Areum is really back. She's the first person I searched for the moment we arrived to the Dante Estate. I found the girl sleeping in her regular bed and Yun Hee assured me that she was fine.
I'm very exhausted and hungry. Master Jin told me that President Matteo has invited me to join them for dinner at his floor. I've taken a shower and right now, I'm looking for something clean and presentable to wear. All of my clothes seem too plain and not presentable.
I'm still searching through my clothes for something better when I hear the footsteps behind me. I quickly look back and catch Areum tiptoeing, like her intentions was to come to my back and scare me.
"Areum!" I jump forward, searching all over her face for any sign of distress. "You're awake. Are you okay?"
"Ugh." Areum groans with dissatisfaction. "You caught me just when I was about to prank you." She laughs. "Actually I am more worried about you Hana." Her face looks more serious now. "I'm okay, but are you okay? I couldn't stop thinking about your injury."
"It has healed and I'm doing fine." I give her a smile as she leans in and we give each other a hug. "I'm so glad that you're fine."
"Yes, it's relieving, I know." Areum pulls away, glance over at the mess I made on the floor. My clothes are all over the place. "Are you looking for something?" She ask.
"Yes. Actually I'm looking for something to wear because the President has invited me to have dinner at his floor. I found out lots of things about myself and my parents but it's a long story."
"I'm dying of curiosity although I won't ask you any questions right now." She gives me a suspicious look. "I really hope everything is okay with you." She adds. "Anyways, just know that I'll ask lots of questions later and you'll have to tell me everything from beginning to the end."
I shake my head and smile. "Trust me. I will tell you everything later."
"Good. If you don't mind wearing my dress, I have a yellow one that will look good on you. Master Chang bought it for me the same day he rescued me."
"Master Chang?"
"Eoh."
"Am I missing out on something Areum?" I wiggle my eyebrow suggestively and watch the girl suddenly blushing which makes her look suspicious.
"It's not what you think." She denies.
"But you just blushed. It has to be what I'm thinking."
Areum quickly touch her cheeks with her palms. "What are you saying? I didn't blush, what's wrong with your eye sight?" She throws me a glare before hurrying away towards her small box of clothes.
Now that's a very very suspicious behavior. She definitely likes Master Chang, but I won't pester her right now. Maybe when I'm back.
Areum finds the yellow dress and pulls it out of her box. "Here it is!" She beams. "Come and wear it let's see how it will look on you."
I feel a little uneasy about borrowing a dress Marco specifically bought for her. "Are you sure I can borrow that dress?"
"Of course you can." She shrugs. "It's just a pretty dress for fancy occasions I may never get a chance to attend in my life."
"You don't know that. Life can be dramatic sometimes and anything can happen."
"Come on, try it." Areum insists again so I take the dress.
I waste no time in changing out of the crumpled clothes on my body and putting on Areum's pretty dress.
And it almost fit me if not for the waistline which feels a little too tight. Areum is skinnier than me, of course her dress will be uncomfortable for me but I have no other options, do I?
I have to manage.
With good hopes, I left our room and head towards the living room to meet with Derrick. He will be the one to take me to the floor where President Matteo will be having dinner.
As I follow Derrick to the elevator, I try to steady my breathe, once again hoping that Marco will not find it uncomfortable when he sees me wearing the dress he bought.
Another elevator suddenly opens up while we're about to move into ours.
"Stop there! Hana ya." Master Jin strides out, holding a red dress. He blinks and stare down at me. "Where did you get that dress you're wearing?"
"Areum borrowed me."
He walks and snatches my hand. "Come with me. You're changing into this."
~~~
No one sits on the chair opposite President Matteo. It's a rule in the Mafia family. And they don't talk when they're eating. So right now, everyone is silent; The President, Master Jin, Master Chang, Master Tae Ho, Kai and Me.
There's only the sounds of forks clashing with plates, and someone's shoes tapping against the floor. I think it's Master Tae Ho who is tapping the floor, although I'm not very sure. I've been trying my best not to look at his face because if I do, I'll definitely loose my apetite for the food. And it will be such a pity to let all this food to go to waste.
Master Jin pushes a plate of boiled eggs to me, signaling me to eat more. He's been keeping an eye on everything I'm doing and it's making me feel more nervous than I am.
I nod at him and try to pick a fat egg with my chopstick but it keeps falling due to my clumsy hands. So embarrassing!
Master Jin takes the egg with his' and put it into my bowl of rice. My stomach flutters uncomfortably. I can feel Kai and Master Tae Ho's eyes watching us. Gosh, I wish Master Jin can stop giving me his attention.
After we finished dinner, President Matteo brings up the topic of Tae Ho's betrayal and begin to question him. I look over at Kai and notice his discomfort too. Maybe we should leave and allow the family to solve their crisis?
I'm about to signal Kai but he beats me to it. He's already moving out of his chair and signaling me to follow him. Master Jin gives me a questioning look but I just nod at him and manage to follow Kai out of the dining area to allow the family to have some privacy.
A second later, Master Jin emerges out and follows me and Kai.
"Where are you going with him?" He ask as he walks up to me and snatches my hand. "Come, we're going to my place to catch up with all the sleep I missed."
Before I can reply, he's already dragging me away. I look back at Kai and see him shaking his head and smiling.