Chapter 1

"Annyong Ga Eul-yang." Yi Jeong greeted. "Annyong Jan Di," he added. He smiled inwardly at GaEul's expression. To say that she was shocked to see him would be an understatement. She was staring at him as if he were a ghost and perhaps that's how she saw him at that moment. His feelings turned somber as he returned her gaze.

The three of them stayed that way for several moments: Jandi looking worriedly at GaEul, Ga Eul looking intently at Yi Jeong, and Yi Jeong staring back at Ga Eul waiting for her to get a grip on the fact that he was really there in the flesh, in front of her.

"Ga Eul-yang..." he prompted softly. That seemed to snap Ga Eul out of her reverie. And as if they just saw each other yesterday, Ga Eul suddenly smiled widely and greeted him back. "Annyong, Yi Jeong sunbae. I'm sorry for a while ago. It was just… I thought for a moment you were a hallucination." Ga Eul smiled apologetically.

'Hallucination, huh,' Yi Jeong thought. He did not know which he disliked more, being a ghost or a hallucination in Ga Eul's eyes.

"It was just that you were gone for so long. It was really a shock to see you, that's all. How have you been? And when did you arrive?" And then she extended her hand to him. It was Yi Jeong's turn to be shocked at the gesture. He recovered almost instantly, masking his surprised expression with a smile, he took both his hands to hold hers and she added her other hand. She was smiling back at him like she was glad to see an old friend. Except he did not return just to be friends. He was out on a mission. "Well, Ga Eul-yang, I'm here holding your hand so I couldn't be a hallucination, right? I only arrived this morning. And I've been well. You?" Yi Jeong said.

"I've been great, sunbae. I wish you'd told us earlier that you were arriving today. We could have arranged something for you."

"Well, technically, I did tell some people." Yi Jeong said, looking pointedly at Jandi. Ga Eul caught on his pointed look and turned to her best friend. "Jandi, I can't believe you did not tell us." She was first to release her hands from his hold.

Jandi threw Yi Jeong a slightly irritated look and then turned to face Ga Eul. "I'm sorry, Ga Eul. Well, technically, Yi Jeong sunbae didn't tell me. He told Junpyo and Junpyo told me and then he made me swear not to tell anyone that Yi—…"

"I think I'm the one who owes everyone an apology." Yi Jeong interjected. "You don't have to get mad at your best friend, Ga Eul-yang." He smiled.

He saw her soft smile in return and for a moment his heart really did seem to stop. How he'd missed that smile, the way the side of her eyes would crinkle at the sides.

"Yi Jeong sunbae?"

Shoot. Did he just space out? And because of what? Ga Eul's smile? Although it was the most beautiful smile he'll ever see, but that's beside the point. He berated himself. 'Yi Jeong, have some dignity, man.' He told himself. "Ah, sorry Ga Eul-yang. You were saying something?"

"I said, where are we supposed to wait for everyone else?"

Ah, that question. "Well, technically, Ga Eul, it's just us. For now."

"Huh?"

"I wanted to speak to you alone." He answered.

"Alone?" Ga Eul asked while taking a quick look at Jan Di. Yi Jeong followed Ga Eul's line of sight and glanced at Jandi as well. Jandi, on the other hand, took in Ga Eul's innocent but questioning look and Yi Jeong's pleading but resolute look and remembered her conversation with Junpyo just a couple of hours earlier.

"Jandi, please."

"Absolutely not."

"Why are you being so stubborn?"

"Why? You're asking me, why? Junpyo, have you forgotten how it was for Ga Eul these past few years? Tell me you haven't forgotten."

"I know. And I understand where you're coming from. Ga Eul's your best friend. But please understand that Yi Jeong is my best friend as well. He seldom asks for a favor. And believe it or not I think this means everything to him. You've got to help him."

"I refuse. I won't put Ga Eul through any more pain. And besides, why in the world's name would I help him? He disappeared like.. poof… like smoke from the face of this earth. How far was Sweden anyway? Not even a phone call? Not even a letter? Not even an email for crying out loud! If you have something that would come close to a probable reason for his non-existence, tell me. I might reconsider. Otherwise, this conversation is over, Gu Junpyo."

"Jandi, I know it will be hard to believe. And it probably wouldn't suffice a reason but he's got one. He's got a good one."

Jandi sighed inwardly. Talk about finding yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, she adores her best friend and only wants what's best for her. She knew her pain in the past and wouldn't blame her if she won't doesn't speak to her again after what she's about to do. On the other hand, after listening to Junpyo's explanation of Yi Jeong's story, for some reason, she'd like to believe in him now. If Ga Eul can still find happiness with Yi Jeong, then she's all for it. What she's giving right now to Yi Jeong was a window. In the end, it will still be Ga Eul's decision. And she has no problem with that.

And then her phone rang. As scheduled. She answered it with feign shock and worry in her voice. "Mom, what happened? Mom, calm down. Tell me what happened." A pause, and then. "What? Okay, I'll be right there." She hung up her phone and turned to face Ga Eul.

"Is everything all right, Jandi?" Ga Eul asked worriedly.

"I'm sorry, Ga Eul. That was my mom. She's turning hysterical again and I can't quite understand what's going on but I have to go to them right now. It's probably nothing, knowing my mom but still, I have to make sure. I hope you understand."

"Of course I understand, Jandi. Tell me later what happened, okay?" Ga Eul said.

"Okay. Then, I'll leave now. See you later Ga Eul. I'll see you later, Yi Jeong sunbae." And with that she left through the glass doors, all the while thinking, I'm sorry for lying, Ga Eul.

Yi Jeong watched as Jandi disappeared through the glass doors. He silently sighed. He'll have to think of a way to thank Junpyo and Jandi. He then turned to face the woman beside him.

"Ga Eul-yang. Have you eaten lunch already?" Great job, Casanova. Lunch? Didn't think of anything better to ask, right? Yi Jeong thought. He slightly rolled his eyes in disbelief at his inability to say the right words.

Ga Eul caught him rolling his eyes and smiled. "Actually, I have, sunbae. But if you haven't, I can accompany you."

He chuckled. He had already eaten lunch as well. "I'm done eating lunch as well. Well then, how about we just visit this nice museum I haven't been to in a long time. I heard there's a section where they are displacing new pieces from up and coming artists. I'm kind of curious to see."

"All right, let's go then."