Breaking Rules

RULE # 53: STOP ASKING QUESTIONS

All in

Dara didn't know how it had come to this but if she was honest with herself, she had never been happier than she was now.

"You can't stop smiling my lovely Sandara" Her Grandmother told her as they peeled potatoes.

"Of course Grandma" she answered immediately "I'm happy to be here!"

"Ow my dear grandchild! Don't be coy with your grandma. I was the one who fed you your first bottle when you were still a baby and I know you well. You are smiling because of that young man outside" the Park Matriarch chastised her.

"Are you talking about Sanghyeun?" Dara purposedly answered.

"Stubborn child" the old woman answered, looking out their garden where Sanghyeun and Ji Yong were busy putting up the tents they'll be using for her birthday "I may be 80 but you can't fool my ancient eyes. I know a woman in bloom when I see one!"

"Grandma!" she exclaimed "Can't your grandchild smile just because she's happy to be with you?"

"Psssssssshhhhhhh!" GradmaPark replied as she reached for another potato "Stop lying to your grandma child and stop looking at that boy Kwon Ji Yong because the next thing you know, you've already peeled your fingers off!"

Blushing (Dang! She's blushed more for the past 24 hours than she ever did in 10 years), she didn't answer anymore and tried to concentrate on the potatoes. What was wrong with Ji Yong anyway? For some time now, he had become softer and softer towards her and had now even come home the same day she did and was helping out with their family's preparations for her Grandmother's birthday.

All her relatives had taken notice.

"That young boy... isn't he Mr. Kwon's youngest son?" one of her Aunties asked "Is he your boyfriend Dara?"

She had answered in the negative but was met with skepticism that she didn't dare explain anymore. How was she to tell everyone that she herself was surprised by Ji's actions? None of them believed her – even her Umma.

"I think he can take care of you Dara" her Umma had told her the night before "Are you two dating already? You should formally introduce him to all of us. You're Appa's been asking me constantly and I've not told him of the news yet because I want it to come from you."

"Umma!" she answered "Me and Ji Yong are just friends!"

"Ow! Are you sure?"

Rolling her eyes, she walked out of the living room and headed for her bedroom. "Haissssh! What are you doing Ji Yong?!? What is all this for?!?"

***

Test # 1

"You do know hyung" Sanghyeun began, standing up from his kneeling position wherein he had just tied down one tent "that you helping me out doesn't mean I'll allow you to date my noona."

They were laying out the second to the last tent now and Ji had been telling Dara's younger brother about pieces that he could listen to so he can improve with his rapping more. He was aware that Sanghyeun had also began training with an entertainment company, if memory served him right, it was Bi's newly-established production house.

"I wasn't even thinking that" he answered non-chalantly, trying out the waters first. Sanghyeun was a different guy now from the kid he'd met all those years ago and he wasn't sure yet how to talk to Dara's brother. He had to thread carefully.