Chapter 6: The Dinner Party

Bella: I am actually getting ready for the dinner party that Jiwook told me about yesterday.

Raynie: Jiwook is that guy whom you decided to help, right?

Bella: Yes, he said he will be here around 7 pm.

Raynie Aren't you nervous, ze ze?

Bella: Why would I be? I shouldn't be though.

Raynie: No, I just saw his profile and he is pretty rich and world-famous, ze ze. His dad owns three companies. One here, one more in New Zealand, and another one is in Paris.

Bella: Should I be nervous with all that information?

Raynie: It is just that, he is so handsome and I am pretty sure other women would attend the party and you would be attacked or something.

Bella: Okay, you are scaring me, girl.

Raynie: Oh, no, no! I am sorry, ze ze! I did not mean to. I was just worried, that is all.

Bella: Worried that I might get hurt with those pretty, petite-looking women there?

Raynie: Yes! Plus, Jiwook is not going to defend you or anything because it is all fake, right?

Bella: His dad doesn't know that we are acting. So, Jiwook has to defend me, he has no other choice.

Raynie: Well, I hope so, ze ze. Wish you all the best by the way! Tell me everything when you get back home, okay ze ze!

Bella: Sure thing, sweetheart! Love you!

Raynie: Love you more ze ze!

Bella ended the call with Raynie, her adopted sister, and continued to get dressed. Raynie was someone Bella would look forward to every time Raynie comes for the visit. Bella would cancel all of her plans for that whole month just to spend some precious time with Raynie. Raynie has been the pillar of support and the sunshine in Bella's life ever since Bella's parents dies in a car crash three years ago. Bella has been supporting Raynie's studies and scholarships with Bella's dating job and her writing freelance job. Bella doesn't want Raynie to know her difficulties as Raynie would be upset and would not achieve in her studies.

As Bella was grabbing for her house keys, she heard a honk on her porch and she looked out of her window. Bella was shocked to see such a luxurious limo in front of her porch. So, Raynie was right about Jiwook being rich. She looked at the doors and looked around if Jiwook would appear from the limo.

Jiwook: Let's go, shall we?

Bella: This is too much, isn't it?

Jiwook: I should treat you well for what I did to you last time.

Bella rolled her eyes teasingly and chuckled a little at Jiwook. She loved the way he treated her like a queen for that day. That night a lot of Jiwook's company partners and his dad's old friends came for the dinner party. Jiwook was pretty busy entertaining them and his dad was also seen to be having his time with his old buddies. Bella sat on one of the chairs in the garden and started to drink her soft drink. She noticed that many women looked at her as if Bella was a peasant and dirt but this did not break Bella. She smiled all the way through the night at them because she knows that she had no right to feel small in front of them. She is just acting for Jiwook and she has to keep reminding herself of this whenever she gets the disgusted stare from them. Bella did not realize that Jiwook was looking at her and decided to approach her. He felt bad that he left her alone there so he wanted to introduce her to his friends and his dad.

Jiwook: Not much fun, isn't it?

Bella: I am fine. You go ahead and have fun there.

Jiwook: My dad wants to meet you, shall we?

Bella: Now? Oh, okay!

Bella suddenly became nervous and sweaty. She did not know if she could pull this act off naturally with Jiwook. She took a deep breath and followed Jiwook from the back with a huge smile on her face.

Jiwook: Wait, we got to make sure everyone buys our act.

Jiwook puts his hand around Bella's waist and looks at her charmingly.

Jiwook: Go along with this.

Bella smiled at Jiwook and walked with her towards his dad and his friends. Some of the women who glared at Bella just before this, had their jaws dropped to the ground. Bella just smirked her way through to Jiwook's dad.

Jiwook: Dad, this is my girlfriend, Bella.

Bella: Hello sir. Nice to meet you. You have a nice house.

Mr. O II: She is very pretty. I like her.

Jiwook smiled at this and looked at Bella. Bella was having butterflies in her stomach as Jiwook introduced her to his friends in the house. She had her fingers crossed that everything would turn out well for Jiwook and she would not embarrass Jiwook or his dad that night.

Bella: Your friends bought our act except for Hae Rae. I wouldn't be surprised.

Jiwook: Well, Hae Rae is expecting us to kiss. He is threatening us that if we did not do it, he might rat us out to my dad.

Bella: He would? Then, I would do the same. I would say Hae Rae gave you my number for this act and it was all his plan all along.

Jiwook: Wow, I did not think of this. You are impressing me every time we meet.

Bella: We just need to focus on our mission tonight. Let's not compliment each other on how we did but look out for those who want us apart.

Jiwook: Like who?

Bella: The woman in that red dress. She keeps glaring at me and smirking dirty at me ever since she knew I am your girlfriend.

Jiwook: Oh, she? She is my dad's sister's daughter. My cousin actually. We have nothing in common and yeah, she wanted to be my girlfriend but I rejected her bad.

Bella: Good one though. Let's get through this night together, shall we?

Jiwook nodded his head with a smile and he held her hands tightly. Bella just lets Jiwook hold her hand as she knows that Jiwook is going with the flow and making everyone believe that they were couples. Jiwook's dad seemed to be happy and satisfied with Bella and Jiwook and he was proudly showing off Bella to his friends and other guests. Jiwook had to pretend to kiss Bella many times to make them believe.

Bella: I need to go to the washroom...

Jiwook: Take the right and straight.

Bella nodded and started to walk to the washroom. She really needed to release her content as she was drinking her soft drinks in big gulps whenever Jiwook pulled her to introduce her to the other guest. Bella entered the washroom and closed the door behind her. As she was releasing her content, she overheard one of the women in the washroom outside telling her friend that Jiwook slept with her and now Jiwook is just escaping again.

The woman's friend: Really? Jiwook is not the kind of a person who would escape his responsibilities though.

The woman: You don't believe me? Ask Hae Rae himself. He will tell you everything.

So, Hae Rae have been circulating this fake news to everyone around here. Bella thought that this have to be stopped before Jiwook or his dad gets to know about this. As those two were leaving the washroom, Bella came out and looked into the mirror. She thought how would she know if this news is real or just fake like their act? Can she ask Jiwook about this? Or approach Hae Rae about this? She did not want to create a mess that night so she decided to stay low.

Jiwook: Shall we leave yet, sweetheart? You must be tired.

Jiwook asked Bella in front of his dad and his friend.

Hae Rae: Is she Jiwook? I think she can join us for this after-party, wouldn't you Bella?

Bella: Actually, I am tired. I have work to do tomorrow.

Jiwook: I will send her back, dad.

Mr. O II: Drive safe, son. Bella, it was a pleasure to meet you. Have a good night!

Bella: Yes, sir. You too have a good night!

Jiwook held Bella's hand and walked out of the house. As they were reaching the car, Hae Rae approached Bella.

Hae Rae: So, I heard you agreed to go on the quest with Jiwook?

Jiwook: Hae Rae, not now, please.

Bella: Yeah, I am going with Jiwook. Any problems with that?

Hae Rae: Ah, no, no! I am glad that you agreed. Hope you don't get hurt later.

Jiwook: Enough! Let's go now, shall we?

Bella: Hurt? By who?

Hae Rae: I mean by the place. It is a forest I heard.

Bella: I see, I will be fine. Jiwook is a strong man too. So, careless now.

Jiwook: Guys, it is getting late now. Get in Bella, please?

Bella looked at Jiwook and nodded her head as Hae Rae just left them for his friends in that house.

Jiwook was quiet all the way to Bella's house and Bella noticed that Jiwook was mad at something too. He was clenching his inner cheeks and holding his steering wheel so tight that Bella could hear the squeaking sound of the PVC cover. Bella did not want to ask anything as she thought it isn't a good time. She was just waiting to arrive at her house and to collapse on her soft bed. As they reached their destination, Jiwook entered the house porch and looked at Bella.

Bella: Thank you once again for the lift. Do you want some hot drinks or something?

Jiwook: I don't want to intrude here. It is fine, I guess.

Bella: No, you are not. I know you did not eat much just now. Let's have a cup of hot chocolate inside?

Jiwook: Sure, will love to then.

Bella closed the car door behind her and walked to her front gate. She unlocked it and welcomed Jiwook inside and she locked back the gate behind her.

Jiwook: It is a tiring night, isn't it? I don't know how you do it. I am impressed.

Bella: Well, the first time was hard but as time goes by, you will get used to the tiredness and the work.

Jiwook: My dad bought us dating and all thanks to you though.

Bella: No, I should say you were pretty good too. Faking those kisses and whispering air into my ears.

Jiwook: Well, the whispering was nothing though. Just something I thought I should implement to make them trust but the kisses...

Bella stopped her work and wanted to turn around to see Jiwook but she just did not dare. Why is she feeling this way? Butterflies in her stomach whenever Jiwook comes near her and pretends to kiss her? She brushed it off fast and continued making the hot chocolate.

Bella: Do you want mash mellow in it?

Jiwook: No, I don't. Thanks, by the way.

Bella handed Jiwook his cup and took hers to the hall. Jiwook followed her. They sat beside each other and Jiwook placed his cup on the coffee table in front of him. He took one of the photo albums from the pigeon hole and started flipping through it.

Bella: That is my adopted sister, Raynie from Hong Kong.

Jiwook: She is pretty. How long have you known her?

Bella: Ever since my parents died in a car crash? Almost 6 years now.

Jiwook: Oh, I am sorry to hear that. You are so close with her here and happy with her. Does she come here often?

Bella: Well, she only comes when she has long semester holidays there. I will take my time and clear my schedule for her when she is here with me.

Jiwook: She makes you happy, so, why don't you bring her here to stay with you until she finishes her university? I am pretty sure she could get into any university here in South Korea.

Bella: I told her but her parents are against it. They did not her to burden me since I am handling her scholarship fees.

Jiwook: So, you just live here alone? All by yourself?

Bella: Yes. All by myself.

Jiwook looked at Bella and bit his lips hard. Bella was confused at what Jiwook was going to do and hoped that he would not kiss her that moment. She cannot be handling her confusing feeling at that moment with him.

Jiwook: Can I ask you something?

Bella: Go ahead...

Jiwook: Can I be your housemate until I could be steady and find a house for myself?

Bella: What? You can buy any house you want and you want to stay here?

Jiwook: I just want to stand on my own. I don't want to live on my dad's money.

Bella sighed a little as she kept looking at the photo album. It was the time when Nesha and Bella were on a summer vacation at the beachside and Nesha decided to take a picture of both of them since the weather was beautiful.

Bella: Look, I just feel you can do anything with your money right now. You stay here with me would actually create rumors and things would get stickier.

Jiwook: I don't understand what is stopping you from renting this room to me? I just need a couple of months before I could settle myself in the company and a house.

Bella: It is not that. I did not mean that. I just feel you would get yourself into trouble and your name would be spoiled.

Jiwook: I will handle that. Don't worry about it. Just let me in for a couple of months? I will pay the rent properly without any delay, I promise you.

Bella looked away from Jiwook and thought about this for a while. She could just let Jiwook stay in for a couple of months until he stands on his own feet but she is just scared that Hae Rae would spread the news and make it big. Jiwook still doesn't know Hae Rae was the one who spread fake news about Jiwook that night and Jiwook still trusts Hae Rae.

Jiwook: You seem very reluctant so-

Just then, Bella's doorbell rang and Bella walked over to open it. Bella saw that there were two policemen standing in front of her holding a letter.