So, this is the last chapter. T_T Replies! [anjelrei, didn't get to reply to you in my last update! Thank you, and yeah, it's like Yoo He Yi was born/created to be hated lol. And TKxMN moments are just *love* XD] [Shinu Mae, I will not be a spoiler so just read on LOL] [alexdubbed96, congrats on making an account! Kill me? Scary~ XD] [forever and a half, hey thanks for reading! Hope you read the rest of the chapters :)] [chibiheart, thanks for the ideas! Considering them for a new fic :D] [juwie1608, if there's one thing in common across all YB fans, I think it's how we all hate Yoo He Yi. LOL. And, um, well, the last chapter's not exactly as long as 3 chapters rolled into one, but I hope you like it! *nervous*] [bionicwizard14, thanks for those reviews! I'm planning on a sequel but still in the thinking phase. Lol. Please watch out for it! :)]
THE LAST CHAPTER, GUYS. But don't let that stop you from reviewing, coz you know, I'd like to hear your sentiments as to how you feel about the story and such. So, finally, here it is! Enjoy!
"Take care, Kim Han Ji-sshi!" the fans yelled from behind the cords airport security set up.
"We will wait for your next visit!"
Han Ji was walking across the airport terminal to well wishes and applause. She smiled and waved to return their cheers. Her eyes, however, told the true story. She was immeasurably unhappy about leaving Korea. She might have avoided the whole place for three years, but now that she did come back, she didn't want to leave anymore.
"Contracts are contracts," Manager Yun said whenever Han Ji expressed dislike for a task. "They're binding. They're imposed by the law. You'll go to jail if you don't obey."
Luckily, Han Ji's eyes were hidden once again by large, dark-colored sunglasses.
"President Ahn is here to see you off," Manager Yun whispered from behind her.
Indeed, the record company owner stood at the terminal gates, holding a colorful bouquet of flowers. Beside him was Manager Ma, the ANJELL manager. Aside from them, there was no other familiar face.
"What time it is?" Tae Kyung asked the others while adjusting the collar of his polo.
"9:30, Hyung-nim!"
Tae Kyung clicked his tongue in panic.
"Han Ji's flight is at 10 AM!"
"Ya, Jeremy!" Shin Woo yelled, pounding at Jeremy's bedroom door. "Aren't you ready yet?"
"We won't be able to catch Han Ji if we stay any longer!" Tae Kyung hammered on the door as well.
"We won't be able to say goodbye!" Mi Nam joined in.
There was no answer from inside the room, however.
"What, is he sulking around again?" Tae Kyung said to Shin Woo and Mi Nam. "Jeremy! Stop feeling sorry for yourself already and do something properly for once!"
Shin Woo and Mi Nam stared.
"What? I'm just trying to get him to open the door."
After a few more knocks with no response, Shin Woo finally thought of using the spare key they kept safe for emergencies.
"Jeremy, I'm coming in – "
Shin Woo entered, but the room was empty.
"Where is he?" said Mi Nam.
"You don't think he went ahead to the airport?" asked Tae Kyung.
Shin Woo shrugged as Mi Nam stared blankly back.
"Let's go."
"Thank you for coming to see me off, President Ahn, Manager Ma," said Han Ji, bowing to the two men.
"You take care, alright, Han Ji?" said President Ahn, handing her the bouquet of flowers. "And make Korea proud wherever you go!"
"I will."
The crowd cheered and applauded more.
"Han Ji-yah!" came the tired voice of Hwang Tae Kyung.
He, Shin Woo, and Mi Nam ran through the crowd to more cheering and clapping. Looking around, he immediately observed Jeremy's absence. Where was he?
President Ahn beamed at their arrival.
"ANJELL would not miss the chance to see you off!"
"But where is Jeremy-sshi?" one of the reporters from behind the cords piped up.
"Jeremy is not feeling well," said Tae Kyung. "He had to stay at home to rest."
"He isn't saying goodbye to Kim Han Ji-sshi?" said another reporter.
"Aren't they dating?"
"Han Ji-sshi, what is there between you and Jeremy?"
More inquiries followed, and Han Ji seemed unable to answer questions about Jeremy, so that President Ahn decided to intervene.
"Friends, friends, please listen. Han Ji has already settled whatever issues you are worried she is going to leave behind. She has said her farewell to the members of ANJELL, her closest friends. Let us not add anymore intrigues to that, shall we?" the president said, smiling good-naturedly, before turning back to Tae Kyung.
"We thought he came here ahead of us," Tae Kyung whispered.
"I haven't seen him since the album launch," said President Ahn.
"It's almost time to go," said Manager Yun in an almost singsong voice.
"Have you never actually experienced liking someone?" Manager Ma suddenly said, faintly but firmly.
"I'm sorry?" Manager Yun asked, affronted. Han Ji and the others stared.
"All we're asking for is just a couple of minutes just in case Jeremy shows up," Manager Ma replied through gritted teeth. "I can't blame you if you don't understand how Jeremy or Han Ji feels, but please try to be considerate enough to understand that their careers are not everything. These two are in love, and the least we could do is allow them to properly say goodbye."
Even President Ahn could not think of anything to say after Manager Ma's passionate speech. Manager Yun, after staring at Manager Ma in a state of shock, stiffly turned to Han Ji.
"Do you – do you really want to wait?" the manager asked, sounding as if she was not speaking of her own free will.
Han Ji nodded.
"I will be boarding the plane now," Manager Yun said. "You have five minutes."
Han Ji smiled, and Manager Yun went through the gates.
Tae Kyung desperately looked around. Still no sign of Jeremy.
"It's alright, Tae Kyung," Han Ji said, approaching him. "It's enough that you guys are here."
Han Ji smiled at Mi Nam and Shin Woo.
"Take care, Han Ji," said Mi Nam, smiling, but with tears in her eyes, as she hugged Han Ji.
"I will, Mi Nam. You take care, too, and take care of these boys. They can get really dense at times, I'm sure you already know."
The two girls laughed.
"Shin Woo," Han Ji said, turning to Shin Woo. "I know you will find her really soon."
She and Shin Woo hugged.
"I know. I'll introduce her to you when I do," Shin Woo smiled.
"Tae Kyung," Han Ji started. Tae Kyung hugged her. "Are – are you crying?"
"No, I'm not!"
Han Ji, Mi Nam, and Shin Woo laughed again.
"Take care, Tae Kyung," said Han Ji.
"Do me a favor and let's start sending e-mails, alright? It's not like we live in caves or something."
"Okay, let's do that."
"You take care, too," Tae Kyung smiled.
"Oh, one more thing," said Han Ji, becoming serious. "The moment you hurt Go Mi Nam, I will not think twice and come to Korea just to make you pay for it, understand?"
Mi Nam stared, startled.
"Return the favor, Tae Kyung. Make Mi Nam happy just as she makes you so."
Han Ji beamed at them.
"Han Ji-yah," Manager Ma quietly said. "Your five minutes is up."
The girl nodded and bowed to Manager Ma.
"Thank you for everything, Manager Ma," she said.
"You're – you're welcome," replied the manager, wiping his eyes discreetly.
"I'll be going, then!" Han Ji said, waving at President Ahn, Manager Ma, and at the ANJELL members who were present. She made one last glance at the crowd surrounding them, and with a sad smile, walked to the gate.
Jeremy woke up to the sound of his alarm clock that read 7:00 AM. He glanced at the airbed across the room. It was already empty. He got out of bed and proceeded to have breakfast. The house was still and silent, as the other occupants were still asleep. Han Ji, however, left early. She was probably getting ready for her flight.
Jeremy realized that his juice was already overflowing. He was absentmindedly pouring. He wiped the mess off the kitchen counter and brought his glass outside. Jolie immediately greeted him and sat beside him.
"Jolie, her bed was already empty when I woke up. I guess she's on her way to the airport now."
Jeremy quietly sipped some juice. After a few moments, he spoke again.
"But then, I heard that Tae Kyung Hyung and the others are planning to see her off," he said, setting down his glass and looking Jolie in the eye, as if expecting a reply. "If they're still sleeping, does that mean there's still time left, Jolie?"
The dog licked Jeremy in the face.
"I still have time, don't I?" the blonde said, half smiling and half panicking. "Thank you for making me realize that, Jolie!"
Jeremy kissed his pet dog on the forehead and got up. He left his glass on the kitchen counter, despite knowing that Tae Kyung will probably yell at him about it later on. He went to his room, got dressed, and set out.
Jeremy had in mind this jewelry store that Han Ji particularly liked and frequently visited back then.
"I'll be going, then!" Han Ji said, waving at President Ahn, Manager Ma, Tae Kyung, Shin Woo, and Mi Nam. She made one last glance at the crowd surrounding them, and with a sad smile, walked to the gate.
"Han Ji-yah!"
The sound of someone running across the smooth tiles of the airport terminal resounded as the crowd went silent with astonishment.
"Han Ji-yah! Please wait!"
Han Ji turned around to see Jeremy running, the crowd parting to let the young man through. Tae Kyung and the others watched in a state of pleasant shock.
"Jeremy…"
"Han Ji," said Jeremy, stopping right in front of Han Ji. He was panting, his hands on his knees.
"Jeremy," Han Ji said again. "I thought you weren't feeling well."
Jeremy did not know where such information came from, but decided to ignore it.
"I – I came to – say – bye," he said as he gasped for air.
Han Ji smiled, and then hugged him.
"Thank you," she said, hugging him the tightest she could.
Jeremy stood for a while, unsure whether he should hug her back or not. When Han Ji was about to let go, however, he instinctively put his arms around her. At this, the crowd cheered and cameras flashed.
"Han Ji-yah," Jeremy said as he let go. "When will you be coming back to Korea?"
"I don't know," Han Ji replied nervously. Both still had memories of last night, when Jeremy yelled over the news.
"Let's make a deal, shall we?"
"Deal?"
More flashing from the cameras.
"I will promise you," began Jeremy as he reached into his pocket. "That I will make sure that we meet again. Either I make you come to Korea, or I go wherever you are."
Han Ji nodded, uncertain where Jeremy was going with this "deal."
"In return, I want you to answer this question."
Jeremy brought out a tiny red box, knelt in front of Han Ji, and opened it to reveal a glistening diamond ring.
"Kim Han Ji, will you marry me?"
Cameras did not seem to flash anymore as the lighting became constant. The crowd screamed and cheered like crazy, yelling "Congratulations!" as it were.
Han Ji looked at Jeremy. The blonde had tears in his eyes, but he was smiling. Han Ji could already feel her heart racing as tears began to brim in her eyes just as well.
"Yes."
She held out her hand, and Jeremy slipped the ring onto her finger.
Jeremy got up and hugged Han Ji again.
"Jeremy has grown up, hasn't he," President Ahn whispered to the group. Manager Ma was wiping his eyes again. Tae Kyung, Shin Woo, and Mi Nam smiled at each other.
Flight BA2490, destination: Tokyo, Japan, last call for boarding, the airport sound system called.
"Stop crying," Han Ji laughed, wiping Jeremy's tears. "I have to go now."
Jeremy nodded, his expression saddening a bit.
"I will remember this promise of yours, alright?" Han Ji said, raising her hand to show the engagement ring.
Jeremy and Han Ji shared a sweet kiss, which unquestionably pleased and satisfied the reporters, whose cameras were still flashing, and which definitely broke the hearts of ANJELL fans, particularly those of Jeremy.
Han Ji gave one last wave with her engagement ring-adorned hand before going through the terminal gates. Jeremy stared after her, a blissful smile on his lips, and a ragingly upbeat, happy promise in his heart.
~END~
So… what do you think about the story? Tell me in the reviews! :)
I'd like to say thanks to everyone who explored this story with me. To tell you the truth, it all started with the song Promise by ANJELL/Lee Hong Ki. That's why Promise is the title of the fic and the chapter titles are the English lines of the song! XD
A big thank you, too, to the reviewers who gave their opinions and ideas. If you, reading this right now, liked the story, please hit that review button and tell me what you think, coz maybe in the future I might make a fic again for, hmm, another ANJELL member? So I couldn't implore (LOL) of you more to tell me your ideas.
For more weirdness, I have this thing for background music, so I suggest for you to read (again) Chapters 1 to 5 while listening to Promise (ANJELL/Lee Hong Ki) or any cheerful music for that matter. For Chapter 6, listen to Song for a Fool (Park Sang Woo) for the earlier parts and starting with the part where Yoo He Yi and Go Mi Nam talk to the end, play Without Saying (Park Shin Hye version). For Chapter 7, play Without Saying (9th STREET or Jang Geun Suk version). And for the above chapter, Chapter 8, listen to Song for a Fool (Park Sang Woo) for the first part, and when you get to the Jeremy-waking-up part, listen again to Promise (Lee Hong Ki version). Hooray for the You're Beautiful OST! XD
Thank you for reading this fic, and I hope to hear from you in the reviews! KAMSAHAMNIDA! :)
