Chapter 2: Ga Eul

A.N.: Hi, sorry for the delay. Thank you for the continuous support and love. Have a great weekend all.

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, other than the new ones.

Published: February 26, 2017 (my time)

"Miss Chu, what do you think?"

"Wh.. What? I'm sorry. What is it Dae Seong?" Ga Eul was pulled back from her reverie when the little boy tugged her apron.

"What do you think Miss Chu? Do you like my car?" The 4-year-old boy showed her a molded clay that looked like a block with a wing on two opposite sides. He flashed those pearly white rows of baby teeth wide, giving him smiling eyes.

That is supposed to be a car? Ga Eul scrunched her face, trying to put together nice words that would not crush the boy's expectant for a job-well-done-praise. She pursed her lips and then smiled at him.

"That's a very nice car, Dae Seong. What car is it? Is it a new model? But isn't the car missing its tires? And are these wings?"

"Oh, that!" exclaimed the boy. "The car doesn't need the tires because it's a flying car. I'm going to build this car when I grow up." He then held the flying car up high and made some kind of car-jet sounds. Ga Eul's eyes widened at the flying car but soon smiled warmly and ruffled the boy's bang.

"Don't forget to invite me for a ride in that car when it's done, OK?"

"Yes, Miss Chu."

Ga Eul then walked around the classroom to check up on the other children. Children really are wonderful creatures. Their innocent young minds are amazing and their imagination and creativity, mind-blowing. These are some of the reasons why Ga Eul wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. She wanted to be part of their lives in developing and nurturing those minds and beings. Not only that, she also felt that she had a lot to learn from them. She learned to be patient, kind, helpful, brave, innovative, quick thinking and much more. She felt happy when surrounded by the children.

She hoped that someday she would have children too, and she really wished that the father of her children would be the one So Yi Jeong, her So Yi Jeong. Ga Eul felt a prick in her heart and stings in her eyes. No! She must not cry. Not here, not with the children all around her. She did not want to worry these little beings. She quickly cleared her throat but a palm rested on her chest, over the aching heart.

"Yi Jeong… I miss you very much. Do you think of me?" Her heart whispered.

Twenty minutes later the class ended for the day. Ga Eul cleaned up the classroom and put things back in order for tomorrow. When she was done, she sat at her desk and opened a drawer. She took out a picture frame. A smile etched up before warm moistures rolled down her cheeks. She traced the face in the picture. It was her smiling Yi Jeong and she was next to him, her head leaned on his shoulder as his arm wrapped around her. The picture was taken the day after their engagement at one of Woo Bin's posh exclusive nightclubs, celebrating the wonderful union.

That night, Jan Di had given Yi Jeong a rather long lecture on how Yi Jeong would have to face her should he make Ga Eul cry. The F3 congratulated her and told her that they would be on her side if Yi Jeong went crazy and cheated on her. Yi Jeong scolded them and assured Ga Eul and Jan Di that it would not happen. It would never happen. The F3 laughed for he was so serious about it. They were just joking. Of course, they knew that there was no other woman but Ga Eul for the potter.

Ga Eul touched the ring on her finger. She missed her fiancé badly. But, can she still call him her fiance if he had to marry another? The prick in her heart throbbed more.

It had been two weeks now. No. Two heartbreaking devastating weeks. Life without Yi Jeong was not a life but she thanked the power above that she still had her parents, Jan Di, the F3 and the children. When she was not with either of them, life turned meaningless. She was slowly losing her vibrant self and appetite that even her colleagues had noticed and inquired, but she told them fatigue was to be blamed.

A couple of her close colleagues had also noticed the missing So heir. They knew that he would pick her up every day after school. Ga Eul had to lie and said that he was busy with some new projects. It hurt her to lie, but on some days, when she could not bear the pain of missing him, she coaxed herself with the same reason. Ga Eul, he's busy with some new projects. He will come back when the projects are completed. Just be patient for a little longer. However, on most days, she seemed to lose it.

"Yi Jeong, what are you doing right now?" she asked the picture in her hand.

She remembered his message that Jan Di had passed on.

"I'm trying to be strong Yi Jeong. I do want you to be happy. But how do I smile if you're not here with me? I'm so used to having you near but now? Every day I dread waking up knowing that another day has come and you are not here to color it bright."

She wiped away the warm falling droplets.

"Yi Jeong, I want to hold on to our love and have faith in us. Every day I tell myself to be patient but I miss you so much that it hurts." She clenched a fist over her heart.

"Yi Jeong… I trust you…."

She kissed his picture.

"I love you, Yi Jeong."

Flashback

"Hey, beautiful."

They were in New Caledonia. This time it was just the two of them. Yi Jeong wanted Ga Eul to have a different experience there since the first time she came to New Caledonia, he was not too nice to her. Furthermore, the trip was cut short when Jun Pyo left the island without telling everyone.

Jan Di had a fit when they first told the gang about the trip. Jan Di did not really trust Yi Jeong to be all alone with her best friend but Ga Eul asked to trust her. After a long coaxing from Ga Eul and lots of promises from Yi Jeong, she finally approved.

The white soft sand on the beach felt nice.

Ga Eul immediately turned a little to the source of the voice. Her face beamed up when she saw the thing in his hand. She extended a hand with the palm faced up. "Give it to me, quick."

He chuckled and sat next to her. Her extended hand left unattended.

"Oh come on Yi Jeong. Give it quick. I've waited for so long." She tried to take it but he twisted his body away. She nudged him as a protest sign and he nudged back, telling her that he was not giving it to her. Ga Eul pouted.

Yi Jeong surprised her as he stole a kiss on the pout. Her eyes widened and she hit his shoulder, earning a laugh from him.

"Not letting you hold it. You just sit still and let me do the work."

She pouted again but soon after, a smile stretched wide and she opened her mouth.

"Say aaaaaa…" Yi Jeong scooped a spoonful of tropical fruits ice-cream and was about to put the spoon in her mouth when his hand diverted away and the ice-cream ended up in his mouth. She hit him again. "Yah! Yi Jeong!"

He laughed out loud as he took another spoonful. He continued to tease her with the ice-cream. It was fun. The feeding was laced with hits on his shoulder and thighs and their laughter.

It was the last spoon of ice-cream. She licked the spoon clean and gave him a gorgeous smile but soon stiffened. His gaze was on her lips. Her heart began to thump faster. He then leaned forward and kissed the corner of her mouth before moving to the middle and captured her lips whole. Her head swirled from ecstasy and her arms instantly moved upward to wrap around his neck. His hands were now on both sides of her waist as he pulled her closer. They kissed for what felt like an eternity.

"What was that?" She was breathing hard, their forehead against each other.

"There was a spot of ice-cream at the corner of your lips. I had to clean it." His heart-melting smile was making her heart frenzy.

"You could have just told me or cleaned it with your finger."

"Yes I could, but this way was much better. Don't you think so?"

Her face blushed rosy, a color that he loved very much on her.

Yi Jeong then leaned again and pressed their lips together, sending more pleasurable sensations throughout her body. A while later she felt soft warm sand on her back. He had trapped her beneath him, his hands playing with the hem of her blouse and her hands roaming underneath his shirt.

Her eyes shot opened when warm hands burned the flesh of her waist and she lightly pushed him up.

"Yi Jeong…"

Yi Jeong immediately shifted and laid next to her. He did not mean to go that far. Maybe Jan Di was right. This trip, just the two of them, might not be the best of ideas. The surrounding, the beautiful magical scenic views of the oceans was just adding to the temptation of claiming her. No. He had to respect her request.

Ga Eul had a hand over her chest. Another hand placed on her forehead. She was panting heavily. She then turned to look at him. Her eyes met his.

"I'm sorry if I scared you, Ga Eul. I…" She put a finger on his lips. "It's not your fault Yi Jeong. It's my fault. I… I…" It was his turn now. His index finger was on her lips. He shook his head and turned to be on his side, facing her.

"It's not your fault Ga Eul. I should have controlled myself better."

Ga Eul shifted nearer and buried her face against his chest, a hand wrapped around his waist. He held her tight. They stayed like that in silence until their heartbeats came back to normal.

Later, they went back to their cabins. Jan Di had made him promise that they would be in separate cabins and she wanted proofs.

During their vacation, she would call Ga Eul in the middle of the nights to make sure that Ga Eul was alone in her cabin. She also made the F3 called Yi Jeong to check up on him. She just did not believe them to be alone. But Jan Di's worry was not baseless. There were many a time when they were lost in kisses and embraces, Yi Jeong and Ga Eul would be in similar situation as on the beach. Fortunately, or unfortunately, they managed to pull apart before they went beyond the turning point. Yi Jeong vowed that he would marry her soonest possible.

A week in New Caledonia was amazing. He took her all around the island, telling her stories behind the small islands, waterfalls, unique structures, towns and more. He knew the island well since this was his eleventh time there. Ga Eul's first trip to New Caledonia was his tenth time. The F4 loved the island for its tranquility, culture and mesmerizing gems of islands. It was their special place when they wanted to run away from the hectic busy life in Seoul.

End of flashback

Ga Eul felt her face warmed up from the memories. Sometimes she felt ashamed for not being able to control herself when she was in his arms. But she was a normal girl after all.

But mostly, she felt safe with him. She felt loved. His embraces told her that he loved her. His kisses told her that he wanted her, and she loved and wanted him too. She could not wait for the day when she could say "I Do."

Their engagement was a total surprise. He really was full of surprises. He really was something and life as So Yi Jeong's fiancée was blissful, amazing and wonderful. He was the one. He was the man. He was her soulmate. Their days were full of fun with yes, occasional fights and banters and teasing.

Until that fateful hateful day.

Flashback

Ga Eul had just arrived in front of the hospital where she volunteered thrice weekly. She was walking towards the entrance when a man came up to her.

"Miss Chu Ga Eul. Please come with me." He gestured to a waiting black luxury car on the road side.

Ga Eul was shocked and scared. She tried to run away but the man quickly grabbed her wrist and again, gestured to the car. The window slid down and she could see an old man inside. Her eyes widened and she stood frozen.

Not a minute later, the man led her to the car. He opened the passenger door and slightly pushed her in. Once inside, a folder was shoved on her lap.

"Mr. So. Annyeonghaseyo." She tried to be respectful.

Master So alias Yi Jeong's grandfather did not reply. He had his sight focused on the front.

"Open the folder." He ordered. His voice was deep and firm. Ga Eul could sense arrogance and hate in his voice.

With shaking hands, she opened the folder and gasped. Her stomach churned and heart clenched. Inside the folders were pictures of her parents. They were obviously taken without their knowledge. There were pictures of her Appa at his workplace, coming out of the hospital, her Omma at work, at the market, and at their home. There was also her Appa's hospital's record. Ga Eul felt sick and wanted to throw up.

"What are all these, Mr. So?" She braved herself.

Master So smirked and snickered. "Just by asking that, you have proven that you are not worth to be a So. You are so slow and stupid."

"Mr. So!" protested Ga Eul.

"Do you think you can easily be a So? Come into the great So family? Seduce my grandson and steal our money? Do you think I will allow that? I am not a fool like Yi Jeong. I know a good woman when I see one and you are clearly not."

"Mr. So!" Ga Eul's anger was rising very quickly. The old man's words were like daggers. Was this what he thought of her?

"How dare you judge me when you don't even know who I am, and Yi Jeong is not a fool. He's a …"

"He's a fool!" The old man turned to her. His eyes were wide and he glared at her like he wanted to swallow her whole.

"Yi Jeong is going to marry Yoong Hae Mi in three months. Her grandfather is one of the wealthiest men in the country and my best friend. We have agreed to marry Yi Jeong and Hae Mi. So you'd better forget about being Mrs. So Yi Jeong."

Ga Eul clasped a hand over her mouth. No! This was not happening. This was not happening. Not her Yi Jeong.

"Chu Ga Eul-shii. I'm being very kind here by wasting my precious busy time meeting you. I'm going to tell you straight. Back off. Leave Yi Jeong. Cut all ties with him. I don't want to see or hear you seeing and meeting him. If I hear one news…" He held up one finger. "One news, you and your family will know my power and how far I can go and what else I can do. Your father is sick, right? His regular check-ups at the hospital cost a lot, right? Imagine how he is going to get the treatments if he doesn't have a job? Your mother is just an assistant accountant. Her boss is my friend's son. It'll be easy to ask him to fire her."

Ga Eul was speechless.

"If you are still stubborn and continue with this relationship with my grandson, can you imagine what my next actions are going to be? I'm not a very nice guy Chu Ga Eul-shii if you get what I mean."

"Mr. So! Do you think this country is yours that you can do anything you like? Do you think there are no laws? Do you think…."

Master So laughed, shocking her. He then glared at her.

"Do you even know who I am?" He mocked her. He then leaned forward and took another folder. He threw the folder to her.

Ga Eul opened it and gasped, again.

"If you don't love yourself and your parents, that's fine with me. But Yi Jeong loves his mother very much."

"You are a devil! How could you do this to your daughter-in-law and grandson?" cried Ga Eul.

"Whatever it takes to make sure Yi Jeong doesn't marry you. You should know your place. You are nothing in this society. I don't know what my stupid grandson sees in you."

Ga Eul wanted to strangle this old man next to her. She did not care even if he was the King of the world. It numbed her mind that there was such evil in this world.

"I'm still being kind here Chu Ga Eul-shii. I'm giving you four days to tell Yi Jeong that your relationship with him is coming to a stop. You don't want to test or challenge me in this case, Chu Ga Eul-shii. Now get out of my car. You are just dirtying the seat."

"I pray that one day you are going to regret this, Mr. So. Know that wealth and power are not everything."

"Oh they are Chu Ga Eul-shii, they are. Now get out of my face."

The car immediately sped off when Ga Eul was out. She stood there rooted as she watched the car. Her whole body shook with anger and sadness. The tears that she held earlier came running down.

End of flashback

For the n-th time in her life, she could not believe that Yi Jeong's grandfather was a cold-blooded evil person who did not have an ounce of care for his own flesh and blood.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Ga Eul jumped up, startled and quickly put down the photo frame on her desk. She looked up to the door.

"Ji Hoo Sunbae? Woo Bin Sunbae?"

"Annyeong Ga Eul. May we come in?" Ji Hoo was polite enough to ask, but Woo Bin was already approaching her desk. Both wore a warm smile.

"Sure. Come in." She smiled back at them and hoped that they did not notice the tear path on her face.

Woo Bin took the photo frame on the desk and showed it to Ji Hoo. The doctor cum musician nodded and looked at Ga Eul. His eyes showed pain too. It hurt him to see both of his friends suffering.

"Woo Bin Sunbae…" Ga Eul wanted to take the photo frame back but Woo Bin was still looking at the picture. But she suddenly became worried. This was the first time that the F2 had come to her workplace.

"Woo Bin Sunbae, Ji Hoo Sunbae, is Yi Jeong alright?" Her voice quivered and eyes worried.

"Define alright." Woo Bin asked back. Ga Eul's eyes widened.

"I… alright… alright… Yi Jeong is not sick, is he?" her heart was already racing.

Ji Hoo shook his head.

"He's not sick but we have to always remind him to take care of himself. He misses you greatly." Woo Bin added and returned the photo frame to her. She took it and held it firm over her chest.

"What? What happened to him?"

"The same thing that happened to you, Ga Eul." Ji Hoo replied.

"Me?" She was unsure of what he meant.

"He's not eating well and buried himself in work." Woo Bin filled in and Ji Hoo nodded in agreement.

"No… he must eat well. He must not get sick." Ga Eul wanted to tell Yi Jeong herself.

"You must take care of yourself too, Ga Eul." Ji Hoo extended a hand to her. "I see you're getting thinner." Ga Eul lowered her head.

"I think he's also doing his own investigation on his grandfather. We've told him it's a huge risk on his part but you know Yi Jeong. He can be stubborn. But we're looking out for him. We won't let the old man touch him, you and your family and his Omma."

Ga Eul felt tears forming again and nodded. She was grateful for the F3. The bond of the F4 was so great that they would do all in their power to protect one another.

Silence enveloped the room for a few minutes. The F2 had their eyes on their Yi Jeong's fiancée. She was definitely suffering from this separation. It was so unfair to her and to him. Nobody deserved to be some crazy evil man's pawns in the game of wealth and power.

Ga Eul swallowed hard and looked at the F2.

"Woo Bin Sunbae, Ji Hoo Sunbae, I don't mean to be rude, but are you here to tell me just that about Yi Jeong? Please don't get me wrong. I am really grateful and really appreciate that you steal some time to come here…"

Woo Bin exchanged looks with Ji Hoo. They were obviously communicating. Ga Eul could tell that something was going on.

Woo Bin finally heaved a sigh.

"Yes, and we wanted to see how you're doing. About Master So, we want you to know that we're getting more victims and evidence. Jun Pyo and the two of us are going to do our all in keeping these victims safe too. I think in another two weeks, we'll be able to open up a file against Master So."

Ga Eul did not know how to describe her feeling at that particular moment. She was touched by the F2's concerns on her wellbeing. She was ultimately grateful for the F3's help. She was also relieved to hear that Yi Jeong was 'alright' and that he missed her. But she was worried too, for he was losing weight and working hard. She wished that she could do something to put a stop to Yi Jeong's pain. But somehow, there was also this voice in her heart whispering that there was more but Woo Bin and Ji Hoo were not telling.

"Ga Eul, do you want to go for early dinner?" Ji Hoo asked.

She smiled at him but shook her head.

"Thank you Ji Hoo Sunbae, but I can't. My uncle and aunt are coming for dinner. I need to go home. But thank you again." She bowed to the both of them.

"Can we give you a ride home?" It was Woo Bin.

Again, she shook her head and bowed to Woo Bin.

"No, thank you Woo Bin Sunbae. Appa is fetching me in an hour. Furthermore, won't it be too risky for Yi Jeong if you send me home, or even with you and Ji Hoo Sunbae coming here? I think Master So has his man following me. Won't his man report this?" There was a worry in her voice and eyes.

She knows about the man? Jan Di must have told her. Woo Bin looked at Ji Hoo and then they turned to her and nodded.

"We can always say that we have some business here," assured Ji Hoo. "So I guess we'll take our leave now. Ga Eul, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call us. You are part of us. Remember that."

"Thank you, Ji Hoo Sunbae." She bowed to him, trying to keep her tears from falling.

"Ga Eul, may I take some pictures of you? For Yi Jeong…" Woo Bin showed his phone. What Woo Bin did not tell Ga Eul was that he had already snapped lots of pictures of her since he came in.

Ga Eul's tears came streaming down.

"OK…" She then wiped her tears and smoothened her hair. She put on her most loving happy smile. She did not want him to see that she was sad.

"Right. We'll get going. You take care Ga Eul. Be patient OK? We'll get this solved as fast as we can." Woo Bin patted her shoulder.

"Woo Bin Sunbae, do you have a new picture of Yi Jeong?" She tried to hold the new set of tears.

Woo Bin swiped here and there on the phone screen and then gave the phone to her. In an instant, the tears broke out of their dam. Ga Eul traced a finger on the screen. They were right. He had lost a little weight. His chin looked sharper and his eyes looked sad and broken. There was another picture of him smiling but she could see that the smile did not reach his eyes. Her heart debated if she wanted a copy of those pictures. She wanted to see his current self, but this new self of him was sad and that made her sad too, reminding her of their situation right now.

"Woo Bin Sunbae, may I have a copy of these pictures?" She whispered. She could not help it. She needed to be able to see him.

"I'll send them to you."

"Thank you, Woo Bin Sunbae." She smiled at him

"Do you want to send any message to Yi Jeong?" asked Ji Hoo. Ga Eul nodded.

"Please tell him that I love him and I will wait for him. I…" she could not continue as her sobs took over.

Ji Hoo rubbed her arms up and down to comfort her. He wished that Jan Di was there with them to hug and comfort her.

"I will. Please be strong, Ga Eul. Remember, he loves you very much."

The F2 then took their leave.

Ga Eul slumped on her chair and kept sobbing. The photo frame pressed tight over her heart.

"Yi Jeong…."

Outside of the school building, Woo Bin and Ji Hoo were at their cars.

"Why didn't you tell her, Woo Bin? I thought we're here to tell her that?" asked Ji Hoo.

"I know. I know. But when I saw her, I… I can't bear seeing her sad face. I can't add more to her sadness if we told her…"

Woo Bin might be the Mafia Prince, but his heart was the kindest and most sensitive. Among the F3, Yi Jeong was the closest to him. He had long ago vowed that the F3 were his brothers, but Yi Jeong had that little extra place in his heart. He remembered one time when he felt ashamed of his reputation as the heir to the underground world. It was Yi Jeong who came to him and told him that he and the F2 did not care who he was because he knew that Woo Bin was a kind man. Also, each one of the F4 had a story of his own but they needed each other to hold on to and face the world. As different as they were as an individual, together, they became one.

Woo Bin was with Yi Jeong through the potter's heartbreak from Eun Jae, and through his pain and agonies from his broken family. Yi Jeong's Casanova reputation and hedonistic life were just his escapism from all those heartbreak and pain. When Jan Di came into their life, bringing in Ga Eul along, he saw how Yi Jeong slowly changed. The love that was buried deep inside dug its way out and filled his heart. Woo Bin was forever thankful of Ga Eul for loving Yi Jeong with all her heart, and for making Yi Jeong believed in love again.

So now to see both Yi Jeong and Ga Eul forcefully separated killed him. This news that they were supposed to tell Ga Eul would only hurt her more.

Yi Jeong and Yoong Hae Mi's engagement was going to be held earlier than planned. It was going to be in two weeks.