Dark Secrets

Chapter 15: When the Girls (2 of 2)

“I only met them once when I went to Canada 3 years ago.” he said.

“Desa brought you home??” glancing at him.

“Mmm. I was drunk when we met at the streets. Haven’t I told you before how I met Desa?” he asked cluelessly.

“If you told me, would I have to asked?” I responded to him coldly.

“Ah right, Desa and I only told our story to Alessia and Troye in Desa’s classroom where a lot of her classmates were already present that time. The news already spread but I forgot that you don’t listen to rumors going around. Sorry, my bad.” he apologized sincerely.

“3 years ago, you were only 18 that time, right?” I continued.

“Yes. I went to Canada like always to find the girl. But I failed so I just had some fun at the club and danced the night away. Remember the time I got grounded. You and Ashton helped me escaped.”

“Ah, yes, you told us about that. But you didn’t tell what happened next. So, you met Desa’s family?” interrogating him again.

“We bumped to each other, we talked a little bit, we found out that we’re both Koreans and the next thing I know, I’m sleeping in their couch and her Mom was the first person I saw.” he explained.

“So, she brought you home because you’re a fellow citizen and she couldn’t just leave you at the streets being drunk.” I concluded.

“Yes. That’s exactly what happened. Desa let me sleep in their living room then the next morning Mrs. Ha woke me up while Mr. Ha was preparing for breakfast. The Ha welcomed me to their home.” he added. “Are we good now? You’re not upset at me, anymore??”

“I’m not upset, it’s just that I didn’t know what’s happening earlier.”

“Well, you know now.” he uttered. “Her parents are friendly but I don’t know where she got that kind of attitude.”

“You made her do it to you. You’re pushing her to treat you that way because of the lie you made to everyone.” I responded.

“It’s not like she’s losing something from being my woman, in fact she should be proud that I’m her man. She won a lottery.” he said.

“I don’t know the game you’re playing with her but don’t go overboard with your lie. I don’t want her to be hurt because of you.” I uttered.

“I know what I’m doing, don’t worry I’m playing the game safely.”

When we saw Luke and the two others who are resting on the pavilion with Desa’s Dad, we handed over our presents to the man.

“Oh, you don’t have to bring anything.” Mr. Ha called out one of the helpers around the area and told him to bring the presents inside the house. “Thank you, Taeoh.” he turns to us again. “Diso, right? Desa told me that you’re a med student, her nice senior, she looks up to you because you’ll be a doctor in few years. That daughter of mine wanted to be a doctor too but she didn’t make the cut-off to be a medicine student in your university. That’s why she idolizes you. She told me and her Mom many good things about you.”

“I suddenly feel embarrass.” smiling at him. “I’m not that great.”

“You are great. Only you have the guts to study 6 years in college and after that 3 years residency in the hospital.” Pluto responded.

“That’s right. I took 8 years in college because I’m not sure if I could make it 6 years straight. Then 2 years residency before I become a doctor.” Mr. Ha said. “We chose a long path to learn, son. I’ve been there and done that, you’re better than me you’re an SNU student.”

“He’s also the best student in his class, Mr. Ha.” Pluto added.

“My daughter is really best in choosing someone to idolize.” Mr. Ha said as he smiles at me. “As for you, Pluto, it’s a small world after all. I never thought I’ll meet you again.”

“Ah, Mr. Ha. I was also surprised when I saw Desa at the campus and we’re even in the same club.” Pluto responded.

“I thought Desa would pursue dance as her major in college because she really loves to dance, specially ballet. But she told me that she wanted to be like me a doctor because she wants to take care of people who are sick and save lives that’s why instead of giving up, she become a nurse instead.” Mr. Ha feeling proud of Desa.

“Well she could marry a doctor instead, right Diso?” Pluto trying to build me up to Desa’s father.

“She could marry whoever she wants because she’s an amazing woman.” I responded. “Your daughter is so hardworking and I admire her for that.”

“I actually feel sorry for her because she has to work instead of just focusing on her studies. I’m only a provincial doctor and my salary here isn’t enough to provide for my family. That’s why I’m looking for a job in the capital. I promised to Desa that we’ll live together again after 6 months.” Mr. Ha with a broken smile.

“Pluto, you can help Uncle to get a job in the capital, right?” Luke speak out to Pluto after listening to our conversation.

“Of course, tell me which hospital you want to be hired Mr. Ha. I’ll get you in and you can start as soon as possible.” Pluto replied.

“Why are you from an influential family that has lot of connections?”

“Uncle, Pluto is …” Calum is about to reveal Pluto’s identity but Pluto covered his mouth to keep him quiet.

“Let’s just say that I am, Mr. Ha. Besides it’s job what I’m offering to you and not money so you don’t have to feel burden.” Pluto said.

“Thank you for your offer but I have to say no.” Mr. Ha replied. “I want to get in with my own ability and credentials not because of connections. I want my daughter to be proud of what I can achieve on my own and not because I got back up.”

“I understand, Mr. Ha.” Pluto nodded. “But if you need any help, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“Son, you’re just a student. Even if you do help me, I know you’re just using your family, help others if you can do it on your own.”

“Haha. I’ll take note of that Mr. Ha. You enlighten me today.” Pluto said as he smiles at Desa’s father.

What Mr. Ha told Pluto might sound offensive to him and if other people would tell him the same, he might punch them in the face or threaten them with their life on the line but he smiled at him.

Luke and Calum filled us in with the details that happened to Michael and Ashton, the reason Desa brought them to Suncheon.

(Desa’s Point of View)

At the kitchen while preparing the ingredients for the dishes we’re about to cook, Alessia and Troye keep on talking with my Mom like they’re close friends with her.

“KYAAH!” Troye hurt his hand when he’s trying to lift the pot.

“Darling, are you alright?” Mom checked Troye’s hand immediately.

“I am auntie. I just hurt a little bit but I won’t die from it.” Troye said to my Mom as he shakes his hand.

“Hahaha, I like this friend of yours. Desa, he’s quirky in a good way.”

“Mom, Troye never failed to make me laugh whenever the three of us are together.” I responded.

“So, tell me about your boyfriend.” Mom suddenly asked Troye.

“Oh, he’s handsome.” Troye answered immediately until he realized what he just said to my Mom. “Oh my gosh! What I just said?!”

“It’s alright, sweetie. You don’t have to pretend when you’re around me.” Mom embracing Troye. “It’s just us ladies here.”

“Desa, you’re Mom is good at catching people’s off guard.” Alessia said to me. “You can’t hide anything from her.”

“Yeah, even my embarrassing moments she always caught me.” I said.

“Ooh, Auntie. Can you tell us about these embarrassing moments of Desa?” Troye showing his true colors to my Mom.

“Mom, don’t you dare!” looking at her with my big eyes.

“What do you girls want to know about Desa?” Mom smiling at me.

“Mom! Please, no! Don’t do this to me, I’m your daughter!” pleading.

“Have you caught Desa kissing someone?” Alessia asked right away.

“No, as far as I know that girl has never been kissed or touched. She’s still a virgin and I’m glad she didn’t lose it on senior prom at high school.” Mom told them without hesitation.

“Yeah, right most senior high school got that moment in time.” Troye nodded. “But how certain are you that Desa hasn’t been touch yet?”

“Really Troye?!! That kind of question to my Mom??!” I scowl at him.

“I caught her m**********g in bed on her 16th birthday that’s the first, the second time was …” Mom still talking even if I covered her mouth with both my hands.

“Mom stop it please! Why are you doing this to me?!” pleading to my Mom to stop from embarrassing me.

“Desa. Damn girl! Was that even you’re first time doing it?” Alessia teasing me more.

“That’s my first! Can we please drop this topic??!” begging for mercy.

“I was 13 on my first.” Troye said proudly. “And I lost my virginity on my 19th birthday.”

“With a girl??!” I released my Mom from shocked.

“Eww … with a guy of course!” Troye responded confidently.

“How do you guys do it?” Mom throw the question right away.

I actually don’t care about anyone’s s*x life but Troye is a story teller that I won’t find it uncomfortable at all.

“You girls look like had fun while preparing lunch.” Dad noticed us all smiling as we set the table.

“Honey, I like Desa’s friends. I don’t feel like working at all when I’m chatting with them.” Mom said to my Dad.

“I had a good time with these gentlemen too.” Dad looking at the boys. “Will you boys, be alright to eat on the mat and not here on the pallet? Or we could just connect these two tables.”

“Yeah, let’s do that Honey.” Mom agreed. “Desa get another mat inside, use a stool to get it above the drawer.”

“Why are you always putting those mats on high place?!” sighing.

“I’ll come with you.” Pluto volunteered.

“No, need. I’ll just use a stool.” I walked away but he still followed me inside. “Didn’t you hear me?”

“I heard you but we need to talk.” he catches my pace easily.

Of course, he got long legs and he’s tall too and he really got a knack of annoying me every time.

“Watch your head.” I entered the storage room with ease.

“How tall are you? 5’2”?” he asked mockingly.

“For your information I’m 5’3, that’s my height when I turned 18 last year and even when I took it for medical exam 3 months ago.”

“Oh, I see. I’m 5’10” last month when I took my annual check-up.”

“Did you follow me to gloat about your height?” looking for the mat.

“No, it’s about your parents. They keep on thanking me for what happened 3 years ago.” he said. “Are those the mats you need?”

“Uh-huh.” I nodded at him. “What’s wrong with that? They’re just grateful that you saved my Dad.”

“Here.” he gave me the mat with ease. “Don’t you get it? If they keep on doing that the others would ask what happened.”

“Ah right.” I get his point. “I’ll talk to them later.”

“Yeah, you better. We should be careful specially when Troye is around, you know he can catch up easily.” he responded.

“I know. I’ll talk to my parents, don’t worry.” pulling the door knob.

“Why? What’s wrong?” he noticed that I’m struggling to open the door. “Let me do it.” he gives it a try. “Are you sure it is pull not push?” trying to push it but still no luck. “What’s wrong with this?!”

“Did you kick the stone that blocking the door earlier??!” I asked.

“I accidentally kicked it when I avoided this thing hanging at the ceiling.” pointing at the basket hanging above my head.

“Gosh! You locked us up. I thought they already fixed this door.”

“Oh, sorry.” he said coolly. “I didn’t know it’s important.”

“Wow! You’re still calm even if we got locked here.” I said sarcastically. “Shouldn’t you be doing something for us to get out?”

“What do you want me to do? Destroy that door??” he responded.

“It can only be open from outside.” sighing.

“Then I don’t have to do anything. We only need to wait for someone to come. They’ll be looking for us anyway so it won’t take long.”

“Haha. You know what I wished you were here with me when I got locked for the first time. I was freaking out because I feel helpless being alone, it’s really different when I have someone with me, and as calm as you.” glancing at him.

“I’m not calm. I just can’t believe that it’s partly my fault why got locked up that’s why I can’t get mad at you.” he said.

“Ah, you’re just holding back your temper.” I leaned on the wall.

A squeak made him flustered.

“You have rat in this room??!” being on guard.

“Uh-huh. What do you expect we’re in a mountain.” I said.

Another squeak and he come quickly on my side.

“Are you afraid of rats?” smiling at him teasingly.

“I don’t like pests.” shaking his head.

When we heard two or more squeaks, he quickly clings onto me like a kid who’s scared of something.

“Hey, you’re so big why are you scared to something so small?!”

“Don’t you know that elephants are scared of mouse too?!!” he said.

“Well you got a point, but you’re no elephant.” I saw a hole on the corner wall. “I think that’s their hole.”

“I don’t care, let’s just get out of here!” he yelled.

“Now you’re panicking.” making fun of him.

Something fell from the ceiling and landed on his shoulder that made him froze completely as he hold me tighter.

“Desa, please tell me it’s not what I think it is.” gritting his teeth.

“It’s not a rat, it’s a chipmunk.” I uttered as I look at his shoulder.

“Still a rat. remove this thing from me.” standing still.

“You’re offending her by calling her a rat.” Holding back my laughter from his stoic expression. “Let go of my arm. I need both hands.”

He let go of me slowly and when I stand in front of him to take the chipmunk out of his shoulder, the little one gets inside his shirt.

“WAAAH!” he panics as he jumps around while taking off his top.

“Hey, stay still you’re scaring the chipmunk too! Hahahaha!” watching him freaking out. “Hahaha, you have calm down!”

“Calm down?!! There’s a freaking rat in my shirt!” he threw his top immediately that made him half naked. “O-Oh it’s in my pants!”

“Huh??!” I see a bump in his pants moving. “Hey, don’t remove your pants, I’ll help you take it out.” I crouched down to corner the chipmunk in his pants until it stopped between his legs.

“I-It’s holding onto my …” he placed his right hand on my head and his left on the wall as he stands still. “How dare this rat …”

“I told you it’s a chipmunk. I’ll unzip your pants, alright. Stay like that and don’t move.” I feel his hand grabbing my hair as he tries to calm down while I unzip his pants.

When the tail of the chipmunk came out from his pants, the door suddenly opens and my Mom has an expression on her face.

“I didn’t expect you to be that hairy, Pluto.” Mom uttered before she turned to me. “So, you two are …”

“Mom! No! It’s not what you think!” explaining myself. “It’s a chipmunk’s tail!” grabbing the chipmunk immediately. “See. We’re not doing what you think we’re doing.”

“Alright. but now I see the real thing.” Mom biting her lower lip.

“Huh??!” I turned to Pluto and see his thing erected in front of me.

“Stop staring!!” he covered himself immediately and face the wall.

-End of Chapter 15-