Chapter 12
"Why did you come here?" I asked Haru while walking in the hallway. When we were on the stairs, Haru suddenly clicked his finger and our location changed. We were already at the casual dining place of a famous hotel in Incheon. Our school is located in Seoul so I just look at him with disbelief!
The ambiance is authentic and I can see the modern architecture of the hotel. The restaurant has a relaxing atmosphere. I naturally walked inside and sat in the dark color chair to dine while Haru followed me smirking arrogantly. I frown and look at him with indifference.
"So, why are we here?" I asked Haru but we're interrupted by the waitress who was giving us menus.
"It's my treat to you dear because you survived the first attack." Haru said in a deep voice.
He tilted his head and looked at the waitress who was shyly looking at him. I sigh and let him flirt with the poor girl. I get the menu and choose what food to order.
"I like... Seafood ramen and rice, pasta rose gamberti, and one apple juice. Please. Thank you." I told the waitress and smiled at her.
Haru is ordering when my phone rings. I checked it and saw Yumi's name on the screen. I signal to Haru to keep quiet.
"Yumi." I called her name after I heard a loud hello from her.
"Who is that guy who fetches you?!" I took my phone away from my ear because of Yumi's high pitch tone.
"Relax. He's my distant cousin on my mother's side." I calmly explained to her.
"Mother? But I haven't seen him visiting you before." I look at Haru who is still flirting with the waitress.
"Because he lives overseas. It's fine because he's been living here but we haven't talked since." I informed her.
"Where are you now?" Another question from Yumi.
"I'm in Incheon. He told me that he will buy me food but he's been busy so..." I stop talking when Haru is done ordering.
"Alright. Don't skip the second period." Yumi reminded me.
"Okay." I said and ended the call.
"What a good friend." Haru mumbled.
After a while, the food arrived. We eat the food and Haru is surprisingly quiet. The food is delicious and I'm satisfied with the taste. When I finished, I stared at him.
"What do you mean by surviving? Explain it to me." I tilted my head and looked Haru straight in the eyes.
"Of course. It's because it feels worse, the same as dying." He said that after drinking water.
I blink and remember the intense pain I felt earlier. I tremble after realizing that I will feel that every 2 days. I get scared and feel uneasy but it's my fault and I need to keep enduring it.
"That's why it is called punishment dear." Haru speaks and coldly stares at me.
I sigh and don't speak anymore.
***
Haru also teleported me back to school. I bid goodbye to him and ran to the classroom. There's also no rumor about Haru. I'm glad that I don't need to be worried about that.
The class is boring but I still take notes as a habit. There are History and English but the lessons only went to my ear and exit to the other. My brain is not functioning well because of the conversation I had with Haru. His reason is firm but why do I think that he was keeping things from me. Does the contract have something to do with it?
My daydreaming finished when the bell rings. The teacher left the room and some of my classmates are going out. I have plans for today and I already texted Mr. Choi, informing him that I would like to visit the workshop in Samcheong-dong.
I close my books and put them in my bag. I need to do my assignment later but I don't have time. I looked at Yumi after taking my bag and saw her with Na Hyuk outside the classroom. I walk to them.
"Jia. Is today good for you?" Na Hyuk asked me with enthusiasm.
"Uhh. What is it?" I asked and realized that Penelope and Yejun were also with us.
"Welcome party!" A loud voice from a tall man with fox eyes excitedly interrupted the conversation.
"Tch. You Yang Juno!" Na Hyuk scolded him and he just shrugged off his shoulders and looked at me.
I stared at his eyes and I raised my brow after confirming his mask face. I grinned at him. He smirked and extended his hand for a handshake.
"I'm Juno Yang. I heard that you're a genius at playing the piano. Yumi cried too. hahaha. Nice to meet you." He is smiling but I know that he's faking it. I just don't understand why.
"Jia Kim." I accepted his handshake and we quickly let go of each other's hands.
"Are you free now Jia?" Na Hyuk asked again.
"Yes. But can we just buy food and celebrate somewhere?" I asked them. They all look at me.
***
We are currently in St. Mary Hospital in Seoul where Daniel is staying. I have no time to visit him and this is a great opportunity. I also know that it was not convenient for Penelope to go outside.
"Thank you, Jia. I want to welcome you to the club but I can't stay out longer because Daniel is still in the hospital." Penelope told me after we arrived at the entrance. We used the bus to go here and Yumi taught me how to pay.
"It's fine. I will be busy so I think of this as an opportunity to visit him at least once." I said to her, she just smiled at me.
Juno, Yejun, and Na Hyuk buy the food outside while we girls went straight to Daniel's room. I feel the cold chill while we're walking in the hallway. The memories I have in the past were giving me a hard time and I think I'm more feeling unnecessary thoughts while thinking of them.
Daniel is currently six years old. His eyes are dark gray but you can only notice it if you purposely check his eye. He is so cute with chubby cheeks. He welcomed Penelope after we entered his room and the nanny smiled when she saw us.
"They are my classmates. Later the club members will join us." Penelope said to the auntie who takes care of Daniel.
The room is spacious. There are two beds and one has been occupied by Daniel while the other one is empty. I look at the pretty young boy who politely greeted us.
"Wahh, Penelope your brother is so cute!" Yumi is getting excited but I stop her because I'm afraid the kid will get scared.
"Hello everyone." He smiled at Yumi and me. I bit my lip because I wanted to pinch his cute fluffy cheeks.
After a while, we played with him. The boys also arrive and I see how Daniel is close to Yejun. He hugged him at the first sight of him. Penelope giggled. We eat cake in the room with loud jokes from Juno. I can't help myself but smile while Juno is being a clown to us.
Na Hyuk asked Juno to buy more juice. I volunteered and said that it's my turn to treat them. Yejun is busy talking with Daniel while Penelope is talking with Auntie outside. Yumi is arranging the food and taking care of the trash with Na Hyuk helping her.
"Then I will go with Jia." Juno said and I just nodded with him.
--
I close the door and walk to the escalator. Juno followed me. I sigh after suddenly feeling that the surrounding changes. Juno remained quiet and we became distant.
"How do you know?" Juno asked me out of the blue.
"What do you mean?" I looked at him and shifted my gaze to the hallway. We are reaching the escalator.
"That I'm testing you." He said shamelessly to me.
"Na Hyuk did the same." I told him not minding his confidence turning flustered.
"Hmm. I was surprised that you changed." He mumbled.
I stopped walking after hearing his statement. I got chills and my heart skipped a beat. I glare at him. I was taken aback, for a moment I thought he knew my secret.
"Don't get mad sheesh!" Rumors said that you're a spoiled brat who has a bad personality. I also saw you before acting high and mighty." He said in a face as if I was bullying him.
I didn't respond and continued to glare at him.
"I'm sorry, okay... I prejudiced you." Juno confesses and I just sigh at him. I resume my walk and we reach the escalator.
"It's really weird that you joined our club... Do you perhaps... like... Na Hyuk?!" My eyes widened and almost slapped him because of his ridiculous accusation.
"Are you nuts?" I said and rolled my eyes.
"Hmm. Your temper didn't change then." Juno continues to blubber dumb things and I learned why Na Hyuk acted like that with Juno. I pity him...
"I just want to be with Yumi more because I am atoning." I said in a serious voice. That's the half-truth though.
End of chapter 12...