Dara couldn't sleep that night, tossing and turning in her bed. It was past midnight, and she should have been asleep by now. At 5 am, she needed to wake up early for her part-time job at the Kwon Mansion.

But she couldn't sleep. How could she?

Her mind is flooded with thoughts. Of Suzy, of her plan...of Jiyong.

Jiyong...

Just the mere thought of him again made her heart beat faster.

"Do you like me?"

"Yes."

"Do you like me too?"

"Yes."

That was an on-the-spot confession, and Dara admitted it had shaken her to the core.

Now what?

Now that she knew Jiyong's feelings for her. And it's far from being platonic, this should make her plan easier, right?

'Or perhaps, complicate.' her subconscious mind interjected.

She heaved a deep sigh. This should not become a problem.

She glanced at the wall clock, it was 1 am now. Great, she only had a few hours to sleep, if she could manage to before waking up again soon.

She sighed as she tossed on her bed again, attempting to sleep. Her gaze drifted to the doorknob of her dark room, fixating on it as if it might help her hypnotize herself into slumber.

It hadn't been more than a minute or two when she noticed the doorknob shifting. Restless and now fully awake, she held her breath as the person behind the door attempted to open it. Thank God, she had locked it before going to bed.

There were multiple attempts to open her room before she heard a curse.

Dara's heart pounded against her chest, filled with anxiety and fear.

Reaper.

It was Reaper behind the door.

Dara shut her eyes, pulling the covers over her head, attempting to block out the harsh reality that this man was now living with her and her aunt. A man who shamelessly displayed his lustful glances when he believed she wasn't looking.

She gripped the knife under her pillow without even realizing it. The mere touch of it provided a faint sense of security as she struggled to drift into sleep, though unsettling emotions lingered, accompanying her into slumber.

--

That morning, Dara carefully moved around the house, tiptoeing on the way to the door so she could leave the house without her aunt or, worse, Reaper waking up.

She held her breath as she turned the doorknob, exhaling in relief once she stepped outside. Inhaling the brisk November morning air, she felt the chill despite the darkness, the sun wouldn't rise for some time.

She tightened the scarf around her neck as she started to climb down the stairs.

"Good morning."

Dara almost tripped and missed that last step as she looked up surprised to the smiling face of Jiyong who quickly held her elbow to balance her before she fell on the pavement.

She steadied herself as she put a hand on her chest. "Gosh, Jiyong, you scared me," she said, huffing.

He grinned. "Sorry." he didn't sound really as he grabbed her bag pack for her, and then pulled her for a hug, even kissing her on the hair.

She pulled away from his hug as she looked up at him. "What are you doing here so early?"

He looked at her fondly. "Picking you up. I know you'll be working today for the witch." his brows furrowed studying her face. "You don't look like you got a good sleep last night," he noted as he touched the bags under her eyes.

Indeed. She couldn't sleep. Maybe only an hour but then her senses were too alert from Reaper creeping out she couldn't go back to sleep without worrying.

She shook her head at him as she held onto his left arm. She always felt safe around him. "I couldn't sleep." She shrugged. "That's nice of you to pick me up so early, though." she beamed at him. "I might get used to it. You can't get rid of me now."

He chuckled as he put his arm on her shoulder and guided her to his Honda Civic and opened the door to the passenger door. "Get in," he told her, gently.

She smiled as she got inside and buckled herself up before Jiyong got in behind the wheel. After wearing his seat belt, he started the car shortly.

"So, why you couldn't sleep?" Jiyong asked after a while. His eyes focused on the road but glanced at her once in a while.

She paused at that question before she shifted on her seat and turned on the heater max. "Thinking about yesterday." That was the half-truth. She couldn't tell him about Reaper. She didn't know why she couldn't tell him. It felt wise not to tell him at the moment. All she knew he wouldn't be happy hearing about it.

He nodded as he turned left in an intersection leading to a hill towards the big Kwon Mansion. "I can't blame you. It was sudden. Though," he grinned as he winked at her. "I slept well thinking about our kiss. I even dreamed about it."

She blushed as she hit him on the arm. "Shut up."

He laughed seeing her flustered as he stopped teasing her. He turned a corner and there would be few big houses left before they passed the long and vast land surrounding the Kwon Mansion. The trees professionally landscaped to be nice and pretty started to wither away from the cold temperature.

She spotted the bus stop ahead as she pointed it to Jiyong. "You can drop me off there." This is the bus stop she used to get off from her morning transportation when she was working for the madame.

He creased his forehead as he glanced at her. He slowed down the car. "Are you sure? I can drop you off at the mansion."

She gave him a knowing look. "I don't want Madame Kwon or Mr. Yang spotting you there. That would become an interrogation."

He frowned. "I don't care," he said though stopped the car in front of the bus stop.

She held onto his tensed hand on the gear. "Please?"

He looked at her pleading eyes as he sighed in defeat. "Fine," he said as he unbuckled his seat belt next. He then got out of the car, circled, and then opened the door to her side.

She smiled as she got out of the car. She then beamed at him. "I'll see you at school then?"

He watched her face as he lifted his right hand to cup her face, staring at her brown eyes. "Let's go to school together. I'll wait for you here," he whispered, brushing her lips with his finger.

She raised her eyebrow at him. "What are you gonna do here for three hours?" she wondered, leaning into his palm. She enjoyed the warmth of his hand on her cheek.

He smirked. "Sleep."

She laughed as she nodded. "Alright. I'll go ahead then."

He smiled as he leaned down and easily kissed her on the lips. She closed her eyes at the fluttering sensation.

"I've been wanting to do this since last night," he whispered after pulling from the kiss.

She opened her eyes as he sighed staring at her lips again. She licked her lips unconsciously much to his groaning.

He frowned as he playfully pushed her away. "Go now. Or I won't be able to let you go."

She laughed as she shook her head at him but started to walk away. "Bye. I'll see you in three hours." she waved at him.

He really likes her. How could she miss it for so long?

--

"Does my son like someone?"

Dara almost spilled Madame's English tea that morning due to that sudden question. She steadied herself and placed the teacup in front of Madame, managing it without any issues this time.

She bowed to the madame as she served the breakfast next to the tea. It's a plate of avocado toast and fresh fruits this morning.

"So?" Madame pushed.

She gulped as she tried her best to be nonchalant. "Did something happen, madame?" she asked back instead.

Madame brought the tea to her lips before answering. "Nothing in particular."

She bowed as she refilled the madame's teacup once it was empty. "Do you want me to ask the young master if he likes someone?"

"Hn." the madame grunted gracefully as she watched the two lovebirds caged in the corner. "Not needed." the madame then looked at her. "Though I want you to mention the Thanksgiving dinner next Thursday to my son."

She blinked. She already knew Jiyong's answer to that. She bowed at the madame politely. "Of course, madame. I'll relay your gracious invitation to the young master."

The madame nodded. "Tell him, he can bring any woman he likes so he won't be that bored that evening."

She didn't know what to say as she just bowed.

"Oh." the madame said, elegantly biting her toast. "Free your night that Thursday too. You'll be serving us this Thanksgiving."

She couldn't just decline as the madame is known to be generous in paying extra during holidays.

"Of course, madame."

Mr. Yang walked into the morning room as Madam quickly waved her hand towards Dara for her dismissal.

She bowed politely to both of them as she left the sunroom, closing the doors behind.

--

"You've been so quiet during this ride. Is there something wrong?" Jiyong asked, turning off the car's engine as he pulled into the school's parking lot. He then turned to face Dara, watching her.

She hesitated but managed to smile. "I've been thinking," she answered.

He waited for her to continue.

She sighed. "It just bothered me that Mr. Yang had been joining Madame Kwon during breakfast now. I find it unusual." she frowned, thinking about it. She wanted to add that her mademoiselle ended up being stressed after those breakfasts but held it. She should not care but she couldn't help it. It was hard when she already lost count of the many expensive teacups and plates she had to clean up after these interactions.

She glanced at the quiet Jiyong. As expected, he didn't like the topic and he failed to hide it. She sighed again. "Your mom wanted you to come for Thanksgiving dinner next Thursday."

Jiyong scoffed. "No."

She couldn't blame him. "If you change your mind, she also said you can bring 'the girl you like' so you're not bored." she quoted.

He looked at her. "She wants me to bring you."

She almost smiled as she shook her head. "I'll be there as a servant. So, no, young master, you cannot take me."

He sighed, frustrated. "I wish you are not working for the witch."

She reached out, gently squeezing his hand. "I should be done working for her before my graduation next year. If that sounds reassuring."

He held her hand tightly. "I'm sorry. I know you're saving money," he said, thoughtfully. "If I can find you another part-time job. Will you take it?"

She was amused. "If someone's going to take up three hours of my morning at the rate the madame pays me—breakfast and transportation allowance included—before my classes start at 9:30 am, then maybe."

He couldn't argue. It was indeed a great deal for her. He wanted to say something else but held onto his words. He could pay for her without her lifting a hand, but he knew she wouldn't appreciate that suggestion. Dara is a hard worker, always has been.

She glanced at her watch. "Gotta go. Almost time for my first class." She reached for the door, but Jiyong stopped her. Looking back at him, she noticed he still seemed bothered by something. Smiling reassuringly, she said, "Cheer up, grumpy. I'll see you at lunchtime."

He pulled her hand and drew her closer. She smiled as she met his lips halfway for a kiss. Almost sighing in satisfaction, she felt Jiyong cupping her face, wanting the kiss to deepen.

She pushed him a minute or so later. "I gotta go."

He pecked on her lips. "I'll walk you to class," he whispered as he leaned again for another kiss.

She rolled her eyes. "You and I both know you'll just distract me on the way there, making me even later," she remarked, referring to Jiyong's tendency to kiss her every so often. "I need to catch up on some lessons after missing class last week. Gotta go, bye." Before Jiyong could protest, she exited the car and hurriedly left, though she heard him chuckle as she made her escape.

She shook her head as she waved bye without looking at him.

--

Dara's first class passed without a hitch—or so she thought.

The teacher covered social studies that morning, and she diligently took notes, thinking about the upcoming exams. Good grades were essential for her graduation and if she wanted to secure a decent job after school she needed to do well in her studies.

Everything was going smoothly, and she was in good spirits until the teacher announced something just before the class ended, immediately souring her mood.

"The tickets for the end-of-year play, 'Tragedy of Macbeth Play,' are still on sale," the teacher announced. "Invite your family and friends to watch it before the tickets run out. You can purchase them online or at the cashier's office." The teacher gathered his things, casting a final glance at the class. "Class dismissed."

The teacher left but some students remained while murmuring behind Dara.

"I heard the ticket sales skyrocketed after Park got replaced by the new transferee Bae Suzy." The whispers were too loud for her liking. "Can you believe it? Just like that."

She closed her eyes as she pretended she didn't hear them.

"It became an ensemble cast now. With the popular and good looking headliners Kim Jaejoong and Bae Suzy. Pretty exciting, huh?"

"Might as well buy tickets now before they ran out."

"Students from other schools are interested about the play now too."

"I heard sponsors are pooling at Theater Club because of Bae Suzy. She's something, huh?"

Dara slammed her books down, causing the students behind her to finally notice. They immediately shut up.

Calmly, she gathered her books and packed her things, preparing to leave the room. The air inside felt suffocating.

Standing up, she strode purposefully towards the exit.

"Poor Park. She's no match for Bae Suzy."

She heard that too as she gritted her teeth.

--

Dara stared at the school's bulletin board. The pride she once felt seeing her name on the 'Tragedy of Macbeth' poster two months ago was now replaced by a new one featuring a different cast.

Her expression turned grim as she read her name, she wouldn't be playing Lady Macbeth anymore but instead would take on the role of one of the three Witches.

Great. At least Theater Club is still keeping her even with her absence the past few days. She thought sarcastically.

But she won't settle for this. Never.

"Someday, you'll be a star. The brightest star..."

Beside the 'Tragedy of Macbeth' poster was another one announcing, 'Keep Reaching Your Dreams, Graduates of 2024.'

Dara is graduating next year, and this is her only chance to fulfill her mother's wish. While she might pursue acting post-college, landing a lead role will be as challenging as getting blood from a stone—almost impossible.

The competition is tough out there. Hailing from a small community college, her resume lacks appeal, considering Yorkville monopolizes most major theater opportunities, where educational background is as crucial as your skill set.

She sighed as she turned her back away from the bulletin board and started to look for Jiyong.

--//--//tbc

a/n: *drumroll* to the next chapter. Thanks for reading.