Chapter 6
Yi Jung parked his car in front of his studio, a small smile playing on his lips. He had the urge to make pottery. Pottery had always calmed him but off late he had been having trouble making a particular piece but now he had a feeling that as soon as his hands touched the clay, he would be able to make the piece. He didn't know why but as he sat in the lounge staring at the exceedingly beautiful girl who went by the name Ga Eul, he saw the piece form up in his mind's eyes. To him, the girl was poetry in motion, a ballad personified.
The way the light reflected off her porcelain skin, the way she would twirl a strand of hair around her finger when she was paying attention to something, the way she would bite her lips when trying to remember something; Yi Jung found that he could look at her for hours and never feel bored. Although the man was confused but the artist in him knew that he had found his muse.
Reaching inside his studio he took off his coat and tie, rolled up his sleeve and wore an apron. He fished out his phone and opened a particular picture. It was a snap of her, laughing with her head thrown back. He had clicked it in the lounge when no one noticed. Looking at the snap Yi Jung recalled the moment when he had almost kissed her. He was actually thankful that she had stopped him. He was already under her spell, kissing her might have worsened his almost unhealthy obsession of hers. This country bumpkin had stopped him dead on his tracks.
Smiling slightly he transferred the photograph from his phone to his laptop. He kept the laptop in such a way that he could see it while he worked. That night he had produced one of the most beautiful pieces he had ever worked on.
Where was she? Yi Jung wanted to show her the piece that she had inspired but for some reason, he couldn't find her in the school at all. He had been up all night, working on the piece and had barely caught an hour's worth of sleep, so he was tired and his hold on his temper tenacious at best. He wanted her to see it, no, in fact he needed her to see it. She HAD to see it. It was as if his life depended on it. He couldn't concentrate on anything other than the fact that he wanted to take her to his studio and see the piece she had brought out from within him. But she was nowhere to be seen and consequently, as the day progressed, Yi Jung's mood kept getting blacker and blacker.
"Yo, Yi Jung," Woo Bin called him from his dark musings, "What's the matter dude?"
"Nothing," he answered gruffly.
Woo Bin wasn't convinced, "You've been a little lost all day, are you sure everything's fine?"
"Everything's fine, just let me be will you?" he snapped.
"Whoa man!" Woo Bin said in faux English, "Cool it!"
Yi Jung ignored his friend and seethed. Why wasn't she here? She should have been here. How could she not be here? Just then something Jun Pyo said caught his attention.
"I was forced to take a detour," he sounded indignant, "There was an accident on the road and they've blocked everything! How could they make me, the great Gu Jun Pyo, take a detour? I will…"
Yi Jung's brain had tuned out Jun Puo's rant as a horrifying thought crossed his mind, what if something happened to her? What if she had met with an accident and was now at a hospital, lying alone, with no one around her to help her? What if…
His hands felt clammy as he excused himself to go to the restroom.
"What's with him?" Jun Pyo wondered.
Woo Bin shrugged, "Not sure, he's been behaving very strangely."
Ji Hoo smirked, "I would have thought you would understand Jun Pyo."
Both of them turned to gape at Ji Hoo.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jun Pyo demanded.
Ji Hoo smiled wider, "Yi Jung has fallen in love."
The two of them stared at Ji Hoo for a long while before bursting into loud laughter. Woo Bin was the first to recover, "That would be irony of all ironies, wouldn't it?"
"Ji Hoo," Jun Pyo was still snickering, "I always thought you were mad, but now I'm certain. Has Yi Jung said that to you?"
It was Ji Hoo's turn to laugh, "That idiot will not recognize love even if it danced in front of him wearing a pink tutu. We'll just have to help the poor bastard out."
"I'm still reserving judgement on that one," Woo Bin replied.
"I find the idea preposterous. I say that Ga Eul is nothing but a passing fancy," Jun Pyo was firm.
"Wanna bet?" Ji Hoo smirked.
"Deal," Both of them agreed.
Woo Bin said, "There's one way to find out just how taken he's with Ga Eul."
Ji Hoo looked serious when he said, "Whatever you do, take care that Ga Eul isn't hurt."
It was Woo Bin's turn to be serious, "I wouldn't dream of it. Besides, I think it would be good for Jun Pyo's budding love life as well."
Jun Pyo grinned, "I like the way you think. What are you thinking by the way?"
Woo Bin smiled slowly, "Its Yi Jung's birthday in a couple of weeks."
"So?" Jun Pyo asked as Ji Hoo's face broke into a wide grin.
"I'll extend the invitation to Ha Jae Kyung," Ji Hoo assured Woo Bin earning a scowl from him.
"What are you guys talking about?" Jun Pyo who was a little slow on the uptake asked.
"Remember what we did for my birthday two years ago?" Woo Bin finished.
"Ah!" Jun Pyo was grinning widely.
Yi Jung tried her number several times but to no avail. It kept ringing but she didn't answer. Tension knotted in his stomach as he fought of the urge to scream. He had stepped out of the lounge and was now leaning on the banister of the second floor, trying to formulate a plan when his eyes fell on a petite girl with curly hair.
"Hey," he called her out.
Surprised the girl looked up and he beckoned her with a finger. A smile lit her face as she walked over to him. It took quite an effort but he managed to put on a smile as she approached him.
"Hello Miss," he forced himself to be polite, "What is your name?"
"P- Park Min Jee," she answered hesitatingly.
The name was vaguely familiar but he couldn't recollect where he'd heard it before, "You're Ga Eul's friend, right?"
The smile on the girl's face faltered but she nodded.
"Do you have any idea where she is?"
She shook her head, "I- I – I don't know," She was mumbling.
"Has she come to school?" he pressed.
The girl shook her head indicating that she hadn't.
"Fine. Thanks," Yi Jung said as he felt cold fingers of dread creep up his spine. The girl looked like she wanted to say something else but either she lost her courage or didn't think it was important enough. She bowed slightly and scampered away. As Yi Jung watched her retreating back, he remembered that she was the one who had received Ga Eul's bouquet by accident.
Ga Eul collapsed on her bed, tired. When she had returned from the party last night, her head had been full of So Yi Jung and the mind numbing effect he had on her. She had been extremely touched when he had pulled back from that near kiss. If he was offended or irritated, he hadn't shown it. He had been a perfect gentleman all through the remaining evening. It was a little over midnight when she had come home. Her uncle, aunt and cousin had left and her parents had gone off to sleep. So she tiptoed over to her room, changed and took off her make up. She fell on her bed and closed her eyes, dreaming of the one person she was insanely attracted to and who also happened to be the last person she should be attracted to.
After what seemed like mere minutes later, loud banging woke Ga Eul up. Groggily she checked the time. It was barely past three in the morning. Then she heard a scream from her mother and instantly sleep fled her. She jumped from her bed and opened her door. Her mother was hysterical and her father was in his room, covered in sweat, twitching.
With the help of their neighbours and some quick thinking on Ga Eul's part, her father was rushed to the hospital where they diagnosed that he had suffered a minor heart attack. However his left hand was now paralyzed. Although he was out of danger, but he wasn't stable enough to be taken home. Ga Eul had been at the hospital since last night, surviving only on coffees. She had meant to call Jan Di, but in her haste she had forgotten her phone at her home. Once her father was out of danger, Ga Eul had forced her mother to return home, have a shower, nap and eat something. Her uncle had designated himself as the chauffer and had taken his sister-in-law home. Sometime ago, her mother had returned to the hospital and had forced Ga Eul to head home.
She had just returned and collapsed on the bed, her every limb aching. Lethargically she picked up her phone and checked. To her surprise there were thirty seven missed calls. Eight of them were from various neighbours who probably wanted to know how her father was doing. Fourteen were from Jan Di. One was from her aunt, one was from her school, one was from the porridge shop, one (much to her surprise) was from Min Jee and the remaining from Yi Jung. Her fingers automatically hit the call button.
"Ga Eul!" his response was breathless, "Where have you been? I must've called you like a dozen times. Are you alright?"
She sighed, "I'm fine. And you were a short of a dozen."
"Not funny Chu Ga Eul," he responded, "Where were you?"
"I was at the hospital. Dad's unwell," she answered, "I thought I should let you know."
"Oh!" was all he could say.
"Yes, thanks for the overwhelming concern," she answered sarcastically.
"Oh no!" he answered hurriedly, "It's just that my over active imagination jumped to the worst possible conclusion. I thought something happened to you and … Not that I mean it's not bad that your dad is unwell but… Shit! I'm rambling. I'll shut up."
Despite herself, Ga Eul felt her lips twitch slightly. He had been worried about her, "Yi Jung, do me a favour will you?"
"Anything."
"Can you inform Jan Di that I'm fine," she suppressed a yawn, "I'm extremely sleepy and tired. I'm not up to facing the Jan Di Inquisition."
"Sure. You take care. Call me if you need anything."
"Done," Ga Eul was asleep before she hit the cancel button.
Although Yi Jung hadn't seen her for three days, he didn't mind one bit. They had been in touch over the phone and through texts. Her father's condition had stabilized and very soon he would be out of the hospital. He could sense that she was worried for her father, also that she was exhausted and that she was stressed but he didn't pressurise her into telling him. She would share it if and when she was ready.
He was in the F4 lounge with the rest of the gang and Jan Di. She had now become a frequent member of the group and she and Jun Pyo had become close. He absently wondered when and how had that happened.
"By the way," Woo Bin asked Jan Di, "Seen Ga Eul lately?"
"Yes, poor girl is in a bad shape," she said, "Besides the work of school, hospital and porridge shop, she's now taken up a job at a book store as well."
Yi Jung frowned; she hadn't told him about her second job.
"What? Why?" Jun Pyo asked.
Jan Di sighed, "They need to pay the hospital bills. Her dad can't go to work now. So both she and her mum are working extra hard. Dad offered to give them some help but they won't take it."
Ji Hoo frowned, "She'll be extremely overworked that way."
"Why wouldn't she tell any of us?" Jun Pyo asked, "We can easily pay those bills."
"She won't take it," Yi Jung answered, "She's too proud to take it."
"What nonsense!" Woo Bin said vehemently, "What are friends for? Which hospital is he in? I'll pay that hospital a visit. I want to see if they want to take money from a friend of the F4."
Both Yi Jung and Jan Di shook their heads.
"Please don't do that," Jan Di pleaded, "You'll end up hurting her badly."
Yi Jung sighed, "Where is she now?"
Jan Di smiled, "She should be coming to school today."
Ga Eul felt like her body had been subjected to a few rounds in a tumble dryer. Everything in her body hurt and she was ready to drop at a moment's notice. Currently she was functioning on pure will power. Finishing her notes, she gathered her books and stood up, only to sway slightly on her feet. She gripped the table and waited for the wave of dizziness to pass. Then she started to walk out of the library when right at the entrance, another wave of dizziness overtook her and she had to grasp the door to remain standing. As her vision steadied she felt strange moisture over her lips. She brushed it with the back of her hand. She examined her hand and gasped. There was a red, sticky smear on her hand. She was wondering what to do when a shadow fell on her. She looked up to find herself staring at the furious face of So Yi Jung.
Without a word he took the books from her hand, grabbed her wrist with the other hand and dragged her along. She tried to protest but she might well have been talking to the wall for all the good it did. He got her to the F4 lounge and sat her down on a chair. He walked over to the fridge behind the bar, picked up a bottle and walked over to her.
"Here," he sounded gruff.
"Yi Jung …" she started.
"Drink this and then we'll talk about how ridiculous you've been," he said in clipped tones.
For the first time, Ga Eul was a little scared of him. Tentatively she took the bottle of Gatorade he was holding. She stared at him unsure of what to do. He sighed and sat down on the table facing her. He got out a handkerchief from an inner pocket and held her chin. Ga Eul ignored the way her pulse accelerated as he leaned in slightly closer and wiped the residual blood from her nose. After that he dropped his hand but stayed as he was.
"Do you know the leading cause for a nosebleed?" he asked gently.
She nodded, "Dehydration."
"So drink that and drink it now," he ordered softly.
She drank the whole thing in three gulps, not realizing how thirsty she had been and how much of a help it would provide her with.
"So," while his tone was conversational, Ga Eul knew she was about to get scolded, "I hear you've been working two jobs?"
She nodded, unable to reply.
"And in all this time, you didn't bother to mention it to me."
"Yi Jung," Ga Eul started, "I don't… I mean I didn't…"
"You didn't what Ga Eul?" he asked softly, "I thought we were friends. You could have told me that you needed help."
When she didn't respond, he continued, "Look Ga Eul, before you, I have never really associated with a commoner. I don't know the kind of problems you face. So please, don't assume that it would naturally occur to me that you'd have to work two jobs to pay the hospital bills. If you're having a problem, you'll have to be blunt and tell me about it up front."
Ga Eul shook her head, "It's a temporary thing Yi Jung. I'll handle it."
"By pushing yourself to an early grave?" he snapped. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, "Please Ga Eul let me help. I can pay the hospital bills."
Ga Eul looked at him seriously, "No Yi Jung, I cannot allow you to do that."
"And I cannot allow you to do this yourself," he answered, "When was the last time that you ate properly?"
She opened her mouth and closed it. She hadn't eaten anything since yesterday's lunch. Yi Jung's lips thinned. He picked up his phone and made a quick call.
"This madness has to stop Ga Eul," his voice was firm, "I'm not going to allow you to do this to yourself."
"I'll be fine Yi Jung," she whispered but she knew she was losing the battle. His concern for her was touching her heart, making her feel things she wasn't prepared for.
"Like hell you'll be!" he ground out, "Listen, here's a proposition. I'll pay the bills …," he held up a hand to ward off her protests, "consider it a loan. You can pay me back in monthly instalments. That works for you?"
Ga Eul frowned as she considered his offer. She was still wondering when a man walked in. Yi Jung gave him some instructions and minutes later, a plate full of steaming hot Spaghetti Bolognese was in front of her.
"Eat up," Yi Jung ordered.
Ga Eul felt a sting of tears which she blinked back rapidly as she accepted the plate from the man. Just then, Yi Jung's phone rang. He excused himself and walked over to the bar to answer his call. Ga Eul watched him as she started to eat. Just who was So Yi Jung? The cold blooded Casanova who made rude and vulgar propositions to random girls that he's just met, or the playboy who knew exactly what to do to charm a girl? Or was he the man who came to the hospital to visit a girl he had inadvertently hurt? Was he a drunk who dialled a girl in the middle of the night or was he the man who behaved like a perfect gentleman even after being refused a kiss he had initiated? Was he the bipolar man given to sudden mood swings or was he this sensitive man who gave a friend food and respected her pride?
She didn't even know how she would describe the enigma that was So Yi Jung or what she would term the feelings he stirred up within her. All she knew was that she had begun to grow extremely fond of this person and she didn't quite know what to do about it.
"Ga Eul?" his voice snapped her out of her reverie.
"Huh?"
"Have you considered my proposition?" he asked settling back on the table.
She breathed in deeply. His proposition did make sense. This way, her mother would be able to take care of her father when he came back and not worry about the money. "Fine, I'll take it."
He broke into a genuine smile, "That's like a good girl. Now eat up and then let's go to the hospital."
