Making Plans

Carefully tucking my books into my bag as I awaited the last tune for the end of the day's work to sing through the hallways, Na Yeon suddenly nabbed me from behind.

"It's your turn." She said, her voice extremely low and sad.

"You could have used words instead… Why spank me this hard?" I retorted, putting a stop to what I was doing and then I noticed her mood.

Really sulky.

Really sad.

Desperation.

Losing hope…

"What's wrong?" I finally asked after taking all these into consideration.

She let out a sigh wearily, a great evidence to how troubled she was.

"I flunked."

A standard D+ stood out gracefully on the paper.

I folded my lips, losing hope with my own work as well. In my past life, Na Yeon was always ahead of me in academics. This didn't bring an end to our friendship anyway since we both are not on good terms with studying and going to school.

We are both victims of forced priorities.

"Sorry?" I shrouded trying to hide the stinging doubt that had etched itself in my mind.

She sighed wearily again.

Is it that bad?

She wasn't bothered by her grades in our past life.

So…

"You know what?" Na Yeon suddenly started to say, her voice rising like a steaming bubble. "Who cares about grades anyway? Aera, do you want to go for a spree this weekend? I will treat you to a spa as well… How about I take us to the newly opened restaurant at my dad's hotel? Or maybe attend a concert?" She listed out.

Yes!

This is it.

This is how Na Yeon is.

Fuck grades!

I smiled.

"I will think about it all after seeing my own flop script." I said to her standing up from my seat and flinging my bag behind.

"Right. Goodbye, my friend." She waved.

And with that, I walked out of class and headed to our homeroom teacher's office. I slowly opened the door and took a quick peep inside.

One,

Two,

Three,

Four,

Five.

Five other teachers out of ten who shared the same room as an office were still active in their seats. Some were counseling their students while some others were busy with their computers.

I braced myself up as it was either I got counseled today or praised.

But with the look of things, the former will probably be my fate for today.

Walking slowly to his desk, I realized he was still attending to a male classmate and when he turned around to leave, it was none other than Hyun Min.

He made way for me and whispered;

"I will be waiting outside."

I nodded and continued my short trip.

"Oh, Aera is that you?" My homeroom teacher, Mr. Park greeted, flipping a file half filled with test results open.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Park." I returned.

"You really are something with this test. When are you going to wow your family with your grades?"

Oh, I flunked as well.

What was I expecting?

A quick pick up with grades because Hyun Min taught me a few things?

That's stupid!

I bowed a little ready to tender an apology.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry? What are you sorry for? For making an A+?"

What?

My eyes could have poked out of their sockets as my ears transmitted what I had just heard into my head.

A+

Mr. Park handed me my script and I grappled it immediately.

Is this false hope?

Am I being tricked?

I checked the grading corner and a very bright A+ sat like a princess in the corner.

I must have lost it at that moment. It felt like I had just passed an exam that would keep me alive, whereas it is just a test, but that didn't help contain my joy as I rushed out of the office immediately and dashed into the hallway.

"Hyun Min!" I screamed out loud to grab his attention and he heard me at first call and turned around.

Seeing me run towards him with so much smile on my face, he must have read my luck. And I ran up straight to him pushing a hug into his chest.

He grabbed me at once, allowing me to fall into his gracious embrace.

"It's an A+!" I told him immediately, finding no means to catch my breath as I was beyond elated at that moment.

"I know." He replied softly.

And then…

We just stood like that…

Enjoying the moment…

That made us happy.

"Does your hair smell this nice everyday?" Hyun Min finally asked, breaking through the silence after a while.

"Uh?... Why?"

"I want to have this fragrance filling my nostrils everyday." He chuckled, stroking through my hair softly.

"Then hug me everyday." I blurted out.

"I will take you home… you still have to stay away from Aruem, right?"

A little nod put a halt to our small moment.

°~°~°~°

After saying our final goodbyes, I walked into our mansion's yard and the guard on duty bowed to me.

The princess.

I noticed father's car was out of the lodge and I guessed he had gone to my school to pick Areum up.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen her all day.

But…

I shook the feeling off and walked into the house.

For some reason, everywhere was silent and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on.

Is everyone out already?

It's a good deal to be honest.

I'd be home alone for a while.

Free to smile, free to breathe.

But…

As I continued to walk towards my room, I noticed my father's study was open a little and with all intent, I was ready to walk away, but I heard some voices come from the room which made me stop.

I walked towards the door and scanned the room through the little opening.

Father,

…and his brother with another man whom I presumed was here for work.

Why are they here?

Should I ignore them?

I shrugged, finally opting to walk away, but…

"We have to stop the transfer of 1% share to Aera." I heard my father say, pulling some hand brake to my movement.

"That alone cannot give our agenda enough strength to make a comeback." Dad's brother said dropping his cigar into an ashtray. "We have to cut off your father in-law's right hand as well."

"You mean…"

"Yes, his wife."

I clasped my hand against my mouth carefully sealing the gasp that almost made its way out.

"Her shares are what we should keep our eyes on as she is the largest shareholder of the K group. Do you not think it is time to step on her?" The other man said, bending a little as he rested his hands on father's study table.

Father stood up from behind the table and walked towards the window, watching the setting sun for a minute.

And then, he began to cackle like a maniac.

"I have my people in their house already. Do you think the nail clipping incident was a coincidence to her not attending Areum's birthday party?" He asked, turning at both men he shared the same agenda with to read the surprise on their faces.

"That was you?"

He smiled.

"She's probably sipping an exquisite green tea at the moment." Father continued doffing his head to the side a little while a wicked grin sat on his face.

The other men giggled like hyenas and uncle said;

"Now what's left is to get a draft of her transfer of deed and include your wife's name in her will."

The other man cleared his throat and it was then I noticed his face.

He works with my grandparents.

A trusted fellow I would say.

He is my grandparents personal legal advisor and representative.

Their lawyer.

"What do you say about making a legally pre-planned will when she suddenly collapses in about two weeks? I can draft out some copies and make her sign the documents when the side effects of the 'green tea' starts to kick in?" He suggested.

"And also the transfer of the 1% share meant for Aera should be transferred to Areum instead. That kid is going to be a hassle to us if she gets the share in her name."

Come to think of it…

Grandma's death was totally unprecedented in my last life and it happened after I celebrated my eighteenth birthday.

Is this happening again?

On my watch?

Her sudden death was unordinary, but also felt natural for some reason.

Does this mean father has a hand in her death back then?

Since I know the certain date of her death, I should stop it at least.

I have to stop it!

Now I know she might have died due to poisoning which seems to have been going on for long.

This might be one of the reasons why I am back in this life!

I have to save her.

I rushed to my room and made sure I didn't make any sound as I moved away from my father's study.

I have to tell Hyun Min what I had just heard.

He is the only one.

The only one in this world whom I share a secret with.

We are both travelers.

He should know better.

Opening the door of my room, Areum was already seated on my bed as if she had been waiting for me for a while.

A red dress was laid neatly beside her accompanied by a beautiful pair of red shoes while a set of pearl made jewelry adorned on a neck piece mannequin laid next to it.

What is going on here?

I released my hand from the door knob and walked in slowly calculating what was sitting in my room.

"What is this?" I finally asked her my gaze running from the dress to Areum and how she sat still like 'corpse bride'.

"It's Hyun Woo." She replied immediately. "He's taking you out on a dinner date tonight and he's gotten you the finest dinner dress of this season. Pretty, right?" She concluded with her usual forced smile.

Hyun Woo…

This is not the time for me to dine on some expensive steak while raising glasses and giggling at silly jokes.

Taking a deep sigh, I pulled my bag off and dropped it on my study table.

"You can go in my stead. I am not in the mood for a dinner date." I blurted out.

"Hey! You're joking, right?" She continued, her tone suddenly drawing a firm line into delight. "I can go on a date with Hyun Woo in your stead?"

I turned.

"You like him too… you should try your luck with him tonight and besides, we have the same face and he wouldn't notice a difference. Just make sure your hairstyle covers your mole and…"

I paused, realizing what I had just said.

In my past life, I couldn't go to this same dinner date with Hyun Woo because I was sick and now, I'm readily letting Areum take my place again in his life?

Does this mean I shouldn't bother trying to change what made me fall from the sky into a bottomless pit as the scripted lines fall in place anyway?

Does this mean I cannot change my future?