p a r t : s e v e n
FICKLE HEART

It was Irene’s best opportunity to impress Wendy so at least she would consider to hire her. 

The day Irene met Wendy was such a luck, but it looked like she used her luck allotment in a week only for that moment, because that day, when she supposed to show her true self as an artist and as a good painting assistant, she miserably messed up. 

Everything was just out of places, it wasn’t run according what she planned before. She couldn’t concentrate and couldn’t assist Wendy’s friends. Just like a blank canvas right in front of her, so was her mind. 

“Joohyun-shi? Are you okay?”

It was the third time Wendy checked if Irene was alright because it looked like she’s not. 

“Yes, I’m okay, Miss Wendy” Irene replied. At that moment, she knew it’s done for her. 

“Good! Can you help me to take something form my studio?” Wendy asked. 

Little did Irene knew that there’s something about Wendy’s smile. Wendy didn’t seem to he happy about the way she worked so far. She’s mentally facepalmed as she followed her to the studio inside her house.

While they’re walking on the corridor, Wendy mentioned that the idea of going to the studio was just an excuse. She wanted to talk to Irene privately because she didn’t want to embarrass her in front of her friends. 

As expected, Wendy was disappointed. She said Irene was a little bit off, lacking of assisting skill and it wasn’t the painting session she’s was hoping for.

Hearing that, Irene could only looked down and felt nothing but disappointed in herself. 

“I’m so sorry, Miss Wendy. I should’ve show the best side of me” Irene regretfully said.

For the rest of the session, Wendy mostly helped Irene out. Just like that, Irene wasted a golden chance to be a painting assistant. Just because her mind was filled with a man she’s not supposed to think, Lee Donghae and his act to defend her.

As a cherry on top, Irene felt so wrong for hiding the truth about Wendy’s husband, but telling her the truth sounded so wrong too. 

••• 

On her way back to apartment, Irene got a phone call from the hospital, asking for a confirmation in the matter of her mom’s surgery. It got her another headache for that day, mentally complaining why the hospital couldn’t even wait until she, at least, lay down on her bed.

“Yes, I’ll be there tomorrow morning to settle the payment” Irene said while massaging her own temples.

By now she really felt the reality that she had a business with Donghae. It’s already mapped in her head that tonight she’d tell Donghae the amount of money she’d withdraw from the bank checked she received, and morality aside, to ask when he’d like to spend a night with her. 

She’s at her apartment, forgot to lay down on her bed as she wanted before. Instead, she called Johnny, asking for Donghae’s phone number while crying inside. She didn’t have time nor energy to cry it out loud.

“H-halo...” Irene greeted, there's a mix of nervous and scared in her voice.  

“Who is this?” His deep and tired voice startled her. It unknowingly irked her that he didn't recognize her voice.

“It's me,  Joohyun, I mean Irene” she replied flat. 

“Irene? I didn’t expect you’re calling. I reckon you have something important to tell me. What's it?” he asked, somehow his voice sounded a little bit lively.

“Yes, I do,  Chairman Lee”  she replied, she could even imagine how’s his face expression could be with that beautifully devilish smirk. 

“Tell me quickly, I'm a little busy. No, I'm very very busy” he stated, the arrogance was so loud. 

Irene was automatically rolled her eyes and sighed, way too hard in a way he heard it.

“You sighed at me? I bet you're also rolling your eyes at me”  he raised his voice with a mocking undertone.  

She swore under her breath, making sure he didn't hear, because she didn't need another headache by listening to him blabbering his arrogance in agony. 

“No, I didn't. I just want to tell you I need the money tomorrow so I'm gonna make a withdrawal tomorrow” she explained as short as possible because actually she didn't want to be in phone call with him longer. 

“Go ahead, you have my permission when I gave you the check. But you remember the deal, don't you?” he said,  he's definitely let out a satisfaction smile.

“Yes,  I do,  Chairman Lee”  she replied lifelessly as if digging her own grave. 

“Smart girl” he smirked again. “I'll call you later when I'm not busy, don't you dare to shut your phone down” he added, sounded so bossy as always. 

Just like that, Donghae hug up the call but Irene relieved the conversation ended.

••• 

The next morning Irene was going back again to her hometown with a high hope about her mom’s better health condition once she settled everything up.

“Mom, I’m home…” she belted as entering her parents’ house. She saw her mom sitting on a couch in front of tv that’s actually turned off. Her mom didn’t greet her back and kept on blank staring at the tv. Irene was used to it, her mom wasn’t as affectionate as her late father.

“Mom, I have a good news, guess what?” Irene was beaming as she came to sit on the same couch. Yet her mom stayed still. “I got the money!! Don’t worry mom, I’ll take care of everything so you can get the surgery” she didn’t wait for her mom to respond but bursted excitedly, she’s genuinely happy for her mom. 

“Mom? Are you okay? Are you in pain? Should we go to hospital now?” She was now a little worry because her mom remained silent.

“Mom??!” She called again, louder this time while softly shake her body. 

Irene heard her mom sighed. “Where did you get the money?” she asked coldly.

“The money? From my company, of course. Just like what I told you” Irene explained, trying hard not to spluttered.

“You’ve been working only for a few months and they give you that much loans?” Her mom investigated without looking at her.

“Yes, mom” Irene tried to reach her mom’s hands but she shook it off. That moment, she knew that her mother knew about something.

“Get out of my house! I don’t need your money even if it’s just a penny. I’d rather die than using that money” her mom groaned. She sounded absolutely mad. 

“Mom? What’s wrong with you?” Irene was shocked upon her mom’s harsh words and was so scared right now.

“No! What is wrong with you, Joohyun? Speak the truth!” Her mom was now raising her voice.

“I’m telling the truth—“ Irene’s heart beat hard because she told a lie louder as if it’s the truth. 

But then, she heard a sound that made her heart stopped for a split of seconds. A sound coming from her mom’s hand that’s flying and landed on her cheek hardly. “I can’t believe your late father and I have been raising a …” she said as looking away in her most disgusted way.

“M-mom…” she’s hurting, both her heart and her skin.

Irene couldn’t hold her tears anymore but then suddenly her mom collapsed, she’s so weak that even heavy thoughts could make her lost her consciousness. Irene was alarmed, tried to call her mom multiple times, tried to wake her up while reaching her phone to call an ambulance.

She brought her mom to the same hospital. As expected, the medical team suggested her mom to get a surgery at the moment. 

Irene thought about that too and couldn’t agree more. She also had the money in her bag. But, looking at how furious her mom was, any reckless action to use the money for the surgery funds might cause her to be kicked out from her mom’s life for real. 

But again, her mom’s life was depended on the surgery and she surely didn’t want to take it as a stake. 

“Oh God! I’m sorry mom, I have to” she decided and the answer was her mom’s health. Didn’t waste anymore time, she went to settle the files and payment for the surgery.

It’s already done, she used the money. 

••• 

While waiting anxiously for her mom’s surgery, Irene was sitting lifeless on the chairs in the corridor. Her mom’s voice accused her as a stuck in her head. That slap on her face woke her up to her sense and realized that her agreement with Lee Donghae was just absolutely insane.

She’s sitting there for an hour and a half until the doctor and team came out from the operation room. Thankfully, the procedure run well and her mom was safe but still unconscious due to the anesthetic. It’s great that she got to take a rest, because pretty sure her mom couldn’t accept that Irene used the money for the hospital bills. 

As now Irene was relieved, she decided to went to Seoul although it’s already late. It only took 2 hours by train so it’s not a big deal for her. The reason she get to move on right way because, one, she’s sure her mom didn’t want to see her the moment she opened her eyes. Two, she needed to meet him, Lee Donghae.

••• 

The whether was cold when Irene was sitting alone on a bus stop bench, waiting for the bus that would take her to the train station. She lean her heavy head on a glass partition and suddenly startled when someone knocking a finger on the glass from behind.

She saw a man smiling brightly at her. She knew him, that’s why she smiled back at him.

“Jungmyeon-ah?!” She greeted him, her high school classmate, her neighbor as well.

As Jungmyeon sat beside her, the latter was they’re involved in an ordinary conversation between old friends. Everything was fun until he mentioned about The Blue Moon. It left Irene speechless.

“You’re not working there anymore?” 

“H-how do you—? Wait, you’re not telling my mom, don’t you?” 

“Your mom didn’t know you’re working there?”

“No!” She answered, suspicious about him being involved. “What did you tell my mom honestly?” She gazed at him sharp, feeling sure he was the reason her mom had a misconception about her job. 

The bus came and Irene left Jungmyeon who tried to explain. She shook her head in disbelief. Explanation meant nothing and didn’t the change anything. 

••• 

It’s such a long day for Irene but it’s nowhere to call it a day. Fifteen minutes in a bus, two hours in a train and about half an hour on a taxi, she finally made it to The Blue Moon. Again, tiptoeing so Joy didn’t notice her. For some reason she missed her a lot, especially that day, but she held the need to see her. 

Without an appointment, Irene went straight to Donghae’s office, she took the fastest and less crowded way to get there, she knew he was there according to what Johnny said as she asked. 

Without saying a word and just knocked on the door, Irene heard his voice as giving a permission to come in. When she showed herself, Donghae was surprised, he didn’t expect her to come by that night, he also remembered telling her that he was so busy these days and he’d call her when it’s time to finish their agreement. 

As Irene gave him a light bow, he loosen up his tensed neck and fingers while resting his back on the backrest of the chair. He placed his elbow on the armrest as his fingers his jaws, his eyes were full on to Irene who looked so worn out.

“I don’t usually welcome an out of the blue uninvited guest. What’s the matter? I hope it’s important because you’re stealing my working time again” he said nonchalantly. 

“I’m sorry Chairman Lee, but I have a thing to say and I have to say it right now” she said, was too tired to be nervous.

Donghae looked at her face for some time, that was actually quite intimidating for Irene already. 

“Go ahead” he said, he was back at a sitting straight position, clasping his fingers together as his both arms were on top of the table. By now he really paid attention to hear what she’s about to say.

“I- I used the money, but not all of them” she said, was trying her best not to stuttering.

“And then?” he asked, raising a single brow, couldn’t even guess what she’s about to say. 

“First of all, I’m gonna give the remaining money back to you” she continued and it made him squinting his eyes.

“Do I look like that I need that money back?”

“No, of course not, Chairman Lee”

“So what’s the second?”

“I—, I will return the money that I used to you and please consider this a loans instead. Please…” she finally said it. The hardest part was done and now she had to wait for his response which she couldn’t find through his expression. She saw him staring her in a cold manner without a single word.

“You can add some interest on my final debt, just like a bank” she said anything that’s appeared in her head. That’s probably wrong words to say but the silence was too uncomfortable.

Donghae bursted into laughter, a mocking laughter to be exact. “First of all, I’m not a bank” he said, expression changed in less than a second as he was now looking at her unhappy. “Second, I’m not the person you can toy with” he added, voice filled with rage.

The scary look of his eyes made her gulping and the least thing she could do was bowing 90 degree and repeated what she said, she asked him to consider the money as loans. 

Donghae could sense her apparent fear, she looked so fragile and honestly he had no heart to be meaner to her. 

“Get up” he snarled. “It’s not about the money. It’s not about that I want you” he said, taking threatening steps toward her. “It’s about the way you’re too casual to play with me” he hissed, by now he stopped right in front of her.

“Please, Chairman Lee…” she voiced and that’s all she could say, she had no idea what else to say.

“If you beg me hard enough, I may consider your offer, Irene-shi” he said with a smirk.

Irene, who couldn’t look back at him, only could keep her curse inside her head, clenching her teeth and pressed so it didn’t come out. “Please….” She voiced through gritted teeth.  

“Why don’t you look at me? Is that how you talk to someone?” he kept on teasing her and made another step closer that made her inching backwards. 

At that point, she’d follow along everything he said to get though this. So she looked up until their eyes met. For a while, he’s not breaking her gaze and so was her. That was a breathless moment for her. 

As he’s scanning her face, his brows frowned when he caught a bruise cheek and a fresh wound on the corner of her lips. 

“What’s that?” his raspy voice fanned her face, his eyes locking into the bruise and the wound.

All the way from her hometown to Donghae’s office, Irene forgot she had bruise and wound until he mentioned it. “Nothing” she said briefly and looked away. It’s not his business anyway.

“I’ll thinking about it” Donghae reacted with softer voice, was still looking at the bruise.

“Really?” Joohyun snapped almost immediately. It drew spark in her eyes although it’s not something to be celebrated, but having a huge amount of loans was better than having with almost a stranger. 

Donghae scoffed at how happy she looked. That was unexpectedly humiliating, that she choose to have a big debt rather than simply be his one night stand partner. 

“But my head is stuffy now, I have no room to think about it. You have to wait” he said casually as walking back to his table, picking up his essential belongings. 

“Don’t roll your eyes, Joohyun” said the voice in her head. “Yes, I will wait for your answer” that’s what came out from instead. “Then, I’ll excuse myself” she bid goodbye but it’s not that easy.

“I’ll take you home” he said confidently, not asking, not offering a help. It sounded like a demanding boss’ command. 

“Wait, what? Thank you but I’ll be fine going home by myself” Irene squeaked. There’s only one thing inside her head right now, what was that man wanted actually by taking her home. She blinked rapidly, couldn’t help but dirty thoughts rushed into her mind.

“That wasn’t an offer you can accept or reject. I said I’ll take you home it means I’ll take you home” he explained the unequivocal statement while putting on his grey suits. 

“What the hell is wrong with this person?" Irene complained silently and was at lost for words. She was trying to find another make sense excuse.

“You’re thinking, aren’t you?” he guessed but that’s about right. “You thought I’m about to do inappropriate things to you, didn’t you?” the mocking manner in his voice embarrassed her in a certain way. 

“No—“ she defended, refused to admit that actually he’s right. “It just feels uncomfortable if you’re sending me home” she explained, but she’s not lying though.

“Irene-shi…” he called her name in his most calm way which was new to her ears. “It’s not my responsibility for you to feel comfortable or otherwise. I have my money in you, the least is I have to know where you live” he made a decision and left no room for her to make another objection.

•••