Remember Me

Chapter 3

Kwon Jiyong forgot about her, she laughed at the thought. Here she was, nervous about meeting him when he in fact hasn’t remembered her at all. All these years, she’s been a fool. Of course it was nothing to him. He might not even remember that fateful night he broke her heart. She was just some stupid girl to him. As she watched the sunset alone, she realized she should move on. He wasn’t Kwon Jiyong anymore; he was now G-Dragon. She couldn’t have him when he was Kwon, what more now when the whole country look up to him as G-Dragon? She didn’t stand a chance. This can’t go on forever. She can’t close her heart any longer; it’s time to let him go and carve someone else’s name on it.

So when Hyori offered her to come to one of her double blind date, she readily accepted. She has never been on a blind date before and so she was nervous as hell. When they were nearing the restaurant where they were supposed to meet, Daeya tried to back out.

“You’re such a baby” Hyori exclaimed. “It’s not like you’re marrying the guy. It’s just one date.”

“But what if he doesn’t like me?” It has been one of Daeya’s fears when meeting men. She couldn’t stand to be left or rejected by men anymore.

Hyori looked at her. “It doesn’t matter. It’s just a date. You two are not obliged to date again if you don’t like each other. It’s just as simple as that, okay?” Everything was supposed to go smoothly until she found out Hyori’s date is none other than Min Hotae, a YG staff who was with them in the meeting, and her blind date was supposed to be Hotae’s best friend.

Daeya grabbed Hyori’s arm when she saw the man through the window. “You didn’t tell me it’s Mr. Min!”

“Then it won’t be a blind date anymore if you know will it now?” Hyori whispered back.

“This is wrong, Hyori. You know we must maintain professional relationship with our client and nothing more” Hyori was getting into her nerve. What has she gotten herself into?

“I told you, it’s just a date. I’m just getting close to him to get me to G-Dragon” Hyori smiled evilly. “I heard they’re quite close”

“How can you be sure he isn’t saying that just to get close to you?” Daeya said. “I won’t be in any part of this, Hyori”

But it was already too late; Hotae has already spotted them and led them to their table. Her date was his best friend, Baek Shin. Shin was very polite and shy, just like her, and so they did nothing but smile at each while Hyori and Taeho have the time of their life. They exchange some brief conversation, only to fill the awkward silence between them. It was a good thing the food was delicious and they spent the remainder of the time just eating. With Hyori’s insistence and Daeya’s dismay, Shin ended up driving her home.

“So…” Daeya started when they finally stopped in front of her building.

“So…”

“Er… I enjoyed tonight” They both paused, knowing this isn’t entirely true.

“Daeya, I’m sorry” Shin suddenly said. “I’m not usually like this, you know, but it’s my first time to be in a blind date. I’m not really this quiet” He laughed nervously

Daeya understood. “It’s my first time too. I’m not really used to these kinds of things either”

“How about we do this again?”

“I don’t know Shin…”

“I mean, just to make it up for tonight, that is. I really don’t feel good knowing this is how I’ll end my first blind date.” Daeya smiled sweetly. Shin was a gentleman. She didn’t think it will work but she didn’t want him to think she’s that shallow so she agreed. Maybe it was a good thing; Shin could be a nice distraction.

Daeya’s mood lifted after that night as her mind wondered off work and Jiyong. She so looking forward to her second date with Shin that she wasn’t even bothered going into YG building anymore. Luckily, she hasn’t bumped into Jiyong. Even her team members observed her rather bright disposition.

“Well you look in the mood today. What’s up?” Mina inquired one morning.

“Maybe it has something to do with a certain Shin” Hyori commented, her eyebrows bouncing up and down. Daeya just laughed at them.

“Shin who?” Mina looked suspicious.

Hyori shook her head. “No one. Never mind”

Mina looked at both of them. “Come on! Speak up.” Luckily, Mr. Lee arrived and summoned them to the meeting room, interrupting Mina’s questioning.   

“I have a favor to ask,” Mr. Lee declared when they arrived. It was only him and the three of them. “Some of the staff likes one of your proposal and we want to present it to Jiyong”

“That’s great news!” Mina exclaimed.

“One problem; He seems not keen on the idea, and so we want you to enlighten him”

“What?!” Daeya exclaimed. “You mean…”

“I want you to talk to him about it. It would be better if it would come from you, since you’re the one who made the proposal” Mr. Lee said.

Why would Daeya be worried? It’s not like he remember her anyway. Hyori was now elbowing her to agree while Mina looked sceptical.

“Sure, Mr. Lee” Daeya whispered. “Give us a minuet—”  

“Good. Let’s go to him now”

“Now?!”

“Yes. Now, Miss Ye” Hyori looked like she won a million as she drag Daeya along, Mina following behind them, carrying all of their papers unwillingly. Daeya’s heart was beating fast again as they approach their destination. What’s wrong with her? She shouldn’t be worried. There was nothing to worry about.

Before she knew it, Mr. Lee opened a door to their right and there was Jiyong in all his glory. He was on the table alone, writing in a small notebook with his ear phones on. He looked classy in black turtleneck and was as gorgeous as ever. He was so absorbed that it took a while before he looked up to them.

For one millisecond, Daeya and Jiyong’s eyes met. In that brief seconds, his stare froze her and her heart skipped a beat. She felt cold and anxious at the same time. It all happened so fast that before she knew it, he was not looking at her anymore. He was back to his notes, his brows crossed in irritation. “What is it?”

“It’s the creative team, they are here to discuss some things with you” Jiyong stopped writing and Daeya suddenly felt scared. He was in authority and it was clear to see that in this company, Jiyong was a very important person. They all respect and fear him and now she knew why. He sighed as he close his notebook, not bothering to hide his irritation at their presence.

“Will it take long?” He coldly asked.

Mr. Lee looked at them expectedly.

“No.” It was Mina who first recovered.

“Very well” Jiyong pushed his notebook aside and held a hand. “May I see it?”

Mina hand the folder to him, in which he flipped timidly. “I know about this and I think it won’t work. Mr. Lee, could you check the rehearsal for me, please?” Mr. Lee obliged, happy to be able to get away.

At last, they were alone with Jiyong. Hyori has this dreamy look in her eyes while Mina looked like she’s going to faint. He kept flipping the pages as if it was the most boring thing in the world. “So where is the presentation?”

“Oh!” The two girls panicked. “I’m sorry. We will get it for you. I’m sorry” With that, the two girls stormed out of the door.

Daeya should run away now, get away from him as far as possible. He looked intimidating. She didn’t remember him looking this way before. He was there alone in the corner of the room, just the flipping sound of the pages. She should move but her feet were glued on the floor. She started seeing images of a bus stop and rain again and felt cold. Suddenly, Jiyong paused and glanced at her.

“What are you doing?” Jiyong asked. She couldn’t speak. “Fine, if you want to stand up there all morning I don’t mind. But it would really annoy me less if you just sit down, Daeya”

Both of them froze. “You… know me?”

“It’s in the file” He said holding the folder high. “Just sit down. I won’t bite”

“You… you don’t remember me?” Daeya asked before she could stop herself. She tried to hide the desperation in her voice but failed.

Jiyong looked around the room. “I’m sorry, but should I?” Daeya was close to tears as she looked at him. Jiyong have read her name and he have seen her face… but still he couldn’t remember her. She had expected this but she didn’t expect to hurt this much.

“Are you okay?” He questioned. Daeya nodded, covering with her hands her trembling lips. “Listen, if you’re not feeling well…”

Mina and Hyori arrived. “We’re here. Sorry to keep you waiting, Jiyong. Shall we start?”

Unable to hold it any longer, Daeya spun around towards the door and ran outside. She felt shame like never before that when she reached the elevator, she cried. She wasn’t strong enough. She was weak. It’s frustrating how come he still has that effect on her. It’s been so long since she talked to him yet it’s like nothing’s changed. Jiyong didn’t even remember her at all. 

The elevator opened and Mr. Lee walked in. He was quick to notice her.

“I’m alright” Daeya tried to smile.

“He isn’t really like that, you know” Mr. Lee started, thinking Jiyong was being a little hard on them. “Well he is sometimes, but only during practice. Though he seems to be serious about this particular album; I don’t know why. But you shouldn’t let anything he says get to you. He didn’t mean that. It’s just the perfectionist side of him. You don’t know how dedicated he is and all of us here admire him for that”

Daeya looked at him. They don’t fear him here like she thought; they admire him. “You’re not… intimidated by him?”

Mr. Lee laughed. “He is scary sometimes but no. In fact, we’re friends… well more like drinking buddies. He’s scarier when he’s drunk”

“Friends?”

“Yes. We’re all friends here. Everyone loves and admires him here. He’s an inspiration.” Mr Lee smiled. “He’s a good man with the good heart if you’ll know him better”

Daeya wiped away her tears, feeling stupid at shedding tears in public. “I’m sorry. I was just over reacting. I’m okay now, Mr. Lee”

“That’s better. Now, I think you should go home and rest. Remember; don’t take his words too seriously, okay? His words maybe harsh but it’s for the better”

Yes, it was better that he didn't remember her, Daeya thought.