Tapping his fingers on the steering wheel to the music in his car, Jiyong was eyeing Onstyle building's main entrance intently as he waited for Dara to come out. He got Dara's message this afternoon after his visit to Jaejoong and immediately went back to their headquarters to finish the reports needed for the case they're currently investigating.

 

 

 

''Aisht, what's taking them so long?'' Jiyong said but his eyes immediately turned into tiny slits as soon as he saw Dara laughing along with CL and...

 

 

And...

 

 

''What the--- Is that... Damn!'' Jiyong immediately opened the door and stepped out of his car. He was halfway nearing them when he recalled his conversation with Jaejoong this afternoon.

 

 

''What made you give up on her?''

 

 

''It's her.''

 

 

 

''Okay... Must calm down... Inhale... Exhale...'' but just like the jealous dragon that he is, his nose was spurting smoke rather air as he mentally plan of inhumane ways to murder the man whose one arm was draped on Dara's shoulders.

 

 

 

''Ji-ji-jiyong...'' Dara must have sensed his presence.

 

 

Jiyong immediately tried to bring his confidence back. He just stood there to his spot. No... He's not going to pull Dara away from the man.

 

 

 

''What do you mean it's her?''

 

 

''Let her show him he's got no chance against you... That's what she made me feel back then...'' Jaejoong's voice came echoing in his head.

 

 

 

''Oppa! Hello!'' CL waved a hand and Dara immediately run to his side not minding Joongki. He glared at the man with that smug look on his face when Dara reached his side but the latter's face was devoid of any emotion.

 

 

''Hey CL! What's up?'' He greeted the blonde girl but CL just looked at him with a grin before switching her gaze to Dara who's by now blushing profusely.

 

 

''You're so mean oppa! Why did you do that to unnie? Don't you know I had to rummage through the whole stockroom just to find a scarf that would fit her clothes? Aisht! Next time, be discreet and skip leaving hick--- UMPPPHHH!!!''

 

 

Dara was quick to clamp CL's mouth knowing how outspoken and tactless the girl is. Her face was now as red as tomato knowing another person is not too far from them, he probably heard what CL said.

 

 

''I'm sorry... I just couldn't help it... She's that irresistible.'' Jiyong answered with a lopsided grin and Dara could just feel her soul leaving her.

 

 

''Y-y-ah!'' she threw him a warning look and CL used that chance to runaway from Dara.

 

 

''What?'' Jiyong smirked at her.

 

 

''You didn't just say that in front of her!''

 

 

''I think I just did, jagiya.''

 

 

''You---''

 

 

 

''Excuse me, but we have to go.'' Joongki interfered.

 

 

''Oppa...'' Dara was about to bid goodbye to them but Jiyong beat her to it.

 

 

''Hey hyung!'' Jiyong called the man. ''I just want to apologize for my behavior last night. I know it was unnecessary and uncalled for... I'm really sorry hyung.''

 

 

 

Dara could just leave agape. Is this really Jiyong? Is he really saying his apologies to Joongki?

 

 

''Oh... That's... Nah... That's nothing. It's fine... No harm done, man.'' Joongki coolly retorted, but obviously, he's taken aback by Jiyong's sudden move.

 

 

''If that's the case then we'll go ahead hyung.'' Jiyong said as he tapped Joongki's arm.

 

 

''Bye unnie! Oppa! See you tomorrow!'' CL said and Dara just waved her hand goodbye as the walked towards their car.

 

 

 

 

 

''Aigoo... We might get a scolding...'' Jiyong said as he rubbed his nape when they already got inside the car.

 

 

''Ani... They know we'll be late. Besides...  I have a surprise for all of you.''

 

 

''Yeah... I was already surprised seeing him with you again.'' Jiyong murmured as he started the car's engine.

 

 

 

''Sorry?''

 

 

 

''Nothing jagiya! I said I was surprised CL noticed those lovely marks on your neck.'' He said as he wiggled his eyebrows.

 

 

''Aisht! You're going to pay for this Jiyong. No more experiments until these disappears!''

 

 

''Yah! Baby???''

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

''Seunghyun...''

 

 

''Hmm?'' TOP aswered while gently Bom's long locks.

 

 

''Can I ask you something... I mean... I just got curious about it...''

 

 

''Sure, hon... Fire away...''

 

 

Bom propped herself up on an elbow and stared at TOP.

 

 

 

''Has Jiyong ever told you anything about proposing to Dara? I mean, you're close. You're like brothers...''

 

 

TOP was surprised about his wife's question. He didn't expect she'll ask him about other people's lives now that they're in Paris for their honeymoon.

 

 

''Hmm... Actually, he hasn't told me anything about that… Not that he doesn't have plans though. I know he's saving up but that's the only thing he's told me. You know his situation hon... He's carrying a huge burden.'' TOP answered to the best of his knowledge. ''Why?''

 

 

''Nothing...'' Bom said before resting her head on his chest and TOP was quick to wrap an arm around her. ''It's just that I heard from CL that Dara spoke about something about marriage and babies.''

 

 

''Huh? Dara?''

 

 

''Neh... Remember the stag party we ruined?'' Bom asked TOP.

 

 

''Neh, who would forget that?'' TOP said with a chuckle.

 

 

''CL, Dara, Seungri and Jiyong continued drinking after we went home. Dara doesn't drink. I know her too well. But CL allowed her to, just for fun. And suddenly, Dara blurted out she's ready for marriage and she's wondering why Jiyong isn't proposing yet. She also said she envies me... She said she wants to have a baby too...'' BOM said worriedly.

 

 

 

''! She said that? Aigoo... Maybe that's explains why they walked out of our after

party.'' TOP said remembering Seungri's story.

 

 

''I know. That's why it's worrying me. They're starting to have issues. I mean, that's normal in any relationship but... For Dara to speak about that, she must have been so frustrated.''

 

 

 

''Hey... Jiyong might be having a hard time too. You know he has mouths to feed. It won't be that easy to propose if you're not yet ready. Not to mention Dara is really getting a lot of attention these days. It's not that easy marrying a Park.''

 

 

 

''YAH!'' Bom sat up and hit him on his chest.

 

 

 

''OUCH! OUCH! YAH STOP IT!'' TOP gripped her wrists to stop her from hitting him. ''WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?''

 

 

 

 

''You... You... Waaaaaaaaaaah!'' Bom bawled like a banshee wailing in the night.

 

 

''Bommie stop it! What did I do this time?''

 

 

''You yelled at me!''

 

 

''Only because you suddenly hit me!''

 

 

Bom continued to sob and TOP could just rub her back and comfort her.

 

''Hey, hon... I’m sorry… Aisht! Calm down... Think about the baby... Why did you hit me in the first place?''

 

 

''Why do you have something against the Parks? I'm a ing Park too mind you, you bastard!''

 

 

TOP could just hang his mouth wide open? Did he say anything wrong?

 

 

''Hon, listen. I didn't mean it that way. I mean, you Parks belong to a higher society. You're quite hard to reach... I know what Jiyong's feeling because I felt that way before too. I'm just an ordinary cop. Even if my mom owns a small business, that's nothing compared to yours.''

 

 

Bom wiped her tears and fiddled with the hem of their blanket while pouting her lips. ''You mean it that way?''

 

 

''Of course, would I want to die in your hands or Teddy hyung's or harabeoji's? I still want to see my child you know! Besides you're no longer a Park. You're now a Choi, arasso?''

 

 

 

Bom batted her eyes before turning to TOP. ''I'm sorry... I'm sorry hon...''

 

 

''Aigoo... Blame it to your hormones?'' TOP chuckled as he pulled her for a hug. ''How about I calm those hormones?''

 

 

 

''Yah. Stop it... Haven't you had enough yet?''

 

 

''Ah-uhh...''TOP said as he pushed Bom down the bed.

 

 

''Yah! The baby might grow up a ert you idiot!'' Bom slapped his arm.

 

 

TOP winked at her before going down to kiss her still flat but firm tummy.

 

 

''Hey baby... Mom and Dad's gonna do it again arasso? Better be good and close your eyes and cover your ears. Bear with us please?''

 

 

''You're crazy Seunghyun!'' Bom laughed at her husband's antics until she felt his hands wandering once again caressing her body.

 

 

''Only for you, yeobo...''

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

''Okay good job everyone! Let's take a break for a while.'' the director said.

 

 

The whole KNTM crew is filming for their first episode for the upcoming season. It includes the teasers and the first day of the audition process. Dara is having a lot of hard time posing for the cameras and she's just as awkward as ever when she's being asked for interviews and opinions about the show knowing that the camera is rolling and her every action is being filmed. But the worst part is that she couldn't express what she wants to say because she feels bad for the applicants. Good thing, CL and Joongki are always there to back her up.

 

 

 

The panel of judges consists of them four- CL being a well-known model, Dara currently one of the most in demand fashion designers, Joongki being one of the best Korean photographers based in U.S., and Jang Yoong-ju as the resident host and judge as well.

 

 

''Unnie, let's go. We have to come back for the auditions.'' CL said as she held Dara's wrist.

 

 

''CL... I think I can't make it. It's hard to speak in front of those applicants. It will break my heart to see them leave. I don't think I can do this.'' Dara said with a worried face.

 

 

 

''But unnie, it's part of the show. We need to pick 24 candidates out of those 50. I'm pretty sure you can do it.'' CL tried to comfort her.

 

 

''But everybody deserves to win...'' Dara said despondently.

 

 

 

''Hey hoodie!'' Joongki came from behind and draped an arm over her shoulders as he shuffled her hair.  ''Yah, come on, let's go have lunch together. Ppalli!''

 

 

 

''Aisht oppa!'' she frowned and  fixed her hair back. ''How can you be that excited when you know we need to eliminate some of the contestants? I can't even choose from them.''

 

 

 

''Hey, when you signed that contract, it means you already know what you're putting yourself into. You can't just back out now.'' Joongki told her.

 

 

''Oppa's right.'' CL said as she crossed her arms over her chest. ''Now let's go because I'm really starving!''

 

 

''Arasso, arasso... You go ahead... I just need to make a quick call.'' Dara said with a shy smile.

 

 

''Aigoo. I know who that must be! Mr. Hickeys! Hahaha!'' CL teased before grabbing Joongki's hand and running away.

 

 

''Y-y-ah! Aisht!'' Dara frowned helplessly unaware to the despondent look in Joongki's eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

''Neh, jagiya.'' Jiyong crouched down and stepped out of the crime scene barrier ribbon as soon as he got a call from Dara.

 

 

''I'm sorry babe, I can't... I'm still stuck up here... Neh... with the boys... We're, yeah... A bit busy...'' his face scrunched up as he took a glance on his watch.

 

 

 

''Tonight? Uhm... The truth is I'm working on a new assignment... Guess I won't make it for dinner. How's your first day filming with the crew?'' he changed the direction of their conversation when he heard her disappointed tone.

 

 

''Good good... I can't wait to see you on TV jagiya. I'm so proud of you... I love you babe... Always keep safe... Neh...''

 

 

 

 

He ended the call and looked back at  Youngbae and Daesung who are currently talking to the witnesses of another bank robbery case. Looking at it, it seems like only one gang is behind all the series of the crime. He shook his head and approached his men and went back to where he left. He needs to get this done so he can clear his mind and focus on a more serious matter.

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

JOONGKI'S POV

 

 

 

 

 

I watched her while as she constantly fiddle with her phone upon stepping out of Onstyle building. She's probably waiting for a call or a message. And it doesn't take a genius to know whose call or text it is that she's been waiting for. I couldn't help but sigh.

 

 

She's been acting so anxious the whole day, I could just wonder if those two fought again.

 

 

Honestly, I felt guilty over what happened during Bom's wedding party the other night. I tried to regain possession over something... rather someone, who wasn't mine in the first place. But I loved her first. I found her first. I've known her first. I tried forgetting her though. But I've been halfway around the world and I couldn't forget the girl.

 

It sounds impossible though feeling this way for years and keeping it inside. I came here to prove myself I don’t like her more than a brother likes his sister.

 

But why do I feel so wrong?

 

 

She's a mystery. There's something about her that I couldn't find in just any other girl.

 

 

But she made me realize I'm way too late. Jiyong has her now. He holds her heart. And Dara showed that to me. She shoved that to my face that night she left me at the balcony and followed the man... What a lucky bastard.

 

And I am such a pathetic loser.

 

 

 

''Hey, Dee... You alright?'' I asked her as I rubbed her back. She's probably tired from all the day's activities.

 

 

''N-n-eh... I'm okay...'' she briefly answered.

 

 

''Aren't you guys going home yet?'' Yoon-Ju noona asked when she passed by us along with her assistant.

 

 

''We'll be going home too in a while.''  CL answered.

 

 

''I'll go ahead then. See you tomorrow.'' she said before walking to her car.

 

 

 

 

''Unnie, is Jiyong oppa picking you up?'' I heard CL asked and I just found myself listening intently, waiting for her answer.

 

 

''Ani... I'll just take a cab.'' Dee answered with a faint smile, I couldn't help but wonder what's wrong. ''Jiyong is busy right now. He's going home late.''

 

 

 

''Omo... I wish I can drive you home unnie. But Seungri's waiting for me. His mom invited us for dinner.'' CL said apologetically.

 

 

''Nah, that's fine CL-roo. You go ahead. I'll be okay.'' I heard her answer but I just can't allow her to go home in a cab.

 

 

 

''I'll take her home, Chaerin... Don't worry.'' I found myself eagerly volunteer.

 

 

''Good then!'' my energetic cousin clasped her hands upon hearing my words.

 

 

''O-o-ppa, no need for that... I'll be fine. Chincha...'' She tried to refuse but I can't take no for an answer.

 

 

''No unnie. Jiyong oppa might kill us if we allow you to go home all alone.'' CL said and I just snorted at that.

 

Seriously? He didn't even care if she's going home alone tonight. He could've asked someone to fetch her if he really cares. But he didn't.

 

 

 

''I insist, Dee. Let's go.'' I said and held her wrist gently tugging her with me towards my car.

 

 

''Y-y-ah oppa... I said it's okay... I'll just take a cab... Yah...'' she kept on whining and I had to stop for a while but I didn't look at her. Instead I turned to CL.

 

 

''Hey, you keep safe arasso? Say hi to Seungri for me!'' I said with a huge grin plastered on my face. I couldn't help but get excited to spend a little time alone with her.

 

 

''Neh! Bye Oppa, Unnie!'' CL said as she waved her hand before going inside her car. I turned to Dara and saw her pouting. I quickly opened the opened the door for her and guided her in.

 

 

''Hey... Are you alright?'' I asked her as soon as we got inside my car. She seems to be in a foul mood and I'm wondering why.

 

 

''N-eh... Don't worry about me oppa. I'm all good.'' she said with an assuring smile but her eyes are telling me otherwise.

 

 

 

''You can lie all you want but I'm not blind, Dee.'' I told her with a serious tone as I started the car's engine. ''How about we have dinner first before I drive you home?''

 

 

''I'm sorry... But I just want to go home oppa. I'm tired.'' she said without even looking at me.

 

 

I sighed dejectedly as I stepped on the gas and drove away. I wanted to insist on it but I know she's really tired. Maybe some other time we can catch up more with each other over a coffee or dinner.

 

 

Maybe next time we can.

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jiyong rubbed his nape and tilted his neck from side to side as he walked through the hallway to their apartment. It's already 2am and he's definitely sure Dara's already sleeping by now. He knows she's probably tired from all the filming she underwent and not to mention she's not used to being surrounded by people. He couldn't help but get worried.

 

 

 

He inserted his keys and pushed the door open and turned the lights on before removing his shoes and stepping on his comfy slippers. He removed his jacket and dropped his car keys on the coffee table and proceeded to take a peep through the door to their bedroom. He sighed in content upon seeing her girlfriend sleeping soundly, all curled up like a baby.

 

He shook his head and slowly went out and headed to the bathroom for a warm bath.

 

 

 

 

He let out a smile as soon as the water trickled down to his body. It's been a long day and it was a tiring one for him not to mention he's on another assignment. But he's satisfied with all that he's done for the day. Somehow, he's glad he was able to start on something.

 

Planning for their marriage is easy. But giving her the kind of life she deserves is hard. It's not just about pride. It's all about how he values her as his woman, as his future wife, as the future mother of his children. In half of his 26 years of existence, he already learned everything about responsibility. He grew up practically without his mom telling him how he should treat a woman. He graduated from the academy without his dad tapping his shoulders proudly.

 

 

And he knows Dara lived alone almost all her life. Amidst these things, she learned to survive it all. She's been through a lot. He just wants everything to be perfect for them now that they've finally found each other.

 

 

 

''Be patient baby... Just a little bit... We're getting there...'' he said as he allowed the water to wash away the stress and pressure from his clouded mind, leaving him with only thoughts about Dara and their future.

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

Note:

 

Hi dear readers... I'm really sorry for taking so long to post updates but I am trying my best and I hope I can post two more until tomorrow. Sched's just a bit busy these days and I am currently trying to work on another fanfic. I sometimes get too excited for it but I just can't leave this story hanging so I promise I'll complete this first before jumping on another one. Besides I still ned to build my confidence in writing because seriously, I would always find myself shrinking back  in embarrassment everytime I post an update.

 

Well, everything is just a product of my imagination and often times it's hard to put it into good writing but i do appreciate your interest in this story. Thank you so much...

 

This might take just up to 20 chappies or so but won't exceed 30 since this is just a sequel. Hope you can bear with me until the end. Thank you. ^^

 

 

lovelots,

silentapathy