"So, I owed you my life."

Suzy ended her story about how she met Jiyong.

They were in the cake shop full of pink and white decorations with delicious looking cakes on display. Every now and then the shop's bell ring welcoming customers who were mostly students from the school nearby. Suzy and Jiyong were seated in the booth at the corner. Suzy had a carrot cake and green tea ordered while Jiyong settled with regular coffee.

He was quiet the whole time she was storytelling. Again, he couldn't remember her or her story but then he always find satisfaction in beating up a lot of assholes from District 1 or Yorkville for common people so she might be telling the truth about him "saving" her.

Still, he didn't remember the specific incident she was talking about. And he preferred it that way. He didn't really care.

"So, it was a surprise for me when I saw you at the Town Mayor's wife's Halloween Party. I'll never mistake you for someone else." Suzy stated after a while when he remained quiet. "And then I found out you go to this school." She looked down on her uneaten cake. "I just want to get to know you and talk with you so I'm here."

He eyed her. He knew what she meant.

As Dara has said, Suzy likes him.

And he has one task. Make this woman missed practices.

He leaned forward as he held her gaze making her blush. "If you want to talk more we can meet here every school day at 5 pm."

The Theater Club's practice time is from five to six in the afternoon.

Just like earlier, Suzy didn't hesitate to agree right away. "I would love that." She even sounded excited.

Tch. Suzy definitely didn't care about missing practices and her role in headlining a play. Dara was right, she deserved the lead role more as she truly wanted it, she's even bringing him with her plan to get it back no matter what it takes.

And as always, he gave in and would follow whatever she asked of him.

That's how crazy he was about the girl, it's almost alarming.

"So, what makes you move to this school? To this town?" Suzy asked him after a while.

He contemplated answering that question Suzy had to clear her throat to catch his attention back. He sighed, "I have my reasons."

"Like what?" Suzy pushed.

He gave her a look which shut her up she didn't push for a while. But only briefly as she began questioning him again.

"Why do you like racing? Do you have other hobbies aside from, you know...underworld stuff."

He was growing frustrated then he quickly realized something. He frowned as he watched the woman who was looking at him interestingly wanting to know him more. He clenched his jaw, he suddenly realized he wished that it was Dara across from him asking these questions, not this woman he barely knew.

"Does Dara know?" Suzy slowly asked again.

He snapped. "The what?"

Suzy was taken aback by his tone but didn't back down. "I'm sorry but I just wanted to know if Dara knew your life as G-Dragon."

His silence was his answer as Suzy sighed in disbelief.

"Well, not surprise there. I was even surprised to find out you're hanging out with Dara Park," Suzy stated after a while.

That caught his attention. "What do you mean?"

Suzy carefully looked at him, testing his mood and when he was not irritated at her anymore, she continued. "I knew Dara from High School, and the Dara I knew back then seemed someone who wouldn't be associated with dangerous men like you."

He clenched his jaw. He wasn't surprised to hear that but he wanted to hear more about the topic. He put his elbows on the table as he leaned forward and said, "Tell me..." he didn't try to hide the demand in his voice. "Tell me more about Dara from high school."

Suzy was surprised at the commanding tone from him she was momentarily speechless. He didn't look interested while she was retelling him about how they met in Yorkville but for some reason, talking about Dara captured his full attention.

Was Dara truly special to him? Suzy thought.

Suzy sighed as she shared one striking memory she had of Dara from high school. "It was junior year when I finally noticed Dara Park..." she started as he listened keenly. "Dara's mom died in suicide and it was such a big deal back in school not because her mom passed away in such a manner but because of the news that no one attended the funeral except for Dara." she looked up to Jiyong to see him looking pained like this is his first time hearing it. "Dara Park had no friends in school. Despite having no one she would still attend practices for the Theater Club a day after her mom's funeral. I finally noticed her because she didn't really hide she despises me for some reason and to be honest, back then, I didn't really care. She was no threat." She murmured the last word as she looked down on her lap.

Once Suzy looked up again, she met Jiyong's gaze intently listening to her. "Then one day she stopped coming to school for three months, no one noticed of course. I didn't either until she came back to school paler than ever, thinner than the last time someone saw her, and...bruises all over her body. She didn't even try to hide them. Rumor has it her relative beats her." She sighed. "We avoided her, she's just dark and gloomy and we thought suicidal too. But her dedication to attending all the theater practice moved me even though she openly shows she dislikes me."

He didn't interrupt Suzy but he was getting angry for some reason as he listened more. Dara had been through so much.

"She didn't even attend our high school graduation and I never saw her again until last Halloween Party, and here I am attending the same school with her again." Suzy slowly continued. "But she's different."

He looked at her. "Different on what?"

Suzy had a bitter smile on her face. "She's different in the sense that she has caught your attention and I'm looking at her differently now."

He didn't like where this was going. "Like what?"

Suzy looked at him straight. "Like a threat."

Bullshit. He stood up as an hour had passed. He had no business with her here anymore.

He left the booth and quickly texted Dara.

Where are you? I need to see you.

A few minutes later, Dara replied.

Just done with practice. I'll see you in the parking lot then.

Jiyong closed his phone as he hurriedly left the cake shop and ran towards the school's parking lot.

He had to see her.

He got there first and upon seeing Dara walking in his direction with a silly smile on her face, he almost leaped towards her, grabbed her arm to pull her towards him, and crashed his lips on her much to her surprise.

"J...Jiyong!" She gasped after her initial surprise from his hungry kiss. She then looked around. "Someone might see us." She complained.

He cursed. She's still worried about nonsense things. "Fuck them."

She stood her ground. "Still! You're not gonna kiss me in public."

He ran his hand on his hair frustratedly. "Fine! Get in the car then." He almost yelled at her.

She took a step back at his tone. "What's wrong with you?" She asked, worriedly now.

He sighed, trying to calm his nerves. "Please." He begged. "Just get in the car. I need you."

She hesitated but nodded in the end as she slid into the car. He followed as he quickly started the car to get away from there fast and arrive in his place shorter than the usual time it takes to get to his place.

They got to his building and parked the car in the basement. He got out of the car, circled to her side, and opened the door for her. He then held her hands tightly as he hastened their pace to the elevator too.

"What's with the urgency? You're starting to worry me." She whispered as she held onto his arm when he practically dragged her inside the elevator.

He didn't answer as they reached his floor and even when they were heading to his flat, his pace was still in hurry.

Once he opened the door to his place and locked it behind him, he turned around to face her, pushed her against the door, and looked at her for a second before crashing his lips onto her again.

She was still taken aback by the unexpected urgency in his kiss but couldn't suppress a moan, gripping his hair. It was a habit she enjoyed during their kisses. Her gentle massage aimed to soothe him, subtly slowing down his urgent kisses.

They parted for air as she timely whispered, "What's wrong?"

He sighed as his minty breath fanned her face. He brushed his fingers on her lips. "I'm angry."

He said that but he had somewhat calmed down now compared to earlier as she didn't stop massaging him in the hair.

"Angry at what?" She asked again. Then a small frown appeared on her forehead. "Did I do something wrong?" Her eyes then squinted. "Did Suzy say something that made you like this?"

He raised his hand and stopped her hand on his hair. He then brought her hand to his lips and he kissed them softly. "I'm angry that you have no one in your high school days. I'm angry I wasn't there for you at those difficult times."

Her look softened as she understood what he was talking about. Suzy probably mentioned something about their high school days which was a dark time in Dara's life.

"Don't be." She comforted after a while as she touched his cheek and lightly kissed him on the lips. "It's not your fault I didn't meet you yet. But hey, you're here with me now. Stuck with me and my commands." Her attempt to lighten up the mood.

He laughed a bit at that as he looked at her tantalizing brown eyes and held her gaze. "I don't mind being stuck with you. You know that I'll do anything for you, Dara."

She was moved at the sincerity in his voice. "I know." She whispered as she kissed him on the lips again which he immediately deepened.

--//--//tbc

a/n: Dara's backstory is sad but so is Jiyong :( you'll learn about our beautiful broken couple backstory more soon. Let's settle with innocent kisses for now but this fic will have more for readers who enjoy mature stuff ;)

If you think this story has no drama, think again lol I'm enjoying writing this story and I'll probably stretch this to 50 chapters or more. This is probably the Theater Arc (her world), then next will be Gangster Arc (his world), then finally Chaotic Arc (their world).

How about you? Do you enjoy this story? Thanks for reading. Don't forget to comment, vote, and share your thoughts with me. Any feedback are greatly appreciated and drive me to write more ❤️ HAPPY LATE THANKSGIVING 🍁

love, siv