When Jae was about to serve the snacks

 

“Jae, is that you?” a very familiar voice greeted him

 

 

“Yah! Yoja-looking namja! Move will you? This tray is a bit heavy!” Dara complained behind him while carrying the tray with 10 plates

 

“Ah... n-neh... mian” Jae uttered as he side stepped to allow Dara to pass through

 

Dara didn’t notice that Jae was still standing where she left him, when she turned her head to look, she saw Jae looking at a woman standing in front of him.... and heard him say...

 

“Annyeong... Tiffany...”

 

“Who is she? Aish! So early in the morning... this namja is already flirting!” Dara thought to herself while shaking her head.

 

“It’s been a while... Jae” Tiffany smiled, Jae smiled back and continued walking away from her, leaving Tiffany surprised  by his reaction.

 

Junsu then followed, while carrying the other tray, Dara went closer to him.

 

“Su-ah... do you know her?” Dara asked pointing towards Tiffany’s direction

 

“OMO! Yes...noona!” Junsu replied with wide eyes out of shock

 

“Who is she?”

 

“That’s Tiffany... she’s hyung’s ex-girlfriend!” Junsu replied looking at Tiffany who was looking for her seat

 

Yoochun then appeared beside them and joined their hushed conversation

 

“I heard that, they almost planned to get married!”

 

“Omo! Chunnie-ah, where did you come from?” Dara was caught off guard

 

“The question is... has he forgiven her?” Yunho blurted out of nowhere

 

“After all those years... carrying a grudge... did she get married to the other guy?” Changmin added also appearing out of nowhere

 

“I don’t see any ring on her finger though!” Junsu stretched his neck to take a better look at her ring finger.

 

Dara didn’t know why she felt bothered by the revelation about Jae’s past... why does it suddenly feel like it was so hard to breathe

 

“Noona... give me the tray... I’ll do that for you...” Yoochun offered to help as he saw how troubled Dara was

 

“Huh? Okay... here you go” Dara uttered as she was woken up from her trance.

 

Dara didn’t know what to do or think or how to act in front of Jae... sure there were no feelings involved between the two... but they shared a kiss... and it meant something to her... but she thought to herself if Jae thought about it too... if he did... what does he think of her? She mindlessly walked inside the pantry and tried to take a deep breath while clutching her chest.

 

“They were about to get married? Dara, why are you being like this?! Get a hold of yourself! It’s not like Jae is your boyfriend or something? Right? He is a friend... a friend... I care about... deeply... is this normal? To feel hurt like this? Oh heart of mine... stop acting like you’re going to break!” Dara thought to herself as she stared up at the light trying to fight off the tears that were slowly escaping her eyes.

 

“Dara... are you okay?” a voice behind her startled her as she turned around abruptly while wiping her tears away from her face

 

“Huh? Oh Jae! Um, yeah... I’m fine!”

 

“Does it hurt?” Jae asked worriedly

 

“My heart hurts...” Dara thought to herself, “Huh? What hurts?” Dara asked curiously

 

“Your finger... does it hurt still? Your eyes are red... were you crying? Does it really hurt that bad?” Jae stated pointing to her injured finger holding onto Dara’s hand

 

“Ani... I wasn’t crying... a dirt... just caught my eyes... it’s nothing” Dara immediately pulled her hand away from him

 

“You sure? Do you need to go to the hospital? The bleeding isn’t stopping!” Jae stated pointing out that the bandage was soaked with blood

 

“It’s fine... probably put too much pressure while carrying the tray awhile ago” Dara replied in a small voice afraid that her voice would crack

 

Dara shook her head vigorously as she wiped her tears from her eyes. She so badly wanted to ask about Tiffany... but she thought otherwise... who was she to ask if he didn’t want to talk about it... just then...

 

“Ahhhh... I saw her again... after all those years...” Jae then sighed and slid down the floor, placing his arm over his head.

 

Dara was shocked as to what was happening... she didn’t expect for him to open up to her all of a sudden.

 

“I saw her again... Tiffany... she used to be my girlfriend...we’ve been together for so long... I don’t know how many years we’ve been together... I forgot” Jae trailed on, pausing then looked at Dara

 

“Can I just stay like this with you for a while... I thought it wouldn’t hurt anymore... but it’s a bit unfair... it still hurts a bit” Jae laid his head on Dara’s shoulder and closed his eyes.

 

“My heart is beating so fast... please don’t let Jae notice this... oh... heart of mine... relax... be calm...” Dara thought to herself as she tried to fidget and change her position, because her legs were starting to feel numb

 

“Joongie-ah... Kenchana? I need to change positions... my legs, I can’t feel them anymore” Dara uttered trying to move lightly, while massaging her legs.

 

“Just move... I don’t mind... just a little bit more...” Jae stated still his eyes were closed.

 

“Ahem... ahem... just listen okay... maybe it will ease the pain away... no laughing okay?” Dara stated as she took a deep breath and sang...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xPJxETMDnE  smile in your heart cover by Sandara Park

 

“I know now who you are to me... Dara” Jae thought to himself as he smiled and thanked her for comforting him through her song and gave her a hug.

 

“Hyung! Don’t do that here!” Junsu teased as he saw the two in a tight embrace.

 

“Waaaaahhhh, we leave you alone for just a minute and this is what you do?” Yunho added as he smiled slyly to Jae

 

“Yah! Stop it will you! Again with the teasing!” Jae stated starting to blush

 

“We’re not doing anything wrong?!” Dara stated,  red as a tomato.

 

“Bwahahahahaha, hyung... noona... you two are busted!” Changmin laughed out loud catching Tiffany’s attention as she turned and looked at the pantry she saw Jae and Dara still standing close to each other, which shocked her.

 

“Hahahahaha, Bom was about to ask me how you two are... I guess... there is progress now” Yoochun smiled cheekily looking at the two who were standing up, with Jae helping Dara stand up.

 

The day went by so fast, Tiffany found her chance to talk to Jae and asked him if they could talk.

 

Jae directed her outside as they sat down and talked.

 

“How have you been?” Tiffany asked nervously avoiding eye contact

 

“I’ve been better” Jae stated in a plain voice while staring at how nervous Tiffany looked

 

“Look... Tiffany... don’t be nervous... it’s just me, don’t worry.” He reassured her

 

“Neh... I know...um, I am still married, if you are wondering” Tiffany smiled showing him her ring she wore on her necklace.

 

“Ah... why wear it there?” Jae wondered

 

“Kael... he... passed away, last year... it seems as though everyone I loved is dying on me...” Tiffany sighed as he avoided Jae’s eyes

 

“What? Tiffany... are you okay? How are you holding up?” Jae asked out of concern

 

“The company is doing fine, of course we had to close some of our branches, but a small hotel chain is much easier to manage... see, I even have time to give my sales department this seminar” Tiffany answered with a smile

 

“Well... I’m glad to hear that... this was a nice talk, I have to go back there and help them clean up” Jae was about to stand

 

“Jae... mianhaeyo...truly sorry... I know I was wrong... I am sorry” Tiffany stated holding onto Jae’s right arm

 

“It’s okay Tiffany... I’ve forgiven you a long time ago, I understand. I really have to go” Jae insisted as he lightly brushed Tiffany’s hold on him.

 

“Mian Jae... thank you. She suits you well” Tiffany smiled back referring to Dara whose back was facing them as Dara was sweeping the floor.

 

“Cheongmal?” Jae turned around and sat again to start talking about Dara

 

“You confessed already?” Tiffany asked, finding it amusing how Jae turned into a lovesick child while talking about Dara.

 

“Ani... I wasn’t sure of the feelings I felt for her... I don’t want to jump in and just be confused” Jae shook his head then looked at Dara who was still busy with sweeping the floor

 

“Aish... that girl, she needs to stop doing that... her cut might bleed again!” he stated while shaking his head with worry

 

“You worry that much for her? You turn like a psycho stalker when you talk about her... what is there to be confused about?” Tiffany tried to reason with him as she gave him a knowing smile

 

“Because I know that she likes me... that’s why I have to be careful of my feelings... I want to know if what I feel is real or just something else” Jae stated still looking at Dara

 

“You better sort it out... cause even though I am talking to you, not once did you look at me at the mention of Dara’s name!” Tiffany pointed it out then stood up and walked away while waving her hands

 

“See you tomorrow... you love sick puppy!” she added then stuck her tongue out which made Jae laugh that caught everybody’s attention including Dara’s.

 

After everybody’s settled and everything was cleaned... the 5 boys together with Dara were so tired that they all lied down on the floor.

 

“Ah... so tiring!” Junsu stated with his right arm covering his face

 

“So Ri In... what’s the deal with her?” Yoochun asked while tapping Junsu’s thigh using it as his pillow

 

“Ani... nothing... we are just friends... no need to make anything of it!” Junsu replied

 

“Yah! You better make it clear with her... don’t lead her on if you don’t like my cousin!” Yoochun stated pointing to Junsu

 

“And what about you... acting high and mighty since you and Bom-noona are going steady already!” Yunho uttered who was also lying on the floor breathless from the heavy lifting of the tables and chairs

 

“Puahahahahahha... you’re all just jealous...” Yoochun smiled cheekily

 

“And what do you plan to do the next time you meet with her?”  Junsu asked

 

“Um, that I need your help...”

 

“Event? Event?” Dara asked curiously

 

“Yes, to repay the extravagant things she had to go through just to get close to me...” Yoochun replied trying to reminisce all that Bom has done, from making him sing with her, including him in the entourage.

 

“Norae?” Changmin suggested

 

“Yeah, sing her a song! You’re good at it!” Jae agreed with what Min had said and hi-fived him.

 

“What song will I sing?”  Yoochun wondered as they laid on the floor for a long time.

 

O=====O=======O=====O

 

this fic is about to end and i hope that you enjoyed the journey with them...

 

whether there is a sequel or not... only time will tell kekekekekeke

 

love you readers ^^