The day of her graduation came. I wore a suit and tie which I’ve never worn for many years.  Her family was there. I watched how happy they were. They looked at Dara with all proudness. She was wearing her black toga. She looks so... “Beautiful, isn’t she?” I got startled. I looked at my back and saw my dad. “Appa! Geez.. . you scared me.” He laughed. I stared at him as he cheerfully observed Dara, too.  “I’m going to invite them to a thanks giving dinner at our house.” He said. I got startled by what he said.  “But dad, it’s best to give them some time to celebrate. I mean... You know... She’s been working hard to reach this stage in her life.” I said. “You’re right, son. But, Dara is family, too.” He looked at me with a smirk on his face. “You’re plotting something, aren’t you?” I said and I watched how his smirk widened. I sighed. I looked at him again and said “There’s nothing I can do to stop you, isn’t there?” He looked at me and replied, “No, son. Unfortunately...” He started to walk towards them and spoke with them. It was a sight to see. My mother arrived and approached my dad. He made a gesture and called me to join them as he ceremony is about to start.

My father arranged a small celebration for Dara. Though, she already refused him to do so. But ‘begged’ should be the right word for it. Dara’s friends and co-workers were there. I invited a few of my close friends as well as unnie Chaerin was there as well. Everyone enjoyed the party. We held a mini-concert and we made sure we were singing Dara’s favorite songs. I could see here happiness as if she was having a private concert. After the whole fiasco, we bid our friends adieu. I started talking to Dara’s parents and made sure they had enjoyed the party as well. They were too formal towards me. I made sure that they had a good impression on me. I wanted to let them see me as a person not with power and money but a man who loved their daughter. My dad called out to us to have a small cup of tea before we retire for the night. I’ve already made arrangment to have Dara, and her family, stay at a hotel for a week. We settled in the round dining  table. Dara sat beside her parents and I sat beside my father.

“Thank you Mr and Mrs Park for joing us today.” Dad said. They nodded in response.

“I understand that today was indeed a very busy and tiring day. But, I wanted to make sure that I would be able to get Dara’s consent as well as yours for this proposition that I am about to give.” He said with his usual business-like manner.

I straightened my back. I started to sweat and get nervous. I wondered what proposition would he be offering to Dara and her parents. I glanced over to Dara’s side and I saw her eyes widened. She was uneasy.

My father continued. “I would like to offer with your consent,” and looked Dara, “that I will be hiring you as an apprentise in my company.” I heared a gasp. I’m not sure who it was. I was too busy staring at my dad as I tried to process the news.

“What do you mean about hiring her as an apprentise?” I heard Mr. Park asked.

“We will be opening a pioneer branch in this city. We needed a team of expertise to have this whole process be managed well. This is indeed a very big project. Clearly, my son has no interest in business but I saw Dara had a great deal of potential and I am needing her help.” He said. I finally looked at Dara and she was silent. She looked down in deep thought.

My father added, “Dara,” she looked  at him, “you are not ob