KNOT 17 - HIDDEN TRUTH

SANDARA's POV

Is this a dream?

I swallowed hard and blinked my eyes rapidly, my hands trembling while holding the sheet of paper that Jiyong handed me. "J-Jiyong", my voice croaked. I was practically gasping for air as I lifted my gaze to stare at his stoic face. His mouth twisted in annoyance as he looked elsewhere and shoved his hands inside his pockets.

"This...", I raised the paper in front of his face and pointed at the name of the male actor that is written on it. "This is Lee Minho. My Lee Minho, right? RIGHT?!"

The irritated expression on his face confirmed that everything is true - Lee Minho is now the hotel CF model and will be filming at one of Mr. Lee Soo Man's hotels later! @#$@#%$#@%$#%$#(*)!@#!!!! GAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

"OH MY GOSH! It's Lee Minho! I HAVE TO BE IN THE FILMING LOCATION! PLEASE LET ME BE THERE! I'LL DO ANYTHING! ANYTHING!", yep, I totally lost it.

"Why do you have to be there?", he asked and walked towards his desk. Why do I have to be there? That is officially the stupidest, most ridiculous question I've ever heard.

"IT'S LEE MINHO!", I screamed hysterically. I swear, if this cyborg doesn't do something to let me be in the filming location, I 'm going to frigging lose my mind and stab everyone. I'm pretty sure I have solidly established my love for all things Lee Minho. Only an idiot will not have figured it by now.

Jiyong glanced at me with disinterest while sitting royally on his swivel chair. "We don't have anything to do there, cheeseball", he said calmly. URGH!

"Hubby ~ ~"

"Now, you're calling me hubby?", he cocked his eyebrows at me, making me pout.

"Please?"

"No"

My world crumbled before my eyes. An overwhelming feeling of despair surge through me and consumed my system. I can already picture myself with deadpan eyes and with a drool running down my mouth while walking aimlessly. I'm crushed. HARDCORE. This is Lee Minho were talking about, people! *sob* LEE MINHO!

The entire day turned into a blur. People are practically sidestepping in fear to avoid me because if they don't, I'm going to swallow them whole and spit their bones. I'm quite surprised that there are no dead bodies yet lying on the floor. My spirits is totally destroyed knowing that my chance to see Lee Minho in person will slip away.

Non-fans wouldn't really understand how important this is for me. It may sound absurd but just a glimpse of the actor that I really admire will bring great joy to me. But I don't want to burden Jiyong so I can only grudgingly accept that it will not happen. I sighed heavily and continued preparing the materials that we need for the upcoming Jeju trip.

I was in my sullen state when I heard Jiyong's soft chuckles. When I glanced at his desk, his hands were clasped together in front of his mouth while propped on his elbows, his eyes squinting with amusement.

"What?", I asked, although I'm not even half-interested on what he's laughing about. This day sucks, PERIOD.

To my surprise, he abruptly stood up and walked towards me. He then grabbed my strawberry backpack and dragged me by the wrist.

"Wait-..Jiyong?"

"I'll probably regret this later", he said without glancing back at me. When I realized where he's planning to take me, I began screeching happily while bouncing up and down. OMG, LEE MINHO HERE I COME!!!

==

The filming location is buzzing with activities that are foreign to me. The staffs are running here and there, the director is barking instructions and the technical crew are practically losing their mind. When my eyes finally settled on the reason for my existence, I was about ready to scream my head off but Jiyong narrowed his eyes at me, his eyebrows deeply furrowed. "I'm going to kill you later, cheeseball", he said dangerously.

I can't believe he's not even half as excited as I am. There is something seriously wrong with him. Me? I'm already a sparkling ball of energy the moment we set foot at the location. The crew immediately recognized Jiyong and gave us chairs to watch the filming. I kept rambling about the greatness that was Lee Minho and some time in between, I'm quite certain Jiyong has already fallen in a deep coma. He just kept on grunting his responses while maintaining his cyborg stance.

My eyes are locked on Lee Minho the entire time. I was taking in his every move and would occasionally squeal giddily whenever I can't contain my overflowing feels anymore. Seriously, I felt like my chest is going to open up and little hearts with sparkles will burst out of it. When Lee Minho tentatively glanced at our direction, I almost lurched out of the chair and attached myself to him. I can't believe someone like him exists. I'm sure he's violating the balance of nature. He is just so...

"Crappy", Jiyong blurted out. I whipped my head sideward and stared at him incredulously. Is he crazy?!

"Excuse me?", I asked in a high-pitched tone.

"Why do you like him so much?", he asked and stared at me, his impassive gaze boring into my skull. "I mean, have you heard him sing? I think all the cats in Korea died when he sang"

"He's an actor!", I said defensively.

"Still, he can't sing."

"So?"

"I can sing", he said in an almost inaudible voice and looked away from me. My brain went numb for a moment before I was able to process what he just said. I immediately lowered my gaze to hide the smile that was forming on my lips. Although I've realized it for quite some time now, it still surprises and amuses me whenever Jiyong acts like a territorial kid.

The shoot was almost about to wrap when the staff walked towards us and asked Jiyong if he could spare a few minutes so Lee Minho can thank him personally. When I saw Jiyong twitching his mouth while furrowing his eyebrows, I tensed up and glared at him. If he let this opportunity pass, I swear he will see an axe in his head that wasn't there before.

"Okay", he simply said. Relief flooded my body when I heard his answer; which was immediately followed by hyperventilation when I realized that we will talk with Lee Minho! Omo! OMO!

"Let's go", Jiyong said and ushered me towards the dressing room. My mind is in complete chaos as we waited for him. I can't keep still on my seat as I stared at the door while Jiyong is talking with the filming crew. Any moment now, Lee Minho will enter and we will be in the same room. He will be close enough for me to stare at every pore on his face.

"Breathe", Jiyong's voice snapped me out of my trance. He was softly patting my back while looking at me gently.

"Hubby", I waved my fingers to urge him to come closer.

"Mmmhhmm?", he leaned down and I cupped my hands near his ear. "Thank you. You're the best", I whispered. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he glanced at me. "I am? Not him?", he arched his eyebrows and looked at the door. I followed his gaze and gasped when I saw Lee Minho walking towards us. I'm not even sure if I'm still alive. I think my soul has already abandoned my body and is now merrily hopping in heaven together with the other Lee Minho stans.

"See?", Jiyong whispered and stood up, his expression becoming impassive once again. I quickly followed suit and discreetly leaned towards him.

"He can't sing", I whispered back.

Jiyong bolted his head towards me and when our eyes locked, we both chuckled at how silly we sounded.

"Hello, Mr. Kwon", Lee Minho greeted.

I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin, a smile plastered on my face. I had to mentally pat myself on the back for not melting into a puddle of goo upon his presence. No matter how much I adore this actor in front of me, I guess the spot beside me will always be for Jiyong.

==

I stretched my arms and breathed deeply as I marveled the night view of the city. The soft breeze brings a sense of calm as we rested on the hotel rooftop. Jiyong was silently standing beside me while staring at nothing in particular. It reminded me of those moments when we were still tied together. I always watch him whenever he's pondering over things; trying to figure out what his thoughts are. Then, one day, I just found myself staring contentedly at him, thinking how nice it would be if every day will be as peaceful as just sitting on the couch and looking at his face.

I directed my eyes forward and recalled the things that we did together. Oddly though, instead of remembering the most prominent events that happened to us, my mind reeled through those times when we are just silently walking together, our arms occasionally brushing as I hum a random song while watching our steps. Now that I think about it, Jiyong was walking slowly during those times to match my pace. I, on the other hand, was too absorbed looking at the difference between our shoe sizes. It did not even entered my mind that I might have been driving him crazy with my nonsense humming and my slow walking pace. Jiyong never said anything and just let me do whatever I want. Remembering those tiny considerate gestures of Jiyong squeezes my heart. He doesn't talk a lot, but his actions convey so much. I wrapped my arms around my body as a tiny smile escaped my lips.

"Are you cold? Come here", Jiyong stretched his arm and captured my hand, pulling me towards him. He then hugged me from behind and tenderly rubbed my arms. "Are you always this tiny?"

"Yah!", I tried to elbow him but he tightened his hug while chuckling.

Silence stretched between us afterwards. I placed my hand on top of his arm as we roamed our eyes on the view below. I then tilted my head and peered slowly at Jiyong. Sensing my movement, he met my gaze with no traces of smile on his lips. He then softly bumped his forehead against mine, and we both grinned as he withdrew back.

I thought my heart stopped when our eyes locked once again. He was giving me this gentle look as if I'm the most fragile thing in the world...like he's going to protect me whatever happens. He was staring at me as if I'm the only one precious to him. My smile faltered as I stared back, a wave of emotions crushing to me forcefully. My eyes widened a bit and my breath was caught on my throat. It's as if I'm seeing Jiyong for the first time...and I knew everything is never going to be the same again.

"What's wrong?", he asked.

"Hubby, I-..."

"Mmmmhhhmm?"

"I-I..."

"You?" he smiled at me, his eyes squinting while waiting for my answer.

I'm in love with you, Jiyong.

"Nothing"

_____________________________________________________________

Hadana Bom is getting impatient as she knocks on Jiyong's apartment, where Seunghyun is supposedly waiting for him as relayed to her by Dara. She has been standing there for a couple of minutes but the jursa is not even responding.

"Jursa Seunghyun?", she called out and was about to knock again when the door finally opened. What she saw almost scared the living daylights out of her. Seunghyun's eyes were wide and his breathing was abnormal.

"HADANA BOM!", Seunghyun exclaimed in a very loud voice, making Bom back away a few steps. "COME IN!", he dragged her inside and made her sit on the couch while he remained standing, not knowing what to do with himself. He kept on fidgeting and can't even stay still on one place.

"What happened to you?", Bom asked in alarm.

"I DON'T KNOW! I FEEL SO ALIVE! AM I EVEN BLINKING?", he responded. "BY THE WAY, DO YOU WANT SOMETHING TO DRINK? JIYONG LET ME HAVE A TASTE OF COFFEE AND IT IS REALLY DELICIOUS ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU PUT SUGAR AND CREAM ON IT"

"S-Sure. By the way, why did you want to see me? Is there something going on?", she asked while Seunghyun started preparing their coffee - his third cup for the day.

"DARA AND JIYONG ARE GOING TO JEJU! PARK MIN YOUNG AND MOON JOO WON ARE ALSO GOING WITH THEM!"

"Your voice is so loud!"

"IS IT?! THIS IS MY NORMAL TALKING VOICE!"

"Jeju...", Bom whispered and furrowed her eyebrows while following the jursa's movements with her gaze. The delicious aroma of coffee filled her nose and she gratefully accepted her cup. "We have to be there with them. I feel that this trip will be significant to the destined couple. Besides, they don't have much time left to be together", she somberly said. "Their bond should be forged strongly and we should do everything to make that happen; even with our mortal forms"

"I AGREE!"

"But from what I understand, we need some documents to travel. Like identifications and the tiny booklet they call passport. We can ask Jiyong to help us and then, we can go with them to Jeju!", Bom excitedly said and took another sip of her coffee.

"WE NEED TO MAKE JIYONG AGREE FIRST. I AM SURE HE WILL BE STRONGLY AGAINST IT"

The two former deities continued discussing their plan on how to convince Jiyong to let them join the business trip when the door opened, revealing Jiyong.

"TAKE US TO JEJU!", the two exclaimed.

"What?"

"TAKE US TO JEJU! WE NEED TO COME WITH YOU!", Bom replied. "WHOAH! THIS COFFEE IS REALLY SOMETHING! I FEEL THE ENERGY COURSING THROUGH MY MORTAL BODY!"

"Oh God, you two...", Jiyong massaged his nape and stormed out of his apartment, leaving the two behind.

On the realm of deities, a blaze of fire appeared and out came Jang Hyuk, quietly standing at the corner while eyeing the hadana and jursa. The fire surrounding him vanished and he was about to step into the human realm to talk to the two when a small ball of black smoke blocked his path.

"Jae Sang", he whispered.

The small ball of black smoke swirled and became bigger and Old Man Coyote stepped out. "Greetings, Jang Hyuk", he said. "You seem to have a business with our descendants. I am curious as to what it is"

"I need to have a word with your jursa", Jang Hyuk furiously said.

"I see. Concerning what matter, may I ask?", Jae Sang smiled calmly, unfazed of the wrath of the ruler of the underworld.

"He stole something from me. He stole Sandara Park's candle!"

"That would be impossible, don't you think? Jursa Seunghyun is now in human form"

"He is the last deity who entered the Cave of Woes", Jang Hyuk reasoned.

"That does not prove anything."

Jang Hyuk balled his fist and glanced at Jursa Seunghyun. "If he thinks stealing Sandara Park's candle will save her life, he is sadly mistaken. And to anger me this way, the mortal Sandara Park will be the one who'll suffer"

"Do not act rashly, old friend", Jae Sang said. "You swore on the River of Unbreakable Oath that you will not take her soul until the full moon comes."

"Yes, I will not take her soul until that day comes", he replied. "But I can turn her into a living dead."

_____________________________________________________________

When Dara entered the apartment, she saw CL furiously typing something on her phone.

"You're bickering with Seungri again?" Dara asked and joined her on the living room.

"ARGH! That guy! He doesn't need to try harder to gross me out", CL said.

"Where's Bom?"

"She was abducted by aliens, then she decided to do a hostile take over of the entire mothership", CL replied with disinterest. Dara just giggled while settling comfortably on the couch.

"Seriously, I don't really get Bom and Seunghyun sometimes. They do things that makes me question their sanity."

"Seunghyun? Between the two of them, he's the more normal one", Dara said.

"Oh please. Have you looked directly on his eyes? I don't want him staring at me because it gives me the creeps. It's as if he can see my thoughts and my vagina"

"CL!", Dara exclaimed and both of them started laughing as they recalled the drunk Bom and drunk Seunghyun, based on Jiyong's story.

"Everything okay between you and Jiyong?", CL asked after a while; eyeing Dara carefully.

"Yeah. We're fine."

"And by 'fine' you mean you're still cuddling each other like a couple of bunnies in heat?", she teased.

"No, we're not! We're just...We're-"

CL cocked her eyebrow at Dara, making her slump on the couch in defeat. "I don't know what we are, okay?" she admitted. "He once asked me if I love him but I wasn't able to answer"

CL's smile wavered and her expression turned serious instantly. She didn't say anything and just continued listening to her troubled friend.

"Actually, I always think about talking to him...especially about us. But everytime I'm in front of Jiyong, I lose my confidence. I feel insecure over little things", Dara gazed down on her feet and sighed. "Especially when I see his childhood friend, Park Min Young. I can't help but compare myself to her."

"Why do you always do this to yourself, Dara?", CL sighed heavily before continuing. "When will this end? Stop comparing yourself to others and stop trying to be someone you're not."

"I'm annoying, aren't I?", Dara asked in a hush tone.

"Yes you are", CL nodded. "So stop being a coward."

Dara smiled at CL gratefully and nodded in response.

"Oh! And don't forget to use the strawberry condom", CL added and jumped out of the couch while shrieking loudly because Dara started chasing her with a throw pillow in hand.

_____________________________________________________________

SANDARA's POV

Ohh, look at him! Look at him! Boy cyborg is reunited with girl cyborg once again. I exhaled loudly and focused on scribbling notes for the meeting. Jiyong and Min Young are seated together while I ended up sitting across them, with Joo Won beside me.

The two cyborgs have been whispering at each other, discussing something while the product presentation is ongoing. Whenever Jiyong leans at Min Young, I find myself firmly gripping my pen while holding my breath. Seriously, I don't get what is there to discuss. The product presentation is just an evaluation exercise, which means it is somewhat like a rehearsal. The hypothetical products being presented will not be launched so why are these two mechanical creatures having a very serious conversation and leaning closer and closer to each other. A while ago, Min Young's lips almost touched Jiyong's face when she abruptly turned her head when Jiyong was whispering something. URGH!

I began chewing on my lips to distract myself but my eyes is still constantly darting at the two. I frowned when I remembered the scene in the office when he was consoling girl cyborg, his arm wrapped around her waist. I've asked Jiyong about that but he simply told me that Min Young has a problem. Whenever I recall that moment, there's this odd heaviness in my heart that makes me want to cry.

"I don't feel good", Joo Won's voice disrupted my train of thoughts. His arm was rested at the back of my chair and his face was hovering near my ears. I abruptly looked at him and noticed that his lips was pale.

"Where does it hurt? Did you eat something bad?", I asked and placed my hand on his forehead. "You're warm", I said and wiped the sweat off his face. "Let's go to the doctor"

"I hate doctors", he whined and rested his head on my shoulder while clinging to my arm. I chuckled a bit and shook my head in amusement. Joo Won is always like this whenever he's sick. He would complain incessantly, refuse to be taken to the hospital and cling to me like a toddler.

"Stop being a baby. Let's go."

"Don't want to."

"Joo Won..."

"Just rub my back", he pleaded.

I sighed in defeat and scooted closer to him, rubbing his back gently to make him feel a bit better. I was busy doing that when I felt the cyborg force emanating from across the table. When I lifted my gaze, I saw Jiyong staring at me with a deadpan expression on his face while Min Young is whispering something to him. Admittedly, I felt disappointed that he's not even showing any reaction to what he saw just like the way he would react before. Instead, his attention is fully concentrated on Min Young. I know they're friends but their closeness really bothers me.

I exhaled loudly and directed my eyes elsewhere, my mind wandering back to that time when Jiyong asked me if I love him. If I said yes, what could have happened?

_____________________________________________________________

"Jiyong..." Lee Soo Man's voice is filled with frustration as he looked at his son. "Isn't the reason you went back to the company is to inherit it? Why are you so against being the heir? You're my only remaining son!"

"Look for another heir. I don't really have plans of staying here longer. I went back to help you when I saw the stocks plummeting because I know you'll need my help and I know that you'll do everything to make me come back. You were planning to use Dara to lure me in"

Lee Soo Man remained silent while eyeing Jiyong cautiously.

"That interview she did with you, you were the one who asked her to come. I know you were observing us and you even did a background check on her. You were about to send a request to other companies to blacklist her so she won't get any job except here. And I know you're planning to offer her a deal to make me come back. If she doesn't agree, the next step is pushing her on a corner and putting pressure on her until the only option is to comply with your orders. That's why I voluntarily came back to stop you from ruining her"

"Jiyong-"

"I saw the contract you drafted for Dara so don't even try denying it. You see people as pawns that are meant to fulfill your goals", Jiyong stood up and headed towards the door.

"Is that how you really see me?", his father's pained voice entered his ears. He didn't even glance back as he grabbed the doorknob. "I've seen you do it to my mother", he replied.

_____________________________________________________________

From Jiyong: I went home early

Dara furrowed her eyebrows upon reading Jiyong's text. She just went out for a while to take Joo Won to the clinic while Jiyong was talking to his father when she received his message. She looked at the clock and since it's almost end of office anyway, she decided to leave early too to check on Jiyong.

Upon arriving at his place, she came across Seunghyun and Bom who were both about to leave while holding some documents.

"Dara!", Bom merrily exclaimed and ran towards her. "Look! We're going to be officially humans!"

"Officially...humans?", Dara repeated in bewilderment. Thank goodness CL is not here to hear this craziness again.

"Jiyong helped us prepare these forms so we can have proper identification", Seunghyun explained. "We're going with you to Jeju", he added.

"Oh, I see. Should I accompany both of you in filing those?"

"No, we can handle this. But I think Jiyong needs your presence. He looks troubled when he arrived", Seunghyun informed her. Dara nodded and bade farewell to the two deities.

"Jiyong?", Dara called out as soon as she entered his apartment. Hearing no response, she proceeded to the bedroom and found Jiyong lying on the bed half-naked, his right arm over his eyes. Dara sighed and leaned on the doorframe while staring at him. She tilted her head and a small smile tugged at her lips as she roamed her eyes on his abs, his chest, his arm, his jawline...

"Stop staring and come here", Jiyong muttered while peering over his slightly lifted arm.

"I don't want to. The view is nice from here", Dara said.

"If you don't come here, I'll chase you naked I swear", he mumbled and rested his arm over his eyes again. "I'll count to three"

"I don't want to", Dara insisted while giggling.

"You really want to see me naked, huh?"

"Yes please!", she playfully teased.

"One", still lying on the bed, Jiyong placed his hands on the buttons of his jeans and looked at Dara, a smirk forming on his lips when he saw her eyes widened.

"Two", in one swift motion, he unbuttoned his pants and pulled down his zipper, the sound of which made Dara gasp.

"Okay, okay! Stop", Dara raised her hands in surrender. "I'm coming there so be decent!", she pointed at his unzipped pants and made hand gestures for him to zip it.

"What are you pointing at?", he gave her a devious grin, making her exhale furiously.

"Jiyong..."

"Mmmhmmm?"

Dara swallowed hard when Jiyong placed his hands under his head. The way he looks right now is just too sinful for her to bear. His upper body is naked and his unzipped pants is making it hard for her to breathe. She can even see the bulge of his KwonDara member trying to make a cameo appearance. Half-naked Kwon with unzipped pants on a bed...Shit.

"Lie here beside me, cheeseball", Jiyong said in a hushed tone, his expression unreadable. Dara took a few steps forward and she was about to sit at the edge of the bed when Jiyong sprung forward and captured her by the waist, dragging her to the bed with him. He then placed his leg over her and wrapped his arms around her body.

"Jiyong, this is not funny!", Dara shrieked and tried to get up but Jiyong is trapping her with his arm.

"JIYONG!"

"Ssssshhh..."

Dara abruptly stopped wiggling and looked at him. His eyes were firmly shut and his eyebrows were furrowed. "I have a headache", he whispered.

"Are you sick?", Dara asked and cupped his face.

"Maybe", he replied and stared at her. "I want to be sick"

"Huh?"

"I saw you taking care of that guy so I want to be sick too."

Dara chuckled and shook her head in amusement. Here he goes again. "Hubby-"

Suddenly, Jiyong dramatically clutched his chest and started gasping for air. "Ugh...I'm dying! Cheeseball, save me!", he said and began thrashing on the bed before lying still, pretending to be dead. A dead person with a smile on his lips.

Dara feigned her surprise and gasped. "Jiyong, don't leave me!" she exclaimed and continued to play along. She got up and began applying pressure to his chest, pretending to give him CPR. "Jiyong, please don't leave me! I don't know how to open the gas stove!" she said and placed her lips on his to blow some air. She was about to withdraw when Jiyong's hand snaked behind her neck and held her in place. He darted his tongue inside her mouth, making her moan and pulled her on top of him. She was now straddling him while their lips continued to move against each other, his hips slightly moving up while Dara's hands are roaming on his body. Fortunately, Seunghyun is not there because the kissing noises they make is not for the faint-hearted.

When their lips parted, they were both breathing heavily and their gazes locked.

"I'm alive", Jiyong whispered and grinned stupidly at Dara, but Dara's expression remained serious. Jiyong's smile faltered and he frowned while staring at Dara's troubled face.

"Cheeseball?"

No response. She was just staring at him silently, her chest heaving up and down.

"Dara, are y-"

To Jiyong's surprise, Dara captured his lips once again, her eyes firmly shut while trying to fight back the tears that are threatening to fall. Her kiss was needy, like she's trying to affirm something from him. Although confused, Jiyong responded fervently and wrapped his arms firmly on her waist.

'Say you love me, Jiyong. Please', Dara thought as she deepened the kiss.

"Say it, Jiyong", she whispered unconsciously when their lips parted momentarily. Jiyong's eyes fluttered open as he remembered Seunghyun's words.

"You're not the guy for Sandara Park, Kwon Jiyong."

"Dara...", he whispered as he met her hopeful eyes.

"If you don't let her go, something bad will happen to her."

He pushed himself up while still hugging Dara with one arm. He swallowed hard and lowered his gaze, unable to form any coherent thoughts.

"KWON JIYONG, WE ARE OFFICIALLY HUMANS!", Seunghyun's voice filled the room as he barged in together with Bom holding their cups of coffee. The two deities froze on their spot with the sight of the two on the bed. Dara immediately scampered off the bed and hurriedly fixed herself.

"I have to go", she said weakly and bolted out of the room.

_____________________________________________________________

'What happened?', CL mouthed at Bom after seeing Dara's grim expression ever since the two arrived.

Bom sighed heavily and began mouthing what happened, coupled with exaggerated hand gestures like a mime. 'I don't know what happened but it's about Jiyong' she mouthed while shrugging her shoulders. 'We went out for a while to get human identification and when we came back, the two were on the bed...on the bed", Bom made a rectangular shape with her arms making CL roll her eyes.

"You do know that I did not understand what you were saying, don't you?" she said.

"Oh, we can talk? I thought we're only allowed to move our mouths so Dara can't hear us."

"Damn it", they heard Dara mutter. CL spun around and saw Dara slumped on the floor while facing the corner, her fingers gripping her hair. She immediately walked towards her and sat beside her, leaning her back on the wall.

"What happened?" she asked.

"What am I to him CL? I'm confused. He never said what he felt for me"

"Did you say what you feel for him?"

Dara shook her head and rested her chin on her knees. "I saw his confused expression a while ago. It tore me apart"

Silence passed between the two, which was interrupted by Bom's giggles. They both look towards the hadana who was covering her mouth while looking at them.

"What?", CL hissed.

"It's funny how humans create confusions by themselves and believe them to be true", the hadana said and collapsed on the floor near the two. "Have you heard of the saying that in this world, only three things cannot be hidden? The sun, the moon and the truth? It amuses me how people try to hide the third thing that cannot be hidden."

"What is she saying?", CL exclaimed in frustration and buried her face on her palms.

"I'll go out for a while", Dara said.

"Hey, where are you-", but Dara was already out of the door before CL can finish asking.

"The world today will tickle the scholastic philosophers", Bom said to herself.

"Will you stop creeping me out?", CL complained and stood up. "I'll just go out to buy something", she informed her.

Bom went to her bedroom and opened the window. She stared at the night sky and sighed. Suddenly, her eyebrows furrowed and she whipped her head sideway, seemingly listening to something. Her mouth gaped and she immediately stormed out of the apartment and ran.

==

'This is it.', Dara told herself and breathed deeply before punching in the keycode to Jiyong's apartment. She didn't bother knocking and just stepped inside, only to be surprised by the sight of Min Young and Jiyong sitting on the dining area. She was rooted on her spot as she takes in what she's seeing. Why is Min Young in Jiyong's apartment? And why is she wearing Jiyong's clothes?

"Cheeseball", Jiyong's voice barely registered as her mind is still reeling with different thoughts. It was just a few hours when the two of them were kissing in the bedroom and this is the sight she's going to see?

"We're discussing about work, cheeseball"

Discussing about work? In his apartment? With his clothes on Min Young's body?

"O-Oh. I see. I just came here to ask you something but that can wait. I'll go ahead then", Dara's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Okay."

Okay? Dara felt like she's outside her body and she's seeing everything as a third person. Her heart feels like it's about to burst and there's a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Is Min Young sleeping over Jiyong's apartment tonight?

"I'll call you a cab."

"No, it's okay", she bowed at Min Young and took rapid steps towards the elevator. She had to take a few calming breaths to ease her nerves until she reached the ground floor. When she exited the building, she was biting her lips painfully to stop herself from crying. Even though she doesn't want to jump into conclusions, what she saw just hurts so much.

"Dara!", she heard Jiyong's voice calling her name so she hurriedly hailed a cab and got in, not waiting for him to reach her.

Is she really stupid? Did she read the situation wrongly? She thought Jiyong has feelings for her. Maybe he does, but how about Min Young? Is she the reason why he can't say it directly to her? Is he torn between the two of them?

Jiyong stood at the pavement and slumped his shoulders in defeat while looking sadly at Dara's cab approaching the intersection. He was about to return to his apartment when his eyes caught sight of Bom on the other side of the street, flailing her arms in panic. He frowned and was about to call her attention when Seunghyun ran past him while shouting Dara's name.

Everything happened so fast that Jiyong could not even believe it's real. There was a loud metal sound due to collision, tires scratching the road, then...a deafening silence. Jiyong's eyes widened in a mixture of shock and disbelief. He took a sharp intake of breath and his knees wobbled as his gaze fell on the cab that Dara was riding.

"No", he whispered.

Writer's Note:

I hope you guys are enjoying the story! I find it difficult to post using the new wattpad editor. Anyway, follow me on twitter guys! @huntress2021

Thanks for reading!

huntress