Chapter 16 

 

 

Cottage 

 

 

I was trembling as I went downstairs after reading Charin’s message. I need cold water. And a cold shower. No, alcohol will help. I need to ing calm down. It’s been years since I last saw Donghae and yet it’s still there— the trauma he caused me. I loath him so ing much. 

 

“Noona…” 

 

“! No!” I screamed as I felt a strong grip on my shoulders. I was shaking as I tried my best to push away that person. “No!” 

 

“N-Noona! It’s me. It’s me, Suho.” I felt Suho’s hands on my cheeks, cupping them, trying to meet my eyes. “It’s me, noona.” 

 

I gasped as I felt the need for air. My lips were trembling and my eyes started to wander, looking for Suho’s. 

 

“Junmyeon…” I whispered as tears started to form in my eyes. 

 

I saw how his facial expression changed. Suho knows about this fear I have, in deeper depths than what my family and other people knew. People assumed I was fine because I wanted to portray that I was fine. That I will be fine. That I am strong. But everything is just a facade. Everything about me is a facade— I have been wearing a mask since that day. 

 

Junmyeon was there when Donghae tried to lock me in his condo and attempted to… attack me, trying to cage me, away from my family. Suho was there when Donghae ing tried to ruin my life. Suho, my younger sibling, protected me from the humiliation and pain. 

 

“Shh. Noona. I am here. You’ll be safe. He can’t harm you anymore.” He whispered. The moment I felt his warm hug, I felt safe. 

 

“H-He’s back…” with a trembling voice, I said. “He’s back, Junmyeon. What if he—“

 

“I won’t let that happen again, noona. The bodyguards will not let him take even a glance at you.” Suho said with determination in his voice. “That er. It’s a shame I can’t kill him for what he did to you.” 

 

I shivered as a flashback of what happened before started to play in my mind. 

 

“I-I’m scared, Junmyeon,” I said as my knees melted. Suho knelt along with me, still hugging me. “I’m scared he’ll try to take me away again. I’m scared he… he’ll try to ruin me again. I’m starting to trust people again. I’m starting to show the real me. I don’t want him to ruin me. Not this time.” 

 

“No, noona. He can’t do that. Never again.” 

 

I nod. I believe in Junmyeon. I know he’ll protect me even if he’s younger than me— like what he always does. 

 

I cried in his arms. I cried like a child afraid of thunder. I cried as I looked back on the days when I thought everything was rainbows and butterflies and I was in control of everything. That I am strong and that no one can harm me. I cried as I realized that Donghae, my best friend and my first love, could love me and hurt me at the same time. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I like you, Sandara. Not just as a childhood friend b-but more than that.” 

 

I looked up and saw Donghae, my best friend, standing in front of me. We were in our house’s garden, studying for the exams next week. 

 

My eyebrows were raised, trying my best not to smile at him. He looks so cute, like a lost puppy. “What?” 

 

“I like you.” 

 

I flipped my hair sideways and flashed a smirk. Donghae is cute, I must admit. He’s taller than me and smarter than me, even though I excel at my class. He wears glasses which gave him the name “nerdy Dong” in our class but he doesn’t mind at all. 

 

“Of course. Because I am likable. Everyone likes me.” 

 

Meanwhile, I am like a school Queen — I bully people who get in my way and I make their life a living hell at school. Yes, I bully people because I want to and I can. I am confident and spoiled because I am perfect— smart, and beautiful and people love me. I have an older brother who is smart and popular too. My father is in politics and my mom is a lawyer. We are rich. And I am a . I get the things that I want and no one questions it. 

 

A lot of people called us the “unimaginable besties” because Donghae is nerdy and I am not, although I am also at the top of our class. They all thought I was bullying him because I was a bully but it’s not. I am friends with him even though we are total opposites because I like him. 

 

“I-I…” Donghae stuttered. 

 

I laughed as I shook my head. “Why are you stuttering? Come on, say it.” 

 

“I like you a-and I-I want to d-date you.” 

 

My laughter echoed. . He is ing adorable. I should contain myself. 

 

“Hmm. And if I don’t want to?” 

 

Donghae fixed the glasses that were resting on his nose bridge. He looks so confused like a lost puppy. “P-Please?” 

 

I pinched his cheeks and smiled at him. “Only if you beat me on the next exam.” 

 

I saw how his lips formed a huge smile and hugged me. He even swayed my body which made me laugh for more. 

 

“Oh, I will beat you, Sandara.” 

 

 

 

 

I woke up the following day with a heavy heart. I don’t want to think about the worst thing but knowing he is here, I can’t help it. But things before and now were different. I don’t love him anymore. I loathe him. 

 

I took a shower and prepared to go to the beach house. Tonight is the summer party I am hosting. Even if I am not feeling good, I need to show up. I am the host of this party after all. 

 

I was about to go down when I heard a knock and saw Suho enter my room. He gave me a weak smile, probably still concerned about me. 

 

“Noona…” 

 

“I’m fine. I will be fine.” I don’t know if I said that trying to convince him or convincing myself. 

 

“The bodyguards will be with you 24/7 so don’t worry.” 

 

I nodded and smiled at him. “I know. And I won’t be alone. You’ll be there. So as Jiyong.” 

 

“Yeah.” 

 

Suho keeps on assuring me that I will be fine as we head downstairs. I saw Jiyong sitting comfortably while waiting for me. And in an instant, all of my fears and anxiousness faded. Like how the sun when risen, gives light after the darkness of the night. 

 

“Love…” he called as he kissed me on my forehead. 

 

I smiled at him as I hugged him. When I am with Jiyong, I feel safe. He might have not known about the pain I felt before and the anxiety I am feeling right now but just him being here, feeling his presence, is enough for me. 

 

I heard him chuckle as I swayed both our bodies. 

 

“Everything is already set,” I informed him after the hug, still his warm hand resting on my waist. “Shall we?” 

 

“Yeah.” 

 

“Noona. I’ll follow you afterward.” Suho said as he shook hands with Jiyong. 

 

“Sure.” I kissed Suho goodbye. 

 

The drive to our private beach house is quietly calm if it does make sense. Every time Jiyong’s other hand is free, he will hold my hand and place it on his thigh or kiss it. The silence between us so calming that I forgot about my worries. 

 

“I’m glad you’re free today,” I said as the car stopped due to traffic congestion. 

 

“Oh, I want to spend my vacation with my girlfriend.” He said while looking at the road with a playful smile on his face. 

 

I blushed. . Am I a teenager or something? 

 

I am still in awe of the fact that I am his girlfriend. Officially. 

 

I met his parents a few days ago and they’re all lovely. I love his Mom and his Dad is so cool. His Mom even invited me to a vacation in Spain, which I wanted to but I politely declined due to my busy “schedule”— my party and clubbing schedule. 

 

“Oh, come on.” I giggled. 

 

“I’m so lucky to have you,” Jiyong said as he quickly kissed me on my temple before the green light came. “Damn it. I’m acting like a boy.” 

 

I laughed as I slightly slapped his leg. “Why do you like me this much?” I asked, playfully. “To think you hated me and think of me as a ’nuisance’ when we first met.” 

 

“I don’t know, love.” He laughed. “Ask yourself what you did to me.” 

 

I just shook my head. It’s as if we were just teasing ourselves with these. Things progressed fast but we don’t mind. As we’ve agreed, we will give this a try. 

 

An hour after we got to our family’s beach house. Our helpers were already there fixing everything. The moment Jiyong’s car parked, I saw one of our bodyguards approach us and grab our things. 

 

“Is Chaerin already here?” I asked one of our housemaids. 

 

“Yes, Miss. She’s already at the pool.” 

 

I nod. I looked at Jiyong who was just behind me and smiled at him. “I’ll just go and get Chaerin.” 

 

Jiyong nodded as he gave me another kiss on my forehead. “I’ll just stay here.” 

 

“You can rest in my room or my cottage. The maids will—“

 

“I’ll just stay here.” He gave me a short smile as he gently pushed me. 

 

“Fine, fine.” I laughed at him. 

 

I went to the pool area and saw some of our housemaids arranging the balloons and the food area. It’s still 10 AM and the preparation is almost done. 

 

“Chae!” I called her. I saw her sipping her orange juice while lying comfortably in the sun lounger. She was startled making me laugh. 

 

“. Dara!” She got up and went to me and hugged me. “Are you okay?” 

 

My eyebrows furrowed at her sudden question. “Huh?” 

 

“I mean… Donghae…” she whispered as her hand fell on my elbows. “I’m shocked—“

 

“I’m fine. The bodyguards are here.” I said, stopping her. “Besides, he can’t harm me anymore.” 

 

Chaerin smiled at me. Only Chaerin and Suho know what happened. All those years of suffering and enduring Donghae’s bull. Looking back, why did the y me ended up being manipulated by him? That nerdy fish! 

 

“Well. I’m also here.” Chaerin gave me a small smile. “Now, where is your boyfriend?” 

 

I chuckled as I pinched her side. “He’s inside.” 

 

“. I still can’t believe you two were going out. I mean, I thought it’d be just a ‘flirting game’ and now look at you two. Gosh. Why am I still single?” 

 

I laughed at Chaerin’s words. I know she “dates” a lot too, in a more discreet way than mine. Upon entering, I saw Jiyong reading a book which made me frown. Even during vacation, he still studies? 

 

“Come on! It’s vacation time.” I grumpily said as I took away the book he was reading. 

 

Jiyong chuckled as he placed his hands on my hips. “I’m just bored, love.” 

 

“Oh, please. Stop flirting in front of me, hello!” Chaerin said while rolling her eyes at us. 

 

“If you’re bored, go swim or sleep,” I mumbled. I sat beside him and pinched his arm. “No studying when I am around.” 

 

“Copy,” Jiyong said while chuckling. “Hello, Attorney Chae.” 

 

“Oh, you’ve just noticed me just now?” 

 

Jiyong chuckled. “My love is so pretty, I can’t even look at—“

 

“Oh, shut up! Where the is Suho when I need someone who’s not in love?!” Chaerin ranted, gaining laughter from me and Jiyong. 

 

 

 

Around 6 PM when my friends started to come. Mino and our classmates were already there dancing and drinking. Some of my batch mates were also there catching up. I’m glad everyone is enjoying the party. It’s been 2 years since I’ve hosted parties like this. 

 

Back in Hawaii, I always party with my foreign friends. It was fun, I must admit, but they’re too wild to my liking. I don’t even want to tell anyone what I saw there. 

 

“The last hurrah!” One of my classmates shouted as the party started to get wild. 

 

Everyone’s drinking and dancing like no tomorrow. I wanted to join them but Jiyong is just right behind me, who’s not fond of me being at the dancefloor. 

 

“I don’t think it’s good to see you dancing with those ing boys.” He commented making me giggle. 

 

I love freedom and independence yet seeing how protective Jiyong is to me, damn it, that freedom. I reached for his cheeks and started to dance in front of him. I saw how his jaw clenched as if he was trying to restrain himself from something I didn’t know. His hands were firmly holding my hips. 

 

“Come on, love. Let’s dance!” 

 

Someone even bumped into me, making me laugh. Jiyong, on the other hand, looked pissed. His hands were possessively positioned in my waist, caging me from the wild party which is nonsense! Everyone was drunk and wanted to party! 

 

“And I don’t like what you’re wearing now, love.” 

 

I’m wearing a black backless midriff tank top and denim shorts. Just perfect for the party theme yet Jiyong looked pissed because I am exposing too much skin. I just laughed at his comment. 

 

“Oh come on. You own a ing club! Why are you—“

 

“And I hate the way you cuss. It makes me want to punish those pink, bad lips.” 

 

I bit my lower lip as I stared at him. “Am I a bad girl, hmmm, love?”

 

. I felt something in me heated up. I smirked as I looked around. Everyone is busy dancing and drinking. They wouldn’t notice it… right? 

 

“Oh, .” 

 

I held Jiyong’s hand as I dragged him to my cottage. . I’m not even drunk. We are both sane yet I feel so hot and I want to feel his warmth. I want him so bad. I want him… now. 

 

“Hey. Love, where are we going?” 

 

“Just… shut it!” I hissed. 

 

I heard Jiyong chuckle. I looked at him and saw how his eyes looked so amused yet there was intensity in his gaze. I smirked as I opened my cottage and pulled Jiyong inside, both of us giggling like little kids. As soon as I locked the doors, Jiyong pinned me down on the wall and started to attack my lips, putting both of my hands above my head. I answered his kisses with the same intensity and hunger. I followed the rhythm he was making. A soft moan escaped from my mouth as I encouraged him to kiss me deeper. 

 

“.” He growled like a madman. 

 

Jiyong lifted me. I wrapped my legs around his torso, without even cutting the kiss, as he started to walk towards the bed. Oh, I long for this to happen every night. . All the chasing, all the push and pull, all the flirting. It will all end now. 

 

Jiyonh slowly put me down in my bed. I was a bit disappointed that he pulled away from our kiss yet the moment our eyes met, I knew he knew what we both wanted. 

 

“Will you me now?” I asked him, earning a heartfelt laugh. 

 

Jiyong showered me with wet kisses on my forehead, then on my cheeks, and at the tip of my nose. 

 

“It’s not ing, love.” He whispered as he slowly removed his shirt while flashing a smirk. A ing attractive smirk god-knows how he can do that. 

 

“It’s making love…”