Chapter 1: The Request

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters but the new ones.

Published: June 2, 2017

"Appa!" "Appa!" "Good morning, Appa!"

So Ga In and So Yi Yeun, 5-year-old twin of So Yi Jeong and Chu Ga Eul cheerfully greeted their father. The girl, Ga In, had a small bouquet of flowers in her hand while the boy, Yi Yeun, brought in a small basket of assorted fruits. Ga Eul followed them close with a small bag in hand.

"Hey, Appa's favorite children are here." Yi Jeong held out his hands for a hug.

The children put the things on the table in the middle of the room and went to hug Appa. Ga In first, then Yi Yeun. Yesterday, it was Yi Yeun first who hugged Appa before they went back home. Laughter broke among the three as Appa tickled them.

Ga Eul smiled at the sight in front of her. She took out the wilted flowers from the vase on the table and threw them away. She then put in the new ones. Next, she cut an apple into small pieces and put some green and purple grapes on a small plate. She, too, filled in a glass with the high quality of Himalayan mineral water.

"Hey, beautiful. Am I not going to get a hug from you?"

Ga Eul looked up at her husband and smiled. She then went to embrace him, careful not hurt the man. She was about to break the hug when he held on. Ga Eul ran her hands up and down his back. She held her tears. She had to be strong. She was not going to cry in front of her children, and especially in front of him.

"I miss you too, Yi Jeong," and kissed him. She then sat next to him as he held her hand.

"Appa, Omma brought apples, grapes, oranges, kiwi fruits, banana and many, many, many fruits. Omma said we must eat a lot of fruits," said the little girl.

"Yes, Appa. We will get healthy if we eat a lot of fruits. Appa must eat a lot of fruits too. We want Appa to get healthy faster," added the little boy.

Yi Jeong and Ga Eul smiled widely at their children's words.

"OK. Who's going to feed Appa then?" asked Yi Jeong.

"Me." "Me." "No, me." "No, me."

The two argued and nudged each other. They then ran to the table to pick up the plate. Yi Yeun won and stuck out his tongue to his sister.

"Omma, Appa. Look at Yi Yeun." The girl stomped her feet in protest, earning small laughs from the parents.

"Ga In, you can bring Appa's water here," suggested Ga Eul, to which the little girl's face brightened up in an instant.

The twin brought the fruits and drink to Yi Jeong. Ga Eul stood up and gave way to them. She watched them feed their father. It was a playful time. No. It was an important, precious, playful time for all of them. Every single ticking second of it.

After snack time, the children sat near the father and they chatted away. Occasionally laughter erupted among them. It was a good family bonding time.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Annyeong, Mr. So, Mrs. So."

A doctor and a nurse came in. Ga Eul and the children quickly stood up and made way to the doctor and nurse.

"Annyeong Dr. Seol," replied the children. Ga Eul nodded to the doctor and nurse.

"How are you feeling today, Mr. So?" asked the doctor.

"Good. I'm feeling good. But this morning my head hurt."

"Yi Jeong…" Ga Eul's heart beat faster. They were there for a couple of hours now but he did not tell her about it. Both the children immediately held her hands. Ga Eul could feel them squeezing her hand a little tighter.

Yi Jeong looked at his wife and smiled at her.

"What time was it? And from the scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the least, how bad was it? How long did it last?"

"It was around 5.30 but was only for about 15, 20 minutes. It was I'd say a 5? 6?"

Ga Eul's jaw dropped.

"Yi Jeong… why didn't you call the doctor or nurse?" A 5 or 6 to Yi Jeong meant a 7 or 8.

"It was just for a few minutes and was tolerable."

"Yi Jeong…"

"Mr. So. From now on, whenever you have similar occurrences, please write them down. The time, duration, how bad they are, which part of the head and others. Nurse Kam will give you a record book after this. Rest well today. The next round of treatment is tomorrow."

"OK, Doctor. Thank you."

The doctor then checked his vitals and wrote the readings down on his chart record. The nurse then checked the IV tube on his right hand and changed the plaster.

"Doctor, when I grow up I want to be a doctor too."

It was Yi Yeun.

"Oh? That's great, Yi Yeun-shii. But you have to study diligently," commented the doctor. Yi Jeong and Ga Eul smiled at their son.

"I want to be a doctor too," added Ga In.

"That's great too, Ga In-shii. I'd love to be working with you but I'm going to be very old when that time comes."

The So couple and the nurse smiled upon hearing the doctor.

"But you will still work, right? Together we can help Appa," said Yi Yeun. Ga In nodded in agreement.

The whole room went silent.

A long five seconds later, "But I'll be too old to walk and hold syringes or anything. I'm sure you don't want to have me checked your Appa with me in that condition, right?" Dr. Seol needed to kill the uncomfortable silence.

Yi Yeon and Ga In looked at each other and nodded.

"We guess so," the girl said and pouted.

"Don't worry. I'm sure there are other doctors who you can work with."

The twin grinned widely.

"I'll see you next time. Goodbye."

"Goodbye Doctor. Thank you." Both of the children bowed and waved to the doctor and nurse.

"Yi Yeun, Ga In, do you want to be a specialist or a general practitioner?" asked Appa.

"What is a specialist and a general practitioner, Appa?"

Yi Jeong laughed while Ga Eul had a smile.

"A specialist is a person who is very skilled and has special training in a specific area. For example, a heart specialist is the one who knows everything, well, almost everything, about the heart and its problems and how to treat the problems. A general practitioner is a medical doctor who treats chronic and acute illnesses. The doctor also provides preventive care and health education to the patients."

The children nodded although Ga Eul doubted they understood fully.

"I want to be a specialist." Ga In had raised up her right hand. "Leukemia."

"I want to be a specialist too." Yi Yeun followed suit. "Leukemia."

Yi Jeong and Ga Eul stiffened but quickly recovered.

"Good choice. Then you two must follow the doctor's advice earlier. You must study diligently, arasso?"

"Arasso, Omma." Both answered in unison.

"Hey, you beat me today."

"Uncle Woo Bin. Aunt Ji Hye."

The four Sos turned to look at the door. Woo Bin and his lady friend entered the room with big smiles. The two children immediately ran to them.

"We missed Appa. That's why we came early," explained Ga In.

Woo Bin and Kim Ji Hye approached the bed.

"Mr. So, how are you today?" Woo Bin fist pumped his best friend.

"I'm good, and you?" replied Yi Jeong.

"As healthy as an ox but why are you still on the bed and looking pale and thin? Come on. The club is waiting."

"Woo Bin," reprimanded Ji Hye.

Yi Jeong and Ga Eul smiled while Woo Bin hissed when Ji Hye pinched his forearm. The children, on the other hand, looked at the adults with confusion on their faces.

"That's alright, Ji Hye. Woo Bin is like that. He can't live a day without teasing me."

"Omma, I'm hungry," said Yi Yeun as he tugged Omma's skirt.

"I'm hungry too, Omma," added his twin.

"What? Already? We had breakfast before we came. Rice porridge and pancakes." The twin loved to eat. Just like their Omma.

"But Omma…"

"Omma don't bring any other food but the fruits."

"But Omma, I want a sandwich. Ga In wants a sandwich too."

"But…"

"Omma, please, Omma…." Both pouted cutely since they knew that Omma could never stand their pouts.

Yi Jeong and Woo Bin held their laughs.

"Awww. Ga Eul, poor them. Let me take them to the café downstairs," offered Ji Hye.

"Yes, Omma. Yes, please."

"Ga Eul, why don't you go too? Hmmm. I heard the tea at the café is to die for. I'd like to try it." Yi Jeong held her hand.

"OK, Yi Jeong. I'll be back soon. Be good." She then leaned in to give him a quick kiss.

"Woo Bin, do you want anything?" asked Ji Hye.

"Just Americano if they have it. Thanks Ji Hye."

Woo Bin sat on the chair next to the bed after the ladies and children exited the room.

"Hey Mafia Prince. What's with the sad eyes? I'm sick but not dead yet."

"Yi Jeong…"

"But I can never lie to you, can I?"

Woo Bin nodded. He tried to be strong for the man on the bed.

"I wish it's me in this bed and not you, Yi Jeong."

"Woo Bin, please. Don't say that. I've accepted my fate. Really."

"But you have a family, Yi Jeong. Ga Eul, the twins, they need you. Me? I don't have anyone. This is so unfair."

"Woo Bin. You have your parents, the organization and you now have Ji Hye."

Woo Bin kept silent.

"Do you think she's the one?"

"What? I... I don't know."

Yi Jeong let out a heavy sigh.

"Can I ask you something?"

"What is it, Yi Jeong?"

"Woo Bin, are you still in love with my Ga Eul?"

"Yi Jeong?" Woo Bin straightened his back. What in the world was he saying?

"I'm alright with it, Woo Bin."

"Yi Jeong. What are you talking about? In love with Ga Eul? She's your wife, for God's sake."

"Hey, I said I'm alright if you love Ga Eul."

"Yi Jeong, are you out of your mind? How can you be alright with another man in love with your wife? Though I'm not, and I have Ji Hye now."

"But you don't know if she's the one."

"Yes, now, but we're giving this relationship a try."

"I think Ji Hye is a nice girl. But can I be selfish?"

"Yi Jeong, what is going on? I don't understand." Woo Bin was going crazy.

"Woo Bin, I know you've loved Ga Eul since years ago. You said it yourself."

"What? I did not. When did I?"

Flashback

Yi Jeong used the four years in Sweden to reflect on his life before and after Ga Eul came into it. He then decided that he loved it more with Ga Eul in it.

During the four years, he never failed to keep in contact with her. He had also entrusted Woo Bin to be his eyes and ears. He did not want any other man to pursue her. Every year on her birthday, he asked Woo Bin to take her out for dinner and bought beautiful, wonderful gifts for her. He was fortunate to have Woo Bin to take care of her.

It was two months after Yi Jeong and Jun Pyo had come back from their studies that Yi Jeong asked Ga Eul to be his steady girlfriend and she agreed. Life was wonderful for the young couple. Ten months later, he proposed. They were to marry in a year.

It was one of the boys' night out. The F4 were at one of Woo Bin's posh nightclubs. They spent the time to catch up with everyone's life. It was their monthly routine. Two hours before midnight, Ji Hoo and Jun Pyo went home, leaving just Yi Jeong and Woo Bin. By that time, Woo Bin was already drunk which baffled Yi Jeong since the former could usually hold his alcohol.

"Hey, Casanova," Woo Bin held out his glass of beer.

"Come on, Woo Bin. Time to go back. You've had enough."

"I hate you, do you know that?"

Yi Jeong stiffened.

"You… left her with me… asked me to take… care of her… and when you came back… you took her away… from me."

Woo Bin threw the glass to the floor, breaking it to pieces.

"I… hate you…Casanova…Yi Jeong…" Woo Bin now had his head on the table.

"She's the most… beautiful, kind… and wonderful… girl that I've… met." His hands hung low under the table.

"I… love her… I… love… Ga Eul…" and he was out.

Yi Jeong was still frozen. His heart thumped faster.

Woo Bin was in love with Ga Eul. His Ga Eul. Since when? And why did Woo Bin not tell him?

Now he knew why Woo Bin became a little distance when he announced that he was dating Ga Eul and that he had proposed to her. When he asked the Mafia Prince about it, Woo Bin just attributed it to his busy increasing work with his family's business and the organization.

Never did he think that it was because Woo Bin was in love with Ga Eul. But why did Woo Bin fall for her? Did Woo Bin not know that Ga Eul was his? Why would Woo Bin fall for Ga Eul knowing that Ga Eul only loved him, So Yi Jeong?

Would Woo Bin fall in love with Ga Eul if he had not asked the former to look after her all those four long years? Was it a wrong decision to let Woo Bin spent all those time with Ga Eul?

Yi Jeong wanted to scream his lungs out. Woo Bin was his 'brother', but Ga Eul was his bride-to-be. What was he supposed to do after this?

End of flashback

Woo Bin's eyes widened.

He had kept this secret for so long thinking that the secret was going to die with him.

When he first realized that he loved Ga Eul, he tried so hard to resist and push it away for he knew that Ga Eul would only love one man and one man only. Her love was solely for Yi Jeong, his 'brother'. But the more he spent time with her, the more the love grew. It was wrong. It was so wrong. He had oftentimes scolded and reminded himself of that. But love had its own mind.

But Yi Jeong was his 'brother'. No. He could not hurt his 'brother'. Their brothers' code clearly stated that they don't go for another brother's girl. Wasn't the three Js' case so clear about what happened when the code was broken? And so, he was willing to sacrifice his love for Ga Eul. He was not going to take the risk. Yet, at the same time, it still hurt to see them together but he had to endure and pray hard that this love would go away.

Unfortunately, it didn't. He went back to his clubs and women. However, the carefree feeling was not there anymore. He wanted a serious relationship. He wanted to settle down. He wanted a woman but the one that he wanted was forbidden and so, he tried to find someone like her. It was so damned hard not to compare other women with her for she had set a standard so high as his future companion. But he had to try. He had to try. He had to try. He had to.

When the F3 teased him for being choosy and picky, he often defended himself by saying that a future Song wife should have certain criteria to fit in their world. She should have similar qualities or characteristics as Jan Di and Ga Eul. Only the best and tough ones were worth to step into their circle.

And now, Yi Jeong actually knew the real reason. Yi Jeong now knew about his love for Ga Eul. He felt so ashamed and guilty.

He then remembered how Yi Jeong became moody and snappy after that night. He did not know why but Ji Hoo and Jun Pyo said that it might be because of his parents' never-ending problems. But why was Yi Jeong snappy only at him? Yi Jeong also tried to avoid him. It happened for about a month before Yi Jeong went back to his usual self. He did not know why, but he was grateful that his 'brother' was back to normal.

So now, the secret was just between him and Yi Jeong.

"Woo Bin, I'm so sorry for all the wrong things that I've done to you, and I wanted to thank you for everything that you've done to me." Yi Jeong held his hand.

"Hey, you've done nothing wrong to me. I… I should be the one who should apologize." Woo Bin lowered his head.

"I'm sorry. I promise you that I don't love her anymore. Not like a man loves a woman. I love her like a sister."

Yi Jeong smiled.

"You're such a liar, Woo Bin."

"Yi Jeong?"

"Woo Bin, I don't have much time and you know it too."

"Yi Jeong. We don't know that. It's not the doctors' power to say who lives for how long. It's…"

"But they said it's based on a history of long medical data."

"Still, Yi Jeong… you shouldn't be talking like this. You have to live, for Ga Eul, Ga In and Yi Yeun, and us. You have to fight it."

"Woo Bin, this is in my will but I'm going to tell you myself."

"Yi Jeong…"

"Since we were little, you're the one who's there for me, protecting me especially after Il Hyun hyung left. You tried your best to fulfill my wishes and requests. You took care of me. You worry about me more than my family. I'm very grateful to have you as my brother. But even if I'm sick and dying, I'm still a selfish man, Woo Bin."

"Don't say that. You're not selfish and you know that I'd die for you. I'd die for Ji Hoo and Jun Pyo too."

Tears gathered in both men.

"Woo Bin, after I die I want you to take care of my children."

"I will, Yi Jeong. Even if you don't tell me to, I'm still going to take care of them. We; Jun Pyo, Ji Hoo and Jan Di are going to take care of them. Don't you worry, Yi Jeong."

It was hard for Woo Bin to talk about it but Yi Jeong was adamant.

Tears rolled down his pale sunken cheeks.

"Thank you. But my last request is, Woo Bin, I want you to be my children's father…"

"I'll adopt them, I will."

"And Woo Bin, I want you to marry Ga Eul."