Chapter 27

"Are you questioning my capability as a teacher, Ms. Park?" Dara's Math teacher shouted at her after she questioned him of her low grade in Math which was the cause of being dropped from her scholarship. 

"N-no I-m not S-sir! It's just that I have never failed to submit any of your requirements and in class you would often praise my a-answers. During exams I would even top them. I just couldn't understand the sudden decrease of my g-grades." Dara couldn't stop fidgeting. Her once favorite teacher seemed so formidable and scary. She didn't expect that out of all the subjects, it would be her favorite subject that would cause her demise. 

"Well, you are not good enough, Miss Park. I have so much expectations in you. I guess I am wrong. Your quizzes are declining, your participation in class is unlike before. You did not make it to the top five in this exams." 

"But...." Sensing that she wouldn't win in the argument, she  changed her statement. "Can you just give me a second chance, Sir. I am about to graduate and I need my scholarship so badly. It will help me land on a good university in college if I'll graduate as a scholar in this academy. I promise I'll do my very best to be on top again." She pleaded. 

"Then, you should have performed really well in the first place if this scholarship meant so much to you. I am in a hurry Ms. Park." Her teacher stood up and grabbed his things indicating he was leaving. 

Dara did not have the strength to stand up. Her knees were wobbling and weak. But the teacher opened the door for her to leave. She stood up and walked out slowly. 

"I'm sorry, Ms. Park." Then, he walked away. 

Dara held on the knob to support her weight. For two days, she didn't share her problem to anyone. She kept it to herself. Besides, the one person whom she could freely talk to was nowhere in sight again. He was summoned by his father and even filed a leave of absence in school for a week. Dara was left with her mother on evenings and she couldn't afford to tell her but she knew she had to now that she did all she could do to have her scholarship back but still failed. 

***

Dara's mother hugged her after she told her everything. She never heard any angry words  instead she comforted her.

"You have done so much, Dara. Let Omma handle the bills for you. I got you so no need to worry. I will support you, no matter what." She rubbed the back of the crying Sandara. 

*** 

Jiyong was in a black and white Chanel suit, looking so gorgeous. He was with his family and were waiting for their companions while looking at the menu. He was really nervous. Eventhough his family never told him who they would dine with, he already had an idea what would happen. They were in their 5-star hotel, in the most expensive suite for confidentiality and privacy. 

Then, the doorbell rang. When the personal butler opened the door for the visitors, Jiyong's grandfather whispered to Jiyong who was on his side. "Better behave tonight, boy or another unfortunate thing may happen to your girl. By the way, since you still did not break up with her, she just lost her scholarship program." 

Jiyong's heart pummelled with anger. How could his grandfather do that to Dara? He could not think straight. He wanted to go out and flee but he knew that it would cause Dara pain if he would choose to disobey his grandfather. 

When their visitors came to view, Jiyong could not help but still stare at the girl. Of course, he could not forget her because she made a shocking impression when she went barging into his school. Even if he was so worried about Dara, he could not ignore the fact that the girl in front of them was beautiful and really y in a red gown with a side slit that reached her upper thigh. 

After the inteoductions, formalities and greetings , Jiyong's father said aloud, "Jiyong, why don't you show Ms. Jennie Kim her seat." 

Jiyong pulled out a chair beside him since he knew everyone would insist they'd sit with each other. Jennie was all smiles as he guided her to her chair. Before she sat, she leaned down on his ear, so close that Jiyong stirred with surprise and whispered. "You look so damn hot in that suit you are wearing." Then she sat down, cross-legged, exposing her thighs, very visible at Jiyong's side. 

Jiyong glanced at the elders, relieved to see everyone was busy chatting as they positioned themselves on their individual seats. Jiyong sat down and tried hard not to look over the exposed legs and cleavage of the woman beside him. 

"I'm so sorry this dinner took a month before it is finally realized. You see, Jennie needed to finish in advance her academic requirements in the US before her school granted her special permit to come home and do modular education." Mr. Kim started the table conversation. 

"No problem at all. These two really look good together." Jiyong's grandpa claimed. Everyone looked at the pair and true eneough, they absolutely look good together. Their clothes, their actions, their over-all get up spoke millions and glamor. 

"Ms. Kim, what can you say about my boy?" His father asked? 

Jiyong was a really surprised when Jennie spoke. "Well, I went to his school to see how he looks like. Of course, I couldn't risk my wonderful future if my beauty goes wasted to someone who doesn't suit my taste! Afyer I saw him, I'd say he is just perfect for me." Jennie, without a single ounce of shyness declared in front of everyone. There was silence at first, then, everyone burst out laughing. 

"I think I'll like you." Dami announced. 

"Me, too." Dami's mother seconded. 

Jiyong left speechless especially when Mr. kim looked at him and asked the same question his father asked Jennie. 

"Well, ahhhh....ahhhh." 

"See, I leave him speechless. That is a very good sign!" Jennie added. They laughed again except Jiyong. He looked at her and then she winked at him again. 

"Please excuse my daughter Jiyong, she grew up without a mother and maybe I spoiled her too much. Pardon her, even before, she would always speak her mind." 

"I d-don't mind at all." He had nothing to say except that.  

As they ate a fine dining dinner, Jiyong never said anything but smile forcefully whenever someone told a joke. It was Jennie, who was the star of the night. Everyone was in awe with her, but Jiyong's mind was elsewhere. 

He had nothing in mind but Dara and the scholarship she lost. If only he could escape and be with her. He was lost in his thoughts when Jennie's foot hit his leg under the table. That was when he realized Mr. Kim was asking him something. He was lost because he didn't hear any word