{ 38 }

“Park Sandara, you saw all those people yesterday, right?!” Jiyong exasperatedly told Dara as the two argue inside the latter’s apartment later that night. She was being firm on her resolve to go to school the next day because she already missed several of her classes because of the issues they were facing. As a teacher who swore on her profession, she hates not being to uphold it.

“Jiyong, I still have a duty at the school.” She patiently explained. “I can’t just drop them like that because of my problems.”

“Dara, you can just file a leave–”

“In the middle of the semester?!” She shot back, incredulous. “I want to go back to my job next year, thank you very much.” She sarcastically added.

“You don’t have to work anymore when we get–”

“No, Ji.” She determinedly said. “I’m going to work tomorrow and that’s final.”

Jiyong let out a frustrated sigh before shaking his head. “Fine! But Jaejoong will accompany you. He’ll guard you there.” When he saw that Dara was about to protest, he quickly held out a hand to stop her. “And that too, babe, is final.”

Dara could only sigh. She thought that Jaejoong following her while teaching would be better than being cooped up inside her apartment with nothing to do. Besides, she believes in Jiyong. If he says that Jaejoong is to be trusted, then he is.

“You should go now, Ji. It’s getting late.” She reminded. They had gone home late from the Kwon mansion because after the dinner, Madame Kwon still invited them for tea and a little chitchat. Yuri went to bed first because she has school the next morning while the adults stayed up. It was almost half past ten when they decided to go. Madame Kwon told them to spend the night, but Dara opted to go home since she wants to go to work.

“Will you be fine?” He responded sceptically. Truthfully, he too has to go to work. He needs to settle everything. Jiyong bets the whole company that his employees, even the board of directors, were already having a feast talking about the news about him.

Dara smiled at him. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

“And talk to jangin eoreun and jangmonim about our visit there.” He reminded, remembering what his mother told him. “Call me and I’ll tell eomeoni.”

Dara only nodded. Jiyong walked over to her place and hugged her. She burrowed her face on his chest, savoring the moment with him. He lightly kissed the top of her head. “I love you, babe.” He breathed.

“I love you, too.” Came her muffled response.

--

When Dara came to school the next morning, closely followed by Jaejoong and two other men, she was glad to see her three friends on the gate, waiting for her. “Hey,” she greeted with a smile.

“Hey yourself.” Sohee answered. “How have you been? You look a little stressed, Dee.” She added, concern lacing her voice. Donghae and Wooyoung followed up with their own questions about her health.

Dara smiled at them. “Don’t worry, I’m fine now.”

“What’s gonna happen now, though?” Wooyoung asked. “Your relationship with the dragon’s out...”

Dara grinned widely. Looking at her friends’ confused faces, she held up her left hand where her engagement ring was shining brightly. Sohee gasped, Wooyoung’s eyes widened, and Donghae paled. I... I didn’t expect this, he thought to himself. He still cannot grasp the idea that Dara was engaged.

“OH. MY. GOD.” Sohee reacted. After a few seconds, she started shaking Dara like a lunatic. “OH MY GOD, DARA, YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED!!!” She shouted in glee as she hugged her friend.

“SOHEE!” Dara scolded, not wanting the world to know about her engagement yet until Jiyong says anything. “Don’t go announcing it to the world!”

“Tch,” the mandu sneered. “Sandara, in case you don’t realize, you’re wearing a 2-carat Tiffany diamond ring. Everyone else is bound to recognize it, or else they’re freaking blind!” She exclaimed.

Dara sighed. “I know! It’s just... At least I want Jiyong to clean up everything else before we announce our marriage.”

“Will it be soon?” Wooyoung questioned.

“Do you really have to ask, monkey?” Sohee sarcastically responded. Wooyoung only pouted at her.

The four of them started to walk towards their faculty room. Thanks to Jaejoong and the two others, their journey was peaceful. Donghae kept mum the whole time, not knowing what to say.

While Sohee and Wooyoung were engaged in another banter, Dara allowed herself to slip back to talk to Donghae. She nudged her with her elbow. “Hae? Are you okay?”

To her surprise though, Donghae didn’t answer. He walked past her, his face blank. Dara scrunched her nose in confusion. She ran inside the room, barging in Sohee’s desk. “Sohee-yah.”

“Huh?”

“Is Donghae mad at me?”

Sohee’s eyes darted to Dara, then to Donghae’s robotic actions, and back to her engaged friend. “Why?”

“He’s just... he suddenly seemed distant. I tried to talk to him outside but he didn’t even acknowledge me. He just walked past me as if I wasn’t there!”

Sohee sighed. Wooyoung, whose desk was situated near Sohee’s, managed to overhear the two women’s conversation. He looked at Donghae and instantly felt bad for their friend. He sneaked a glance at Sohee who was also worrying. “Don’t worry Dara,” he butted in. “He’s just out of it.”

“Why?” Dara questioned.

Wooyoung bit his lip as he spouted another lie. “He’s not feeling well.”

“Just... leave him alone for now.” Sohee suggested. “He’ll probably feel better in the morning.”

“You sure?” Dara asked, her eyes flitting to Donghae who was now walking out of the room carrying his papers. “Don’t we have to buy him medicine or send him home–”

“No need, Dee.” Wooyoung quickly cut off. “He’s okay.”

“Aryt,” Dara finally conceded, noticing that she also needs to go to her class soon. She went back to her desk and grabbed her things before smiling at her two friends. “See you guys later,” she said before going out.

Sohee and Wooyoung sighed in relief when she went out. “That was nerve-wracking.” Wooyoung commented.

“Tell me about it.” Sohee added. “Dara’s so dense, and Donghae’s so nice. God, I’m close to splitting my head open.”

“I know. But I think Dara’s genuinely happy with the dragon, though.” Wooyoung replied. He was also feeling torn, just like Sohee. They’re happy that Dara finally found someone to take care of her and love her, but also sad that Donghae’s heart was now broken.

“He didn’t even get the chance to confess...” Sohee sadly commented.

Wooyoung didn’t mind answering. He knows that whatever he says, it wouldn’t change the fact that he and Sohee would have to play their roles well between Dara and Donghae.

--

When all of her classes finished, Dara immediately waved goodbye to her friends, reasoning that she still has to do something.

“Jaejoong.” She called his attention.

The bodyguard immediately went to her. “Yes, Dara-ssi?”

“Can I go somewhere alone? I just have to talk to my parents.” She asked. She doesn’t really feel comfortable when other people listen in on her conversations.

Doubt crossed Jaejoong’s face. Jiyong’s orders were clear: “Never leave Park Sandara, or else leave Kwon Group of Companies.” Dara saw his doubt. “Don’t worry, really, I’ll be back in a few. Ten to fifteen minutes, tops.” She assured.

“A lot could happen in ten to fifteen minutes, Dara-ssi,” Jaejoong reminded her.

“Please, Jaejoong?” She repeated, pleading. She won’t be anywhere unfamiliar anyway. She’s just inside the school’s compound. In the garden, specifically. That place was secluded anyway.

Jaejoong sighed. “Fine. But if you don’t come back in fifteen, I’m calling Sir Jiyong.” He sternly told her.

Dara’s smile widened. “Sure! Thanks, Jaejoong!” She answered and hopped merrily towards the garden.

As soon as she settled herself inside the garden, she quickly dialled her mother’s number. After two rings, she heard her mother’s gentle voice on the other line. “Dara-yah?”

“Omma!” She exclaimed.

“O, why did you call?”

“Ah, eomeonim– Jiyong’s mother told me that they’ll come visit you there within this week.” She excitedly announced. “When will the whole family be free?”

“Really?!” Mrs. Park expressed disbelief. “They’re corteous people...”

“Neh, omma. Eomeonim and Yuri are really nice to me.”

“That’s good then. You won’t have to worry about evil mothers-in-law,” her mother joked, causing the both of them to laugh.

“So, when is it, omma?”

“Hmm, your siblings are free on Friday. There’s a competition in their school, so they don’t have to be there. I’ll just tell your father to take a day off on Friday, too.”

Dara nodded her head. It’s only Tuesday, so they still have time to get ready. “Okay, then. See you on Friday, omma!”

“Okay, Dara. You take care there, okay?”

“Of course omma. You guys, too. Bye!”

“Bye, Dara.”

After the phone call, she quickly ran back to the faculty room. When Jaejoong saw her, he sighed. “I was a minute away to dialling Sir Jiyong’s phone number, Dara-ssi.”

Dara only grinned sheepishly. “Mianhae, Jaejoong. Err, can I trouble you some more?”

“What is it, Dara-ssi?”

“Can you bring me to the Kwon mansion?”

Jaejoong looked puzzled. “Why would you want to go to the Kwon mansion?”

“I’ll just meet eomeonim for a bit, Jaejoong.” She explained. “I’ll tell her myself about the plans for their visit to Busan.”

“Don’t you think you have to call Sir Jiyong first?”

Dara shook her head. “No need. I’ll be back soon anyway. I’m sure he’s busy, I don’t want to trouble him anymore.”

After a minute, he nodded his head and directed Dara to the car.

--

When they reached the mansion, Dara was still awed by its splendor. The only difference this time though, was that Jaejoong was next to her. The two other guards opted to stay on the gate, knowing how strict the guards were at the mansion. Besides, Jaejoong already went with Dara. Nothing bad will happen to her.

They reached the living room and Madame Kwon was there, together with a man whom she has never seen before. They looked alike. Recognizing who it was, Jaejoong bowed. “Good afternoon, Mr. Jo.” He greeted.

“Oh, Dara?” Madame Kwon called out, surprised. “Why are you here, dear?”

Dara smiled shyly. “Oh, I only came to let you know about your visit on Busan? I already called my mother.”

“That’s great!” Madame Kwon answered.

“Is Kyung Min ahjusshi sick, eomeonim?” She inquired politely. “I haven’t seen him.”

“Kyung Mi– Ah! You mean Mr. Yoo?” Madame Kwon said. “No one’s around today, Dara. All the maids, drivers, and even Mr. Yoo are off today.”

Noticing the younger woman’s confusion, Madame Kwon explained. “It’s because Pil Guk visits every Tuesday. We talk about confidential things about the company, so...” Her voice trailed off. Jaejoong’s face was void.

Dara nodded in understanding. That was when Madame Kwon noticed that her eyes were flitting to the man next to her, she laughed. “Oh, where’s my manners? Dara, this is Jo Pil Guk,” she gestured to the man. “He’s my brother.”

Dara immediately bowed. “Nice to meet you, sir, I’m Park Dara.”

Pil Guk only smiled. “Is it, really?”

Dara stared at him in confusion. That was when she saw that Pil Guk was now looking behind Dara, gesturing something to the person behind her. She turned to look, only to feel a sting from a needle penetrating her skin. She saw a syringe’s contents being emptied inside her body, but what surprised her the most was that it was Jaejoong who did that to her.

“I’m sorry, Dara-ssi,” she last heard before passing out.

________________________________________________

Ohhhhkay. Tell me what you think please!

I wasn't supposed to update today but someone bugged me... >///

-X