{ 34 }

Jiyong brought Dara to his unit. The couple silently made their way up, not knowing what to say. Both of them were exhausted with Dara constantly blocking out the gossipers who were curious about her relationship with “the dragon” and Jiyong who was doing his best along with the PR team to take down every single article about him and Dara, but it was to no avail. The news already became viral. Even the people who were hearing his name for the first time were already joining in the discussions– mostly because they were smitten when they first saw his face. Besides, a rumor about the legendary dragon settling down was enough to rig anyone’s world.

Dara sat on the couch and Jiyong’s head lay on her lap. She started massaging his head. “Are you okay?” She asked tenderly.

He smirked a little. “Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?”

“Nah. I’m fine. Besides, Jaejoong was there, neh?” She lightly slapped her hand on his forehead. “Don’t overtire yourself, Jiyong-ah.”

He looked at her straight in the eye. “I’m sorry.” He said sincerely.

She shook her head. “I told you this isn’t your fault, Ji.”

“I’m still sorry,” he stubbornly replied and pouted a bit.

Silence ensued between the two, with Jiyong silently playing with her hand hoisted on his chest. He kissed her fingers one by one, and Dara could feel electricity running on every place where he touched. “It won’t be the same anymore, noona,” he suddenly said, breaking the silence.

“What do you mean?”

“Everyday would be like this. Running and avoiding the media. They won’t stop ‘till they confirm things. The longer we keep silent, the hungrier they will be for news.” He explained, still not looking at Dara.

She sighed. She already expected chaos, but not this much. This was the reason why she didn’t want their relationship to be publicized. Jiyong is a prominent public figure, and her quiet life would be disrupted once people confirm that she really is Kwon Jiyong’s girlfriend. “What do you suggest we do, then?”

Jiyong took a deep breath before he responded, avoiding Dara’s eyes. “Let’s get married, Dara.”

Dara froze.

--

Earlier...

Jiyong furiously pushed the button on his intercom. “TAEYEON, COME IN THE OFFICE!” He yelled, his voice full of anger and irritation.

Taeyeon flinched at her boss’ action, but she complied. They had only gone back from a meeting on one of their hotels, but it seems like Mr. Kwon already saw the article. Taeyeon herself didn’t know, not until she received a screenshot of an article about Kwon Jiyong of KGC settling down sent by Tiffany. She took a deep breath before walking inside the dragon’s office. “Yes, Mr. Kwon?” She asked. She wanted to commend herself for not shaking and stuttering, especially when she’s facing an angry Mr. Kwon.

“Call the head of the PR team right now,” he commanded, his voice full of authority.

“Right away, sir,” she answered dutifully before going out to her cubicle. She quickly dialled Kim Kibum’s number. “Yes, this is Hwang Tiffany, Mr. Kim Kibum’s sec–”

“FANY! No need for niceties, just tell Key to go to Mr. Kwon’s office right now!” Taeyeon answered in a frantic voice, not wanting to waste any second.

“Oh– okay. Calm down, Tae!” Tiffany replied. “I’ll call Key now.”

Taeyeon hung up the phone and anxiously waited for Key. Every second ticking was like a time bomb. She has never seen the dragon explode like this. Mr. Kwon remains calm and collected all throughout any situation, and it was a big surprise to her that she will see a day that Mr. Kwon Jiyong of Kwon Group of Companies will lose his cool.

Two minutes later, Key came running. He barely nodded to Taeyeon and went straight knocking on Mr. Kwon’s door. As soon as he came inside, Taeyeon felt a little relief. Don’t worry, Kibum-ah, she thought as she busied herself with her paper works, Taeyeon noona will pray for you.

“Mr. Kwon?” Key gingerly called out.

To his surprise, Mr. Kwon was already pacing back and forth on his office, fear and irritation on his face. He was holding a phone up to his ear but like a miracle, he softened when the person on the other line answered.

Mr. Kwon turned his back on Key and the latter allowed his mind to wander. Fany noona was right. I now understand why Taeng noona was frantic.

“Mr. Kim!” Mr. Kwon’s booming voice. Key snapped out of his daze and met the president’s eyes. It wasn’t everyday that a mere employee like him gets to meet their CEO and president. Only Taeyeon and his bodyguard Kim Jaejoong always gets close to Mr. Kwon.

He hurled a broadsheet in front of him, his face calmer. “Do everything to stop all the stupid articles.” He told him as he went back to his chair behind his desk.

Key bowed to him before hurrying out. Jiyong leaned on his leather chair and closed his eyes as he massaged his forehead. Damn these media, he cursed on his mind. Noona’s probably having a hard time now.

Jiyong grabbed his phone sitting on top of his desk and dialled Jaejoong’s number. “Sir Jiyong?” The other line answered.

“Hyung, go to Dara’s school and watch her. I still have to go to some darned meeting, but I’ll go there later.” He directed.

“Okay, Jiyong.” Jaejoong replied. “Don’t worry too much, everything will be fine.”

“I hope so, hyung.” He responded in a clipped voice before walking out to go to the board room. Taeyeon immediately stood up upon seeing him, bringing with her the materials he needed for the meeting.

“Taeyeon.” He called out.

“Yes, Mr. Kwon?”

“Tell Mr. Kim that I want those issues sorted out when I’m done with the meeting.” He said in a no-nonsense tone and began proceeding to the board room by himself.

Taeyeon could only sigh heavily before she redialled Key’s number. “This is Hwang Tif–”

“Fany, can you redirect this call to Key now?”

“Okay, Taeyeon, just a sec,” she responded and Taeyeon was put on hold for a few seconds when Key picked up the other line. “Yes noona?”

“Key, Mr. Kwon instructed me to tell you that you should finish the issues by the time he’s done with the meeting,” she answered.

“Fuck,” Key mumbled. “What time will you end, noona?”

“It’s two and a half hours long. Finish it soon, or...” Taeyeon stopped in mid-sentence, knowing that Key already knows what she means.

On the other hand, the younger guy gulped. ... ‘or consider yourself jobless’ was what Taeyeon noona’s trying to say. Damn it! “Absolutely, noona.”

In his mind, Key was already praying to all the saints he knows.

--

As soon as the meeting finished, Mr. Kwon directed Taeyeon to call Key to his office. A few minutes later, a scared Key turned up in front of Mr. Kwon’s office. “Key-yah...” Taeyeon said in a sympathetic voice, assuming that his task didn’t turn out well.

Key only sighed before knocking quietly on Mr. Kwon’s door. He was given the permission to enter, and he took a few deep breaths before he did.

“I assume it was a failure, Mr. Kim,” Mr. Kwon first said while scrolling through his iPad. Key only hung his head low, not knowing what to say.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Kwon, but the news had been too viral. It was like a bacteria spreading. Our team will take out the articles, and then new ones will pop up. Your name was already number one on Naver along with the company’s.” He said.

“What do you think is suitable to do to stop further issues to emerge, Mr. Kim?”

“Honestly, Mr. Kwon, there is nothing which will stop the issues. The media– along with the people will only bug your life alongside with your girlfriend–” Key harrumphed before continuing, not quite familiar with associating the word with his boss.

“–and if we publicize our relationship, more people will just join in just for fun and watch our every move to guess when we will break up. Perfect.” Jiyong finished, pissed that it was like he was left with no other option. “Fuck.”

Key thought of something, but he wasn’t sure if he should voice it out. However, Mr. Kwon’s helplessness bit him and before he knew it, his mouth was firing the words. “There’s one thing you can do.” He suggested quietly.

Jiyong stared at him, urging for him to continue. He swallowed an imaginary lump on his throat before answering. “You and your girlfriend can get married.”

His boss raised a sceptic brow on him. “Won’t it just have the same outcome as announcing that we are in a relationship?”

“Well, yes,” Key replied before shifting uncomfortably on his feet. Kwon Jiyong’s gaze was weighing him down. “But isn’t that where this whole issue started? Whether you are settling down or not? If you do, there! It will feed their curiosity. The media will still be after you, of course, but there would be less interference.”

“Less interference?”

“Mr. Kwon Jiyong is known for his firm resolve and sound mind. With that collateral, it won’t be too hard to convince people that you won’t have a divorce or anything else. Which is why the media won’t sniff too much on your lives and just find another scandal.” Key explained.

Jiyong allowed his employee’s explanations sift through his mind. He has a point... but I’m sure Dara won’t like our wedding to be a carnival where people we don’t even like will come.

He sighed before motioning to Key that he could leave. He was trying to think of more options, but he always comes down to Kim Kibum’s proposal.

“You and your girlfriend can get married.”

--

“Ji... I– I–” Dara couldn’t form coherent words as she stared at Jiyong, her jaw dropped in surprise.

He sighed and sat next to her. “I know it’s too sudden, and this is the crappiest confession to ever exist on Earth, but this is the only way–”

She held his hand and he stopped talking halfway. “Ji, marrying me just because of an issue’s stupid.” She answered softly, even though she feels a little hurt inside. I... I don’t want you to marry me just because of some issue, Ji. I want you to marry me because you want me in your life forever. She bit her lip to stop the words from pouring out. She doesn’t want to pressure Jiyong like that. She in herself knows that she is ready. Her love for Jiyong never faded, but what about him? They had only met again months ago, and even though their history go way back, Jiyong had difficulties before he regained his memories and feelings of her.

“Damn it,” he muttered. “This is why I don’t want to tell you like this.”

“What?” Dara’s brows furrowed in confusion.

“I knew you’d think like that. That this is all for the stupid issue to subside. I do admit that it was a part of it, but don’t you think it’s also the right time for us to settle down?” He asked.

Dara sighed. “Jiyong, I am ready, but–”

“Why doesn’t it occur to you that I am ready, too?” He cut off.

“Ji, you had your acci–”

Jiyong cupped her face tenderly and looked at her in the eye. “Kwon Sandara, why doesn’t it occur to you that I am ready because it is you? Why can’t you see how much I love you that I’m going to tie you down next to me for the rest of your life and you’re not allowed to refuse?” He asked sincerely.

He swiftly pulled something out from his coat pocket and kneeled in front of Dara. “Marry me,” he breathed and slowly slid the ring on her finger while his captivating brown orbs were locked with hers. It wasn’t even until later that Dara realized that he didn’t ask her to get married. Even earlier, he told her that they should get married. It was like a command, not that Dara had any plans on disobeying.

Jiyong leaned close and she closed her eyes involuntarily. When his lips finally lowered into hers, she felt as if a dozen beautiful fireworks suddenly took off, blinding her of anything else other than the man in front of her.

It may not be the sweetest or the most unique proposal ever, but Dara figured that she doesn’t care.

Because she was with Kwon Jiyong.

____________________________________________________

Who wants to breakdance with me right now, kekeke!~~~ Jiyong is still a cha-do-nam even when proposing lmao. Poor Key, thankfully he did something to save his job XD Thoughts?

-X

P.S. ugh i can't believe i have be in school in 2 days. just, ugh >_