Dark Secrets

Chapter 24: 'Cause I've Been Talking to My Friends (1 of 2)

“Who said that to you??” Alessia had a big reaction on her face.

“Not me … it’s my friend, a guy said it to her.” I denied immediately.

“Liar.” Troye uttered. “Is it Pluto or Diso?”

Right, I almost forgot Troye’s ability. “Pluto.” sighs deeply.

“I get it that he’s awkward expressing his feelings in words most of the time and actions sometimes, but that kind of statement …” Troye scratching the back of his head. “What did you say before he said those words to you?”

“Well, we’ve been talking about a lot of things until we had the topic of marriage. When he asked me if I had plans on marrying him, I told him that I don’t love him so why would I marry him.” I stated.

“Now I know!” Troye nodded. “He’s just getting back at you because you hurt his feelings first. He confessed his love and exact his revenge at the same time. Hahaha. You guys are adorable.”

“But I agree to what Diso said, Pluto is a jerk for saying that to you. That sentence alone ‘I don’t love you that much to marry you’ it means he’s not serious at all.” Alessia taking a sip of her cola.

We’re currently at Troye’s car, this Thursday afternoon, heading to Caracciolo as I still need to work until they find my replacement.

“By the way we can’t sleepover this week to your place, right?” Troye glance at me through the rear-view mirror. “Uncle and Auntie are living with you now.”

“Uh-huh. But I’ll definitely invite you girls, once we settled to our new place. Mom signed the contract today and I don’t know the details yet as to when we’re going to move in.” I responded.

“We’ll definitely throw a housewarming party for your family.” Alessia uttered. “I still miss you though at the restaurant, I won’t see you again wearing the uniform I picked for you.”

“Geez, I still have few days left. The good thing about it is we can hang out now after class since I don’t have a work anymore.”

“You’re absolutely right, darling!” Troye agreed. “We could even go to a vacation on weekends and this summer without worrying your job since you’re no longer a part-timer at Cara.”

“I doubt about the weekends Troye.” Alessia chuckles. “Desa is only a freshman. Maybe next year when she doesn’t have classes on Saturdays … but you have club activities on Saturday, right?”

“Yeah, maybe on my 3rd year, but we’ll definitely go on a vacation every summer.” smiling at them as I lean forward to their seats.

That same evening, Diso dine in at Caracciolo and waited for me until my shift ended at 10pm.

“We’ll be neighbors soon, rich kid.” Diso teased me as we walk along.

“Nah, we just got lucky.” I replied shyly. “Can you keep it a secret from everyone? I haven’t told anyone yet that I’m moving to the same residence as yours. Alessia and Troye only knows that I’m moving out with my parents but not the whole details yet.”

“Sure, as long as you pay for my silence.” he responded.

“Huh?? Wait … how much do you know?” glancing at him anxiously.

“I saw your mom this morning visiting your unit and she told me that … “he leaned to whisper. “She won the jackpot prize at the lottery.”

“Haist … Mom.” I sighed deeply as I shake my head. “She must trust you so much that she told that secret to you.”

“Actually, I already had some clues when you’re suddenly interested with stocks and on top of that you’re planning to buy from Nevaeh Group. You know how much their stocks cost, right?” he stated.

“Yeah, in US dollars. If you know it then Pluto must know it too.”

“Well if you discussed it with him, he probably guessed it already.”

“But I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know yet that we’ll be neighbors.”

“I think so too. Why would you want it to keep a secret from him?”

“It’s not like that … how do I explain this?” finding the right words to express myself. “I’m taking your advice to keep distance.”

“Ah, so he’s the jerk.” he smiled sarcastically. “Why are you keeping distance? Do you like him?”

“No!” I denied sternly. “I know that we’re just fake lovers but he’s a good actor that sometimes it made me feel like it’s all real. There are times that I got carried away in our play. He makes me confuse so I have to draw the line between us. You said it’s nothing serious, right? So, I shouldn’t make things complicated between us. We’re friends, that’s all and what we have in public is just for a show.” letting out my sentiments to him.

“Are you having a hard time pretending to be his girlfriend? I can talk to him and put a halt in your play if it’s too much for you.”

“No, I’m actually used to it, besides our show is until he graduated. Also, I’ve done this before to a friend who got the same problem with the girls. Yeah, that’s it … this is not different.” I realized what I’ve done for Jacob before. “It’s only natural that I feel awkward when a man suddenly gets close to me. Why do I only realize it now?!”

“I guess you’re too young for love, Desa.” he smiles at me. “You’re not yet ready for a romantic relationship, kiddo.” pats my head.

When I arrived home, I already knew the news that Mom bought a unit instead of house and lot so it’s no news to me.

The real news was she spent ₩ 150 million in just a day, aside from our residence she also rent the whole first floor of the building across the street of our residence for Dad’s clinic and her bakeshop.

“And tomorrow, your Dad and I will put the rest of the money to the bank before we look for interior designers for our new home, your Dad’s clinic, and my bakeshop.” Mom explained excitedly.

“Wow, you have it all planned Mom.” drinking the milk, she prepared for me instead of beer. “I’ll ask my friends if they know someone too, unless you already have someone in mind, Mom.”

“No sweetheart, but I do have colors in mind, umber for my bakeshop, sienna for Honey’s clinic and ochre for our unit.” Mom said.

“So, it’s not the usual all-white clinic Dad?” I turned to my Dad who’s silently listening to Mom.

“She’s the boss. You’re Mom even had names according to the color she chose, Umber Bakeshop, Sienna Medical Clinic, and she’s calling our home as Ochre Unit.” Dad staring at my Mom lovingly.

“Well, I don’t have any objections, Mom’s knows best.” I uttered.

Friday morning, I know how to handle Pluto now and I’m not confused like yesterday, I got stunned whenever he’s affectionate towards but I know better now, I should just play along and don’t take anything seriously since it’s just for a show anyway.

“Morning, Baby!” Pluto walks up to me like he’s a model in a runway.

“Morning.” I greeted him back as I try not to be distracted by his handsomeness. “What did you bring today?”

“A slice of Chocolate Cake and coffee.” he put them on my desk.

“It’s the 1st time you give me a drink along with a food.” taking a sip of the coffee while he’s preparing the cake for me.

“Someone gave me a coffee while I’m on my way here, I don’t drink coffee so I’m giving it to you … say ah.” feeding me the cake.

“Hey, what if there’s something in this drink that is meant for you?!”

“Well, she doesn’t look like that she’ll poison me, I just met her accidentally and she just bought it from a shop, but I think that coffee meant for someone else yet she gave it to me.” he replied.

“Do people usually give you stuffs freely?” I put the coffee down.

“Sometimes. I never asked for anything but they just give anything they have on hand. Ah …” telling me to open my mouth.

“Ah …” I followed him obediently. “Coffee complements the taste of this chocolate cake though.” covering my mouth while talking.

He’s feeding me like a baby but I shouldn’t read too much of it, he’s just showing to everyone in the classroom that he’s a romantic guy.

That same afternoon, Caracciolo finally hired a replacement, a handsome Korean man with an Italian name since he was adopted by Italian couple, Vincenzo Cartari.

I never watch any TV program since we migrated here in Korea last year, but he got a face of a great actor as he’s too alluring that I could give all my pennies to him when he smiles.

“So, what do you think of your replacement, Desa?” Manager asking for a feedback after I’m done explaining everything with Vincenzo.

“I think, Caracciolo will be famous to the ladies.” I let out an honest opinion. “Is he for real? He wants to be a part-timer here when he could be a celebrity with his handsome face?”

“Exactly my sentiments when he applied to be a part-timer here. He got robbed when he came yesterday, here in Korea. My husband happened to see him on the road so he helped him specially when he found out that Vincenzo came from Italia.” Manager stated. “We told him that we’ll give him money to go back home but he doesn’t want to take our money for free, so when he saw the signage that we’re looking for a part-timer, he asked if we could hire him instead.”

“Ah, so that’s his story. Is he currently staying at your house, Manager?” I asked curiously because of Alessia.

“Yes, and my daughter starts acting more of a lady now since this morning.” Manager chuckles. “You know she prefer pants than dresses or skirts, right? She only wears them when there’s a party, but this morning, she’s wearing a white shirt dress.”

“Really? I haven’t seen her today at the campus but maybe she’ll come here today to see Vincenzo at work.” predicting the future.

“Very likely. Knowing my Alessia, she tends to be aggressive when she likes something and currently, that’s Vincenzo.” Manager said.

Few hours later, Alessia really came with Troye, they look like they went shopping and just as what the manager said she’s wearing a dress and she even had her hair and make-up done.

“Alessia.” I give her a meaningful smile when I see her new look.

My girl best friend, who usually wears a shirt, pants, and sneakers with her messy curly hair and no make-up face is now a true lady.

“How do I look, Desa?” Alessia anxiously asked.

“You look beautiful that I almost didn’t recognize you at all.” I said.

“So, where is this Vincenzo guy that transformed our friend to a lady?” Troye looking around the restaurant.

“At the rooftop, preparing the tables for dinner reservation tonight. I told him that he can start tomorrow but he insisted working today since he doesn’t have anything to do.” I’m still explaining but Troye excitedly climbed upstairs.

“Troye!” Alessia chasing after Troye without a care if she’s wearing a dress and high-heels.

“Wow, they’re so excited to see a handsome man.” I turned to Edna.

“You can’t blame them.” Edna smiles at me. “That guy will bring a lot of ladies customers here, I shouldn’t have said yes to my fiancé yet.”

Vincenzo is 10 years older than me so I only admire him as an older brother although he’s extremely handsome, I prefer someone who’s 4 years older than me at most.

Dad is submissive to Mom because he’s 10 years younger than her and I don’t want to have the same fate with Dad although I like the fact that they truly love each other.

The next day, since it’s a Saturday, we had our last jazz dance practice since we’ll all be preparing for final exams next week and continue practicing after 2 weeks.

Today is also my last social welfare class since it’s giving way for the review of academic subjects.

I’m done changing my clothes before going to cafeteria when Pluto waited for me outside the women’s room.

“Yes?” looking at him in confusion.

“Are you free tomorrow?” Pluto asked shyly.

“I’ve got plans tomorrow, why?” holding on to the strap of my bag.

“I see. I’m about to invite you tomorrow at my residence but you’ve got plans already.” rubbing his nape.

“Why do you have a party at your residence tomorrow? Alessia and Troye didn’t mention anything to me.” thinking carefully.

“No, it’s not a party but a family gathering. Every 1st Sunday of the month we have this family tradition.” he uttered. “I’m thinking of introducing you to everyone.”

“Huh? Why are you going to do that?? And you said it yourself it’s a family gathering, so why are you inviting me???” I don’t think he’s making any sense on inviting me at such exclusive occasion.

“What do you mean why? Aren’t we clear about us already?” frowning at me. “We’re together now, right?”

“I … I don’t understand.” scratching my head.

“Come with me.” he suddenly drags me somewhere until it’s just us in the area. “What do you mean, you don’t understand?!” irritated.

“I don’t understand what you were talking about that we’re together now. We’re just faking it, right?” staring back at him.

“Are you stupid or just feigning ignorance??!” he shouted at me.

“Hey! If you drag me here just to ridicule me, then I don’t have time for you. I’m tired and starving right now, so if you got nothing good to say, I’m leaving.” I walked past by him when he suddenly grabbed my hand and hold it tight. “What?!!”

“Do you like me, Ha Desa?” he’s giving me a serious look.

“No.” I answered him without much thinking but when I see the dishearten expression on his face, I suddenly feel regretful.

“I guess, I’m wrong about us.” he released my hand and walk away.

“What’s his problem?” watching him leave. “Suddenly asking me that kind of question out of the blue.”

I went to the cafeteria to grab a lunch and there’s Diso dining in with Dr. Han at the faculty corner.

“Desa.” Dr. Han smiling at me brightly. “You’re working at Caracciolo, right?” anticipating for my answer.

“Yes, Dr. Han, but it’s my last day there today.” I replied confusedly.

“But you know this handsome guy who seems to be new at that restaurant, right?” she continued.

“Ah, you mean Vincenzo Cartari, he’s my replacement. Why are you suddenly asking about him? How did you even know him?” I asked.

“I think I can forget about Ace now and moved on to a new chapter of my life with Vincenzo … what a handsome name like his face.” she sighs dreamily like she has her own world at the moment.

“She’s changing her target.” Diso whispered to me.

“Last time, she was crying for Ace-hyung and said that she won’t give up on him but now she’s onto the new guy in town.” I uttered.

“She met him this morning, sending out flyers, promoting Caracciolo. She said she wanted to put the flyer in a frame and hang it on her wall. Is that Vincenzo guy, really that handsome for her to be this crazy with somebody else in an instant?” Diso asked softly.

“Yes, he is. He looks innocently handsome; he has a smiling face too that can capture every ladies’ hearts. Even Alessia changed her appearance for him and Troye is thinking of breaking up with his …” I leaned to whisper to him. “Boyfriend, because of Vincenzo.”

“What about you, you don’t like him?” he looks at me with a serious face as he waits for my reply.

“Well, I don’t like someone who looks so perfect that everyone wants him to be theirs. I want someone to be mine alone. I won’t be a hypocrite, telling that I ‘m not interested with good-looking guys but I want to be secure in a relationship. With someone like Vincenzo, I’ll be insecure most of the time and that’s not what I want.” I explained my preference to him.

“How about Pluto?” giving me a meat that he sliced in bite size.

“You know we’re not real, right?” I whispered again. “I don’t mind what other people say about me because they don’t know the truth.”

“What if you guys are in a real relationship? Would you feel insecure around him?” he asked like he wanted to find something out.

“Can we talk about this later? Let’s just eat for now. I’m starving.”

“Hmpf.” he laughs at me. “Sure. Eat first.”

“You put a lot of meat on my rice bowl again, Diso-sunbae.” giving him my fried chicken since he’s sharing his steak with me. “It’s yours.”

... To be Continued ...