Helen bustled about setting the table for lunch. In her hurry, and excitement, she almost burned her fingers when she had forgotten wearing kitchen gloves on getting the seaweed soup.
On the table, motley side dishes were neatly placed around the yangnyeom tongdak. Donghae and Siwon were patiently waiting for Helen and the seaweed soup. Donghae was seated in the head of the table, Siwon occupied the seat on his left, so Helen took the right.
On the table, motley side dishes were neatly placed around the yangnyeom tongdak. Donghae and Siwon were patiently waiting for Helen and the seaweed soup. Donghae was seated in the head of the table, Siwon occupied the seat on his left, so Helen took the right.
"Let's eat." Helen said, her eyes met Donghae's. But she was more focused on her peripheral vision. Siwon.
"Okay, it looks yummy. Siwon, lead the prayer." Donghae said, eyeing admiringly on the dishes. Donghae extended his hands to hold Siwon and Helen's, when Siwon was about to start, he noticed something and halted it. "You two, you've become friends, right?" he remarked pointing on their empty hands. Uncomfortably, Siwon extended his hand across the table to meet Helen's and started the prayer.
Helen was not sure if Siwon's prayer could be heard in a pin drop or her heart beat was too loud. She just closed her eyes. It seemed that she had been transported to a different dimension with his touch. Until, Donghae shook her up, waking her from that state.
Throughout lunch, Donghae did most of the talking, and Helen gorged herself with food to avoid talking. She would prefer to listen.
"Siwon ssi, when would you introduce your girlfriend?" Donghae asked on the spur of the moment. She stopped from chewing her food, unconsciously bowed her head.
"I'm not dating anyone." Siwon answered bluntly. She started chewing her food again.
"You're not getting any younger, Siwon. Do you want me to set you up on a date?" Donghae told him.
"No need. There is this girl that I like." Siwon said, his face melancholic.
"Really? So what's keeping you from dating her?" Donghae asked, his forehead furrowed.
"She's with someone else." Siwon said and forced a smile. Donghae patted him on the back, but Helen choked on her food.
"Gongju, are you okay?" Donghae asked, concern was shown on his face while smoothing Helen's back. She took a glass of water. While drinking it, she saw Siwon on her peripheral vision, gazing at her.
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Suri went back to their apartment. She felt someone was following her on her way home. It sent chills on her bones. From time to time, she would look back and saw no one. She became paranoid, that she brisk walked on her 5' heels. When she arrived to her apartment door, she was panting, holding her chest, she crouched down to get the key under the mat, then, a hand touched her shoulder.
"AHHHHH!!!" She cringed in fear
"Jang Suri, what's happening to you?" It was Heechul. She sighed in relief, then thinking this man almost scared her to death, she thrashed him with her bag.
"Kim Heechul, don't do that again." Suri said, sweat almost blotted her face.
"Don't do what? Kiss you again?" Heechul asked, he looked awry.
"Not that, don't act like a stalker." Suri said, her voice was serious but Heechul giggled.
"So, its okay if I kiss you?" Heechul said in a low husky voice, looking at her beguilingly.
"Kim Heechul, you're so funny." Suri sneered, and unlocked the door. She entered the house and Heechul followed in. "Heechul, what are you doing here?"
"Suri, I went to the hospital this morning to learn that you insisted to discharge yourself. So, I came here." Heechul said and moved freely around the house. "Where have you been?" He asked upon noticing the basket Suri was carrying.
"You didn't know?" Suri answered with a question, she remembered the sound of the camera shutter. But, it looked like Heechul didn't bring anything.
"I won't ask you if I know." He airily said.
"I went out to see the most important man in my life." Heechul frowned at her. "My dad." It straightened the crease on his face and Suri simpered and turned her back, so Heechul wouldn't see her. Suddenly, Heechul hugged her from the back and buried his face on her neck. He started crying. "Heechul, what's wrong?" Her voice was calm, calming him.
"Don't ever leave me again."
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Ara and Kai left the zoo. It was the first time that Ara received second looks from people. Was it because of her haircut or the kid next to her? Unfortunately, it was the second. Feeling unease, she walked faster until she was heading Kai. On the other hand, Kai tried to catch up until he was next to her again.
He attempted to hold her hand but Ara had taken it away from him. "You're afraid to be seen with me." Kai said,putting his hands in his pocket.
"That's not it. It's just that..." Ara trailed off, she couldn't explain herself rather.
"I know." Kai said, his tone was a bit cold.
"Kai!" A voice behind them called in. They both turned their back, it was a boy carrying a plastic bag, Ara noticed the inside, a napkin.
"Sungjoon?" Kai said in disbelief and they hugged each other. "Since when did you get back?"
"Last week. Who is she?" Sungjoon asked, nudging Kai's elbow. Ara was about to tell her name and introduce herself when Kai spoke for her.
"Ara noona. My cousin." Kai said, his eyes were embarrassed to meet hers.
"I thought you're hitting on a noona again." Sungjoon said. "I remember one time, the noona girlfriend you had, threw a birthday party for you. Clever Kai!" Sungjoon continued. Ara heard it loud and clear. Unconsciously, she had a clenched fist. Noona neomu yeppeo your face! Kai stopped Sungjoon, putting his hand on Sungjoon's mouth. Sweat was streaming down his forehead.
"Okay, I'll stop. I will go ahead. See you, Kai the Noona killer!" Soongjoon bantered and walked away, waving the plastic bag. They remained still, until Sungjoon got smaller and smaller and gone.
"Noona..." Kai said, he was hesitant.
"Leave." Ara said bitterly and walked away from him. Soon, she was crying with her hand on her nose. I should have waited for him. She walked and walked, until she set her eyes on the salon.
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Sungjoon was walking on his way home in a frolicking manner. Swinging both his arms back and forth. Until he noticed, people looking at him and trying to hide their giggles. He saw the plastic bag. It was transparent. Aisshh... He scurried going back.
When he arrived, the house was very silent. He scanned the place, no one. Where is she? "Jang Kini?!" he called out. No one answered. He roamed through the house, then he almost tripped over a body lying on the floor.
"Jang Kini?!" He exclaimed. Sungjoon carried her and brought Kini to her room. He tapped her cheek lightly, "Jang Kini, wake up."
Kini opened her mouth, she was still unconscious. "I love you... Heechul oppa."
The princess ' secret was revealed to her knight.
