Dara woke up on Thanksgiving Thursday with a heavy heart.
..."Jiyong is even bringing a special girl with him..."
She gulped and almost choked on her own saliva.
Is she going to see Jiyong tonight in the mansion with a "special girl" like what Madame Kwon told her yesterday?
What the hell is Jiyong thinking?
Ignoring her and is going to show up in her workplace tonight.
Just like that.
She groaned inside.
It's not really 'ignoring her' when she also didn't make an effort to contact him first, too.
Should she? Like now?
Maybe not.
She yanked her hair frustratingly. Why is she difficult? Is she really gonna do this?
She's so used to Jiyong always initiating contact, checking in, and being a constant presence in her life that she found herself in turmoil when he chose to distance himself. The absence of his usual attentiveness left her struggling to define the complex emotions within her.
Almost like...she's empty without him.
The hurtful expression he wore during their last encounter lingered in her thoughts, becoming a haunting source in her nightmares.
Why is she making it challenging to initiate the first step to reconnect with him who held deep connections to her? Why does everything feel so difficult for her?
It just weighed heavily in her heart.
What's stopping her?
Is it her stubborn pride?
Is it her lingering fear?
Or is it the smug certainty that Jiyong will inevitably be the one to initiate contact, making everything right in her life once more?
A somber look appeared on her face.
She's full of bullshit.
What if Jiyong finally got tired of her acting like this? He even called her infuriating last time. He might say he "loves" her but then a person can only take so much shit in their lives.
What if it is too late?
What if Jiyong really moved on already with this "special girl"?
She rose from her bed, and forced herself to start her day, though she could feel the emotional turmoil happening inside her to what she called close to—
Heart shattering into pieces.
----
Stepping out of her room, ready to leave for the job at the mansion, Dara halted in her tracks.
Her aunt Hyorin lay sprawled on the couch, surrounded by empty soju bottles, while clutching a vodka bottle in her sleep. Her aunt was snoring and mumbling something in her drunken state. The sun hasn't even set yet and she's already knocked out drunk like this.
"...Reaper...don't leave me... I'm sorry...come back...p-please..."
Dara's breath was caught in the air at the hear of that. Does this mean Reaper finally left her aunt and is not living in this house anymore?
The relief Dara felt at that possibility was so huge that she had the "thoughtfulness" in her to gather the empty bottles and tidy up the house before heading to work at the mansion. She even put a blanket over her snoring aunt.
Dara just hoped that her aunt wouldn't accept the maniac back even IF he tried to go back to her after the relationship ended. Based on her aunt's history with past lovers, the men only used her and then ditched her after getting tired of her antics. They do not reconcile with her enough to stay again.
But then, she always falls to the same type of men. Her aunt likes them rough and bad. The badder the better maybe because she's equally a bitch to these men.
Her aunt is a crazy woman with a bad temper, no one in their right mind will try to go back to her life after ending things with her.
Dara tightly gripped the garbage bag with the empty bottles of alcohol in it thinking about something. The shudder in her spine came back.
Is Reaper gone for good?
She really hoped she wouldn't see the maniac again. But her aunt's unpredictability kept Dara on the edge.
Dara knew that there was a high chance her aunt would take Reaper back if given a chance.
In her aunt's eyes, Reaper was the most decent lover she ever had in her life. She kept telling Dara he was a good catch, even letting him move in with them.
Reaper was bad news.
And now, looks like he's gone. Dara should feel relief.
But the way Reaper looks at Dara in the bathroom last time tells her he is not done with her, keeping her on edge.
The shiver crept into her skin again as she shook her head.
She will find a new place to live so she will stop worrying about the men her aunt associates herself with. Maybe she can find a place before the year ends so this unnecessary anxiety stops hanging over her head.
---
Dara was in the mansion dressed in her usual maid uniform because of Madame Kwon's insistence. On most days, she didn't have a problem wearing this before but then it was because only the family living here and the staff could see her in it. But this time, with many guests pouring into the mansion, she wished she could burn this uniform so no one could see her wearing this.
Even Jiyong didn't see her in this before.
The uniform made her look like a maid straight out of a British period drama of the early 20th century. In what she called, slave to the rich. And she hated the reminder of it.
Her maid uniform consisted of a black dress with a white apron, a cap, and other agonizing details. The dress was ankle-length and had a traditional design, reflecting the old fashion of the early 20th century, with which Madame Kwon was obsessed.
All of them working in the mansion wear this but still, Dara hated looking so domesticated like this.
But then money is money, what Madame Kwon wants, Madame Kwon gets. And right now, Dara is just one of the many props to satisfy Madame's lavish taste and lifestyle. That includes the maids and butlers to her traditional Thanksgiving Dinner party.
The mansion radiated with autumn hues as Madame Kwon did it again. Once more, she transformed the place into a locale deserving of a posh magazine cover.
Everywhere you looked, orange, red, yellow, and brown decorations adorned the mansion—pumpkins scattered, candles flickering, and autumn flower centerpieces gracing the dining and living rooms.
As Dara stood in the entrance, she bowed to arriving guests amidst this picturesque Thanksgiving Dinner vision of the madame.
One of Dara's tasks for tonight was to greet maybe twenty or more guests.
The party consisted mainly of Mayor Yang's side of the family and some of his influential friends. Mayor Yang himself was attired in his customary formal business wear—a dark suit complemented by an autumn-themed necktie, blending red and orange hues. Alongside him, Madame Kwon radiated elegance in a flowing, sparkling orange dress, adorned with a silvery shawl.
As Madame engaged in conversations with the female guests, Mayor Yang was engrossed in discussions with his male acquaintances.
Unintentionally, Dara caught snippets of their conversations, which primarily revolved around politics.
"How's the electoral campaign so far, Mayor Yang?"
"Soon serving two terms in a row?"
"You think you will win against Mount Vernon's representative?"
Dara noticed how Mayor Yang tensed at the mention of the neighboring town, the grip on his glass of expensive scotch whiskey tightened while the polite smile on his lips remained.
Whoever Mount Vernon's representative is, Mayor Yang doesn't like them.
"Of course. They can't win against me. That town is just full of brainless savages."
Mayor Yang tactically changed the topic to the charities he was working on in Malcom City.
Interesting. Looked like the stoic and calm Mayor Yang was threatened by the representative of the next town.
Dara had been standing in front of the entrance door for quite some time now but then she still didn't see the one she's been waiting anxiously for—Jiyong.
And the special girl.
And here she thought, she was the one in his mind to bring to his mother when Dara mentioned this event to him last week.
Dara felt sad at that memory as she looked down in her black ballet shoes. It felt like a distant memory now, how she and Jiyong were together and very much happy talking and teasing at that time. It was only last week too but so much has happened since then, it felt like months ago.
Now, it felt like they were strangers and barely talking anymore. NOT talking anymore.
She sighed deeply.
"Hi, Dara."
Dara looked up at the voice. Surprised first before feeling the air trapped in her lungs at the scene unfolding before her eyes.
Suzy was standing in front of Dara, looking ethereal in her orange-red pouffy dress with matching five-inch high-heeled shoes, greeting Dara with a glint in her eyes and a confident smile on her red-painted lips.
But it was not Suzy that was taking Dara's breath away. It was the guy behind Suzy.
Jiyong.
And he was looking exquisitely tall and broodingly handsome in this moment.
How Dara missed him.
Jiyong dressed formally in a dark blue suit with a striking red tie fitting for the event. He was standing so close behind Suzy with one hand stuffed in his pocket while the other hand holding Suzy's elbow maybe to keep her balance from that towering heels of hers or maybe because it's just his nature to be a gentleman to any woman, especially to his date.
Date.
Dara almost choked at the thought.
Jiyong and Suzy obviously came here together.
So, Suzy is the "special girl" he was taking with him tonight...
Why, why is she surprised?
Why, why it's crushing her heart?
For whatever reason they were together, it still left a bitter taste in her mouth. The way Jiyong was closely holding Suzy's elbow is stirring something unwanted inside Dara, tightening her chest as if her uniform was making it difficult for her to breathe.
Breathe, Dara, breathe.
It's also not helping that Jiyong's striking dark eyes locked onto Dara's brown ones, bearing an unreadable expression on his face.
It seemed as if he didn't want to see her there, almost treating her like a stranger in his cold-like gaze.
'He's still angry at me.'
Dara swallowed the lump in her throat, attempting to maintain his gaze. Trapped in his orbit, the warmth she once felt in his presence had vanished, replaced by a palpable animosity, enough to break her heart.
Breathe, Dara, breathe.
There were so many things she wanted to say to him. Dara opened her mouth to speak.
"Ji—"
"Jiyong!"
Madame Kwon's excited voice cut through Dara as she pushed her aside to envelop Jiyong in a big hug.
Tears welled up in Madame's eyes during the tight embrace. The reunion would have been touching if Jiyong had reciprocated his mother's hug. However, he remained expressionless, hands at his side, while Madame Kwon tried to crush him with her embrace before happily ushering him inside the mansion.
Jiyong's eyes briefly met Dara's before he followed his mother inside.
Dara followed them with longing eyes. Madame Kwon obviously missed her son, and Dara understood her feelings. Because she missed Jiyong, too.
"You looked as if you've stepped out of an episode of Downton Abbey, Dara."
Dara gazed up at Suzy's smiling face, the latter still standing by the entrance door. Dara sensed an underlying tone in those words.
Opting not to respond, she observed as Suzy gracefully approached, confidently walking in her high heels now. It seemed Suzy did not need Jiyong to keep her balance, after all.
Dara narrowed her eyes on Suzy. A small smirk even appeared on the latter's face.
"Curious, do you have a feather duster hidden somewhere?" Suzy asked with a condescending tone.
Dara met her gaze with boredom, still irritated by Suzy's presence with Jiyong. However, she refused to give Suzy the satisfaction of a reaction from her.
Intent on her professionalism and not willing to engage in bickering, Dara simply gestured her hand slowly towards the door.
"Welcome to the Kwon Mansion," she uttered in a practiced, low tone, her head bowing slightly.
Suzy scoffed a little at her act as she started to walk inside but not before eyeing Dara from head to toe and then telling her,
"This suits you."
Dara gritted her teeth, well aware of Suzy's attempt to belittle her.
Despite her efforts to remain unfazed until Suzy entered the mansion, Dara couldn't help herself to hate her maid uniform more than ever right now.
--
"What is he doing here?"
Dara heard Mayor Yang ask Madame Kwon, loudly and sternly enough to make the other guests who heard him uncomfortable.
Mayor Yang was even glaring at Jiyong who just remained unbothered, hands in his pockets, and equally looking coldly at the town mayor.
Madame Kwon met Dara's eyes first before going to calm down her husband.
Dara bowed to Madame in understanding as that was her cue to the rescue. Madame instructed her earlier to keep Jiyong as far away from Mayor Yang's wrath.
Dara didn't know the exact reason why the two men disliked each other so much but she had a guess. Is the Mayor aware of Jiyong's underworld activities? He did mention in one of his interviews that one of his advocacies is eradicating gang violence.
Dara winced at the thought. Having a stepson as a gang leader while you are serving as the town Mayor is probably the biggest weakness his political opponents could throw at him.
But then, she still didn't expect that the Madame would keep Jiyong's attendance at this party from the town mayor. No wonder, Mayor Yang is pissed.
Mayor Yang looked visibly upset and was ready to throttle Madame's lovely neck. If not for the party guests consisting of important people, Dara had a feeling Mayor Yang would get his hand on the Madame.
Dara nodded to the other staff who dispersed in the crowd at her signal, guiding the guests towards the big dining room for the main dinner after the hors d'oeuvres.
While Dara meant business and went straight to Jiyong who noticed her approaching him right away. He nonchalantly waited for her.
"This way, young master," Dara said in a low-clipped tone, her head bowing slightly.
Jiyong's brows furrowed hearing her like that, looking displeased as he quietly followed her behind when she headed towards the big room reserved for big parties. Another servant was guiding Suzy too, much to her obvious displeasure when Jiyong easily left her behind.
Dara's heartbeat heightened when she felt Jiyong behind her closely. He reached their distance easily and she could feel his familiar warmth flowing behind her. She knew he was so close to her as they walked quietly in the long hallway.
Dara clenched her hands as they were getting closer to the dining room with two butlers standing in front of the big oak door, opening it upon seeing the guests heading in this direction.
But before getting inside the room, Jiyong passed Dara as she held her breath once his fingers lightly brushed her hand, lingering there for a bit.
Dara halted in her tracks at the unexpected touch, before she followed Jiyong inside who was looking left and right at the long dining table, seemingly studying the seating arrangement of the assigned seats—blatantly ignoring the lavish autumnal decorations and aromatic smell of Thanksgiving food in the air appreciated by the other guests—before finding his seats, took his and Suzy's nameplates then put them at the very front end where Mayor Yang and Madame Kwon would be sitting across them.
Dara was quick to realize that as she stood beside Jiyong.
"What are you doing?" She asked him, gritting her teeth.
Jiyong barely glanced at her as he replaced the stolen nameplates with his own. Even throwing the other guests' nameplates under the orange-red shiny tablecloth.
"Picking seats," Jiyong simply answered her after a while, facing Dara now.
Suzy sat on the velvet chair beside Jiyong's, settling in her chair while admiring the beautiful decorations as she began to chat with the female guest on her left.
The other guests approached the long dining table to find their assigned seats as well. They were also awed at the topnotch decorations adjourned the dining room same standard you see in a British Royalty's event.
Dara knew what was Jiyong doing. To sit so close to where Mayor Yang would be sitting so he could cross him just by being in his face.
Madame originally assigned Jiyong's seat as far away as possible from the mayor to avoid unnecessary conflict even though the madame wanted her son to be close to her tonight so they could chat over dinner.
Well, when the madame invited her son and he accepted it and coming here was already past conflict and just a disaster waiting to happen.
"You're not supposed to sit here," Dara whispered to Jiyong.
"I am now." He said, even smirking a little as he pulled his chair but not sitting yet as he remained standing and facing her.
Dara was a bit distracted especially after seeing Madame and Mayor Yang enter the room.
She focused her eyes back to Jiyong who was still watching her.
She gulped as she met his gaze while making her voice lower than usual as she asked him, "What are you doing here?" She glanced at Suzy who was busy chattering with the other guests.
Jiyong lowered his head to whisper in her ear, "I was invited."
She gave him the look that said she didn't believe him at all with that reasoning. He couldn't fool her of all the people here.
Jiyong smirked as he added, "Helping you in getting your role back, remember?" His voice was husky, lingering, even menacing, sending shivers to her skin as he said those words.
She was speechless for a while as she watched him sit down and settle into his chair.
"...Crazily, madly, that she loses her role because she's too distracted by you..."
And this included bringing Suzy to meet his mother? To make Suzy feel special, so she'll fall harder on Jiyong.
Dara realized right now she hated her own plan. 'It should have been me.' Her mind taunted. It should have been her sitting beside him.
Dara wet her dry lips as Jiyong met her eyes again as he lifted his empty glass to her.
"Whisky." He mouthed, even raising a brow.
Dara pursed her lips as she swiftly walked towards the drink bar, grabbed a glassed jar there, and came back to Jiyong's side to pour liquid into his glass.
"Here's your water, young master." She said, smiling straight at him.
Jiyong's lips etched in the corner but he didn't complain, even lifting the glass to his lips for a sip. "You're very efficient." He then eyed her from head to toe, something glinting in his eyes doing so that made her reddened her cheeks at the way he looked at her like she was delicious or what.
'Snap it, Dara.'
"Thanks," Jiyong murmured after.
Dara managed to narrow her eyes at him as she cleared her throat. "You are welcome, young master."
And she took a step back while giving him a look that translated to 'I will talk to you later.' But Jiyong just smirked at her and lifted the glass in her direction.
She tried her best not to shake her head at him.
..."Helping you in getting your role back, remember?"...
She clenched her fist. So, he's here bringing Suzy with him, throwing it in her face because of their agenda?
Is that the only reason?
Mayor Yang sat across from Jiyong and openly glared in his stepson's direction while he remained calm and nonchalant.
The madame saw this and whispered something in Mayor Yang's ear who looked around at the other guests and then forced to ease up some tensed muscles in his shoulders.
It seemed this was Madame's leverage to the Mayor's head so he wouldn't engage in unnecessary fights with Jiyong in front of his colleagues. A politician needs to behave well in public, keeping his reputation squeaky clean.
The staff in charge of food entered shortly, presenting the dishes on gold stainless steel platters. With an air of over-the-top servitude reminiscent of royal servants, they simultaneously lifted the cover, revealing the carefully prepared cuisine.
The aromatic smell of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, butternut squash, and some truffles automatically filled the air. Then other staff brought multiple pies—pumpkin, pecan, and cranberry, and placed them in the middle section of the long table among other cakes and cupcakes for everyone who wanted it.
The food was a good distraction as the guests including Mayor Yang dug in their food while chatting with their guests, complimenting Madame for her efforts and showering appreciation to Mayor Yang for his advocacies.
The chatters filled the air as endless food and drinks were also served while the servants including Dara were standing in the corner, ready at the guests' beck and call.
Well, Madame specifically tasked Dara to only serve Jiyong, and that includes keeping him out of trouble — away from the Mayor.
Dara just watched Jiyong poking his food with his fork, not even eating it. And she could almost tell what was running in his head right now, he was probably thinking whether he was served with poisoned food or not.
He was on his enemy's turf, after all.
Dara sighed as she shook her head. He should have not come here.
"So, how was your school break so far, Jiyong-ah?"
Madame Kwon asked her son, beaming at him.
Dara saw how Jiyong stiffened at how his mother directed the conversation to him.
The tenseness was only brief as he shrugged a shoulder. "Busy." He answered, short and done. Done in the sense he didn't want to talk to her based on that cold hard tone of his.
But Madame was either oblivious to it or she chose to ignore it.
"But I hope not too busy to pay your mother a visit?" The Madame's voice was hopeful.
Dara couldn't see Jiyong's reaction from where she was standing behind him, but she could already imagine the deadpan expression on his face right now.
Or maybe he's wearing a scowl.
"I'll think about visiting after you visit my sister in the facility," Jiyong said in a cold tone.
Madame Kwon gasped.
Dara blinked.
Facility...? Is his sister in some sort of facility? She was reminded of that picture of the woman in his apartment. He mentioned it was his sister but he didn't say anything about a facility.
'Because you didn't ask him, dummy. You don't like asking him questions, remember?' Her mind taunted again.
"Jiyong," Mayor Yang warned.
"Mayor," Jiyong replied, equally cold.
Both of them engaged in this glaring contest and were oblivious to the panic attack starting on the Madame. Her breaths getting heavier and her chest rose up and down as she gulped a glass of wine, too quickly.
This is highly likely due to Jiyong divulging private family matters that the Mayor and Madame Kwon didn't want the public to know.
As expected, Dara saw the small gasps of surprise from the others within earshot. The others who didn't notice the tension continued eating and chattering with the other guests.
"My apologies, Mayor Yang and Mrs. Kwon." This was Suzy. "Jiyong has been busy with me. We will make sure to visit you again." Suzy's sweet voice cut the tension between the two men. She even put a hand on Jiyong's arm.
Dara quickly glared at the back of Suzy's head.
Jiyong busy with her? Dara scoffed at the thought and the urge to roll her eyes on the woman.
Suzy was successful though in diverting the attention as Mayor Yang looked at her for the first time tonight. Disapproving expression showed on his face.
"A lovely woman like you should not be hanging out with a thug like him."
Jiyong clenched his fists.
"Stop it, dear." Madame Kwon managed to say, voice sweet with venom but calmer and slowly out of panic this time. "It's the first time Jiyong brought a girl here. Be nice."
"She's too nice for him. The boy only knows how to cause trouble."
Jiyong scoffed. "My sister is nice, too. Too nice." He pulled his arm away from Suzy's hand as he put his hands inside his pants pockets. He then leaned back on his chair, chin up as he gave the Mayor a challenging look. "How's the electoral campaign going on so far, Mayor Yang? Mount Vernon giving you troubles?"
There was a hidden meaning behind Jiyong's inquiry based on how Mayor Yang's clenched jaw and stern reactions.
"What have you done, punk?" Mayor Yang asked Jiyong, gritting his teeth.
Dara could almost see Jiyong smirking at seeing Mayor Yang pissed.
"Not yet. Though District 4 is warming up to District 7 so..." Jiyong left his words hanging in the air.
People who were eavesdropping were confused as they looked at Jiyong and Mayor Yang back and forth.
While Dara held her breath understanding some words.
District 7. Malcom City. Jiyong's territory.
District 4...? It must be one of the neighboring towns.
Tsk. Another gangster town.
Perhaps, Mount Vernon, based on Jiyong's question earlier and Mayor Yang's immediate angry reaction right now.
"You punk..." Mayor Yang gritted, as he pulled Madame Kwon's wrist, too hard and not gently, ignoring madame wincing at his strong grip. He even pulled her forward, showing his power over her to Jiyong. "If you sabotage my electoral campaign next year...I will destroy your group and I will make sure you won't be around anymore to visit your mother...and dear sister."
Those were threats.
The words "visit" and "won't be around" probably meant death.
Dara sensed that right away as a shiver ran down her spine. Afraid for the life of her idiotic best friend who came here to piss off his stepfather.
Jiyong should be scared and wary based on Mayor Yang's murderous glare and Madame's pitiful wincing at the harsh grip of her husband but Jiyong just straightened his back and didn't back off in meeting the Mayor's glares.
Jiyong was as crazy and dangerous as this man.
Dara saw tears threatening to fall from Madame's eyes as the town mayor refused to let go of her wrist like she was a doll ready to break from his hold. Bruises will probably show later just like the many times before when Dara leaves the couple alone and Madame breaks down after their encounter.
She had to do something. Before it escalated further and Jiyong's head in the golden platter instead.
Dara stepped forward to stand behind Jiyong, catering to his needs like maybe he needed another glass of water but accidentally spilled it on his lap instead.
"Oh," Dara uttered, bowing her head apologetically to his direction. "My apologies, young master. Let me guide you to the nearest washroom so you can clean up after yourself." She motioned towards the hallway on her right. "Follow me this way, please."
Dara didn't wait to see if Jiyong followed her or not, as she briskly made her way toward the hallway leading to the back part of the kitchen. The sound of footsteps behind her prompted her to be quick. Passing through the bustling kitchen, the busy staff paid them no attention. She exited through another door, made a left at the corner, followed by a right, then another right, reaching the pantry before stopping. Turning on her heels, she faced Jiyong.
Before she could fully turn to face him, Jiyong swiftly pulled her arm, pushed them inside the small pantry and shutting the door behind them.
She barely registered the dim room with the smell of flour and other produce inside when Jiyong pushed her against the closed door,
"Ji—"
and slammed his lips against her.
Dara gasped and Jiyong took it as an invitation to deepen the kiss as he easily slid his tongue inside her mouth and toyed with her own, kissing her with the urgency and thirst of a man stranded in a desert to find her as his oasis.
Jiyong pushed his body on Dara's and all she could feel everywhere were hard and strong muscles pinning her. His hands were even busier, touching her here and there, but she barely registered what was happening as she was busy kissing him back.
Her heart was pounding against her chest in haptic speed, as Jiyong stepped his left foot forward between her legs, making her feel trapped with his hard-on pressing against her stomach.
Dara moaned as Jiyong bit her lower lip, his intense kiss lowering down now as he leaned his forehead against her. Both panting from the intense kiss. Barely catching their breathings.
"I miss you," Jiyong whispered against her mouth after catching his breath.
Dara moaned as she opened her eyes to meet the heated gaze Jiyong was giving her.
"You're bad. You ignored me." She said after only staring at each other for a while.
Jiyong licked his lips as he grind against her, Dara held her breath. She knew what he was doing, and the sensation starting at the center of her body was foreign and unsettling to her. Like she needed something...to be closer to him, so she pushed her chest against him too.
Damn, she missed him too.
Jiyong groaned under his breath as he kissed her lightly again, while fingers played the hem of her lace stockings.
She glanced downward and gasped at the sight. Her long skirt was hitched up, Jiyong's fingers gathering the fabric, revealing a generous portion of her legs adorned with white stockings. The white apron had descended to her waist, and a few of her front buttons were undone, exposing the skin just above her chest.
Her cheeks reddened quickly at the realization of how they must have looked like right now. Aroused and erotic couple who haven't seen each other in what, four or five days?
Dara groaned. This is worse than what she thought. Jiyong mauled her as soon as he got her alone, and she was letting him.
Did this all happen while they were passionately kissing in a span of less than five minutes?
Are they really this hormonal?
She blushed further at the thought.
Jiyong smirked as his free hand brushed her cheeks.
Dara cleared her throat as she tried to give him a hard look. Back to the topic.
"So? Why did you not message me for almost a week?" Her tone was accusatory, pursing her lips.
Jiyong continued to caress her cheeks as he met her gaze. "I was giving you space. I figured you needed it after what happened last weekend."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "I don't like it when you don't message me."
Jiyong smiled as he pecked a kiss on her lips. "I know." His tone was teasing.
She tugged his necktie. "I'm serious. Don't ignore me again."
Jiyong nodded as he caressed her legs, unconsciously like it was the most natural thing to do. "I also figured you needed to get your role back first before anything else happening between us." He gave her a small smile while saying this.
Dara's heart softened at that. She wanted to tell him it was the last thing in her mind right now. It was his safety first, the reason she took him here and far from the dining room. She just wanted him safe and them to be right again. Not fighting and avoiding each other.
On another concerning matter on hand, she straightened as she told him with worry in her voice, "You should have not come here tonight."
Jiyong smirked as he let go of her legs. "I wanted to see you." he said, nonchalantly.
Dara shook her head at him. "With Suzy? Really?"
He stifled a smile. "Are you jealous?"
Dara gave him a deadpanned look, Jiyong chuckled as he attempted to kiss her again but she looked away, it landed on her cheek instead.
He pulled back as he grinned again. "Sorry. Ms. Bae found out about this party and wanted me to bring her to this. I knew you'd be working tonight so, why not?"
"You came here tonight to see me and make me jealous? You didn't think about texting me first?"
He smiled. "It's part of the plan on getting your role back, remember?" He shrugged. "Distract Ms. Bae by being around her a lot? How do you word it again? Make her crazily, madly in love with me?" He couldn't help to scowl at the words.
Dara bit her lip as she looked guilty. Jiyong didn't like that she was using him like this. Especially after he made it clear last weekend that he loves her.
"I'm sorry." She finds herself saying this, in the end. "I'm sorry for acting like a bitch last Saturday too after you...you told me that...you know." She chewed on her lip. "I'm sorry I hurt you."
Jiyong looked at her, stunned. She's not the apologetic type so hearing her saying this surprised him.
Jiyong sighed after a while as he lifted her chin to look at her brown eyes. "Dara," he called her name softly. "I want to help you reach your dreams." He said with a promise. "We need to get your role back first then let's talk about this again after. Everything you wanted to know. My love for you included."
Dara nodded. Thankful for his understanding. She needed this play to happen first. It's important for her, and it might help to complete what's missing inside her. To satiate the hunger she's been chasing in her life.
Dara stared at how Jiyong was looking at her affectionately and lovingly. He's caressing her cheek, pecking on her lips, and tugging her body close.
She wanted him close to her, too. She wanted him here with her. She wanted him safe.
Then the threats from Mayor Yang earlier and the way he held Madame so hard as if she was nothing but a ragged doll, reminded Dara and immediately scared her right away.
She held on to Jiyong tightly.
"Still, you should have not come here tonight. Stay away from Mayor Yang. He's dangerous."
Jiyong stopped kissing her as a scowl appeared on his face at the mention of the name.
"I'm not afraid of him." He said, stubbornly.
To distract himself from his dark thoughts on ways to end the town mayor's life, Jiyong pulled Dara closer to him like she was his lifeline.
He kissed her neck first, trailing kisses from her neck to her collarbone to the valley of her exposed breast which made Dara gasp in anticipation. That she felt him smirked on her skin, before he stuck his tongue on it, while his hand slowly cupped her right breast and kneaded it against the fabric of her uniform making her moan before his mouth trailed kisses back to her lips, kissing her again.
After a minute or so of only kissing Dara passionately, Jiyong pulled back to look her in the eyes and whispered promising words on her lips.
"After you get your role back," his dark eyes were serious and commanding. Gaze heated and intense, "You are mine."
A promise.
--//--//tbc
a/n: What do you think of this chapter? Did you like it? Please give me some love and appreciation by voting and commenting. Thank you. This is probably one of my most anticipated chapter to write since Dara worked as a maid for the Kwons.
Can't wait to conclude Book 1 (Her World), two or three more chapters before we go to Book 2 (His World) and we can get more answers to their ancestries, history, dark past, Madame Kwon (Why she's a Kwon not a Yang, or why she's called a witch) AND finally more actions.
Thanks for being patient and getting in this rollercoaster ride with me.
love, siv
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