บท 37: Chapter Twenty - Dad (Part 1)

Chapter Song Suggestion - "Breeze by B JYUN"

Dae kept his promise to talk to the Emerson brothers and within the week, our contract is signed, sealed, and delivered.

Sunday rolls in and I failed to finagle my way out of my debt. Standing by the driveway, I wait in my red wine turtleneck cable knit dress that reaches midthigh. To give the outfit spunk, I pulled on a pair of black stockings and biker boots. If there's a chance I need to escape, then these are the perfect shoes to run in. Not heels.

A black SUV pulls up in front of me and Dae comes around, whistling at my outfit. He takes off his shades to admire me. "This is a new look. Did you get dressed up for our date?"

"No. And it's not a date. This is purely business." I deny as he opens the car door for me. "And I'm wearing this in case I need to run. I don't trust you not to try anything."

An annoying smile lights up his features, hinting that I've caught him red-handed. "What's with that smile?" I demand, refusing to get into the car.

"Aera." He says my name with forced patience. "Just get in the car. Please."

Reluctantly, I climb in and strapped on my seatbelt after he shuts the door. Dae refuses to tell me where we are going until we arrive outside a complex with a recognizable walrus logo. I laugh in disbelief. "Please don't tell me that's where we are going."

"I have it on good authority that Hanhwa Aqua Planet is number one on your list of places for a date." Dae confirms that my best friend has betrayed me. "I've never been here before. This will be fun."

Ever since I was young, underwater aquariums fascinate me. I once confided in Nari about wanting to commemorate my first date at Hanhwa Aqua Planet. After today, it's obvious whose side she's on.

I meet the agonizing black of his eyes. Sadness lingers in them. "Do you hate spending the day with me that much?" He asks.

"Don't look at me like that." I turn away, unable to bear it. Under different circumstances, I would be over the moon. Of course, I don't hate spending the day with him. "You know why I'm acting this way."

"It's just one day, Aera. I've fulfilled my end of the bargain." He reminds me not so subtly. When he says it like that…I feel like a bitch. Sighing, I relent. "Okay, just for today. I won't treat you like a leper. Promise."

"You're lucky you're special to me. Calling me a leper is a sure way to get on my hit list."

I don't respond to his joke, my eyes glued to the aquarium. Now that we've called a truce, I'm excited to get in. Since it's the weekend, the place is packed. I don't think it'll be easy to get tickets but, Dae speaks to one of the staff and they let us in — just like that.

"We don't have to pay for it?" I ask, a little confused.

"Don't worry about it. I've made some prior arrangements with the management."

Oh. Yeah. It's still hard to wrap my head around the fact that Dae's not an average person. Another glaring difference in our lifestyle. I take a copy of the aquarium map and activity schedule. We start off by visiting the aquarium's mascot — the dancing seal. I plant my hands against the cool glass, watching the big mammals play. One of them stands up and peers at us from the glass rim.

"Hello!" I greet the adorable creature. It tilts its head, those large eyes staring at me.

"I think its a male." Dae comments from behind. With his impressive height, he can easily look the mammal in the eyes. "It's looking at you like I do — with love in its eyes."

Heat spreads across my cheeks. "I swear to God, Dae. The first time we met, I never peg you for a guy who can be so honest with his feelings. What happened to you over the months?" It's a rhetorical question but in typical Dae fashion, he answers with. "I met you. You change my perception of life, hellcat."

Bringing the map up to block out his face, I utter casually. "Oh, it says here that the penguins are right down the hall." I leave him for the next attraction site.

We spend the rest of the day catching as many shows as possible – the otter and seal feeding, their popular Dream Girls performance, the sea elephants show and the talking parrots. I enjoy how educational their shows are. The children are equally absorbed as I am. We stop by the barn section to feed the hungry sheep and goats. The poor babies are so hungry, I fear they will bite off my fingers. And they even have rabbits!

Dae laughs when I start to baby talk with the fluffballs. I ignore him as I attempt to lure the rabbit close enough to pet. After that, we visit the touch pool. This is one of my favorite places. I don't hesitate to play with the sea urchins and the starfishes. I also discover Dae's dislike of innocent sea cucumbers.

"Because it's disgustingly slimy and squishy." He reasons.

We have lunch at the outdoor food court before moving on to explore the two famous tunnel tanks – one is a saltwater tunnel and the other is a freshwater tunnel.

"I love the feeling of being inside here," I tell Dae, never taking my eyes off the school of fishes. I gasp as a manta ray flies over our heads. "It's like being part of the ocean. There's nothing but calm and silence."

A mommy shark with a pup on its tail swims by. "Look, Dae! It's a baby shark!" I turn excitedly to him.

At lightning speed, he jerks his arm behind him and clears his throat. I frown. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. I was just stretching." He does a dramatic stretch, earning sideway glances from the other tourists.

My attention is arrested when I spot a green turtle floating around. "Look! It's a sea turtle!"

The next locations include the jellyfish tanks shaped like arches and the wax figurines of famous people. Even PSY is there. We're reaching the end of the tour when Dae's phone won't stop vibrating.

"I think you should get that. It hasn't stopped ringing." I urge him, knowing he doesn't want to ruin our rare time together.

With a dark scowl directed at the caller, he answers it. Whatever the other person's saying, has the invincible Dae looking extremely worried. A sense of urgency grips him. "I'm heading over right now. Make sure to call the doctor before I get there."

"What's wrong?"

"It's my son. He's sick." He says in an apologetic tone. "I need to go."

I nod at once. "Of course." When we reach near the parking, I stop a distance away. Dae realizes I'm no longer behind him and turns. "Why aren't you coming?"

Is he crazy? I'm not getting into that car. "Go, your son needs you right now. I'll be fine."

His long legs eat up the distance between us. He snatches my wrist. "I'm not leaving you here. Get in the car."

"Dae. Just go. Your son is waiting." I forcibly peel his hand off. "We can talk about this another time." That's a lie but he doesn't have to know. "Go!"

He looks troubled, so I make the decision for him by giving him a hard push. "I'm not a child. I can take care of myself. Now go before I get mad."

Reluctantly, he gets into his car and drives off. I rub the heel of my palm against my chest, chasing away the tightness. I feel empty and…sad. "He's not yours, Aera. You know that."

Sighing, I walk to the nearest bus station, glad for my boots. While waiting, I begin to daydream when a large shadow descends upon me. "Excuse me, Yang Aera?"