A.N: Hi. Sorry for the delay. After the long holiday, I got sick. Hope you are all in good health. Thank you for the support. Means so much to me. 3
Disclaimer: I don't own these BOF characters but the new ones.
Published: July 2, 2018
Chapter 7: What Really Happened Years Ago – Part I
"Uncle, Ga Eul, I don't know if you'd believe this but three months after his mother died Yi Jeong was nearly admitted to an institution for severe depression."
The young mother gasped while her father's expression was of shock and demanded any sign of confirmation from Ji Hoo.
"It's true. We wouldn't lie about things like this," said the doctor.
Ga Eul glanced at her father before turning to Jan Di.
"What happened, Jan Di? What do you mean? Severe depression? Nearly institutionalized? Where? How? Why?"
Again, she glanced at her father and quickly lowered her head when her eyes met his.
Ji Hoo turned his gaze to her.
"The loss of his mother and most importantly, for losing you, Ga Eul."
Immediately, she looked up at him and he did not miss the moistures that started to gather in those sad eyes.
What really happened years ago
"Omma! Omma!" Yi Jeong rushed into the great So Mansion. Her Omma had called about 40 minutes ago, requesting for his presence. She was sick and needed him, so she said.
"Madam So is in her study, Young Master So."
"Study? What is she doing there? She's sick. She's supposed to be in bed."
His Omma's personal assistant did not reply but led him to the study room. Once he stepped into it, the older man, about his Omma's age, closed the large heavy mahogany door.
"Omma? What's going on? Are you alright? You should be in bed, Omma. You are sick. Have you taken your meal and medicine? The work can wait, Omma."
Madam So turned the swivel chair around and offered a smile that somewhat seemed forced.
"I'm not sick, Yi Jeong. Have a seat, please."
Befuddled, he sat on the leather chair across her. His mother was in serious business mode and he did not like the unsettling feeling that had started in his gut. Then, he noticed papers and pictures on the table.
"Ga Eul?"
Madam So leaned back and laced her fingers together while watching her youngest son's reaction.
"Why do you have Ga Eul's pictures? Are you choosing some for our wedding card or something? I've told you that the wedding is still at least a year away, Omma and we…"
"Dump her."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Dump her or…"
"Omma. Where is this coming from?"
"She's not good for you, Yi Jeong and definitely not good for us."
"Omma? What? Why? But you like her, Omma. What is this all about?"
"You either dump her or you'll regret it. You don't want that to happen." Her voice was eerily low.
"OMMA!" He jumped out of the chair.
"SIT DOWN, SO YI JEONG!" Her eyes were darkly evil.
"WHAT IS ALL THIS? ARE YOU JOKING? TELL ME YOU ARE JOKING, OMMA!"
"WATCH YOUR TONE, YI JEONG. I'M STILL YOUR OMMA."
"NOT WHEN YOU SAID THE CRAZIEST THING."
"SO YI JEONG! SIT DOWN!"
The son and mother glared at each other, neither wanting to back down. Yes, Yi Jeong knew that his mother was unstable in the head, what with her mental episodes with regards to his father's cheatings and affairs but to threaten him with his innocent girlfriend? He had never thought that his mother could come to the extent. Moreover, what made her came to this? What wrong had Ga Eul done? All these time she was fine with Ga Eul but out of the blue, she wanted him to leave Ga Eul?
He then sighed and sat down, eyes still on her cold dark ones. Madam So then smirked and sat too.
With gritted teeth, "Please tell me this is nothing but a joke, Omma."
Maybe it is one? Maybe Omma is trying to test me? Maybe Omma wants to see my proofs of love for Ga Eul? Maybe Omma wants to see if I have really changed into a better man? Maybe… Maybe… Maybe?
His mind was in overdrive. He refused to believe that his mother was capable of any form of cruelty and evil. He started to feel guilty for screaming at her.
For a few minutes, they were still staring at each other.
"You are turning into your father, Yi Jeong. I don't like it."
"Excuse me?" His eyes widened at her statement. Why was she comparing his father to him? "I'm not like Appa, Omma."
"Yes, you are. In fact, you are also like Il Hyun."
"What?"
"What did I do that all the men in this family leave me? Why won't you love me?"
"Omma. We love you."
"Liar!" Her eyes were now red.
"Omma."
"If your Appa loved me, why isn't he here now? Why is he torturing me with all his affairs? What have I done to be treated this way by my own husband? Where was he when I was in the hospital? Do you know that when I was in labor with you he was with his mistress in Scotland? When I was in labor with Il Hyun, he was also with another whore in Australia. Your grandfather and grandmother called him and do you know what he said? Good luck with the delivery. Can you imagine that? Good luck with the delivery. Bastard."
"Omma… I don't know. I'm sorry, Omma."
Madam So then surprised him with a loud laugh.
"Are you really sorry?"
"Omma…"
"But I still love the bastard." She sighed heavily.
"Omma, you don't have to be in this situation if you are suffering."
"No!"
"But Omma. You said it yourself. He's torturing you with the affairs. You can't let this happen anymore. How long are you going to be this way? You can't continue hurting yourself, Omma."
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
"Omma?"
As sudden as her laugh, she turned serious and sad. "Until I die."
"Omma!"
"I don't know why he hates me. I've given him all my love even before we got married but he just didn't take it. Why? Am I a bad person? Don't I deserve to be loved too?"
"Omma… I… you… maybe you should talk about this with Appa?"
Yi Jeong needed to know where this conversation was going and where Ga Eul fit in. However, right now he had to go along with his mother. Maybe she just had a fight with his father and she was just angry and needed something or someone or some outlet to vent out her emotions? Her doctor once advised him to engage his mother in a conversation whenever she had these outbursts of unstable emotions to calm her down.
"Don't you think I've tried? I've been trying for years, Yi Jeong. I'm starting to give up."
"No. No, Omma. Don't give up. If you love Appa you shouldn't give up. Maybe one day Appa will realize his mistakes and come back to you."
"Do you think so?"
He knew that he was a hypocrite for saying that. During all those times that his mother asked him to check on his father's affairs, he sometimes told her to forget about him, ask for a divorce and move on. Heck, only a few seconds ago he asked her to stop torturing herself. He was tired of this role and truth to be told, he had given up on believing that his father will change. His short talk with his father when he stumbled on the old man and one of his girls in the studio had cemented that belief. His father will never change. However, right now, he could not say that. His mother's behavior was worrying. Her mind was all over the place. He could not predict what she was going to do or say in the next second.
"Yes, Omma. I think so." He gave her a big smile and she smiled back.
"OK, I'm going to talk to your Appa after this. I'm going to make him want me back."
"That's great, Omma." He forced another smile.
"Now, I want to talk about your brother. Have you seen him lately?"
"No, Omma. We're both busy but hyung told me that he and Eun Jae are expecting a son in two months."
"Huppmmhhh… such ungrateful son!"
"Omma?"
"He never loved me and left me because of that woman."
"Omma. Hyung loves you and he didn't leave because of Eun Jae." He had to defend his brother and Eun Jae.
"Yes, he did. I never like her. She was always here playing with the two of you and from those times, I already knew that she was going to take one of you away from me. And now, he married her without even telling me."
"Omma. Eun Jae is a nice woman, Omma. Hyung left because his passion is not in pottery and he couldn't be the So Heir. It was not because of Eun Jae and they did inform you about their wedding. It was you who didn't want to attend. Both you and Appa didn't go. Hyung and Eun Jae were sad. They had hoped that you'd come."
She simply scoffed at her youngest son.
Yi Jeong inwardly counted to ten. His mother was frustrating and his patience threated to thin away. No matter how many times he told her about Il Hyun and Eun Jae, his mother would get upset and repeatedly accused the eldest son of abandoning her and the family. Still, once in a while, she asked him about them, only to get angry at them again. The cycles were wearing Yi Jeong down.
"All So men left me."
"Omma. We do not. We love you. I won't leave you, I promise."
Once again, the sad expression changed to anger in a blink of an eye. She cast an icy glare.
"First, your Appa. Then, your brother. Now, you."
"Omma?" He looked at her pointed finger in shock.
"You don't love me too. You didn't help me go to your Appa when I asked you last time. You said you didn't want to do it anymore. You said you're tired of it. You don't want to help me, your Omma."
"I love you, Omma. How many times do I need to tell you? You're my Omma. Of course, I love you. I just…"
"It's because of her, that kindergarten teacher, Chu Ga Eul. She told you to hate me. She doesn't want you to come and help me. She hates me and wants to keep you away from me. She's not good for you and for us, Yi Jeong. You need to dump her."
"Omma!"
His mother's mood swings and sudden change of emotions were always unexpected and random, and he could not keep up with them. But now, once again, Ga Eul was brought into their conversation. His heart pounded wilder. He needed answers.
"You got it all wrong about Ga Eul, Omma. She loves you like she loves her mother. She would never do that to you. She knows that I love you too. She's always telling me to help you and come to see you."
"No. No. No. You are lying. If she is what you said she is, then why are you not here all the time? Why does she live with you? Why can't you live here with me? You seldom come home anymore. She's just playing you, Yi Jeong. She's just like any other woman that you father dated. They are all for our money."
"Omma, no. Please believe me. Ga Eul is not like that. You've met her, Omma. You like her. You even told me so the last time you met her."
The older woman squinted her eyes and sported a disgusted look.
"No. She's not right for you, Yi Jeong. She's taking you away from me. She's making you leave me. She wants you to hate me."
"Omma." He inhaled deeply and exhaled. Where did these thoughts come from?
"Have you taken your medication, Omma?"
"Don't change the subject, Yi Jeong."
"I'm not. I'm just worried about you because I love you."
"I'm warning you, Yi Jeong. I'm serious about Chu Ga Eul. You need to break it off. I won't allow you to marry her. Not in my lifetime."
"Omma! I'll never do that! Ga Eul WILL be my wife."
"Look what she's done to you! You never scream at me! This is all her fault! She has turned you against me, your own mother! I won't let her take you away from me! If you don't want her and her family dead, you'll leave her, Yi Jeong."
"OMMA! What are you saying? No. This is not you. You're not feeling well, Omma. You're talking nonsense."
But his mother was serious.
"Don't test me, Yi Jeong."
"Please stop kidding, Omma. Please believe me. I'm not leaving you. Never. Ga Eul will hate me if I do and I won't. I love you, Omma. Ga Eul loves you too. I'll move back in here if that makes you happier. Ga Eul will understand, I'm sure. Let's get you to bed, Omma. You need to rest. You're just tired and not thinking straight. I'll just ignore your threats on Ga Eul and her family. Come, Omma. I'll take you to your bedroom."
"So Yi Jeong. If you love me like you said so, then break your engagement off. Leave her."
"Ommaaaa…."
"Or you'll regret it, Yi Jeong. You don't know what I'm capable of and you don't want to see that happening if you get what I mean."
"Omma?"
"No one steals my belongings, Yi Jeong. No one takes my properties away."
"OMMA! I'm not your belonging or property. I'm your son, for God's sake."
"Leave her, or she dies and her family too. The decision is yours."
"OMMA!"
But his mother just took one picture of Ga Eul and ripped it into pieces. She then threw the pieces to the floor, cold dark eyes never leaving his.
Yi Jeong was beyond shock and furious. She had crossed the line but a small part of him was able to hold him from doing or saying something that he would regret. For one, she was his mother. For two, that small part of him told him that his mother was just too stressed out and depressed and did not mean the threat. That small part of him told him that his mother needed help and her threat was to be ignored, that it was just an empty threat. But why was he feeling angry then?
His mother then turned the chair around, facing the wall and hummed away. It was the song that she used to sing to him when he was little.
"Omma."
No response.
"Omma."
Still no response.
"OMMA!"
All he got were a flick of a wrist, a sign for him to go, and a louder hum.
Upset, angry, frustrated, worried and more, he left the study after telling her that the conservation between them was way from over. In his mind, he was already planning to discuss with her doctors and personal assistant about admitting her into the private ward.
Once the door to the study shut in his 'disturbed' mother, he was stopped by her personal assistant, Mr. Jung.
"May I speak with you for a while, Young Master So?"
"What is it, Mr. Jung? I'm busy." He could not wait to go see Ga Eul. He needed her to calm him down and chase these bad feelings away.
"If you love Miss Chu, you might want to hear what I have to say, Sir."
Immediately he perked up and followed the older man to another room.
"Sir, your mother is sick and I know you know that."
He just nodded. "Omma is depressed. Did Appa come home and they have another fight?"
"Yes, Sir. Last night. It was worse than the last one, Sir."
Yi Jeong could only sigh.
"You should take her threat seriously, Sir."
"What? You mean the threat on Ga Eul and her family? Are you joking too, Mr. Jung? And how do you know about them? Did you eavesdrop on our conversation?"
"She told me everything, Sir. I tried to talk her out of it but she won't listen."
"And you didn't feel like telling me sooner? She's threatening to kill people, and not just anyone but my Ga Eul and her family." The young master's face reddened in fury.
The older man just lowered his head, in shame.
"I'm sorry, Sir. I have no choice."
"Sure you have a choice. Everyone has a choice."
"Which is why I'm telling you now, Sir. I've been serving your mother for almost 30 years now. I know all her secrets but I'm not proud of it. In fact, I've been living in guilt because I can't do much to stop her."
"What do you mean, Mr. Jung?"
"Your mother has connections with the underground, Sir."
"EXCUSE ME?"
"Yes, Sir. She has hired them to threaten all the girls and women who were with your father. Some of them were beaten badly. A few nearly died."
"WHAT? And how did you know?"
"I found the files in her locked safe, Sir."
"How… No. I don't want to know how you got to open the safe. You mean you didn't know about this before you found the files? Aren't you her personal assistant since the beginning? And this… these connections. Who else knows?"
"Only me and now you, Sir."
"Why didn't you inform my father or grandparents?"
"I… your mother threatened to kill my family, Sir. I'm sorry, Sir. I can't let that happen. I can't stand it anymore when she started to talk about Miss Chu. I am happy that you've found Miss Chu, Sir. I see that you are finally happy and in your best condition since you are with her, Sir. I don't want anything bad to happen to Miss Chu and her family."
"Are you saying that my mother is really serious?"
"Yes, Sir. She is a very jealous and possessive person, Sir and she'd do anything to get what she wants. She's not afraid of anybody, Sir. Right now she thinks everyone in this family doesn't love her and she's afraid that you'll leave her. You're the only one left. She's afraid to be alone, Sir."
"I show her that I still love her even if I'm with Ga Eul. There's nothing to be jealous of Ga Eul and if she's afraid to be alone, then she should come out and socialize too."
"Madam So is a very complicated person, Sir."
"We can't keep this from going on, Mr. Jung."
"I… I'm hoping that by telling you, you'll be able to help Madam So."
"I…" excuse me. A beep came in on his cellphone and Yi Jeong quickly swiped on the screen.
Leave Chu Ga Eul or this will happen. She's the devil, Yi Jeong.
Attached were pictures of Ga Eul. There were multiple knives stabs all over her face and body. It was a message from his mother.
Yi Jeong gasped in shock and his hands began to tremble.
"Sir? Master So?"
He showed the picture to Mr. Jung. The older man gulped hard and looked at his young master with pity.
"OMMMAAAAAA!"
He dashed to the study but the door was now locked. He banged on it loudly.
"DON'T YOU DARE HURT GA EUL, OMMA! I WARN YOU! OPEN THE DOOR, OMMA! OMMAAAA!'
"LEAVE OR DIE. CHOOSE, YI JEONG. CHOOSE."
"OMMAAAA! OPEN THE GOD DAMNED DOOR!"
All he could hear now was his mother singing and laughing hysterically. His head and heart hurt. What had become of his mother?
Why must his mother be so cruel and evil? Was this her real true self? Did his father and grandparents know about this side of her? Or was it too late when they found out? Was this the reason why his father never loved her?
"ARGGHH! WHAT SHOULD I DO?" His hair was going to be uprooted with the way he yanked them.
"I'm so sorry, Sir," repeated the loyal older man.
He was back in his office at the Museum. He wanted to confront his father and grandfather but both were not in the country. They had left for an international exhibition early this morning.
Should he tell Ga Eul, the F3, and Jan Di? What would be their reaction? No. He did not want to worry them, especially Ga Eul and Jan Di. Jan Di would either keep Ga Eul away from him or go to his mother and give her a piece of her mind. No. Jan Di need not be in his mother's bad list.
Should he ask Woo Bin about the underground organizations? Maybe Woo Bin could help? Were these people more dangerous than Woo Bin's men? No. He did not want to add more to Woo Bin's worry list.
Then should he seek advice from Ji Hoo about his mother's medical condition and get help? But Ji Hoo had done that many times before. He had recommended good doctors, specialists, psychiatrists and all. But his mother's condition had not improved and worsened with each fight with his father.
Should he go to Jun Pyo? However, he imagined what Jun Pyo's advice would be. The man would tell him to listen to his heart. If he loved Ga Eul, he should fight for her, even if against his own mother. He would protect her from any harm.
Should he go to the police? But this was his mother. The daughter-in-law of one of South Korea's prominent families. It would be a huge scandal for his family. Should he take the risk? But if he did not, then Ga Eul and her family will be in danger.
"Aishh…."
He was getting out of his mind. Of course, he wanted to protect Ga Eul and her family. He wanted them to be safe but his mother was a very troubled person.
Was it really true about his mother? It had not really sunk in him. The things his mother said and did, and the things Mr. Jung told him about those women and his mother. It was all too overwhelming and mind-boggling, too much to take in.
Another ding came in. He glanced at the cell phone on his large desk. A video message from Ga Eul. He quickly opened it.
"Hi, Yi Jeong! I miss you today. Can't wait to see you tonight. I have a surprise for you and you are going to love it if you know what I mean." *wink*
She was beautiful and cheeky, as always. It seemed that she had just arrived at their shared apartment. She was on their bed hugging a bolster. He wondered what this surprise was going to be. He smiled at her image and was about to reply the message when suddenly another message came in.
It was an image of Ga Eul walking into their apartment building. She was wearing the same dress as the one in her video message. Underneath the picture was a text: It's so easy to just *a pistol icon* her.
"WHAT THE HELL?"
Ding. Another message.
You know what you need to do. I'm not a patient person, Yi Jeong.
Both were from his mother.
Yi Jeong screamed and grabbed the nearest thing from his table and smashed it onto the wall.
It was almost three in the morning when he entered their bedroom. She was sound asleep with one hand on his pillow. She must have missed him. His heart hurt for he had to ignore all her messages and phone calls since her last video message. She became worried since he never not reply them.
"I'm sorry, Ga Eul," and leaned down to lightly kissed her lips, not wanting to wake her up.
After a quick shower, he went to retire in one guestroom but sleep did not come to him. "Am I right to do this? Is there any other way to protect Ga Eul? God, please help me. Please save Ga Eul and her family from my crazy Omma."
His mind worked a thousand scenarios and ways, trying to figure out the best decision to make with regards to his mother's threat. They always came to one decision but it was going to hurt him and her the most. He had to do it. He had no other choice.
"I'm sorry, Ga Eul."
At six, he woke up to a movement on the bed, of whom he knew. He had just gotten an hour and a half sleep. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
"Yi Jeong, good morning. Why are you sleeping here? I missed you." Her voice was the most angelic to his ears. It was worry-laden yet full of love. Her right hand was on his stomach, gently rubbing it, a morning habit of hers that he loved.
"Get your hands off me." He swatted her hand away, shocking her.
"Yi Jeong?"
"Leave me alone." He pulled the blanket over his head.
"Yi Jeong? What's wrong?" He heard the quiver in her voice. A sign that she was holding her tears. He felt like a bastard for hurting her but he was also hurting inside, thousands time more.
She continued to shake him up but he gripped the blanket tighter.
"Yi Jeong, what's wrong? Talk to me, please. Are you sick?"
"I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE!" He screamed from under the blanket.
"Yi Jeong?" Tears started to flow. He was never like this.
"GET OUT, GA EUL. I DON'T WANT YOU HERE. GET OUT!"
When she did not move, he sat up and glared at her.
He steeled his heart and put up a cold mask. Oh, only God knew how he wanted so badly to touch, hug and kiss her.
"Don't make me hurt you, Ga Eul. Don't think your tears are going to make me succumb to you. Don't disturb me. You know where the door is."
Still shocked, she searched his eyes for an explanation but was only answered by those cold icy dark orbs. Sobbing, she shook her head and slowly stood up.
"Yi Jeong… what…"
"Goodbye, Ga Eul!" and looked away.
"Yi Jeong… I don't know what happened yesterday that makes you like this but I'm going to let you calm down and we are going to talk about this. Come to me when you are ready. I love you, Yi Jeong, very much. Don't forget that."
The pain and hurt in her voice were evident but he was also somehow proud that she was trying to be strong. However, that only made him guiltier and felt like a scum and he wanted to punch himself for it.
The door closed and he turned to look at it, a hand over his aching heart. "I'm so sorry, Ga Eul."
He knew she was waiting for him to talk but he did his best to avoid her. Her daily schedule was engraved in his mind and it made his moves easier. He made sure to go out to work before she woke up and came home way after her bedtime. However, there were also many times when she waited for him and when she tried to engage him in a conversation, he just dismissed her saying that he was tired. He had also moved his clothes and things to the guest room which led to another fight. When he could not ignore her as she was adamant in waiting for him, he purposely looked for something, anything to say or make her angry.
Sure he occasionally met Jun Pyo, Ji Hoo, and Woo Bin and he was his own self but their monthly gatherings together with their partners were hard. He tried to get out of them by giving excuses and all but Jun Pyo was not having it. Hence, he acted normal and treated Ga Eul as if there was nothing wrong with their relationship. This, however, had Ga Eul confused but happy at the same time. She had missed him. Unfortunately, as soon as they were out of the others' sight, he turned to the cold nasty him which baffled her very much.
She was in total loss of the drastic changes in him but he could also see how she tried very hard to save their relationship and how she tried to be very patient with him. Oh, Ga Eul. My Ga Eul. Ever the positive, hoping-for-the-best, and wishing-for-a-happy-ending Ga Eul. His heart broke for a million time.
He also guessed that she had not told anyone, especially Jan Di about what happened between them. If not, surely he would be the latest addition in Ga Eul's protective best friend's spin-kick list. Another trait of his girl. She never wanted others to worry about her. Still, he wondered why she never told Jan Di about them.
She would rather keep the pain to herself. But he was also suffering. They both were. That, he was very sure of but he had to do it.
His mother was getting crazier with her messages, calls, and threats. He was getting out of his mind thinking about his sick mother. So he became crueler. Each encounter with Ga Eul would end up with a bigger fight. With each fallen tear of hers, his heart was crushed but she would not leave him or ask for a break-up. When will this suffering end?
It was almost dawn. He was in the guestroom staring at Ga Eul's picture on his cellphone. She looked lovely, as always. He wondered what she was doing in their bedroom. She was asleep when he sneaked into the room to check up on her three hours ago. Again, he came home when he was sure that she had already retired.
"Ga Eul, I miss you so much. Please forgive me for breaking your heart. I hope you'll understand why I do this. One day I will tell you all."
He wiped away the rolling tears.
"What must I do for you to leave me? Why is your heart so big? Why do you still want to be with me despite all the things that I've done? Please, Ga Eul."
The curtain to the room was opened and the morning light shone through. He looked toward the window. Another long day of torture for both him and her. With a heavy sigh, he gazed at the rising sun.
Suddenly, his eyes widened. He now knew what to do for her to leave him. Why did he not think about it much earlier?
Her shock expression when she saw Ahn Yee Sheo in his office tore his heart but he had to be the best actor. He then kissed the girl and Ga Eul's reaction was how he had expected. He then further broke her when he introduced the girl as his girlfriend and heartlessly ordered his secretary to escort her out.
He wanted to strangle his own self.
What followed for the next two weeks was the final act. He had won. She had left him on her own accord. With each step that she took toward the door of their apartment, it felt like his heart was slashed with a dagger.
Once he thanked Ahn Yee Sheo and told her to leave, he screamed his heart out in agony. Nothing in the living room was spared. He finally broke down into a fetal position and cried to sleep.
Chu Ga Eul is out of my life. Leave her and her family alone. I'm all yours, Omma. I'll move back home soon.
He cursed his mother as he sent the message. Right now, he hated his mother to the bones.
Good. That's my boy. I told you she's not good for you. I'll send the servants to help you pack.
The reply was immediate.
He cursed her more.
That won't be necessary. I'll handle it myself. Thanks, Omma. I love you.
Screaming, he then threw the cellphone to the floor.
"What have I become? Am I right to do this to Ga Eul? ARGHHHHHHH! GA EUUUULLLLL!"
"Yi Jeong Sunbae! Ga Eul! Open the door!"
"So Yi Jeong! Open up!"
"Hey, bro! Come on. We have an emergency here."
"Yah! Yi Jeong! Why aren't you answering your phone?"
The knocks on the door were deafening.
"What?"
He almost fell when Jan Di pushed him and barged into the apartment.
"Ga Eul! Ga Eul! Where are you?"
"Bro, what the hell happen to you?"
But he ignored Woo Bin. He just went to the bar and drank from the bottle.
"Ga Eul! Where are you?"
"She's not here."
"What?" All four of them stopped in their tracks.
"What do you mean, Yi Jeong Sunbae?"
"Look. She left, OK? A week ago."
"You're kidding, right?" asked Woo Bin.
He simply shook his head.
"You're her best friend. Did she tell you?" There were pain and jealousy in his voice.
"I… We haven't talked for quite some time. We were busy, both of us."
"Yi Jeong, then why the hell didn't you tell us?" Jun Pyo was getting annoyed.
But the potter just shrugged.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae. What did you do to Ga Eul?"
He continued to chug down the wine.
"Yi Jeong." Ji Hoo placed a hand on his arm to stop him from drinking but he brushed it off.
"Just go away. Leave me alone."
"No. Yi Jeong." The doctor's voice was calm.
"Why are you all here again?"
"Ga Eul didn't pick up her phone. I called hundreds of time. I thought her phone was broken so I called you and you didn't pick up too so I went to her school to surprise her. But her colleague said that she had resigned."
"What?"
"She has resigned. You didn't know?"
All of them looked at him. What had happened between these two?
"Yi Jeong Sunbae."
Jun Pyo held Jan Di from approaching the potter. The Shinwha leader knew that Jan Di was getting angry.
"Yi Jeong, what's going on?" asked Woo Bin.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae. I went to Ga Eul's house and there was no one there. Her neighbor said that they have moved out but didn't know to where."
He could not move.
Where are you, Ga Eul? Why did you leave me? Don't leave me, Ga Eul. Please, come back. Ga Eul. Ga Eul. Ga Eul.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae?"
"Yi Jeong."
He was still frozen.
"Yi Jeong?"
"Hey, bro."
"ARRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHH!"
"Yi Jeong Sunbae?"
"Yi Jeong?"
He had smashed the bottle that he was holding and was now on the floor, screaming his lungs out while pressing a fist over his chest.
"AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHH! GA EUUUULLLL! PABO! START OVER! START OVER! PLEASE! COME BACK, GA EUULLLL! ARRRRRGGGHHHHHHHH!"
Woo Bin and Ji Hoo immediately held him but he fought them roughly while Jan Di and Jun Pyo were stunned at the sudden outburst.
Woo Bin managed to lock his hands around the screaming man and rocked him to calm down. He whispered "It's going to be alright. We're going to find her. We're going to find Ga Eul. Calm down, Yi Jeong. Ga Eul wouldn't want to see you like this. Shhh. Shhh. Shhh."
The Mafia Prince might not know what truly happened between his best friend and his fiancée but right now all that he knew was that Yi Jeong was in pain and he must not be left alone.
It took a few minutes for the distraught man to calm down. By that time, he was exhausted and slumped against Woo Bin. Woo Bin then helped him up with Ji Hoo's assistance and led him to the couch. Jan Di placed a glass of water on the table and they waited for him, some patiently and some impatiently, to start the talk.
"I made her leave."
"Yi Jeong Sunbae!" Jan Di was on her feet in an instant but Jun Pyo pulled her back down and he was rewarded with a slap on his hand.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae! Do tell me that I heard wrong."
"What's going on, Yi Jeong? You've been ignoring our calls," the ever calm Ji Hoo stated.
"I pushed her away. I made her leave."
"Yi Jeong Sunbae!"
"Jan Di. Calm down."
"Jun Pyo. Shut up. How can I calm down when my best friend is missing and her fiancé is the one who chased her away? How can I calm down, huh?"
"Jan Di. Please. Sit down. Let him talk first."
Woo Bin seldom ordered Jan Di of anything but he needed everybody to be in a calm manner before they decide on the next thing to do.
"Yi Jeong, please continue," said Ji Hoo.
"I had to do it. Omma threatens to kill my Ga Eul and her parents if I don't break up with her."
"WHAT?" All four of them were on their feet.
"You must be joking, Yi Jeong. Auntie…she's… I don't believe this."
"WELL BELIEVE IT!"
"Yi Jeong!"
"Do you think I don't love Ga Eul? She's my whole life, my soulmate, my love. Why would I make her leave? Chase her away when all I want is to be with her and make her my wife?"
"But you… wait… I can't think straight," said Jun Pyo.
"I didn't want to believe it too. My own mother. How could she? Doesn't she want me to be happy? I'm happiest when I'm with Ga Eul. You don't know how I die every time I did what I did to make her leave me. But I had to. I have no other choices."
"You stupid, stupid, stupid crazy man!"
"Jan Di?" The Flower Four simultaneously turned to her.
"You have us! Us! You should have told us!" Jan Di was already in front of Yi Jeong.
The potter then stood up and faced the furious wonder girl.
"You don't understand. I have no other choice. My mother is not who you think she is. She's dangerous and mentally crazy."
"There's always a way to solve a problem but you chose to chase her away."
"Haven't you been listening to a word that I said? My mother is crazy."
The two of them stared at each other for the longest time.
Jun Pyo stood up and pulled Jan Di toward him while Ji Hoo did the same with Yi Jeong.
"Look, this is all too shocking a news. Jan Di, let's let Yi Jeong tell us the whole story, OK?"
But she just squinted her eyes and frowned.
"Yi Jeong, I want to punch you so bad for keeping this important news from us but I need to hear all of it from the beginning, please." Even Woo Bin was on Jan Di's side.
Yi Jeong took a deep breath and exhaled. He looked at each of them with guilt and sadness.
And then, he told all.
Jun Pyo had to keep Jan Di from launching at Yi Jeong. She screamed and cursed him like never before while Ji Hoo and Woo Bin were stunned and could only look at each other.
Yi Jeong's mother's evilness astounded them. They knew that she was unstable especially when it came to her husband but to be a heartless person? How could it be possible? They might not meet her frequently but she did not seem to be someone who would hurt another.
Then, Yi Jeong. How did their smart potter prodigy come to this? Why didn't he trust them to help? Why did he choose this way? Why did he choose to 'sacrifice' Ga Eul and himself? Surely, there would be at least another way to deal with the threats. Woo Bin would know how to handle this kind of things.
However, they also blamed themselves for not noticing what was going on between the two lovers. How could they miss all the disturbing signs? Ji Hoo and Woo Bin pride themselves for their strong intuition but why were they not able to sense that there was something not right between the two?
Yi Jeong buried his face into his hands and cried. Ga Eul had left. How did he not know about it? He had men assigned to her and her parents. Did they not know that she had left? Why did he not receive any report about this?
"Yi Jeong Sunbae. I don't know if I can forgive you. You hurt Ga Eul and now she's gone. How could you? I don't care if you thought it was to protect her. You are so, so stupid, Sunbae."
"Jan Di?" Jun Pyo was still holding her, afraid that she would give his grieving best friend her famous spin-kick.
"Shut up, Jun Pyo!"
"Aish!"
"You fix this and fix this fast. Find my best friend and bring her back. I can't… I can't look at you now and I'm so tempted to hurt you."
"Jan Di." Ji Hoo gave her a stare but she just ignored him.
"I agree," added Woo Bin.
"Woo Bin?" both Ji Hoo and Jun Pyo now turned to him.
"I want to punch and kick you in the butt for making the stupidest decision of your life but we need to analyze this matter. I'll need to check around for this organization. It'd be easier if we can get the name of the men your Omma has contact with."
"But first and foremost, we need to find Ga Eul, Woo Bin," said Jun Pyo.
"I agree," the doctor said.
"No!"
"Excuse me?"
"What?"
"Yi Jeong?"
"What do you mean, No?"
"Don't you understand? My Omma is a lunatic devil. She'll kill Ga Eul and her parents if they come back here. I can't let that happen."
"Yi Jeong Sunbae!"
"Yi Jeong. We won't let that happen. Trust us. Look. You're not in your right state of mind now. Just get yourself together and let us do the work from now. You've done enough damage already." Woo Bin's voice was a notch higher.
"ARRRGGGHHHHHHH! GA EUULLLLLL! I'M SORRY, GA EUL! I'M SORRY!"
