Nana’s POV

                I tried to get away from Kris as soon as possible because he’s giving me these unusual feelings that I shouldn’t be having in the first place. And I’m not sure if I liked it or not. He annoyed and fascinated me at the same time. No matter how hard I tried to ignore him, he has always found a way to me. As I reached the front porch of my aunt’s house, I stopped for a second. I was hesitant if I would take a final look at Kris. I mean he drove me home, he deserved some thanks from me, right? I slowly turned around and glanced at Kris, but he was nowhere to be seen already. I guess this was no big deal to him. He might have drove hundreds of girls to their homes. I shook my head. Nana, did you just find an excuse to be with Kris today?

               I opened the door and made my way inside. I scanned the living room for Mom and Aunt Kahi, but failed to spot them. I went to the kitchen, successfully found mom frosting cupcakes.

            “That’s delish, mom. What’s the occasion?” I made a swift move to get a taste of the icing. My mom hit my hand in a matter of seconds.

            “Yah, you’re ruining my masterpiece. It’s not for you to eat” Mom was busy taking pictures of the cupcakes as if they were masterpiece. I rolled my eyes.

               “Who’s that for, then?” I pulled the fridge’s handle and grabbed myself an orange juice.

              “For the café. Speaking of that. Get dressed. Something nice”

              “Why” I asked as I took a quick gulp of my juice

             “I texted you to be home by four thirty, right?” I nodded. Right after my throwing-the-salad-scene at Kris, I received a text from to be home by four thirty. I remember how awkward I had been with Chanyeol; he was still holding my hand even though we already stopped running. I bit my lip because I found it uncomfortable. I mean, Yeah, I was the one to hold his hand first, but that was just out of reflex. Like in the movies, where the guy held the girl’s hand when he sensed some trouble. I cleared my throat and Chanyeol sensed my discomfort. He let go of my hand and looked at me embarrassingly, rubbing the back of his neck.

            “You were awesome there” Chanyeol began, to clear the cloud of awkwardness starting to form.

            “Yeah. He just makes me rude at all times” I laughed.

             “He earned it, anyway” And in a swift, Chanyeol reached out for my cheek. He caressed my cheek as if I had a dirt in my face. I flinched at his actions and quickly pulled out his hand.

            “I’m s-sorry. You got some mayo on your cheek. I didn’t mean to” He said stutteringly.

           “It’s okay” I wiped my cheek as I avoided his look.

           “I better get to my next class” Great Nana. You just made a fool out of yourself in front of Chanyeol. Why are you being so rude with people who were nice with you. Forget it, you’re rude at everyone.

           “Yeah, I’ll see you around” Chanyeol bid me goodbye and went on his way first. I watched Chanyeol walked away and I couldn’t help but feel sorry towards him.

Mom snapped her fingers at my face waking me up from my trance. I choked on my juice and coughed.

              “Are you even listening?” Mom eyed at me suspiciously

              “Yeah. Get dressed because we’re going somewhere” I explained in between my coughs.

              “Nicely. Because you might get yourself a job at the café” and that left me confused.

             “I thought you’re the one who’s getting the job?” I finished the remaining juice left.

              “Well, I figured that we gotta pay your aunt one way or another even if she refused to, and my work as a seasonal pastry chef isn’t going to pay for the bills. “ She sounded rational. It’s true that we owe our new lives to our aunt, if it wasn’t for her, Dad had already found us.

              “So you and I will be working at the café?”

              “Yeah, but I would just be working part-time because I have another job to attend to. You, on the other hand might work there full-time part-time” She confusedly stated.

              “What full-time part-time? Mom I got school” How can I work full time if I had school? Or is mom planning to stop me from going to school?

              “Yeah that’s what I meant. Since you have school, you’re going to work there from five to nine, five days a week. That’s full-time part-time” she explained and I just nodded.

               “Mom, I was only joking when I told you to get yourself useful” I teased and walked away from her. I made my way to my room upstairs and settled down my stuff. I sighed heavily and let my body fall off the bed. It was a very exhausting day. With all that has happened today, I just wanted to rest all my worries. But I couldn’t because mom being the active person that she is, didn’t just find herself a job, she found me one too. How thoughtful. My thoughts brought me back to Kris. How does he manage to invade my thoughts from time to time? The way he held my hand earlier felt different compared to when Chanyeol held mine. I felt electricity ran through me when Kris did that. And why do I find myself so hard to refuse from Kris’ offer? It’s a win win deal for him. There’s no assurance that he will stop bothering me after that, how could I let that happen? You’re the stupid one Nana, not Kris.

              “Nana, are you done? Hurry up!” I heard my mom yelled from downstairs. I quickly got up from bed and rummaged through my closet. I pulled a pink turtle neck sleeveless top and a printed pencil skirt to match with. I studied myself in the mirror. Ha, I didn’t look bad. I gathered my hair up, but the scar on my arm stole my attention. It’s a small scar from the knife dad had on me. He’s long gone, but he still managed to give me nightmares through the scars he left on me. I pulled my hair up again in a messy ponytail, grabbed my things and went downstairs.

             “What took you so long?” My mom looked at me, impressed and smiled.

              “Help me with the cupcakes” She ordered. I grabbed the boxes of cupcakes from the kitchen and strutted my way out.

              “How are we getting there?”

              “I’m going to drive your aunt’s car” Mom finished.

              I sat in the front seat and wore my seatbelt and mom did this same. She started the car and drove like a pro. I can’t wait to get my license soon. I watched the California’s beautiful scenery of pink and orange as the sun began to set down making my eyes dozed off.

              “Wake up, hun” Mom carefully shook me. I awoke to a beautiful beach in front of me. I quickly unbuckled the seatbelt and got out of the car. Ahhh, the scenery is overwhelming. It just brings out the beauty of California. There are still a lot of people in bikinis and trunks despite the nearing darkness. I have never enjoyed the beach in Korea because it was always cold, however; it’s not bad to change preferences. The beach is just as attractive as the sun.

              “Nana?” Mom called.

              We walked alongside the beach where different stores and shops could be found. Night life here in Cali sure is tempting. My mom entered this amazing looking café. The place is really sophisticated to start with, with wood walls painted in white and cracked floorings. The overall ambiance of the café lured people of all kinds.

              “Nana, are you going to just stand there gawking?” Mom annoyingly disturbed me from my amazement. I followed her inside and was greeted by handsome looking man maybe ten or twelve years older than me. Hmm mom, have you found yourself a guy in exchange for dad already? I couldn’t believe her, but I couldn’t blame her either. Dad was neither a father nor a husband figure to the both of us. Mom deserves much better.

              “Hun, I’d like you to meet Mr. Lee Dong Wook. Your aunt introduced him to me and didn’t hesitate to offer me a job. I told him about you, and he asked for you to come so he could offer you a job officially” I looked at Mr. Lee Dong Wook and I swear, I wasn’t imagining. The man was checking me out. He stared at me from head to toe, and smirked. I have this eerie feeling that I couldn’t point a finger at.

              “Welcome to the coast, Alice. I would gladly offer her a job. With a beauty like your daughter, she would boost up our sales. That’s if she doesn’t have a problem being a waitress?” The man asked while strangely looking at me.

              “No. It’s fine with her, right Nana?” My mom reached for my arm and squeezed it.

              “Yeah. I’d like the job” I just smiled.

              “Perfect! Now if you would excuse me. I still have a meeting to attend to-“ The man excused himself. “And Nana, right? You can start tomorrow at five until nine pm. Make yourselves comfortable and order something. My treat” He finished with a sly smile at me.

              I just nodded in response. I shrugged the strange feeling I’m having and went to a vacant table. While walking, I bumped into a tall guy who felt a little bit too familiar. I looked up and recognized a smirking Kris.

              “Of all places, Nana” He said amusedly. I backed a few centimeters away. Kris intimidated me with his tall and handsome features. I gulped, not knowing how to response.

              “It seems like you and I have a habit of running into each other” He flexed his arm and ran his hand into his hair. I couldn’t help but bit my lip. I do that when I feel uneasy. Kris makes me uneasy.

              “I told you not to bite your lips” He ordered and I blushed.

              “What are you doing here?” I stupidly asked.

              “I could ask you the same thing”

              “Well, I will be working here starting tomorrow. So, I’m just getting myself familiar with job and place” Why did I say that. I don’t have any reason to explain anything to him.

              “You didn’t tell me you’ll be working here. What about our study session?” Shoot. I haven’t thought about that. I saw him rubbed his neck and his lips, and I swear it’s a sight to behold. And from then on, I realized Kris was no good from me. He makes me do all sorts of things that I can’t imagine I would be doing. He makes my heart race, and that scared me allthemore.

              “Hmm. My job finishes at nine. We can meet somewhere and and and study till eleven?” I suggested. Nana you’re stuttering in front of Kris and I’m sure he finds it amusing, so stop being uncanny.

              “Not bad. I can pick you up from here” I glanced at Kris. He’s crazy. He’s making things a lot worse and I didn’t like that one bit, did I?

              “What. No. There’s no need for you to do that” In my defense, mom just had to magically appear from nowhere and interrupt us.

              “No need to do what?” She asked as she tailed behind me. Kris looked at mom and bowed down.

              “Hello, you must be the gorgeous mom of Nana” I scoffed. Well it’s true that mom is beyond gorgeous, but does he really need to that? I saw my mom blushed and giggled who’s acting like a teenager. I looked at mom in disbelief.

              “Nana, you didn’t tell me you have found yourself a handsome looking boy” Mom just had to embarrass me in front of Kris. Really. Is this this really happening? She pulled Kris instead of me into our seat. I just stood there in the corner and watched my mom and Kris get comfortable with each other. Without further ado, I followed them.

              “Hun, you didn’t tell me you will be tutoring Kris? I shouldn’t have gotten you a job” I turned to face my mom with a “really mom” expression.

              “It’s not really something important to tell mom, and money is way more important.” I protested.

              “Ah No No. It’s alright. We can start after her shift. I could pick her up from here, and I’ll make sure she gets home before midnight” Are you being nice now, Kris? What happened to you being nothing but a cocky .

              “Aww, that’s so nice for you to offer. My girl here needs a taste of California. She’s had a rough life” Mom cooed.

              “Mom!”

              I’m sure Kris would make fun of me after this. He totally got my mother’s approval with this. What happened to staying low, Nana? What happened to staying out of trouble? Kris is the epitome of trouble. He’s no good. He’s going to hurt me like dad did.

              “I’ll leave you two for a minute, be nice Nana” Mom left and eyed me an “I’m watching you” gesture. I sat back in the sofa with my arms crossed, annoyed and Kris burst out in laughter.

              “Your mom is way too cooler than you” He said in between laughs.

              “Yeah. Do you really have to say that? I mean, I’m really good at keeping secrets, Kris.”

              “Well, she will know it sometime. Why not now?” Kris played with his eyebrows

              “You just know how to annoy me huh?” With that, he grabbed my wrist which still hurt making me stand up.

              “What are you doing? You don’t have to drag me around Kris” I needed him to know that he doesn’t have control over me. I’ve had enough of controlling from people. Kris quickly let go of my hand and looked at his feet, feeling sorry.

              “I’m sorry. I just wanted to take you out because look” He pointed outside. And he wasn’t lying. The fireworks lit up the skies of Santa Monica beach. I was ecstatic to get a clearer view, thus without a doubt, I ran outside.

              It has been months till I got a good view of fireworks. I badly wanted to see the night show near Han river, but dad never allowed me to go around the city at night. I was his captive. I have only watched fireworks from afar and in the television.

              The California air brushed my arms and left me feeling cold, I rubbed my hands and my arms. Then I felt a jacket covered me in minutes. I noticed Kris beside me with his hands in his pockets. I looked at him as he watched the fireworks happily. This time, there’s no hint of him being a badboy. I realized Kris is a carefree person- he doesn’t care what the world thinks of him. And that his badboy person wa just a cover up. Whereas me, I grew up with people judging me. Kris and I are far alike. It’s impossible for him to like someone like me, a broken girl.

              Kris caught me looking at him, and I immediately looked away. I felt blood rushed to my face. I hope Kris didn’t see how red I was. I just continued basking at the beauty of night, and sighed.

              “Beautiful” I murmured.

              “Very” I glanced at Kris only to find he was already looking at me.

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