Chapter 3 

It has been four years since that fateful day and Jiyong and Dara have become closer than ever. Although in their junior high school, Jiyong continued to go to Korea Foreign School, the number one international school for the rich and famous while Sandara was enrolled in an all-girl high school near their residence. Dara has remained to be a homebody. When there were school holidays, you could not see her elsewhere but at home, doing household chores, landscaping, and gardening. Although not obliged by Jiyong’s mother, she just loved to do things on her own. Both their favorite spot was the garden where Dara used junks and turned them into decors. Her ideas were financed by Jiyong and voila they were able to have their favorite spot in the house during day time and at night they would love to put up a mat for their stargazing. Even his Bigbang friends were intrigued why Jiyong would rarely go out with them during weekends and would always go home early. Their group fights and meetings were also lessened since their leader has other priorities already. Yes, he has been constantly flirting with girls who always go after him but he would still prefer to go home rather than go out with them. He also did not permit his boys to go to their house afraid Dara might not be comfortable with men. 

One thing Jiyong liked about being with Dara was the fact that he would feel useful and proud of what they would accomplish just by staying at home. They had planted and grown plants together made their own spot, and did a lot of picnics by themselves. Their mothers would love to join them if they had nothing to do and all four of them would share good waves of laughter and memories just by staying in their garden. The four of them have become one small happy family! Jiyong would love to see Dara’s face glow up with little things. Her world was confined to them and their house but what amazed him was the fact that Dara was happy just by being with them. 

He could never forget one night they were having dinner at their favorite spot and Jiyong was just looking at Dara and her mother lighting up a fire for them to gather after dinner while he and his mother were grilling meat. He didn’t notice that he has been looking at Dara intently when his mother nudged him. 

“Jiyong-ah, do you like Dara?” He just laughed at her and replied, “What are you saying, Omma?”

“Jiyong-ah, as much as I wanted you both to end up together,  I truly pray you won’t fall in love with each other.” Her mother looked at Dara and smiled sadly. Jiyong just listened and kept quiet. 

“Please promise me, you will not love her as a man who loves a woman.” She rubbed her son’s back. “They are the only family who truly cares for us, son and I want to keep them forever.” 

“Omma, why do you think we can’t keep them if Dara and I would fall in love?” He jokingly asked. 

But his mother’s sad answer left a thought that would linger a lifetime. “Do you think your father and grandfather would spare them if they knew you love her? Your grandparents even opposed our relationship and treated me like nobody even if I was also a successful career woman! They only acknowledged me when they realized that you are your father’s only son. But for me, I am just your mother and nothing else! They would never approve of her and they would always find ways to keep you apart or worse hurt her emotionally and mentally to stay away from you.” Jiyong’s face turned to Dara. “That is why, son, love her like family and we never want to hurt