened. “Don’t tell me…?” She looked at the amazing view in front of her, then back at Jiyong.

Jiyong then smiled gently at her. “Don’t tell you what?”

“YAH KWON JIYONG!”

He only grinned and took her hand before pulling the chair for her. Jiyong snapped his fingers, and a violinist suddenly came in front of them who played a very beautiful piece. Dara was so touched that she was on the verge of tears when she suddenly stood up and smacked Jiyong in the head. As soon as the violinist saw that, he scampered away.

“Babe what was that for?!” Jiyong whined as he stood up in front of Dara. “I didn’t do anything wrong!”

“You pabo.” Dara was crying. “You didn’t have to do all these things… I bet you saved up a lot just to do this. Kwon Jiyong, it doesn’t matter to me, okay? I love you. I love you so much that I don’t even care about anything else as long as we’re together. So next time, you don’t have to do these extravagant things, okay? Just tell me you love me… And stay by my side for a long, long time.”

Jiyong smiled at his girlfriend before pulling her close and burying her face on his chest. “Dara-yah, remember my promise? Kwon Dara, always.” He kissed the top of her head before hugging her even tighter. “I love you, Santokki. Even though you ungraciously bumped into me the first and second time we met, I’m glad it was you. I’m glad that you were late on our supposed blind date and that Bom noona, TOP hyung and Bae forgot to tell us who to meet. I’m glad that you chose to go with me that day when you could have refused it. I’m glad how you blushed when I kissed you on the cheeks and told me you enjoyed our date. I’m glad you didn’t give up on me even though I have these pathetic walls around me. I’m glad you broke that wall, easing it up brick by brick just to get through me. I’m glad you stayed by my side, even though there were times that I feel like I’m not enough for you. I’m sorry if I made you worry about trivial things. I’m sorry because I am perfectly aware that you could meet someone better than me and someone who deserves you more than I do, but I still wouldn’t let you go and I would shamelessly hang on to you like a whiny five-year-old. I would cover your eyes if I ever see somebody else who’d fit better with you. But then, I doubt if they could love you like I do. I’m sorry because I get too overprotective and jealous sometimes, and I’d tried to change, but then you’re so beautiful that I figured I have to continue learning judo until I’m 100 because there will still be guys hanging around you. I’m sorry for everything I did wrong, and if I unintentionally hurt you in the future, I would already apologize right now. But please, don’t ever give up on me, and still accept me even though you know I have my flaws. I’ll work on them, but don’t ever let go of my hand. How I feel about you cannot be explained, it was beyond words and even beyond my understanding. Again, babe, Park Sandara, noona, Mrs. Kwon Jiyong…” Dara tilted her head and saw how gentle Jiyong looks with those eyes and his perfect boyish smile. “I’m glad it was you, and it is still you.”

-End of Flashback-

Dara recalled the memories with tears in her eyes. That happened shortly before Jiyong left. She felt like she had been in cloud nine that night. By far, that night was the most perfect night in the whole life of Park Sandara.

She sighed as she gathered the clothes she laid down on the bed and placed it all back. She doesn’t find any reason to impress Kwon Jiyong. She’s only around him as a tool to help him get back his memories. It was wrong of her to mislead Yuri into thinking that there was really something going on between her and Yuri’s brother. She really liked Yuri, but that doesn’t justify her lies.

In the end, she settled for a flowing blouse, black jeans and flats. She didn’t even bother with her hair; she just let it down after drying it.

She nervously sat down at the living room while waiting for someone to ring the bell.

--

Kwon Jiyong was inside his penthouse unit, arguing whether he should completely sever his ties with Dara as Bom told him or if he should listen to Jaejoong’s advice that he should make it up to Dara after what he did.

He hadn’t contacted her at all last week, and his mind had been floating in space. Even Yuri, who’s the densest person on Earth, managed to grasp the idea that something was wrong with him.

Jaejoong tried to talk to him about it, but he shrugged it off saying that he was just having a lot on his mind. His bodyguard was well-aware of Jiyong’s privacy issues, that’s why he probed no more. He only reminded Jiyong that he will always be around whenever the younger guy wanted someone to talk to.

He had been thinking since the day Bom came to find him in his office. He doesn’t want to hurt Sandara, but he also doesn’t want her to think that he’s not bothering with her now because she’s useless. He knows he can recover his memory even without Park Sandara’s help– even Dr. Cheon attested to that. Yet, he knows that he will recover faster with her around.

“Ugh.” He groaned, sinking into the soft mattress of his bed. He had been the CEO of Kwon Group of Companies for five years, and they had faced with an insurmountable amount of problems, but he remains unfazed. Yet now, dealing with the cute and adorable rabbit-like girl Park Sandara, he feels like his head is about to explode.

Maybe I’ll come by with a decision later, he thought. ‘Cause honestly, right now, I don’t think I can afford to think some more.

He proceeded to walk towards the shower, hoping that the cold water will somehow ease his thoughts.