Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.
Published: 04.09.2016
Yi Jeong rubbed his eyes with a knuckle as he swiped the screen on his phone to answer a call. He glanced at the girl sleeping next to him.
"Yoboseyo? Ga Eul-yang?" His morning voice was hoarse and his throat felt dry.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae, did you just wake up? It's already 10 Yi Jeong Sunbae. We're supposed to go to the airport. The plane is leaving in three hours and you promised to take me there." Yi Jeong could tell that Ga Eul was pouting.
Yi Jeong rolled his eyes. "Ga Eul-yang. It's still early and we're going on Jun Pyo's private jet so even if it's half an hour or ten minutes to go, it's fine. There is no need to be too eager and antsy. We're just going to Boracay, Aklan."
"It's one of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines. Of course I'm eager and excited, Sunbae. This is my first time going." Ga Eul pouted more.
Yi Jeong mindlessly traced his fingers on the bare shoulders and back of the sleeping girl. Their wild lovemaking from last night danced in his mind. He smiled broadly. She moaned not so softly. Yi Jeong quickly covered the phone so that Ga Eul could not hear it. "Aish!" He mentally scolded himself.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae? Are you…" Her heart thumped faster.
The girl moaned again and slowly started to open her eyes. She smiled seductively at the gorgeous man beside her. She stretched her arm and put it around his waist. He peeled off her hand to get out of the bed.
"No Ga Eul. I'm alone here. It's the TV. I forgot to switch it off last night. The woman in the drama was stabbed. It was terrible."
"Yi Jeong, where are you going? Come back to bed." The girl sat up, never bothering to cover her upper body, not that it mattered anyway.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae…"
Ga Eul swiped the End Call on her phone screen as her tears trailed down her cheeks. She buried her face into her palms and cried her heart out. This was not the first time that she caught or heard him with another woman.
Even though they were now a couple it seemed that the Casanova in him was still there and too dominant and stubborn to leave. Ga Eul cried louder.
Yi Jeong threw his phone onto the bed. He turned to look at the girl. "Get out! Get out! I don't want to see you again. Get out!"
The girl was shocked at his scream but then smiled. She then got out of bed and approached him. She enclosed her arms around his neck and pressed her body to his. She then kissed and kissed and kissed him, to which he then acted on instinct and lust, and kissed her rough and senseless.
When they parted for a breather, she laughed and cupped his cheeks. He wrapped his arms around her naked waist.
"You don't mean that Yi Jeong. You love me too much. What did she want?" She kissed him again.
"To remind me of our trip today. I wish I could take you too, but this is the F4's trip. It's not the time to introduce you to them yet. I'm sorry love." His eyes showed frustration.
She kissed his cheeks. "That's alright Yi Jeong. The time will come. Let's just be how we are for now. OK?"
"You are not jealous are you?" He searched for the answer in her eyes. She smiled. "No. Of course, I'm not."
"I wish I had met you before I asked Ga Eul to be my girlfriend, then we'll not be in this situation."
"Hey, don't say that. You love her too. I bet you'd do the same if you'd met me first."
Yi Jeong sighed and gazed at his lover's eyes. She was right. He loved both of them.
His lover then pulled him back to bed.
"Jan Di, I'm sorry but I am not going to Boracay. I… I forgot that my third cousin's wedding is the day after tomorrow. I'm sorry to tell you this late." Ga Eul cringed as she lied to her best friend. She was just not up to facing Yi Jeong throughout the trip and maybe even after or forever.
"What? You have got to be kidding me, Ga Eul. What am I supposed to do there if you don't come? And which third cousin is this?"
"You don't know him. Omma reminded me just this morning about it. Sorry, Jan Di. I'm sure Jun Pyo Sunbae won't let you die of boredom there."
"Urrggghhh Ga Eul. You are killing me. Can't you just bail on the wedding? It's your third cousin. I bet you are not close to her."
"Jan Di!"
"Jeez. Sorry. I'll buy you some souvenirs. Send my regards to Auntie and Uncle. Bye, Ga Eul."
"Have fun on the trip Jan Di. Bye."
Ga Eul heaved a heavy sigh. She then texted Yi Jeong.
Canceling the trip. Can't go. Third cousin's wedding in two days. Already on my way to Busan for the wedding. Message sent.
Instantly she got a call from the man but she ignored it. Her phone rang for a few more times so she then switched it off. Ga Eul slumped back on her bed. Her eyes were fixed on the slow-rotating blades of the ceiling fan.
Flashback
"I will. I will be your girlfriend Yi Jeong Sunbae."
Ga Eul hugged him tight while tears of happiness rolled down her face. Yi Jeong had finally asked her to be his official girlfriend. It was indeed a romantic proposal by the beach accompanied by the shining moon and stars.
They had been dating for a year since he came back from Sweden. He surprised her at her workplace and even more when he told her that she was the first person that he seek for when he stepped his feet on Korean soil.
Dates with one of the most sought dashing handsome bachelors of South Korea were mind-blowing and over the top. He showered her with all the things that she could only imagine before. He treated her like she was the only woman on earth. Every day he told her that he loved her and when he proposed her to be his girlfriend she was the luckiest girl alive.
But that was until one night, no, until one hurtful night. It was the night that started it all.
She was waiting for her friend at the mall. They were going to watch a movie. Jan Di had her shift at the hospital while Yi Jeong told her that he had to meet Woo Bin at the latter's place.
Ga Eul grinned wide as she saw her friend coming towards her. She waved at her. Then she saw them a few feet behind her friend. Yi Jeong and a beautiful sexy woman were hand-in-hand. The woman leaned her face to him and pouted her lips. He then kissed her.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae…"
Yi Jeong instantly froze. Right in front of him was Ga Eul trying to hold her tears. He quickly let go of the woman's hand. "Ga Eul-yang. What are you doing here?"
Ga Eul's eyes widened. She felt anger crept into her heart. "What are YOU doing here Yi Jeong Sunbae? Is this Woo Bin Sunbae? I didn't know that Woo Bin Sunbae had a sex reassignment surgery." She pointed to the woman.
"Yah! Who are you calling Woo Bin Sunbae? Stupid girl."
Ga Eul wanted to launch herself at the woman but she had to hear Yi Jeong's answer first.
"Woo Bin canceled on me and this is my friend, Venus Lim."
Ga Eul scoffed. "A friend who you can freely kiss? I hate you Yi Jeong Sunbae." She then turned around and ran away. Her friend followed suit. Yi Jeong wanted to run after her but the woman grabbed his arms and pulled him into the mall.
The next morning, her doorbell rang. Ga Eul slowly walked to the door and opened it. Yi Jeong quickly entered before she could slam the door on his face.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae. Get out! I don't want to see you ever." She pushed him towards the door but he was stronger. He caught her wrists and pulled her closer. He forced his lips on hers. She struggled and managed to slap him.
"I don't want to see you anymore, you two-timing liar Casanova cheater." She screamed at his face. She was already crying.
He then kissed her again. This time it was gentler. Her tears streamed down continuously.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry Ga Eul-yang. It was my mistake last night. I should not have done that. I… I was a little drunk that time. I'm sorry. She's nothing to me. You. It's you whom I love. You are my girlfriend."
"But you didn't seem drunk. You kissed her, in public." She tried to push him away but he held her tight.
"I'm sorry but I really was. I'm sorry that you had to see that. That was not really me Ga Eul-yang. Believe me, please. I love you and you only."
Yi Jeong kissed her again and again and Ga Eul, as always, was lost in his kisses. As easily as that, she forgave him and accepted him back.
End of flashback
What she thought was a one time slip up on his part was actually the beginning of many. Seoul, though big a city it is, is not free of paparazzi and reporters. One by one, pictures and news of So Yi Jeong's encounters with various women grazed the tabloids every few days or so.
Each time, Ga Eul confronted him and each time, he would say that the women are his friends and that he was just having some fun time at the clubs with Woo Bin and his girls. He said that since Ga Eul did not like going to the clubs, he felt awkward to just sit there and watch Woo Bin danced with the many girls and so, he joined his best friend on the dance floor. Dancing with the women was inevitable since dancing with Woo Bin would only attract wild rumors.
He blamed the reporters and paparazzi for misleading the public. "I don't know why they only took my pictures when Woo Bin too, was there. I swear they are trying to make me look like a playboy. Don't trust them Ga Eul-yang."
Other than the pictures in the tabloids, Ga Eul herself had heard a girl's voice when she sometimes called him late at night or in the morning. It wasn't that she was stalking or checking up on him, but rather to remind him of their plans for tomorrow or afterward. Each time, her heart broke and she wanted to break up with him. She did not want to be the whining girlfriend but her heart could not bear seeing him with another woman. Why was it too hard for him to rid off the Casanova in him? But each time too, he managed to make her feel guilty for doubting his love. So she continued to be with him.
It had been three months since she had caught a girl's voice when she called him, and there were also practically no new pictures of him with random girls at clubs. He too showed his devotion to her and she felt his growing love. Ga Eul believed that all those girls and pictures from before were indeed just the paparazzi and reporters' doings to increase their tabloids sales.
That was until this morning. She thought that he had buried his Casanova ways but she was wrong. It felt so damn hurtful.
Ga Eul closed her eyes and succumbed to her tiredness; heart, mind, and body.
Ga Eul walked towards Yi Jeong's studio. She figured that he had gone with the rest on the trip. She decided to go to his studio and re-assess her feelings towards this man she called boyfriend. Maybe by just looking at his studio from outside, she could decide what her next action should be. Maybe their many good memories in the studio could help soften her heart towards him. Maybe, just maybe.
As she approached the studio, she was surprised to see the lights on. "Did he forget to switch them off?" She fastened her pace. She was just in time to put her hand on the doorknob when she heard voices from inside. Her heart thumped wilder. They were voices of a man and a woman, laughing jovially. Ga Eul braved herself and opened the door.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae."
She was just in time to catch him pulled a beautiful woman's waist and pressed her back onto his front and kissed her neck. Their hands were covered with wet clay. The spinning wheel spun alone in the middle of the studio. What shocked her more, was their rather half undressed states. He was only in his long pants while she was in her sleeveless tank top and short red short. Their clothes were also covered in clay.
"Ga Eul-yang."
Yi Jeong was still embracing the woman. They both looked at Ga Eul nervously.
Ga Eul wanted to scream her lungs out. She wanted to storm out of the studio and go somewhere, anywhere as long as she was far, far, far, far away from these two. She wanted to ease her betrayed heart but another part of her wanted to hear what the two persons in front of her had to say.
What reasons was he going to tell her this time? Another drunk episode? Another friend? Another reporter's scheme to shame him? Were the attentions and love these three months all lies?
Ga Eul straightened her posture while she balled her fists next to her thighs. She steeled her aching shattered heart and glared at the two.
"Ga Eul-yang." Yi Jeong let go of the woman and stepped towards Ga Eul. Ga Eul stepped backward.
"Ga Eul-yang. I can explain." He came closer but she held her palm up.
"Stop it right there Yi Jeong Sunbae. Please don't come any closer." She held her tears.
Yi Jeong stopped where he was. He looked at her apologetically.
"Ga Eul-yang. This is Ye-Eun. She's my girlfriend."
Ga Eul's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. She then gulped hard. Her tears now traitorously came down. She quickly wiped them away.
"Since… since when?" It was so hard for her to ask but she needed to.
Ye-Eun came and held Yi Jeong's hand. Yi Jeong looked at her and then at Ga Eul. "Three months now." His voice was low.
Three months. Ga Eul closed her eyes. It was the same three months that she thought Yi Jeong had changed. All those increasing affections, attention and love for her. Were they just lies? No wonder people say that when a man tries to cover his misdeed and affairs, he would act nicer to his partner, wife or girlfriend. Ga Eul felt like a stupid girl, believing that he truly loved her. She should have read the signs much, much earlier.
"But I still love you Ga Eul-yang. I really do."
Ga Eul's eyes flew wide opened again. She laughed hysterically surprising Yi Jeong and Ye-Eun.
"Love? Love? Love? What love Yi Jeong Sunbae?"
"He truly loves you Ga Eul-shii. He talked only good things about you." Ye-Eun replied with that sweet beautiful voice of hers.
Ga Eul snapped her head towards Ye-Eun. "You shut up!"
"Ga Eul-yang! She's not at fault here." Yi Jeong raised his voice. Ye-Eun rubbed his arm up and down to calm him.
"If you love me, then why are you defending her, Yi Jeong Sunbae? Because she's your girlfriend? Do you love her more than you love me?"
Yi Jeong could not answer her question.
He met Ye-Eun four months ago at his Museum. She was smart and beautiful. She shared the same interest as him. He was captivated by her brilliance and beauty. He became drawn to her as they frequently met at events and exhibitions. She was so different from Ga Eul. He still loved Ga Eul but Ye-Eun was fast invading his heart and resided the space next to Ga Eul's. Not long after, he took the risk, followed his heart and asked her to be his girlfriend.
He loved the two women very much for different reasons. He could not let go of either one. What the other lacked, the other filled in. He had to learn and juggled his time between the two. He too, had to be discreet not to let everyone even the F3 know about Ye-Eun.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae. Do you love her more than you love me?"
He was still quiet. He looked at Ga Eul with guilt evident in his eyes.
As Yi Jeong digested Ga Eul's questions, he started to compare the two women again. He gulped when he realized another difference between them but he would never let any of them know about it. While he loved Ga Eul very much, her vow to keep herself pure until her wedding night was killing him. Yi Jeong was a former Casanova and playboy. 'It' was the one thing that he had trouble controlling. With Ye-Eun, he was free to do whatever and whenever he wanted to. Yi Jeong gulped again.
Ga Eul took a deep breath.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae. Do you still love me? Or do you still think that you love me?"
Yi Jeong's breath hitched at her question.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae. You have to tell me the truth. Don't say that you love me when you don't. I don't want to tie you to me if your heart is hurting." Ga Eul started to sob.
"I don't want to be with a man who can't fully give himself to me. That would not be fair to me and to him… to you." She looked straight into his eyes.
"Ga Eul-yang. I… I love you but I love Ye-Eun too. I love both of you. I'm sorry. I can't …"
"Stop!" Ga Eul held up her hand. "I understand Yi Jeong Sunbae."
She wiped away her tears and took a deep breath, then approached Yi Jeong. She stopped in front of him within an arm's length. She took off the ring on her finger. It was the ring that Yi Jeong had given her on the night that he asked her to be his girlfriend. She looked at the ring with defeated eyes. She then held the ring out for him to take.
"Ga Eul-yang!" Yi Jeong was shocked. Ye-Eun held her breath.
Ga Eul reached out for his right hand and placed the ring in his palm. Her eyes never left his.
"Thank you for tolerating me all these years Yi Jeong Sunbae. I apologize for all the things that I've done or said that hurt you. I am sorry that all these times, I was not capable of giving you the love that you wanted." A lone tear escaped her eye.
Ga Eul turned to Ye-Eun. She gave the woman a small smile. "Congratulations. I hope you will make him happy and give him the love that he deserves. Congratulations again."
Ye-Eun gave her a small nod.
Ga Eul turned around towards the door. As she put a hand on the door knob, she glanced over her shoulder.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae. I wish you all the happiness and joy. Do love her fully. Don't ever let her feel what I feel today. I'll return all your things tomorrow. Goodbye Yi Jeong Sunbae."
And then she left taking her broken heart away from this place, away from him.
Yi Jeong stood frozen, unbelieving on what had just happened. "Ga Eul-yang…"
T. H. E. E. N. D.
A.N.: A news saddened me today. It is something that I did not expect to happen this soon. It broke my heart but I need to be strong, accept the reality and yell "PLOT TWIST". This short, short one shot is the first step in my Plot Twist.
Hey everyone, you too, need to be strong and happy OK?