"Cut!"

The club director, Mr. Jin, yelled as he motioned for the cast to gather.

Dara sighed as she harshly let go of Jaejoong's neck. They had a scene together where Lady Macbeth had Macbeth in a chokehold.

"Easy, tigress," he said as he massaged his neck. "Your mood seemed to be fouler today than usual." He commented.

She frowned at him. "Shut up." She said as she walked towards the center stage along with the other cast. She squatted on the floor and ignored him when he sat beside her too.

"So, a big rehearsal is coming next week. No room for mistakes. The play is fast approaching next month." Mr. Jin announced eyeing them one by one. "Do you have any questions?"

No one raised their hands. Mr. Jin nodded. "Okay then, you guys are dismissed. See you next week!"

She stood up, readying to leave.

"Ms. Park, can you stay for a little bit?" Mr. Jin asked.

She gulped, becoming a little bit nervous. What now?

Jaejoong's brow raised at this, glancing at her, but left the room nevertheless.

She didn't say anything as she waited for Mr. Jin to speak.

"So, Ms. Park." He started. "There's a problem with your Lady Macbeth costume for the rehearsal. We need to have it altered." He continued. "It will be out-of-pocket. It will cost a hundred fifty dollars . Do you think you can afford it?" Mr. Jin asked her, aware of his student's circumstances.

But for her, it was a better reason than what she dreaded to hear. "Of, course." She lied. She didn't have that cash on hand. "When do you need it?"

Mr. Jin nodded. "Today. So, the costume would be ready on time by Wednesday."

She gulped.

Mr. Jin noticed her uneasiness. He shrugged. "If you don't have the money today, that's fine. I can cover it and you can reimburse me this Monday."

She smiled as she nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes!"

"You're dismissed." Mr. Jin said.

She almost leaped in joy as she left the room. She closed the door behind her when she stopped on track.

Now what? How could she afford it?

Today is Friday and -ONE's supposed to pay her today. But, she also told Jiyong she'd be treating him to crabs this weekend. Her paycheck was already budgeted in her mind, and this extra cost is giving her a headache.

She closed her eyes as she massaged her temple. She can always dip into her savings for this, right?

"I can cover it for you." A voice said.

She snapped her eyes open and saw Jaejoong leaning on the wall beside the door.

She crossed her arms over her chest. "What are you talking about?"

He straightened up as he stood in front of her. "I overheard the conversation you had with Mr. Jin." He answered, automatically earning a glare from her.

"Why I'm not surprised you're that type of person." She started to walk. "Nosybody. Eavesdropping on people."

He shrugged as he walked beside her. "Not my proudest moment but I was curious." He said.

They rounded a corner just before reaching the school exit, and the hallways were filled with students. Upon catching sight of Kim Jaejoong, smiles lit up their faces. However, when they noticed him accompanied by a woman, hushed murmurs began to circulate among the students.

She scowled inside. She almost forgot he is popular.

"So, will you let me pay it for you?" He insisted.

She stopped on her track as she faced Jaejoong. "Why are you talking to me?" She asked him instead.

He smirked, disregarding her displeasure. "I've just realized we share a connection through the traumatic experience of that Halloween fiasco."

She burst into laughter upon hearing that. Oh my, he is really. "Please." She said, wiping tears from her eyes. "Humor other people, Kim. We don't have a connection," she stated as they reached the school gate.

It didn't stop him as he blocked her way, preventing her from leaving. "I can pay for your fancy clothes and triple the amount after that on one condition. I know you need money."

She looked at him with a 'See? There's a catch on why you're approaching me.' kind of look. She raised her eyebrow at him. She then glanced at her watch. "You are not making sense, Kim, but since I have time to spare before my part-time job starts. I'm all ears so you can stop bothering me after."

Extra money? It started to appeal in her ears.

His eyes shifted behind her, catching sight of the guy leaning against the wall. It was the same guy she often hung out with, casually throwing a cigarette the moment the guy spotted them. The guy straightened up, strolling coolly in their direction. If Jaejoong wasn't mistaken, the guy was currently sizing him up, even glaring.

Jaejoong then looked down to the impatient Dara who was even stomping her feet.

"Hurry up, Kim. I'm not wasting any more time with you." She said, thinning her lips.

He shook his head. What a woman. "Be my date three Saturdays from now." He then turned his back as he started to walk away, ignoring her bewildered expression.

Of course.

Her initial shock was gone as she yelled at his retreating back. "What the heck?"

He waved his hand though not looking back. "I'll see you on Monday, Park."

She was left dumbfounded. What the hell did she just hear? She didn't even agree with his ridiculous idea!

She was still scowling when Jiyong reached her.

"What happened?" He asked, looking at Jaejoong and then at her.

She frowned as she began walking. "That egotistical jerk is messing with me. He told me he'll pay the cost for my gown's alteration--"

"Pay for what?" He cut in.

"--and will even pay me more under the condition of a date." She continued.

His look darkened after. "A date?"

She nodded, casting a glance at him. "Yup, crazy, right? Does he think I'm dumb enough to believe him? We used to just annoy each other. Now, he's talking about dates."

He grabbed her wrist, halting her steps.

She raised her brow. "What?" she asked, then wrinkled her nose. She sniffed him. "Have you been smoking again?" she accused.

He didn't answer as he pulled her closer to him. "Why didn't you tell me you needed money?" he asked.

She frowned at him. "You should stop smoking, Jiyong. First, it's bad for your health. Second, it smells nasty." she didn't mention how she hated the smell as she grew up with her aunt constantly smoking.

He studied her face for a moment before releasing her wrist. He walked ahead of her, visibly frustrated.

She half-walked, half-ran to catch up with his swift footsteps. They reached the shortcut to -ONE's before she could even catch up with him.

"Fine!" She exclaimed, panting. "I won't talk about your smoking habit again. So, stop sulking."

He abruptly stopped, causing her to collide with his back when she failed to stop in time.

He remained frustrated as he spoke, "Sometimes I wish you would just tell me things so I don't have to snoop around to find out about you."

He was about to walk again when she grabbed his shirt.

"Why are you being like this?" she asked, growing annoyed.

He turned around to meet her eyes. "You know why I'm being like this," he stated instead.

She let go of his shirt, crossing her arms nonchalantly, unfazed by the curious looks they were getting from people in that sketchy alley.

She gazed at him for a moment, clicked her tongue, and sighed. "I didn't tell you about the money because I only found out about it today," she said, refraining from yelling at him at the moment.

He clenched his jaw. "And the date?"

She released a raspy sigh, briefly looking up at the sky as if asking for more patience. She then glared at him. "It's not a date, but a condition," she stated firmly, pausing for emphasis. "I didn't even agree to it yet. It's supposed to be three Saturdays from now," she added, realizing something. "Why am I explaining this to you?"

He was about to say something when he noticed a man in a hoodie approaching them, the gleaming knife in his hand catching the night's feeble light. He noticed it quickly, but she didn't.

He grabbed her hand forcefully and then dragged her behind him—

"What the—!" She was surprised.

— as he simultaneously pushed the man against the wall, holding him in a chokehold. His arm was around the man's neck, while his hand firmly grasped the guy's hand holding the knife.

"Fuck off." He hissed, his eyes about to kill.

The man let go of his knife, swiftly kicking him hard in the stomach to force him to release the grip.

He was about to punch the guy square in the face when Dara screamed behind him.

"Ahh! He has a knife!" she even pointed at the knife on the ground.

Now distracted, the man seized the opportunity to kick him again, successfully freeing himself. He quickly ran away.

He was about to pursue him when Dara grabbed his hand. Angrily, he looked at her just as her palm landed on his cheek.

Slap!

Surprised, his hands fell on his sides.

"What the hell are you thinking?! Running after that guy?!" She yelled at him. "Didn't you see he had a knife? What if he has a gun and shoots you next?!" She cupped her face in worry, her hands shaking.

He looked at her, his expression void of emotions. She then looked up, tears on the verge of falling from her eyes.

"Stupid Jiyong," she mumbled as she stepped forward, her hands gripping his shirt. "Don't do that again. You're supposed to run away from trouble, not run after it." She was scared.

He watched her for a while before his arms slowly wrapped around her. "I'm sorry," He could only say as his hug tightened around her.

This is why she's not in his world. It's too dangerous.

—//—//tbc

a/n: So, whose world are we living in now? Her? His? What do you think of the story so far? Don't forget to comment and vote.