[PP] Chapter 6: Promised

Music:

Dear... - Kana Nishino

The Name I Loved - Onew (SHINee)

바닐라 LOVE(feat. 샤이니-온유) - 이현지

Awkward silence dominated the car as Kibum drove towards their destination. Neither of them were brave enough to start a conversation. Not after what happened in the infirmary which Nicole was continually reminded of as she stared at her bandaged wrist.

***

They entered the infirmary expecting the school nurse to greet them but they were greeted with an empty room.

‘I guess she must’ve left early today,’ said Nicole nonchalantly.

‘Then I guess we have to do it ourselves,’ sighed Kibum as he rolled up his sleeves and directed Nicole to the bed.

‘Sit here while I look for the first aid kit and bandages,’ he commanded.

Nicole quietly sat down. Kibum began rummaging through the drawers and the closet until he suddenly appeared with a red and white box in his hand and wearing a proud smile on his face.

‘Let me see your wrist.’ He sat down beside her.

Nicole did as instructed. She watched him carefully examine her wrist, lightly putting pressure on specific areas of the joint. She pulled a pained face every once in a while.

‘Are you sure you know what you’re doing?’ she winced, ‘I’d rather be check up by a professional. My wrist might get worse if you treat it wrong.’ Even though Nicole knew he was trying he’s best, or at least it looked like her was, she couldn’t trust him entirely. After all, this is only the second time they’ve met and they aren’t entirely ‘friends’ either.

‘Just sit still,’ he commanded without looking up at Nicole. He was too concentrated on applying the bandage.

Nicole opened her mouth to argue but quickly decided against it. He was helping her after all. She sat quietly staring at Kibum wondering how many girls would die to be in her position right now. She watched as he carefully applied the cream. Her eyes slowly began to move from Kibum’s hands to his face. She was, now, able to see his features clearly; his chocolate brown hair, his dark charismatic eyes, his sharp well-defined nose and his lips, lips of an angel.

‘Finished staring?’

Nicole shook herself to reality and was surprised at the little distance between them; he nose was almost touching his cheeks. She had unconsciously been leaning towards Kibum as she gazed. Suddenly, she slipped forward and for a brief moment her lips brushed his cheeks before she landed on the floor. Time froze for a moment as both of then absorbed what just happened. Key’s hands automatically touched his cheeks, they were burning. Nicole simply froze in awe. What had she done?

‘It was only a peck… no big deal. It was an accident anyways…’ he reassured himself. Kibum collected himself. Making sure his cheeks weren’t red before he turned to Nicole, ‘Hey, are you alright?’

She quickly turned away, her face showing a tinge of pink. ‘I-I’m alright,’ she managed to squeak out.

A small smile appeared on Kibum’s face. She’s quite cute when she’s embarrassed..

He finished pinning the bandage together, ‘Okay, done,’ and he stood up.

‘Thanks, ‘Nicole muttered as she tested out her wrist.

Kibum briefly smiled as he heard her ‘thanks’ but quickly pulled a serious face. ‘Come on, let’s go.’

***

‘Um…so… where are you taking me?’Nicole attempted to break the silence.

‘Granny’s. She said she wanted to see you’ Kibum answered simply.

Nicole wasn’t satisfied with such a simple answer. ‘Did it have to be now? I mean she could’ve called me not you…unless… you’re playing with me…’ She eyed at him, trying to read his thoughts.

‘Play with you? Why would I want to play around with you? Granny called me because she wanted me to see her as well and coincidently asked me where you were and coincidently you were with me so she wanted us both to come,’ he defended, ‘now are you satisfied?’

‘I just hope that’s true.’

The car came to a stop.

‘We’re here.’

Kibum and Nicole reached the door which was already opened waiting for them to enter.

‘My dear, Nicole!’ Granny walked hurriedly down the hallway with outstretched arms and welcomed her with a hug, ‘how have you been?’ She stopped in the middle of her tracks when she saw Nicole’s bandaged wrist and eyed at Kibum.

‘This wouldn’t happen to be your fault, right?’ she glared.

‘No no no, Granny…,’ he shook his head furiously, ‘I was the one who fixed her up. She was the one stupid enough to fall off a ladder.’ He shot a glance at Nicole.

‘That better be true, ‘Granny threatened, she then turned to Nicole, ‘anyways, dear, I called you today to make a proposal.’ She led both youngsters to the large dining table. ‘Please take a seat.’

Kibum and Nicole did as they were told. Both of them noticed the change of mood, the fun upbeat Granny had disappeared whilst Granny the businesswoman took over.

The butler appeared holding a pile of papers and handed them to Granny.

‘So… Nicole. I’m here to offer you this contract.’ She passed down the papers to Nicole.

Nicole’s eyes widened as she saw the contract’s title; ‘100 days to love.’ She eyes slowly scanned down until she read two names; Individuals involved: Nicole Jung and Kim Kibum. She stared at the names and ultimately knew what this whole meeting was about. She opened her mouth argue but was cut off by Granny.

‘Now dear, I know this is a shock to you,’ she said calmly, ‘but please hear me out?’

Kibum who sat opposite to Nicole was oblivious to the content of the papers, pulled a confused face. He had no idea what was happening but he could tell it wasn’t something pleasant.

‘Please look at the clause 7 before you decide anything,’ Granny said calmly.

Nicole’s eyes scrolled down to clause 7; ‘Once there is an agreement between the two parties (Nicole Jung and Kim Kibum) then the debt owned by Nicole’s father (amounted to 4 million won) will be completely written off immediately by Kim Soyoung. If any clause is breached by either or both parties then the debt will continue to exist.’

Nicole reread the clause again, reading each word carefully and eyed at Granny, ‘how did you know about my father’s debt?’

‘Well…,’ Granny’s eyes shifted to the floor, ‘I was intrigued after meeting you and kind of…did a background check on you…’ Granny murmured.

‘How can you do that?’ Nicole erupted, ‘Invade someone’s privacy without their permission?! And on top of that use it for a contract like this?’ She pointed angrily to the pile of paper. ‘You-‘ Nicole stopped herself before she said something disrespectful. Granny was still an elder. Nicole grabbed her bags ready to leave when she heard Granny’s plea.

‘Nicole... I know what I did was not the best thing…but please here me out,’ Granny begged.

Even though Nicole’s anger told her to walk out, her instincts didn’t let her. She knew Granny wouldn’t be the person to do this without a reason. Nicole sat back down.

During all this time, Kibum stayed quiet. He hadn’t the slightest clue of what clause 7 said but he was curious. What caused the usually self-controlled Nicole to burst out in anger like this? Another thing he wondered was why the hell was he there? He obviously was not part of whatever Granny was trying to pull Nicole into, or was he?

‘Nicole, ‘Granny began, ‘after meeting you, I was intrigued by you. You are a child but your thoughts and maturity surpass many of your age. At once, I knew that you were not a simple girl; I could tell you have been through many hardships and pain to get to where you are today. I wanted to know more about you. Eventually my curiosity got the better of me and so, I did a background investigation on you and found out about your father.’ She paused to let Nicole take this in.

The mention of her father jerked Nicole’s attention. Memories began flooding into her mind as tears gathered in her eyes. Don’t cry Nicole. Not here…

‘I did conduct an investigation on your background BUT all I was able to find out was that your father accumulated a huge debt of 4 million won. How? I do not know but what I did find out is your mother is weak and is often sick, making her unable to work often. So you, as I have found out. You, Nicole, have been working multiple part-time jobs to support you family and tried to pay off the debt.’

Nicole’s eyes were red but she had not shed a tear as she recalled the hardships her family went through. She had not told anyone what had happened to her father and did not plan to in the near future. Over these years she simply did not think about the past. Even though she was burdened by work and school, she did not show her weak side to anyone. She had promised herself to stay strong for her family. She had to be the strong pillar to support her mum and her brother.

Kibum noticed the Nicole’s attempts to suppress her tears. Normally, if were other girls he wouldn’t care but strangely he had an urge to lend her his shoulder for her to cry on. He wanted to tell her it was alright to cry.

‘So…’ Granny continues again, ‘I wanted to help you out but I couldn’t do that without anything in return, can I?’ A wily smile appeared on Granny’s face. ‘After all, I am a business woman at heart. And I know that Nicole wouldn’t accept the money for nothing. So I figured out to use this contract. Take it as a form of repayment.’

‘You will repay my debt if I date Kibum for 100 days?’

‘WHAT?!’ Kibum couldn’t believe his ears. Nicole and I? ‘You’re joking Granny? How can you do this to me? You’re using me to help Nicole?!’ he burst out.

Granny simply laughed, ‘don’t worry grandson, there’s something in it for you as well. Please let me explain simply what the contract is about.

‘The conditions of the contract are that you and Nicole will be an ‘official’ couple for 100 hundred days starting from when the contract is signed and agreed to by both parties. This means that the media will be informed and that everyone, even you family and friends, will believe that you are a couple. During this time, you will go on dates every week, since both of you have school, which are decided upon alternatively each week by one of you. Nicole, you are also required to accompany Kibum to any functions or special events that he is invited to. Oh, and Nicole you are to move in with Kibum in his apartment.’

‘WHAT?!’ Nicole and Kibum yelled in unison.

Granny simply ignored them, ‘Kibum, you are to visit Nicole’s Mum and brother as well. Now, if you agree to this, Nicole, I will pay off all your debt and take care of your mother’s medical expenses and make sure she will receive treatment for her illness. And you, Kibum, I will write you off as the heir to Xavier on my will. That means you’re free to do whatever you want without a care in the world, isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?’

Both contemplated on the conditions.

Nicole debated with herself. She, herself can’t stand the thought of living with that jerk, Kibum for 100 days but she felt selfish. Her mother really needs medical treatment but in their current situation they couldn’t possibly afford it plus, they still have to pay rent for their home and her brother’s tuition fees. I guess 100 days isn’t that long…Still she thought this was a matter to be discussed with her mother. Even though she will probably approve of it right away…

‘I have to ask my mother about this…’

‘Oh don’t worry dear, I’ve talked your mother on the phone and she seems very enthusiastic of the idea. She was the one who suggested that the both of you should live together.’

Nicole was in disbelief. She couldn’t believe that a mother could send their daughter away so easily though in her mother’s case is was expected.

Nicole sighed. It can’t be helped then.. Nicole grabbed the pen and signed the paper.

Granny smiled. One down, one to go.

Kibum was in deep thought. After hearing the benefit of the contract to him he felt a spark of hope. Freedom; something he never had and now it was offered to him. Freedom seemed right in front of him but then two individuals came into the equation.

‘What about mum and dad?’ Kibum asked meekly.

‘Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.’ Granny reassured.

‘Kibum, you just have to deal with her for 100 days…it can’t be that hard…It might even be interesting,’ he said to himself as he remembered the type of girl Nicole was. With that thought in his mind, Kibum signed the papers.

Granny’s smile grew wider. Perfect.

‘Now,’ Granny interrupted the silence as she gathered the papers, ‘you two are officially a couple! Congratulations!’ Nicole and Kibum smiled weakly. ‘Now, I’ll leave you two to discuss things out before you,’ Granny nodded to Kibum, ‘take Nicole home to gather her things for her to move in. Oh and by the way, if any of the conditions are breached than Nicole, your debt will still exist and your scholarship will be terminated and Kibum you will remain the heir.’ With that, granny showed herself out of the room.

‘You better have an extra room,’ Nicole threatened as soon as Granny was out of hearing range.

‘You don’t have to worry about that, I’d rather sleep on the couch than sleep in the same bed as you,’ Kibum replied.

‘You do realise this is a just a plan to set us up right?’

Kibum rolled his eyes, ‘I’m not that dumb you know…’

‘Since this is a contracted relationship, don’t expect any feeling to prosper from this. We’re simply just helping each other out. If we both do the right thing and follow the contract we each get what we want.’

Nicole sighed. She was too young to go through with this but after all that has happened it was her only choice, her only way out. This was the only way to repay her debt and help her mother, plus her education is also on the line now.

Kibum smiled, ‘I’m glad we’re on the same page with this. Just promise you won’t interfere with my personal life and I won’t interfere with yours and that both of us will fulfil the conditions. So do we have a deal?’

‘On top of that, can you promise you won’t develop any feelings for me?’ Nicole questioned back.

‘Pinky promise.’ Kibum held out his pinky.

Nicole held out her hand and intertwined her pinky with his then pulled out her thumb.

‘Stamp on it.’

The two thumbs pressed against each to seal the deal but underneath the table Kibum had crossed his fingers. Nicole Jung, you’re too naïve. Even though we might hate each other now... you never know what will happen. Love and emotions isn’t something that can be controlled with a simple pinky promise.i can’t promise you on that part, I’m sorry… Even though Kibum wasn’t really sure if his reasons were logical his gut told him to cross his fingers.

Nicole, on the other hand, was satisfied with the promised they had made to each other. Even though it was a childish pinky promise it somehow gave her reassurance.

‘Think of it as just a business deal between two people,’ Kibum reassured. Kibum wasn’t sure if he was giving reassurance to himself or to Nicole.

Nicole considered Kibum’s last phrase. Business…sounds about right.

Author notes:
Update time! :D After this chapter the story will get more interesting. Less serious and more fun.
Not so happy with this chapter, though. I don't think I captured the moods in this chapter enough but I can't seem to think of a way to improve it.. Maybe it's my lack of vocab. :/ Vocab isn't my forte. hope this chapter wasn't a let down. the next update might take a while since I'm juggling this with school and work. Once again, the grey means flashback Oh, and please anticipate new couples, they'll be introduced soon.