024: MALEFICENT'S WICKEDNESS

"Be careful for wishing something Cinderella. It might not be a Fairy Godmother that will dress you in glitter and gold but a witch that will give you a curse instead." 

- To Bae Rona

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A BAE RONA CHAPTER

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024: MALEFICENT'S WICKEDNESS

Rona pov:

I moaned, still sleepy from talking with Seo-joon all night.

DING. DONG.

"I'll get it!"

I told my mom in a chirpy tone.

A frivolous-looking man and two women behind him showed up when I opened the door.

"Are you Bae Rona?"

"Yes. . . I am. . ."

"Who. . . ."

"Mr. Cha sent us here to help you for the gala."

"Ah. . . I already bought something. . . ."

"No! No! You are someone who will be the escort of a future congressman. So you need to be perfect from head to toe."

"Oh. . . okay. . ."

I lead them inside as they survey the place.

I lead them further inside my room, and they settle everything they need, making me sit on a chair they brought and face me in front of the vanity mirror.

"Now, let us do our magic."

. . . . . . . .

Seok-hoon pov:

I looked around when we arrived at the gala.

I could see familiar faces and some new ones.

I looked over Seok-kyung. She's planning on something.

She's been too happy these days, which is odd considering Eun-bi still hasn't come home.

'What are you planning?'

I should've invited Seo-jun, but he said he had something else to do and that he doesn't enjoy such places.

'This is boring. . . .'

'I'll stay for a while, then leave without dad noticing.'

I checked my phone, hoping to see a message from Eun-bi, but she hadn't seen my messages.

'Where did you go?'

'Are you okay?'

If she decides to punish Rona for what her mother did, will I be able to look away?

It was hard the first time, looking away. It was like seeing Min Seol-ah all over again. I know that if Rona gets bullied this time, it is no one else's fault but hers.

'Still. . . . Can I really bully Rona, like I did with Seol-ah?'

. . . . . . . .

Rona pov:

"Don't be nervous. . . ."

He smiled at me, holding my hand.

It's good that I am wearing gloves, or else he will know how sweaty my hands are.

"Smile. You are the most beautiful woman tonight."

I smile awkwardly at him, and as the door opens, the light comes in as if it is welcoming me to a new world.

They all turned to me as he led me down the staircase.

I turned to the side and saw Jenny gaping at me.

I smirk at them.

Seok-kyung only frowned at me. I also smirk at her, even bowing slightly.

'See, I can also go to places like these!'

I wanted to brag, but I kept it inside as Seo-Joon led me to the middle of the gala.

"May I have your first dance?"

. . . . . .

Min-hyuk pov:

"What is that brat doing here?!"

I winced as Jenny screeched near my ears.

I sighed deeply. I looked at her and opened my phone.

'Well, this should be fun.'

I started filming Bae Rona.

"You're filming that?"

"Isn't it interesting, like a Cinderella story. . ."

"Well, we should watch it then. . ."

"Watch what?"

Jenny turned to Seok-kyung, who only watched Rona being fawned over by the people around her.

"Watch as her gown turns to rags when the clock turns twelve. . ."

"Now, now! I did not expect you to be so witty with your words, Joo Seok-kyung. . ."

I smirked at her, raising my wine glass at her as my other hand still filmed Rona.

. . . . . . .

Rona pov:

This night is probably my happiest night.

People would come and talk to me themselves.

They would ask me about who made my gown, and would ask about my relationship with Seo-Joon, and would also ask me about how we met.

When I tell them I'm a soprano, they would ask me to sing for them and even tell me how they want to invite me over to their parties.

'This is my new beginning.'

"How does it feel to be Cinderella?"

I turned around and saw Seok-kyung in her wine-red gown.

Her dark gown and fierce makeup made her look like a villainess in a manhwa story.

'Well, she would fit the role perfectly anyway!'

"What are you. . . ."

"Do you feel like a princess with a godmother that gives you all your wishes?"

I scowl at her remark.

"Is it so hard for you to be happy about someone else's success?"

She snickered in front of me and smirked.

"I'm just awed, really! for you to leech off to someone else as soon as my brother dumps you in the trash."

"Your brother . . . did not dump me!" I lowered my voice and glared at her.

"Oh well, good luck with your prince charming. . . ."

She smirked and left me scowling.

'I really hate her!!!'

I pulled back when someone snakes his hand on me.

Seo-joon appeared on the back with a worried look.

"What did she say to you?"

I held his cheek and smiled at him as happy as possible.

"Nothing. . . ."

"Rona-ahh. . . you don't need to lie to me. If you want to say anything to me, you can say it."

"It's just nonsense, Seo-Joon. . . I promise. . ."

"Do you want to piss her off?"

I look at him curiously.

'I'd want that. . .'

"My father is asking me to play violin, and I'm hoping we could. . . ."

'Is he asking me to perform with him, in front of all these people??'

Just the thought of performing excites me.

"I was hoping you could perform with me. . ."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded like a sweet puppy.

"I'll feel more confident if a talented soprano sings with me."

I nodded happily as I looked at the stage I'll be performing on with him.

'My first stage. . .'

. . . . . . . .

Seok-hoon pov:

I left the party feeling bored.

I tried calling Eun-bi again, but it went straight to voicemail.

'Where are you?'

I tried calling again, but it didn't connect, so I left a voicemail instead.

"Hey, where are you?"

"Are you okay?

Are you eating well?

I . . . ."

I wanted to tell her I knew and that I wanted to help her, but. . .

"I miss you. . ."

"Call me when you receive my message."

"Please, just . . . .

Let me hear your voice."

"I want to know if you're fine. . ."

"We really miss you back here."

"Seok-kyung is going mad because . . . . "

I couldn't tell her what Seok-kyung had done while she was gone.

"Anyway, we're all here for you, and we're all waiting for you. . .

Come home, Ha Eun-bi. . ."

I whispered the end to make sure no one heard.

I leaned on the wall, closing my eyes as I let myself drift on the time she danced for me.

. . . . . . .

I was walking back inside when I heard a very powerful voice.

As I enter the party, Rona sings onstage with the congressman's son.

'What was his name again?'

'Cha Seo-joon. . .'

I turned to Seok-kyung, whose eyes glare at Rona, but somehow she looks. . . happy.

'What are you planning this time?'

I turned to Rona again.

I know that she's a great singer. Anyone with 2 functioning ears could tell that she's a great singer.

She just. . . chose the wrong opponents.

As the song ended, everyone stood and clapped.

The two of them held hands before bowing together.

Rona's eye turned to Seok-kyung and smirked as Seok-kyung smirked back at Rona as if they were in a mental war.

'Both of them have aggressive personalities, so they keep clashing.'

I sighed deeply, tired of all this nonsense.

'I just want to see you, hug you, and lean on you as I recharge my energy again, Eun-bi. . . .'

. . . . . . .

Rona pov:

"Where are we going?"

Seo-joon pulled me out of the party after the performance, saying he had a surprise for me.

He made me close my eyes and made me promise not to open them unless he said so.

"No peeking, okay?"

'As if bringing me to the party and paying for my gown isn't enough of a gift.'

"We're here. . ."

I can feel the cold wind as he makes us stop.

He put his hands on my eyes and brought his lips near my ears.

"One. . .

"Two. . .

"Three . . ."

When I opened my eyes, it felt blurry and hazy. My eyes adjusted to the scene and saw a big helicopter in front of me.

I turned my eyes around.

"This is. . ."

"Come on!"

He held my hands and pulled me inside the helicopter.

"Is this safe?"

"Do you trust me?"

I look at him.

He reciprocated my staring with a soft smile.

"I do. . ."

"Then you have nothing to worry. . ."

I smiled in excitement as we both rode the helicopter.

As the helicopter started moving, I held his hand tightly. He looked at me with a smile.

I shut my eyes tightly as I feel the breeze.

"Open your eyes. . ."

I slowly opened it, and he pointed outside and saw the beautiful night lights of Seoul.

"It's so beautiful. . ."

"Yeah, it is. . ."

I turned to him and saw him looking at me with a smile.

He turned away, blushing as I looked at the lights of Seoul again.

We toured the entire night when and when we reached the hotel, he helped me down.

"Thank you for tonight and for everything else."

"No, thank you for making me happy. . ."

"What are you saying. . . I'm definitely happier than you."

"That would be impossible. I've never been happier in my life than tonight, thank you, Rona. . ."

We both looked at each other, gazing into each other's eyes.

Something different reflected in his eyes.

He slowly leaned on me, looking at me,

"May I?"

I smiled at how he was asking for permission with that puppy look in his eyes.

'How can I say no to that. . .'

I nodded shyly as he leaned toward me. I shut my eyes and waited, and when our lips met, I felt him encasing me into his arms.

Both of us leaned on each other as we savored the moment.

. . . . . . .

I rubbed my eyes, and I felt something soft around me.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself alone in a bed, wearing nothing.

My mind went back to yesterday, how our simple kiss went to something bigger.

"Joon-ahh. . ."

I called out his name, but he didn't respond.

I covered myself with the blanket and looked around.

"Where did he go?"

I saw a note on the table with a set of uniforms, a new bag, and accessories.

"I had to go first. I'm sorry I can't be with you when you open your eyes. See you at school - Seo-Joon."

I smile and then giggle as I look at the things he bought for me.

They're things I only saw in fashion magazines.

'Isn't this a Louis Vuitton bag?'

"Wow!"

"I guess we're a couple now, right?"

. . . . . . . .

At school:

"Wow, Rona!!! Is that the latest edition?!"

I smiled as a girl approached me and surveyed my new bag.

"Is it? I'm not sure. It's just a gift."

"A gift? Really? From whom? It's so beautiful!! I heard there's only 10 of them in the entire world; you're so lucky!!"

"Am I? I'm not too sure since I'm not familiar with fashion."

"What are you talking about? Just having one is so amazing! I can't believe it. . ."

I smiled as they fawned over my bag. I showed the bag more clearly to them as they touched it lightly.

"Can I try carrying it?"

I frowned at that and shook my head.

"This is a very special gift to me so. . ."

"Aww! Please? Just once."

I took my bag away.

'This is Seo-joon's gift. I can't just. . .'

"WHO IS BAE RONA!!!!!!"

. . . . . . .

Seok-kyung pov:

"I can't believe she was able to get something like that!"

Jenny screeched in annoyance as the girls fawn over Rona for her new bag.

"You weren't even able to have one of those!"

She looked at me, expecting me to be pissed.

"What? It's just a bag! I have tons of those!"

I smirk as I watch her getting protective over that bag.

'Poor Cinderella. . . Or should I call her Cruella instead?'

"WHO IS BAE RONA!!!"

We all covered our ears when a girl in a purple dress stood by the door, angry and mad.

'Lights, camera. . . action!'

I smirked as I watched the girl and Rona face off.

"Yes, is there something. . . ."

"Are you Bae Rona?"

"Yes, but why are you. . . ."

SLAP.

"Oh!" I covered my mouth as it agape from the shock of seeing Rona being slapped.

"YOU BITCH!!!"

She grabbed her hair and pulled it as she pulled Rona out of the class.

Rona fought back, screaming and telling the enraged girl to take her hands off.

"Ouch! Get off me!!"

Rona tried to pull her back and ended up grabbing her hair too.

The two pulled each other's hair in front of the entire class, screaming and cursing each other.

We watched the girls brawl.

"I said get off! What is wrong with you!!" Rona pushed the girl as hard as she could.

I stifled my laughter and looked at the girl crying on the ground.

"I!!!"

"I AM CHA SEO-JOON'S FIANCE, YOU BITCH!!!!"

The girl once again stood up and pushed Rona to the ground before pouncing on her, ripping her hair and scratching her face.

Seok-hoon gave me a knowing look as I only smiled at him.

'Poor Cinderella, she didn't even know her prince is a king that belonged to someone.'

"WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE!!"

It's the PE teacher again.

He pulled the two girls away, ripping them apart by force.

He put himself in the middle as the girl glared at Rona with a messy look.

"I will never forgive you bitch!! I will RUIN YOU!!!"

"I don't know what you're talking about. Joon never said anything about you!!"

"Joon!! Joon!!!" The girl went even more hysterical as Rona called his name affectionately.

"Ria?"

We all turned to the voice.

'Actor 2 comes in.'

I smiled as Seo-joon entered the classroom and looked at Ria and Rona.

"Joon-ah, what's going on? Who is she?" Rona went to him first.

I stifled a laugh as she hung onto him.

'Is she this clueless?'

I watched some more.

Min-hyuk is filming at the side as the PE teacher only watches the scene unfold.

"Yes, Joon-ah! Explain what is going on?"

The girl spat angrily as Joon shook Rona off and walked over to the girl.

"What happened to you? Why do you look like this?"

The girl slapped his hands away and glared.

"Don't sound so concerned! You cheating bastard!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Cheating? Why would I ever cheat on you! You know I can't live without you! You're the only one for me!"

I turned to Rona, who looked shocked by what she was watching.

"Don't even lie to me!!! I was waiting for an entire week because I heard from Aunt that you bought me the bag I was waiting for but what. . . you gave it to that bitch!!!"

"What are you talking about. . ."

He hurriedly opened the big bag he was carrying, and a big paper bag came out from it.

"I brought it with me today because you said you were coming! This is the one I bought! Why would I buy a bag for her!!" The girl laughed dryly.

"Okay, okay! Enough of this! Take your lover's quarrel somewhere else. My student needs to be taken to the infirmary."

"Joon-ah, tell me this is a lie!"

Rona pleaded in front of him while lying on the ground, almost like she was begging for him.

"Look, I already did what you asked for. I already took you to the party, even took you on a helicopter ride. You better do those projects for me. We have a deal, Bae Rona. . ."

The students started snickering and whispering to each other.

"Joon-ah. . . please!! Don't do this to me!" Rona started sobbing as the guy only looked at her, displeased.

He looked at his girl with pleading eyes.

"Let's talk in the car, please, Ria?"

"No thanks! Stay with that slut!!"

I stifled a laugh as the guy followed the girl, either way, having us watch Rona sobbing on the floor.

I smirked at Rona.

The PE teacher angrily looked at me, but I only raised my brow at him before leaving the scene, satisfied.

'who needs karma when I can be better than it!'.

. . . . . . .

Seok-hoon pov:

"Did you have to go this far?"

"This is what karma looks like, brother."

"I just hope it doesn't bounce back to you, Seok-kyung!"

I turned to Seo-jun, who looked at me disappointingly.

"This is really low, Seok-kyung-ah. . ."

I hardened my eyes and looked away.

'This has to be done! I did the right thing.'

I looked at my phone, and I pressed the send button.

. . . . . .

Rona pov:

Everyone looks at me as if I'm a joke.

They all laugh at me and snicker and throw stuff at me.

"She's still carrying that bag!"

"How shameless!"

"Destroying an adorable couple just for a bag!"

"Eww!"

Our phones started pinging.

I looked at my phone and saw pictures of Seo-joon and me kissing on the elevator and entering the hotel room.

"So that's how she got that bag."

"She's really shameless. . ."

I run away as fast as I can, their laughs fading away as I run away.

'No! No!'

'How could you do this to me? . . Seo-joon!'

. . . . . . .

I reached the rooftop and took in the breeze of air.

The helicopter's wind that touched me that night seemed like a dream.

"I guess you didn't make it to midnight, Cinderella. . ."

I turned around and saw Seok-kyung smirking at me.

"You did this?"

"I guess you never considered that it won't be a godmother that will be giving you a dress, have you?"

"SLUT!!"

I lounged at her, but she pushed me hard to the ground.

"Why? Does it hurt hearing the truth!"

"You sold yourself for a piece of bag. That is what everyone will remember now, Bae Rona!"

"I'll make you pay for this!"

"See you around, school slut. . ."

She turned away, and just as she was about to leave.

"By the way, you can keep that bag. It's not that priceless. . ."

I slumped to the ground, understanding everything.

Chae Seo-joon

The dress

The party

The people

The stage

The helicopter

Everything. . .

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"

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TO BE CONTINUED