Dark Secrets

Chapter 39: Do You Tell Them I'm Your Lover? (1 of 2)

I woke up in the morning having a bad headache, it feels like my head is slowly splitting into two.

I look around and I’m in my room, but how did I get home anyway??

The last thing I remember is I’m in a club with my crew, I’m so annoyed at Pluto that’s why I drank a lot of cocktails.

Then … I … I don’t know what happened next.

Maybe I passed out, but who among my crew took me home, no one knows where I live except for Pluto.

But he didn’t come with us last night … urgh! … maybe I got sober for a while and took a cab to get home?

I got up from bed and noticed that I’m wearing clothes that aren’t mine, they’re too big to be mine and considering the texture of the fabric on my skin these must be of high-quality.

This white t-shirt and sweatpants though they aren’t my size, they’re comfortable to wear so I’ll just use them for a little while.

I stepped out from my bedroom and walked towards the dining room after I rolled up the long sweatpants to the length of my legs.

As expected, Mom prepared me a hangover soup but it’s gone cold now so I preheat it in the microwave for a while.

I was staring at it while thinking what happened last night when someone ring the doorbell.

I get the door lazily and opened it when I confirmed who rang the doorbell. “Diso-sunbae.” letting him in.

“Did I wake you up??” Diso asked in puzzlement.

“No, I woke up a few minutes ago.” walking back towards the kitchen when I heard the sound from the oven.

“Let me guess, you had so much fun last night with your crew?” he asked as he followed me to the kitchen.

“Yeah, so much fun that I don’t even remember how I got home and changed into these clothes.” I uttered as I’m about to get the soup from the oven but he pulled my hands away from the bowl.

“That’s hot. You don’t want to burn your fingers, do you?” he put on the gloves hanging on the side and took the soup bowl out from the oven then placed it on the dining table for me. “Figures, those clothes aren’t yours, you don’t wear clothes that aren’t your size.”

“Thank you.” I take a sit on my chair and start scooping the soup with my spoon but before I put it in my mouth, he stopped me again.

“Gosh, Desa, you’re making me feed you.” shaking his head. “Do you want to burn your tongue now? You should blow on it first.”

“Ah, right. Sorry, I’m so out of it.” I laughed at my own silliness.

“I understand, you’re dazed and confused at the moment. You probably passed out after drinking too much last night that’s why you don’t remember anything. Though it’s fine since you’re with Pluto, even if don’t see it with my own eyes, you were probably wasted so he lent you his spare clothes instead of letting you wear your dirty clothes last night. Also considering that he’s taking you home, he doesn’t want your parents to see you in a messy state.”

“I would like to believe in your version but the thing is … Pluto didn’t come to the party last night. So, it’s impossible that he’s the one.”

“Huh??” he looks at me with confusion. “I can’t be wrong, those black sweatpants with 3 red stripes on both sides are his. Made by the American fashion designer, Billy Red, that’s what BR means.”

“Eh??!!!!” I’m the one who’s more confused now. “But Pluto wasn’t …”

I was cut off when someone suddenly came out from the guest room.

“Morning.” Pluto walking towards us. “Is it still morning?” he looks at the wall clock. “Oh, it’s already 12:34 … afternoon then.”

“You! What are you doing here?!!” I almost jumped out from my chair.

“I saved you from two douchebags last night from the club, you were too drunk that you’ve got no idea that you’re being taken away. I originally plan to send you home then I’ll go home too, but you threw up in my car and yourself so I had to change your clothes with my spare clothes.” he stated lazily. “Don’t worry I didn’t look. I closed my eyes while changing your clothes at the backseat of my car. Just like how I closed my eyes and cursed at the wind because of the mess you made to my passenger seat. You don’t know how hard it was for me to drive the car again to get you here.”

“I … I don’t know what to say … you came for me last night and took care of my messy state?” I’m trying to figure out what to say.

“A thank you will do also get me something to eat. I’m famished. I already missed breakfast; I want a delicious meal for lunch.” he said.

“T-Thank you.” I said shyly. “As for the lunch, though I want to cook something for you, I might just give you poison, I can’t cook.”

“Come to my unit.” Diso told him. “Ace-hyung is at home since Friday, we had Balsamic Glazed Steak this lunch, there’s still 6 servings more left. I really don’t know why he always cook for 10 people when it’s just two of us.” he sighs deeply. “After he ate 3 servings of his dish in one meal, he will leave the rest to me that’s why I always ended up eating the same dish for lunch and dinner in 3 consecutive days. By the way, I came here to ask if you’re still in for Belgium?”

“Me??” I surprisedly asked as I pointed at myself.

“You wanted to go to my hometown, right? We’re leaving tonight at 7pm. Ace-hyung, already reserved 3 plane tickets to Brussels.”

“Ah! I remember now! Yeah, of course!” I replied enthusiastically before I literally drink the hangover soup from the bowl and emptied it after a minute or two. “I’ll start packing now!” I almost dashed out from the dining room to my bedroom.

(Diso Point of View)

When Desa left me and Pluto alone in the dining room, I turned to him for interrogation.

“How did you end up sleeping in their guest room?” I asked.

“Auntie told me to.” he said. “After I put Desa down on her bed I stayed in their living room to wait for Auntie to wake up at 4am since it was already 3:45 that time. I intend to explain them what happened because I don’t want her to get in trouble with her parents. I explained everything to Auntie and after our conversation she asked me to take a rest at the guestroom as she will ask Uncle to bring my car to a car wash. I refused so many times but she told me to listen to her so I got no choice but to be obedient.”

“Hmm. What about the part you change Desa’s clothes?” I continued.

“I’m tempted to look but I didn’t. I wanted to touch her but I held back. I’m not someone to take advantage of the situation. I can wait for the right time.” he replied sincerely. “Why are you doubting me?”

“Can you blame me? You’re my rival after all.” I smirked at him.

“Even so, I know how to fight fair and square.” he responded.

“What did you do to those who tried to take Desa away?” I asked as I walk towards the door to leave Desa’s unit.

“I had them blacklisted to all the high-end clubs.” he followed me behind. “One of them is the son of Congressman Han Li Mu, I don’t know the other one but he looks familiar to me. Anyway, if they come to my way again, it won’t end up to them alone.”

“You’re not going savage at me, right?” letting him in to my unit.

“Hahaha. Why are you scared that I’ll treat you as an enemy?” he laughed at me as he walks directly towards the kitchen.

“Will you?” I asked him seriously.

He glances at me. “Never gonna happen.” shaking his head. “I don’t mean to gloat but I think Desa is starting to fall in love with me.”

“What makes you think that’s the case?” I crossed my arms to my chest as I watch him prepare his meal.

“When I laid her down to bed, she opened her eyes for a while and she caressed my face. She called my name and smile at me sweetly before she told me that she’ll be mine after graduation so I only need to wait for her patiently and stop treating her coldly because it makes her sad.” he stated while reminiscing what happened.

I suddenly felt a pain in my chest after hearing his progress with Desa, it hurts to know that I might be losing the race.

But I can still turn the tables and it’s not too late for me to start.

Desa is coming with me to Brussels and he won’t be around because of his family matter, the Nevaeh are doing a charity event for 5 days starting tomorrow and he’s part of the said event for the 1st 3 days so it’s impossible for him to come.

Desa will be back on Friday, so technically, she’s mine for 4 nights including tonight, before we get parted since I’ll be staying in Brussels with my brother until New Year.

(Desa’s Point of View)

I’m still a bit in a haze but I managed to pack my luggage in an hour for my trip to Brussels, Belgium.

Honestly, I wanted to travel around the world since I was a kid, I had that dream when I first rode the airplane to Canada.

That Seoul isn’t the only place in the world, there’s a lot of places, a lot of people, a lot of things, I haven’t seen yet.

I thought I already abandoned this dream of mine but no, I still want to do it, especially now that I decided to live my life to the fullest for the people whom I’ve lost instead of living pathetically.

“My daughter is handful sometimes but please take good care of her. She moves around too much so there’s a tendency she’ll get lost.”

“Mom, I’ll be home on Friday and celebrate Christmas Eve with you and Dad.” I snorted. “Why do you sound like you’re giving me away?!”

“I’m only worried that you might cause our neighbors trouble.” Mom said as she rolled her eyes on me.

“Sweetheart.” Dad putting a scarf around my neck. “Don’t wander alone, alright? You tend to get lost in your thoughts when you stroll around a new place. That’s Brussels, I can’t go there right away.”

“Dad, even you?” I pouted. “I’m not a kid anymore. Also, this is my 3nd time going out of the country with my friends. I can handle it.”

“Third??!” Dad raised his eyebrows at me. “I’m pretty sure this is your 2nd. Your 1st was just recently, right? At Brussels too??”

Right, I never told them that my 1st was in California with Alessia and Troye. “Ah, hahaha.” I laughed awkwardly. “Right, Jeju Island is part of South Korea so it doesn’t count as out of the country travel.”

“Desa, are you sure you’re completely sober now??” Mom asked. “You’re not going to throw up in the plane like you did to Pluto’s car, right? You don’t know how embarrass I am when I heard what happened to you. That’s why even if Pluto refused my offer to take his car for a car wash, I really had to convinced him.”

“I almost die of the foul smell when I brought it this morning to the car wash.” Dad added. “You really messed up his Volkswagen, sweetheart, if you made it in a taxi the driver probably throws you out at the side of the road after getting money from you.”

“Yeah, I’m disappointed in myself too.” scratching my head. “I’ll just make it up to him when I get back.” I turned my head to Diso and Ace. “We need to leave now.” I hugged Mom and Dad. “I’ll be home for Christmas, so wait for me to come back. Mom, I want Christmas Pudding on Friday.” walking towards the backseat of Ace’s car.

“Drive safely, Ace!” Dad said to Ace. “Also, Merry Christmas to you and you too Diso. Please look out for my daughter for us.”

“Merry Christmas to you too, Uncle and Auntie.” Ace responded before he gets in at the driver’s seat.

“Don’t worry about Desa, Uncle, I won’t take my eyes off her.” Diso replied to Dad. “Merry Christmas, Uncle and Auntie.” he bowed his head to my parents before he gets in at the passenger seat.

“See you on Friday, Dad, Mom!” waving my hands goodbye to them as we hit on the road to the airport.

Ace and Diso were talking about how good my parents are to me and they even talk about their parents while we’re on transit.

Physically, they don’t look like biological brothers but the way they treat one another and how they complete each other sentences because they share the same memories, they really are brothers.

Ace is on compliance leave for 2 weeks so instead of playing with women’s hearts he chose to spend his vacation with his brother to their hometown in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre.

We arrived at the airport after an hour drive from our residence though it supposed to be another half hour but Ace knows a lot of shortcuts and he’s quite a speedy driver too like Diso nevertheless they both drive safely.

“Here.” Ace handed me my return ticket on Friday. “I wish you could spend Christmas and New Year with us too but Uncle and Auntie would be sad without their baby with them on those days.”

“Thanks, Ace-oppa.” taking out my wallet to pay him for my plane tickets. “How much do I owe you?”

“No need. Take it as my Christmas gift to you, I actually didn’t pay a cent for mine and Diso, I used my benefits as the employee of this airline, unfortunately there’s no sister-in-law option, you could’ve travel for free too.” he smiles at me.

He’s 6’4” and I’m currently 5'3", so I’m literally talking to a giant when he’s standing in front of me, I feel so small around him and I’m just wearing my white sneakers so it doesn’t help much to my height.

“Your cola.” Diso handed the can of cola to Ace. “And your lemon juice, Desa.” giving me the plastic cup of juice.

“Thanks, Diso-sunbae” taking the juice from him. “You really like mint tea, do you?” looking at his drink.

“This is my favorite drink.” Diso replied before he takes a sip on his ice-cold mint tea drink.

“Let’s sit over there.” Ace pointed at the bench on the corner.

I feel like a kid walking with these two, Diso is 5'9" though he always said he’s 5'10", still he’s freaking 6 inches taller than me.

I never been so insecure with my height and appearance even before but now with the people looking at our direction because of the handsome giant and the pretty boy walking along with me, I feel like I want to get separated from them for me not to get any attention.

Once we boarded the plane, in the business class area, the pilot even greeted Ace on his seat before going to the cockpit.

They even joked to each other that Ace should switch places with the pilot after 9 hours flight since the duration of our non-stop flight is 17 hours.

Yeah, that’s right, actually for 18 hours, the only thing I’ll do in the plane is sleep, specially that I’m in the aisle seat beside Diso.

“You got your meds, right?” Ace talking to Diso.

They’re aisle apart because there are only pair of seats at the center and both sides.

“I’m the future doctor here, not you pilot Richy.” Diso replied.

“Haha. Just making sure my brother will be fine.” Ace responded before he turned to me. “Desa, will you tell me if Diso’s temperature change? He often gets sick when traveling overseas.”

“Really?? I didn’t know about that.” I glance at Diso. “Sure, I’ll tell you right away when he’s not feeling well.” I replied to Ace.

“Hey, it’s nothing serious, so stop looking at me like that.” Diso getting anxious with my stare.

“It’s not hodophobia, right?” I asked curiously.

“Definitely not. I do travel a lot.” Diso shook his head.

“Are you claustrophobic??” I thought of another reason.

“No.” he pushed me back to sit properly. “I tend to have slight fever like I catch a cold that’s it nevertheless I’ll be fine after taking my medicine. So, stop thinking of anything else.” he buckled my seatbelt for me. “My only phobia is you getting hurt.” he pinched my nose.

I was surprised by his sudden demeanor, like he’s flirting with me.

Is he the Diso I know or he’s Pluto in Diso’s meat suit like they switched souls or something??

After pondering about it for a while, I feel sleepy like everyone else so I try to make my seat recline but it’s not like the seat in Pluto’s plane, there’s no button at the armchair or anywhere.

Diso noticed that I keep on moving around to find the button so he done it for me and recline my seat. “This isn’t a Nevaeh aircraft.”

“Ah, so that’s how to recline this seat.” I said softly after I saw the lever that he pushed to make my chair a bed. “Thank you. Aren’t you going to sleep yet? You’re not going to finish that thick book of yours, right? I wonder if you’ll get some sleep if you do.”

... To be Continued ...