Dark Secrets

Chapter 22: Oh … (1 of 2)

Close friends … that’s what I told Pluto’s parents about our relationship, but why do I feel differently about him?

I blush every time he flirts with me and I let my guard down easily on him that he almost kissed me before on the lips.

I’m so comfortable around him like I can tell everything and I can be just by myself when I’m with him.

Even if we hold hands sometimes it doesn’t feel awkward at all.

Is it because I’m already used to him since we’ve been touching each other when we’re dancing? Or he’s just like Troye??

Uh-huh, this is what I think about when I see Pluto and Diso together so close with each other.

That maybe he’s just using me to cover himself like Troye and Alessia’s arrangement, and the time when Diso caught me and him almost kissing each other before, he left me and went to Diso immediately probably explaining himself??

The way they care about each other when they’re also in pain, I should’ve seen it before … is that why Pluto told me before that I’m slow when I’m the one who’s involve in the situation?

“Desa?” Diso waving his hand on my face. “Are you alright? Why are you grinning like that while staring at me??”

“I just noticed how pretty you are.” (he maybe the girlfriend in their relationship) smiling at him.

“Pretty? I’m a man and yet you call me pretty?” he furrows his brows.

“You look like your mother, right? So, you’re pretty since she’s pretty too.” I reasoned out to him.

“Hey, what’s wrong with you tonight? Did you dance a lot earlier and had a community service again then there’s a lot of work in the kitchen at Caracciolo??” he’s giving me the worst cases scenarios.

“None of that happened today, Pluto and I just listened to Michael Jackson’s albums then had a lunch together where my professor for my next class was having a date so I assumed I had no class and I was assigned to the rooftop earlier to prepare an event so my day today is not that stressful.” I turned my head forward and see the usual ghost whose always in the train with us. “Did you see her today?” talking to the spirit across our booth.

“What did he say?” Diso asked since he doesn’t see the spirit at all.

“He said yes, but she’s with another man and looks happier than they were together.” I suddenly feel sad for this loving spirit.

“If she’s happier, you should move on now. If you really love her, you have to let her go, you can’t do anything now since your dead.” Diso said to the ghost who’s listening to his words.

“He said he knows what to do and you’re right. That’s why he’s leaving tomorrow after he see her for one last time.” relaying the message to Diso. “He also said that since you’re still alive you shouldn’t waste time doing nothing, you should tell the one you like how much you love her before it’s too late.”

I wanted to asked the ghost if he also know about Diso and Pluto since it’s the matter I’ve been thinking earlier but I might offend Diso if I say it out loud when he wants to hide it.

“Saying I love you isn’t an easy thing for someone like me, so mind your own business.” he replied to the ghost coldly.

I made the right choice not to say anything, Diso looks scary when he’s too serious.

When I arrived at my apartment by 11pm, I had a half bottle of beer as usual and some of the pastries before I took a half-bath to clean myself up and prepare to sleep.

I know I agreed to make a choreography with Pluto this Sunday but he took me to a jazz concert.

“Seriously?? This is where we going to make the choreography at the dance floor?!” shouting at Pluto for him to hear me.

“Why not? Just let the music flow to your body.” Pluto dancing to the beat and he really is great in owning the dance floor as he takes the center while making steps.

“He must be a dancing machine. How can he just dance perfectly just by listening to the music??” watching him dance until I finally get into the rhythm and dance with him.

I never had so much fun dancing before since I migrated here in Korea and because of this guy, I realized how I love to dance again.

He drove me back home and even accompanied me until we reached the door of my apartment.

“Do you want water?” I’m thirsty so I think he is too. “But I only drink tap water, I don’t have the same water you drink at home.”

“Geez, do I look picky to you? As long as it’s clean water I can drink it.” he sits on the wooden pallet as he stares at the night sky.

I went inside the house to get him a glass of water. “Here.”

“Thanks.” he drinks immediately. “I miss the night sky full of stars.”

“Yeah, me too. I used to star gaze with my friends in Canada before, we just lay down our backs on the grass and watch the moon while sharing stories that comes in to our minds.” smiling bitterly.

“I didn’t have friends before because people here make fun of my dark skin.” he suddenly shares his story with me as he lay down.

“You were bullied before too??” I lay down next to him and use my arms as my pillow. “But you’re a Nevaeh.”

“Uh-huh, being a Nevaeh made me surrounded by fake people. I had a hard time adjusting here after 8 years living in the Philippines where I thought I really belong. That’s why I prefer foreign friends rather than Korean since I look like a foreigner here anyway.”

“I see, that’s what everyone thinks of me when I make friends with Alessia and Troye so I’m no different to you. Although I was born in this country and lived here before I turned 7, I still feel like a foreigner even if I originally belong here.” glancing at him.

“The reason everyone seeks of belongingness and acceptance from others. I’m lucky that I met Diso if not for him I’m probably be a loner until now, he made me feel that I’m belong and accepted.”

“That’s why you love him?” it suddenly slipped out from my mouth.

“Yes, I do love him, he’s the best man I could ever have.” he replied without hesitation.

“Does he know what you feel about him?” I just made him confess so I just dig up some more to help them out from their shells.

“Yeah, I also know that he feels the same way too for me. That’s why we can share anything to each other, except the secret that you know. That’s another thing.” he glances at me. “You knowing it …”

“I know, I’ll take that secret to my grave. So, it’s actually your older sister and oldest brother?” confirming my conclusion.

“Yes, and my brother still loves her until now but my sister already moved on from their forbidden love. Afterall, she’s the one who suffered the most since she’s a mother who had to abandoned her child in an orphanage.” he talks to me comfortably now about that matter that he refused to talk about before.

“I thought love is a beautiful thing but it can be a sin too when you fall for the wrong person.” I’m about to have my moment when suddenly the rain pours. “It’s raining!”

We run inside to my house immediately before we get soak in the rain, even the sky has sympathy for sad stories.

“It’s raining cats and dogs.” he uttered. “I don’t think it’s going to stop soon.” looks at the wall clock. “And it’s already this late.”

“You want to stay for a night? I got an extra mattress, pillows and blanket, you know when Troye and Alessia sleepover here.” I asked.

“It’s alright for me to stay here with you??” he surprisingly asked.

“Sure thing. Troye sleeps here sometimes when he had a fight with his boyfriend.” I noticed a sudden changed in his expression. (he still doesn’t want to come out yet even if he already confessed his feelings for Diso) “I mean we’re friends, so it’s cool.”

“Well, if you insist, I guess I’ll stay here for the night.” he said.

“I got an extra toothbrush in the drawer at the bathroom, in case you want to get clean up before going to bed. Also, Troye left some clothes here, they’re clean so maybe you can borrow them for now.”

“Why does he leave his clothes in your closet?” raising his eyebrow.

“Not just him but also Alessia, they like crashing here at my place once in a week. They were here last Wednesday.” I heard him go to the bathroom while I’m still talking.

I took out Troye’s clothes from the closet, black long sleeves and pants that he usually wears for sleeping.

I also prepared my pajamas, so that when he’s out I’ll get in immediately for him to put on the clothes comfortably since there’s no room here to get changed.

I’m preparing my bed when he come out from the bathroom with only a towel covering his half body.

I thought he’s going to use my robe like Troye does but he’s so manly and damn hot at the moment while wiping his hair dry with another towel, why is he so sexy??

“Is this what you want me to wear?” he took Troye’s clothes that I put on the side.

“Y-Yes.” I finished what I’m doing quickly and get my changed of clothes on the bed then go the bathroom right away.

My heart … it’s not like it’s the first time I saw a half-naked man, I’ve seen so much before and way better than Pluto’s physique but I really like his sun-kissed skin and muscular body that is just perfect.

When I came out from the bathroom, he’s already lying down on the mattress, my quick shower took too long as I had to calm myself and clear my mind from wild thoughts.

I drank my usual half-bottle beer before going to bed although I don’t want to be total knock out for tonight but because it’s raining, I got no choice but to get drunk.

And maybe I’m drunk that’s why I’m out of my mind when I touched his face, I just want to trace his eyebrows, eyes, nose, and lips.

“What are you doing??” he suddenly grabbed my hand to stop me from touching his face.

“Hehe, you’re still awake?” I smiled at him widely.

“Are you drunk?” he’s frowning at me.

“I need to get drunk to sleep specially when it’s raining, the spirits act like they’re living during this time.” getting drowsy.

“Still you shouldn’t get drunk when you’re with a man.” he gets on top of me. “Don’t you know how dangerous it is?”

“But it’s you, so I’m not worried at all.” I caressed his handsome face. “I’m safe with you.”

“Are you sure about that?” leaning forward until I can feel his breath over my skin.

I passed out when our lips are about to touch each other and when I woke up in the morning he’s gone.

He probably left earlier and went home since it’s Monday morning and we both have class later.

And as usual he came to my classroom to deliver breakfast but there’s something different about him.

4 days later, it’s Saturday again, Pluto and I finalized the choreography and taught everyone to learn the steps.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” Pluto asked before I leave the practice room.

“Laundry and study for the finals. Why?” putting my bag at my shoulder. “You’re not asking me to practice, right? We can practice everyday after finals, so please give me a break.”

“No, I’m not. Don’t worry. So, you are busy tomorrow.” he nodded.

“Well, I’m practically busy everyday since I’m a working student. Why are you asking my plans tomorrow?” asking him curiously.

“Nothing, I just want to know. Go now and grab a lunch. I don’t want my baby, to be hungry.” he caressed my face while looking at me with loving eyes.

“Yeah, sure.” I furrow my brows at him. “You should eat too.” walking away from him and when I looked back, I saw him smiling at me. “What’s wrong with this guy today??” continue walking towards the women’s room to get change.

When I came to the cafeteria, I didn’t have to find a table as Diso already saved me a seat at the faculty dining area.

“What happened to Dr. Han? Why is she crying??” I whispered to Diso’s ear as I sit beside him.

“Ace-hyung, broke her heart for the nth time.” he uttered while looking at Dr. Han. “I told her too many times before to give up.”

“No, I won’t!” Dr. Han sobbing. “As long as Ace see me as a woman, I still have a chance. I only have to conceive his child to tie him down.”

“You think you’re the only one who tried that?” Diso said coldly. “There were women who’s claiming that they have Ace-hyung’s child but none of them succeeded.”

“Then I’ll be the only one who succeeds. He only slept with those women once but he did it to me 5x. I’m special.” Dr. Han defended.

... To be Continued ...