CHAPTER 36
[3 MONTHS LATER]
SAIA'S POV:
"Okay, everyone gather around! I know all of you want to know what part you will be playing in our performance of Sleeping Beauty. I will post everyone's role on the board this afternoon. However, I want to announce that I have decided to give the lead roles of Aurora to Saia and the Prince to Min Ho." our director says and I stare at him in shock.
"Excuse me? Why does she get the role? She barely just started with us and she is already cast as a principle? Just because she owns the Arts Center-"
"Yu Mi that is quite enough. You know very well that I don't base my decisions on money. If that was the case you would have succeeded in bribing me a long time ago." The director says and the other dancers snicker at her look of embarrassment. "That's all for today. Everybody go home."
"Congratulations." Min Ho smiles at me. "I look forward to working with you."
"Thanks. You too." I say and make my way towards the director.
"I already know what you are going to say Saia and no I didn't make a mistake in casting you for this role. You have worked very hard and it shows. You have beautiful clean lines that will fit the role of Aurora the best. You have the skill of a seasoned veteran so don't doubt yourself or me for that matter. Have more faith in your director. Arasso?" He pats my shoulder and I nod.
"Yes sir."
I turn to grab my bag and Dan Bi grabs my arm. She is giddy with excitement. "Oh my god, did you see the look on Yu Mi's face when the director announced you in the lead role? I think I can die happy now! I love seeing that bitch taken down a notch. She always thinks she is so much better than everyone else because she's gotten the lead the past two times."
"Are you really that happy?" I smile at her.
"Yes! And happy for you too of course! Congratulations! Let's go get some ice cream to celebrate!"
"I can't. I have to work. Besides you know you will regret ice cream later."
"Aish! So serious! Why do you have to work so much? Don't you have people to do all the work for you?" she complains.
"Yes I do but I really want to make sure things are done right so I have to learn how to do things myself first." I smile and wave good-bye to her as I head upstairs.
I have come to know the Arts Center building almost as well as the back of my hand these past few months. Between practice with the SBC, the Foundation, and the Hospital, I am hardly ever home. I prefer it that way. I'm staying with Boo Ki for now. I can't be in that house. It's too hard. I like to keep busy. Then I don't have time to think about things.
I feel DK close behind me and it's reassuring. He hardly ever leaves my side. Ever since the day of the explosion, he has been watching over me at all hours. The Song family is still furious over the loss of Woo Bin and has been pointedly trying to bring down Tae Mu. He tried to make the explosion look like a mafia dispute but the family he tried to pin it on had already made peace with the Song family and Woo Bin's father already knew the situation with Tae Mu. He has been keeping a very low profile and has been leaving all of us alone for now.
I enter Ji-Hoo's office and see Mr. Yong is already here waiting for me. I haven't changed anything in the office. It is exactly how Ji-Hoo left it. It somehow makes me feel a little closer to him.
"How was practice my dear?" Mr. Yong smiles at me.
"It was good. How are preparations going for the Art Exhibit next week?"
"Good from what I can tell but I'm just an old lawyer. I'm no good when it comes to exhibits and parties. I'm only here to help you learn the business. You are going to have to take care of the rest yourself."
I smile and nod. "You have been a tremendous help. I don't know what I would do without you."
He chuckles and runs a hand through his thinning hair. "I'm sure that the ShinwHa CEO would be more than willing to help you. He asked me about you the other day. He and his wife are worried about you. They haven't seen you in a while he says."
I fidget nervously and look away. "I've been busy."
"Yes you have. But you have to take a break every once in awhile. They wouldn't be worried if they didn't care."
"I just don't want to see them right now." I sigh. "They all look at me like I am going to break at any second. I can't stand it."
"You need to let him go." He says quietly.
Angry, I stand up and march over to the window. "Why? What law says that I have to let Ji-Hoo go?"
"Life says so my dear. You should at least sell the house. You aren't even living there."
"I'm not selling the house. Whoever gets it after I die can do whatever they want with it but as long as I'm alive, it will remain part of the Yoon estate."
"But the Yoon's are gone. There is no one left. It's your estate now. If you won't sell it than at least do something with it."
"I'll move back into it eventually, just not right now." I say quietly. The phone on the desk beeps at me and I move to answer it. "Yes?"
"Miss Caelum? There is someone here who insists on seeing you."
"Who is it?"
"His name is Kim Kang Woo. What should I tell him?" my secretary says. I see DK stiffen by the door and he clenches his fists.
"Send him in." I turn back to Mr. Yong as he stands up to leave.
"I've grown very fond of you and I'm worried about you too. Listen to an old man's advice and take a break soon. Okay?" he says. I nod and hug him.
As soon as he leaves, Kang Woo enters the room. I don't look at him but make my way to Ji-Hoo's chair at his desk and sit down. It gives me comfort knowing that it was his as I try to control my temper. I've gotten very good at hiding my emotions behind a calm mask. I've had to in order to keep my sanity.
"What can I do for you Mr. Kim?" I calmly ask him.
"It's been a while. How are you?" He quietly asks.
"I'm well, thank you."
"I hear Dr. Park has been helping you learn about the hospital."
I nod but keep silent.
"I can help you with that too you know. All you have to do is ask."
"Why would I do that? Thanks to your father I've lost the most important person in my life. I don't want your help. If you had actually done something in the first place then he wouldn't be dead."
Kang Woo pales at my words but doesn't say anything. DK shifts by the door and I know he is just looking for an excuse to throw him out. Kang Woo stands up and approaches the desk.
"Listen, I know it's a little late but I have what you asked for." He places a black flash drive on the desk and I look at him curiously. "That's all the information I could find on my father's hard drive about his associates. And this one is everything you need on my father to stop him." He says as he sets a blue flash drive down beside the other one.
"Why?" I ask.
"I debated on giving you the information on my father even up until I entered your office but the fact is, you were right. My father has killed people. He's tried to kill you and he's even tried to kill your brothers and sister. They are just kids. They are innocent. Even though it will destroy my family, I can't let this go on any longer."
I reach for the flash drives and nod at him.
"I'm sorry for your loss Saia." He quietly says and walks out of the office.
DK approaches my desk and I hand him the blue one. "You will make sure this gets to the right people?"
"Of course. What about the information on Tae Mu's associates? What are you going to do with it?" he asks.
"I'm not sure yet but I want to hang on to it for now."
"It will be nice to finally see Tae Mu pay for what he's done." DK says angrily.
"Yes… But it still won't bring them back DK." I say softly.
(^_^)
"I'm proud of you! Congratulations!" Boo Ki says.
"Thanks!" I say with a smile as I look around the restaurant. She's redecorated and it looks nice.
"For someone that just got the lead role in a ballet with her dream company, you sure don't seem all that excited."
"I just have a lot on my mind. That's all."
"I really don't like what he has done to you."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Ji-Hoo. He gave you all this responsibility when he knows you are not the type to ask for help. It makes me angry that he put all this pressure on you."
"Maybe he did it because he knew I would make sure his family's legacy will go on."
"But he isn't letting you move on. Even from the grave. It isn't fair."
"It's my choice Boo Ki."
"Eomma is worried about you. She says you haven't come to see them in over a month. You know it's got to be hard on them living here."
"I haven't had time. What is this? Harp on Saia day? Everyone sure seems to have an opinion on how I should live my life lately. I'll see you later." I grab my bag and head for the door. I'm frustrated that no matter how hard I am trying, everyone seems to think I am doing something wrong.
"Saia! Wait! Don't go!" Boo Ki calls after me but I ignore her. I see DK fall in step beside me and I grit my teeth.
"I suppose you have an opinion too on how I should be doing things?" I snap at him.
"Not at all. I'm only here to protect you. I'm not here to have on opinion." He says with a smile. I stop suddenly and turn to him. His dark eyes widen is surprise as I turn my angry gaze towards him.
"Spit it out! You might as well put in your two cents as well!"
He sighs and scratches his head. "You forget that I am around you more than anyone. I see how hard you work every day. I'm not here to judge you. I'm on your side."
My eyes narrow at him but I continue walking. "You sure do know how to play it safe when you have to."
"I've seen you mad. I prefer to not have it directed at me." He gives a mock shudder and he laughs as I slap his arm.
"Jerk..." I grumble.
(^_^)
[TWO MONTHS LATER]
Sitting in my dressing room after tonight's performance, I hungrily read over the articles in the newspapers spread out over my dressing table. Not because I am interested on what they have to say about my performance, but more interested in the front headlines.
ASSEMBLYMAN TAE MU ARRESTED ON CONSPIRACY CHARGES
The articles go on to talk about the other charges being brought against him including: fraud, blackmail, murder, attempted murder, extortion, etc. Finally… I know that Jun Pyo and the Song family will be sure to bring in the best lawyers for the prosecution. He won't be able to weasel his way out of this and his associates won't help him either. They will be too afraid of exposing themselves.
"Reading about the good news, I see." DK says as he maneuvers himself in with a massive bouquet of flowers.
"Can't you at least knock first?"
"I did but you were too busy reading that." He chuckles.
"Where on earth did that come from?" I ask pointing to the flowers.
"I'm not sure. They were sitting outside the door."
They are pink and white tulips, my favorite. They may not have a scent but I have always loved tulips. He sets the vase down on the counter and I pull the card out. It doesn't say who it's from. There is only one word written on the card: Congratulations.
"Here. This is for you too. It's from the Song's." DK says and hands me an envelope. Inside is a plane ticket and a room key for the ShinHwa Hotel in Tokyo.
"What is this for?" I ask curiously.
"It's a gift. They wanted to give you something for the premier of your ballet. It gives you a chance to get away and rest for a couple of days before your next performance."
"I can't! I have to work...and…DK… this flight leaves in two hours! Even if I could go, I don't have anything packed!"
"You already have your passport in your purse and you can buy whatever you need when you get there. I have never asked you to do anything till now. You need to do this. Just go. You will be back again before you know it."
(^_^)
Sitting on the plane, I nervously chew on my knuckles. How the hell did I let him talk me into this? I don't have time to be taking trips. I glare at his snoring form beside me and debate on whether or not to punch him. The flight attendant keeps walking by us to stare at him. He gets that a lot. He is handsome and built. I just don't see him as anything other than my friend and bodyguard.
I'm afraid to sleep. I don't want to have THAT dream again in front of other people. Even now just thinking about it, the sight of the fireball tries to sneak into my mind and I push it out. I don't want to think about it.
After arriving, we head straight to the hotel and DK walks me to my room.
"Try to get some rest. I'm just across the hall if you need anything." he says.
"Okay."
As I enter the suite, I can see the bright city lights through the window. Leaving the room lights off, I make my way over to take in the view. It really is pretty I guess. I'm so absorbed in the sight that it takes me a moment to realize that I am not alone. I stiffen and turn around to see a shadow slowly moving towards me.
"Who are you? What do you want?" I say angrily. He doesn't say anything as he continues to come towards me and I look around desperately for a way to escape. The door is behind him and I'm trapped. My only option is to fight. Shit…