Welcome back to Macau at Night!
Thank you to everyone who is still reading and for any new readers out there ( ´ ▽ ` )ノ
Each of our characters is reacting in their own way to the fact their holiday is almost over. Preparations, distractions, wistfulness, and moxie!
English, French, Korean (for you newbies)
So let's get ready, let's get set, LET'S GO SAVE WONDER GIRL!
A beautiful sunset lit the walls of the penthouse apartment. The view over Namsan Park was certainly it's most stunning feature outside of, that is, the beauty of it's occupants.
"Petr that is such good news! Oh, we are so proud of you... you must visit before you leave... I won't take no... good. Let me handle the details... alright, see you soon. We love you!"
A glamorous Brazilian woman beamed with joy as she walked through the penthouse. "Aleks! Aleks good news! The best news!"
"Aleks?"
"In here" came the response and a handsome man stepped out of the bathroom, his hair still damp from the shower.
Leaning towards her, his crystal blue eyes gleaming with mischief, Aleks grabbed his wife to him. Allowing his strong arms to encircle her narrow waist, he began planting coy little kisses along her neckline.
"Aleks..." Maite called out in her singsong voice, "that was Petr on the phone. Don't you want to know what he said?"
"Hmmm?" He said pausing his kisses. "Is everything alright?"
"Oh yes, it's nothing like that! It's good news, he got the fellowship!"
"Ypa!" He cried out in Russian as he lifted his wife into the air and spun her around; his charming smile and twinkling eyes making him look much younger than his 50 years.
"That is good news. I should call him."
The couple smiled broadly at each other, laughing in their joy.
"He's promised to come stay with us before he leaves. Make sure he comes, he and Yulina haven't seen each other in years."
"As you wish my love." He replied with a deep bow.
Walking together into the sitting room Aleks stared at a framed picture hanging on the wall. It was the last family photo taken before he was sent off to Japan four years ago. They were sitting on a blanket on the beach by the family home in Krasnodar, and he remembered how the day had been filled with both mirth and sorrow. Happiness at being together, along with the excitement of the impending move abroad, and sorrow for the son they were leaving behind and moving nearly 5000 miles away from.
But that was the life of a diplomat and if it wasn't for that life he wouldn't have met Maite, his other half.
His soulmate.
And without her he wouldn't have known the joy of fatherhood, Maite, Petr and Yulina were his life and it was a happy life.
Jan Di and Ji Hoo sat next to each other on one of the benches circling their fountain. Smiles still gracing both of their faces, they tapped their small cups together "Jjan!".
One of the nearby shop keepers had seen their play and when they came out of the fountain shivering and cold she couldn't resist bringing them each a little cup of plum tea.
Jan Di leant forward as she drank the warm, mellow liquid allowed the heat from the cup to radiate to her fingers. Her clothes clung to her skin and her shoes were sopping wet. Turning to look at her silent companion she could see Ji Hoo wasn't much better, his hair still dripping in places.
However what caught her eyes most, and brought a little blush to her already ruddy face, was seeing how Ji Hoo's thin shirt stuck to his chest and sides. It was nearly see-through and as the lights from the streetlamp came on they enhanced that fact. She could see the outlines of the muscles that formed his chest and abs and, although she tried not to look, she saw what she thought was a nipple.
Since her little talk with Yulina she had been trying to act a bit more mature and not get overexcited or panic with every little touch and look Ji Hoo gave her. She had a ways to go though before she could look at him in the eye when he sat next to her looking so... so... incredible.
"Jan Di-yah?"
Stirred from her revelry Jan Di looked over her shoulder at Ji Hoo and smiled. "Hmm?"
"Are you cold? Perhaps it's time we headed back and found the others. They're probably wondering what happened to us..." Ji Hoo frowned at this, he was enjoying being alone with Jan Di but he couldn't be selfish. If she wanted to head back they would.
"Mmmm." She just hummed. "It is getting late."
Still holding her small cup she leaned back but didn't make any motion to rise. Ji Hoo tepidly rested an arm along the back of the bench and when she didn't stir or complain he felt his bravery rise.
Jan Di felt his arm slide slowly down to rest on her shoulder. Lightly he wrapped his hand down her side and, ever so slowly, the two of their bodies molded together to rest comfortably against each other.
Ji Hoo's heart leapt from his chest when she relaxed against him and rested her head against his shoulder. Pressing a soft kiss onto the top of her head he vowed to himself that he would never allow Jun Pyo to hurt her again.
Several long minutes later the two rose to go. Finding that her shoes were still soaked through Jan Di set out to walk barefoot.
Ji Hoo stopped her and shook his head. Placing his jacket over her shoulders he knelt down and gave her a pointed look.
"Or would you prefer I carry you in my arms?" His bright smile told her he was teasing her and with a light laugh she got in position and wrapped her arms around his neck.
As he strolled forward he felt his heart would burst. He couldn't remember the last time he was so happy. Their bodies pressed together tightly, her hands wrapped around his neck, and his hands holding her legs. Ji Hoo forced himself not to think too much about where his fingers were or how tender her skin felt underneath them.
With Jan Di on his back, where she couldn't see his face, he allowed himself to revel in his emotions and his eyes sparkled with the intensity of his love. As they passed through the streets no one going by doubted they were a couple and Ji Hoo hoped it would soon, finally, be true.
Yi Jeong threw together the last of his clothes. Shoving the pile of bracelets he had purchased into every nook he forced the case closed. He would hand them out as souvenirs to his many admirers, he figured no one girl could get too upset if they all get one.
Now all there was left to do was wait. Logging into his account he began to upload the pictures from Macau. Watching as each shot was uploaded and subsequently deleted he suddenly hit cancel.
'This one... '
He stared at the image until his eyes blurred but he didn't need to use his eyes to see it, it was burned in his brain. That stupid pose, that goofy expression, the view... swallowing hard he remembered that moment. They were in New Caledonia and when Ga Eul's battery had died she begged him to take a few shots on his phone. He had forgotten to delete them afterwards and now, finding them again, he didn't want to.
At the time he was annoyed, he found her naivety amusing and her behavior curious, but the all day hike up and down back again had burnt out his last reserve of patience.
"You look like a fish." He'd said to her when she posed but she just ignored him. In fact he'd been rather rude to her all day, he'd insulted her looks, her eating habits, her clothes, her behavior, and her beliefs. He'd never of dared treat Jan Di that way, and now the thought occurred to him, he hoped she wouldn't find out how ungentlemanly he'd behaved toward Ga Eul.
Not thinking twice about the matter he began to dial. It wasn't too late to call but he couldn't be sure she wasn't working.
"I wonder if she misses me..." he mumbled to himself as he waited for her to answer.
The silent plea he was chanting inside his head wasn't helping.
'No no no no no, damn damn damn damn damn, no no no no no, damn damn damn damn damn' it went on and on as he hid his anxiety throughout the slow walk back to the hotel.
Yulina had received the call from her parents soon after they'd left their little corner paradise. Walking arm in arm with her he listened to her voice change several times during the conversation. His understanding of Russian was mediocre at best but he could pick up on a few things.
He definitely heard the mention of a brother and a name, Peter possibly? Also he knew the word party was in there somewhere, that was hard to miss. He'd just have to wait for his girlfriend to finish.
'Huh. His girlfriend.' It felt natural to think of Yulina as that even though they'd never spoke of it. Furrowing his brows, he ran his free hand through his hair cursing himself the entire time.
He had to stop thinking this way.
Instead of letting his mind wander Woo Bin tried to concentrate on what she was saying but his vocabulary was too limited. Instead he made himself content listening to her speak in her native language. The elegant flow of her words, the soft sensual sounds, the smooth melodic tone, it in many ways was just like her.
'What is it now? Russian, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese and now Korean? Nine?'
Although she'd told him after the first few it wasn't so hard he couldn't imagine trying to keep all of that straight. Busy being absorbed in listening to Yulina's voice his heart gave him yet another sorrowful pang. He thought he'd enjoy a no pressure, no commitment relationship. One with no jealousy or distrust.
Yulina held the phone out and signaled to him it was time to say goodbye, "Pakah!" they said in unison before she ended the call.
"So how are your parents?"
"They're quite excited right now, they called to tell me my brother is coming for a visit."
"Ah. Your brother." She'd never mentioned having any siblings, but had he thought to ask her?
"Yes, Petr is quite lucky, he was selected for a fellowship in the US. Papa has asked him to visit before he leaves. I think you'd like him."
"Mmmm? How so?
"Well for starters he's very into boxing and cars too. He's also a great story teller. Although I will have to talk to him about what stories he's allowed to tell you." Yulina replied bumping against his hip with a wink.
"Then I will just have to talk to him and tell him not to listen to you."
"He's MY brother."
"Exactly."
"...touché Woo Bin, touché"
Chuckling at her bemused expression he kissed her hand and lacing their fingers together he gave in to his heart. He would allow himself one more night without worry and he would figure out what to do after he got home.
"Yuli-ssi!" The name rang out all around them as Woo Bin and her turned around looking for the source.
Looking above them they could see Ji Hoo up on a high walkway. He was beaming with happiness and as he turned to the side it became apparent why.
"Is that?"
"That is."
Jan Di shouted a hello down to them once more before the conjoined pair jogged down to meet them.
"Ji Hoo-yah, Jan Di-yah," Woo Bin began, then taking in their appearance he stammered "what, what? What happened to you guys? Did you fall in the canal?"
Jan Di and Ji Hoo shared a secret smile.
"Don't be silly!" Jan Di replied, smacking him lightly on the arm.
"Ah, Jan Di-yah. Don't hit me." He laughed, playfully grabbing at Yulina's waist to hide behind her.
Yulina regarded Ji Hoo curiously. He was so animated!
She'd never really considered him attractive before but right now he looked as if he was glowing, and for the first time his beauty struck her. Then she remembered her conversation in the bathroom with Jan Di.
'Aaaaaaaaaah! Thatcher in a bikini, Thatcher in a bikini!' Her mind screamed as she blushed and looked away.
Somehow her mind rolled with the bikini idea and she found herself asking the others if they wanted to join her in a late night swim.
"I think I'll pass" Jan Di replied, "I've been in the water enough for one day."
Ji Hoo jostled her making her cry out in mock indignation. The two of them were in their own world, it was if a bubble surrounded them.
Taking Woo Bin's hand in hers Yulina looked up at the passionate, gorgeous man by her side.
Smiling together she knew he was thinking the same thing, it was wonderful to see their friends so happy.
"Yeoboseyo" The voice called out in surprise.
"Ga Eul-ssi, how are you?"
"I'm well Yi Jeong-Sunbae. Is everything alright? I haven't heard from Jan-Di or Yulina all day."
"Yes, everything is fine. I didn't call you to make you worry."
The distinct pause in the conversation was uncomfortable for him, he knew what she would ask next and to be truthful he didn't have a good reply.
"... why DID you call?"
"Ah, I thought we were friends."
"Of course, I didn't mean to imply that..."
"I was just calling to ask what your favorite color is." He interrupted her before she could apologize. This wasn't going as well as he hoped and rolled his eyes at his own ridiculousness.
"My favorite color." He could tell Ga Eul wasn't sure whether he was being sincere or not.
"I didn't realize it was a hard question." He replied flirtatiously.
"It's not that." She said quickly. "My favorite color is purple. Should I ask why you want to know?"
"You can ask but I don't promise to tell you." He smiled as he imagined her indignant expression.
"That is fine Yi Jeong-Sunbae, I am a fan of surprises."
"See you tomorrow then."
"Safe travels."
Looking again at her picture again he wondered what it would be like to date a 'good girl'.
Ji Hoo carried Jan Di straight to her room, insisting on keeping her as close as possible she couldn't get him to agree to put her down. Slightly embarrassed Jan Di rested her forehead against Ji Hoo's broad back. The shirt he wore was probably ruined and she'd apologized to him, even offering to replace it somehow. Naturally he wouldn't hear of it but she wanted to do something to pay him back.
Without Ji Hoo she would still be wandering around lost, alone and feeling like her heart had been torn out. Without Ji Hoo, she realized, she would never have been able to even meet Jun Pyo to have her heart torn out. They said it was better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all. She wasn't sure she agreed.
Not that her pain was Ji Hoo's fault, in fact it was quite the opposite. Ji Hoo was her comfort, he healed her. She was never more content that when she was with him but it was more than that...
"Ji Hoo?"
"Hmmm?" He called turning his head to the side to look at her. Seeing her frown and troubled expression worried him. "Jan Di-yah are you unwell?"
"No, nothing like that." She replied dreamily. "I was thinking of how this is our last night in Macau. And..."
She wanted to thank him, to explain to him how much she appreciated him, how much she... she...
"I was thinking it would be nice to get a few gifts for Ga Eul and Kang San." The lie left her feeling like a coward.
'She loved him' she wanted to say but that word felt too small and lately too fickle.
"You are always thinking of others aren't you? I happen to know of a nice strip of shops not too far from here... if you will allow me to accompany you?"
Blushing slightly she just nodded and smiled back at him as they exited and headed for her room.
Setting his phone down next to him Yi Jeong leaned back in thought. How was it that the others hadn't come back yet? He wondered for a moment if they were still playing but that seemed unlikely.
A quick buzz indicated he had a text.
"Come swimming with us" it read, raising an eyebrow he noticed the message was from Yulina.
He wracked his brain thinking of how to get out of the invite without making a fuss but it was to no avail.
"I'd get changed if I was you." Came Woo Bin's follow up message a moment later.
"Or we can swim in the nip." Yulina said loudly as she entered the room, winking at Yi Jeong as she passed by on her way to change.
Too surprised to respond, Yi Jeong turned wide eyed to Woo Bin who just slapped him on the shoulder as he went past after her.
"I'm not sure if she'd serious but better not risk it!" He called out to his olest friend as he came back in his swimsuit with a towel.
Seeing Yulina reentering, in a black hiphugger bikini, Yi Jeong looked up at his boisterous best friend to see his reaction to her outfit.
"...Yi Jeong, my man, you can stay here."
"Ah!" The slim Russian woman called out dodging Woo Bin's efforts to encircle her in his arms, "it's not THAT kind of swim."
"With you guys it's always that kind of swim." Yi Jeong said sardonically "But I will go, only so I don't end up thrown in later."
Rising he smiled at the pair of them and headed off to get ready.
He'd been trying to avoid picking up any women for the last 24 hours. It was much more difficult than he expected as his instincts seemed to be against him. His last trip to the pool had resulted in two women passing him their keycards and numbers. He'd thrown out both once he was back upstairs, he could get a hook up anywhere at anytime, 'it wasn't even a challenge' he told himself.
Alone he flipped through his pictures and brought up the one he never wanted anyone else to see. Him, puffy eyed, a mess and barely awake, him broken and vulnerable, him alone and in pain. He wanted to feel it, just like he did in that moment. The rush of the clarity of that moment coming back to him he steadied himself.
As the three friends left the apartment Yi Jeong vowed no more numbers, he wouldn't even accept them. He wasn't interested in another nameless face in his bed, or another easy conquest half forgotten by morning. He wanted to find someone special. Maybe it wouldn't work out, maybe it would, but he wanted to try.
The shops were much more crowded than Jan Di expected. Her heart sunk lower and lower as she wandered from store to store. She was too embarrassed to say anything but there was nothing here she could justify spending this much money on. However she didn't want to insult Ji Hoo, who appeared to be taking great joy in showing her around, so she just gave non-committal replies whenever he asked if Ga Eul or her brother would be interested in something he'd spotted.
Ji Hoo began to suspect that something was up when he saw her looking forlornly at a pair of silver dress shoes. They were simple and elegant flats and he thought the style would suit her but one look at the price and she dropped them nervously.
Waiting for her to move on to look at another section he checked the price himself to find it was double what he would have reasonably thought. Watching as she strolled aimlessly around he realized she wasn't happy.
He pursed his lips, deep in thought. He shouldn't of brought her here, it was insensitive of him and he'd made her uncomfortable. His eyes shifted back and forth as he deliberated his next step.
He could still fix this. Striding quickly over to her side Ji Hoo took her arm in his.
"Do you trust me?" he asked and without waiting for a response led her out of the store.
He should have done this in the first place, the street market stalls were lively and colorful. Full of bakers selling their wares, jewelers and wooden carvings Jan Di was in her element. He pointed out a few items as they walked but mostly he just watched Jan Di smile at the various trinkets they found and food they tried.
"Ji Hoo... thank you."
"For what?" He asked as they strolled side by nibbling on some egg tarts Jan Di had treated him to.
"For what?" Jan Di looked at him as if he was crazy. "For everything, for this..." she said stopping and casting her hand out at the market surrounding them.
"Don't be so quick to thank me, I have to admit my motives weren't entirely selfless." Ji Hoo said coyly amused by her confused expression. With one finger he reached up to push back a few loose strands of hair that had fallen into her eyes.
"Getting to be here with you is like a dream to me." he whispered as he took her hands, and bashful she lowered her eyes.
They were standing very close together and, not for the first time today, Jan Di could feel his breath caressing her skin.
"I have had so many new experiences since I met you... and you make me happy... more happy than I can bear sometimes."
Jan Di felt as his breath hitched when he leaned forward, his forehead pressing up against her own. There was so much she wanted to say but she didn't know where to start or how to put it into words. She wasn't poetic or clever like he was.
"So please, don't feel you have to thank me or that you owe me something. If anything, I am the one who should be thanking you. Every day, if you'd let me."
Fluttering her eyes open she looked up into his face and realized there were tears staining his cheeks. She wanted to, but she was afraid.
'It's better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all.' the line rung through her head and finding her courage she lifted her chin and placed a gentle kiss on his full, soft lips.
AN: It took me a while to find my flow with this chapter because I decided to introduce Yulina's family (Aleks, Maite and Petr) and I'm still setting the stage for several events soon to come.
I've also put in a few words in Russian, with the idea being that Woo Bin is learning a few simple terms from Yulina, and a few Korean expressions.
Ypa - Hooray (R)
Paka - Goodbye (R)
Yeoboseyo - Hello when answering the phone (K)
Jjan - Cheers (K)
So overall this chapter was more romantic and we are setting the stage for yet another lemon!
I've tried to keep everyone in character, it's definitely a bit tricky sometimes. Let me know if you find someone too OOC and I can rework.
Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to get to Jun Pyo's revenge so that will have to wait for a bit but don't worry you'll hate him for it.
Next time: LEMON
XOXO
