“Dara, we’re good now. Thanks.” Teddy said.

Dara came out of the recording booth. She`d just recorded her part for one of the songs they`re considering for the full album due to come out November or December.

“May I go now?” she asked.

“Yeah, sure.” Teddy turned to answer, giving her a thumbs up sign.

“Thanks!..Bye.” Dara said.

She wanted to hug him but as always decided otherwise. She loves Teddy so much as a dear brother. He`d always been there for her too. He understood her limitations and had worked around what she`s capable of to make her perfect as 2NE1`s fresh vocals. He must know her a lot more that he was able to push her to do something quite surprising for her single, Kiss. She rapped! Yes, now if only she could put MORE hip-hop or RnB feel to it… If only– people might question her a little less. She sighed. She really should stop reading those comments but she can`t help it, she loves hearing from her fans, and it`s quite inevitable that she comes across the not so warm ones, like from a certain CLWIFE in Soompi saying that if not for her personality she wouldn’t have a role in 2NE1. Guess, it`s too bad trying hard and working you’re a.s.s off really doesn’t count for everyone. At least, my Chaerin-roo loves me, she thought.

Question me a little less. Accept me a little more. Hate me a little less. Love me a little more.

Like a mantra the words followed her outside and down the stairs where she bumped into Taeyang.

“Nooonnaaa.” He greeted her affectionately – his smile warm and wide.

Dara stuck out her tongue. “Dong Young Bae, what are you up to now?”

“Huh?”

“Don`t huh me, you`re always up to something whenever you do your `noooonnnaaaa`.” Dara imitated him to a tee.

YB laughed. “Do i?”

“Haha, Yes! From asking me to get you those dried mangoes and tamarind candies whenever I`m in the Philippines to helping you pick a present for the girls` birthdays…”

“Ahhh, I just know I could count on you… But ummm, I was thinking of inviting you to have coffee with me.”

“Right now?”

“Yeah. If you`re not busy.”

“Not really, ok, sure!”

They walked to the nearest café to their building, one just across the street.

“I guess you`re really ok now.” YB spoke as soon as they settled in a table by the café`s window.

“Hmmm?” Dara looked at him unsure if she heard him right.

“You didn’t seem like yourself last Sunday. I did my noooonnaaa and you either stick out your tongue or make a face, but that time, nada.”

“Really?” Dara was surprised to know he actually noticed her pale mood that afternoon. Apparently, the only one who did.

“You don’t even remember, do you?”

Dara shook her head.

“That`s ok. So, anything the matter then?”

“No. No. Just a little tired, I guess.” She faked a smile.

“Ah, I see… How is the CF?” YB soon asked.

“it`s great. I am honestly proud of it. It should be out next week.”

“Ah, that`s good then.”

Dara nodded.

“Noona, can I ask you something?”

“Yes, sure, what is it?”

“Would you mind appearing in my MV?”

“Wow.” There was a minor shock in her expression. “Are you sure? …. I mean, no, I wouldn’t mind at all. If you want me to, sure! Sure sure sure! Wow!” Dara exclaimed, totally not hiding her excitement.

“Are you sure you want me to? Coz that would be awesome!” She wasn`t finished.

“Really? You`re cool with it?” YB asked back, also making no effort to hide his excitement.

“Of course, I`d be cool with it! I`m super cool with it. I`d be disappointed if you didn’t ask.” She smiled with her joke.

“Ok. Thanks. Actually, I`m still to ask pres. YG. I`m not sure yet if he`ll allow you since you already have a lot of projects. You just had a featuring in Ji`s solo plus the release of your single and CF, so I don’t know, I guess, it`s a little slim. But I`m hoping he`d let me. You`re not making an MV for Hello, right?”

“No, I don’t think so. There`s no plans of us promoting that.” She replied.

“Cool.” He said.

“Which song? Where you at?” Dara inquired.

“No, we don`t have plans to promote that either. Although we might make an MV for it. I was thinking of having you for my title track.”

“Really? Wow. I`d be honored. Really. I hope pres. YG will allow me to.”

“I hope so too.” He smiled, looking intently at her.

Dara looked away. She doesn’t know why, but YB`s stares are kinda making her a little anxious.

What`s wrong with me? She asked. She decided to brush it off, taking a sip of her coffee.

“So, YB, tell me, where`d you get your RnB flow?” she decided to change the subject.

“Mmmm…” he thought hard. “I`ve always just had it. Since I was small I`d love RnB and hip hop so I danced and sang to it. I guess it’s always been in me.”

“Yeah, I guess it`s something you either have or you don’t. Obviously, I don`t.” she sighed.

“What `s that? Why are you talking like that?”

“I just feel like I`m a hopeless case. You know. I don’t have it. Some people just don’t. I mean, Celine Dion, for example. She`s a great singer but she just can`t do RnB, you know. I`m not even saying I`m any good like her, ok? Just saying that maybe I`m not cut out for this.”

“Don`t say that. I heard Kiss. You did great, really.”

“Did you? Thanks. I think so too. Hehe.” She beamed. “But I could’ve done so much better like Bommie, you know. It would’ve been better with the adlibs she does.”

With that Dara tried some.

“Hurry up… ooooaahhhh… Let it touch.. oohh.. cmon and let it touch yeah yeah cmon…”

YB bowed his head and laughed. She stopped and laughed hard with him.

“Sucks, right?” she asked when theyd recovered.

“Nah.” He shook his head. “Just needs some polishing. More practice.”

“Yeah, I guess, I should hang out with you more.” She joked.

“Yeah, you should!” he joked, one of those half-meant jokes.

Dara suddenly had a brilliant idea. “Let me hear you do it.”

“Huh, hear me what?”

“Sing Kiss, I wanna hear it done by a bonafide RnB artist.”

“What? No.” YB was chuckling under his cap he used to cover his face.

“Cmon. Let me learn from the pro.” She teased him. Tugging at his hand repeatedly.

“But noona, it`s a girl song.”

“So? C`mon. Or I`m taking my word back on starring in your MV!!!.” She threatened, pouting her lips.

“Ahhh… noona, not fair… what is this, an extension of Ji`s birthday?”

“Okay, i`m leaving.” Dara started to stand up, still acting upset.

“I`m doing it.” YB quickly said making Dara dance inside. Victory!

They both kept giggling until YB finally settled and started singing.

He did it slow, his fingers tapping on the table, keeping in beat with his flow. His eyes were focused on the table but occasionally he would look up to Dara and smile to her as she hummed and swayed along with him.

Baby girl
wae hangsang halmal-i geu-ri man-a
dap dap han Baby girl
saranghanda go baek hal geon-al-a
I’m not a baby boy
ni saenggak boda nun chi ga nan ppal la
u rin mae il hang sang je ja rireul dor a
dodaeche neon wae nal geu reoh ke do molla

I just wanna kiss
I never wanna miss
deo jja rit ha ge one more time
nae sum eur ga jyeo ga
I’m dying for your kiss
I never wanna miss

“.. and I don`t know the lyrics anymore…”

“Hahaha! That`s awesome!!!” Dara clapped continuously.

YB only smiled. Unsure if Dara was really complimenting or making fun of him.

“Why is it when you do it sounds so sexy?” the words popped out of Dara’s mouth.

“You think so?” That must be a compliment then, he thought.

Omo, did I just say that out loud? What???

“Ummm.. yeah. It`s so different from my version.” She managed to say. “Mine`s like the kiddie version.” She laughed.

Yes, trust me to make fun of myself. But omo, so sexy? Gosh, what else did he hear?

“Don`t put yourself down, ok?” YB was serious now. “You`re always saying that, you are way too humble, you know. In truth, you`re wonderful and have something to offer to 2NE1`s music. As I see it, you being in 2NE1 could be the best and worst thing, just make it work, you know.

What`s bad is as you`ve mentioned, you don’t have that soulful, RnB feel, which is supposed to be 2NE1`s kind of music. But don’t worry, the three has got that covered. Now, the good thing is it makes you stand out. It gives 2NE1 a pop feel which isn’t bad at all. I, for one, enjoy it. It`s…well, it`s fresh, that is you, right, and it`s sweet. As I see it, that`s what draws people in you. That’s why they love you, you know. As for 2NE1, I think you are not only capturing YG fans but fans of other companies as well, because you are able to sort of offer a diversity in your music. RnB, hip hop and pop, in one. Why not, right? Plus you have stage presence, you should really be proud.”

Dara flushed. She thought it was sweet of him to say those things. “Thanks. Meanwhile, I still want to keep working til I get that soulful vibe in me. I want to shut those haters up. It`s frustrating, really, I wanna say I don’t care, but I do care. I want all Blackjacks to accept me. Hopefully, one day I`ll wake up and voila, I got it. That`s how I learned Tagalog, you know. One day I just woke up and I realized I understand everyone!”

“Haha, noona, you may not have soulful flow but for sure, you`ve always been funny.”

“Hey, I wasn’t kidding when I said that.” She sneered at him. “But thanks.”

“And just forget those who doubt your place in 2NE1.” YB had his eyes intently at hers. “Whatever they say, you must always bear in mind that you are loved.”

Dara could’ve melted at his words. It was exactly what she wanted to hear! Questioned a little less. Loved a little more… No – check that- it`s loved. Simply loved.

Since when did they grow up, she asked. They talk so maturely now. Not that’s she`s complaining but weren’t they used to be fun cute young boys?

But now they`re just making me feel… what`s the word… heck, they`re making me feel!!! Period! Top, GD, especially, and now, YB too? Truth be told he was so sexy while seriously singing my song and so sweet at comforting me… Shucks! Dara, what is going on? What the heck is wrong with you?

She avoided him and tried focusing on her coffee or whatever else was there.

She took her last sip. YB did his as well.

“YB, thank you for the coffee and… for everything. I owe you one.”

“Well, you just agreed to appear in my MV, so we`re even.” YB flashed his sexy smile.

“No, I was just kidding. Of course, id be more than happy to be in your MV. Really. it`s my treat next time… shall we go?” she stood up before he even answered, she was starting to feel afraid that one more of those sweet words and loving stares will make her fall for him. Her love is for Jiyong and Jiyong alone, she told herself.

YB watched as Dara quickly left her seat and moved toward the door. He followed him closely, unaware of the uneasiness he`d caused her. He was too happy to notice, really.

It`s been one of those times he has all her attention, and all the chances to maybe impress her and show how much he cared for her.

Hopefully, I didn’t screw it up, he thought.

Yes, Dara doesn’t know it but between them it was YB who was more afraid. Not afraid of falling, he already has since beginning. No, he was afraid making advances to her would only hurt their friendship. That the only distance he`ll be making are ones that would lead him farther away from her.

But he is boosting his self-confidence. If there`s any indication that he might have a chance on her it lied on this one thing he`d given her that she`d kept worn since – a cute pink-haired Troll ring.

Yes, maybe, just maybe she does like me too.