{ 28 }

God, Dara don’t be nervous, don’t be nervous... She inwardly chanted to herself as the elevator continued travelling upward. Jeez, Dara, it’s Jiyong, okay?! She sternly reminded herself.

Jiyong let out a chuckle as he noticed Dara’s nervousness. He slung his arm over her shoulder and brought his lips close to her ear to tease her more. “Hey, babe, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to,” he whispered, his lips brushing against her skin.

She felt the nerve endings of her body awoke with his actions. His sexy and seductive voice coupled with the way his lips brushes against hers... OH MY GOD OH MY GOD WHY DOES THIS FUCKING ELEVATOR DOESN’T STOP?!

“Babe, this is a private elevator for the owner of the penthouse unit. I have it all to myself.” He told her when he noticed her stiffness, silent laughter etched in his eyes.

Dara felt herself hyperventilate. Jiyong and her had gotten intimate a few times in the past– And saying ‘a few times’ is just the understatement of the century. Yet, she feels quite different now since they haven’t been together for so long and to be honest, she wasn’t blind. She knows how many women fawn over her Jiyong. And he was no saint either, especially because he doesn’t remember her then. She was just afraid of not living up to whatever he might have experienced with those girls over the past five years.

Truthfully, the two of them haven’t done it in the past. They kiss and touch and cuddle, but never did Jiyong try to get past that, to the point that Dara doubted herself that she might not be enough for him. Once, she remembered, he was almost dry humping her and he suddenly stopped. He apologized numerous times and he hadn’t contacted her for almost two days. When she asked him why, he said that he feels ashamed to have done that to her.

She was always the one who loses control around him. She always wanted to get more and more of him, but he refuses. When she brought that up in an argument, Jiyong’s words were forever etched in her mind: “Dara, I don’t want to. Not yet. Not now. I want to do make love with you when you already have my name and you’re ready to bear our child, and babe, it would be nice and slow and not just some ravage, hungry sex to appease our lust.”

Well, most of the time it frustrated her, especially when Jiyong always looks so yum whenever, wherever, but it actually raised her respect for him. Of course, the two of them had gotten close to breaking it but Mr. Self-control always saves the day, much to Dara’s dismay.

She felt a tugging in her arms and saw that the elevator doors already opened. There was only one door, and she could only wonder how much money it cost to buy the penthouse unit. When they entered his place, her eyes widened. The wide space in front of her was fantastic. She felt amazed at the massive wealth displayed before her. The living room houses a pristine white sofa with throw pillows and a glass table on the center. There was an expensive rug and her eyes caught the sight of a mini-bar on the far left. She walked towards the glass and saw that the Seoul view was amazing.

“Do you want anything, babe?” He asked and sat comfortably on the sofa, totally used to the wealth around them. Of course, she snorted. This is Kwon Jiyong, CEO and President of Kwon Group of Companies.

She turned and smiled at him. “Nothing, I’m good.”

“Sit here.” He said before patting the space next to him on the sofa and raising his brows at her, as if issuing a challenge.

Dara nervously swallowed and slowly walked towards him. She sat next to him as stiff as a log. No one else was around apart from them, and it made her more nervous. She doesn’t know how to act around Jiyong when he’s being playful and teasing like this.

When she gingerly took her place next to him, his wide grin widened even more. To her surprise, he suddenly hugged her from the side, making her heart beat double. He buried his face on the crook of her neck, exactly on the curve where her neck meets her shoulder. She stiffened as she felt his teeth graze her skin, and to her shame, she purred under his touch. “Jiyong...”

She could feel him smile against her skin. When he spoke, his lips continued to brush against the sensitive spot on her neck. “Yeah?”

“What are you doing?” She asked breathlessly.

“I love you.” He suddenly muttered. The words smoothly rolled out of his tongue, as if he was meant to say it from the beginning of time.

He tightened his hold on her when she didn’t say anything. “Babe? Don’t you love me?” He asked, pouting like a little child which made Dara let out a brief laugh.

“Of course I do.” She answered.

“Then say it.” He ordered like a bratty child.

Dara gingerly touched his arm around her before speaking. “I love you,” she whispered.

Jiyong completely rested his head on Dara’s neck. “Say it again. Say it again and again and again, babe.”

“I love you. I love you. I love you and you only, Kwon Jiyong.”

--

Jiyong changed into a shirt and boxers. When Dara complained about it, he only smirked at her. “Gee, babe, you’re lucky I’m even wearing a shirt” to which Dara reddened and threw him one of the pillows.

Dara also changed into one of his shirts and boxers. When she met Jiyong in the mini-bar, he whistled and laughed. “We’re matching today, huh?”

The two of them sat side by side in the mini-bar, talking about nonsensical things. Jiyong was about to grab a drink for themselves when Dara slapped his arm hardly. “Yah, what was that for?! I’m really a battered boyfriend here!”

Her face flushed upon hearing the word boyfriend from him. It had only been over 48 hours that they are together, but the happiness was too overwhelming. She only hoped that the happiness with him will last for a very long time.

“Hey, why are you looking like that?” He teased and grinned evilly.

She only slapped his arm again and crossed her arms across her chest. “Seriously Kwon, stop drinking alcohol. It’s bad. And why do you even have a mini-bar around here?!” She scolded. Dara was aware that Jiyong was not perfect as opposed to what everyone in their university– and maybe even in Jiyong’s company– thought of. He has a quick temper, cold, sometimes brutish and he sometimes smokes when he feels tensed. However, when she managed to worm into his heart, almost all of those traits vanished– except for the quick temper. Nothing will ever be able to banish Kwon Jiyong’s quick temper.

“It’s already here when I moved in. Fully furnished, babe.” He responded.

“Do you still smoke?” She narrowed her eyes at him when he smiled sheepishly. “And Kwon, I’m telling you, don’t even think of lying.”

“We–well, sometimes, but–”

“No buts, Kwon.” She replied sternly. She laid open her hand in front of him. “Where is it?”

“Where is what?” He asked, acting innocent.

“Kwon...”

Finally, he grunted and went inside his office. He placed the cigarette pack on Dara’s hands which she mercilessly crushed. She noticed that it was almost full, but she doesn’t care. She doesn’t really like him burning out his lungs like a freaking chimney.

“Babe...” He whined, but Dara was having none of it.

She threw the crushed cigarettes on the trash can. “Seriously, Jiyong, if you have any more of that, throw it away before I do it for you.” She threatened.

“Arasso.” He conceded and pouted.

She was having a hard time resisting his pout. She wanted to just jump on him like a wild and wanton woman but of course, her ethics just won’t let her.

Jiyong left her in the mini-bar to go to the kitchen, and after a few minutes, he emerged with an ice cream tub in his hands. He grinned at Dara when he put down the tub on the mini-bar’s counter. When she inspected it, she saw that it was Strawberry Rose Chocolate flavored, his favorite.

“Really, Ji? Ice cream?” She teased as she opened it and took a scoop for herself. She savored as its special flavor kissed her taste buds.

He scooped up a serving for himself before smiling. “Well, Yuri brought that here. It’s been there for a week, I think?”

The two continued talking that they didn’t even notice they already finished the ice cream. Both of them were even surprised when they tried to get another scoop but ended up with their spoons flicking against each other. They laughed as Jiyong cleaned it up. “Go to bed first, I’ll be right there.” He promised and kissed her forehead before he went to the kitchen to wash the spoons.

Dara’s nervousness came back once again. She completely doesn’t have any idea if Jiyong was anticipating anything from her. When she opened the door to the bedroom, she remained rooted on the doorway as the four-poster bed welcomed her in the room. She stared at its soft, inviting sheets, and wondered if she would lose her V-card tonight.

“Dee?” Jiyong’s voice asked as he walked towards her. He led her inside the room and closed the door.

Her heartbeat was wild with nerves. Jiyong already climbed to the bed but she was still standing in the middle of the room, looking at him. He only laughed at her reaction. “C’mon babe, climb in.” He said.

She nodded before slowly stepping in near to the bed. It took her a few seconds before she finally gave in to the soft mattress and enjoying herself feeling Jiyong’s warmth against hers. He placed her arms around her petite waist and hugged her closer.

They remained in that position for a while with no one talking. As every minute passes, her anxiousness was also growing. Why isn’t he... doing anything?

“Ji?” She asked, her voice drifting in the spacious room.

“Hmm?” He replied.

“Why aren’t you... Ugh, nevermind.” She said and turned her back at him. Her face reddened even at the prospect of asking the question. Seriously Park, why even think of asking that to him?! It’s like you’re inviting him to!!!

He moved in closer and turned her back to her original position. This time though, he was staring at her eyes. “Why am I not what?”

“Doing... anything...” She said, her voice only above a whisper.

“Why?” He queried, his voice playful with a hint of seductiveness. “Do you want me to do something?” An evil grin was now spread across his beautiful face.

“Shut up, Jiyong.” She growled. “Just...”

“What is it, babe? You can tell me anything,” he cooed, sensing her despair.

“I don’t know what you’re expecting from me.” She honestly answered in a quiet voice. “I know you’ve been with other wom–”

“Don’t even finish that, Dara.” He snapped. “I don’t expect anything from you. Just... Be the Dara I love, okay?”

“But–”

“Dee, look, I love you, okay? Don’t even compare yourself with those women and what I had with them. Kwon Dara always, remember?” He sighed. “Dara, I still remember my promise. And I’ll live up to it. Until you’re ready to bear Kwon Junior, I won’t make love to you. Not yet.” He added, his voice filled with seriousness.

She snuggled closer to him, taking all the warmth she can get. “I love you, Jiyong,” she whispered loud enough for him to hear.

“I love you too, noona.” He answered.

--

When Dara woke up, she noticed that Jiyong and her are a tangle of limbs on the bed. Her head was nestled against his chest while his arm was her pillow. His other arm was wrapped around her waist.

She could feel his steady breathing and as weird as it may seem, it was like it all set the world to righteousness. Dara could only giggle at the nonsensical ideas she was starting to grasp in her head.

“Noona, you’re giggling without reason again. Should I be scared?” His sexy morning voice drawled lazily. She separated her head from the glorious smell of his bare chest– Dara’s eyes widened. “YOU... YOU...!”

He sat up and smirked lazily as he leaned on the bed’s headboard, accentuating the defined contours of his chest. Dara couldn’t take her eyes off his body. It was almost like the way it was before, she thought, but it seems much leaner and stronger.

Jiyong looked at his girlfriend in amusement. Glad to know I’m not the only one dying here, he thought to himself. He had been in so much pain last night, trying to control his needs. Not just any other mundane needs– but needs for Park Sandara alone.

He was at his wits’ end when she asked him why he wasn’t doing anything. He wasn’t a self-righteous man, and he had his own fair share of experiences on women, but the thing he was drilling on his head was the fact that Dara is different. She wasn’t just some random woman he could toss around. He remembers his promise, and no matter how hard it was, he would try his best do uphold his promise.

At the middle of the night, when Dara was fast asleep, Jiyong had to make a trip to the shower. He stripped off the shirt before he climbed to the bed because it wasn’t really helping his case. Seeing her wearing his clothes while sleeping on his bed, added to the fact that they’re alone, is not really a helpful thing for Kwon Jiyong’s control.

Dara was still speechless when the doorbell rang. Blushing, she turned away her face. “I’ll get it,” she mumbled and scrambled her feet outside. Once she escaped from the bedroom, she let out a relieved sigh. His bedroom was nowhere near small, but anywhere with Kwon Jiyong feels cramped.

She clicked a button and two women’s faces came into view. “Jiyong?” The older woman called out. Her voice was nice, like music to your ear. Even her smile was so elegant that Dara wanted to melt into a puddle of shame.

“Hi oppa!” Jiyong’s sister, Yuri, cheerily called out from the outside. She brought up a basket of fruits. “We brought you food! Let us in, okay?!”

“Yuri!” The older woman, whom Dara presumes was their mother, scolded. “You’re in high school but you act like an elementary student.”

Yuri only pouted.

Meanwhile, Dara was hyperventilating. She doesn’t know what to do. JIYONG’S MOTHER IS HERE!!! She thought wildly. OTTOKAE?!

“Babe? Who’s at the door?” Jiyong emerged from the bedroom, looking fresh. He changed into a casual shirt and khaki shorts.

Dara turned to him, arms flailing. “Jiyong, Jiyong, your mom...”

“Mom?” He asked. “Ah, you mean eomeoni is outside? Why didn’t you let her in?” He added before walking over to the door when Dara stopped him. He stared at her questioningly.

“But–”

Jiyong strode to the door and opened it.

I’M. DEAD.