Chapter 2: The Revelation

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

Published: July 3, 2017

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

Woo Bin abruptly stood up from the chair, not believing what he had just heard.

"What in the world? What did you just say, Yi Jeong?"

"I want you to marry Ga Eul. I want you to be my children's father. I want you to look after them." Yi Jeong was firm though Woo Bin could hear a note of sadness in his voice.

"I know you're sick Yi Jeong, but I don't know that you're also sick in your head."

"Woo Bin, please hear me out." Yi Jeong was hopeful.

"No! I'm not having this conversation. You are obviously not in your right mind. We're never going to have this conversation. Ever!"

"Woo Bin, please."

Woo Bin turned around. It boggled his mind thinking about what Yi Jeong had said. Yes. He was willing to look after the children and to be their guardian or father-figure if that was what the man wished for. But to marry Ga Eul? What in God's name was running in his best friend's head? What on earth was the request all about?

Yes, he was still in love with Ga Eul, he had to admit. But he was also trying to forget her although it was so damned hard to do. He was willing to try and love Ji Hye and he was, though slowly, starting to feel it grew.

Ji Hye was a nice and kind lady. He met her at one of the events that his company organized. She was beautiful and smart. Her family was in the same business as his. Their construction company was the sixth largest in the country. Woo Bin had his men checked the background of the company and they were clean.

Woo Bin could say that it was attraction at first sight. When he saw her entered the convention hall where the event was held, his heart skipped a beat. Her smile reminded him of Ga Eul. The way she greeted people and laughed reminded him of Ga Eul. He never left his eyes on her. Ten minutes of eyeing her, he made the move and approached her. Fate must be on his side. She shared the same interests in designs and architecture and those made them clicked right away. It was a night to remember.

Days after, he contacted her and asked her out. Formal casual discussions on future collaborations between their companies were his first excuse but as they frequently met, they became more comfortable with each other. A few months into the friendship, the relationship turned serious and they moved a step up and were in that zone between being friends and a couple but heading more toward the latter, although he needed to completely get a certain lady out of his heart.

But now? What was Yi Jeong thinking to ask him to marry Ga Eul? Why?

How did Yi Jeong come to that? Wasn't he the most jealous guy in the world? Woo Bin remembered Yi Jeong's request to ward off any possible pursuers of Ga Eul when he was in Sweden. Each time they had a video call, Yi Jeong never failed to remind him about it. Even when he came back from Sweden and the F4 went out with Ga Eul and Jan Di, Yi Jeong would always be next to Ga Eul. He would be cautious of any man nearby. If possible, he did not want any guy to lay eyes on her that Ji Hoo once teased him to just lock Ga Eul up in a room and never let her out of it for the rest of her life.

What happened to that So Yi Jeong? How could he be so casual in asking another man to marry his wife after he was gone? How could he nonchalantly say that he was OK with another man loving his wife? And what would Ga Eul say to it? Had he discussed this with her? What would their friends say? Would they accept this crazy will of the man? Why would he put this into his will?

Woo Bin shook his head and tuned out Yi Jeong's calls for him.

"Appa! Uncle Woo Bin!" "Appa! Uncle Woo Bin!"

Woo Bin was brought out of his thoughts when he heard Ga In and Yi Yeun's voices from the outside of the room. He quickly glanced at Yi Jeong and saw that the man was adjusting his position on the bed and wiped away his tears. Woo Bin then went to open the door.

"Uncle Woo Bin. They don't have Americano at the canteen. But Aunt Ji Hye bought green tea. Omma told Aunt Ji Hye that Uncle loves green tea." It was Yi Yeun.

Woo Bin stiffened. A flash of a vision of him and Ga Eul during their outings years ago came to mind. Whenever they went out, he would always order a mug of green tea. But he loved her green tea the most.

Woo Bin turned a bit to look at Yi Jeong who gave out a small smile.

"Thank you, Yi Yeun. Thanks, Ji Hye." Woo Bin took the cup from the boy and approached Ji Hye. He then leaned to kiss her on the cheek, surprising the lady. Yi Yeun and Ga In smiled widely while Ga Eul lowered her head and smiled. Yi Jeong was still smiling although Woo Bin understood why.

"Appa, here's the tea. Appa is right. The tea is great." Ga In handed a cup to Yi Jeong.

"Thanks, sweetheart." Yi Jeong gently caressed her daughter's soft cheek.

"Ji Hye, something came up. I have to go. I'll get my driver to send you home later if you want to stay longer."

"Oh? I'll come with you," said Ji Hye.

"Sorry, Ga Eul, Yi Jeong, kids. We'll come again, soon." Ji Hye hugged Ga Eul and the children and waved to Yi Jeong.

"I'll see you next time, Yi Jeong. See you all later." Woo Bin felt awkward and uncomfortable by the way Yi Jeong looked at him. He, too, tried to avoid eye-contact with Ga Eul.

The four So members waved goodbye.

Not long after, the twin took a nap on the sofa. Ga Eul kissed her children's forehead and went to Yi Jeong's right side of the bed.

"Yi Jeong, you must be tired. Rest, now."

Yi Jeong took her hands and pulled her closer. "Lie down next to me, Ga Eul."

"Yi Jeong?"

"I sleep better when you're beside me. The pain goes away when you're with me. Please, my love."

"Yi Jeong, are you in pain right now?" Ga Eul was getting worried. "Should I call the doctor or nurse?"

He shook his head although Ga Eul could see him winced from the pain.

"Are you sure, Yi Jeong?"

He smiled at her and pulled her hand again. He then slowly shifted a little to make space for her. Ga Eul carefully laid next to him and placed a hand on his waist. He automatically held her tight.

"I love the smell of your hair." It was cherry blossom scented. His and her favorite.

"I love the smell of your perfume." It was also cherry blossom. Their favorite.

"I love you, Ga Eul," and kissed atop her head. Ga Eul pushed back her tears.

"I love you too, Yi Jeong," and brought his hand up and kissed the back of it.

"How long has it been?" He was referring to the illness.

"Coming to a year."

Flashback

"Yi Jeong, why aren't you eating?" Ga Eul watched him play with his fork and food.

"I just don't feel like it. No appetite."

"But Appa, Omma's jjajangmeon is the best," claimed Yi Yeun, and Ga In nodded in agreement and added, "The best."

"Are you OK?" Ga Eul began to worry. This was not the first time that Yi Jeong did not eat and he was losing some weight, fast. He, too, was always tired.

"I… I'm OK. Just some headaches."

"You must eat, Yi Jeong, at least a few bites. I'll get you an aspirin." She was about to stand up but Yi Jeong held her hand and shook his head.

"I just need to rest and sleep and I'll be alright."

"Yi Jeong ..."

"Hey, why aren't you asleep yet?"

Ga Eul went to her husband who was looking straight at the ceiling above their bed. She then sat at the edge of the bed, next to him. She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.

"Yi Jeong? Are you having a fever? Come on. Let's go to the clinic. Or do you want me to call Ji Hoo Sunbae or Jan Di?"

He shook his head.

"I've taken an aspirin. I'll be fine."

"Yi Jeong ..."

"I'll be OK, Ga Eul. I promise. I'm just tired. Work is piling up at the Museum and the ministry wants three pieces for its biannual auction. I've been working on them when I don't have meetings."

"But…" She also noticed that his face was pale.

He then pulled her down. Her head laid against his chest. He wrapped his hands around her tightly.

"Sleep with me, Ga Eul. Only you can calm me and make my headaches go away."

"Yi Jeong ..."

"Hello. Yes, this is she. Who is this?"

"..."

"What? When? How? Why? Where? Where is he now?" Ga Eul started to panic.

"..."

"I'm on my way. Thank you."

"Hello! Jan Di! It's Yi Jeong! He collapsed at the Museum. They are taking him to the hospital." Ga Eul was already crying as the driver took her to the hospital. The children were with her parents. The elder Chus came and took them to the Aquaria earlier that morning.

"What do you mean which hospital? Your hospital. Please, Jan Di. Please inform Ji Hoo Sunbae and Jun Pyo Sunbae and I'll call Woo Bin Sunbae."

The call was from Yi Jeong's personal assistant Mr. Jung Jong Hwa. Yi Jeong and he were on their way to a meeting on another floor when Yi Jeong suddenly threw up, wobbled and fell to the floor. Mr. Jung tried to wake him up but he was already unconscious. The loyal assistant immediately called for security and ambulance before calling her.

Ga Eul was baffled. What was happening to her husband? Was it too much stress at work? Did he skip his meals again? Were his headaches more frequent and worsening? Ga Eul was going out of her mind thinking about her husband.

She prayed hard that it was only a one-time occurrence and when he woke up, she was going to make him eat his meals.

"Jan Di. Where is he? Where's Yi Jeong? Where's my husband?" Ga Eul shook Jan Di's shoulder the moment they met at the hospital.

"Ga Eul! Calm yourself. He's in the emergency room. Ji Hoo Sunbae is in there."

Jun Pyo and Woo Bin had not arrived. Jun Pyo was in a meeting outside of the city and Woo Bin was also in a meeting with his father.

Ga Eul embraced her best friend tightly and cried on her shoulder.

"I'm scared, Jan Di. Yi Jeong… he… he's not been well these few weeks. I… I'm not…"

"Shhh. Shhh. Shhh. He'll be alright. He'll be alright. Maybe it's just extreme fatigue. Don't worry. He'll be alright." Jan Di rubbed the crying Ga Eul's back up and down to calm her.

Thirty minutes later Ji Hoo and another doctor came out of the emergency room. Ji Hoo nodded to the doctor and approached the two best friends.

"Ji Hoo Sunbae. How's Yi Jeong? What's going on?" Ga Eul held Ji Hoo's arms.

"He's sleeping now but we've taken some blood for further tests. The result should be out tomorrow, the earliest. Ga Eul, how is Yi Jeong lately? I see that he lost a lot of weight and the last time we met was two weeks ago. That's drastic loss of weight."

"I… He's been sick, on and off. Tired, didn't eat much, dizziness, fever and… constant headaches too. I asked him to go for a check-up but he refused. What happened to him, Ji Hoo Sunbae? Is it stress? Fatigue?"

"Maybe, from what you mentioned but we'll need to wait for the blood test result to know the details. Let's hope that it is just stress."

But Jan Di knew that Ji Hoo was holding some facts back. She did not want to ask further. It was better that they waited for the test result.

"Can I see Yi Jeong, Ji Hoo Sunbae?" Ga Eul further asked.

"Yes, sure but he's sleeping."

"Thank you. I… I want to be there when he wakes up."

Ji Hoo nodded and led the two ladies in.

Ga Eul's heart broke when she saw her husband. His face was pale and he looked very tired. More than when he left the house this morning. An IV tube was attached to his hand.

"Yi Jeong. Please get healthy soon. I love you." She whispered into his right ear and kissed his forehead.

"Where… where am I?"

Ga Eul and the twin, the F3, Jan Di and Ga Eul's parents quickly stood up from their seats.

"Yi Jeong." "Appa." "Appa." "Yi Jeong."

"Appa, Appa's at Shinhwa Hospital." Yi Yeun said. He held his Appa's right hand while Ga In held the left.

"Appa, Appa fell down. Ga In got scared," claimed the little girl.

"Ga Eul ..."

"I'm here, Yi Jeong. I'm here." Ga Eul went closer and leaned down to drop him a light kiss.

Yi Jeong then looked around and saw that everybody was looking at him. All wore a worried expression.

"Hey bro, that was a scare. Please don't do that again." It was Woo Bin.

"Yes. You scared the hell out of us," added Jun Pyo.

"Ouch!" Jan Di had smacked his arm. "What was that for?" he scowled at her.

"Language. The children," scolded Jan Di.

"Oops. Sorry."

"Yi Jeong, how are you feeling?" asked Ji Hoo.

"Better. How long was I out?"

"Nearly 8 hours."

"Oh... I'm sorry that I worry everybody. I was just too tired and stressed out from work."

"All of us should go for a vacation. What about New Caledonia? Yi Jeong, you need fresh ocean air," suggested Woo Bin.

"Yes, please. Appa, can we go there? Please, Appa."

"Yes. Please, Appa."

The twin was already clapping their hands and pleading.

"Yi Yeun, Ga In. Appa is still not well. Let Appa gets stronger first, OK?" said Mrs. Chu.

"Awww, Halmoni. We want to go to New… New… New where, Uncle Woo Bin?" asked Ga In, to which everybody in the room laughed.

"New Caledonia, sweetheart," answered Woo Bin.

"Yes, New Caledonia. I love beaches. Yi Yeun loves beaches too. Omma and Appa love beaches also. Right, Omma? Appa?"

"Yes, sweetheart. We'll go when Appa is better," promised Yi Jeong.

Both the twin clapped as they jumped and danced excitedly.

An hour later everybody began to say goodbye and promised to come and visit tomorrow. Ji Hoo was the last one left.

"Hey, Ji Hoo. Can I talk to you for a while?"

Ji Hoo looked at his watch. "OK. My round is in another half an hour." He then sat on the chair next to the bed.

"The blood test. Tomorrow's the result, right?"

"The earliest, yes."

"Should I be afraid of it? Should I prepare myself for it?"

"What do you mean, Yi Jeong?"

"I… I'm sick, Ji Hoo. I've been searching on the Internet for the symptoms that I'm having."

"Yi Jeong? You should have come to me, or Jan Di, or any other doctor."

"I… I just don't want to worry all of you, especially Ga Eul."

"This search that you did. What did you find?" Ji Hoo prayed hard that Yi Jeong would not believe whatever results that he had found on the World Wide Web.

"A few…"

"Such as?"

Yi Jeong held his gaze on Ji Hoo. He gulped hard and tried to be strong.

"Cancer…"

"Yi Jeong!" Ji Hoo was taken aback.

"I'm afraid, Ji Hoo. I'm afraid if it's true." Tears had betrayed him as they trailed down his sunken pale cheeks.

Ji Hoo immediately leaned forward and embraced him.

"We don't know that, Yi Jeong. Please don't think about it. Please. Let's hope that it's just fatigue. Please don't think about it." Ji Hoo had to hold his own tears.

"What will happen to my children, my Ga Eul? I want to see them happy. I want to see my children grow up. I want to live longer until I'm old."

Ji Hoo lost to his tears.

"Yi Jeong. Stop. Why are you talking like this? Don't believe what you read, Yi Jeong."

"I'm scared, Ji Hoo."

"Don't be because it's not true. It's not true."

The two best friends held on to each other. One, pouring his heart out while the other tried hard to console him.

Tomorrow would be the most important day of their lives. Tomorrow might change their lives forever. They prayed that it would not come to that point.

"I'm sorry, Mr. So. Mrs. So."

Yi Jeong slumped back on his chair as Ga Eul hugged him, crying hard.

It was confirmed. It was acute lymphoid leukemia.

"I'm so sorry Mr. So, Mrs. So." The doctor said again.

"We'll start your treatment…."

Yi Jeong had tuned out all that the doctor was saying.

He felt like his heart stopped forever. He felt like darkness immediately clouded him and everybody around him. He was still young. He had a family to look after. He had his loving wife and beautiful children to live with. He had plans for them. He wanted to grow old with her and watch their children grow up and have their own families.

He did not deserve this illness. Why him? What wrong had he done that he was robbed of happiness? Or was this a punishment for all his wrong deeds years ago before Ga Eul came into his life? But he had repented and left his old self long ago. He was a good husband and a good father now. Why was God so unfair to him? Why, oh why, God?

Ga Eul hung onto him, still crying hard. She felt as if her soul had left her body, her heart crushed after it was stabbed over and over and over. Why him? Why Yi Jeong? Why her So Yi Jeong? How did the illness come to him? How? All those symptoms of him not being well, they were the symptoms of leukemia? Why God why? Please, not her Yi Jeong. Not her husband. She still needed him to be with her until the end of time. Why was God so cruel to him? To her? To their children? To them? Why strip away the happiness that surrounded them?

"Yi Jeong ..."

"Ga Eul ..."

They decided not to tell the twin yet. The children were still too young to understand about the illness and they did not want Yi Yeun and Ga In to feel sad. They would wait for a better right time to inform the two.

The news devastated everyone. Jun Pyo ordered for another blood test and demanded that an oversea lab did the test. He did not want to believe it and Woo Bin agreed. This could not be happening. Yi Jeong was still young and healthy prior to the sickness episodes. How could he suddenly have the illness? "It is impossible," he firmly stated. He threatened to sue the hospital for the misdiagnosis. Ji Hoo, on the other hand, was a little calmer than the two. On the day that Yi Jeong fainted, the other doctor had mentioned to him the possibility of a serious illness. They had discussed some possibilities but he told himself not to believe it until the result came out. Nothing was confirmed until he saw it in black and white.

Jan Di immediately hugged Ga Eul and the two best friends cried and cried. She could not imagine how life after this would be for Ga Eul and the children. But she promised that she and the others would help her and Yi Jeong to their best. Jun Pyo, Woo Bin and Ji Hoo would get the best doctors for Yi Jeong. Furthermore, since he was still young and together with the correct treatment, his chances of survival would be high.

Every one of them prayed that he would be free of the illness and continued his wonderful life with his wife, children and friends.

For the first two months, Yi Jeong became quiet and reserved. It was hard for him to accept the fact. Numerous times Ga Eul found him on the balcony of their bedroom late at night watching the dark space outside, talking to himself, talking to the power above. Pleading for the illness to go away, pleading for a second chance to be healthy and live life happily with his family. Ga Eul cried in silent as she watched him. Oftentimes when she could not stand his cry, she went up to him and embraced him as they cried their hearts out.

Ga Eul had to be strong for him and for the children. She was patient in looking after him. She never missed to accompany him to the hospitals for the treatments. She did everything in her might to make him happy and to give him the moral support and love that he needed the most. She never failed to motivate him and tell him to be strong and positive and to fight the illness. She never failed to remind him that he would be free of this agony and pain.

But she was only human. She wished that she could trade places with him. Her heart was still soft and fragile. How many times had she cried thinking of him when she was alone? How many times tears had fell when she heard him cried and growled and moaned in pain after the treatments? Her heart could not take it but she had to endure though most of the times, she failed to tell her heart to be strong. No! She must be strong! For him and for their children!

The F3, Jan Di and Ga Eul's parents were also there with him, providing him their best help and tried to stray him away from negative thoughts and sadness. They acted as if he was well, like he used to. But when the F3 was just among themselves, Woo Bin often broke down and cried. Yi Jeong was the closest to him. The news of his illness broke Woo Bin the most. He still could not believe it and refused to do so.

Six months into the treatments, the twin started to question their Appa's condition. It saddened them to see Appa on the bed and getting worse despite the countless trips to the hospital. Why was Appa always having a fever and throwing up? They missed playing with Appa. They missed Appa's vibrant self and teases. They missed Appa.

Yi Jeong and Ga Eul called the twin into their bedroom one night. It was time to tell them the truth. Yi Yeun and Ga In laid on each side of Appa on the big vast bed while Ga Eul sat at the edge of the bed.

"Yi Yeun, Ga In. Omma and Appa are going to tell you something important."

The two 4-year-old children looked at Appa and Omma.

"What is it, Appa?" asked Yi Yeun.

"Are we going on a vacation, Appa? Appa's been sick for a long time now. Appa needs a vacation. Uncle Woo Bin said so. Where is it Omma? New… New…" asked Ga In.

Yi Jeong and Ga Eul smiled at them.

"New Caledonia, sweetheart," answered Ga Eul.

"Yes, New Caledonia."

Yi Jeong lightly pinched his daughter's nose. "No, Ga In. We're not going for a vacation, yet."

The little girl pouted and so did her twin brother.

"It's about Appa."

Both children focused on Appa.

"Appa is sick. You know that right?"

Both slowly nodded. "But Appa will get better soon." It was Ga In and Yi Yeun nodded again, in agreement.

"Do you know why Appa is sick?" asked Yi Jeong again.

"Appa has a fever and tummy ache." It was Yi Yeun this time and Ga In agreed.

Yi Jeong looked at Ga Eul and she lightly nodded. He inhaled deeply and exhaled.

"Appa has leukemia. It's an illness that is worse than a fever and tummy ache."

"Appa?" both twins cried in unison.

"What is leukemia, Appa?" asked Yi Yeun. He knew that Ga In was also clueless about it.

"It's something to do with Appa's blood. Appa's blood is not normal like yours or Ga In's or Omma's or anyone else's."

"How did Appa get it, Appa? Did Appa get bitten by a mosquito or insect?" Ga In was curious.

"No, sweetheart. It is not from an insect bite but Appa don't know why and how Appa got it. It just suddenly came."

"Can Uncle Ji Hoo or Aunt Jan Di make Appa's blood normal again?" Yi Yeun wanted to know more.

"They're trying so. That's why Appa have to go to the hospital regularly for treatments. But Appa will continue to be tired and like this during the treatment. It might take a long time for Appa to heal. Hopefully, it won't."

Yi Yeun and Ga In hugged their Appa.

"Poor Appa. We want Appa to get better and healthier soon. We miss playing and going out with Appa."

"Yes, Appa. Get well soon, Appa. We love you, Appa."

Ga Eul held her tears and so did Yi Jeong.

"Appa am sorry, sweetheart. Appa am sorry but Appa love you two too."

He wanted to tell more but could not. Tonight, it would be enough to tell them about the name of his illness. He did not have the heart to tell them more, to tell them that he might not be long with them. Yi Jeong hugged his children tighter.

End of flashback

"I love you, Ga Eul."

"I love you too, Yi Jeong." Ga Eul lifted her head a little and kissed him.

"Ga Eul, do you trust me?"

"Yi Jeong?"

"Trust me that I will never forget you. Even though I'm far, I will always be yours."

"Yi Jeong?"

"When you need me, just talk to me. Whatever it is that you wanted to say, I'll be here to listen to you."

"Yi Jeong? Please…" Tears trickled down her cheeks and she tightened her hold on him.

"When I'm gone, please don't cry. This is all fated. This is what He wants. Please don't be sad, my love. I'll always be here with you." He touched her chest, over her heart.

"Yi Jeong…stop…"

"There's only one thing that I ask: trust me. My heart and your heart. They are one now. They are sealed together with God as the witness. I will never forget you. Trust me."

"Why are you talking like this, Yi Jeong?"

"Please forgive me for all of my wrongdoings, Ga Eul. All those cruelties and sadness that I've inflicted upon you. Please forgive me. I'm not perfect, Ga Eul. I'm sorry."

"Yi Jeong. You've done nothing wrong to me. You are perfect to me. Please don't do this, Yi Jeong. Please…"

"Thank you for being here with me. Thank you for being my wife. Thank you for giving me, two beautiful wonderful children."

"Yi Jeong…please don't say it anymore… you're scaring me." She placed a palm over his mouth but he lightly bit it and smiled. He then kissed her forehead.

"I don't want you to cry anymore. Please don't cry. Please don't be sad. I'll be sad if I see you cry and sad. You'll only make our children sad and cry. Please be strong, my love."

"Yi Jeong…" tears fell like waterfall rushing down crashing on the rocks down under. "Please…"

"I will always pray for you and our children. I will always pray for our family's happiness. I wish that everything is perfect for you and our children… even when I'm gone…I want you to have a perfect, wonderful life." He wiped her fallen tears away, only to be immediately replaced by new ones.

"Yi Jeong ..."

"I want you to know that my life is complete with you and our children here with me. Thank you for loving me, Ga Eul. Thank you for giving me the best time of my life. Thank you for coming into my life."

Ga Eul cried harder. What was happening? Why was he talking like this was going to be his last day? Was he giving up? No! He must not!

She held him tighter.

"Ga Eul my love." He placed a soft gentle kiss on her lips. He then placed a hand over her stomach.

"I'm sorry if I might not be here when our new baby comes. I'm sorry."