"Cinderella lost her shoe, you fool"
 

"And she got her happily ever after, forever."


"The problem here is that...
 

Either she gets a happy ending or then I get it.
 

But together forever, is not possible."
 

Why go through the stupid make over? When we arrived at the restaurant it finally hit me. I wanted to kick myself for being so stupid and believing they would just, out of good will, help me to feel better. No, when it comes to Seung Hyun, everything happens for a reason.

Jiyong was waiting for us.

"I am not ready to meet him yet" I gasped and tried to run away but Seung Hyun grabbed the back of my collar.

"We are late and he has been waiting for a while already, it would be impolite to just leave without greeting. Let's go to my private room, you have never eaten at such a place, I bet. The food is good and service professional, you will love it." He started dragging me along. "Doesn't a candle dinner sound tempting? He might even propose."

I gaped at his back in disbelief. What nonsense were those tempting lips sprouting?

"I don't know what happened but you two need to make up" Daesung said with serious tone of voice. "Nuna, don't be as childish as you look like."

"I'll kill you!" I growled but he just snickered. "I thought you were on my side."

"This is for your best" Daesung shrugged. "Besides Jiyong has been in bad mood lately. He is annoying."

"Yeah, it's about time you two talk things over" Seung Hyun added. "He is pissing me off too and it's your fault."

"Why, you two!"

What do I say to him? Will he laugh at me? My heart started beating faster when we neared the room.

"Pleaseee, don't make me do this" I whined, childishness striking me.

"Too late, fairy" Seung Hyun smirked as he opened door of the doom and pushed me in the room.

"It's about damn time" Jiyong started to say but grew quiet when he saw us three.

He was standing next to the window with his hands in the pockets of his shiny black vest. He was wearing all black, black skinny pants, black belt, black t.shirt, black cap, black shoes, his hair is black... like a devil. I gulped. His eyes became big and round as he stared at me and soon his lips started tugging upwards.

"Dara, you look like some country bumpkin" he erupted in laughter. "So innocent."

"What?" I shrieked. "You look like a duck butted monkey!" I almost threw my purse at him.

"Shut up fata.ss" he said dully but then smirked.

Seung Hyun and Daesung exchanged weary glances and shook their heads in despair.

"I bet they are late because of you. How about losing some weight so you can get up the stairs a bit faster?"

I gritted my teeth "How about I-"

His phone rang. "Sorry, there are more important things in my life than listening to your stupid comebacks" Jiyong jeered smiling smugly and took out his phone. He answered it and turned his back at me as if I was no one to him.

"You little-" I started rolling up the sleeves of my jacket.

"Dara" Seung Hyun's hand covered my eyes and he pulled me back so I fell against his chest.

"Can't you tell? He is happy to see you" he whispered in my ear. Hearing his words my lips squirmed. I knew it all but did Jiyong have to act so arrogant again? Why isn't he ever nice?

"Calm down" his warm breathe hit my skin and I really wanted to just calm down and... NO! He is trying to put that stupid spell on me again.

"Hands off" I hit Seung Hyun in the ribs with my elbow.

"Ah" he groaned, letting go of me and I spun around seeing his pained face. "Why?" he asked, biting his lower lip.

"Screw you guys, I'm going home" I said indifferently and walked past him.

"Nuna, wait. How can you just leave?"

"Don't come after me if you don't want to be castrated" I hissed angrily. The waiter who was just passing me by almost dropped his tray and fastened his steps.

"Dara! Come back here right now!" Seung Hyun hollered somewhere behind me but I ignored him.

So it was not enough to turn me down in that outrageous manner but now Jiyong was also insulting me? Aish, my a.ss is NOT fat! When will he get it?

"Stop!" Seung Hyun suddenly appeared in front of me. How does he always do that?

"Go away" I tried to walk around him but he kept stepping in front of me. "Outta my way!" I snapped at him.

"Stop being so stubborn or nothing will come out of your relationship" he nagged. "One of you has to give in."

"I don't want to be that one."

"Then does that mean you don't love him?" Seung Hyun asked sternly causing me to look at his slightly annoyed face.

"No! I- Why do you care so much?" I asked, startled by his reaction.

"Because he is annoying the heck outta me too. He is being a jerk every day and doesn't do his work properly. Just because you two got into some sorta argument my business is suffering" Seung Hyun ran his hand through his blond hair.

"Tsh, the money is only thing you are thinking about."

"What?" he arched his brows. "Isn't it obvious that I am thinking even more about you?"

"What?" I repeated his question, my eyes widening and my heart leaping in shock. "Me?"

Seung Hyun let out a sigh. "He misses you, really."

I stared at him not knowing what I was feeling. Something strange, something like bitterness, disappointment, anger... something negative.

"So please, talk with him. I've tried to kick his as.s to go to talk with you but he is too stubborn" he swept his bangs off his eyes with a swift movement of his head.


"Why is it you?" I asked, taking a step back.


"What?"


"Why is it you coming after me and not him?"


He looked like he didn't know what to say, his lips parted but he stayed quiet.

"Because he is faster than me."

I spun around and saw Jiyong stand behind me, about six feet away. His piercing eyes boring into my skin.

"You don't answer your phone and don't open your door. How do you want me to get a hold of you, eh?" he raised a brow.

He must have come over when I went out to buy more beer or when I was smoking on the balcony. He must have called when my phone was turned off. Why is his timing always so bad? I felt a slight push on my back.

"Why are you still standing here?" Seung Hyun whispered.

"Go."

He pushed me harder and I was forced to take a step forward.
 

"Aish, so annoying" Jiyong said, annoyance coloring his voice. He walked to me and grabbed my hand. "Let's go."

There was strange feeling churning in my heart. A very strange feeling. Glancing over my shoulder I saw Seung Hyun stand still, his hands were crossed over his chest and he was smiling. He was too far away for me to see what kind of smile that was.

And for a split moment I wanted to let go of Jiyong's hand and run back to Seung Hyun, I wanted to hug him. But that would have been too bold, too crazy, too outrageous. Just useless.

So I turned my back at him yet something irked me to look again. It must have been my imagination but I think I saw him wipe his cheek as if wiping away a tear. He crashed against the wall as if all strength had left him,

Daesung handed him his cell phone and Seung Hyun answered it. All this time he was smiling. That's when we turned a corner and they disappeared from my view. I wanted to run back and ask what was wrong but I couldn't do it. It's not like it really looked like something was wrong.

I am afraid. I am afraid after all. I am afraid to figure Seung Hyun out.




_______________________________________

Like always, when I eat with Jiyong, we end up at some cheap noodle place. Seriously, why is he so cheap? I looked at him with a sullen face while he ordered for me too. I should have just kept my mouth shut at the Japanese restaurant and we would be eating there now. Lucky Daesung and Seung Hyun, they must be eating all kind of delicious sushi by now.

"What's with the face?" Jiyong asked playfully.

"I thought I went to that Japanese restaurant to eat?"

"The food tastes better here."

"Because it's cheaper..."

"It's not about the money."

"I bet it is."

"Gold digger" Jiyong said dully as he leaned back in his seat.

"I'm leaving" I threatened.

"Hold on" his face stiffened. "You need to pay for your share."

"I'm this close to killing you right now" I squeezed metallic chopsticks in my fists. "These can make some pretty ugly damage."

"Okay, let's take this seriously" he sighed. "Why are you angry at me?"

"You know it" I said dully. "You didn't have to be so mean that time."

"You mean when you wanted to go out?" his brows raised as he spoke.

I nodded.

Jiyong poured a glassful of water for himself and quickly drank it, then hitting the glass back on the table and looking at me in disbelief. "Are you an idiot?" he slowly asked, trying to surpass his irritation.

"What?" I asked in disbelief. "What did you just say?"

"Is that the only reason I have been listening to Seung Hyun's and Daesung's nagging whole week long? Is it?" he squinted his eyes. "I even wasted my time to go to your apartment and you never opened the door."

"Unbelievable." I stood up. "Sorry I asked you in the first place!" I yelled. "Jerk!"

"Yah, wait! Stop there!" Jiyong demanded when I stormed away. Aish, I give up on this idiot! I don't want to see his annoying face ever again!

"Dara, I said stop" he grabbed my wrist. "What's your problem? I don't get it!"

"Then go fck yourself!" I roared.

Jiyong cringed, his hold of my hand loosened and his body froze. He just stared at me blankly.

"If you won't even try to understand" I huffed. "Then I don't care about your sorry duck anymore. At all." I glared at him and wiped my bangs off my face.

"Leave me alone." And with that I left.

I just walked away without hesitation, I was so damn pissed. Here I have been thinking hard about him, I have really been trying to figure out my feelings because I don't want to hurt anyone. But does he even care? He what? I scoffed.

He wasted his time by coming to my place? Then I wasted three years of my life crying for him, I wasted over fifteen years of my life caring for him.

I have wasted my heart for loving him, I have wasted everything... everything. Big tears fell from my eyes. Damn, it hurts really.

If nothing else, if not else... heuk. I wiped my face. If not else I thought we were at least family. A really messed up family but one that would stick together through everything. We went through so much together and here is the result? He didn't even follow me. I don't even know where I am.

"Dara, I'm sorry" Jiyong's hands grabbed me and pulled back, he hugged me from behind.

"I'm an idiot, I know" he whisp