CHAPTER 28

DARA’S POV:

Donghae’s presence caused massive break down of most of the girls in the company. This should be a headline but since YG is detached to outside environment. We managed to keep it well inside the company.

But…

It won’t pass without the sajangnim being involved.

That’s why we are here in front of him, in his office.  Jiyong, TOP, Seungri, Donghae and I are keeping our heads down waiting to be vindicated. Poor Donghae, I glance at him beside me. He’s not used to this. Being in front of Sajangnim in his office is a nightmare to all of us what more to a person who doesn’t belong to this company??

“So…” he started. Gulping our own spit we waited for the next word. This is tensing all the muscles in my body. My intestines are tying into knots and I feel like puking.

“Dara-yah…” he called my name but I didn’t raise my head. I mumble a low.. ‘ye’.

“Who among them am I going to kill?”

“…………………………….”

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“Mwo??” I exclaimed.

“I said who among them am I going kill??” he said in a serious tone clasping his hands together in front of him and resting his chin on them.

I felt Donghae tensed beside me.

“I am out already sajangnim. I’m rejected so you can kill Jiyong and Donghae.” TOP said while raising his right hand and pointing Jiyong and Donghae awkwardly.

“Sajangnim…I am not included in this. I am just a mediator.” Seungri said.

Sajangnim raised his eyebrow and smiled at Seungri. 

“Mediator you said??” You're dead Seungri.

“uh…n-ne…” Seungri stammered.

Sajangnim narrowed his eyes at him. “So you are the head of this?”

“N-no…not really the head. I was just helping Dara noona.” Seungri tried to explain.

“Not really huh? Just helping??”

“Ahhh hyung…” Seungri cried.

“Don’t call me hyung. I’m your president.” Sajangnim leaned back on his chair and fixed his cap. Then he looked at Donghae.

“Lee Donghae-sshi…” he called his name. Donghae was startled as he slowly raised his head and answered “Yes sir?” meeting the eyes of our CEO with his hands clasped at his back.

“You like our Darong?” Sajangnim asked blatantly. I swear I can feel my heart beating in my throat. I look at Donghae and whispered.

‘You don’t need to answer.’ I said.

He gave me a weak smile before he looked up at our CEO with a straight face.

“Yes sir.”

He answered straightforwardly, no inhibitions,   no fear and not a single doubt in his heart. I glanced at the CEO. There is an ongoing staring battle between the two of them. I glanced back at Donghae. He too is staring straight at sajangnim.

“Sajangnim…” I spoke but he didn’t look at me. Not a glance. He’s a person with a lot of pride so I think he’s considering this as a competition with Donghae. The staring battle was too long and frustrating!

He sighed then he smiled.  “I like this kid Dara-ya”

“Mwo??”

The rest of the guys also arched their eyebrows upon hearing his remark. He stood up from his chair and walked towards Donghae.

“Kid… I can see your sincerity. Take care of our Dara.” He said tapping his shoulder. Donghae looked so surprised that he just kept bowing while saying ye..ye..ye.

“Hyung!!” Jiyong who was quiet the entire time spoke.

“Why?”

“He’s not yet with Dara. Dara isn’t choosing among u-us yet.” Jiyong  said.

“Among us? Do you know what you’re saying Jiyong?”  Sajangnim said. “No dating within the company.”  He said firmly. Jiyong stood dumbfounded. I suddenly felt my heart drop to the pit of my stomach. I look at Jiyong. He’s staring at the CEO with wide eyes.

“Hyung….” He called.

“Sajangnim.. I’m still your president Jiyong”

“I don’t care. I love Dara. I have loved her since before. I waited for the right time until you lift their dating ban. I don’t get it. You approve of Donghae while you don’t approve of me??” Jiyong was angry.

Sajangnim faced him with a hardened face.

“Jiyong-ah…”

“No. I won’t listen to you. I will only back off if Dara tells me to back off.” He said stubbornly glancing at me before marching out of the CEO’s office.

 “I will follow hyung..” Seungri declared rushing towards the door.

“Seungri-ya… be sure to be back here in my office later in the afternoon. We have a lot of talking to do.” Sajangnim said giving Seungri a stern glare. Seungri gulped and said ‘ye’ before he went out.

“Now you??” he said looking at TOP.

“Eo me?? I’m here as a proxy to my friend Jaejoong. But I’ll be going now too.” TOP said saluting at the CEO before rushing towards the door just like Seungri.

Sajangnim let out an exhausted sigh before he retreated to his seat removing his cap and running his hand through his hair. I feel guilty for giving him headache. He must be so stressed right now.

“Donghae-sshi.. Does your company know about this?”  he asked. Donghae fidgeted with his hand and bowed down before answering.

“No sir.”

Our CEO let out another exhausted sigh. I feel so small. I know what he’s thinking. He’s thinking that it’s going to be a problem considering we are all idols. And idols are not allowed to have a relationship with his/her fellow idol, well, it’s just the rule that artists follow if you want to last in the business. Some artists dared to break the rule but look at what happened to them?

I suddenly felt the consequences of this.

“Go and tell your CEO first. I won’t allow you to date our Dara not until you tell your CEO. I am not stopping you two but you have to be aware of the consequences. If you two are dating…”

“We’re not yet…..d-dating…” I interrupted. I felt the need to correct the CEO. I shyly bent my head down avoiding Donghae’s stares.

Our CEO looked at Donghae who answered with a meek ‘y-yes’.

“Aish…this is a mess. Dara you send Donghae home, I’m sure he doesn’t have a lot of time to spare. Then you have to come back here and explain everything to me.”

I nodded and bowed curtly, Donghae did the same thing and we both went out silently.

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Dara walked with Donghae towards the parking lot in silence. They were both weighing things, thinking about the consequences. But Donghae is determined. In his mind, he will push this through. He will try until the end.

But Dara….

She had different thoughts in mind.  Is there rapid beating of her heart, sweaty palms, knees shaking whenever his near? She glanced at Donghae who is walking silently beside her. He’s too perfect too kind to be real.

‘But he is beside me.’

‘He’s real,’

‘He went to our company even if the two are rivals. He threw all his inhibition and answered a straightforward YES when our Sajangnim asked him if he likes me. I should be feeling warm an