¶7. I am Here Now.
TaeHa's POV
Kihyun seemed like a very nice guy and although we have been friends for a month plus, I feel like we have known each other for a lifetime. Kihyun and I were taking different courses and our classes were different from each other.
You see in Business schools for the rich, there was always a Rank order to establish the fact that everyone was different from everyone. The Very Rich ones for instant had VIP lecturers, lecturers whose salaries were enough to build companies. These VIP lecturers were the world's best and they didn't come for cheap.
Every successful Chaebol had lecturers like this.
Their Classes were structured different from ours. They had enough air-conditioning, a round table where they could all sit and discuss like they were in actual companies. They had enough resources to learn with especially with Holograms.
We all shared the same Cafeteria because the school had decided that the cafeteria was our place of interaction and we all had to share it.
After the Rich, we have the middle class. Our Classrooms were beautiful too, not just as extravagant as the Rich People's. Our Lecturers were also experts but they were people who were taught by the Teachers of the Rich. Those who graduated well with Good grades get to work as Lecturers for the middle class.
There was no Class for the Poor because if you could afford the fees then you are middle class.
The School fees wasn't all that differentiated us from each other. Status was very important in this school. Your Parents could be Suffering from Bankruptcy but as long as your Parents are Chaebols, you get to be taught among the Rich. Why? It was a recommendation of status.
You See how complicated Life is?
I was seated in the library with textbooks in front of me. Unlike others, I paid through my nose to get here, there was no time to slack in my studies. I had to make my mom proud.
“Taeha-issi” Kihyun cooed as he placed a cup of coffee and a bag in front of me. “..We got off class early”
I smiled accepting the Coffee, peering into the bag. He had gotten me Glazed Doughnuts. His wife would be lucky to have him. So sweet a child. “Gomawo Kihyun-ah, you are the best” I winked.
“You're welcome” he replied with a smile, taking out a seat and sitting beside me. “What are you studying?”
I opened the front page of the book so he could see the title, he nodded and took out his laptop. “What did you learn today?”
I shrugged. “Dynamics of Business Enterprises. Mr Gu really tried to teach well but I kept sleeping in his class” I giggled as Kihyun laughed.
“Business is boring when you don't have passion Taeha” he mentioned being philosophical while opening his laptop. “..Beside, have you seen your husband today?”
I growled at Kihyun for calling Eunwoo my husband. How many times did I have to tell him that Eunwoo and I weren't married? I knew he was doing this on purpose but I couldn't get mad. He was Kihyun, who would get mad at Kihyun?
“No. I haven't seen Eunwoo today” I replied with emphasis on the name Eunwoo. “..He hasn't texted me Or called me in three days. He probably doesn't need me, if he does he would have reached out”
“You're right. I saw him today with His Best Friend Jinwoo, they seemed to be talking a lot in Class. On two occasions, Jinwoo mentioned a girl's name. I didn't want to eavesdrop but I was sitting right beside Jinwoo, so it was hard not to listen... ” he paused, staring at me softly. “..do you perhaps think Eunwoo already has someone he likes?”
I didn't think. I knew. He told me. It was all part of The plan.
“If you worried about me Kihyun, there will be no need, it's all part of the plan. I'm not the one Eunwoo loves and he's not the one I love either. Remember this is a all sham so he is allowed to like whoever he wants and I am too” I smiled, sipping my coffee.
A mischievous grin appeared on Kihyun's face. Something stupid was probably going on in his head right now. Should I make a run for it? “You are allowed to like whoever uh?” he said rubbing his imaginary beard. “...Nam TaeHa, how about liking me?”
I turned red almost spitting out my coffee. He said what??? Liking who? Liking him? This was a joke right? It was probably a Joke. There was no way Kihyun was being serious.
“Ya! Stop saying stupid things and let's study, there's no time to be liking people” I scoffed, opening my textbook again but I could feel him staring at me and trust me, I wasn't comfortable at all.
“Nam TaeHa..” he called in a serious tone making me shiver.
“Uh..” I answered not staring at him, my gaze still fixed On the textbook I had been trying to read.
“If you are going to like someone in the future, don't like Eunwoo.. Like Me”
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What would People say?
I couldn't help but ask myself that question. What would happen if the world finds out that this 'thing' going on between Eunwoo and I was fake? We had good reporters who could analysis well and I'm sure most of them must have caught on but what was the point ? It wasn't like I could make it real and his Parents were evil. I mean this is the 21st century, who still organises Arranged Marriages for their children?
But I was interested in what people would say if they found out.
7:00pm.
Eunwoo was Thirty minutes late. We had agreed to meet here by 6:30pm so we could talk but as usual Eunwoo was no where in Sight. I pondered on whether to call him or not, he might have forgotten but then he was the one who asked to meet here. Was he confused?
My Phone rang as I answered immediately not bothering to look at the Caller ID.
“Where have you been? I have been waiting for the Past thirty minutes! Who invites someone out and then fails to show up? Not all of us have free time like you do, Time is important for some of us!” I ranted almost out of breathe.
Silence....filled the air.
“Hello?” I called.
No answer.
“Hello..?” I called again.
Silence greeted me again as I heard them shuffle in the background.
“Is this TaeHa noona or did I call the wrong number?” the familiar voice questioned as I took the phone away from my ear to stare at the Caller ID.
Shoot.
It was not Eunwoo.
Clearing my throat, I placed the phone close to my ear again. “..Uhm...Why did you call Dongsaeng?” I asked, very embarrassed.
“....It is you..” He exhaled as I chuckled. “..I thought I had dialed Eomma's number again.”
“Mian. I thought you were someone else”
“I figured. Have you been kidnapped? This is Past 7 and you still aren't home yet.” he inquired while I bit on my bottom lip.
“Ara. I'm waiting for Eunwoo. We were supposed to meet tonight”
“Eunwoo hyung? He's the reason you're out by past 7? Noona, if he doesn't come, why don't you leave? Why are you waiting for someone who is standing you up?” he scolded me as I smiled. Sanha could be stubborn sometimes but he was caring or maybe it was simply because I was the big sister he never had.
“If he doesn't show up by Eight, I'll leave” I assured him. I heard him groan under his breathe obviously not satisfied with my reply.
“Arraseo. Just make sure you come back before 9. I'll call you when its 8”
“Mhm.” I nodded. “Gomawoyo Dongsaeng”
“Later Noona” He said, hanging up as I stared at the phone in my palm.
Yoon Sanha was a good younger brother.
Tucking my Phone into my bag, I squeezed my coat against my body. It was too cold and Eunwoo was still no where in sight.
Maybe... Maybe I should leave. He must have forgotten. I should g-
“Nam TaeHa-issi!” I heard my name being called as A woman with a Videographer and a Photographer ran towards me.
I panicked.
What was going on?
“W-what is happening?” I stuttered as she placed a mic in front of me.
“Can you please tell us how you met Cha Eunwoo?” she questioned as the flash of a camera went off almost making me blind.
Other reporters showed up circling me as my panic intensified.
C-cha E-eunwoo where are y-you?
‘Is it true that the Cha's have asked you to divorce Cha Eunwoo?’
‘Are you pregnant for him? Is that why you are getting married early?'
'Is it true you are only dating him for his money?'
'can you tell us how you captured the heart of South Korea's Prince?'
My head was spinning as lights continuously flashed in my eyes. I covered my eyes with my hands but it wasn't enough.
I suddenly heard them muttering among themselves as I lowered my hands, A blurry figure approached me in the crowd.
“E-Eunwoo?” I stuttered.
Wrapping a scarf around my neck, he pulled me close to him, placing my head on his chest, he whispered.
“Jagiya, I'm here. I am sorry I am late. Are you okay?”
I didn't reply, instead I wrapped my arms around his waist as I stopped trembling, my heartbeat rate returning back to normal.
Caressing my hair, he placed a kiss on my forehead. “Mian. Don't worry Your Prince is here now”
Feeling safe, I buried my head in his chest not giving any attention to the murmurs or the flashes going on around us anymore.
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