That night Jiyong dreamed of Dara. She was with him in a park and they were talking. In Jiyong’s dream he wasn’t afraid of Dara and they were talking like as if they were friends for so long. His dream shifted and Jiyong was standing outside an abandoned building and from afar Jiyong can see Kei Ri and Dara talking. Jiyong shouted their names but they won’t hear him.

 

            Meanwhile as Jiyong peacefully sleeps, Dara is stirring again inside the closet. She stretched her arms out and blinked in the dark, which she is getting used too. She can hear a lot of noises outside but she didn’t go out of the closet.

 

            “That wasn’t Jiyong’s voice.” she mumbled. “They might be monsters.”

 

            Dara inched closer at the closet door and listened closely. She heard a door opening and some shouting from a far.

 

            Outside the closet door, Seungri just went inside the room and tapped the sleeping Jiyong who grunted sleepily.

 

            “Yah~ hyung.” Seungri said. “We’re going out.”

            Jiyong allowed his eyes to open and frowned at Seungri. “Wae?”

            “I have to be at the rehearsal for my album.” Seungri explained.

            “What about the others?” Jiyong asked.

            “Did you forget that Tabi is going to New York today?” Seungri frowned.

           

           Jiyong sat upright on the bed, remembering that TOP has a photo shoot for an exclusive clothing line and today will be his departure.

 

            “Where is he?” Jiyong asked. “I can get him at the airport.”

        “He’s already left.” Seungri answered getting his things. “Taeyang hyung has a date today.”

              “Mou?” Jiyong asked surprised.

               “That’s what he said.” Suengri shrugged.

             Jiyong lay down on the bed again. “How about Dae?”

              “He’s going with Taeyang hyung.” Seungri said by the door way.

              “Arasso.” Jiyong replied his eyes already closed.

             “I’ll be back later.” Seungri said.

              “Be safe.” Jiyong mumbled and then drifted off to sleep again.

 

              Inside the closet Dara heard the whole conversation and she’s been dying to go out when she heard Jiyong’s voice. She couldn’t be wrong because she knows perfectly Jiyong’s voice. When she has confirmed that no one is around she slowly opened the closet door, which surprisingly Jiyong didn’t lock. Dara clapped her hands when she found Jiyong lying on the bed.

 

               She tiptoed towards the bed so as not to wake up the sleeping dragon. Dara went up the bed and went closely to Jiyong. She was having fun watching him sleep and she couldn’t help but look at his perfect features. Dara curiously touched Jiyong’s face, from his cheeks, to his nose and lips. Jiyong stirred and Dara recoil her hands, afraid that she has wakened him up. When Jiyong didn’t move again, Dara resumed what she’s doing and this time she was busy inspecting Jiyong’s long eye lashes.

 

            That woke Jiyong up. He opened his eyes and found Dara’s face so close to him. He immediately closed his eyes shut again and prayed silently. Please let her be just a dream. Jiyong counted from one to ten before gingerly opening his eyes again.

 

               “Good morning.” Dara greeted him happily.

 

              Jiyong sat bolt upright on his bed and grabbed the blanket because he wasn’t wearing anything on top. Dara slipped off the bed when Jiyong grabbed the blanket and she landed on the floor.

 

              “Ow.” Dara complained and Jiyong went by her side immediately.

              “Mainheyeo.” Jiyong stammered.

              Dara looked at him. “Why did you do that?”

               “It wasn’t intentional.” Jiyong said helping her up to her feet.

 

            He backed away when he was sure that Dara is okay and then grabbed a shirt to put on. Dara looked at him expectantly.

 

            “Did I wake you up?” Dara asked.

            “Neh.” Jiyong nodded.

            “I just woke up too.” she beamed sweetly.

           

            Jiyong nodded at her. He’s actually getting used to this weirdness that he wasn’t that scared anymore though it still creeps him out when he thought that Dara is a little doll turned human.

 

            Dara frowned and a flash of pain crossed her beautiful features. She put a hand on her stomach and mumbled painfully. “It hurts.”

            Jiyong mentally calculated the days when Dara started waking up and cursed inwardly. It’s been almost a week and ever since she never ate anything. Jiyong immediately grew worried.

 

            “You’re probably hungry.” Jiyong said.

            Dara tilted her head on the side. “Hungry?”

            “Neh.” Jiyong nodded and then took her hand to take her to the kitchen. “Kaja, I’ll make you some food.”

 

            Dara smiled when Jiyong took her hand and she clasped it with delight. She went with him in the kitchen. Jiyong asked her to sit down as he prepared a full course meal so that she can gain all the food she was suppose to eat.

 

            “What are you doing?” Dara asked curiously.

            “Cooking.” Jiyong said. “You need food in your system so that your stomach won’t hurt.”

            “Food?” Dara asked like as if the work is foreign.

            Jiyong sighed. He has a doll who doesn’t know anything. “Neh.”

            “How many times do I have to eat food?” Dara asked counting on her delicate fingers. “Oooh ten times?”

            Jiyong laughed despite of himself. “Aniyo, you can’t eat too much or your stomach will hurt too.”

            “Arasso.” Dara nodded seriously.

            “Three times a day will be good.” Jiyong added as he put a final touch on the food.

 

            Jiyong placed the food in front of Dara and explained how she is supposed to eat it. He has prepared chicken soup and kimchi with rice and other beef menu. Dara started eating too fast and Jiyong has to stop her.

 

            “Yah~ eat slowly or you won’t digest the food.” Jiyong said. “Eat slowly.”

            Dara nodded. “Arasso.”

            Jiyong sighed as he looks at her. “I guess you’re not a dream.”

            “Aren’t you going to eat?” Dar asked giving him a kimchi.

            “I’m fine.” Jiyong said shaking his head. “That’s all for you.”

 

            Jiyong cleaned up after Dara eat and asked her to go to the living room and wait for him there. She complied as Jiyong gather his lost thoughts in the kitchen. He took his time washing the dishes as he mentally lists down the things he should ask about her. He doubted that Dara could answer all of it but at least he should give it a try so that his mind could get some peace.

            Jiyong grabbed yogurt flavored milk from the fridge and went to the living room where Dara is waiting for him patiently.

 

            “Here drink this.” Jiyong said and handed Dara the milk.

 

            Jiyong switched on the television as Dara tried to figure out how to drink the stuff. She tried drinking straight from it but there was a foil barring the liquid. She looked at the little stick from her hand and put it on the milk.

 

            Jiyong looked at her to ask the first question, preparing himself for the answers.

 

            “How did you—“ Jiyong started but a warm liquid splashed on his face.

 

            Jiyong closed his eyes as the liquid flow on his face. He opened his eyes to find Dara giggling as she squeezes the yogurt milk continuously. Jiyong wiped his face and stopped Dara from playing with her drink.

 

            “Yah yah yah.” Jiyong said taking the milk away. “This is how you drink it.”

 

            Jiyong showed Dara how she should drink using the straw and Jiyong couldn’t help but laugh as her eyes shine with understanding.

 

            “Aish~ I don’t know what to do with you.” Jiyong said looking at her.

            Dara suddenly grabbed him by the arm and looked at him seriously that creeps him out again. “You have a monster here.”

            “Mou?” Jiyong asked.

            “There was this…this brown thing walking something in your room the other day.” Dara struggled to explain and Jiyong couldn’t comprehend.

 

            She continued her attempt to describe the thing and Jiyong was quite sure he knows what she’s talking about.

 

            “Er, is the thing you saw... barks?” Jiyong asked trying to keep a straight face because Dara’s face is so scared.

            “Neh neh.” Dara nodded wide eyed. “Barks.”

            “That’s not a monster.” Jiyong explained. “That was my dog, Gaho.”

            “Dog?” Dara asked curiously.

            “Neh.” Jiyong smiled. “He’s my pet.”

            “Am I your pet?” Dara asked suddenly.

            “Aniyo.” Jiyong answered quickly.

            “Then what am I to you?” Dara asked.

 

            Jiyong opened his mouth to answer but nothing came out. He looked at her trying to put what she is to him but couldn’t find any answer. Sure he was scared of her but he couldn’t deny that no matter how surreal this is, she’s alive and they were talking right now.

 

            “I don’t know.” Jiyong answered truthfully.

            Dara smiled at him and took his hand. “Will you tell me once you know?”

            “Neh.” Jiyong nodded, mesmerized by her smile.

 

            Dara’s attention was averted when she saw the television and Jiyong started explaining how it works because Dara complained that the people inside wouldn’t talk to her.

 

            “Dara…” Jiyong said getting her attention.

            “Hmmm…?” she smiled.

            “Why are you sometimes alive and sometimes you’re not?” Jiyong asked curiously.

            Dara frowned at Jiyong’s question like as if it was obvious. “Well…I get tired and then I sleep inside your closet.”

 

            Jiyong slapped a hand to his forehead.

 

            Of course…how stupid of me to ask. Jiyong thought.

 

            He laughed at himself for even asking. Dang, she got me.

 

            Dara laughed even though she doesn’t know why Jiyong is laughing.

 

            “Do you want to watch a movie?” Jiyong asked and then Jiyong quickly explaining what a movie is.

            “Neh.” Dara nodded and Jiyong let her pick what she wants.

 

            Jiyong keeps his attention on the movie while Dara sat beside him. Jiyong was still a little uncomfortable being with her because she feels surreal that he didn’t dare look at her. But Jiyong is only a man and he couldn’t help but look at her.

 

            Jiyong laughed when he saw that Dara has fallen asleep.

 

            “Way to go, Jiyong.” he told himself. “You bored a beautiful girl to sleep.

            Jiyong carefully took Dara to his arms and then went to his room. He put down her to his bed and then opened the closet door. As much as he wanted her to have a comfortable room, he couldn’t because no one should find out that she’s here. Jiyong took a spare pillow blanket and comforter and made Dara a comfortable enough bed inside the closet before picking her up and putting her on the made bed.

 

 

            “Sleep tight, Dara.” Jiyong mumbled a