{ 30 }

Yuri gushed excitedly upon hearing their mother’s instruction to Dara. “Omo, omo, that’s right Dara unnie! Call her eomeonim!” She let out a teasing laugh before continuing. “You and Jiyong oppa really suit each other.”

Dara blushed even redder, and Madame Kwon smiled at her while Jiyong snaked his arm on her waist. “Really, babe, there’s no need to feel shy.” She only glared at him as the Kwon siblings team up to make her flush.

“Jiyong and Yuri are right, Dara.” Madame Kwon added. “I may be Madame Kwon to most people, but before I became Madame Kwon, I’m Jiyong and Yuri’s mother first.” She smiled warmly at Dara once again. “I’m basically your mother now, too.”

Dara felt overwhelmed with all the support Jiyong’s family was showing her. They are even encouraging his relationship with her, and she feels very thankful. “Thank you, Mada– eomeonim. I really appreciate it.” She sincerely relayed.

“Yeah, eomeoni, she was so nervous.” Jiyong playfully teased. Dara slapped his arm lightly which earned laughter from the two other Kwons.

“Anyway, it’s nearing lunchtime.” Madame Kwon said. She looked at her son and smiled. “Why don’t you treat your ladies to lunch, Jiyong?”

“It’s my pleasure, Madame Kwon,” he answered with a humorous glint on his eyes. The four of them left his penthouse unit and took the elevator down.

To Dara’s amazement, everyone on the condominium building’s lobby bowed to them– or to the Kwons, rather. However, it seems like they were already used with that kind of attention that none of them even bothered to smile back. Jiyong’s arm was still on her waist, and she was sure that it will causes rumors flying to the roof once they leave.

“Why don’t you guys even smile at them?” She whispered softly to Jiyong before they reach his car. Madame Kwon and Yuri will take their chauffeured car while Jiyong and Dara will ride on the former’s Lamborghini.

“Babe, if we smile on everyone, our jaws will hurt.” He answered, grinning. “It’s better to just look ahead and give some nods to people you recognize.”

Dara could only sigh as Jiyong drove. She leaned on his passenger seat and closed her eyes, thinking how hard it was to be one of the elites. Being one big ball of sunshine, she just couldn’t resist answering to everyone calling out to her. The gap between her and Jiyong are widening as she gets sucked in his glittering world of wealth and fame.

“Babe? Is there anything wrong?” Jiyong asked as he parked his car in front of a ridiculously expensive restaurant. She had only heard of the place from Wooyoung, their resident food advisor, who also heard the place from his older sister who was the real food critic. Dara can clearly remember that his sister said that the food was heavenly, yes, but an average person like them wouldn’t want to waste half a month’s salary for a meal.

When Jiyong went out from the driver’s seat, a valet who came out of nowhere was suddenly on his side. He helped Dara out and she clung to his arm like a helpless child while Jiyong gave her a reassuring smile. As the couple walk inside, Dara was silently grateful to Yuri for dressing her up exquisitely. If she did come here wearing casual clothes, she’s sure that her insecurity will only come creeping up to her.

Jiyong might have noticed her nervousness, because he took a moment to lean to her ear and whisper, “You’re beautiful, noona,” to which her face flushed, but otherwise felt thankful for.

It seems that the Kwons are frequent visitors of the place because the quartet was given the best seats out of the whole place. Despite being clad in an expensive Chanel black dress and a pair of Louboutin pumps, she still felt like she was sticking out like a sore thumb in a sea of elites. Even Jiyong’s arm around her waist cannot pacify her.

Jiyong squeezed her hand and shot her another dazzling smile as he moved the chair for her. She thankfully smiled as he sat next to her, facing his mother while Yuri sat opposite to Dara. Orders were given and soon enough, they fell on a conversation. Madame Kwon seemed really interested on Dara.

“So Dara, you haven’t told us how you met our Jiyong,” the oldest Kwon amicably asked her.

“Eomeoni,” Jiyong whined, but said nothing more.

Dara smiled nervously while Yuri clapped her hands enthusiastically. “Uhm, well, we used to be friends at the university six years ago–”

“Six years ago?!” Yuri repeated with her eyes widened as she looked at Dara and stared at her oppa longer.

Jiyong, sensing what Yuri was thinking about, quickly sent the youngest Kwon a warning stare. “Yuri...” He started, reminding his sister about their pact six years ago.

“Why, what’s wrong?” Madame Kwon curiously asked, darting her look at her children.

Yuri tried to cover up sheepishly. “Nothing, omma, it’s just that I didn’t know that Dara unnie and Jiyong oppa knew each other long way back.”

Dara, on the other hand, was confused. She was quite sure that she already told Yuri about how Jiyong and her were friends years ago from the university. Her confusion was clearly shown on her face, which is why Jiyong gently squeezed her hand before taking over the situation. “Yeah, we knew each other way back. We lost contact for years, but here we are now, I guess.” Biggest underestimation of the year, he thought inwardly before flashing his mother a boyish grin to make up for his crappy story.

Madame Kwon’s stare at Jiyong lingered for a moment. Where used to be a cold and stoic façade now lay a happy smile that they only used to look for. She inconspicuously glanced at Dara who was engaged in a bubbly conversation with Yuri. The older woman wondered how warm Park Dara’s personality was to tame the wall of ice within Kwon Jiyong’s dragon.

The talks halted when their orders came. In the course of the meal, a few questions were thrown here and there, mostly coming from Madame Kwon and Yuri. When the luncheon came to an end, Jiyong and Dara bade goodbye to the other two women. “Unnie, make sure to visit us at home, neh?” Yuri sorrowfully asked Dara as she hugged her.

“Of course, Yuri.”

“Dara, it was really nice to meet you. I hope we’ll see each other the soonest.” Madame Kwon told her before embracing her. Dara was surprised by the action, but accepted it gratefully. Madame Kwon turned to Jiyong. “Jiyong-ah, bring Dara home, arasso? I’ll call you in the office.”

“Yes, eomeoni,” he answered and hugged his mother and Yuri before the two went off.

Unknowingly, Dara let out a relieved sigh when she saw the car sped past them. The meeting had been really nerve-wracking. She could only thank the Heavens for sending such good people to her.

“Hey, babe, why don’t you call Bom noona and ask her to meet? We should also invite TOP hyung and Youngbae.” Jiyong suggested. He somehow sensed how Dara was worn out from the unexpected meeting with his family, and he wanted to make up to her by meeting up with their friends.

Dara excitedly clapped next to him. “Neh, neh, that’s a good idea!” She gushed, energized just by the thought of seeing her friends. “I hope Tabi and Bae aren’t busy though.” She tapped around on her phone and in a moment, she was talking with Bom.

“Dara-yah! What’s up?” Bom asked.

“Bommie-yah, we’re on our way to your shop. Is Tabi free tonight? Ji’s planning some bonding time.”

Bom squealed. “Sure! I’m in! I’ll call Tabi, okay? You call Bae.”

“Okay, Bommie! Wait for us there!” She answered chirpily before hanging up and dialling Youngbae’s number.

After a few rings, someone picked up on the other line. “Hey, noona?”

“Oh, Bae-yah!” Dara grinned, even though Youngbae couldn’t see her. The prospect of meeting up with her busy friends were too appealing for her. “Bae, are you free tonight? Ji planned a bonding time, and I already called Bom. How about you?”

“Jinjja?! Count me in, then! How about TOP hyung?”

“Ah, Bommie already called him.”

“Great! Where should we meet?”

“Just go over Bom’s café.”

“Okay then, noona. I’ll be there in a few!” Youngbae responded before he hung up.

When they arrived at Bom’s coffee shop, the couple certainly attracted quite a number of unwanted attention. Dara was so close to clawing out the eyes of the women who were openly trying to flirt with Jiyong while he was busy restraining himself from punching all the men who were shamelessly staring and gaping at her.

“Welc– Oh, Dara unnie!” Hayi greeted with a wide smile on her face. “Whoa, you look really pretty!”

Dara smiled demurely. “Thanks, Hayi.”

“Oh, want me to call Bom unnie? Seungri oppa’s not around tonight, he’s on the morning shift this month.” The younger girl informed.

Jiyong was rejoicing inside. This is good, less fanboy gaping at my noona is good, he thought, feeling satisfied at Seungri’s absence. They went to one of the empty tables while Hayi went over to Bom’s office to inform her of the two’s arrival.

Not long after, Bom emerged with a grin. “Oh, what’s the event?” She asked as she took a seat in front of the couple.

Dara sighed. “Aigoo, Bom-ah, I’ll tell you later.”

“Want a hint, noona?” Jiyong asked, mischief lacing his eyes and voice.

Dara was just about to stop him when Bom’s voice floated loudly. “Neh!”

“Dara slept at my place...” He whispered to Bom as the latter’s eyes widened and almost hyperventilating at the piece of news. Dara could only shake her head in annoyance. Ever since their college days, Bom had always been the advocate of Pop Dara’s Cherry movement, closely followed by Chaerin. Sohee was also one dedicated advocate, and she was sure that if Bom and Sohee get closer, her cherry will be a frequent topic for the two.

“OMO OMO! DID THAT CHERRY FINALLY POPPED, SANDARA?!” Bom’s strong voice reverberated through the whole café, making Dara quiver in shame as everyone’s eyes darted to her and Jiyong.

Jiyong and Bom teamed up into laughing like hyenas while Dara silently prayed for the ground to open and swallow her. She had tried to send Bom a telepathic glare: fuck you, Bommie, for a best friend you’re doing one hell of a bad job.

Rather than reacting, Bom only laughed some more. “C’mon Dee, we’re on the 21st century already!” She scolded and crossed her arms across her torso. “Almost anyone talks about sex these days, even high school kids.” She nonchalantly added while Dara was reddening like a ripened tomato.

Jiyong nudged her on the side with a seemingly innocent smirk, but Dara knew better than to believe a playful Kwon Jiyong. “Yeah noona, Bom noona’s right, you know?” He told her and winked.

Dara was in the middle of plotting the secret death of Park Bom and Kwon Jiyong when a tap on the table sent her violent thoughts away. “O, who fed Dara noona chilli?” Youngbae asked as he took a seat next to Bom.

“Youngbae-yah!” Dara whined and clung to Youngbae like a baby. “They’re ganging up on me! Save your Dara noona, Bae!”

Youngbae looked weirdly at Dara scrunching her nose in annoyance and at Bom and Jiyong’s snickering. “Yah, Jiyong, what did you do to noona again?” He clucked his tongue with the roof of his mouth and turned to Bom. “Bom noona, you’re crazy, neh? Just days ago you were ready to shove Jiyong to a cemented drum and now you two are getting chummy.”

“Bae,” Bom patiently called out, “I am perfectly normal! You see, this is only one of the complexities of the human psyche.” She explained and started babbling about human psychology and how fickle our minds are.

“And who exactly is the culprit to be blamed for making Bommie talk about the evolution of Pokemons?” TOP asked as he slid on a seat next to Bom, his brows furrowed.

“What?” Dara did a double-take. “Bom’s talking about Pokemons? But...” She turned to Youngbae and Jiyong. “Wasn’t she talking about psychology a while ago?”

Jiyong and Youngbae looked at each other before shrugging their shoulders. “I don’t really know, I kind of dozed off after she droned on about Sigmund Freud.” Jiyong deadpanned, to which the rest of them laugh sans Bom who launched on another tirade.

Dara could only grin widely. This is life, she thought as she looked at the people around her. Suddenly, she felt fingers creeping through the spaces between hers, and when she turned, she was met by Kwon Jiyong’s gummy smile.

______________________________________________________

Okayyyyyy. So if anyone's wondering about Yuri and Jiyong's actions earlier, I'll explain it here.

1) Yuri didn't know that Dara's the same person who was Ji's girlfriend years ago. Flashback to chapter 14 when the two girls first met, Dara only said that he met Jiyong from the university, but she didn't mention exactly when. Thus, when Yul heard that they met six years ago (exactly when Jiyong had his first girlfriend), she automatically assumed that it was also Dara, and Jiyong's action confirmed it. Remember when Jiyong first told Yul that he has a girlfriend but it should be their secret? :)

Is this cleared up? Keke ~ If you have questions, you can drop me a comment! ;PP

And double update today!~~ Happy holidays, yay!

-X