CL's POV

"Chaerin? CHAERIN?!" I felt someone grab my arm stopping me from running.

"What happened? Why are you crying?! What did that bastard do?!" Minho Oppa shouted as he shook my shoulders, a worried look on his face.

"I-I Just want to go home Oppa," I cried as I pulled away from him and continued to run.

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

"M-mianhe," I apologised as I looked up at the person I had bumped into.

"YOU! Look what you've done! Do you know how expensive this dress was?" Seungri's Omma glared down at me as she pointed at the red wine stain that was now on her pristinely white dress.

"I-I'm really sorry, I didn't mean it I--"

"You probably don't do you? Do you think that just by wearing a dress like that that you can pretend to be someone you're not?" She continued as I continued to bow and apologise.

"I want you to stay away from my son do you hear me? I don't know what kind of hocus pocus witch craft you used on him but stay away, do you hear me? He was a filial child before he met you! You changed him! You've done enough damage," She screamed angrily at me.

"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!" All I could do was apologise, why was she shouting at me?

"Is that all you can say 'I'm sorry?' You're so annoying!"

"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!" I continued to apologise as the tears continued to fall, I don't even know why I was apologising anymore.

"Just look at you, you look pathetic, get out of my sight."

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

"You touch my baby sister and I will ing bury you under this ground, do you hear me?!"

=========

Bom's POV

"Erm.. what just happened..?" I asked in confusion as Seunghyun finally took me away from his parents.

"Hmm?" Seunghyun hummed in amusement.

"Did that.. did that really just happen?" I was still in a state of confusion. I didn't think they would take to me so much.. especially after what I did.

"I told you they would love you," Seunghyun said smugly as he handed me a drink.

"B-but why? I don't understand," I said, my brows furrowed in confusion.

"Don't question it, it is what it is," he shrugged as he took a sip from his glass of wine.

"Bom."

"Teddy Oppa!" I put my drink down on the side and gave him a hug, "What are you doing here?"

"Appa asked me to attend in his place since he's still in the states, he wanted me to do some networking," he explained as he eyed Seunghyun.

"OH! Oppa!" I looped my arm around Seunghyun and beamed, "Seunghyun and I are finally together!"

"Yeah... I can see..." he replied as he gave Seunghyun a hard gaze.

"Oppa~ What's with that look huh? Aren't you happy for me?!" I whined with a pout.

"Yeah... Oppa is over the moon," he said sarcastically, making me frown.

"Eh?" I looked between Seunghyun and Teddy as I finally took notice of the tension between the two men, "Oppas? Erm.. is everything okay?"

"Everything's just... peachy," Teddy replied.

"Yeah everything's perfect," Seunghyun piped in.

I looked nervously between the two in confusion, it didn't seem alright... I continued to look between the two men, who seemed to be having some sort of staring competition.

I watched as Teddy gave one final glare before sighing and turning to give me a genuine smile, "Oppa is really happy that you're happy now Bommie."

I beamed at him, "Thank--"

"If you so much as hurt my sister, physically or emotionally, I will hunt you down to the ends of the world, and destroy you," he said darkly as he gave Seunghyun another hard look.

"OPPA!" I hit him on the arm and glared up at him. What the hell is up with him? Did something happen? Thy used to get along really well.. hmm.. maybe this is just what older brothers do...

Teddy held his hands up in surrender before ruffling my hair, "I'll leave you two to it."

I rolled my eyes as he walked off but not before he gave Seunghyun the 'I got my eyes on you' hand gesture.

"Mianhe Seunghyun, I don't know what's up with Oppa," I apologised.

"It's okay, he's just looking out for you," he smiled down at me, "Now how about a dance?"

========

Dara's POV

"Hello Son."

I froze, my eyes widened as I heard the familiar masculine voice from my past. My eyes slowly drifted from Jiyong's chest and towards his face, feeling his grip tighten around me ten fold. His head was bowed down his eyes squeezed shut. H-how? He's supposed to be in Japan.. what... what is he doing here?

"Aren't you going to say hello to your Appa?"

I watched as Jiyong's eyes squeezed closed even tighter, his jaw tightening. I could feel his nails begin to dig into the sides of my waist from how tight he was holding me.

"No? Yah Jiyong, I thought I brought you up better than that. Aren't you going to introduce me to your partner?"

I began to slowly turn my head when--

"Don't."

I froze as I heard Jiyong's low voice.

"J-jiyong?" I asked worriedly. What were we supposed to do? Just stand here? I knew this was a bad idea. I knew we shouldn't have come. I should've listened to my instincts, to Appa and Samchon. They knew. They knew he was here.

"Ahh.." I whimpered slightly from the pain Jiyong was giving me from his iron grip. Jiyong's eyes  immediately flickered open upon hearing me whimper, allowing me to look into his eyes, eyes that were full of anger, resentment, sadness but most of all.. hate, so much hate.

"J-ji.. l-let's go," I stuttered, feeling a dull pain in my heart, pain for him, as I continued to stare back into his pained eyes.

I retracted my hands from around his neck and placed them on top of his hands on my waist, releasing his hold on me, interlacing our hands. I had to get him away from here.. from him.

"Are you really just going to walk away Jiyong? You're not even going to say Hello after you ran away?"

I bit my lip, halting in my steps as I felt Jiyong stop walking.

"Do you know i've been looking for you?"

I tugged at my Jiyong's hand, urging him to continue walking but he stayed put, his feet glued to the floor, his eyes to the ground.

"I guess I should've known you would come back here."

I continued to eye Jiyong worriedly, squeezing his hand, tugging at his arm, hoping he would move.

"J-Jae-Hwa.. your Omma.. how.. how is she?"

I blinked, surprised to here the softness in his voice. D-did his voice just break?

I flinched as I felt Jiyong almost crush my hands, his mothers name seemed to have snapped him out of his daze as he began to march away with renewed energy.

"JIYONG! Wait! Please Son... Please... Am I that hard to look at now? Do you dislike me that much? So much that you won't even tell me how your Omma is doing?" he pleaded. Despite knowing what he had done, I couldn't help but feel sympathetic, hearing him beg like that, to hear the pain in his voice.

"Dislike? Dislike?"

My eyes widened as I heard Jiyong's voice, hearing the anger in it.

"You ask me if I dislike you? No, I don't dislike you. I hate you. I resent you. I ing loathe you." Jiyong spat as he finally turned around, causing me to turn too, his eyes blazing.

"L-loathe?" I glanced at Samchon, seeing him for the first time in seven years. He looked so.. so haggard. So.. life-less. There were no traces of the happy man I had known to love and care for in the past, he was merely an empty shell, a shadow of the man in the past.

"You don't mean that Jiyong, i'm your father--"

"If I say it, I ing mean it. My father? As far as i'm concerned I don't have a father." he cut in coldly.

"We share the same blood--"

"No matter how much I want to deny it. I cannot deny the fact that I share the same filthy blood with a man like you, but that is all. Except for that, you are nothing to me." I watched as Jiyong's chest rose up and down, his breathing rapid from his angry outburst, his teeth grinding together as he continued to glare at Samchon.

"Come on Dara let's go." Jiyong barked as he his heels.

"Fine! Jiyong! You hate me! I understand! Just.. please.. tell me how your Omma is doing.. is she okay? Is Jae-Hwa--"

Jiyong whirled around as fast as lightening and before I could even comprehend what was happening he had stormed up to Samchon, grabbing the lapels on his suit, them tightly as he towered over him, glaring down at him.

"Don't you ing dare say her name. Don't you dare say her name like you ing care about her!" He growled.

"J-jiyong!" I exclaimed, finally snapping out of my shock as I rushed over to him, pulling at his arm in an attempt to pull him away.

"You lost the right to care about her when you decided to screw around! Look at you! Even now! You're just a filthy old man! This girl looks old enough to be your ing daughter!" Jiyong paused in his tirade taking a quick glance at the shell-shocked young woman stood beside Samchon, "You say you've been looking for me? You didn't know where I was? Don't give me that bull. You have no business here, you chose your path, so stay the away. Go back to wherever you came from, and don't you ever show your face in front of me again!"

Jiyong shoved him hard, releasing his grip, causing him to tumble back onto the floor.

"Jiyong!" I exclaimed in shock at his violence, I made a move to check if Samchon was okay when I felt Jiyong's grip around my wrist pulling me up and away, dragging me through all the crowds. I glanced back to see the young woman helping Jiyong's Appa up, and from the corner of my eyes I could see Omma, Appa and Samchon making their way towards him.

I whimperd in pain at his tight hold, but didn't protest as I tried my best to keep up with his long strides, almost tripping in my heels as I tried to keep up with him.

It wasn't long before I felt the cold air whip against my exposed shoulders, indicating we had reached the outside. Jiyong began to slow down, releasing his grip from my arm as he stepped away from me. I began to massage my wrist as I looked around and noticed we were in the gardens outside of the function hall.

I watched in silence as Jiyong walked towards one of the benches before sitting down, his body slumping forward tiredly as if he had just run a 20 mile marathon, his elbows rested on his thighs, his head bowed down as he stared at his hands.

I bit my lip and slowly approached him, unsure of what to do, what to say. I stood in front of him and brought my hands up towards his head, massaging his hair and head softly, pulling it to rest against my stomache, hoping my presence and touch would provide him with some comfort.

We were silent for sometime, I could hear his heavy laborous breathing begin to calm, as I continued my ministrations.

"I-I don't understand Dara.. why.. why did he have to come back? Why didn't he just stay away?" Jiyong finally spoke, his voice oceans different from before. He sounded so weak, so desperate.

"Just seeing him again Dara, it... all that anger... it just all came back. Remembering what he did... to Omma, to me.. to our family... To know I am related to such a man. God it just..."

"Shh, it's okay Ji, I'm here for you, i'll always be here for you," I cooed softly as I rubbed his arms up and down comfortingly.

"I'm sorry Dara, I didn't mean to lash out like that. I know tonight was important for you... It's just hearing his voice and seeing him again it just.."

"Really Jiyong, it's okay. Don't apologise, I understand okay? You're still hurt over everything he's done, give it some time maybe--"

"No Dara, I know what you're thinking. I'll never be able to forgive him for what he did. No. I won't do it! I won't!"

"Okay, Okay. I'm sorry," I apologised and pecked the top of his head that was still rested on my stomache as he began to get riled up again.

"I won't ever forgive him Dara. I don't think I ever can," he whispered as he nuzzled into my tummy.

"But Ji.. he's.. he's still your Appa... he's your family--"

"No Dara, didn't you hear me before? I don't have an appa... and as for family... You. You're my family, you're all I need."

========

Third Person's POV

"You touch my baby sister and I will ing bury you under this ground, do you hear me?!"

"Who do you think you are?! Get your hands off my wife this instance!" Mr Lee growled as he squared up to Minho who had managed to grab Mrs Lee's arm before she could slap CL.

"OMMA, APPA!" Seungri shouted as he stood inbetween his parents and Minho and CL, "What are you doing Omma?!"

"Get your hands off me! Don't you know who I am?" Mrs Lee began to wriggle her arm in an attempt to break free from Minho's hold, but he wasn't having it.

"We're the owners of Lee Corporation! If you don't get your hands off my wife this instance you will be getting a lawsuit!" Mr Lee exclaimed as he placed his hand on Minho's arm and pulled, trying to pull him away.

"Oh i'm fully aware of who you are. You're the parents of the bastard that broke my sister's heart. Lawsuit? Does it look like I give two flying s? Do you know who I am? I am South Korea's best lawyer, and heir to the best law firm in Asian, but most importantly i'm one hell of a protective big brother. Bring it on. I'll personally take you the down for harassing my sister!"

Minho smirked in satisfaction as The Lees paled slightly.

"Don't you threaten us! You have no proof!" Mrs Lee shot back shakily.

"OMMA! APPA! What were you doing to her?!" Seungri cut in impatiently as he tried to get closer to CL, worry in his eyes turning into anger as he glared at his parents.

"Don't you step anywhere near my sister you bastard." Minho growled as he held his other hand out, stopping Seungri from getting any closer to CL.

"HA! You think my son would want to go anywhere near someone like that? That is the one that's constantly following our son! Aaah" Mrs Lee whimpered as she felt Minho's grip tighenting around her wrist, her hand turning paler due to the blood circulation being cut off.

"Don't you ing say that about--"

"OMMA! WHAT THE ARE YOU SAYING?!" Seungri exploded as he stepped beside Minho and glared at his parents.

"SEUNGRI! Don't you dare raise your voice--"

"Shut the up already! I've had it up to here!" Seungri interrupted as he stepped closer to his parents who were shocked at his outburst, never had he shouted back at them like this before.

"Seungri do this! Seungri do that! Don't hang out with those people! Meet this girl! Come back at this time! What the am I, a dog? Stop telling me what I can and can't do! This is my life! Stop controlling me like you own me! Don't you think you've ruined my life enough?! I can take you pushing me around, but you dare to berate.. to lay your hands on the girl I love?! I am ashamed to have such people, such low class people as my parents!"

"W-what did you just say Seungri?" Mrs Lee stuttered in shock.

"You heard me Omma! I'm sick and tired with the way you treat me, the way you treat other people like they're nothing but dirt at the bottom of your shoe! Tell me honestly, have you ever thought about anyone else but yourself?! Have you ever thought about me? How I feel, what I want to do? Do you even care about me?" Seungri continued angrily, his chest heaving up and down.

"What are you talking about Seungri! Of course we care about you! We're your parents for gods sake! Stop speaking nonsense! What's gotten into you?!" His father shouted back, still flustered by his son's sudden explosion of anger.

"What's gotten into me? What's gotten into YOU! Really? Do you really care? If you really cared I wouldn't be here right now, I would still be in hospital, recovering! If you cared, you would've visited me when I was in hospital! If you cared you wouldn't constantly push me towards all these girls! If you cared you would know how i've been feeling all these years, yet all you've ever done was turn a blind eye out of selfishness, out of your own personal gain! Have you ever really seen me as a son? Or just a possession? Something you can control?" Seungri stepped closer to his parents, his strong emotions fuelling his need to let them now how they've made him feel all his life.

"S-seungri, w-what are you saying? Of course we see you as our son, we love--"

"Don't! Just don't! Don't even say it! Don't say it if you don't mean it! They're all just empty words! If you really loved me, see me as a son as you say, then you would listen to me, to my wants and needs. When I came to you and told you of my dream, what did you do? You laughed in my face, you forbid me from my own damn dreams! Is that really a loving parent? Huh? HUH!?" Seungri blinked trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall, the gate to his emotions had been demolished as he stood in front of his parents and laid his true feelings out to them for the first time in his whole life.

His parents stood there, their mouths slightly agape as they watched their son fall apart in front of them, his face showing emotons that they weren't even aware he possessed or felt.

Minho's grip on Mrs Lee loosened, letting go off her as he watched the scene unfold before him, taken aback as he watched Seungri lash out at his parents. Never in all his years of knowing Seungri had he ever seen him like this before, he was always so obedient and never talked back, but here he was, defending himself.

"Just... *sigh* I just don't even want to look at you right now. It hurts to know I have people like you as my parents," Seungri whispered painfully before turning his back on his parents. His eyes immediately shifted to CL who had her hands in her face, still sobbing, her shoulders shaking up and down.

His eyes softened as he took a step forward towards her when Minho brought his hand up and placed it on his chest, preventing him from coming any closer to her.

"Hyung.. Minho hyung please... Please... I--I.." Seungri begged as he looked up at Minho with pleading eyes, "Let me see her, let me talk to her, please..."

"I'm sorry Seungri, I can't allow you to do that," Minho replied, his eyes also soft as he stared back into Seungri's pleading eyes. After seeing Seungri fall apart in front of him, he couldn't help but feel sorry for him, but his love and need to protect his sister overrode those feelings.

"H-hyung, please.. you don't understand I need to talk to her, I need to make things right!" Seungri continued to beg as he tried to take another step forward only to be pushed slightly back by Minho.

"No Seungri, you don't understand. She's been hurt, really hurt, and as her brother I can't stand back and allow the same person to hurt her again. It pains me to see her cry, do you understand?" Minho said slowly, as if talking to a child.

"Hyund.. please! Just give me a chance! I just want to make everything right! I just want to apologise to her," he grabbed Minho's arm, shaking it.

"A chance? A chance to hurt her again?" Minho replied bitterly.

"No! I won't hurt her! I've never intended to hurt her! I promise you, I promise on my life! Please.." Seungri pleaded.

"How can I trust you Seungri? Do you know how precious Chaerin is to me? How can I trust my baby sister to you? To you, who have hurt her?" Minho asked as he looked straight into Seungri's eyes.

"You can trust me because.. because I love her. I love her so damn much. I would rather die than hurt her. I would do anything for her. Please believe me.. please let me.. let me talk to her.." his voice broke as his eyes shifted form Minho to CL, staring at her longingly.

Minho searched Seungri's eyes, then slowly turned to look at his sister whom was still shaking. He looked between the two, an internal battle occuring in his head. The protective brother within him just wanted to pick up Seungri and hurl him half way across the world, away from her. Far away where he could no longer cause her any harm. The hyung that used to be so affectionate towards Seungri when they were children wanted to help him, to give him a chance.

He bit his lip as he contnued to struggle with the decision. After what seemed like forever to Seungri, Minho let his hand fall from Seungri's chest and stepped back slightly, a resigned sigh leaving his lips.

"H-hyung?" Seungri stuttered as he took a cautious step towards CL, wondering if Minho would stop him once more.

"I'm giving you one chance Seungri. One chance." he murmured as he glanced at his sister.

"W-why?" Seungri was relieved he was given a chance, but he couldn't help but wonder why.

"Because... although I hate you for hurting her Seungri," Minho replied, causing Seungri to flinch slightly, "I think you're the only one who can heal her..."

"Thank you Hyung.. thank you," Seungri bowed respectively and quickly made his way towards CL when Minho grabbed his shoulder, temporarily halting his steps.

"I'm giving you a chance Seungri, but it's up to her to decide. If you ever hurt her again.. I'll be taking your promise seriously," Minho muttered before finally letting go after giving him a small encouraging pat on the shoulder.

Seungri nodded in understanding before slowly walking over to CL, stopping when he stood directly in front of her.

========

"Seungri--"

"Leave him be," Minho cut Mrs Lee off, blocking her path as she tried to take a step towards Seungri.

"You can't tell me what I can and can't do with my own son!" She protested.

Minho laughed dryly and crossed his arms, "Wow. Just wow. Were you even listening to anything he was telling you? Can't you hear yourself? He's not a puppet, he's not a possession. He had his own mind and his own body to do whatever the damn well he wants."

"I'm still his mother! I have a right to tell him what to do! Why do you care anyway?!" she exclaimed in exasperation.

"Because, whether I like it or not your son means something to my sister. If she cares about him, then I do too."

========

Seungri's POV

"Chaerin?" I asked softly as I cautiously placed my hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!" CL continued to apologise, no longer aware of her surroundings.

"Chaerin, look at me," I pleaded as I reached up and tried to pry her hands away from her face.

"I'm sorry!" CL shook her head, taking a step back, away from me.

My heart beat painfully as I looked at her state. This was all my fault. How could I be so stupid to have let something like this pass me by? All these years... not knowing how much I had hurt her. I know I love her now, but in the past, when I didn't know, I was still her friend. I still cared about her, yet I wasn't aware of how she felt. I should've known she was hurting. How thick could I get?

"Chaerin.. please, please stop staying sorry! I should be the one saying sorry! I'm sorry Chae. I'm sorry i've hurt you so much," I apologised as I stepped closer to her, grabbing her hands and forcefully pulling them off her face.

I winced as I stared at her, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed. Her makeup slightly smudged from her tears and her hands. My jaw clenched as I saw the visible indents on her face inflicted by Hara. She looked so vulnerable.

Without thinking twice I stepped forward, closing the gap between us as I enveloped her in a tight hug, wanting to protect her from the world.

"I'm sorry Chaerin, don't worry, i'll protect you from now on, you can lean on me," I whispered as I leaned my face on the top of her head, my hand cradling her head, letting it rest on my chest.

"S-seungri?" CL stuttered in between her sobs as she fisted my shirt, burying her face deeper into my chest.

"Shh, I'm here Chaerin, I won't let anything hurt you."

========

Third Person's POV

"Omo! Jin-Sang! Are you okay?!" The woman who had been with Jiyong's Appa the whole night exclaimed as she immediately bent down and hooked his arm, trying to help him up, and not doing a very good job.

The woman blinked and looked up as she felt someone assisting them.

"Kamsamnida," she bowed respectively to the man, and the other two people with him.

"It's been a long time Jin-Sang," the man spoke, ignoring the woman completely.

"Young Jae, Eun Hee, Hyun Suk.. it's so good to see you guys again," Jin-Sang smiled at Dara's parents and uncle, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

"I'm afraid I can't say the same thing about you," Eun Hee spit angrily as she glared at Jin-Sang, the man who had cheated on her bestfriend, "Or about this woman beside you, who isn't your wife!"

"Eun Hee," Young Jae said sharply to his wife, reprimanding her, holding a hand up to stop her from saying anything further.

Jin-Sang laughed bitterly at Eun Hee's outburst, "I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you hate me Eun Hee. I'm sure you know by now, I no longer have a wife."

"Why you--" Eun Hee took a step forward when Hyun Suk placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her back.

"Look, what are you doing here Jin-Sang?" Young Jae asked with a serious face.

"What am I doing here? Well this is the 2013 Annual East Asian Business Function, am I not a business man? Why would I not be here?" Jin-Sang quipped back smartly.

Young Jae sighed and shook his head, "That's not what I meant and you know it. You've never come to any of these events ever since you left for Japan, why come all of a sudden? Shouldn't you be in Japan right now? Hyun Suk has informed me your business is not doing too well, should you not be over there concentrating on that rather than over here bothering yourself with such mindless things like a business event?"

"My business is doing perfectly fine, I certainly don't need you telling me what to do," Jin-Sang scoffed.

"Don't try and deny it Jin-Sang, everyone in the business world knows the Japanese Government are on your back right now," Hyun Suk cut in, "With such pressings matters like that occuring, why bother coming to an event such as this?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you," Jin-Sang answered, "Well it was nice seeing you again--"

"Stop pretening Jin-Sang. We all know why you're here," Eun Hee cut him off.

"Oh you do, do you? Why don't you enlighten me then?" Jin-Sang quipped back.

"Jiyong. He's the only reason why you would be here," Young Jae replied.

"Maybe, maybe not. Is it against the law to want to see my son?" Jin-Sang replied airily.

"No, but mark my words Jin-Sang. I don't know what you're planning but you stay away from Jiyong you hear me? He doesn't deserve this!" Eun Hee exclaimed, fury in her eyes.

"Excuse me, with all due respect but I don't think it's your place to tell Jin-Sang to stay away from his own son," the woman beside Jin-Sang piped in.

"With all due respect but you have no place in this conversation!" Eun Hee shot the woman a dark glare, "I have every right to! Jiyong's going to be my son-in-law and i'm not letting anything, certainly not you hurt him."

"Son-in-law?" Jin-Sang tilted his head in confusion as he stared at Eun Hee before his eyes widened, "Dara? Jiyong's dating Dara?! That girl before was the little rabbit?!"

Despite the current confrontation all of them couldn't help but let a small smile emerge on their face at the term of endearment he used for Dara.

Eun Hee let out a cough before she straightened her face, "Look Jin-Sang, you know we care for Jiyong like our own son, and you may be his father but if you hurt him anymore than you already have... so help me god..."

"Again, I don't think you have a right to--"

"Look! Who the hell do you think you are huh?! Stop interrupting! You have no place in this conversation!" Eun Hee glared at the girl.

"Actually i'm--"

"She's Ji Yeon, also known as Gummy, my girlfriend," Jin-Sang cut her off and wrapped his arm around her waist whilst Ji Yeon's head snapped towards him in shock and confusion.

"You sure move on fast don't you?" Eun Hee snapped bitterly as she shot lasers at Jin-Sang.

"I think we've got our point across Jin-Sang. I really hope you are just here for the function like you say," Young Jae said, placing his arm behind Eun Hee and nodded towards Hyun Suk, gesturing for them to make their leave.

Young Jae paused and turned to look at his best friend with sad eyes, "I don't know why you did what you did, why you chose this path," Young Jae diverted his eyes to the floor, unable to take the look in his friends eyes, "But it really was good to see you again Jin, it's just a shame it was under such circumstances."

With that Young Jae turned back around and walked away with Eun Hee and Hyun Suk.

The moment Young Jae turned around, Jin-Sang's hand retracted from around Gummy as he heaved a regretful sigh, the mask from before sliding from his face.

"Why did you do that Jin-Sang? Why did you lie?" Gummy asked.

"Because he's right, I chose this path. I made all the wrong decisions. Besides, one more lie won't hurt," he replied with sad smile.

"But it's hurting you."

========

Dara's POV

"Ji..?"

I gently rubbed my hands up and down his arms comfortingly, breaking the silence between us.

"Mhhmm?" he murmurmed, tilting his head to land a soft kiss on my tummy.

"Let's go home hmm?" I suggested pulling away from him, causing him to finally lift his head and look at me.

"I'm sorry babe," he apologised, grabbing my hand and bringing it up to his lips, placing soft butterfly kisses on my knuckles.

"I thought I already told you to stop apologising, really. I would've done the exact same thing if I was in your position," I reassured him, bringing my other hand up to cup his left cheek, "Let's go."

"Okay, let's go find your parents and tell them we're leaving first," he agreed as he made a move to stand up.

"Ani, we don't need to do that, let's just go," I suggested, worried that we might bump into Jiyong's Appa again, knowing Omma and Appa were heading in his direction before we had left.

"What? No, that would be rude, come on let's go find them," he persisted, trying to get back up again.

"ANI! Okay look, you stay here okay? I'll go tell them, and then we'll go okay?" I leaned down to give him a quick peck on his lips before turning on my heels and making my way back into the hall before he could protest. I didn't want to risk him seeing his Appa again.

I quicky scanned the room, stretching my neck as much as I could in an attempt to find Omma and Appa.

"YAH! Look where you're going will you?!"

I furrowed my eyebrows at the familiar voice and glanced down, "Miss Kim? What are you doing here? I didn't know you were erm..." I trailed off.

"Rich? You don't know the half of it. Anyway, that's certainly none of your business Miss Park, and pay attention to where you're going. You don't want to get on the wrong side of anyone now, do you?" she replied, as she cocked her head, giving me a sweet smile.

I stepped back slightly, gulping. There was just something about the way she said that, that gave me the creeps.

"N-neh. Mianhe Seonsangnim, please excuse me," I apologised, bowing respectively before walking past her, having spotted Omma and Appa.

"Omma! Appa!" I called out, successfully grabbing their attention.

"Dara-ah! Is Jiyong okay? Where is he?" Omma asked, worry evident in her eyes.

"Neh.. I think so," I reassured, "He's waiting for me now, we're going to go."

"Arasso, I think that's best," Omma agreed.

I gave them both a hug and turned to leave but there was just one question that was constantly swimming in my mind ever since the confrontation, "What is he doing back here? Samchon, I mean? Did you find out?"

"Honestly? I don't know, but don't worry Dara, I don't think he has bad intentions," Appa reassured, although his face told me otherwise.

I nodded in understanding before bidding them goodbye again and making my way back to the garden.

========

"Ji..? I've told them, let's g--" I paused as I stared at the scene in front of me with wide eyes. There, in front of me, was another woman, that wasn't me, embracing Jiyong in a manner that was not deemed friendly.

"Dara! Babe, it's not what it looks like! Get off me Kiko!" Jiyong forcefully pushed the girl off of him, causing her to stumble as he quickly make his way over to me.

"Babe, nothing happened okay? She's just a friend," Jiyong began to panic, worry on his face when I didn't respond to him.

"Babe? Please listen to me, it was nothing!" Jiyong coninued as he stepped closer to me, cupping my face.

"I-it's okay Ji, I-I believe you," I replied shakily, as I met his worried eyes.

"Come on, let's go home," Jiyong grabbed my hand and began to lead us out of the garden.

"I'll see you again very soon Jiyong," the girl spoke.

I turned my head and met her eyes, a smirk formed on her face as she glared back at me, "Very soon."

========

CL's POV

"I'm here for you Chaerin, i'm here for you.."

My eyes slowly opened, his scent evading my senses as I felt him tighten his hold around me.

This felt so good.. to be in his arms, it felt like I belonged here, I felt so.. so safe. But he didn't want me. Everyone was right, Hara, his parents, I wasn't suited for someone like Seungri, he deserved better.

I breathed in deeply one last time before releasing my death grip on his shirt and pushing away from him.

"Chaerin?" Seungri asked in confusion as he tried to pull me back.

I shook my head, bringing one of my hands up to stop him, the other coming up to roughly wipe the tears away from my face.

"Minho Oppa, where is he?" I asked as calmly as I could, avoiding his eyes that were staring intently at my face.

"He's gone," he replied simply, his eyes continuing to obsrve me.

"O-oh?" I stuttered, "Well then I guess I best be going. Goodbye Seungri." I met his eyes for a split second before looking away and turning around.

"Goodbye? Goodbye! Why does it sound like you're saying goodbye forever Chaerin? Huh? Where are you going? We need to talk, you're not going anywhere Chae," he commanded, grabbing my wrist and whirling me around to face him.

"Yes I am, I'm going home," I protested as I tried to shake his hand off of my arm, to no avail, "Let go!"

"NO! We need to talk!" he argued.

"Talk?! What is there to talk about Seungri?! I've heard enough tonight okay? I don't need this! Let me go!" I gritted my teeth as I felt the anger begin to boil within me.

"Everything Chae! This is all a misunderstanding! Everything Hara said! I never said any of it! Never! It was all lies! You have to believe me!" he said, grabbing both of my hands in his own

"Believe you? Why would I do that? Look, I don't care okay? It's all in the past, I don't care!"

"You don't care? Really Chae? If you didn't care why did you run off huh?! If you didn't care why are you crying?!" Seungri exclaimed as he pointed at my face.

"I-I.. I don't have to explain myself to you! Let me go!" I stuttered not being able to refute him.

"Well at least let me explain myself to you Chaerin! Just give me a chance! That's all I'm asking for!" He grabbed onto my shoulders shaking me.

"Give you a chance? Give you a ing chance? To do what? Hurt me again? How thick do you think I am?!" I finally exploded, letting him know for the first time how much he had hurt me.

"No! I don't want to hurt you! I never wanted to hurt you! It's all a misunderstanding! Everything Hara said was a lie! She made it all up, she was just jealous of you! Jealous of our relationship!"

"Our relationship?" I scoffed, "What relationship? What was there to be jealous about huh? Was she jealous of how I used to follow you around like a puppy? How I used to monopolise your time?!"

"Our friendship Chaerin. She was jealous of our friendship. How close we were. I loved spending time with you. Playing with you. Talking to you," he said tenderly, no longer shaking me, his thumbs gently carressing my bare shoulders, "I cherished our friendship. We were so close back then, you used to depend on me, and she... She ruined it!"

"You did, did you? Don't give me that bull," I scoffed shoving him away, "She ruined it huh? Don't give her all the credit now Seungri. She did nothing. She only damaged what you had already broken."

I my heel ready to leave when I felt him grab the hook of my arm again.

"Look Seungri, I've had enough. Let me g--"

"I love you. I love you Chaerin. Please.. Please give me a chance."

My eyes widened, my heart skipping a beat as I heard those three words escape his mouth. How long have I waited to hear those simple words from him?

"Please don't say things that you don't mean Seungri," I murmured.

"I mean it. I love you. I really love y--"

"SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP! Stop lying! Stop saying it! You don't mean it! You didn't want me then but you want me now huh? What changed?! I'm still the same damn girl in the past!" I exploded turning around to face him as I glared at him with tears in my eyes, "What changed? Am I suddenly prettier now that I'm wearing a dress? Now that I'm more of a girl? Is that what it is? Tell me Seungri because I fail to ing see how I've changed for you to suddenly love me!"

"No! I won't stop saying it because its the damn truth! I love you Chaerin! I don't understand what you're talking about! When have I ever said that I didn't want you?!" He shouted back as he tried to reach for me.

"The fact that you're denying it hurts even more! Stop lying!" I smacked his arm away, "I'm not stupid Seungri! I heard you say it with your own mouth! That day you invited me over to play, all those years ago! I heard you! I heard what you said, how you really felt about me!!"

 

Seungri's POV

I stared at her in confusion, seeing the hurt and anger in her eyes. What exactly did I say? Why can't I remember?

"I don't understand! When did I--" my eyes widened as a memory of the day CL stood me up came flooding into my mind

~ Flashback to 10 years ago ~

I slowly crept downstairs and peeked into the living room, sighing in relief when I didn't see my parents. 'They must have gone out somewhere' I thought to myself. I shrugged as I made my way to the kitchen.

"Ahjumma! Chaerin should be coming over to play soon, please let her in," I said to the maid as she nodded in understanding. It saddened me that I had to hide Chaerin and be all secretive whenever I wanted to invite her over, but if I didn't then I wouldn't be allowed to play with her.

"Oh! My phone is ringing!" I exclaimed, hearing it ring from my room as I stood up from my position on the stool where I was watching Ahjumma cook us some lunch.

I quickly ran upstairs taking two steps at a time hoping to make it before it stopped ringing. After all, it was probably Chaerin.

"Yah! Seungri!"

"Ah! Hyung!" I greeted Jiyong in surprise as I plopped myself down on my bed.

"Is Chaerin going over to your house to play today?" he asked.

"Chaerin? Yes she is why?" I asked in confusion. This was so random.

"Just wondering... I knew that little rabbit was lying to me!" Jiyong grumbled under his breathe, "Oh! Hey, just letting you know, I heard Goo Hara was going to confess to you today!!"

"Confess to me? What?!" I exclaimed as I blinked multiple times in shock.

"Waeee? What do you think? Do you like her? It looks like she likes you a lot!" Jiyong teased down the phone.

"Like her? Ewwww! Please! Have you seen her? Seen the way she looks? No way! I don't think so!" I shuddered as an image of Hara popped into my head. Sure, she was a nice enough girl but have you seen her? I mean, she's only 8 and there she is wearing all these short skirts and dresses and wearing all this make up. I'm sure only people of my Omma's age should be wearing stuff like that! It practically looks like she has cake on her face most of the time!

I rolled my eyes as I heard Jiyong laugh down the phone, "I didn't think you would, you like some else eh?"

"Like someone else? Pfft! I don't know what you're talking about!" I denied, glad that Jiyong couldn't see the slight blush that was colouring my cheeks as a certain girl popped in my mind.

"Yeah yeah, sure you don't!" Jiyong replied disbelieving.

"Just go away! Chaerin is coming in a bit!" I complained before hanging up on him, having had enough of his teasing.

"Speaking of Chae.. why isn't she here yet?" I furrowed my eyebrows and checked my phone for the time, "Huh.. she should be here by now.. she's never late.."

"AHJUMMA HAS CHAE-- huh??" I glanced down to see a box of cookies outside my door. I bent down and picked them up, turning them in my hands to see if there was a name on it.

"SEUNGRI! Come down here!"

I almost dropped the box as I heard my mothers voice, nervousness creeping in my system. 'Oh no! Did she see Chaerin and kick her out?!'

"N-neh Omma?" I stuttered as I made my way to the living room. I sighed in relief when I didn't see Chaerin there.

"Ah, good you're here. Hara has come over to play with you, take her upstairs neh?" Omma said sweetly as she shoved the girl in my direction.

"B-but Omma--" I began to protest.

"No buts Seungri, now go!" she demanded giving me a stern look.

I nodded, bowing my head down before leading Hara upstairs to my room, my shoulders deflated. I was supposed to spend the day with Chaerin not Hara.

"Oppa! I missed you so much over the weekend!" Hara said as she clung onto my arm.

"O-oh really?" I stuttered as I tried to remove my arm away from her, the conversation with Jiyong flashing in my mind.

"Neh! Oppa! I have something important to say!" she batted her eyelashes at me and gave me a sweet smile.

"Err... do you really have to..?" I mumbled.

"Huh? What did you say Oppa?" she furrowed her brows as she leaned in closer to me.

"N-nothing! Nothing!" I denied as I backed away from her. Girl needs to learn about personal space!

"O-oppa.. I don't know if you've realised this... but I.. I really like you Oppa! Please be my boyfriend!" She clung onto me tighter as she looked into my eyes, a pout on her lips.

"Erm.. erm.. I'm sorry but--"

"It's her isn't it!" she cut me off as she shoved me away and glared up at me.

"Huh?"

"It's that girl isn't it? The one whose always hanging around you!" she exclaimed as tears start to fall from her eyes.

"What?" I stared at her in confusion, not understanding her.

"I hate you!" she screamed before shoving me once more and storming out the room.

~ End of Flashback ~

"No.. NO! No way could she have.. Those cookies.." I looked up and my eyes widened when I noticed she was no longer there.

"Chae? CHAERIN?!" I screamed as I looked around the room.

"." I cursed. This was all just a stupid, stupid misunderstanding!

I glared down at the clutches in annoyance, these damn things are going to slow me down. I need to find her.

========

I gritted my teeth and ignored the pain in my leg as I made my way out of the function hall as fast as I could. She must have left already.

I squinted when I made out a silhouette of a figure in the near distance. My eyes widened as I realised who it was.

"Chaerin! CHAERIN! Wait!" I screamed as I got closer to her. I tried to speed up, but the crutches were not making it easy for me.

"!" I cursed as I watched her freeze before she broke out into a run.

"AHHH!" I screamed in pain and frustration as I placed too much pressure on my foot, I clenched my jaw and shook my head, no, I had to make her see it was all a misunderstanding!

I glared at the crutches before taking them off and throwing them to the ground, they were only slowing me down. I took in a deep breath and stared at CL's back, before breaking out into a run, ignoring the piercing pain that was pulsating throughout my legs.

"AHHHH!" A excruciating scream left my mouth as I pushed myself further, reaching out to grab her arm, her arm slipping through my grip as I felt myself fall to the ground.

I looked up at her frozen form from my position as I grabbed onto my leg in pain.

"Don't you dare move Chaerin! You stay right where you are! I'm coming, do you hear me? I'm going to make you understand!" I screamed as I watched her take a step away from me.

I felt tears begin to form from the pain, both physically and in my heart. I could feel it. I could feel that I was losing her. If I lost her.. I would have nothing. I needed her.

"Please Chaerin.. you have to listen to me.. you have to hear me out.. everything is a misunderstanding. What you heard that day.. I wasn't talking about you! I was talking about Hara! You misinterpreted!" I explained as I stared at her form through my blurry eyes, "Jiyong.. he had called to tell me that Hara was going to confess to me, but I didn't like her because.. because I had just started to like someone else. A friend I deeply cherished."

"Please believe me Chaerin.. I never meant to hurt you. Please don't leave me... you're the only one who understands me.. please.." I begged, dipping my head down. I couldn't bear to see her walk away from me.

"You... You're so stupid."

I glanced up to see her crouching in front of me.

"You're so stupid! How could you let yourself run like that huh? When you're still hurt! Are you trying to piss me off?" she scolded as she gingerly placed her hand on my leg.

"I love you Chaerin, please don't push me away," I replied, ignoring her words as I reached for her face cupping it gently as I stared into her eyes with as much sincerity as I could.

"Let's get you home," she simply said as she tried to help me up.

"No! I'm not going anywhere until you tell me you believe me!" I protested as I pushed her hands away.

"Stop being stubborn!" she reprimanded as she tried once again to help me.

This time I grabbed her hand, pulling her down as I wrapped her in a tight hug, burying my face into her neck, "Please give me a chance to make you love me the way I love you. Please."

"I.. I don't think I can do that Seungri. I did it before and look where it got me," she whispered but didn't pull away from me.

"Yes you can! Please, I swear on my life, I won't ever hurt you again. Just give me a chance," I tried to convince her as I tightened my hold on her even further.

"I gave you a chance Seungri. I gave you a chance.." she muttered, "That night.. you asked me to meet you at the Park. I had been ignoring you for a couple of weeks at that point. I just couldn't bear to see you. But I thought... maybe... just maybe what I heard was wrong, and you wanted to apologise. I went and you.. you stood me up. I waited for you Seungri. I waited for hours, in the dark, I was almost..."

I pulled away from her as I stared into her teary eyes, full of hurt.

"I waited, and you never came," she whispered as she lowered her head, tears falling from her eyes for a second time that night.

"I.. I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry," I apologised as I pulled her closer to me, placing her head against my chest as I rocked her side to side. All I could do was apologise because she was right. I had stood her up, but it wasn't my intention.

~ Flashback to 10 years ago ~

I threw my phone against the wall in frustration, hearing the familiar voice mail that had greeted me for the past couple of weeks.

I sighed heavily as I gripped my hair at it's roots. Chaerin had been ignoring me ever since that day she stood me up, and I didn't know why. Shouldn't I be angry at her for not coming over and not giving me a reason? Oh well, I guess it was best that she didn't come anyway, seeing as Omma and Appa had come home. I would've hated to see what would've happened if they saw her.

I missed her. I really missed my friend, why was she ignoring me? What had I done wrong? I sighed, my shoulders slumped as I grabbed my phone from the floor and opened up a text.

From: Seungri

Sent at: 16:12 (4:12 PM)

Chaerin, I don't know why you're ignoring me.. but please meet me at the park at 7PM tonight.

~ Seungri Oppa

I pressed send, hoping she would read this text and agree to meet me. Even if she didn't reply, I would go and wait for her. I just wanted to apologise for what I had done so we could go back to being friends.

========

"Seungri-ah! Get dressed!" Omma shouted up the stairs.

"Huh? Waee?" I shouted back down the stairs. As far as I was aware I didn't have anywhere to go today.

"You're Appa has an important business party to go to today, and we are going to accompany him," she replied as she walked up the stairs.

"Come on, get changed into your tux. The party starts at 7PM," she said as she reached the top of the stairs then pushed me towards my room.

"7PM?" I repeated, my eyes widening, "Omma! I can't go! I.. I erm.. I don't feel well! Please let me stay at home!"

"What are you talking about Seungri? You're perfectly fine!" Omma scolded as she felt my forehead, "Stop playing around and get changed!"

"Ommaaaa, I really don't feel well," I went downstairs in my pyjamas, my face flushed from blow drying my face, in an attempt to warm it up a bit.

"LEE SEUNGRI!"

I froze,my eyes widening as I heard Appas booming voice.

"Stop playing around, listen to your mother and go upstairs and change! Do you hear me?" he shouted as he towered over me. I gulped and nodded before running upstairs and changing.

"Seungri! We have to leave now! Hurry!" Omma entered my room and grabbed my arm.

"W-wait!" I said as I pulled away, wanting to grab my phone to send Chaerin a message.

"No Seungri! No phones!" Omma reprimanded as she pulled away before I could reach it, ushering me out of the room.

========

"YAH! Lee Seungri! Where on earth of you think you're going?"

I ignored Appa's voice as I ran towards the park. We had just gotten back from the function, and it was way past midnight now, but I had to go check. I had to see if Chaerin was still there, had she waited for me?

'Please be there. Please be there.' I chanted in my mind as I ran to the park we regularly played in.

My heart dropped when all I saw was empty darkness. She wasn't there. She never came.

~ End of Flashback ~

"I'm sorry Chaerin. I'm so sorry. I wanted to come, I really did.. but Appa... he forced me to go to a stupid party. I tried, I really tried! I went back, but you weren't there.. I thought you never came," I explained hoping she would believe me. I had messed up, time and time again. Hurt her, over and over again. What was wrong with me?

"I know this is too much to ask, but please forgive me. I'll never hurt you again. I'll never make you wait ever again. I'll be here for you Chaerin. Let me love you, please," I begged as I placed a soft kiss on her forehead, hoping that she would find it in her heart to forgive me.

"Don't break your promise again," she whispered quietly as she tightened her grip around my neck.

I closed my eyes as I let a contented smile grace my face. She was giving me a chance. She had forgiven me.

"You won't regret it Chaerin," I reassured her as I hugged her, "I'll make it up to you."

---

Author's Note:

Annyeong my awesome readers and new Subscribers!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

I HOPE 2014 TREATS YOU WELL!!

I would like to dedicate this chapter to Ryoaboo, thank you for your support and kind words, it means alot! ^^

Okay, so I got totally sidetracked and into Ririn's story. Probably trying to make myself feel better after seeing the SunSky photo T___T I hope I haven't confused you guys too much with their story, as there is alot of flickering back and forth. I'm sorry there isn't much Daragon, but now that Ririn's story is somewhat out now, I should be able to concentrate more on Dara and Jiyong.

So, looks like there is going to be some Drama, what with Ji's Appa here. What do you guys think is going to happen? I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Thank you for your comments and upvotes! ^^

Gahh... I feel this fic is going more angsty than fluffy >___< 
~Water Phoenix