SIX

It was only after watching Jiyong slip twice that Dara finally called over the panting leader. “Grumpy D!” She yelled while tapping the empty space beside her. She together with the other members was comfortably seated on the blanket she brought. In the middle of their tight little circle was a huge picnic basket full of homemade yummy treats like kimbap. The setting was normal but nothing was normal with the people she was having picnic with. Four men surrounded her and they’re not just any ordinary men. She was having picnic at the Han River park with none other than Big Bang members in hoods and masks. She kept her face politely blank as she watched Jiyong turn his head towards her.

Jiyong wiped the sweat off his face as he quietly walked towards their temporary minx for a manager. His shirt was soaked clean that he had to continuously fan himself with his hands. Dara was proving to be ten times worse than their exercise coach that he had successfully avoided for three whole months. He felt hot and his now sticky shirt was suffocating. He kept his expression blank as he slowly lowered himself between the satisfied manager and the fidgeting best friend turned traitor – Dong Young Bae. It was irritating how his members easily fell under their managers hands, it specially irked him how their maknae seemed to worship the ground that Dara walks on. 

“Here.” Dara offered him a bottle of an ordinary mineral bottle. Not his ridiculously expensive mineral bottle that was clearly included on his to buy list.

Jiyong wanted to complain but doing so would only bring him more harm. He can feel his nerves twitch a little in irritation when his members’ eyes grew saucer wide as soon as his lips touched the bottle rim. He widened his eyes back as if saying ‘What?!’.

Dara who was ignoring all the weirdness around her smiled at everybody, smiling a little longer at Jiyong’s direction. She would be dumb if she doesn’t know that at that very moment Grumpy D wanted to break her neck in two but she pretended to not notice the split second death glare that he shot her way. She would only use her power as their manager whenever the situation badly calls for it and a little glare does not count. She opened the basket, her lips twitched at the rather violent reaction of her famished boys, reached inside and pulled out her homemade snacks. “Dig in.” She said as soon as she placed the plastic containers down.

Before Dara could even blink everything was gone in a matter of seconds. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the boys with a shocked expression. “Did you just eat everything in a flash?”

Top scratched his head. Seungri pouted cutely. Daesung just smiled without saying anything while Young Bae’s cheeks turned bright red. He cleared his throat and ignored Jiyong’s annoyed glances. “Sorry noona. We are really hungry.”

“What about Jiyong?” She turned to face the leader. “Did you manage to have a bite?”

“No.” He replied while throwing daggers towards his members.

Dara turned her attention back to the culprits. Her expression turned stern. “That was not very nice of you boys.” She lectured while wagging a finger. “You should have left something for your leader. After all he was the one who had to run four laps.” She sighed. “Okay guys.” She rose to her feet. “Grab everything. You four will walk back to the office and meet me.” When the culprits sighed in relief (thinking that it was an easy punishment given that their office is just 2 blocks away) Dara continued talking. “And you are forbidden to take the elevator. Understand?”

“Noona.” Seungri the bravest or probably the most ignorant among them asked. “What floor are we supposed to meet you?”

Dara brushed the grass off her pants first before facing the maknae. “12th floor.” Before they could devise a plan on how to deceive her Dara once again talked, her voice turned dangerously low. “I will visit the security office later boys so give up the dirty thoughts of cheating. Understand?”

Jiyong smirked at the boys’ horrified faces. He felt suddenly happy that he only had to run four laps and not walk back to their office and take the stairs. The mere thought would definitely cause severe seizure. “See you guys later.” He called after his members slumped backs. Young Bae just shrugged his shoulders in reply making his smile grow wider. Sweet revenge.

“Let’s go.” 

Jiyong turned to face Dara and arched an eyebrow. “Where?”

She rolled her eyes. “President Yang informed me that you need a PA. But since I think that you are more than capable to look after yourself I told him that you won’t need one.”

That instantly wiped the silly smile off his face. “What did you say?”

“I said that I told President Yang that you won’t be needing another person to slave around.”

“Slave around?” He hissed, eyes turned into little slits. “Do you have any idea how little free time I have? I don’t have time to do menial tasks! Can you see me walking around t e supermarket while dragging along a huge cart?” He asked, hands on his hips.

Dara calmly looked at him. “You have free time now.”

“I am dead tired because you made me run four freaking laps that I don’t freaking need!” His voice raised a few notches higher. She was really great in making him loose his cool. 

“Can you stop complaining for a second?” Dara hissed back. “You’re definitely a better whiner than a preschooler.” Before he could form a retort Dara yelled at the top of her lungs leaving him stunned. “SHUT UP YOU GRUMPY DRAGON! Shut up before I cut your tongue off!” When Jiyong finally stopped complaining she took a deep breath and spoke through gritted teeth. “I will help you buy your groceries.”

“You?”

“Don’t act all insulted Mr. Kwon. Do I look excited to do this?” She countered, eyes blazing. Without another word she walked towards their parked van and immediately settled on the driver’s seat. “Ya! Hurry and get in will you? I don’t have all day.” She yelled and bang the door close, drowning out Jiyong’s protests.

“Can you even drive?” Jiyong asked with exaggerated trembling of his hands as he fastened his seatbelt.

Dara flashed him a smile. “Of course. I have an international license. Can you even drive?” She asked with mock interest.

International driving license. He was impressed and he hated the fact that it showed on his face. He ignored her question because it would add salt to his already wounded pride. “Just drive carefully. My life’s more important than yours.”

“If you say so.” Dara replied sweetly before furiously pressing on the pedal that earned terrified yells from the great Kwon leader.