SEVEN (1/1)

___________________________________________________________25 CONTROVERSIAL QUOTES  FROM THE STYLE EMPRESSOn her love-hate relationship with the paparazzi:" I wish they’d stop making references to my mostinfamous display of bad taste in men.That’s so 800 seasons ago. I’m in a red-hot love affair withmy clothes now. Here, I have impeccable taste.I wish they’d write more on that than my ol’ boring chestnuts.”Sandara Park__________________________________________________    THE LAND CRUISER SMOOTHLY NAVIGATES the road to the airport. I hate what I’m feeling. The lump in my throat won’t go away and that pressure in my chest…shit.  These are feelings that are alien to me now that’s why they’re so piercing. The more I fight it, the more it feels like a sadist is making little cuts all over me, punishing me.  I want to cry.  There. I admit it.  I want to sob my heart out. Scream to the heavens. It’s been a long time since I last cried. Since I wasted my tears on someone.  On a man in particular.  I don’t want to feel this, to waste a single tear for him.  What for? And why?  I’ve known him for two days. Two days!  Three.  Today doesn’t count.  Today, you’re about to cry for him. It counts. A lot.  I groan and rest my head on the backseat, closing my eyes, massaging my temple. The beauty of the verdant forest only aggravates the heavy weight that seems to be crushing my heart. I wanted to explore the island some more, discover its famed wonders but I know I can’t stay here knowing we’d see each other again and…  He comes too close and I don’t think I can handle that.  His intensity. His seemingly boundless energy.  He overwhelms me, overpowers me. I’m not used to being defensive. I’m always on the offensive.  Is it possible to develop feelings for someone you don’t even know in just three short days?  You know him.  His body, yes.  You know he’s looking for someone with similar interests as his. Proof, he chose you over those women who looked like Maxim cover girls.   I don’t know his interests! And knowing he likes plus-size women doesn’t make him special! Maybe it’s just his fetish. I don’t want to be a fetish. I’m not a fucking guilty pleasure!  He’s deep. He can carry a decent conversation. More than decent conversation.   No.  He cares that he took your V-card. Not many men would care in this time and age. In fact, I kinda think he values it that’s why he was so pissed off. He feels responsible for you.  Ohhhh shut the fuck up! He doesn’t care! Why would he even care? For me? Me?! There are too many gorgeous girls in the island. Why would he want someone like me?!  Here you go again, loser. Looooo-ser.  I groan louder, trying to shush the nagging little voice in my head who’s playing devil’s advocate, tempting me to start entertaining ideas with that boy.  Ideas that I know will only lead to a big heartbreak and I don’t need that level of insanity at this point in my life. I’m too old. It would end me.  Besides, my investors wouldn’t like to see me turn into a train wreck after risking their millions on my brand. I have too much responsibilities right now to risk inviting chaos into my well-organized orbit.  Excuses. Excuses. Excuses.  All I want is a baby, not a fucking love life! That’s the plan! Stick to the fucking plan!  Coward.  No. I can’t handle being called a cougar. It’s for brash, truly confident women, not someone who’s just pretending. And that’s that. Now, shut the fuck up already!  ————//————   After getting cleared by the airport authorities, I’m asked to board a shuttle.  “Am I alone? Where are the other passengers?” I ask the driver as we cruise slowly on the side of the runway.  “You’re the only one, ma’am,” replies the driver. That puzzles me but then again, I’m probably the only one who cut her vacay in half after paying for almost a month’s stay. Of course, the rest of my payment has been forfeited.  The shuttle slows down.  “We’re here, ma’am.”  The driver disembarks and helps me out.  “Where’s the plane?”  “You’ll be taking a helicopter. Your luggage is already in there.”  He points behind me. I look and there’s a gleaming black chopper parked nearby. Its rotor starts to move.  “Let’s go, ma’am.”  “But…wait! I thought I’m taking a plane!”  “Planes are on schedule for designated flights. You requested a special trip back to Singapore. Our special and emergency trips are via choppers only. Don’t worry, ma’am, it’s a short flight to the Lion City, no more than thirty minutes.”  I nod, surprised at this new development but do I have a choice? I just want to leave the island as fast as I can. “Okay. Let’s go.”  The chopper’s engine is running now and we dash under the rotor.  The driver opens the front passenger door for me.  I get in. The door closes.  “Hello—“ I begin to greet the pilot and then swallows my tongue. ————//————  “Jaejoong!”  He greets me with that heart-stopping smile packed with enough megawatts to decimate my common sense in a blink.  “Hey, baby. Welcome aboard.”  He straps the seat belt on me and places the headset on my head with an expertise that makes my head spin.  His morning freshly showered scent assaults my nostrils and I sit there immobilized, unable to process what’s happening. When my mind finally rights itself, we’re already airborne. He’s sitting there like this is an ordinary drive to the park, except we’re flying!  “Jaejoong, what are you doing…there!” I squeak.  “Relax, Dara!”  “Wait, I’m supposed to be flying to Singapore!”  “What are you going to do there? Boring place.”  Well, better boring than heartbreaking. “I do have a business to run back in the real world, you know, and you’re kidnapping me. It’s a crime!”  He grins unrepentantly. “Have me arrested later.”  “Seriously Jaejoong, what’s this?”  “So, were you going to just leave without saying goodbye?” He shakes his head.  “Tsk, tsk, I’m so hurt, Dara.”  Hurt, my ass. “We said goodbye l