Jiyong stepped out of the car,offering his hand to Dara. They entered the fundraiser, and everyone turned their attention to them.

"Omo..it's Jiyong"

"Who is that pretty lady next to him"

"Omo omo Jiyong-ah"

"Oh isn't that the young heir"

Whispers and gasps all around the room.

Jiyong noticed Dara has tightened her grip around his arm, so he removed his arm and placed it on her back, guiding her through the crowd.

They walked to their table, when a middle aged lady and a younger lady walked up to them.

"Omo Jiyong-ah" the middle aged lady called out.

"Hello Mrs Kim" Jiyong greeted. Dara bowed her head politely.

"How have you been, is lovely lady your girlfriend?" she asked looking at Dara.

Jiyong chuckled.

"She is my personal assistant" he replied.

"Ahh..so you're single then" Mrs Kim asked pulling the young lady next to her closer to JiYong.

"Yes.."

"Nice to meet you Mr Kwon, I'm Kim Taeyeon" the young lady introduced.

"Nice to mee you too Taeyeon-ssi" Jiyong greeted back.

Dara bowed politely.

Taeyeon and Jiyong started a small conversation about their careers, when Dara tugged Jiyong's am lightly.

"Mr Kwon excuse me, I'll go get us something to eat before the auction starts" Dara excused herself and walked away.

Jiyong watched Dara walk away, then returned conversing with Taeyeon.

Dara sighed as she picked up a tray and tongs.

"Here let me get that for you" a voice said from behind Dara and took the tray from her.

She turned around to face a tall handsome man.

"Minho. Lee Minho" He smiled and took her tongs too.

"What are you doing?" she asked frowning.

"Getting your food for you" he said. "Now what do you want to eat?" 

"Hm...that" she pointed to the sushi. He picked up a couple pieces.

--

With a tray full of food, they headed towards the drinks table.

"Champagne or wine Dara-ssi?" Minho asked.

"None" a voice said behind them.

Dara and Minho turned around, facing Jiyong.

 "Jiyong-ah what are you doing here, I was going to bring the food to you" Dara said taking the tray from Minho.

"You got the food, so lets go" He said glancing at Minho.

MInho raised at eyebrow at Dara, she shrugged and followed JiYong.

"Who was that?" Jiyong asked as they sat down.

"Minho" Dara asked and stuffed with a piece of sushi.

"What does he do?" 

"I think he's in dramas" 

Taeyeon sat down next to Jiyong.

Why is she here again?

"Oh, Jiyong-ssi here, I got you some champagne" She said placing a glass in front of him.

"Thank you" he said.

"So, Jiyong-ssi have you been around Japan much?" Taeyeon asked.

"A few time for business" 

"Ahh, I could show you around, I know Japan really well" Taeyeon offered.

"Show me around too" Dara butted in the conversation.

"Ahh yes.." Taeyeon nodded.

A woman stood up on the stage and tapped the microphone.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming to SMILE fundraiser. I am your host Kiko Mizuhara and I hope had a wonderful time here. The auction is starting soon. Thank you for all the contributions in making the children around the world smile." 

The first item was brought out, and the bid began.

Dara watched as item after item were being bid off wondering why they were worth so much.

Finally..

"For the last item today, we have a beautiful painting from Mr Kwon Ji Yong" 

A mermaid painting.

Dara widened her eyes when she recognized the mermaid. The mermaid in the painting had a golden tail and features very similar to her mother.

Why does he had a painting of omma..Jiyong please don't be who I think you are..

"Jiyong where did you get this painting" She whispered to him.

"I found it in the basement" he replied.

"Must you bid it?" she asked.

"I mean, I have no use for it so I figured it would be for a good cause.."

"Oh..I..alright..." Dara bit her lips and looked at the painting.

"$600k" a bidder shouted.

"$650k" another shouted.

Dara needed to get the painting, but she didn't have the money for it. Dara could feel tears trying to push through.

"$650k anyone?" the announcer asked.

Jiyong looked at Dara.

"Going once.. going twic-"

"$800k" JiYong said standing up.

"Mr Kwon, you're bidding for your own item?" the announcer asked.

"Yes. I realized that the paiting has suddenly become very valuable to me, I understand shill bidding is against the rules" he replied.

The announcer looked lost.

"Of course, the money will go the fundraiser, so don't worry about it. Now, is there anyone who will want to bid higher than me?" 

No one said anything.

"Alright then, 800k, painting goes to Mr Kwon Ji Yong" the announcer said.

The room erupted in a round of applause as the aution came to an end.

"Jiyong why did you do that.." Dara asked.

"You were about to cry when you saw the painting, so I just guessed it must be important to you.." Jiyong replied.

She was lost for words.

She pulled him into a hug as she felt tears stream down her eyes.

"Thank you" she whispered. 

---

That night in Dara's hotel room...

Knock knock.

Dara grabbed a cardigan near by and went to open the door.

"Miss Dara? Mr Kwon asked us to send this up to you" a man said handing Dara a wooden box.

"Thank you"

She set the box down on her bed and opened it.

She held up the painting and looked at it.

The detail...her mother smiling warmly, although it is a painting, it felt almost life like.

Tears streamed down her face.

"Omma...I promised you I would find whoever killed you, I'm so close..but I feel like I won't be able to..."

Dara put her head down and cried until she fell asleep.

---

"Dara are you awake?" Jiyong knocked loudly.

Dara who was frantically packing, stopped and opened the door.

"Jiyong-ah it's so early...or maybe I just over slept...when is the flight?" she asked shoving clothes into her suitcase.

"In 30 minutes" he replied holding his luggage.

Dara didn't say anything, she picked up her speed and finished packing.

Jiyong noticed she didn't pack the wooden box.

"Where you putting that?" he asked pointing to it.

"Ah..I'm going to hold it" she answered.

"Oh"

He took her suitcase from her and they headed to Okinawa.

---

Jiyong owns a beach house in Okinawa.

2 bedroom upstairs, an floor to ceiling window in the living room.

First thing Dara did was run to the huge window that over look the private beach.

"You like it?"  Jiyong chuckled at the sight of her excitement.

"Yea, this is so pretty. Reminds me of home" Dara looked at the sky blue sea.

"Wanna go for a swim?" Jiyong asked walked over to her.

"No..it's okay. I'm going to go unpack.." Dara answered turning away from the window. She grabbed her suitcase and walked upstairs.

He was about to head up as well when his doorbell rang.

He went to open the door.

Taeyeon and Minho were standing outside.

"Hi Jiyong-ssi I'm so sorry to bother you, but I noticed you and Dara came in here, I have a beach house next door" Taeyeon said.

"Ah, and Minho-ssi is here because...?"

"He's my cousin" Taeyeon answered.

"Who is that?" Dara asked walking downstairs towards the door.

"Neighbors.." Jiyong answered.

Dara scrunched her nose when she saw Taeyeon, but her face lit up when she saw Minho behind her.

"Minho!" 

"Oh, Dara what are you doing here?" 

"I'm his personal assistant"

"Ah, so you're not his girlfriend or anything right?"

Jiyong furrowed his brows.

Dara's cheeks turned pink.

"N-no" she answered.

"Lets all go to beach" Taeyeon suggested.

Jiyong looked at Dara.

She hesitated but said okay.

If I stay on the sand, I won't get wet..its going to work.

While Taeyeon, Minho and Jiyong waded in the water talking, Dara sat on a high rock looking out at the sea.

She sighed for the fifth time.

Bommie-ahhh I miss you so much...

Jiyong noticed Dara's absence and walked over to her.

"Whats wrong?" He asked.

"I just...I can't go into the water" she confessed.

She must of had a traumatizing accident involving water as a child...

Jiyong nodded.

"Let me know if you need anything then?" 

Dara smiled and Jiyong went back into the water.

That night, Taeyeon and Minho came over for dinner. While Jiyong cooked, Taeyeon watched him.

"Wow, this smells so good"

"Wow this tastes so good"

"Wow you're so talented"

-was all Taeyeon said.

Minho and Dara were outside on the balcony.

"Why didn't you come into the water with us today?" Minho asked.

"I prefer looking at the sea" she answered.

"I see..." 

Silence.

"Dara are you sure you and Jiyong are just employer-employee relationship?" Minho asked glancing at her.

"I..I'm not sure. I just. I get really happy when I'm near him..and sometimes I think my hearts broken because it beats really fast...does it happen to you too?" Dara asked recalling her experience everytime shes with Jiyong.

Minho laughed.

"Oh Dara"

"Hmm?"

"You're in love" 

"Love?"

"Those things only happen when you're in love"

"I don't want to be in love"

"Why not?"

"It's bad"

"Yea I know..but we can't help it. The heart wants what it wants"

"The heart wants what it wants"

Those words echoed in her head as she layed in bed that night.

She took her towel and peeked into Jiyong's room.

He was fast asleep.

She tiptoes downstairs and walked to the beach.

She looked for a secure and quiet spot and placed her towel there. She climbed on top a high rock and dove into the water. Immediately her legs formed into and tail, and she began to swim.

Back at the castle...

Bommie...

Bom shot up from her coral bed.

"Dara" she called out. She felt uneasy. This was the first time in a long time since she heard Dara's voice.

She sent out a telepathic signal to Dara, if she was in water and close enough, Dara would be able to hear her.  She waited.

"Bommie..."

There it was again. Bom was now certain Dara was somewhere in the ocean.

She called up her guards and had them spread out in all directions to look for Dara. The royal mermaids had a certain aura, so within a 20 mile radius,  they'd be able to sense which direction the mermaid would be at.

When one of the guards sensed Dara's faint aura, he immediately sent word back that they found her. 

"Dara!" Bom called out spotting a pink fin up ahead. 

She swam as fast she could to Dara. 

"Bommie" Dara turn around and saw her sister swim towards her. 

They hugged for a long time. A couple of dolphins appeared and gave the girls a ride back. 

"Dara why are you here?" Bom asked on the way. 

"I found out so much..." Dara said. 

"You found the killers?"

"I'm not sure yet. I mean.. I don't want to be sure" Dara said.

"What are you talking about"

"Because there's a chance I'm in love" Dara confessed. 

"Oh...honey...." Bom didn't know what to say. 

"Bom I'm not sure if it's him but it could be dragon tattoo. Jiyong. He could be dragon tattoo." Dara said. 

"Dara. If you can't kill him, I'll do it." Bom said. 

She didn't want Dara to lose herself over a human. 

"No, there's always a chance that he's not a killer.." Dara said 

"Dara, you know what happens to mermaids who fall in love with humans-remember what omma said?" Bom said. 

"I know..I just. I've been getting so weak lately...I could barely call out to you" Dara said as they arrive to the palace. 

"Chaerin is waiting for us" Bom said and pulled Dara into the throne room. 

Chaerin bowed, and then pulled Dara into a hug. 

"Oh honey what did they do to you...your aura.." Chae frowned.  

"Something's wrong"

Both Bom and Dara turned to Chae. 

"What do you mean?" Bom asked. 

"Us mermaids, our auras don't weaken. We won't die if we stay on the land...why is Dara weakening..?" Chae explained. 

She looked at Dara and the furrowed her eyebrows and then she realized something. 

She started to shake her head.

"No. No it's a legend... no ones ever. No." Chae mumbled. 

"Chaerin what is going on. Tell us" Bom demanded. 

"Look. I'm not sure if this just applied to royal bloods- but there is a legend that mermoms tell their younglings to scare them." Chaerin said. 

Dara immediately thought of the story their mom told them when they were kids. 

"When a mermaid falls in love with a human and the human can't return the feelings.." 

"The mermaid turns into foam" Bom and Dara finished at the same time. 

"I've heard of a spell...although I'm not sure if it is a legend or not.." Chaerin said.

"Try it, try something...anything, I will not allow Dara die because of a stupid human" Bom said.

"I'll be right back" and with that Chaerin raced back home.

Withing minutes, she came back a crystal ball and some items.

Dara and Bom watched as Chaerin chanted something, then using her powers, fused the items into a pearl.

"Here. I don't know of anyone that tried this. He needs to swallow this, and within 3 days time- if he does not return the feelings- kill him to retrieve the pearl or turn into foam. Once you retrieve the pearl- you need to swallow it- it will erase your feelings for him." Chae said.

"Is there no other way?" Dara asked.

"I'm sorry honey, this is the only way I know off.." Chae said apologetically. "Honey, the pearl can only be activated after 3 days of being created.." 

"You have 6 days to do this Dara..." Bom said.

"Alright...I got this.." Dara carefully placed the pearl in a pouch and hugged Bom goodbye. Swimming back is going to take a while.

Dara arrived on the shore just as the sun rose up. From the corner of her eyes, she saw a shadow walking towards her direction. She leaned behind the rock and quickly dried her legs.

She stood up as the figure got close, it was Jiyong.

"Dara what are you doing here?" he asked.

"Taking a walk...it feels nice." 

"Your hair's wet..."Jiyong said.

"Yea..I took a shower before I left.." 

Jiyong nodded.

"I'm going to go in..." Dara said and ran back towards the house.

Jiyong looked at Dara's retreating back and something shiny caught his eyes. He  squinted and realized that something shiny was on Dara's ankle. 

Are those...scale? Pink scales...?

---

A/N: very sorry for the late update - was working on "My Sister's Fiancé"  I don't know how long this ff gonna be...i was thinking 20 chapters? Hm...

I'm also very sorry if this whole pearl spell is confusing- TT^TT