**

Chapter 13

Dara stood next to Jiyong in the receiving line at the ball that was being held for the two of them. He was dressed in a tuxedo and she couldn’t help but steal glances his way and think how absolutely handsome he looked. She was dressed in a long sleeveless coral colored mermaid gown that hugged her bodice before flowing gently away at the hips. It left her shoulders exposed and was a bit more revealing then she was accustomed to or preferred, but it had been picked out for her by her mother and Bom. The two had insisted she wear it, knowing that if they left it to her Dara would likely show up wearing jeans.

There were at least two hundred people in attendance, mostly business acquaintances but some close friends as well. Until now Dara had not met any of Jiyong’s friends. And he had only met her friends at Georgetown. But as Dara looked up at the next gentleman in line to greet them, her heart skipped a beat. It was Jiyong’s friend from high school, Choi Seunghyun, the one he said was his best friend and went by the name of Top.

She felt Jiyong take hold of her hand as he leaned in and whispered to her ear, “Don’t you dare start fantasizing about him, Dara. You’re mine.”

She slid a look at Jiyong, smiling bashfully at having been caught while he narrowed his eyes at her. “I’m just looking,” she whispered.

Jiyong introduced Dara to Top, but when the latter tried to kiss Dara’s hand, he snatched Dara’s hand away and glared at his friend. Dara chuckled as she slipped her hand into Jiyong’s and apologized to Top.

“No need to apologize,” Top said, giving Jiyong a teasing look. “It’s about time I see this jealous side of you, Jiyong.”

Jiyong jerked his head to the side, indicating to Top to move on. “I think I’m changing my mind about making him my best man,” he stated sourly.

Jiyong wasn’t the only one to be jealous that night. There were quite a few times when women openly flirted with Jiyong. Then it was Dara’s turn to be seeing green. Although, to Dara's credit, she did well in hiding it. One particular woman though, the daughter of a business associate, brazenly waylaid Jiyong when he went to get Dara and him a drink. She was giggling and flirting with Jiyong, and when Jiyong saw Dara looking at them with narrowed eyes, he decided to have some fun and make his fiancée jealous. He smiled back at the woman and acted sweetly. A few minutes later, wanting to see the effect his flirting had on his beloved, Jiyong cast a quick look to where he had last seen Dara. To his surprise and disappointment, no one was there. He excused himself quickly from the woman who was still flirting with him and he walked away in search of Dara.

Jiyong circled the room but could not see any sign of her. Where was she? He stopped to ask Teddy’s wife, Bom, if she’d seen Dara.

“I just saw her a minute ago,” Bom said, puzzled as she looked around. “Maybe she went to the bathroom.”

Jiyong placed the drinks he was holding down on a table and went out to the hallway. He made his way toward where the restrooms were and waited by the door into the women’s room. “Dara?” he called, but no one answered. He grabbed a passing female employee and asked if she would check to see if anyone was in the bathroom and explained he was looking for his fiancée whose name was Dara. The woman went in and came out a minute later saying there was no one in the bathroom.

He was making his way back to the ballroom when Jiyong caught sight of a glimpse of her coral colored dress through the long curtained windows, standing outside on the balcony. He rushed over and saw her standing in the shadows, and he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw she was in the arms of another man. Jiyong’s eyes narrowed as he made his way over to the two, ready to punch the other guy. But Dara saw him first and she quickly turned at the sight of anger in his eyes and blocked him from reaching the man she was with.

“Jiyong, wait! This is my friend Bae!”

Jiyong paused, glaring uncertainly at her and then the guy.

The guy, who was a little taller than Dara, stepped out from behind her and introduced himself with a bow.

“I’m sorry if there’s a misunderstanding,” he said to Jiyong. “I’m Dong, Youngbae. We all went to school together but you may not remember me. Dara and I have been best friends from high school. I’ve been in Japan these past couple of weeks.” Bae looked over at Dara and smiled at her before turning back to Jiyong. “She’s a great girl, the best to be found. I wish you both great happiness.”

Dara smiled at Youngbae and stepped toward him as he automatically opened his arms and hugged her once more.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” Dara said. She released him after a moment and then moved toward the silent Jiyong and she slipped her arm possessively around his waist, her eyes still on Youngbae. “Bae, meet Kwon Jiyong, my fiance,” she said, and Youngbae’s eyes sparkled with laughter.

Jiyong relaxed at her words. His arm went around her shoulder while he extended his other hand out to Youngbae.

“Nice meeting you,” Jiyong said. “Sorry for almost punching you out there.”

“Fortunately, no harm done,” Youngbae said. “I had to come and see for myself what was happening. And of course to tease Ssantokki here for falling in love with the very guy she said was a jer…”

Dara leapt and quickly covered Youngbae’s mouth and then kicked him on the shin. “Ah, don’t mind him,” she said to Jiyong before turning and glaring at Youngbae who was hopping up and down on one foot.

“Always so violent!” Bae growled, and Dara stuck her tongue out at him.

“So she said I was a jerk, huh?” Jiyong asked, amusement in his eyes.

“Yeah. And she said she didn’t know why of all the people in the world she had to have the worst luck to be betrothed to you.”

“Bae!” Dara stomped her foot while her best friend returned her earlier gesture of sticking his tongue out at her.

“In all fairness though,” Bae continued, “She did just tell me before you came that she was wrong about you and that she couldn’t be happier marrying you.” He turned to look at Dara. “Happy now?”

She rolled her eyes while Jiyong took her hand in his. “We were both guilty of the same thing. But I believe it’s safe to say that we’re both very happy now.”

“Whoa.” Youngbae straightened when he caught sight of someone through the window. “Hey, excuse me will you? I see an old girlfriend in there.” He winked at Dara and bowed his head again toward Jiyong before he hurried inside.

Dara shook her head, a smile on her lips as she turned toward Jiyong. Suddenly her face turned into a frown, and she placed her fists on her hips and glared at him. “That reminds me,” she said. “Who was that obnoxious little witch flirting with you inside a little while ago? Lucky for her Bae arrived and pulled me away before I made my way over there and beat the crap out of her.”

Jiyong raised his brows at her in surprise, and then he burst out laughing at her display of jealousy. “She’s no one,” he said, pulling her into his arms and holding her tight. “I’m sorry. I wanted to see you jealous so I was flirting back. But when I looked back you were gone. I was looking everywhere for you and then found you here in your friend’s arms. By the way I was ready to murder him if you didn’t stop me.”

They stood together in silence. “How long do we have to stay here?” Dara murmured, referring to the ball. She was tired and wanted to go to sleep.

“We should get back inside,” he said, regretfully. “It won’t look good if we disappear since we’re the honored guests.”

“Darn,” Dara muttered, but allowed Jiyong to lead her back inside.

**

After taking a few days off, Dara reported to work over at the family business.  She couldn’t be happier with the work, especially because it was her family’s business. Jiyong too had returned to work at his family’s business as well. The two continued to receive congratulatory messages from friends and acquaintances who read about their engagement in the papers.

However one group of people who were surprised by the announcement and not too happy about it were Jiyong’s group of close friends who he used to hang out with at the clubs and parties. They had wondered what had become of him that he rarely hung out with them anymore. Now that they knew he was engaged, they planned a private party and invited Jiyong to bring Dara over for them to meet.

Jiyong wasn’t certain he should go to the party, let alone take Dara there. He knew from experience there would be a lot of drinking and that it would get wild. In addition there were bound to be girls there that he dated before and slept with. That alone was reason enough for him to decline the offer. But they went around him without his knowledge and spoke directly to Dara, telling her that they wanted to plan a surprise party for Jiyong to congratulate him and asked her help. Dara was excited to meet more of Jiyong’s close friends and agreed to help.

The night of the party she texted Jiyong a message to meet her at the address of the place where the party was being held. Dara arrived a little earlier than the time she told Jiyong and she knocked on the door and introduced herself. She was promptly admitted in and shown over to the living room. There must have been about twenty to thirty people in attendance, and Dara didn’t know any of them. She was greeted by the host of the party, a guy that looked a little older than her and Jiyong. He had a lot of tattoos on him, as did several of the other guys and some of the girls. The girls she noticed were all scantily dressed and many were giving her unwelcome looks.

Dara took a deep breath and wished Jiyong would hurry and arrive. She had a hard time believing these were his close friends. She didn’t see Top here, and no one looked familiar to her as being former class or schoolmates.

The host of the party appeared again at her side and offered her a drink. Dara thanked him and accepted the glass with the clear colored drink.

“Do you smoke?” the guy asked, and offered her what appeared to be a homemade cig of some sort.

Dara shook her head. “No, I don’t smoke,” she said, smiling politely.

“Ah, she’s a good girl.” This was said by a girl with long black hair, heavy make-up, and wearing what looked to Dara like little more than a one piece bathing suit. She wore a heavy gold chain over it and several gold bracelets and rings. The girl’s tone dripped with sarcasm, and Dara wondered what she had gotten herself into.

“What’s the matter, Sandy?” the girl said, sitting down on the other side of Dara. “Too good to party with us?”

Dara was about to answer when the front door suddenly burst open and a livid Jiyong stood there.

“Oh, look who’s here! Surprise!” There arose several cheers and shouts from the party goers.

Jiyong ignored this, as well as the girls who latched onto him. He shook himself free as he looked around the room and his eyes landed on Dara, who had stood up and was looking at him with relief. He strode over with long angry steps.

“Jiyong.” She smiled at him.

He glanced down at her hand and the drink she still held. He took it from her and sniffed at it, then glared at the man sitting on the couch who was staring with amusement up at him. Turning back to Dara he asked in a worried tone if she had drank any of it.

Dara shook her head. “No.”

He looked relieved as he placed the glass on the table and took hold of her hand. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

There were protests by his friends, especially several of the girls who tried to stop him. But Jiyong maneuvered them out of there, deftly dodging the girls’ advances while protecting Dara. Dara couldn’t help but hear some of the snide remarks and comments being thrown at both Jiyong and also at her.

“So you’ve become one of them have you, GD? Too good for us now? What happened to your plan of showing your father and grandfather who was the boss in your life?”

Dara wondered who GD was for a moment before realizing they were referring to Jiyong. It was a nickname of sorts…

Another voice called out, this one a female. “Stop fooling yourself, . You can’t hold onto a man like him. GD needs a real woman. Let’s see how long you can keep him happy. The only reason he’s with you is your family’s money, honey...”

Jiyong pulled Dara closer and marched out the door.

“GD, this is your world! You’ll be back! Just wait and see!” someone else called out, just before Jiyong slammed the door closed behind him. He turned Dara to face him.

“Are you okay?” He looked over with a worried expression. When she nodded, he gathered her close and held her a moment before he led her over to his car and helped her into the passenger’s seat. He drove away from that place and didn’t look back.

Dara remained silent as he drove. She could tell he was angry but she didn’t think it was her he was upset with. She sensed he was angry with himself.

After a long while he pulled his car into a park next to the river and he turned off the engine and sat there staring straight ahead.

Dara unfastened her seatbelt and turned in her seat to face him. “Baby, what’s wrong?” she asked.

It was the first time she used an endearment toward him and Jiyong turned his head to look at her. She looked so beautiful sitting there, so innocent and sweet. Not at all like the girls he was used to hanging out and partying with. He sighed and closed his eyes.

He opened his eyes when he felt Dara take hold of his hand. She raised it to her lips and pressed her soft lips to the back of his hand, and then she pressed his hand to her cheek while she closed her eyes for a moment, cherishing the feel of his touch. A smile formed on her lips as she looked at him. “I love you,” she told him.

Jiyong stared at her for a long time, and then he leaned forward as he sought . “I love you, Dara,” he breathed between kisses. “I love you.”

There was a sense of desperation to his kisses as he moved his mouth to her cheek, her earlobe, and then down to her neck. Her desire for him burned as his mouth drove her crazy. When he finally pulled back and leaned his forehead to hers, she saw with surprise the worried look in his gaze. Gently she touched his cheek before she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and drew him near.

“Promise me, Dara, that you won’t go near them ever again,” he stated, putting his hand to the back of her head as he held her to him. She had no clue as to how dangerous a situation she had nearly gotten herself into.

She nodded. “I thought they were your friends,” she explained, her voice contrite. “They said they wanted to throw a party for you.”

He sighed and pulled back. His hand reached for hers. “They are my friends. They’re the ones I hang out with, or used to before I met you again.”

He looked into her eyes, imploring her to understand. “They’re good people, Dara. Deep inside they really are. We came together mostly because each of us were rebelling against something, mostly our families, and we found solace in each other. But somehow we got lost along the way while trying to figure out what it is we wanted in life. Instead of trying to find answers we drowned ourselves in drink and partying. It’s not something I’m very proud of.”

Dara smiled tenderly at him and squeezed his hand. “We all go through our rebellious stages. I did too.”

He looked at her with disbelief.

“I did!” she declared, and then added in a small voice, “Only my rebellion involved a lot of late night studying and getting good grades.”

Jiyong began to laugh, really laugh, and he hugged her tight. “Darling, you’re so weird. And I love you all the more for it.”

**