Dark Secrets

Chapter 26: Tell Me What You Say (2 of 2)

We discussed our costumes before so the boys are ready for theirs too and as usual one of them stand out because of his physique.

He’s so damn hot like he’s ready to go to the beach anytime and I can’t do anything but to swallow hard as he makes his way to me.

“You like what you see?” he smirks at me.

“Are you planning to take off that top on your solo stage?” I uttered without thinking much.

“Hmm … that’s actually a good idea. So, you want to see me half-naked again, huh?” he whispered to me with a seductive voice.

“I-I didn’t say that. It …It’s just an idea that popped into my head when I see you wearing that open suit.” I feel my face blushing.

“You want to touch it?” teasing me more. “Everyone can look at it but I’m only allowing you to touch me.”

“W-Why would I like to t-touch your body?” stuttering as I look at his six pack abs down to his pants. “No.” (Why the hell did I look at that part?!)

“You, naughty girl.” he leaned forward to me. “Do you want to see what’s under my pants too?”

“Just get away from me, please.” I pushed him away as I touch his hard rock abs. “Are you working out?”

“I’m doing some exercises at home. You said you don’t want to touch them but you’re touching me now.” chuckles.

“S-Sorry.” I took my hands off from him immediately. “I didn’t know that muscles can be that hard. I only see it in the books and magazines but touching them personally is a bit different.”

“So, am I your science experiment now?” crossing his arms.

“Troye doesn’t have that muscles, he also has flat tummy.” I said.

“Hey, stop comparing my body with Troye. Wait, how much skin does he showed you?” raising his eyebrow.

“Pretty much everything I need to know on a man’s body. We’re both medical student so it’s no big deal.” I responded immediately.

“Everything even the …” he looks under his pants. “That thing?”

“Uh-huh. He helped me to my homework that time and showed me the real thing for demonstration.” I explained without hesitation.

“Hey! Do medical students have to do study such things?!” he asked.

“Listen, I’m a nursing student so I shouldn’t have malice on patient’s body. Also, you know Troye.” gesturing a queer.

“I know but he’s still a man. How could he just show it to you and you look at other man’s …” he sighed deeply. “I forbid you to do that again, if you need a live model, ask me to do it for you.”

“Even if I need to look your organs, you’ll let me do it?” joking.

“Hey, don’t be that gruesome. I’m a live human. I can only show you my skin but not to that extent.” he steps away from me slightly.

“Hahaha. You said you can be my live model.” teasing him more.

“I’m thirsty. You want some water?” getting away from me.

“Hahaha. Where are you going? We’re not done talking yet.”

“I can’t hear you from this distant, sorry.” walking away from me as he pretends to get some water.

Our group is the first to perform and just like I suggested. Pluto really took off his suit on his solo stage that made every girl go wild on his performance.

Other groups did the same trick too but Pluto alone could take them on with his handsome face and cool moves that decided our rank.

“With 326 votes …” the host is about to announce the 3rd placer.

“Is it us?” other members of our crew expecting to call our group.

“Jjanggu Jjangah! Congratulations!” the host called the 2nd placer at the semi-finals as the 3rd placer.

“Eh? It’s not us?!” our members are surprised with the result.

“For the 2nd place … Wow! It’s just a matter of 3 votes that gained them their ranking.” the host adding a suspense. “With 329 votes … who do you think it is? Is it the Monggu or the SNUzz??”

“Monggu! Monggu!!” the crowd chanting the team’s name. “SNUzz! SNUzz!!” chanting louder and louder.

“Congratulations … Monggu! That leaves SNUzz is our grand winner of Jazz Dance Contest!” the host announced both of our ranks.

“Did he just call our name??! Are we really the champion??!” some of us still can’t believe the result. “YAAAAH!” some are rejoicing.

“The SNUzz won US$10,000 plus a luxury trip to Jeju Island for 4 days and 3 nights!” the host handing over the huge check of our prize money and the ticket to our trip.

Pluto is about to make a speech when one of the members from our rival team took the microphone from the host.

“Wait a minute. This is unfair! Our team was leading from their team earlier by 49 votes, we’re 262 and they’re 213, but now you’re telling us that they’re 345 and we’re 329 only??! What if they paid 20 people from the crowd, that’s possible considering that Pluto Nevaeh is on that team and Nevaeh Construction is one of the sponsors of this contest.” one of our rival team accusations.

“Hmpf. Are you sure you’re a dancer and not a story teller?” Pluto replied to him. “Are you implying that 20 votes on our team should belong to your team and we should be the 3rd placer with 325 votes?”

“Uh-huh! How could your team have gained 132 votes all of a sudden from 213 to 345? Almost twice as ours of 67 votes.” our rival said.

“I must commend you you’re not only good in making up a story but also computing numbers.” Pluto responded. “But that’s a shame because you’re making the crowd liars, it’s their decision that made your team 2nd placer and not us neither the sponsors.”

The leader of Jjanggu Jjangah took a microphone. “How about a showdown, to settle things clearly? I mean if our team is supposed to be 2nd placer, we should also give it a fight at least.”

“Fine. One representative from each team to perform a minute dance and to make it fair for everyone let’s make our teammates decide who the winner is.” Pluto proposing an arrangement to the two. “But we’re performing a shadow dance using the Kamong dance crew props earlier. That way everyone will decide based on our dance movements and not on who we are. Do we have an accord?”

“Jjanggu Jjangah should we take it?” their leader asking the members opinion for the battle and when they all agreed. “Jjanggu Jjangah is accepting the challenge.”

“And so Monggu.” the rival team also agreed. “Same dance song?”

“Sure. Whatever it is, I’m ready.” Pluto smirks at them.

“When we all thought that the show is over but these competitive guys won’t back down easily.” the host continued the show. “Now, everyone, we’re having a special show of these three hot-blooded men in a shadow dance battle. Let’s give the production team a few minutes to prepare the stage.”

“Hey, what’s with the showdown all of a sudden?!” Dante coming at Pluto. “They obviously send their professional in their team.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m confident in myself.” Pluto looking at me. “Come here, Desa.” telling me to go near him.

“What is it?” I come to him right away and he suddenly pulled me closer to him as he embraces me. “Hey, what are you doing?!” trying to push him away but he won’t budge at all.

“Just stay still. I need to recharge my energy.” he’s hugging me tight. “Do you want me to win this?”

“Is that even a question? You need to defend our title and show them that we deserve to be the 1st placer.” patting his back. “Are you nervous? That’s why you’re being childish now?”

“I’m scared. Everyone will hate me if I lose and I might even pay the US$10,000 with my own money as well as the vacation trip.” he said.

“Geez. As if money is your problem. Just do your best alright?” I pulled away when he loosened his grip on me.

“Mmm.” he nodded. “Will you grant me a wish as a motivation?”

“Hmm … fine. Since you’re carrying our team on your shoulders.”

“Yeah.” he raised his two clenched fists like he’s already victorious. “You can’t take back what you said. You’re granting me a wish.” pointing at me as he walks backwards to get into his position.

“Let’s go Desa.” Dante asking me to go with him to be part of the crowd. “What did he tell to you?”

“He said, he’s going to make it up for the team when he loses.” walking along with him to the front of the stage.

After a few minutes, the battle commenced and none of us knows who is who since we’re only relying on their movements inside the white box as we casted our votes.

Jjanggu Jjangah got 22 members so they can cast 21 votes to whom they think their member is; Monggu have 14 members so they have 13 votes with them; as for us SNUzz, we’re 18 so 17 votes are on us.

The host counted the votes on stage and he’s announcing number 3 since he started taking the paper from the box where we all put the number that we thought our member is.

“Does all of us voted for number 3?” Jennie asked while looking around. “Are we all sharing one mind?”

“It’s the 43rd time now that the host is calling number 3.” Krystal is counting with her fingers. “That’s the 44th.”

“Done.” the host put the box upside down to check if there’s paper left uncalled. “Everyone witnessed it right, 3 votes for number 1, 4 votes for number 2, and the rest are for number 3. I can only count these thin papers easily.” making everyone laugh. “Now, to reveal the dancers inside these boxes. Hahaha, are you all excited to know who they are?” hyping up the audience.

“YEAH!!!” everyone shouted as they all want to know who number 3 is like us who almost unanimously voted for the same number.

“Everyone, let’s count from 1 to 3! 1 … 2 … 3!” the host counted as the dancers revealed themselves.

The number 3 who has the biggest smile on his face is no other than Pluto, he won, thanks to the other members of the two teams who thought that he was their own.

“SNUzz dance crew is no doubt our 1st place.” the host putting an end to speculations. “What would Jjanggu Jjangah and Monggu will do now? In this solo stage Jjanggu Jjangah got 4 votes and Monggu has 3 votes. Are you switching your ranking?”

“No!” Monggu team declined right away. “We’ll stick to being 2nd, it’s not that bad at all.”

“Hahaha. I understand.” the host wrapping up the show. “It’s been a long day with everyone but now Jazz Dance is really over this time. We’ll be back next year to find another Jazz Dance crew who will reign the country. I’m your host, Do Tae Kwon, and this is Jazz Dance Korea. Good night, everyone! See you again, next year.”

We’re all jumping on the stage as we successfully defended our title and the boys are throwing Pluto in the air as we all owe our victory from him because of his superb dance moves that are even better than those professionals who competed with him.

Everyone decided to take the trip this coming Tuesday, since most of them are planning to go to the province to spend summer with their families, as Pluto will distribute the price money to us equally on Monday since he received US$10,000 in thousands.

Aside from being our leader, he’s also our treasurer since we can trust our money to him because he’s the wealthiest among us so he won’t be tempted to trick us for money.

“I’ll give you a ride. Are you going to your new home now?” Pluto asked as everyone is going on their way home.

“Not yet. Tomorrow morning. We’re taking a priest with us for a house blessing. This is my last night at the apartment with my parents.” I replied. “Speaking of my parents, there they are!” running towards my Dad as soon as I met his eyes. “Dad!!”

“Sweetheart!” Dad embracing me in his arms. “Do I have to ask if your team won or not? It’s obvious how happy my baby is.”

“I’ve got a lot to tell you Dad!” pulling away from him to hug my Mom too. “Mom. We won!” hugging my Mom tight.

“Congratulations, sweetheart!” Mom patting my back gently. “Oh, Young Master.” pushed me away to greet Pluto.

“Young Master??” Pluto looking at my Mom confusedly. “Why are you calling me Young Master, Auntie?”

“Ah, they just found out that you’re a Nevaeh when they saw me got off from your car with Butler Kim.” I explained. “I thought you already told my parents who you are.”

“Ahh … Please don’t call me Young Master, Auntie. Just call me Pluto. I’m friends with your daughter so don’t address me Young Master, it’s making me uncomfortable when you call me that.” Pluto bowed his head slightly to my parents.

“Well, if you’re calling me Auntie, I assumed you’re closed with Desa. How close are you two?” Mom asking him with intrigue.

“Mom. He’s just a friend of mine, alright? Just like Troye and Alessia.” clinging onto my Mom’s arm. “Let’s go home. I’m famished.”

“Ah right. Do you want to come home with us?” Mom invited Pluto.

“Honey, Pluto has a family waiting for him to come home too.” Dad uttered. “It’s alright, son. You don’t have to feel burden.”

“Dad! Why are you calling him son?!” I grabbed Dad’s arm.

“It doesn’t mean anything, I called Diso son too and your other male friends. Why are you overreacting?” Dad explained himself to me.

“I wish, I’m the only one you’re calling son, Uncle.” Pluto uttered.

“Hey! Aren’t you going home yet?!” telling him to shut his mouth.

“Desa, he’s older than you, why are you calling him ‘Hey’?!” Mom scolded me. “Did I raise you to be disrespectful?”

“But Mom he’s talking crap.” pouting like a kid.

“Still you can’t say that word to someone older than you. You’re in Korea now and not in Canada. That’s being rude, Desa.” Mom continued. “Apologize to Pluto, right now.”

“Mom! I don’t want to, why would I?!” I come to my Dad’s other side to hide from Mom. “Dad, let’s go.”

“Desa, baby. Just do what your Mom says. You know that we can’t win against her.” Dad tapping my arm.

“Urgh! Fine. Sorry.” I said sorry against my will to Pluto.

“Although it doesn’t sound sincere, apology accepted.” Pluto smiles.

“Desa Ha.” Mom giving me a look.

“But I already said it and he accepted it so it’s done. Let’s just go home, please?” pleading to my parents.

“I can give you a ride home if you want, Uncle, Auntie.” Pluto insisted.

“We’re out of the way. He’s living at Cheongdam-dong.” I uttered.

“Don’t worry about us. We’ll take the cab from here.” Dad replied.

“Yeah, we don’t want to be a bother.” Mom agreed.

“No, you’re not and you’ll never be a bother to me. Please, Uncle, Auntie, I insist I’ll give you a ride.” Pluto offered again.

“Just accept it Uncle, Auntie.” Diso appeared with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. “Congratulations, Desa.” handing the bouquet.

“Thank you. What are you doing here, Diso-sunbae?” accepting.

“To congratulate you two for winning a national contest. Pluto doesn’t like flowers so I’ll give it to you instead.” Diso putting his arm around Pluto’s shoulders. “Congratulations, brother!”

“Thanks for coming here. You just got out from the hospital, are you?” Pluto glancing at Diso. “You smell isopropyl alcohol.”

“Hahaha. Yeah, I am. Are you going to your new home tonight?” Diso asked my parents.

“Tomorrow morning, we’ll spending the night at the rooftop for the last time.” Dad replied. “Speaking of tomorrow, if you’re not busy we’re having a house blessing, Pluto.”

“I would love to come but I’ve got family event every 1st Sunday of the month.” Pluto scratching the back of his head. “How about I drop by at dinner? I don’t want to decline your offer completely, Uncle.”

“Dinner is fine too.” Mom nodded. “But we’re not pressuring you to come, if you can’t make it there’s next time.”

“I’m not pressured Auntie. I really want to come.” Pluto responded.

-End of Chapter 26-