Chapter 12

The first blush of dawn light woke Tiffany from sleep but it wasn’t the main causes. Someone was pressing the bell in the early morning. Who was it? Who wanted to come to her house at five o’clock in the morning?

The bell rang again. She yawned. With half-opening eyes, she looked for her isotone miley microterry thong black slipper & dragged herself to the door. Before leaving her bedroom, she took her ¾ sleeve short wrap blue robe covering her babydoll red nightgown. She made her way silently through the house, to the kitchen & paused in the doorway.

She peeked from the window & groaned. Tiffany’s heart gave out a fluttering beat.

‘Is it really time already? Oh, god.’ She muttered, under her breath.

She took in a deep breath & started to opened the door.

‘Be calm & polite, Tiffany.’ She reminded herself, ‘Be chillingly polite & calm. Don’t let your anger ruin his feelings. He could be a ruthless person if he wanted to.’ She shuddered at her own thought of her annoying guest!

Pouting in nuisance, she opened the door.

“Good morning, Tiffany.”

“What are you doing in my house at this time?! Do you realize what time it is?!” She snapped, at him in anger, putting both of her hands on her waist. Her original planned to be calm & polite disappeared. She didn’t know why every time she met him, her anger ate her up.

Kim Jaejoong grinned, folding his arms & leaned sideways against the doorway, ‘Tiffany has a bad temper in the morning. That’s nice to know.’ He thought. He chuckled, ‘But she still looked lovely with her messy hair & half-closed eyes.’ He thought, ‘& also with her pouting pretty face.’

Tiffany glanced at his grinning face impatiently & shrieked, “Kim Jaejoong!”

“Hey.” Jaejoong held up his hands, “I didn’t mean to scare you early in the morning.” He laughed at the look on her face, cupped her elbows & lifted her to her toes for a slow, through kiss, “Good morning, sweetheart.”

Tiffany quickly pushed him away, “What are you doing? How dare you touch me.”

He grinned again, “Is it wrong? I’m just saying good morning to my sweetheart. Don’t you remember starting from today we are lovers?”

“You.” She paused. The words died on her lips. Jaejoong was wearing a linen-cotton two pocket breaker blue shirt with a pair of rocco slim fit straight leg midnight jeans.

“You’re still dreaming, aren’t you?” His gaze moved slowly over her before returning to her face, “But you look beautiful.”

“Really?” Tiffany pulled herself together & managed a bitter smile, “Your sweet talk doesn’t impress me!” She raised her voice.

He suspected she wouldn’t like knowing he was teasing her, “These are for you.” He held out a bunch of pink roses.

She glanced at the magnificent pink roses in his hand. Her fingers were itching with desire to touch the lovely flowers. Instead, she shook her head.

“They are very lovely but I’m afraid I don’t like roses, Mr. Kim. I’m allergic to them.”

“Jaejoong, not Mr. Kim.”

“Yes, Jaejoong Oppa. I said I’m allergic to them.”

Grinning silently, Jaejoong’s eyes narrowed as if he was slowly catching on to what was happening.

“Okay, what a shame.” He said, as if he didn’t care.

“Yes, isn’t it?” She lifted her eyebrows in defiance.

“It must have been hell for you, running a flower shop business if you’re allergic to roses!” He paused, moving closer to her without losing his coolness, “Nice try, Tiffany. You have failed to fool me. You just broke our agreement on the first day.”

She frowned, not understanding his words, “What do you mean by that?”

“You refuse to be my lover, right? Your sarcastic words, bad attitude & cold heart are enough to violence our agreement. The deal is off.”

Tiffany sighed deeply. The arrow seemed to have missed its target. He was too clever to deal with. She had to be careful.

She suddenly lowered her eyes. Her head nodded weakly, “I’m sorry. I never thought that. I should’ve known that.” Her voice was so low he had to strain to hear it.

‘No harm in answering that, right?’ She thought, ‘He could act & I could act, too.’ Her mind answered him. Jaejoong’s smiled faded. He watched her face cautiously. He didn’t want to talk about the unpleasant circumstances of their relationship, especially now, when he’s trying to start a new relationship with her. He took in a deep, deep breath. He glanced at her face & groaned. She looked serious & gave him an apologetic look, “Please don’t say that. Don’t say sorry. I don’t want you to say sorry in front of me again. I was only joking okay? We still have the deal.” He said tenderly, & waited for her to say more but she didn’t. He still kept his smile on his face.

“May I come in?”

Tiffany turned her head, facing him. Was it a dream? Was she still sleeping? How come the arrogant & smug Kim Jaejoong suddenly became a completely different person?! He was nice, full of smile & polite & he talked to her so nicely, gently & carefully as if she was his girlfriend. She bit her lips, confused at this weird situation.

“Tiffany.”

“Oh, sorry. What did you say?”

“May I come in?”

She knitted her eyebrows in puzzlement. He usually invited himself into her house with or without her permission.

“Of course you may.” She answered shortly. She moved away to let him into the house.

Smiling happily, he said, “Thanks.”

As he entered the house, put his black handbag down & stretched his arms, Tiffany knew her nightmare had just begun, ‘He would ask his right on me, right? Oh, god. Do I have to lose my ity so soon?’ She thought dreadfully. Shaking uncontrollably, she slowly moved away from him, taking enough space to run away, “Where are you going? Don’t you welcome me warmly?” He frowned.

Tiffany avoided answering his first question, focusing on the second. Did he mean that? Was he starting to treat her as his mistress straight away?

“Sit down with me here please.” Jaejoong said gently, without waiting for her to answer. He pointed to the space next to him on the sofa.

Pouting, Tiffany sat down in front of him. She put her body harshly on the sofa. Taking in a deep breath, she looked at him.

Jaejoong lifted his arms up & twined his fingers behind his head, “Tell me.” He said, looking at her steadily, “Something about yourself. What’s a young woman like you doing in the big city like Korea alone? You are all by yourself, aren’t you?”

“Mmm.” Tiffany concentrated on playing with her fingers, “Why do you care?!” She started to snap at him again, “This is my home. Although I wasn’t born here, I have been living here with my mother for almost twenty years.”

“Where’s your father?”

Tiffany swung her head towards him. Suddenly, tears pricked her eyes, “I don’t know. My mom had never talked about him.” She answered, with a choking voice.

Jaejoong bit his bottom lips, staring at her, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

Shaking her head several times, she turned away, looking out at the fresh morning, “Don’t be. I don’t want anybody to feel pity on me. Moreover,