She's The Boss

10.

"You're mad?" Lena asked.

"How can I not be mad… . I was worried about you… . Father was already asking about you, and I didn't know what to answer," Daichi replied.

"Sorry… . " she softly replied.

Daichi glanced at Lena. Somehow his anger disappeared the moment he saw the sadness in Lena's eyes.

"Did you talk with him?" he asked.

"Who?… . With Jaejoong?… . Yes… . but not so much," she replied.

"I am sorry too… . I shouldn't have made an appearance like that. Now… .he must be wondering who I am," Daichi said while his attention was on the road.

"Yes… I felt he wanted to ask about you… . But he is going to know about you sooner or later. So what is the use in hiding," she said with a sad tone.

"Lena… . " Daichi uttered. He slowly drove the car into the side of the road and stopped.

"Daichi?" she asked.

"Lena… . I know how much you love that guy. That's why I am giving you this chance to be with him. I understand… . how hard our situation is for you. I also know you're only doing this because of our grandparents. If they hadn't set us up in the first place… . then you can be happy and free to love any one you like. We still have two months before our formal engagement. So you still have time to set things right… . If you truly love him… . then try to fight for him. I am willing to help you. Just try to be careful… . My father is already keeping an eye on you. So you better follow all the things that I am telling you. We wouldn't want to be caught… . My father will surely hang me if he knew that I am helping you to get attached with another guy," Daichi said with a sadness in his eyes.

"Daichi… . I understand and thank you," she replied.

Daichi stared at Lena. He tried to hide the pain he was feeling with a smile. He loved Lena… . but he didn't want her to be married to him just because of an agreement between their grandparents. He wanted her to marry him because she loved him… . or the least would be… . because she wanted to be with him.

"But frankly I am afraid your help would just be wasted," Lena suddenly said as she sadly looked out the car. She was somehow trying to hold back her tears. She didn't want Daichi to see the tears that were already forming in her eyes.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

Lena laughed bitterly. "We haven't seen each other for more than a year. And he didn't even notice the change in me… . Aside from that, he still treats me like a male friend. I even overheard him talking about me with his friends. I think he will always see me only as his bestfriend… . and nothing more."

"If that is the case… . then it is his lost… not yours. Well, what do you plan to do now?" he asked with a serious expression on his face.

"I would still like to spend some time with him… . even if as a friend only. It is something that would make me happy. I still have two months right?" Lena asked.

Daichi nodded. "Yes… we still have two months. So you should use that time to be with him… . . and make him fall in love with you."

"Fall in love with me?… . Looking at him today… . I don't think I can ever make him fall for me… . He doesn't even consider me as a woman… ." she replied with a hurt expression on her face.

"He's a fool… . " Daichi uttered.

"Do you know whenever I am with him… . I feel so insecure… . insecure that he's way better looking than me… . So I always think that there is no way that he is going to be attracted to someone so plain like me," Lena said hopelessly.

"Lena… . you're very beautiful. Please believe me," Daichi said.

"Thanks… . you're always so understanding and very helpful I don't know what I would do without you. I don't even know if I can ever repay you for your kindness," she said with a smile.

"The only thing I want is for you to be happy… . And I also want you to have the chance to be with the one you really love," he replied.

"You're really extraordinary. I wish all men were as kind and as understanding as you," Lena uttered.

"I'm not kind… . and I'm not certainly not understanding, Lena. The main reason why I'm doing this is because I know we are both stuck in this pre-arranged marriage. So I'm just giving you a chance to have what you really want. Because honestly… . once you get married with me… . I don't want you to regret anything… . And I certainly don't want you to live your life with me… . asking yourself the question 'what if'… I don't think I can take it if you're already my wife and you're still thinking about another man," Daichi answered truthfully.

Lena was somehow touched with Daichi's honesty. He was truly a very remarkable man. If only she had met him first… . maybe… . maybe she could have fallen in love with him instead.

Lena sighed. Her life was very complicated. How she wished she could turn back time and just be her normal self again… . and be with Jaejoong once again.

Back in the DBSK boys' apartment… . .

"Hyung… . who was that guy who picked up Lena?" Max asked Jaejoong curiously.

"I have no idea," Jaejoong replied.

"He's quite rich… . I wish I could drive a car like the one he was driving today," Xiah said with a sigh.

"Yeah… . rich and snobbish. Did you guys see how he treated Lena? He was totally rude," Micky commented.

"Do you guys think that he is Lena's boyfriend?" Max asked again.

"Boyfriend? Lena? Oh… . Don't make me laugh," Jaejoong suddenly said with a laugh.

"What's wrong hyung? Lena's quite beautiful… . so it's not impossible for her to have a boyfriend," Max said again.

"Yes… Lena is really beautiful. And believe me, judging on that guy's face after seeing Jaejoong… . I can definitely say that he wasn't happy," Micky commented as well.

"Oh… . you guys stop it… .I can't even imagine Lena having a boyfriend. It's giving me goosebumps already," Jaejoong said as a joke.

The other DBSK boys all shook their heads. Jaejoong was really fixed on regarding Lena as a male buddy. He wasn't even considering the fact she was a girl.

"Jaejoong… . Lena is still a girl. Be a little more considerate," U-Know said.

"Hey… . I'm not insulting her or anything. But we have been buddies ever since we were still kids. And frankly, I can't help but treat her just like the way I used to do," Jaejoong said.

"Do you think she will be able to visit us again?" Max asked.

"Why are you asking?" Xiah asked curiously.

"Because she promised that she will cook for us… . the next time she came to visit," Max answered.

"Max… . you're totally unbelievable. You're still thinking about food?" U-Know said as he shook his head in total disbelief.

Xiah laughed out loud. "What is so unbelievable with that? That is the normal Max… . You should be surprised if he suddenly rejects food… . Now that is really unbelievable."

The other DBSK boys laughed as well. They had suddenly forgotten all about Lena as soon as they started to chat about other things.