Dara rung the doorbell of the Lee Matriarch House that night after going through all her reports, meetings, and cover lay out of their next edition as well as video conferencing with the branch manager of Kmag in the Philippines. It had been a really grueling 2 weeks. Or she should say a grueling 2 months and 2 weeks.

The security guard let her in and she smiled her thanks before trekking the path towards the front door of the house that is already wide open. Her feet already hurts from wearing this 4 inch-heel pumps but she was forced to wear it because Suzy had been pouting about it muttering that Dara doesn’t like her present from Europe. Well, she did like it. If she’s not wearing it. It’s just pretty to look at which is why it has been inside the box since Suzy had given it to her. But of course, Suzy had to pull that guilt-trip thing and she ended up wearing it to work. Including the black and blue knitted body-hugging dress that Suzy also gave her from Europe. It’s too tight and she had felt self conscious but Suzy said she looked fab.

Suzy was, again, ecstatic when she came back and found out that she and Donghae were back together. And she had been squealing the whole time Dara is telling her what happened though she’s a little pissed that Dara didn’t told her anything about Kwang-hee being gay. Dara kept on repeating the same reason that she’s telling anyone who asked. It wasn’t my secret to tell.

The first 4 days after Kwang-hee left, she had really missed him even if she knows Kwang-hee is now happy with Jo-Kwon in Vegas and he had sent her a picture of their wedding, both wearing tux with bright smiles on their faces, and Donghae, a little peeved over her sullen disposition, told her one day when he visited her and Haru in Busan, “Tell me what Kwang-hee does for you to miss him and I can do it.” They were sitting on the table in the kitchen of her mother’s small house while eating some snacks and her mom was playing with Haru in the living room.

Dara had grinned at that and answered while resting her chin on her hand, “I miss his gayness.”

Donghae’s face twitched. “You want me to be gay?”

She sighed. “We used to talk about hot guys and which one we should be dating if given the chance….”

Donghae scowled at her.

“What? I would date Johnny Depp in a heartbeat.”

Donghae kept on scowling at her before he looked up thoughtfully and muttered, “Well, he is a hot guy.”

Dara laughed at that and Donghae just watched her with a smile on his face, loving how she laugh and wanted to see her do it over and over and over again.

“Mama!”

They both turned to see Haru bouncing over to them holding a crayon on his one hand and a piece of paper on his other hand. Dara caught him and lifted him up to sit on her lap while she looked at the paper Haru is holding. There were a lot of colored lines, colored lopsided circles, and some other things that Haru had drawn on it. “Wow,” Dara said kissing him on the cheek. “Very artistic. You want to be a painter when you grow up?”

“He’ll be a basketball player,” Donghae predicted proudly.

“You are not that tall, how in the world would you think Haru would end up being one to be a basketball player?” Dara asked drily.

Donghae’s smiling face faded into a scowl. “There’s giants in my genes, if you must know. We have tall people in our family.”

Dara nodded in thoughtful agreement. “Oh right. Like Jaejoong.” She turned to Haru who was busy studying the ends of the crayon in his hands. “You want to be as tall as your uncle Jaejoong?”

Donghae pierced her with a glare before leaning over to Haru and patting his chubby leg to get his attention. “Just be a painter, okay?”

Dara just chuckled and Haru looked at Donghae with wide eyes. “Papa wook!” He held out the crayon to him. “Corol bu!”

“Woah!” Donghae said looking amazed. “He knows the color blue!”

“Yeah, except that he’s holding the color gray,” Dara said wryly.

Donghae’s proud face turned into a scowl directed at her again. “Are you always this sarcastic?”

“Only sometimes. Usually, I’m more,” Dara said shaking her head. “There’s probably something wrong with my brain today.”

Donghae pinched Haru’s cheeks before taking Haru from Dara’s lap and sitting him in his. “You hear that, baby? You mama is always bullying papa.”

Haru grinned with the two of his teeth showing. “Papawuvsmama!”

“Yes, that’s one thing she’s got to be thankful for because if not…” Donghae’s voice trailed off while making a show of flicking his flicker that made Haru laugh.

“You understood that?” Dara asked looking surprised.

“Of course. I taught him that,” Donghae said as a matter of factly.

Dara blinked at him and she watched him talking to Haru about the crayon and teaching him to say gray. “You taught him that? Since when?” Her heart must’ve not been so tired of beating for him because it participated in a marathon again even if she is just sitting down.

Donghae looked at him and sighed loudly which Haru giggled at and mimicked. “Sometimes I really can’t believe your I D I O C Y.” He spelled out the word so Haru wouldn’t end up saying it. “Haru, your papa is going crazy because of your mama.”

Dara couldn’t even scowl because she remembered the first time when she have heard Haru saying that and she thought her son is just babbling.

“Mamawuvspapa,” Haru said while giggling. “Mamawuvspapa!” He was looking expectantly at Donghae waiting for him to speak so he could laugh again as if the words he’s saying is a trigger for his own laughter.

But Donghae just looked questioningly at Haru. “Now, that, I’m not sure where he got it.”

Dara let out a scoff and Donghae looked at her as Haru giggled again. He thinks he can best her at this. She looked at Donghae in the eyes and said in a boastful tone, “I taught him that.”

The first week of dating again feels like Donghae didn’t lose his memories and the last two years didn’t happen. Though at times, she was reminded of that when she’s laughing about something that she remembered and telling him about it and Donghae looking at her quizzically before she realizes that it happened before the accident. But it didn’t matter to her anyway. He’s there with her and Haru. And that’s one thing that she’s always going to be thankful for.

Since she no longer had any plans of leaving Korea, she rented herself a house. She originally wanted a lease option so she could own it but Donghae shook his head at it and told her the house is not worth the money and that he would look for a better one for her. She just rolled her eyes at that and Donghae reasoned, while he helped her lugging the boxes inside the house, “I want my son to have the best house to live in.” He laid the box on the floor. “And of course, comfortable enough to visit and....” He suddenly leaned close to her as he whispered, “… spend the night.”

“Ya!” Dara said reddening pushing him away because his closeness is not doing good on her concentration especially when he’s looking so y in his white v-necked t-shirt. Donghae laughed before turning around to get the rest of the boxes in his van while whistling.

When the Governor called for a meeting with her, probably after 2 weeks that the news of his son became viral, Donghae absolutely refused for her to go alone and insisted that he go with her.

“That is the most ridiculous and downright unreasonable request that you will be making of me,” Donghae said glaring at her when she told him she needs to go there alone.

“This is Kwang-hee’s dad,” Dara said rolling her eyes. “He might be really strict but he had never did anything to hurt me or Haru.”

“That is before he found out you knew his son is gay and only portraying his girlfriend to lie to him,” Donghae said.

Dara sighed biting her lip before she conceded but only if he would stay in the car. Donghae argued and Dara told him either that or he can wait at home so Donghae had no choice but to agree. She did felt a little nervous as she was sitting at the Governor’s house with the man and his wife sitting across from her and she regretted not letting Donghae go with her. But only a little. She remembered the Governor didn’t give any comments about his son and glared at any reporter who even dared to ask. The Governor looked formidable as always but Kwang-hee’s mom smiled kindly at her.

“How long have you known my son is gay?” His voice was like in a loudspeaker because of the silence and it made her wince but she responded honestly.

“Since I started to pose as his girlfriend.”

The Governor’s jaw tightened. “So you have been lying to us the whole time?”

Dara looked at him squarely in the eye still remembering Kwang-hee telling her his dad called him a humiliation. “No. I have been protecting your son.”

The Governor scoffed. “Protecting from what?”

“From you.” She didn’t even blink.

The Governor fell silent as he met her unflinching gaze. Kwang-hee’s mom looked down at her hands on her lap looking like she awnted to cry. But Dara was on a roll.

“Kwang-hee is an amazing person. All he ever did was think of you and how he wanted to make you proud of him and hiding what he really is, to make you happy, makes him miserable. Have you read the interview he gave to that reporter? He had never said anything bad about you even when you called him a humiliation. Don’t you even realize that he loves you both that he had lived for 30 years lying to himself so you could be proud of him? He built Kmag from scratch! And being what he is doesn’t make him less of a man. He’s a lot manlier than all of you politicians combined. And if you really think he’s a humiliation to your family, then I think he’s better off living without one.” She didn’t wait for the Governor to speak because she stood up and still bowed even if she’s seeting. “Excuse me.” Then she turned and strode towards the door. She already saw Donghae standing by the car when she stepped outside the house looking relieved when he saw her.

“Dara.” A voice called out. Dara turned her head and saw Kwang-hee’s mother running after her. She stopped and bowed her head feeling a little ashamed that she acted that way in front of her but relieved that she had been there. If it’s only the Governor, she could’ve say something more that she will regret later. Mrs. Hwang took hold of her hand and said tearfully. “Please let Kwang-hee know I love him no matter what he wants to be. Please tell him to call me. I just want to know… I just want to know how he is. Please.”

“Of course,” Dara said.

“Thank you,” Mrs. Hwang said, tears already falling on her face. “Thank you for helping my son. Thank you for everything you did for him.”

Dara smiled. “He did everything for me too. He loves you. And your husband. He told me to tell you that.”

“How is he?”

“He’s….” She’s not sure if she should tell her his son already got married. “He’s really happy right now but I’ll tell him to call you so he could tell you how much.”

“Thank you,” Mrs. Hwang whispered still holding her hand but smiling despite the tears that fell on his face. “And… that guy… he’s my son’s boyfriend?”

Dara smile felt a little frozen. She doesn’t think she can discuss Kwang-hee’s lovelife with his mom. “Uh… yes.” That was a safe answer.

“And does he love my son?”

Dara tried not to scoff as that question made her remember every antics both of them did just to date. “I don’t think I could find someone who will love your son better than him. I mean, of course, apart from you.”

Mrs. Hwang nodded looking satisfied before letting go of her hand. Her eyes glanced at Donghae who was standing by the car with his hands in his pockets. She looked at Dara again while nodding her head at Donghae. “Lee Donghae is Haru’s father, is he?”

Dara refrained from sighing. How can she even deny that when Haru is like, as what Kwang-hee said, a mini version of Donghae. “Yes.”

Mrs. Hwang smiled. “Like father like son. Haru will grow up breaking girls’ hearts.”

Dara let out a little chuckle. “Then let’s just hope he’ll find someone that he would want to keep whole. But… I don’t think I want to go past beyond Haru’s third birthday yet.”

Mrs. Hwang softly chuckled before saying, “Can I see Haru again?”

The love she had for Haru is equivalent to the love that her mom, Donghae’s grandma and his mom, had. Mrs. Hwang was the one who was singing Haru to sleep whenever her medicines makes her sleepy in the hospital. “Mrs. Hwang, I can’t believe you even had to ask. Of course! You’re Haru’s grandmother too.”

Mrs. Hwang smiled gratefully at her, her eyes swimming with tears again. “Are you sure you can’t be with Kwang-hee?”

Dara let out a laugh and Mrs. Hwang tittered as she wiped the side of her eyes. “Thank you. My husband loves Kwang-hee even if he’s not showy. He was just… hurt. He already had suspicion but Kwang-hee finally telling the truth leaves him nothing but to face it. We will always be proud of him.”

“I’ll make sure to get him the message,” Dara said kindly before giving her a hug. Mrs. Hwang thanked her one last time before returning back inside the house and Dara striding over to Donghae with a big smile on her face. She was surprised when Donghae suddenly wrapped her in his arms.

“What’s with this welcome?” Dara said though she returned the hug, comforted by his familiar scent.

“I’m just so glad I’m inlove with you,” Donghae said. Seeing her talking to the Governor’s wife filled him with so much pride. It’s not everyday he meets someone who is willing to face the governor alone and still come out of the house looking as gorgeous as the first time she stepped iside.

Dara’s brows furrowed but her heart skipped. “You’d better be.”

Donghae chuckled before letting her go. “What did the Governor said?”

Dara made a face at that. “Nothing. I mostly did the talking. Let’s just hope he wouldn’t ban me somewhere.”

Donghae opened the door on the passenger seat. “Let’s go home.”

It feels like her life is returning back to its places after being scattered. Kwang-hee had called her deliriously happy because he talked to his mom. A week after that, she almost dropped the cup of noodles she’s eating one night when she watched a press conference being held by the Governor to address the issue of his son. She immediately took her phone and the video to record it.

“My son will always be my son regardless of what or who he is. I admit I was wrong because I didn’t accept the truth. I didn’t want to accept the truth and I told him… things that I didn’t mean….” The Governor’s voice cracked a little before he cleared his throat. “This is the last time I will be addressing this. I love my son. And if anyone who ever dared to use him to fight me or say anything about him that doesn’t have anything to do with politics, then i’ll be seeing you in court and you’d better make sure you have a group of lawyers to defend your .”

Dara immediately sent the video file to Kwang-hee before she remembered eveything she said in his face. She buried her face in her pillow as regret washed over her. I should’ve kept my mouth shut! Kwang-hee called her sputtering on the phone and wailing while she can hear JoKwon on the background. She told him to call his dad even if he’s not coherent and he immediately hnug up. She guessed it turned out well because Kwang-hee’s parents visited her one day after she just woke up and fixing Haru his breakfast while he played with the crayons. Haru immedately ran to Mrs. Hwang and she rained him with kisses. The Governor kissed Haru at the top of his head before letting her know that they’re flying to Henderson Nevada to visit Kwang-hee and JoKwon. That’s where they’re spending their vacation slash honeymoon. Dara felt a little embarassed to see him after she told him off but the Governor smiled at her, nodding his thanks.

The Governor’s ratings had skyrocketed after that press conference and Dara almost laughed at the comments she had seen on the internet.

I’m so proud to have voted for him. Best Governor and the best father.

I still can’t get over how he called out the congressman in public.But salute to Gov for accepting his son for what he is.

Hwang Kwang-hee is hot! Why is he gay?

Hwang Kwang-hee is already married to a guy named JoKwon. It seem so weird but whatever makes them happy.

Govenor Hwang, I used you as a reason to come out to my dad! Guess he wasn’t that accepting. Can you adopt me?

Everything is blissfully perfect for her after that. Well, maybe aside from an instance wherein, what Kwang-hee said, her life had bothered her. She remembered when she was really pissed because Donghae had never spent the night when had she moved into her new house after they made up despite what he said when she had been moving her stuff inside the house. That day at the hotel was the last time he had touched her. Well, figuratively. Yes, he’s always with her but everytime things are getting steamy on their make out sessions, he would instantly jumped away from her giving her excuses like he forgot he had a meeting, or he had an appointment or his grandmother is calling him or there is a problem with the contract that he needs to attend to. She had a firm suspicion that he was doing that stupid promise again and when she confronted him that first time she had him lying on his back one night at her sofa and him suddenly sliding away from her, he only laughed in disbelief.

“Me? I don’t even remember making that promise to keep. What are you talking about?” Dara narrowed her eyes at him and Donghae cupped her face and kissed her fully in the mouth. “I just remembered I need to finish reviewing a contract and time is crucial.”

“You used that on me last time,” Dara said looking up at him while her lips look swollen from his kisses earlier.

“I’m a Chairman, my work goes in circles. Of course I review contracts everytime.” He kissed her one last time before going to Haru that is sleeping on the crib and gave him a kiss.

He had seemed to be making sure never to be alone with her and he constantly make excuses not to stay. After she found out the reason why, it only made her laugh especially when Donghae had told her the lengths he had gone through to avoid her advances.

She had muttered irritatedly when she had received another message from him saying he can’t come by again one night for an urgent meeting. “Fine. If you don’t want this body, then you can’t ever have it!” She deleted his message and unable to contain her irritation, she called Kwang-hee to disrupt him. She knew she was calling him early in the morning in his time. He’s never a morning person.

“How can I seduce Donghae? Like he wouldn’t have any choice but to give in?” She said without saying hello.

Kwang-hee grunted. “Do we really have to discuss this now?”

“Yes.”

Kwang-hee sighed. “Maybe you should just ask him straight out to ravish you.”

“I already did. It didn’t work.”

“You did? I was just kidding,” Kwang-hee said sighing heavily. “Maybe he didn’t want you an