XVI

Dara’s POV

"...Tabi-ah...? Is... Is that you?" I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper as I stared at this stranger, my expression completely dumbfounded. My heart pumped faster in astonishment, my head getting dizzy, my eyes starting to water...

The stranger lowered his head slightly; his impassive eyes met my weeping ones. Right then, all my hopes of him being Tabi is lost. The Choi Seunghyun or Tabi for me, my mother had told me about had sounded so friendly, warm and loving, conclusively in contrast with this stranger...

This stranger is cold. Colder than ice. His eyes held nothing but discouragement. His unmoving figure is intimidation itself. His face...so flawless...is masked with indifference. How could I have mistaken him to be Tabi? I must really be losing it.

"I'm sorry." I said as I quickly wiped my eyes. "You look really similar to an old friend of mine. I couldn't help but give it a shot. Never hurts to try, right?"

"Indeed, no. I'm sorry to hear about your misfortune, and I hope you find your friend soon. However for now, I want to discuss with you of your reward, Miss...?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I've forgotten to introduce myself. I am Sandara Park. You don't need to be formal, just calling me Dara is fine." I answered with a small smile. For a split of a second, I saw the stranger's eyes flicker...but it stopped as soon as it had happened. I didn't think too much of it, he is probably thinking of other things. Besides, I am like...NOTHING compared to his status. What could he possibly see in me? 'Psh...He probably thinks I'm some pathetic loser that runs crying to people because I've hit my head too many times and can't even remember who my old friend is...but HEY, it isn't my fault! People hid the truth about Tabi from me!'

"As you wish, Dara. The people of the household refer to me as Master, or Master Won if there is more than one of those with worthy titles present. My full name is Kang Dong-won. Please to meet you." He then made a small gesture of a bow. I, whom had never been exposed to much formal traditions, only smiled. Truth be told, that is the only thing I could do. Smile. Just smile. Smiling is a form politeness to me, and when I smile, people couldn't expect more in most cases. I continued to fake a smile as I am led to what I would think to be one of the living rooms of this household...yea...just one of them. The two couches looked very valuable and expensive. Along with the decorations such as exotic lamps and a beautifully made table between the two couches of where you sat on one couch and he sat on the other, it is very comfortable.

"Oh, well pleased to meet you too...uh..." I laughed nervously. Which name should I address to him as...?

"Since we are not on formal terms, feel free to call me Won, as I am free to call you Dara. Now please Dara, name your price."

"Na-ah, no need for a reward. I saved your dog because I wanted to, not because I'm looking forward to be paid back."

"The reward is being offered by me, the leader of this household, therefore, I'm sorry to say that you must accept. If it not be cash, perhaps it could be something else?"

'Man...What a formal family...if I were to live in this household, I probably would've lost my mind...' I thought to myself. Oh well, looks like he isn't going to let me off the hook until I tell him of something I want...'AH YES...I KNOW WHAT I WANT!' My face lit up almost instantly as the thought came to my head.

Dong-won cracked a faint smile, "I suppose you finally thought of something that you want...?"

"YA!" I exclaimed with joy. "Uh...you're right, I don't want cash...but there is something I REALLY HOPE for you to help me with..."

"Name your request."

"Uh...I would like it...no, I would be DELIGHTED if you were able to use your resources to help me find my...long ago, lost childhood friend..."

Dong-won tilted his head in amusement. "Childhood friend?"

"YES. I miss him so much! I just found out about him not too long ago because everybody has been hiding things from me. I don't remember a thing because of an accident, so...I really...REALLY want to find him now. I'm desperate, I've been searching, but where I am able to look is very limited...so yea...could you help me...? Please..?"

Dong-won crossed his fingers loosely as he leaned his head forward gently, as if deep in thought.

I didn't dare say anything. If I pushed too far, I'd ruin my chances. I really wanted to find Tabi...which means that I am going to have to play my cards right all the way.

After a short silence, Dong-won lifted his head and casted his eyes directly at me. I am scared, but I looked back at him. I wanted to show him that I am serious about Tabi, and that finding Tabi is really all that I wanted.

"Alright, I'll help you. Although, I will require providing me with information on this friend of yours, I will contact you so that you can answer some questions. However, for now, I think it is best if you were send home, for it is getting rather late..." Don Won finally stated, easing my anticipation.

"REALLY? THANK YOU SO MUCH!" Out of reflex, I jumped up from the couch and hugged Don Won tightly.

It is then that it registered what I had just done. I quickly let go, and began apologizing profusely.

"OH MY GOODNESS...I'm SO SORRY! I'm just really happy that you're willing to help, I know you don't like being hugged because well...uh...you don't seem like the 'hugging people' type, anyways, I'm REALLY SORRY, I hope you don't take offense and-"

"You can calm down. I'm not offended. I'm just glad I can help. Your friend is really lucky to have someone to care so much." Don Won chuckled lightly, gently shaking his head.

"Hehe, thanks. If I do find my friend, he and I will really owe it all to you!"

With that, we exchange contact information so that we could keep in touch about this searching project, and I am send home by one of Dong-won's many drivers. I am really glad; I have better chances of finding Tabi now! I felt really bad about thinking of Don Won as a person who had no heart at all in the beginning. I judge him too early. Not only is he a very courteous person, he also agreed to helping me on something that means a lot to me. He isn’t so bad after all.

--Back at the Kwon Mansion--

"WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?!" Jiyong's anger exploded throughout the mansion, causing all the servants to stare in fear.

"Oh, nothing much." I answered in an overly cheerful manner. "Just went out for a walk."

"A walk? DO YOU REALIZE WHAT TIME IT IS?" Jiyong's voice raised even more, something that I didn't think is possible at this moment in time.

"Yup! It's around 11 at night!"

"WILL YOU QUIT BEING SO OBLIVIOUS?! It's nearly 11 at night and you don’t EVEN FRIGGIN' BOTHER TO GIVE A CALL or ANYTHING?!"

"Oh yea...my bad, forgot about that. I'll call next time!"

"Next time? THERE WILL NOT BE A NEXT TIME." Jiyong's face is now extremely close to me. If I had not been so gleeful at the moment, I would've done something about it.

"...What do you mean there will not be a next time?" I finally ask, my expression still clueless.

"Get upstairs. I've got a lot of lectures to get through with you." Jiyong muttered through gritted teeth.

"What are you, my mom? YOU'VE GOT NO RIGHT TO LECTURE ME!" My mood has been ruined. All of Jiyong's screaming and hollering has just gotten to me.

"Good, you've went back to normal. And as long as you reside at my mansion, you will follow my rules. NOW GET UPSTAIRS."

"WELL, I REFUSE. I don't even LIVE HERE. I'm just here for the project! Now that the project is over, I can go! I-" my sentence is cut off as Jiyong grip my wrist firmly and drag me upstairs. The servants watch as I struggled against his pull, but obviously losing.

Once at his room, Jiyong slam the door shut and glared at me menacingly.

I glared back, but I know that my glare is undoubtedly, nowhere near his level. Jiyong's eyes had this frightening ability to shut everyone up. He had really good control over what emotions he wants to play in those violet orbs, and whatever reaction he wanted to arouse, he'd get it.

Currently, I had guessed that he wants me to be scared out of my wits. And by all means, he's succeeding.

Jiyong took a deep breath, slowly calming himself down. He then turned to face me again. "Where were you?" He asked again, except this time, with more restraint.

"OKAY, I found a stray dog, and went to return him to his owner, alright? The owner wanted to reward me, and then we discussed about the reward and blah...all there is to it!" I spat. I didn't want to tell him about the reward. Jiyong knew Tabi, I am sure of that. I didn't want to evoke any questions.

"Reward? Then what is the decision? What reward are you getting?"

"I finally convinced him that I didn't want any reward, because I didn't save the dog just so I could get paid. I saved the dog because I wanted to."

"Who is this person? If they were to offer reward and such, they must be at least somewhat wealthy."

"They were. I don't know who they were. Never seen them before other than today. They just thanked me one last time after I rejected their offer for a reward and then they sent me home. End of story."

"Really..?"

"YES! What do you EXPECT to have happened? Gosh..."

"I thought you were in danger again...like last time...except this time...I thought you were taken away...and I wasn't there to help you..." Jiyong murmured. His gaze softened as it now reflected not anger, but concern and worry.

Guilt started filling up my heart, mind and soul. Why must he always be so mean to begin with and then SUPER sweet to end with? Heck...if he continued this, he could get whatever he wanted WHENEVER he wanted. He could probably talk his way to success if he so desire.

"Well, I'm sorry for making you worry. I know I should have called but I just got caught up with the whole 'saving the puppy' business. I assure it won't happen again, okay?"

"...Alright." Jiyong answered after a sigh. He must have been really tense about this.

"Okay then. Anyways, it is really late...we still have school tomorrow. Let's just leave it at that and go to sleep, alright?" I suggested lightheartedly, hoping to make things peaceful.

"...Sure." Jiyong mumbled, sounding reluctant.

I smiled at Jiyong one last time before closing the door quietly behind me. I breath out and walk to my room thoughtlessly and went to sleep.

Jiyong's POV

How I wished that Dara able to understand...if only she understand my efforts and troubles...

I wanted to tell her for so long...but what if she starts to hate me and completely ignores me? By then...I wouldn't be anybody in her eyes...and that is what I feared most...

Dara’s POV

"AH...a bright new day. Unfortunately there's school...but that's okay! I have other things to be happy about!" I laughed to myself and got ready for the usual stuff, and waited for Jiyong downstairs.

"Morninnnnggg, Jiyong!" I greeted him brightly.

Jiyong gave me a queer expression and then simply nodded, as we both left the mansion to the car.

I am still very chirpy when the car reaches school. Jiyong look at me every now and then with a confused glance. I’d just look back at him and smile.

As I reach first my class, I am still smiling. People started looking at me as if I am an idiot. Though, I don’t care. All I thought about is Tabi.

"Class, before we start anything today, I would like to announce that we have a new student!"

'Haha, this could just be my day! I might be able to make a new friend...'

"I would like you all to give a warm welcome to...Kang Dong-won!"

At the mentioning of his name, my head shot up as I stared at that silver haired and blue eyed gorgeous boy enter the class. The very boy that had promised to help me find Tabi. My jaw dropped, so did the rest of the class, mainly the female population. The male population fumed. I couldn't help but just stare at him. Dong-won caught my stare, and returned it with a barely noticeable smirk.

"Hello everyone...I am Kang Dong-won, pleased to meet you all. I will be at this school for only a short period of time...even so...I hope that it will be enough time for me to be of acquaintance to most of you. Thank you." With that, Dong-won gave a graceful bow to the whole class, and went to his seat - which he chose...right next to me.

----------------------------------------------

below is the image of Kang Dong Won