Dark Secrets

Chapter 25: So, Baby … (1 of 2)

“We’ve been friends for over a year now, but I like you too much that I don’t want us to be just friends.” Luke confessing to Alessia on the stage in front of hundreds of people. “Alessia, will you be my girlfriend?” presenting a necklace to Alessia.

None of us knew that Luke has a plan of confessing his feelings to Alessia tonight at their band’s mini concert where there’s 300 to 400 students from our university as audience.

“Ahaha … yes?” Alessia answered uncertainly to Luke’s proposal.

“YEAH!!!” everyone in the crowd is cheering for them.

Luke hugs Alessia immediately and Troye on the other hand, telling me what the two are whispering about.

“I only said yes because I don’t want to embarrass you in public. We’re friends, I don’t want to humiliate you, Luke.” Troye whispered to me what Alessia is telling to Luke. “Still, you said yes to me. I’ll prove myself to you that I can be your boyfriend, Alessia.” he’s telling me on Luke.

Luke put the necklace on Alessia’s neck and Alessia just let him be.

“Does Alessia doesn’t really like Luke?” I asked Troye who looks amused on watching the two.

“She likes him until Vincenzo came to the picture. Alessia is one of those girls who’s chasing that perfect guy.” Troye responded.

“Aww, I suddenly feel sorry for Luke.” watching the two having their moment on stage while the rest of the band is playing a song.

“The thing is Vincenzo doesn’t have an intention to stay here in Korea, he’ll leave as soon as he earned the money he lost.” he added.

“Yeah, that’s exactly what he told me before too.” I nodded.

“He meant it and that’s what he intends to do. So, none of the girls chasing after him, including Alessia, can change his mind.” he said.

“I do understand him, he got bad memories and experiences here so why would he stay for long?” sympathetic towards Vincenzo.

“Yeah, I get it too. Going back to this two, does it look familiar to you? You’ve got almost the same situation with Alessia, right?”

“Now, you believe me that it’s all just Pluto.” giving him a look.

“We figured it out, how can you be in a relationship when you’re too innocent about love?” he embraces he as he pats my head.

“Hey, I’m not that innocent.” I disagreed to his statement.

“Yeah sure, let’s say you’re dumb.” he chuckles.

We didn’t finish the concert as Alessia wanted to leave as soon as possible, so I got home by 10pm.

The next day, I went to the main campus for our dance practice, and because it’s my first time touring inside, I kinda got lost so I’m late.

“Oh, you’re early for 20 minutes at 2pm when our practice starts at 1pm.” Pluto looks agitated to see me late for practice.

“I got lost, sorry.” getting into position right away.

“Alright, listen up everyone! We only have 2 weeks starting today, so I’m asking everyone to be on time, we’re only practicing from 1pm to 5pm today, tomorrow it’s 10am to 6pm, but starting on Monday we’ll start at 7am until 7pm.” Pluto announcing the schedule.

“Can we make that schedule fixed?” Dante raised his hand. “On next weekend, Saturday it’s 1pm to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm then weekdays 7am to 7pm?”

“Fine, let’s do that.” Pluto agreed to his suggestion like everyone. “Now, let’s proceed to practice.”

When the clocks strike at 5pm, Pluto dismissed everyone but he called out my name that got their attention.

“If you want me to practice one more hour to make up for the time I missed, I’ll do it.” I assumed that’s what he wanted.

“Let’s break up.” Pluto said coldly.

“H-Huh?” I’m confused at first but then I realized what he’s talking about when I heard everyone chattering around us. “Ah, sure.”

“We’re good, right? We can still be in this club together? Or you’re not comfortable around me here?” he walks up to me.

“No, we’re good. I won’t be uncomfortable around you, so no worries.”

“Good to know. At least we’re clear, I don’t want us to be awkward.”

“It won’t happen although this is sudden.” I smiled at him.

“Go home. Just don’t be late ever again. Practice is over for today.” he taps my shoulder as he walked past by me. “Our show is over.”

I should be happy that we’re done pretending to be lovers in public as he dumped me in front of everyone in the practice room.

But why do I feel lonely that it’s over now? It’s not like we’re really breaking up because we’re not together in the first place anyway.

I went home after practice but my parents are out so I’m all alone until they come back.

I lay down on my sofa bed and stare at the ceiling when the thought of Pluto coming for me everyday suddenly pops in my head.

None of those memories were real as it’s all for show but I think I’m going to miss them.

The next day, after I’ve gone to church with my parents, I come to the main campus 20 minutes earlier to our schedule time.

Pluto is usually strict during practice so there’s no new to that and I don’t commit too much mistake so he rarely called my attention.

After 2 hours practice, we’re allowed for 40 minutes lunch break before we proceed again.

Most of the crew went for lunch out and the rest got their own lunch like me so we just picked our own spot outside the practice room.

I know that they’re talking behind my back because of what happened yesterday so none of them wants to join me.

I only want to dance so it doesn’t matter what everyone says about me, being member of this club means I’m excuse for PE class.

“What club are you in that you’re here in the campus during break?” a young man approached me. “Can I join you?”

“Dance. Sure, this bench isn’t mine anyway.” I nodded at him.

“I’m Nobunaga Yuto, from soccer club.” extending his hand towards me. “You’re not a student here in the main campus, right?”

“Ha Desa, no, I’m a nursing student, freshman.” shaking his hand.

“Figures, I know every pretty girl in this campus and I never saw …”

“Yuto.” Pluto suddenly appeared and taps Yuto’s shoulder. “You’re the ace player of our soccer team, but if you don’t want to lose your legs you better stay away from her. She’s off-limits, understand?”

“Is she yours?” Yuto looked up on Pluto.

“No, but she’ll never be yours. She won’t be one of your b*tches so get lost before I make you use clutches.” Pluto threatens him.

“Hmpf. Fine.” Yuto stands up. “I’m out of here.” raising both of his hands as he walks away from us.

“What’s that for?” eating my meal.

“He’s quite famous here in the campus for sleeping with all the girls he preyed on. I just saved you from a predator, shouldn’t you be thanking me?” Pluto sits beside me.

“I can take care of myself you don’t have to do that for me.” I said.

“I’ll do what I want to do.” he’s looking at my lunch box.

“Aren’t you supposed to be dining out? What are you doing here?”

“Why can’t I be here?” he said sarcastically.

“It’s not what I meant.” I sighed in defeat. “You announced to everyone that we’re over. What would people think if they see us together?” looking around.

“Do you care what people think about us?” he stares to the field.

“No, it’s just that I don’t think that it’s appropriate to be seen together after such matter. I already heard a lot and this will be another issue, they might think that I’m begging to you for us to be together again. I don’t want to be that kind of girl.” I responded.

“Do I really have to tell everything in detail for you to understand?”

“Understand, what?” continue eating.

“I broke up with you because I want to make it right. This time no more lies, I’ll show you the real me.” he closes our distance.

“W-What are you doing?” moving to the end corner of the bench.

“I’m hungry Desa, can I have some Auntie’s cooked meal?” he’s staring at my lunch box.

“Tch. You could’ve bought your own lunch outside or tell your butler to have you packed lunch.” I handed him my chopstick. “I’ll just use my spoon and fork or you prefer using them since they’re unused.”

“Your used chopstick is fine with me.” he took it and put the tip inside his mouth. “I always want to taste the meal that mothers cook for their children. Mama isn’t a great cook, either the taste is too much or bland, overcooked or undercooked, when it looks edible it’s actually poison, but when it’s inedible it really is inedible.”

“Hahaha.” chuckles. “Is your mother really that worst of a cook?”

“Uh-huh.” he nodded as he took a meat in my lunch box. “Mmmh. Auntie really makes delicious meal.”

“I know right. That’s why Dad married Mom right away. It doesn’t matter how tired he is at work as there’s always good food waiting for him at home.” eating along with him. “Mom can even make scraps into a decent meal. We were poor but we always have 3 meals a day.”

“No, that’s not what being poor is. There are people only have 2 meals, 1 meal or don’t have a meal a day at all. I have to see it in my own eyes to learn a lesson. I shouldn’t be wasting food because there are people who starve, they want to eat but they got nothing to eat.”

We broke up to end our fake relationship but it doesn’t change the fact that him and I are friends.

After our 40 minutes lunch break, we headed back to the practice room to continue for 3 hours before coffee break of 20 minutes then proceed again until 6pm.

“Come, I’ll give you a ride back home in exchange of sharing your lunch.” Pluto offering me a ride when his car came to pick him up.

“No need, I’m out of the way and we live at opposite direction. I can take the bus to get home.” I’m about to walk away when he suddenly pulled the back of my shirt. “What are you doing?”

“Just come with me. I don’t want to feel indebted to you.” pulling me towards the backseat of his car.

“I get it. Stop pulling my shirt!” I scowled at him as I get dragged backwards. “I’m coming with you.”

“Alright.” he released my shirt and get in first at the backseat.

“Is your young master really childish?” I asked the butler who’s holding the car door open for me.

“Please get in, young miss.” his butler just smiles at me.

“To Dobong il-dong, Dobong-gu.” Pluto told his driver after his butler closed the door of the backseat.

“Yes, Young Master Pluto.” the driver glances at me through the rearview mirror and bowed his head slightly.

“Tell Jongin the direction when we arrive at Dobong-dong.” Pluto turn to me as he buckles up.

“Alright.” I nodded as I put my seatbelt on too.

After were all settled in the car and the butler was also at the passenger seat, we headed out from the campus to the Dobong station, where I told Jongin to drop me off.

“No, not in here.” Pluto protested as he suddenly woke up from his nap. “Go straight Jongin, we’re dropping her home not here.”

“But I can walk from here to get home, it’s not that far.” I claimed but Jongin followed Pluto right away.

“Turn left on the next corner then right.” Pluto telling the direction to my apartment. “That building with number 22 on your left.”

“Thank you Jongin for driving safely.” I thanked his driver and when I’m about to open the door beside me the butler opened it for me. “Thank you, butler Kim.” he’s the most familiar to me because Pluto always calls for him whenever he needs something to be done.

“You’re welcome, Young Miss.” Butler Kim smiles at me.

“Oh please, just call me Desa, I’m not used to be called as Young Miss.” I feel awkward to be address like a rich kid.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that Young Miss Desa. It’s part of my job to address Young Master Pluto’s friends with the same respect.” he responded. “And the fact that you’re the first female friend he sends home, Young Miss is just right for you.” closed the door as soon as I got off from the car.

“Ah … haha … I don’t still feel comfortable being called as Young Miss but if that’s what you want, suit yourself.” I walked from the back of the car towards the stairs and bowed my head slightly to thank the driver and butler. “Thank you again. Bye.” waved my hand to them before I climb upstairs. “Why aren’t they leaving yet?”

When I arrived at the rooftop, they finally left like they waited for me to reached at my exact place.

“Who’s that old man?” Mom questioned me right away.

“Butler Kim. He’s Pluto’s butler.” I walk to my Dad who’s grilling the meat on sticks. “Are we having BBQ for dinner?”

“Pluto’s butler??” Mom asked confusedly. “You mean your handsome friend Pluto? He’s that rich to have a butler?”

“He’s a Nevaeh.” I answered without hesitation.

“Nevaeh??! The aircraft company in Canada and the Nevaeh Group here in Korea??” Mom open her eyes widely.

“Uh-huh, you guys didn’t know yet that he’s the 5th child of the 3rd son of Uranus Nevaeh?” looking at my Mom and Dad who are both shocked by my revelation.

“I only know that he’s from a well-off family but I didn’t know that he’s the grandson of one of the wealthiest people in the world.” Dad exchanging glances with Mom.

“I can’t believe it. That young man that we just left to sleep on our couch in Canada is someone very important?!!” Mom sits on the chair.

“Oh, I thought you guys already know. Anyway, I’ll take a shower first, I sweat a lot earlier during practice.” I left them still in daze.

After I had a shower and dried my hair, I went out to have dinner with my parents at the balcony.

“Thank you for the food.” I’m about to take a bite when I noticed my parents staring at me. “What are you two looking at?”

“Sweetheart, is Young Master Pluto pursuing you?” Mom asked.

“He didn’t say so I won’t assume anything unless he said it himself. Also, I don’t have time for romantic relationship, I need to graduate college first, right Dad?” turning to my Dad for support.

“That’s right, I raised you well sweetheart.” Dad smiles at me.

I take a bite of the BBQ. “Mmmh. I could eat a lot tonight.”

“No, you can’t. You have a figure to maintain. Go on a diet.” Mom sternly said. “What if you get fat?!”

“Mom, please I can’t go on a diet. Starting tomorrow we’ll be practicing from 7am to 7pm. I need to eat as much as I can to have some energy for 12 hours of dancing.” I pleaded.

“She got a point. Don’t worry honey, our baby girl won’t get fat.” Dad placing the BBQ plate near me. “Just eat sweetheart.”

“You’ll be with the Young Master for 12 hours starting tomorrow?”

“Yes, he’s our leader.” I nodded as I continue savoring the taste of BBQ in my mouth. “This is really delicious, Dad.”

The next day, Mom is preparing a picnic basket while me and Dad are having our breakfast.

“You’re having a picnic with Mom today, Dad?” I asked my Dad who’s reading a newspaper.

“No.” Dad shakes his head.

“This is for you sweetheart. I’ve prepared ham sandwich for your 1st break, Chicken Enchilada for your lunch, Strawberry Cupcake for afternoon snack, and Macaroons in case your hungry again.” Mom packing them all up in the basket. “Share them with Young Master.”

... To be Continued ...