[MULTI-CHAPTER FIC] LOVELY COMPLEX (6/?)
Title: Lovely Complex
Pairing: Dara/Jae-joong
Character(s): the rest of DBSK and appearances from SM and YG Family
Rating: PG
Genre: Gender-bender, Drama, Romance, Comedy, Angst, AU
Chapter six ~ Deception
“Has your assistant arrived Oppa?” Jae-hwa shouted from the bathroom.
Shin was trembling gravely. She reached for the towels lying on top of a pile of clothes that Jae-hwa clumsily tossed on the floor earlier, and then she wrapped herself in heaps of it as she headed towards the bathroom.
“Oppa?” Jae-hwa called for him again.
Shin decided to sit in front of the bathroom door, her back leaning against the double lay glass and aluminum frame. Crouched and thinking very hard, she failed to respond to Jae-hwa’s call.
Not too long ago, Shin went down to the ground floor to order hot coffee for her and Jae-hwa.
“Sir, you have to choose a seer,” the attendant said to her.
“There’s no need to, I just want to order some drinks.”
“But sir, this is a saju café.”
“I know what this café is supposed to serve, but I insist that that I’ll only order for some coffee.”
“But, uhm, sir, I also insist that you pick a seer, you should know that it is customary for a saju café…”
Shin’s eyebrows twitched. “It’s alright; I’ll pay for the seer as well, just serve me those drinks already.”
It’s damn cold in here.
“Are you sure you don’t want to know what the future holds for you?” a fortune-teller suddenly approached Shin.
Shin shuddered but she couldn’t decide whether it was due to the fortune-teller’s crisp and chilly voice or to the coldness of the saju café being hyped up since she still hasn’t dried herself completely. The fortune-teller probed into her but Shin politely shook her head.
Hmmm, if that’s the customer’s wish, then I have to respect it… but there’s something about him that is seriously odd. I’m sensing something that’s blocking me as soon as I looked deep within his eyes.
“You know it’d hurt my pride if my services are rejected,” she persisted.
Shin concentrated at the barista who was still busy making the French press coffee she ordered, and then she turned towards the seer at her side, “I’m sorry, I really don’t have time for this.”
To Shin’s surprise, the seer grabbed her right hand and forced her palm to open.
“Now, now, you know this won’t take long sir,” and the seer smiled at her mischievously.
“But…”
“Oh well, there is doubt in your heart, I could sense that. Do you really think I’m a fraud? Unlike other seers in here that would ask for your birth date to predict your future, I’m different. At least that’s what I’d like to think. My knowledge comes from years of studying, training and contemplation, and also being in touch with the forces of nature, so don’t you take me so lightly… young man,” the fortune-teller hesitantly added the last two words, putting emphasis on it as she gazed at Shin’s eyes.
Their eyes met and Shin could feel the sudden tension within her body. For the few events that threatened her and her secret, this is one of the times she was really scared and couldn’t think of what to do.
Now he feels exposed huh, what a queer… man. I haven’t even said anything yet.
The seer continued to glance at Shin’s appearance while tightly holding her arm.
His eyes spoke of loneliness and troubled past. Even the lines on his palm depicts a long journey of sufferings but seeing as to how old he is now, he must be on a kind of stage where he has to take an action already.
“I certainly don’t intend to frighten my dear customer! Very well, I’ll go easy on you for this time sir… come a little closer so I’ll just have to whisper it to you.”
Shin whose face is currently devoid of any emotions just obeyed her and moved forwards. She cocked her head to her side and waited for the seer’s interpretation.
“Deception will be a blessing in disguise for you. Take some risks, however, I’m not advising you on what particular situations would that be applied, but you must take some risk in order to be free.”
“T - that’s all?” Shin asked her in confusion.
“Yes sir.”
“You don’t have anything more to say to me? That’s just it?”
“I told you I’ll be easy on you. Besides, you don’t want me to pry in your personal life in the first place, right? Then I’ll just leave you with words to live by,” the fortune-teller sincerely said and gently released Shin’s hand.
She didn’t even mention anything about my secret. Did she or did she not found out the truth already? But a while ago I was sure she’s going to delve information about my life… this should be a good thing though since she decided to kept silent.
Shin was still rather uneasy as she watched the seer walked away from her.
I’m taking some risks now. What more could possibly happen to me in the near future?
Shin quivered.
“Boss?” a comforting hand patted her shoulder. She then turned to look at her back. It was Yang-gaeng. On his feet were several paper bags that she has assumed contained clothes for Jae-hwa, while his left hand clutched her sports duffel bag. “Sorry it took me a while to get here.”
Shin shook her head in response, “It’s okay, thanks for bringing all of these… it must have cause you a lot of trouble.”
“That’s fine… it’s part of my job anyway,” and he smiled recalling the scene almost two hours ago when every undergarments boutique he went to, he was always followed by suspicious looks of the salesladies in there.
The barista on the other side of the counter cleared his throat and politely excused himself to talk to Shin, “Sir, here is your two French press coffee.”
Shin looked at him and nodded. “Thanks,” and she gave him her credit card.
“I have to bring these upstairs, you don’t mind to carry those for me?” Shin eyed the paper bags on Yang-gaeng’s feet.
“Not at all boss!” and he proceeded to get all of it as he followed where Shin was about to go.
Yang-gaeng placed Shin’s sports duffel bag as well as the paper bags on a rectangular glass pub table near the corner shelves. He decided to sit on a chair beside it and watched as Shin went inside the inner room.
I wonder what Boss’ girlfriend looks like… I never even heard him describe his ideal girl so I guess this will surprise me big time!
“…you must take some risk in order to be free.” The fortune-teller’s words continued to ring inside her head.
“Oppa! You can hear me, right?”
Jae-hwa’s voice finally caught her attention. “Do you think there’s a future for someone like me?” without thinking, Shin had slipped her thoughts and voiced it out to Jae-hwa.
Jae-joong who was leaning close to the bathroom door heard his words clearly. He evidently felt Shin’s anxiety through his spoken words even without seeing his face, although he wasn’t sure how he could. He didn’t know how he could comfort him with a little knowledge he has about him. “What are you saying? Didn’t we agree a while ago that we’ll both experience life as what it really is, together? Then as long as I’m by your side… at least you could look forward to a bright future!”
Shin cocked her head towards the door as she chuckled towards Jae-hwa’s amusing answer. “You are adorably proud, are you aware of that?”
“Of course, I’m Kim Jae-jo… Jae-hwa! I’m… wait! What did you just say I am? I’m not arrogant Oppa!” he could feel his cheeks burning.
“I didn’t say you’re arrogant.”
“But you just said… oh never mind!”
Smiling, Shin stood up and reached for her French press coffee placed on the bed side table. She finished it in one swig to provide warmth for her body. After she called Yang-gaeng who was in the other side of the room for her sports duffel bag, she then dressed herself in sports attire that the bag contained.
“Jae-hwa, you’ve finish taking a bath right?”
“Uh, yes!” Jae-joong hurriedly answered.
Clad on a rosy pink bathrobe that was his sister’s, he was busy drying his wig using the exhaust fan in the bathroom. He was desperate not to be caught after all.
“Then I’ll leave first.”
“Eh?” Jae-joong paused.
“An urgent meeting came up; we’ll have to end here for now.”
“Oh, but you still haven’t -”
“It’s alright; I’ll just drop by my home first to take some bath before going to the meeting.”
“Oh, sorry Oppa then… t - take care on the road.”
“I also left your clothes on the bed. It’s already yours so don’t hesitate to use them,” Shin then walked away.
The clothes? Ah that’s right… I must thank him personally, and his assistant too.
Jae-joong quickly put on the long fake hair and swiftly adjusted it as he looked on the mirror. But he already heard the door being closed. He decided that it’s best not to follow him and stop him just to say his token of appreciation when the man was on a hurry. He went out of the bathroom and walked towards the bed where he could see seven paper bags placed on it.
Woah, these are all branded! Jae-joong thought as he pulled the dresses and other women’s clothes out of the paper bags and laid it on top of the bed.
Not for one second did I believe him as a freeloader. Just who is he?
His eyes then spotted two cups of French press coffee and a note next to it on the side table. The first cup by now was empty so he reached for the other one and although the coffee was already lukewarm, he still gulped it down. Simultaneously, he raised the note to his eye level.
Thank you. I had fun and I’m looking forward to my days with you. You owe me with those clothes… just to remind you that nothing is free in this world anymore. Reach me trough this number, 011-198-860-126.
Shin
Jae-joong sighed; remembering the countless times he did that today, it was followed by an earnest grin as he put down both the cup and the note on the glass side table. He pulled the wig and lay down on the bed.
(v)(v)(v)(v)(v)
“Abeoji called you?”
“No, it was his secretary who spoke to me,” Yang-gaeng said.
Shin sighed, “Of course.”
“I wasn’t expecting that you’re in Korea too, Boss.”
“I was on a week-long visit… I figured it would be okay since it would coincide with Eomeoni’s death anniversary,” Shin informed his personal assistant.
They were in a car now, headed to his flat in Gangnam district. Yang-gaeng was the one driving while Shin sat on the passenger seat next to him.
“Was?”
“Change of plans. I think I’ll be staying here for some time.”
“How long exactly, Boss? You didn’t even notify me that you’re coming. I could have arranged things for you.”
“I’m sorry, it was a recurring thought ever since the start of the year so when everything was alright back in Macau, I grabbed the chance to fly here. As of the moment, I don’t know how long I’ll be staying.”
Yang-gaeng glanced at him for a short time before focusing again on the road before them.
It must be his girlfriend that kept him from going back to Macau too soon. It’s a pity that I didn’t meet her when I had the chance; Boss is such a secretive man.
He cleared his throat before asking, “So… I hope I’m not intruding but how long have you been with Ms. Kim Jae-hwa, Boss? W - where did you meet her?”
“Hmmm, roughly four or five hours…” Shin was counting with his fingers as his voice continue to trail off, “No… if I add the time that we’ve met in the club, I think that’s more or less fifteen minutes, then the answer to that question would be, five hours and fifteen minutes.”
Yang-gaeng froze. “Y - you’re kidding me, right?”
“No. Why would I?” Shin looked at him with all the seriousness in the world one could ever see.
“You two are dating, am I right?”
“Didn’t I just tell you that?”
“But…” Yang-gaeng decided to drop off the subject.
I didn’t know Boss would be the Casanova type.
“Anyway thank you for going out so far as to even buy me a new phone. I should have thought of that in the first place.”
“Don’t worry Boss, that’s the reason why I’m here,” and the two both fell silent.
(v)(v)(v)(v)(v)
It’s already October and the flowers in Mugunghwa Valley are all in full bloom. It’s a sight to behold, with all the colorful flowers entertaining one’s eyes, but the beauty of the scenery has been temporarily diminished due to the nightfall and dim illumination of the light posts surrounding it. Shin was standing in front of a phoenix statue when someone came up from behind. She turned around sensing that there were people approaching her.
“A -” she remained silent as soon as she saw that there were bodyguards beside his father.
His father raised a hand and motioned for his bodyguards to leave them, “It’s alright. Leave us alone.” The two men in black suits eyed each other before they reluctantly obeyed.
After the two bodyguards left, she spoke up, “Abeoji, I -”
“What were you thinking not informing me about your whereabouts?” he said in a piercing voice.
“I only wanted to visit Eomeoni’s grave,” she equally replied to him with a harsh tone.
“Three days has already passed since her death anniversary, what are you still doing in here?”
“I don’t want to be in exile in Macau anymore.”
“You want me to send you to another country?”
“You seemed to be missing the point Abeoji; I don’t want to be in exile. I wanted to stay here.”
“So the truth came out, eh? You dare to disobey my orders?” he raised his tone some more.
“I have decided to live my life the way I wanted it. I don’t want to live by your orders, for 27 years, thankfully my senses finally knocked me out,” her voice was full of sarcasm.
“You… you insolent child!”
“If you are worrying that I may reveal your secrets or that I would live as a woman from now on, then you could forget that. What I am and who I am now was my own choice, I’m simply asking you to let me stay in this country.”
“What made you think it’ll be that easy? Your mere presence could take me away from my position!” Shin’s father trembled in anger.
“And so the truth came out too? Not that I wasn’t aware of it for such a long time… aren’t you guilty too? You were basically the one who drive me to become and live as a man, but I’m not taking back what I’ve said that this has also become my choice.”
Park Young-sam* slapped her.
“When words fail you, you always resort to this kind of action isn’t it?” she continued to mock him. “I’m really surprise as to how you’ve achieved that status of yours with this kind of attitude. I guess deceiving people is what we’re both best in? Probably that’s the only thing similar between us,” and she snickered.
“You… you think you’ll have your way? You actually think you can?” her father laughed in a delirious way. Seemingly not satisfied, he even slapped his daughter’s face twice. Shin remained unguarded and she continued to receive his rage.
“Your guards are already coming back; you might want to put on your respectable façade again. Let’s just stop here Abeoji, there’s no point in summoning me when you don’t even listen. It is clear already that we agree to disagree.”
“Is everything fine Mr. President? It seems that there is a commotion in here,” the taller one talked to Mr. Park Young-sam as he went near his side. Shin’s father shook his head as he fixed his tie.
“Please escort this man out of Cheong Wa Dae*.”
Shin began to briskly walk away as she covered her left face with her hand, she was thankful that the place wasn’t properly lit; the taller guard hesitantly trailed behind him as the other one escorted her father back to Presidential residence.
*Cheong Wa Dae is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea.
*You should know by now that I used Park Young-sam as the name of Dara unnie’s father in my fic, but I should also note that the name Young-sam is also a name of a former president in South Korea
Pairing: Dara/Jae-joong
Character(s): the rest of DBSK and appearances from SM and YG Family
Rating: PG
Genre: Gender-bender, Drama, Romance, Comedy, Angst, AU
Chapter six ~ Deception
“Has your assistant arrived Oppa?” Jae-hwa shouted from the bathroom.
Shin was trembling gravely. She reached for the towels lying on top of a pile of clothes that Jae-hwa clumsily tossed on the floor earlier, and then she wrapped herself in heaps of it as she headed towards the bathroom.
“Oppa?” Jae-hwa called for him again.
Shin decided to sit in front of the bathroom door, her back leaning against the double lay glass and aluminum frame. Crouched and thinking very hard, she failed to respond to Jae-hwa’s call.
Not too long ago, Shin went down to the ground floor to order hot coffee for her and Jae-hwa.
“Sir, you have to choose a seer,” the attendant said to her.
“There’s no need to, I just want to order some drinks.”
“But sir, this is a saju café.”
“I know what this café is supposed to serve, but I insist that that I’ll only order for some coffee.”
“But, uhm, sir, I also insist that you pick a seer, you should know that it is customary for a saju café…”
Shin’s eyebrows twitched. “It’s alright; I’ll pay for the seer as well, just serve me those drinks already.”
It’s damn cold in here.
“Are you sure you don’t want to know what the future holds for you?” a fortune-teller suddenly approached Shin.
Shin shuddered but she couldn’t decide whether it was due to the fortune-teller’s crisp and chilly voice or to the coldness of the saju café being hyped up since she still hasn’t dried herself completely. The fortune-teller probed into her but Shin politely shook her head.
Hmmm, if that’s the customer’s wish, then I have to respect it… but there’s something about him that is seriously odd. I’m sensing something that’s blocking me as soon as I looked deep within his eyes.
“You know it’d hurt my pride if my services are rejected,” she persisted.
Shin concentrated at the barista who was still busy making the French press coffee she ordered, and then she turned towards the seer at her side, “I’m sorry, I really don’t have time for this.”
To Shin’s surprise, the seer grabbed her right hand and forced her palm to open.
“Now, now, you know this won’t take long sir,” and the seer smiled at her mischievously.
“But…”
“Oh well, there is doubt in your heart, I could sense that. Do you really think I’m a fraud? Unlike other seers in here that would ask for your birth date to predict your future, I’m different. At least that’s what I’d like to think. My knowledge comes from years of studying, training and contemplation, and also being in touch with the forces of nature, so don’t you take me so lightly… young man,” the fortune-teller hesitantly added the last two words, putting emphasis on it as she gazed at Shin’s eyes.
Their eyes met and Shin could feel the sudden tension within her body. For the few events that threatened her and her secret, this is one of the times she was really scared and couldn’t think of what to do.
Now he feels exposed huh, what a queer… man. I haven’t even said anything yet.
The seer continued to glance at Shin’s appearance while tightly holding her arm.
His eyes spoke of loneliness and troubled past. Even the lines on his palm depicts a long journey of sufferings but seeing as to how old he is now, he must be on a kind of stage where he has to take an action already.
“I certainly don’t intend to frighten my dear customer! Very well, I’ll go easy on you for this time sir… come a little closer so I’ll just have to whisper it to you.”
Shin whose face is currently devoid of any emotions just obeyed her and moved forwards. She cocked her head to her side and waited for the seer’s interpretation.
“Deception will be a blessing in disguise for you. Take some risks, however, I’m not advising you on what particular situations would that be applied, but you must take some risk in order to be free.”
“T - that’s all?” Shin asked her in confusion.
“Yes sir.”
“You don’t have anything more to say to me? That’s just it?”
“I told you I’ll be easy on you. Besides, you don’t want me to pry in your personal life in the first place, right? Then I’ll just leave you with words to live by,” the fortune-teller sincerely said and gently released Shin’s hand.
She didn’t even mention anything about my secret. Did she or did she not found out the truth already? But a while ago I was sure she’s going to delve information about my life… this should be a good thing though since she decided to kept silent.
Shin was still rather uneasy as she watched the seer walked away from her.
I’m taking some risks now. What more could possibly happen to me in the near future?
Shin quivered.
“Boss?” a comforting hand patted her shoulder. She then turned to look at her back. It was Yang-gaeng. On his feet were several paper bags that she has assumed contained clothes for Jae-hwa, while his left hand clutched her sports duffel bag. “Sorry it took me a while to get here.”
Shin shook her head in response, “It’s okay, thanks for bringing all of these… it must have cause you a lot of trouble.”
“That’s fine… it’s part of my job anyway,” and he smiled recalling the scene almost two hours ago when every undergarments boutique he went to, he was always followed by suspicious looks of the salesladies in there.
The barista on the other side of the counter cleared his throat and politely excused himself to talk to Shin, “Sir, here is your two French press coffee.”
Shin looked at him and nodded. “Thanks,” and she gave him her credit card.
“I have to bring these upstairs, you don’t mind to carry those for me?” Shin eyed the paper bags on Yang-gaeng’s feet.
“Not at all boss!” and he proceeded to get all of it as he followed where Shin was about to go.
Yang-gaeng placed Shin’s sports duffel bag as well as the paper bags on a rectangular glass pub table near the corner shelves. He decided to sit on a chair beside it and watched as Shin went inside the inner room.
I wonder what Boss’ girlfriend looks like… I never even heard him describe his ideal girl so I guess this will surprise me big time!
“…you must take some risk in order to be free.” The fortune-teller’s words continued to ring inside her head.
“Oppa! You can hear me, right?”
Jae-hwa’s voice finally caught her attention. “Do you think there’s a future for someone like me?” without thinking, Shin had slipped her thoughts and voiced it out to Jae-hwa.
Jae-joong who was leaning close to the bathroom door heard his words clearly. He evidently felt Shin’s anxiety through his spoken words even without seeing his face, although he wasn’t sure how he could. He didn’t know how he could comfort him with a little knowledge he has about him. “What are you saying? Didn’t we agree a while ago that we’ll both experience life as what it really is, together? Then as long as I’m by your side… at least you could look forward to a bright future!”
Shin cocked her head towards the door as she chuckled towards Jae-hwa’s amusing answer. “You are adorably proud, are you aware of that?”
“Of course, I’m Kim Jae-jo… Jae-hwa! I’m… wait! What did you just say I am? I’m not arrogant Oppa!” he could feel his cheeks burning.
“I didn’t say you’re arrogant.”
“But you just said… oh never mind!”
Smiling, Shin stood up and reached for her French press coffee placed on the bed side table. She finished it in one swig to provide warmth for her body. After she called Yang-gaeng who was in the other side of the room for her sports duffel bag, she then dressed herself in sports attire that the bag contained.
“Jae-hwa, you’ve finish taking a bath right?”
“Uh, yes!” Jae-joong hurriedly answered.
Clad on a rosy pink bathrobe that was his sister’s, he was busy drying his wig using the exhaust fan in the bathroom. He was desperate not to be caught after all.
“Then I’ll leave first.”
“Eh?” Jae-joong paused.
“An urgent meeting came up; we’ll have to end here for now.”
“Oh, but you still haven’t -”
“It’s alright; I’ll just drop by my home first to take some bath before going to the meeting.”
“Oh, sorry Oppa then… t - take care on the road.”
“I also left your clothes on the bed. It’s already yours so don’t hesitate to use them,” Shin then walked away.
The clothes? Ah that’s right… I must thank him personally, and his assistant too.
Jae-joong quickly put on the long fake hair and swiftly adjusted it as he looked on the mirror. But he already heard the door being closed. He decided that it’s best not to follow him and stop him just to say his token of appreciation when the man was on a hurry. He went out of the bathroom and walked towards the bed where he could see seven paper bags placed on it.
Woah, these are all branded! Jae-joong thought as he pulled the dresses and other women’s clothes out of the paper bags and laid it on top of the bed.
Not for one second did I believe him as a freeloader. Just who is he?
His eyes then spotted two cups of French press coffee and a note next to it on the side table. The first cup by now was empty so he reached for the other one and although the coffee was already lukewarm, he still gulped it down. Simultaneously, he raised the note to his eye level.
Thank you. I had fun and I’m looking forward to my days with you. You owe me with those clothes… just to remind you that nothing is free in this world anymore. Reach me trough this number, 011-198-860-126.
Shin
Jae-joong sighed; remembering the countless times he did that today, it was followed by an earnest grin as he put down both the cup and the note on the glass side table. He pulled the wig and lay down on the bed.
(v)(v)(v)(v)(v)
“Abeoji called you?”
“No, it was his secretary who spoke to me,” Yang-gaeng said.
Shin sighed, “Of course.”
“I wasn’t expecting that you’re in Korea too, Boss.”
“I was on a week-long visit… I figured it would be okay since it would coincide with Eomeoni’s death anniversary,” Shin informed his personal assistant.
They were in a car now, headed to his flat in Gangnam district. Yang-gaeng was the one driving while Shin sat on the passenger seat next to him.
“Was?”
“Change of plans. I think I’ll be staying here for some time.”
“How long exactly, Boss? You didn’t even notify me that you’re coming. I could have arranged things for you.”
“I’m sorry, it was a recurring thought ever since the start of the year so when everything was alright back in Macau, I grabbed the chance to fly here. As of the moment, I don’t know how long I’ll be staying.”
Yang-gaeng glanced at him for a short time before focusing again on the road before them.
It must be his girlfriend that kept him from going back to Macau too soon. It’s a pity that I didn’t meet her when I had the chance; Boss is such a secretive man.
He cleared his throat before asking, “So… I hope I’m not intruding but how long have you been with Ms. Kim Jae-hwa, Boss? W - where did you meet her?”
“Hmmm, roughly four or five hours…” Shin was counting with his fingers as his voice continue to trail off, “No… if I add the time that we’ve met in the club, I think that’s more or less fifteen minutes, then the answer to that question would be, five hours and fifteen minutes.”
Yang-gaeng froze. “Y - you’re kidding me, right?”
“No. Why would I?” Shin looked at him with all the seriousness in the world one could ever see.
“You two are dating, am I right?”
“Didn’t I just tell you that?”
“But…” Yang-gaeng decided to drop off the subject.
I didn’t know Boss would be the Casanova type.
“Anyway thank you for going out so far as to even buy me a new phone. I should have thought of that in the first place.”
“Don’t worry Boss, that’s the reason why I’m here,” and the two both fell silent.
(v)(v)(v)(v)(v)
It’s already October and the flowers in Mugunghwa Valley are all in full bloom. It’s a sight to behold, with all the colorful flowers entertaining one’s eyes, but the beauty of the scenery has been temporarily diminished due to the nightfall and dim illumination of the light posts surrounding it. Shin was standing in front of a phoenix statue when someone came up from behind. She turned around sensing that there were people approaching her.
“A -” she remained silent as soon as she saw that there were bodyguards beside his father.
His father raised a hand and motioned for his bodyguards to leave them, “It’s alright. Leave us alone.” The two men in black suits eyed each other before they reluctantly obeyed.
After the two bodyguards left, she spoke up, “Abeoji, I -”
“What were you thinking not informing me about your whereabouts?” he said in a piercing voice.
“I only wanted to visit Eomeoni’s grave,” she equally replied to him with a harsh tone.
“Three days has already passed since her death anniversary, what are you still doing in here?”
“I don’t want to be in exile in Macau anymore.”
“You want me to send you to another country?”
“You seemed to be missing the point Abeoji; I don’t want to be in exile. I wanted to stay here.”
“So the truth came out, eh? You dare to disobey my orders?” he raised his tone some more.
“I have decided to live my life the way I wanted it. I don’t want to live by your orders, for 27 years, thankfully my senses finally knocked me out,” her voice was full of sarcasm.
“You… you insolent child!”
“If you are worrying that I may reveal your secrets or that I would live as a woman from now on, then you could forget that. What I am and who I am now was my own choice, I’m simply asking you to let me stay in this country.”
“What made you think it’ll be that easy? Your mere presence could take me away from my position!” Shin’s father trembled in anger.
“And so the truth came out too? Not that I wasn’t aware of it for such a long time… aren’t you guilty too? You were basically the one who drive me to become and live as a man, but I’m not taking back what I’ve said that this has also become my choice.”
Park Young-sam* slapped her.
“When words fail you, you always resort to this kind of action isn’t it?” she continued to mock him. “I’m really surprise as to how you’ve achieved that status of yours with this kind of attitude. I guess deceiving people is what we’re both best in? Probably that’s the only thing similar between us,” and she snickered.
“You… you think you’ll have your way? You actually think you can?” her father laughed in a delirious way. Seemingly not satisfied, he even slapped his daughter’s face twice. Shin remained unguarded and she continued to receive his rage.
“Your guards are already coming back; you might want to put on your respectable façade again. Let’s just stop here Abeoji, there’s no point in summoning me when you don’t even listen. It is clear already that we agree to disagree.”
“Is everything fine Mr. President? It seems that there is a commotion in here,” the taller one talked to Mr. Park Young-sam as he went near his side. Shin’s father shook his head as he fixed his tie.
“Please escort this man out of Cheong Wa Dae*.”
Shin began to briskly walk away as she covered her left face with her hand, she was thankful that the place wasn’t properly lit; the taller guard hesitantly trailed behind him as the other one escorted her father back to Presidential residence.
*Cheong Wa Dae is the executive office and official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea.
*You should know by now that I used Park Young-sam as the name of Dara unnie’s father in my fic, but I should also note that the name Young-sam is also a name of a former president in South Korea