MINHO'S POV
The atmosphere was heavy when I brought her home in her apartment. I didn't dare ask her the reason behind the drama earlier. Even if she doesn't say anything, i know it brought a heavy burden inside her. I pulled the car over in front of her house but it seems that she didn't notice for her mind is else where. I put my hand gently on her shoulder to wake her wandering mind.
"Hey, its going to be alright." I told her and rubbed her back. She stared at me for one whole minute before she abruptly hugged me tight.
"It hurts." I heard her say in a muffled voice. She cried in my chest as her body shook when her cries became loud sobs, i don't mind if she soak my shirt with her tears. "Why does it hurt so much?"
I can't find the right words to answer her painful question for my heart is aching as well. That's the time that i knew i already lost my chance with her.
I admit. I do have feelings for her since then. We were friends since we were kids and grew up together. I knew from the start that she's different. Different from all the girls i've ever met. She was always there for me and showed the care that even my parents can't provide. From then on, my feelings for her grew even if i knew she only sees me as her brother. That's the reason why i have to hide it. I was scared that if she learned how i feel about her, she'll avoid me and our friendship will fall apart. I was contented to just stay by her side if she needs me and hope that maybe one day, she'll look at me the same way as i look at her.
But now, looking at her, hearing her cry for the man who hurt her makes me want to curse fate. Why does it have to play a very painful game that use people's hearts as its pawn? I just don't get it sometimes.
I heaved a deep sigh as i finally decided to let her realize something she might still be denying to herself until now. "Its because you like him."
She pulled herself from the embrace so she could look at me. "What?" She asked wiping her tears away.
"You like him, that much. That's why it hurts so bad." I told her. I know because that's what i'm feeling right now.
She shook her head and tried to convince me that what i'm saying was not true but i just smiled at her. I caressed her face and stared at her eyes. "Trust me. I know and you'll realize it soon Dara. You can deny it to me or to everyone else but not to yourself."
She hugged me again and sobbed even more. Maybe what i said finally sinked in on her.
Moments passed and i convinced her to get inside her apartment. "Hey, its getting late. You should rest now." I said as i tried to push her gently off of me. She nodded and opened her side of the door. I did the same and walked her to her doorstep when i noticed a car parked in front of her house. "Is that your car?" I asked checking it out myself.
"Oh, yeah. Kind of." She said following behind me. "I won in a contest and thats the prize." She said lazily.
"Really? What contest?"
"Guessing game contest. I did nothing but i won." I chuckled but sighed right after. She really looks down.
"Well, you should use it. You know, for safety reasons." I told her. I can't believe she has this but still riding the bus. Tsk! This girl really!
"I'l think about it." She simply said ending the conversation. Its no use arguing anyway.
"Ok. Get inside now and rest, I'l go ahead. I'l try to visit you some time if that's ok." I smiled at her. She furrowed her brows and slapped my arm. Well at least her mood lights up a little.
"Of course its ok, you pabo. Visit me anytime you want." She said and gave me one last hug.
"Take care ok? I'l be here if you need me." I whispered to her ear before we broke the hug. She finally smiled and opened her door to let herself in until we bade goodbye.
I went to my car and thought about what happened today. I must have been too late, someone already owns her heart. Lucky bastard. He should take care of her or else i'l do everything to have her and give her what she deserves. I just sighed and drove off home.
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DARA'S POV
I woke up feeling dizzy for i only slept for an hour. I can't sleep last night. Thoughts of what happened kept rewinding inside my head over and over like a broken record. I wanted to just stay in my house for the whole day but i really have to go to work. We only have one week to finish the monthly issue and i was the one in charge. I can't let my staff suffer because of my tardiness.
I ready myself for work and headed out my apartment when I saw the car sitting pretty in front on my house. I remembered what Minho told me. To use it for safety reasons. He has a point though specially now that i almost got kidnapped by some random gangsters. Hmm, maybe i'l give it a try.
I walked towards the car and sighed when i see that it doesn't really fit me. I mean, its so luxurious. Everything about it screams awesome, and me, i can't think of anything that can describe myself as being awesome. Well, maybe awesome weirdness will do. Aisht! I don't care anymore. I'm late for work and i don't have the energy to walk over to the bus station.
I took the keys and press the button to unlock it. I stepped inside and the smell of a brand new car welcomed me. Wow, even the interior looks so nice. I checked every little thing inside and if someone sees me right now, they would think that i'm some cave woman who just discovered fire. This car is so great. I should send a photo to Minho.
After my silliness, i finally drove off and headed to our office. I parked the car and as soon as i stepped out, all eyes were on me. Yeah, i expected that already and its irritating me. These judgmental people. Aisht!
I went straight to the elevator and surprisingly, the fear of riding it subsided a little. I don't have to count numbers in my head anymore. All I remember was the voice of Jiyong calming me when we got stuck inside an elevator once. Gosh, Jiyong again. He's been bugging my head since last night. I must be going crazy.
I heard the ding sound of the elevator indicating i already reached my floor.
I stepped out and headed towards my office.
"Ms. Dara! You're back!" One of my staff greeted as i passed the hallways.
"Hi Shinyoung. How's everything?" I asked, her face turned from being surprised to sour.
"Ah.. everything is...under control." She hesitantly answered as she looked at the door of my office.
"Is something wrong?"
She stared at me for a good minute before answering. "No Ms. Dara." She said as she shook her head. "I'l go back to work now, i'm glad you're finally back." She grinned and went back to her seat.
That sounds weird. My eyes shifted to the door of my office and started walking. Why does my heart beating loud. When i reached the front door, i turned the knob and slowly opened it. My eyes went wide when i saw who was sitting on my table.
"Donghae?" I asked while stepping inside. I saw his head turned to my direction and put down what he was doing.
"Dara! Your back!" He said a bit too loud and jump out of the chair to dash towards me. "God, i missed you! Where have you been? How are you? Are you ok?" He hugged me really tight then broke it right after.
He bombarded me with so many questions but i remained quiet and just stared at him. I shifted my gaze from him to my table.
"Oh, sorry Dara. Ms. Han asked me to take over while your gone. But don't worry, i'l fix this so you can go back to your seat as soon as possible." He explained while showing me his toothy grin.
"That's ok Donghae, and sorry for my absence. It must have put a heavy weight on your shoulder." I said and held him on his forearm. He took it and place it between his hands.
"Its ok Dara, anything for you." He winked. Wait, that looks familiar. "Anyway, do you need something?"
"Oh no no. I'l just go to Bom's office first, tell her i'm back." I told him and a different reaction passed through his face, like he's disappointed or something. It was so fast that i would have missed it if i blinked. He regained his composure and brought back his smile.
"Ok! I'l just fix your office so you can use it after you visit Bom." He said and hugged me again.
I nodded at him and went out to see Bom. Gosh, what's wrong with him? Why was he all hyped up?
Every one was staring at me as i walked along the hallway. Was i gone that long that they looked at me as if this is the first time they saw me? Aisht. I knocked on Bom's door as soon as i reached her office.
"Come in." i heard her say.
I opened the door and peeked inside to look for her. "Bom?"
"Oh my God Dara!" She squealed in delight and instantly dashed towards me before i could fully stepped inside her office. She hugged me tight and bounced repeatedly making me feel dizzy.
"Bommie, wait, i'm getting dizzy here."
"Oh, sorry sorry. I got carried away. Come in come in!" She said as she pulled me inside. I was surprised when she suddenly smacked me on my arm.
"Ouch! Bommie! What was that for?" I reacted as i massaged my arm to ease the pain.
"Why didn't you tell me you're coming? Since when did you arrive?" She muttered as she pouts her lips. Aisht this girl really.
"Just last night. I wanted to surprise you so...hey, are you crying?" My eyes widen in shock when i saw tears fell from her eyes.
"I just can't believe your really here. I thought something bad happened to you. You got me worried sick you know that?" She hiccuped and my heart softened. She really is the best. I moved to hug her and tapped her back to calm her down.
"Aww, i'm so sorry Bommie. I'm sorry if i made you worry. Things just got out of hand." I told her as she broke the hug.
"Why? What happened?"
"Long story. I'l tell you everything but now, i'm just glad i'm back."
Bom hugged me again and ushered me to sit in front her desk table.
"Have you talked to Donghae?" She asked, face becoming serious.
"Yeah, i saw him sitting on my table when i came in."
"I heard that too. Ms. Han made him as your replacement while your gone. That witch. She's really itching to kick you out." She hissed rolling her eyes after. "I just want to disarrange her face right now arghhh!"
"Hey relax. Donghae said he will vacate my table. He was all hyper this morning." I said and Bom gave me a knowing look.
"I know right? There's something different about him, and its not good." She said.
"What do you mean?"
"Haven't you noticed? He's so grumpy now a days. He gets pissed easily like he's having a period or something." She waved her hands in the air as she described him animatedly. I laughed at her comments. "Don't laugh Dara, i'm telling you, be careful with him." She warned and stared at me seriously.
"Are you kidding me Bom? I mean, he's acting strange yes, but he won't do anything to harm me. You know him. Maybe he's just stressed out because of work." I defended Donghae but something in Bom's words hit me making me doubt what i just said.
"Don't say i didn't warn you Dara."
Our conversation was interrupted when the intercom suddenly beeped. She pressed the button and answered it. "Yes?"
"Ms. Park, Ms. Han wants to talk to you in her office." Bom's assistant informed us.
"Who? We're both Parks here you know?" Bom irritatingly said and rolled her eyes again.
"Oh, i m-mean Ms. Dara PPark." She stuttered, afraid that Bom will snarl at her again.
"Fine. Thanks." Bom said and pressed the intercom again to end the call. "Sorry sis, but you're wanted at the witch's lair."
"What is it this time?" I sighed deeply.
I left Bom's office with a heavy heart. I already know what's coming my way. Ms. Han will definitely scold me to death for being irresponsible and unprofessional because of my absence.
I took heavy steps towards her office and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Ok Dara, you can do this. Breath in, breath out.
I stepped inside her office and got shocked to see the person sitting in front of her.
"Donghae?"
His gazed turned to me and if i'm not mistaken, i think i saw a smirk plastered on his face. What now?