CHAPTER 19. SOMETHING CHANGED

Minahs’ eyebrows rose in surprise as a familiar number registered in the screen of her phone. She didn’t expect that he would call her after all these years since they broke up.

“Seunghyun?” she asked tentatively on the other line.

“Where’s Dara?” he asked straight to the point.

“Dara?...as in now? I don’t know…I mean…oh wait…right now…well she was here with us awhile ago.” She answered as she looked around the room but there was no Dara in sight. She remembered she was talking to one of her good friends a while ago. The one she was pinning to set up with Dara since the latter always said her love life was nay. I guess she hit right off with her friend. “Seunghyun… right now she’s with one of  my friends I guess.” she said satisfactorily. She felt pretty good with setting up her loveless friend to someone.

“Why would you do that?” Seunghyun asked over the line. His voice was calm but she could sense the quite anger beneath the surface.

Having been in a relationship with Seunghyun in the past, she could tell when he was angry. And that was why they never worked. He was always angry at her, she never knew how to appease his anger. They simply didn’t like the person that they were when they were in their relationship.

“Hello?” she asked tentatively a few moments later, “Seunghyun…are you still there?”

“Well…if you’re worried about Dara…you don’t have to. He’s a nice guy.” She added.

“You don’t know what she’s like. She’s too kind for her own good. Even if she doesn’t like something she wouldn’t say anything, and she will just endure it.  Even if some guy ravages her she wouldn’t fight and would just cry in misery. Why would you leave her alone with some stranger?”

“Seunghyun?....I’m so….” She wanted to apologize but the other line went dead. Minah looked at her phone then shook her head.

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Seunghyun was at his wits end. Why would Dara meet some guy? He thought she liked Jiyong? Why would she meet some stranger now? Has she moved on? And why would she move on to a complete stranger? Didn’t she even try to look someone closer, someone that at least she knew or could trust?

He cursed under his breathe as he dialed his drivers’ number and cursed himself some more regretting not learning how to drive.

“Where to sir?” his driver asked.

“I don’t know yet. Just drive.” He said as he got into the car and dialed Dara’s number.

It took her long enough to answer. It took her five ing rings before she answered.

“Seunghyun?...hello?” she asked tentatively.

He cursed some more as he listened to the atmosphere where she was in.

It was noisy, too noisy,  like they were with a rowdy crowd.

“Where are you?” he asked in a stern voice.

“Wait.” She said. He heard her move to a quieter environment.

“Sorry.” She mumbled. “What was it again?” she asked.

“I said.” He said in a controlled voice but saying each word slowly for emphasis. “Where are you now?”

“Uhmm…right now…I’m in some person’s bedroom I guess. It’s to noisy outside.”

He heard a door open then footsteps coming closer to her direction like someone came in to the room with her. Then a guys’ voice says, “Sandara…there you were…I’ve been looking all over for you.” he said.

There was a slur in his manner of speaking. Seunghyun cursed some more as he gripped the phone tightly.

…what if the guy tries something funny…

“Why wouldn’t you join me dance?” the guy asked.

“Erm…I’m not in the mood for dancing.” He heard Dara answer.

“Yeah…you wanted to go somewhere quiet you said.” He said a smile in his voice. “This is my bedroom by the way. You want to lie down?” he asked.

Seunghyun was punching the car seat in front of him as he listened.  His driver looked at him in the rearview mirror worriedly.

“Andwe…” he could hear panic in her voice, “I think you shouldn’t be in here…” she said.

“Come one…loosen up…” the guy said, “Here…have some vodka.”

“I don’t drink.” Dara answered in a strong voice.

“Ugh…you’re so difficult.”

“I’m sorry…but I really don’t drink unless I’m with people I know and trust.” She said in a firmer voice this time that Seunghyun calmed down a little bit.

“What kind of principle is that?” the guy answered his voice tinged with irritation.

“No principle at all, I’d just like to keep control of all my senses.” Daras voice answered loud and clear. “Now if you’ll excuse me…I’d like to talk to my friend…please get out.”

Seunghyun couldn’t help but smile as he listened to her. …he suddenly felt so happy and proud of how she handled herself.

He heard the guy curse, and for a while Seunghyun was alarmed. But then he heard footsteps moving away and a door close.

“Seunghyun are you still there?” Dara asked, “Thank gawd…he went away…that guys’ a total jerk…” she mumbled.

He couldn’t help but laugh, “Serves you right for going out with a stranger…there are more deserving guys around you, you know. Now, where are you? I’ll come pick you up?” he asked happiness welling up in his chest.

Later on…he later found himself standing in outside the gate of a large mansion where Shin Minahs’ friends’ party was held. Now that he was here he vaguely remembers coming here before. And he remembers the guy too, he always knew the owner of this house was a jerk.

He put his hand son his pockets and looked up the sky as he waited outside of his car.

Dara comes out jogging towards him, she stopped in front of him catching her breathe.

Seunghyun took note of her appearance. From her stiletto clad foot, to her tight little black number, to the ringlets of hair that fell around her shoulder, to the sultry y make up she sported.  She gas gasping for breathe while a hand pressed to her chest. A little sweat glistened in her forehead. She looked like ran out of there as quickly as possible and she looked absolutely y.

But Seunghyun knew how pure and innocent Sandara Park really was. He knows how easily she blushes when she comes close with any guy. And he felt proud at how she stood up for herself earlier, so proud at how she refused the guys’ stupid advances.

As he looked at the breathe taking beauty in front of him he felt the air knocked out of his lungs. And he wondered if he was the one who did the running?

Perhaps it was from too much waiting and worrying, but Seunghyun really felt different. Something was welling up in his chest. He knew something has changed in him. Sandar Park asked him if he was okay.

Seunghyun knew it was inevitable.

He felt it along time ago, but desperately tried to ignore it.

But now he just had to.

He took a step forwards and pulled her by her arm, laid her head against his chest, against his heart that was throbbing like crazy and pull her against him tightly in an embrace.

“I’m glad you’re okay.” he mumbled against her hair.