Chapter 2: Underwater

Many people believe you’ll see your dream when you are at death’s door, and I think it’s true. If only my dream hadn’t kicked me awake.

My eyes widened as I slowly sank under the warm water. It’s dark. There was no light around except for the light above. I quickly swam towards the light and poked my head above the salt water.

Shocks. Why did I see Levi’s deep eyes and thin lips under the water?

I almost kissed him but he suddenly kicked me away. Tapping my forehead, I sighed. Well Rishel, if you’re gonna daydream please make Levi a little romantic, okay?

Suddenly, a shrill female voice shouted from above the dock. “Levi! What are you doing there? Come back, we’re late!”

I looked up at the dock and saw a beautiful woman who looked like Nicole, the only girl member of the Vine. She was wearing a summer hat on her head and a blue dress that was swaying with the afternoon breeze. Just by standing there, one will know that the girl’s elegant and sophisticated. So unlike me who’s swimming in the dirty seawater.

I just foolishly watched the dumbass swim to the edge of the dock and climb up. Saltwater was dripping from his clothes. I snorted. That must have been the man who dragged me with him. Tch.

He didn’t even say thank you for accompanying him with his free bath.

Frowning, I swam to the edge of the dock. I smacked my wet lips as I climbed up and stood at the edge of the dock. “What an ungrateful bastard!” I snarled. “You didn’t even help me —- "

My words were cut off when suddenly, the man turned around to face me. I was stunned because he looked like Levi, the Vine’s vocalist and my ultimate idol! His cowlick was hanging on his forehead and seawater dripped from his neck down to his V-neck polo shirt.

“You’ve insulted me?” he asked. I was rooted in my spot because he had the same voice as Levi!

I could not believe there was someone in this world having the same face and same voice as my idol! What on earth’s happening?

“I heard you insulting me, Miss.”

“No, I-I’m not!” I swallowed and looked away. “I’m complimenting you!”

“Huh.” The man chuckled and walked towards me. My body stiffened and my heart beat fast. I was about to step back when he quickly grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the edge of the dock. “For the second time, woman, don’t act pitiful. I don’t buy your poor acting skill.”

“W-What?”

I blinked and gaped at his retreating figure. My eyebrows meet, annoyed. Did that guy think I was craving his attention? In his dreams!

Before I could protest, someone called my name behind me. “Rishel.”

I turned and saw Tiden’s face. I was even more confused. Levi, Nicole, and now Tiden. What the members are doing here —- wait, that’s right. Vine is here!

My eyes blinked in surprise. “Tiden? Is that you?”

“Oh?” The corners of his lips rose and he crossed his arms over his chest. “You can’t play dumb with me like that, Rishel. I’m going to take you to Tito,” Tiden said then grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me away from the dock.

The corner of my lips twitched and I looked at Tiden. I also looked at the man who looked like June who was walking beside me. That’s when I realized I wasn’t daydreaming.

Vine is here!

“Hey hey! Stop!” I quickly took my hand from Tiden and took a few steps back. I frowned at them. “So that bastard is Levi?”

June and Tiden looked at each other. June closed his eyes. “Who do you think fell into the sea with you?”

I felt as if an icy bucket of water had been poured over me. Why? How? Why did I let Levi escape?

“Ah!” I slapped myself. “Stupid, Rishel! You should have stopped him!”

“Richel!” Tiden quickly grabbed my hand and frowned at me. “What’s going on with you?”

“Tiden! Help! My phone fell into the sea! And Levi just ran away! Bastard! After what he did, he’ll just run away? What? He won’t take responsibility? My poor baby!”

Tiden quickly covered my mouth and secretly looked around. Then he looked at me as if another head had grown on my neck. “What are you talking about? How much? I’ll pay.”

“No! I want him to take responsibility! That dumbass!”

June sighed and waved his hand at Tiden. “I’ll go first. You’ll take care of Rishel. The screw in the head has loosened again.” Then he left the dock first.

Tiden’s lips twitched with a smile. He looked at me for a long time before pinching my nose. “Ouch!” I glared at him. “What’s your problem again, huh?”

“You’re the one with the problem,” Tiden said. “What’s gotten into your head and you think of hanging out right on the dock?”

I snorted and folded my arms. “I want to relax, but you guys are too much! You bully me!”

Tiden sighed. Before he could speak again, we heard someone clear a throat. I looked at the man standing at the dock entrance, not far from where I was standing.

I saw his face again as he walked toward me. My face contorted and I looked away, folding my arms together. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

But he didn’t answer my question and instead turned to Tiden. “I will take Rishel from here, young man.”

Tiden’s eyebrows met. “Who are you?” he asked the man before pulling me closer to him.

My eyebrow rose as I looked at the newcomer and I even crossed my arms over my chest. I looked at him with my beautiful smug smile. But he just chuckled and winked at me, as if I was a kitten acting cute. My face darkened. Just then, how I wish I was a big tiger in his eyes. I looked away.

“Rishel, do you know that man?” Tiden asked.

I pursed my lips. “No. Not at all!”

Tiden frowned and then turned to the man. “Mister, it’s bad to joke with a lady you’re not familiar with.”

“Oh?” the man teased. He looked at me and adjusted his necktie. “Do you think of me as someone untrustworthy, Rishel?” he asked.

I know what he’s saying. He wanted to remind me of the crime in Boljoon, that I was more distrustful than the two of us. I gritted my teeth. I don’t know how many buckets of patience I have drank since I met him.

“Tiden, let’s go!” I said then pulled him past the man blocking our way. But before I could step past him, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from Tiden. “Hey! What’s the matter with you? Let me go!” I shouted while struggling in his hold.

“Your father is there. You’ll be punished when he’ll see you like this,” the man whispered in my ear.

I was tickled by the hot breath touching my ear. Frowning, I averted my ear from his hot breath. I looked at Tiden who had a dark expression while looking at the man holding my wrist.

Ah, what a pain in the ass. I sighed then waved my hand at Tiden. “Aren’t you late for the night gig? You can go first else your manager will scold you again,” I said.

There was nothing wrong with what I said, but Tiden’s face darkened. Squinting my eyes, I looked away. Why? Did I say something wrong?

“Okay. I’ll call you later,” Tiden said.

“Oh no!” I quickly waved my hand and shook my head. “Did you forget? My phone fell into the sea. I’ll buy another one tomorrow!”

Tiden nodded then walked away without saying a word. My shoulder slumped and I flicked the hand that was holding my wrist. “What are you doing? He’s gone so let me go, okay?”

Only then did he release my wrist? I held no hope when I saw that my school uniform was so messed up with stains all over it after that fall. Mama will scold me again for being too dirty.

“Lyndon,” the man suddenly said.

I looked up and frowned at him. “What are you saying?”

“Call me Lyndon. That’s my name.”