Those Boys Gave Me 18 Roses - Chapter 10 ? 8th Rose

JIN HEE DIDN’T PREPARED HERSELF when Mi Yeon suddenly pushed her to the water and left her with a triumphant, evil smile on the latter’s face.

Jin Hee has an aquaphobia, a huge fear of large bodies of water since she was a kid and that’s one reason why she doesn’t know how to swim.

She kept on moving, floating herself out of the water to gasp for air.

“H-Help, help me!” she tried to shout, hoping that someone might hear her. “Help me!!!”

She kept on moving and floating herself out of the water, perking her head to cough and gasped for air. But since she doesn’t know how to swim and exhaustion slowly crept in her system, she ended up sinking.

Min Seok, help me.

Somebody somebody help me.

She didn’t noticed that someone jumped into the water and swam towards her.

**:….:*:*::*:….:**

“I have to go,” Ah Young, Tae Yang and Ha Neul simultaneously raised their heads towards Baek Hyeon who’s now putting his black overcoat on his shoulders, showcasing his elegant faade.

“Another business meeting?” Ha Neul asked as he looked at his laptop, tapping on its thin keyboard

Tric let go a deep sigh. “Yeah.”

“We have class on Physics later. Aren’t you gonna attend it?” asked Ah Young, slightly poking her chin using the head of her fountain pen.

“I’ll just ditch it. Abeoji really wants me to attend that meeting. Our investors in Europe just arrived as of eleven. Just tell Madame I can’t attend the class today,” he responded and left the student council room. (*this is the formal form for “father”. Other forms are Abeonim (also formal) and Appa (informal))

“Okay,” that’s the last thing he heard before completely leaving the said room.

**:….:*:*::*:….:**

He was walking few meters away from the swimming gym when his phone rang. When he saw the name on his phone’s screen, he couldn’t help but purse his lips into thin line.
for visiting.

His dad, he confirmed.

He let go a deep sigh before picking up the phonecall. “Ye, abeoji?” (*formal form of “yes”.)

“Where are you?” his dad asked with a serious tone.

He dislikes that tone.

And not just that tone, he also dislikes his dad being an authoritarian.

“School,” he answered in nonchalance. “Don’t worry, I’m on my way there.”

“Be sure you’ll be here on time. This meeting is so important for our company so don’t think about ditching it,” his father warned.

“Don’t worry, Abeoji. I never missed any of your business meeting since I reached puberty,” he almost tasted the saltiness of his words. Eversince he was a kid, his father always, always calls him to attend and to listen to their company’s business meetings. It’s his training since he’s the only successor of his family’s huge empire of companies.

It took few seconds for his dad to answer. “Okay,” Mr. Baek responded. “By the way, bring the five folders that I gave you last night. It’s our agenda for today’s meeting. Don’t forget it. I don’t want everything to be in trouble and messed up. Do you understand?”

“Ye, abeoji,” Baek Hyeon muttered and hanged up the said call.

He, then, opened his attach case and saw that the five folders containing the documents of today’s meeting that his father is talking about is not there.

“Aish. This is such a pain on the neck,” he muttered to himself. He heaved a sigh and decided to go back to the school council office where he has his personal locker (it’s actually a vault) under his table.

“H-Help!” he stopped on his tracks when he heard a weak holler just inside the swimming.

“Pool area?”

I might imagining things”Help me!!!” he turned his head towards the swimming gym. He walked towards the glass door and peeked. He noticed the abnormal movement of the pool water but he didn’t make a move nor get himself in the said area but when he saw Jin Hee drowning, before he knew, he abruptly got inside the pool area and took off his overcoat. He hastily dove into the water and swam towards Jin Hee who’s now sinking underwater, losing her consciousness.

He abruptly held her arm and pulled her towards him. He slightly tapped her cheek but she’s still unconscious. He wrapped her arms on his neck and held her waist before swimming up the water. Baek Hyeon managed to put her on the floor before pulling himself out the water.

“Nouveau riche,” he tapped Jin Hee’s pale cheek a couple of times, trying to wake her up. “Aish, yah! Yah, nouveau riche wake up!” but the girl is still unresponsive.

He took a deep breath and did the CPR, giving the girl’s chest some pressure when he noticed that the girl is not breathing anymore and her heartbeat is weak. He took a deep breath once again and executed the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

More pressure and more lips touched before Jin Hee coughed the water that stuck in her throat and gasped for air as if her life depended on it. Exactly, her life really depended on it.

Baek Hyeon sighed in relief as he helped her sit up, supporting her back to help her regulate her breathing. “Hey, nouveau riche, you okay?”

The latter’s weak, uncoordinated eyes settled on him. Her breathing is getting heavier as if she’s really, really tired.

“Y-You” she muttered before losing her consciousness.

Baek Hyeon stared at her silently and sighed for the umpteenth time. He picked up his overcoat and wrapped it on her before carrying her in a bridal style and walked out from the pool area.

**:….:*:*::*:….:**

Shock is an understatement to what the students in the hallway are feeling right now as they watched Baek Hyeon walking with a stern expression on his face while carrying the soaking wet and unconscious Song Jin Hee. They couldn’t help but chatter, murmur, tattle and whisper to each other like busy bees but not because of honey but because of the scene in front of them right now.

Because the great Yoon Baek Hyeon is with the transfer student again.

Bet it’ll be a huge headline again in their underground website just like their first encounter.

Baek Hyeon is annoyed. It’s not really his intention to walk in the hallway because he really, really hate attention and not just that, he’s also soaking wet and cold but he doesn’t have a choice but to bring the unconscious girl to the student council office because of all the chances, the school doctor and the school nurse is not in the clinic as of this hour.

What the fuck.

“Hey, there’s Baek Hyeon and eh? He’s with nouveau riche? Why is he carrying nouveau riche?” Min Seok turned his gaze to what Jung Soo, one of his classmates, is pointing right now.

Min Seok frowned at the two’s direction. Why is Jin Hee with Baek Hyeon?

“I’ll talk to you later,” he tapped the former’s shoulder and followed Baek Hyeon and Jin Hee.

**:….:*:*::*:….:**

Baek Hyeon was greeted with shock faces from Ah Young, Tae Yang who just stopped from strumming his guitar, Ha Neul and Suk Hwan.

Great, they will never stop asking him questions right now.

“What happened?! Why is Jin Hee unconscious and why are you soaking wet?!” Ah Young asked out of worry. He expected that she’ll be the first one to ask because he knew that the two were close. It’s obvious that she’s worried.

“And it has to be the three of you to be together? Seriously, what’s happening?” Ha Neul asked while frowning.

“We’re not really together. I saw class pres unconscious that’s why I followed them,” Min Seok answered.

“She almost drowned herself,” Baek Hyeon responded in nonchalance as he slightly adjusted his hold to Jin Hee, making her lolling head lean on his shoulder.

“Class president almost drowned herself? Why? Where did she went earlier?” Suk Hwan appeared behind Ha Neul like a mushroom, holding the former’s right arm and peeked his head to see the newcomers. He’s in 12th Grade but he acts like an Elementary student.

“Swimming gym.”

“Swimming gym? On lunch time? What is she doing there?” the latter asked again.

“I don’t know but I saw her stuff wet then I saw her struggling in the water,” Baek Hyeon responded and his eyes settled on Ah Young. “Lend me your P.E. uniform and give me some medicine for her. If you have spare uniform, prepare it. She’ll wear it once she recovered.”

Ah Young nodded in response and went to her table. The former walked towards the student council’s private bedroom and went inside while Suk Hwan and Ha Neul exchanged looks at each other.

“Did you see what I see just now?” Suk Hwan asked to Ha Neul. “Is that really Yoon Baek Hyeon?”

Ha Neul eyed Min Seok who silently staring at him. He looked at Suk Hwan again and shrugged.

“Isanghae.”

**:….:*:*::*:….:**

Who’s carrying me?

I don’t know this person but it’s so good and comfortable.

It’s warm.

I want to be in this place forever.

Jin Hee is smiling to herself as she felt the fluffy and comfortable feeling on his back but she winced when she felt the throbbing on her head, making her sit on the comfortable bed she’s occupying and cupped her aching head.

“O-Ouch” she slowly opened her eyes, still feeling the throbbing on her head. Her eyes wandered to the clothes she’s wearing

Wait, a P.E. uniform? Where did I got this?

And wait her eyes wandered around the room she’s occupying. Where am I?!

She squeaked as she pointed the man leaning on the door. “WAAAH!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!”

What is he doing here?!

What am I doing here?!

Baek Hyeon stared at her blankly as he walked towards her. She abruptly covered her body with the comforter. “Wha-Why are you heredon’t tell me y-you’re the one who-who changed my”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not the one who dressed you up. Ah Young did it for you,” he answered in a deadpan expression.

Oh. She muttered to herself. “Ah-I told you so. You’re not the one who dressed me up. Sorryaw!” she winced when Baek Hyeon knocked the bottled water he’s holding on her head (well, it’s not really that painful. She’s just overreacting). “Why is that thing hot?!”

“Babo. It’s not really hot. It’s warm. Stop overreacting. Tsk. Just drink this up and stop complaining,” he clicked his tongue as he gave the bottled water to her. (*stupid/fool)

“T-Thank you” she muttered as she slightly lowered her head.

“Why are you there?” her head shot up as she looked at Baek Hyeon who’s now staring at her. “In the swimming gym. Why are you there?”

“Ah the thing is” I don’t want to tell him that I was there to get my stuff and all then Mi Yeon suddenly pushed me that’s why I fell into the water. “I-I was just passing by because becausethe pool! Yes, the pool! I wanna check if the pool you have here is pretty. I didn’t mean to slip myself and fall into the water. It was entirely an accident!”

Accident?! Mi Yeon almost killed me!

I would’ve let myself get drowned if it’s not because of the person who saved me earlier.

Ah, right that person

She noticed that he shrugged, looked convinced to her alibi. “If you say so.”

“Wait you didn’t jumped on the pool to save me, do you?” she asked straight towards Baek Hyeon.

“Pfft. As if I’m going to save your petty ass there. I was just passing by too. Someone saved you,” Jin Hee frowned at his response.

“Oh, really? Who? Who is it? Tell me!”

“Why are you asking me if who that person is?” he frowned.

“It’s because it’s because I wanna thank him or her for saving my life,” she answered as she slightly stick the warm bottled water on her cheek.

“Aish. Stop asking me. I don’t know the person either. Know him yourself,” he waved off the topic, irritated.

“So, it’s a him, huh?” she asked that made him glare at her. Affected much?

“Why aren’t you wearing your uniform?” she slightly gestured her hand towards him.

“I-I I’m not attending our class today. I have a business meeting with my dad,” he almost stuttered. “Wait? Why did you almost drowned yourself? I mean you don’t know how to swim?”

She pouted and nodded. “Yes. I have an aquaphobia since I was a kid that’s why I’m afraid rivers, lakes, seas and even swimming pools. Any large bodies of water. I’m scared of those.”

“Ah,” he nodded like he just discovered the cure for cancer. Wait a minute, why an I sharing my phobia to this egotistical jerk?! This crazy alien is my mortal enemy! Why am I forgetting it?! Yes, alien because I don’t understand him and he’s weird like an alienout of this world weirdo. He’s also crazy, throwing a fit over a wristwatch. Pft. “It’s unique to hear, to be honest.”

“Huh? Unique? Why?” she frowned.

“I didn’t know that there are dogs that can’t swim,” he forced himself not to laugh but broke a smirk instead. “You’re a dog who can’t swim.”

“Y-YAH! WHAT DID YOU JUST SAID?! ME, A DOG?!” she yelled, almost throwing a fit that made him chuckle.

He pushed her head backwards using his index finger. “Sleep. You’re so noisy,” he slid his both hands on each side of his slacks’ pockets before walking towards the door.

“A-Ah, th-thank you!” Jin Hee was about to stand up but the sheets tangled her feet that made her almost fall on the process.

Baek Hyeon caught her in record time and she couldn’t help but feel the awkwardness the way their faces were inches away from each other and the way he stared at her.

I’m drowning

“Aish,” he muttered as he hooked his hands under Jin Hee’s armpits, making her sit back on the bed like a kid.

“So-Sorry,” she mumbled under her breath as the strands of her hair covered the half of her face.

“Pfft,” she heard him snort and chuckle. He, then, held her jaw to face him. “Shape up, dumb dog,” he stood up properly before walking towards the door and left.

Ah Young entered the room when Baek Hyeon left few seconds ago. She, then, walked towards her and held her both shoulders, checking her out if she has injuries or any signs of discomfort. “Gosh, Jin Hee-yah, are you okay?”

Min Seok is also there, watching the two of them behind. She felt his gaze on her and she couldn’t help but get flustered to the attention she’s getting from the male. “How are you? Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

Jin Hee smiled at him in assurance. “Yes, I’m okay. Thank you for your concern.”

“Ah, wait, Min Seok-ah. Can you give us some room? I mean, we’ll talk. Alone. Girls’ talk. No boys allowed. Private,” Ah Young said, gesturing ‘x’ on her both left and right index finger.

He slightly laughed, making Jin Hee looked at him in astonishment. He’s really cute when he laughs. He looks like an angel who descended from the heavens for me. “Sure, sure,” he looked at her, making her insides panicked and happy as well. “Rest well. And if you need something, don’t hesitate to ask me,” he gestured an ‘okay’ sign on his right hand. “Okay?”

She smiled sweetly at him, feeling her heart swelled because of his soft words. She gestured an ‘okay’ sign to him too. “Okay.”

When Min Seok left the said room, Ah Young abruptly closed and locked the door then she walked towards her and sit on the bed. “God, Jin Hee-yah, are you really okay?”

The former nodded and smiled. “Hmm. I’m okay, don’t worry. By the way, thank you for lending me your uniform. My uniform got soaked.”

“No problem,” she answered. “Thank goodness that you’re okay. And thank goodness because Baek Hyeon was guided by a good spirit and he saved you because if not, alas! We will see you as a cold corpse in that pool!”

“Eh?” Jin Hee paused. “What do you mean?”

“Just so you know, in the whole duration of my high school days with Baek Hyeon as my classmate, we never ever saw him helping other people well on fact, he’s a notorious bully that makes your life miserable in this school. And now, here he is, he dove into the pool to save you instead of prioritizing his dad’s business meeting,” Ah Young said in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone. “Hmm, it’s strange really.”

“R-Really?” she asked in awe. Right, before I lost my consciousness, I saw his face that time. I thought I was just hallucinating. “You serious? We consider each other as mortal enemies because I messed up with him and broke his million dollar watch. He even denied that he saved me and said he just passed by.”

“And you believed in that bull?” Ah Young cackled, shaking her head. “Seriously, it’s obvious that Yoon Baek Hyeon is going to deny it because he’s not used to ityou know, helping people instead of insulting, bullying and keeping them hundred miles away from him,” she sighed, the smile is ghosting on her face. “I don’t know what’s happening as of now but everything has its own reasons,” she poked her chin, as if she’s thinking. “And I wanna know those reasons soon.

Jin Hee paused, her mind was invaded in deep thoughts.

If that’s the case, it’s not just mere luck that brought me to this school. And if it’s not really just mere luck and coincidence

what am I really doing here?