A.N: Hi everybody. How are you fine people doing today? Thank you very much for your continuous support for the stories in this series. I know that the previous stories lack loads of emotions and I'm so sorry for that. I'm still learning. Please share with me on how to further improve.
This story kicks off after the So family's long holiday in 'What Should They Do?' and before the school's new semester begins.
To guest (from What Should We Do? reviews), thank you for your suggestion on a GaBin's story. To be honest, I think that I will have to 'kill' Yi Jeong first in order to write one on GaBin because I'm not strong enough, yet, to have/write Yi Jeong watch Ga Eul together with Woo Bin, but hey, it's an interesting challenge there for me. Guess we'll just have to wait and see? Maybe I'll be able to do it without 'killing' Yi Jeong? ^_^
Disclaimer:
I do not own all these BOF characters, but the children.
Chapter 1: Love
"Jae Hwa! Come here, quick. Look at this!"
Song Eun-Kyung frantically waved at Jae Hwa who was leisurely reading her story book on her queen sized bed.
It was a Friday night. It was Eun-Kyung's turn for a sleepover at the So Mansion. They were in Jae Hwa's big light blue and pink bedroom, her choice of colors. Eun-Kyung was at the table, working on Jae Hwa's computer.
Jae Hwa was lying on her stomach with her hands under her chin. She had her long silky hair in a simple braid. At the call from Eun-Kyung Unnie, she lifted her head and turned to her Unnie. "What is it Unnie?"
"Come here, quick." Eun-Kyung was still waving her hand at Jae Hwa but her eyes did not leave the monitor in front of her.
"Is it Kung Fu Panda 3?" Jae Hwa quickly jumped off of her bed and went to her table. She stood next to Eun-Kyung and stretched her neck to look at the monitor.
Jae Hwa loved the Kung Fu Panda movies too much. Po the Panda character reminded her of Dae-Hwan, chubby, huggable and cute. Well, Dae-Hwan was not Po chubby, but chubby nonetheless.
Eun-Kyung nudged Jae Hwa. "No silly. Look. Look. It's an article about Uncle Yi Jeong and Aunt Ga Eul." The older girl pointed her index finger at the computer.
"Eh? Why are Unnie reading about Appa and Omma on the Internet?"
"I wanted to search for famous people of South Korea who were from our school. It's my club's next project." Eun-Kyung was the President of Shinhwa Elementary School's Social and Communication Club.
"Look at this article. Casanova So Yi Jeong under the spell of a mysterious commoner. Who is she? That's Uncle Yi Jeong and Aunt Ga Eul's picture."
It was a picture of a young handsome So Yi Jeong holding the hands of a young beautiful Chu Ga Eul in a park. They locked eyes with smiles etched on their happy faces. Ga Eul's cheeks were crimson, most probably blushes from the loving gaze by the man in front of her. He was leaning towards her, their faces inches away. He was about to kiss her. The article dated three days after Yi Jeong came back from Sweden.
Eun-Kyung and Jae Hwa looked at each other, then at the monitor and then back at each other. "Casanova? Spell?" Eun-Kyung asked. Jae Hwa crinkled her nose. Oh no! Eun-Kyung Unnie did not know about Appa's past with the many women.
"…" Jae Hwa did not know what to say.
"Let's read on," suggested the older girl.
"Unnie…" protested the younger girl.
"Don't worry Jae Hwa. I've read about Appa on the Internet too. They said that Appa was a Don Juan. Appa told me about it too when I asked Appa. Appa said that Don Juan is a famous movie character from a long, long time ago. So because Appa was famous, that was why people called Appa Don Juan. But Omma scolded Appa. Omma said that Appa was a naughty Don Juan. But Appa stopped being naughty when Appa started to go out with Omma."
"Oh I see," as Jae Hwa nodded. That was the first time that Jae Hwa heard of the word Don Juan. So Uncle Woo Bin was like Appa? Jae Hwa was glad that Eun-Kyung Unnie did not further asked about Appa being a Casanova. She would not know how to tell Unnie about it if Unnie did.
"Look, there are articles about Uncle Ji Hoo and Uncle Jun Pyo here too."
"Yes. Appa, Uncle Woo Bin, Uncle Ji Hoo and Uncle Jun Pyo really are very famous."
The two girls were about to further read on Jae Hwa's Appa and Omma when there was a knock on the door.
"Darling, Eun-Kyung, may we come in?" it was Omma. Both girls turned to look at the door. We? We who?
Jae Hwa went to open the door. Instantly Dae-Jung and Dae-Hwan rushed in, heading straight to her bed and jumped right on. Ga Eul came in with a tray of two glasses of warm milk and a plate of cookies. Dae-Hyun followed suit, carrying little Jae Eun. The only one missing was Yi Jeong. He was in the library, attending to a call from an oversea client.
Jae Hwa rolled her eyes. Why were her brothers here too? Weren't they supposed to be in their bedrooms? Dae-Hyun had a room to himself now that he was older. Dae-Jung and Dae-Hwan shared a room next to Dae-Hyun's.
"Unnieeee. Unnieee. Up. Up. Eunnie. Kiss. Up. Up." Jae Eun leaned herself towards Jae Hwa. Jae Hwa took her from Dae-Hyun. Immediately Jae Eun kissed her Unnie and put her head on Jae Hwa's shoulder and wrapped her small hands around Jae Hwa's neck. Ga Eul smiled watching her two daughters. Jae Eun really loved her Unnie.
Ga Eul put the tray on the small bed side table. She then sat at the edge of the bed, facing Eun-Kyung. Dae-Jung and Dae-Hwan had already made themselves comfortable lying on the bed. They had both hands held up like Superman's hands when he flew. The two brothers then laughed, only they knew at what. Dae-Hyun stood next to Eun-Kyung, one hand rested on the back of her chair, reading from the monitor. Jae Hwa stood behind Eun-Kyung's chair.
"Hi Aunt Ga Eul. Thank you for the milk and cookies." Eun-Kyung gave her best smile to Aunt Ga Eul. Aunt Ga Eul was her godmother.
"You are welcome, sweetheart."
"Why are you boys here?" Jae Hwa could not resist asking about it. Sure, they always camped in her room whenever Eun-Kyung came over, but she still asked, every single time.
"Oh. Nothing much. Just here to annoy you." Dae-Hyun stuck his tongue out to his sister. Jae Eun mimicked and giggled. Jae Hwa poked her Oppa's arm. "Ommaaaa. Look at Oppa," as Jae Hwa pouted and sulked. Jae Eun pouted as well.
Dae-Hyun snickered. He loved teasing his sister. "And I'm here to say goodnight to Eun-Kyung too." Eun-Kyung felt her face grew warm from Dae-Hyun's words.
Ga Eul did not fail to notice Eun-Kyung's blush. She smiled lovingly at her and then looked at her first born.
This Dae-Hyun. Is he charming Eun-Kyung? Does he like Eun-Kyung? Does Eun-Kyung like Dae-Hyun too? He was one year her senior. Ga Eul loved Eun-Kyung like she loved her children. She was a very kind and polite girl. Her beauty was definitely a bonus. It would not be a surprise if boys liked Eun-Kyung.
However, they were still too young to be in a relationship. But, if they in the future were destined to be together, Ga Eul would be more than happy to have Eun-Kyung as part of the So family.
Jae Kyung had already hinted that her Eun-Kyung was the perfect match to Ga Eul's Dae-Hyun. Woo Bin freaked out at his wife's suggestion. He was not willing to let go of his daughter, yet, to which Jae Kyung hit his arm, saying "Silly Song Woo Bin. We are not marrying the children off now. Do you think I'd want to get jailed for forcing an under aged marriage? It would be after they graduate from university and have a career of their own."
Jae Kyung rolled her eyes. Woo Bin rubbed his chest, relieved, and then cheered loudly. He was just teasing his wife earlier. In fact, he too would love to have Dae-Hyun as his son-in-law.
"Why Dae-Hyun? Why not Gu Jung-Hee? He's handsome, funny and talented too." Yi Jeong was puzzled by the Song couple. Both Woo Bin and Jae Kyung widen their eyes and dropped their jaws. "And what? Risk having curly-haired and loud grandchildren?" Yes, the Gu sons were curly-haired and loud like their Appa.
Yi Jeong and Ga Eul laughed at the Song couple's responds. "Well, you are loud too Jae Kyung," said Yi Jeong. Ga Eul ribbed his stomach lightly. "What Jagiya? It's true," as he defended himself.
"That's OK Ga Eul. Your husband is right. I'm loud. Not denying it at all," Jae Kyung then laughed out loud.
"Well, you see Ga Eul, Jan Di and I, we kind of made an arrangement," Jae Kyung then looked at her husband. Woo Bin smiled at his wife.
"Arrangement? Unnie, what kind of arrangement? Why didn't you and Jan Di include me in this arrangement?" Ga Eul was surprised at this new news. Jan Di never told her anything about any arrangement. Yi Jeong was surprised too.
"Jan Di told me that she heard Jung-Hee told Jung-Hwa that he likes Jae Hwa. So, she's thinking of matching them up. She's also very happy because with that, the two of you will at last be related, not just being best friends only. You know she loves you very much right?"
"Unnie...," Ga Eul felt her vision blurred by her tears. Yes, she and Jan Di were best friends. No. She had already regarded Jan Di her sister since they were in kindergarten, but to hear Jae Kyung talked about Jan Di's wish, touched her heart. Yi Jeong put his arms around his wife to comfort her.
"So, Jung-Hee and Jae Hwa, Eun-Kyung and Dae-Hyun. Perfect. Oh. Jun Pyo agrees too," clapped the excited Jae Kyung. She was already imagining the grand wedding of her Eun-Kyung.
"Unnie, Woo Bin Sunbae, I'm honored that both of you, Jan Di and Jun Pyo Sunbae love our Dae-Hyun and Jae Hwa. I.. we love all your children too."
Ga Eul looked at her husband. Yi Jeong nodded. He knew what his wife wanted to say. They had already discussed this matter between them. It might be too early for such discussion, but the So couple talked about everything under the sun and the topic came up when they were talking randomly about the arranged marriage within the South Korea's elite society.
"But the children are still too young. They grew up together. I'm sure that is why Jung-Hee likes Jae Hwa. I believe that they all love each other as well."
Jae Kyung and Woo Bin had a serious face. They did not seem to like where Ga Eul was heading. Ga Eul swallowed hard.
"I, no. We are not saying that we do not agree with this, but just think about it. All of you are the country's chaebols, you know too well about arranged marriages within the circle. Unnie, you and Jun Pyo Sunbae had a history. So you know the feelings. Sorry that I have to bring this up, Unnie." Jae Kyung and Woo Bin were still quiet.
"Don't you think that we should let the children themselves decide on this matter? They will meet a lot of people out there, during high school, university, at work and others. Yi Jeong and I don't think that it's fair if we arrange their marriage. Not now, not later." Yi Jeong nodded his head in agreement. His wife was a strong supporter and believer of freewill love and soul mates.
"What if they fall in love with someone else? Let them love freely and be loved. Let them experience heartaches and breakups if those will make them better people. We'll always be there to help and support them. If they fall in love with each other Eun-Kyung and Dae-Hyun and Jung-Hee and Jae Hwa, then good for us. If not, we'll respect their choices."
Woo Bin raised his hand midway.
"Yes of course Woo Bin Sunbae," Ga Eul cut him before he can say anything. "You can do background checks on their boyfriends and girlfriends."
Woo Bin grinned and gave Ga Eul two thumbs up, happy. Jae Kyung pouted. "But I want Dae-Hyun as my son-in-law. He's a good boy and responsible too, and handsome. My grandchildren will be pretty and handsome." Woo Bin pinched his wife's cheeks before giving her a peck on her lips. She then pretended to cry on his shoulder.
Woo Bin patted her back softly and said, "Shh, shh, shh Darling. Let's pray hard that Dae-Hyun likes our Baby." They got Ga Eul's message, and were not at all angry at her and Yi Jeong. It was true.
Love can't be forced. But love can surely be nurtured. With that in mind, the Song held on to that hope of making Dae-Hyun their son-in-law.
Yi Jeong and Ga Eul let out small laughs at Jae Kyung and Woo Bin's antics. They understood that the Song meant well. They too would love to have the Song and Gu children as their own. They were such close knit families, the Gu, the So and the Song. If Ji Hoo had children of his own, they too would be loved by the elders. But the So parents had decided to leave their children's soul mates to fate and destiny, like theirs.
"What are you reading there, sweetheart?" Ga Eul asked the still blushing girl.
"Oh," Eun-Kyung startled at Ga Eul's sudden query. She straightened her posture, briefly glanced at the smiling Dae-Hyun and turned to look at Aunt Ga Eul.
"It's an article about Aunt Ga Eul and Uncle Yi Jeong." She turned the monitor a little to face Ga Eul. Ga Eul leaned forward, read the title of the said article and saw her picture with Yi Jeong. Her mouth opened instantly. Quickly, she closed her mouth and said "It's still on the Internet? How long has it been there? I can't believe it. Don't they take down old articles and news?"
"It's from the archive Omma," said Dae-Hyun. All the other kids now had their attention on Ga Eul.
"What archive?" Appa's voice startled everybody. They turned their heads towards the door. How come nobody noticed Appa coming into the room? Appa walked straight to the group. Dae-Jung and Dae-Hwan quickly sat up and fought to reach Appa first. Both won, each now holding Appa's arm, pulling Appa towards the bed.
Ga Eul pointed her finger towards their picture on the computer. Yi Jeong eyes widen, surprised too. He frowned at the word Casanova. He then sat next to Ga Eul. Dae-Jung and Dae-Hwan climbed on, Dae-Jung on Ga Eul's laps and Dae-Hwan on Yi Jeong's.
"Why are you kids reading this?" finally Yi Jeong asked.
"Uncle Yi Jeong, I searched for famous people from our school and this came up. I'm sorry if I've upset you Uncle Yi Jeong, Aunt Ga Eul." Woo Bin and Jae Kyung's daughter lowered her head, feeling guilty. Dae-Hyun put his hand on her back, rubbing it up and down gently, to coax her. Jae Hwa glared at his brother when she saw him did that.
"Sweetheart, we're not upset with you. We're just surprised that the article is still there." Ga Eul reached for Eun-Kyung's hand on her laps and caressed it softly.
"Omma, Appa, what is a spell?" Jae Hwa changed Jae Eun's position from her right to her left. Her little sister was getting heavier by the day. The little toddler played with Unnie's hair, occasionally twirling Unnie's long braid with her small fingers.
"Noona, a spell is easy. Hwannie can spell butterfly. B-U-T-T-E-R-F-L-Y. Butterfly." Dae-Hwan then gave Dae-Jung a high five. Proud that he could spell a difficult word. Jae Hwa rolled her eyes. Jae Eun clapped her hands, excited to see her oppas high fived. The others laughed at the younger boys. Yi Jeong ruffled his innocent son's hair.
"So kids, who wants to hear a story about spells, witches, a prince and a princess?" Yi Jeong looked at each child with a wide grin.
"Me." "Me." "Me." "Me." "Me." Everybody had his and her hand raised. Jae Hwa brought Jae Eun's hand up too.
Ga Eul laughed. She motioned Dae-Jung to sit on the bed and then stood up. She went to Jae Hwa's closet and took out some comforters and blankets. Eun-Kyung helped with laying the comforters on the floor. Yi Jeong and Ga Eul sat with their backs leaned against Jae Hwa's bed. Ga Eul had Jae Eun on her lap. The other children faced the elders, some sat while the others lied down on their stomach. Dae-Hyun sat next to Eun-Kyung. Pillows were all around the children.
"It all started when Prince Yi Jeong had finally recognized his soul mate Princess Ga Eul."