THE ARRANGED MARRIAGE
Jun Pyo and Jae Kyung
Rated K+
Anguish/Romance
Author's Note: Had to stare really hard at Lee Min Ho and Li Min Jung's pictures in order to get the feel of these characters. Sad to say, the image of their pairing is slowly fading. I guess I'll need to finish this tale soon in order for it to make some sense.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the series.
CHAPTER 8: CONSEQUENCES
"Did what?"
"Did you hit Jan Di with your car?"
Two things penetrated her brain, first that Jan Di was in an accident, and that she was hit by a car. When it dawned on her that he was asking if she was responsible, all its implications numbed her brain.
He thinks I am capable of running over somebody. No, not just somebody. His beloved Jan Di.
Rage like she had never known filled her and stood up. Clenching her fists she glared at her husband of half a year. "You can both go to hell!"
Then she came like an avenging Amazon, hitting him with her tiny fists, kicking and screaming.
With effort, he restrained her but he did not say a word and his calm face fuelled her anger, making her beat harder.
"Stop it!" he shouted, but she was beyond hearing, her pain doubling in her chest.
"You think I'm capable of murder? Just how low is your opinion of me, damn you!"
"I said, stop it!" he thundered, and when he saw no sign of ceasing on her part, her blows now making their impact, he swiftly drew back his arm and slapped her.
Her head snapped back and he immediately regretted his action.
She dropped on her knees on the carpet, her hand automatically cradling the cheek he hit.
Dropping on his hunches, he held her shoulders but she shrugged him off, warding his presence with her other hand as she looked up with hatred filled eyes.
Blood trickled on her lip and he immediately held out his hand, trying to stop it.
"Don't touch me." She softly said, as silent tears fell. "Don't ever touch me again."
"Jae Kyung… Look, I'm sorry."
"No you're not. You've never been sorry in your life. Not for me." She tried to stand up and again he held her arm.
"I said don't touch me!" she screamed.
He stared down at her bowed head, as she wiped the blood off her lip and arranged her robe which now gaped open.
Without another word she turned and went inside the bathroom.
Respecting her need to be alone, he did not follow. He left their bedroom and went to his office on the west wing.
He dropped on his chair, realizing that he was exhausted from the day's events. Glancing at the clock, he saw that it was already 7PM. More than ten hours had passed since Ji Hoo woke him up.
Ji Hoo answered on the third ring, and curtly informed him that Jan Di was still unconscious. No, the doctors still don't know if she was in a coma, and yes, it was normal for traumas like hers.
It was obvious that Ji Hoo had not left her side the entire time.
"Keep me informed." Was all he said before hanging up.
Jae Kyung's anger dispelled any lingering doubt on his mind regarding Jan Di's accident. He also had to acknowledge that he did not handle the matter well.
Running a hand on his curls, he expelled a sigh, wondering just how his life had gone from worse to worst. Although he did not want to admit it, his life with Jae Kyung for the past six months had not been as bad as he expected.
When his stomach grumbled, he realized he had not eaten the entire day. Pressing the intercom, he instructed the maid to bring him something to eat.
" Has your mistress eaten?"
"No, Sir. "
"Has she come out of her room?"
"No, Sir."
He abruptly ended the conversation. So she was still sulking. He reclined back and steepled his fingers, brooding over the past events.
When he set the wheels in motion six months ago, everything was clear. He would marry Jae Kyung, stabilize the company and make his mother suffer. For the first time since he made the decision that changed his life, Jun Pyo examined how his anger affected his judgment. For all his plans, he failed to consider one important factor- the personality of the woman he married.
Jae Kyung defied convention at every opportunity and blew all his preconceptions at every turn. He expected her to be flighty, but she showed him that she could run a household. He thought she was shallow, but her in depth knowledge of business matters surpassed most of his staff and directors. He expected her to be spoilt and throw tantrums whenever she did not get her way, but surprisingly enough she was persistent without being annoying.
Unwittingly his gaze strayed to the lone wedding photo strategically placed at the shelf behind his desk. He had known for sometime that she had placed it there and he intended to remove it, but never got around to actually doing so. His concentration for the past months had been in saving his father's company, and if there was one good thing that his marriage brought, it was the fact that the evil witch had given him the berth he needed. Or perhaps his threat has finally penetrated his mother's thick skull.
The wedding shot was done right after the ceremonies and his face showed an anger that he unconsciously forgot he felt. Jae Kyung was smiling (as usual), but there was a strain to her face. Recalling that day, he had to hand it to his wife that the five hours must have been quite a challenge to Jae Kyung's inner strength.
"Aish! Enough of this." He impatiently stood up, deciding that now is the best time to talk to his wife and settle things.
Jae Kyung was not in their room.
A servant informed him that she also did not leave the house. Not in the mood to look for her in the vast house, he instructed the same servant to bring the mistress over to the parlor so that they could talk.
Twenty minutes later, the servant returned with a scared expression. Approaching his master, he faltered at Jun Pyo's raised eyebrow.
"Mistress Jae Kyung instructed me to give you this message." Bowing low the servant paused.
Jun Pyo raised his brow further, curious as to what message his willful wife has sent.
Taking a deep breath, the servant raised his right palm and shouted at the top of his lungs. " Talk to the hand!"
Jun Pyo took a step back, almost tripping at a planter behind him.
" What the hell?..."
The servant bowed even lower and in a trembling voice said: " Forgive me Master Jun Pyo but the Mistress threatened to slice my stomach with her kumdo sword if I did not give you the message in the exact words and emotion."
Looking down at his servants bowed head, Jun Pyo was at a loss for words while he assimilated the explanation he heard. Then out of the blue, he found the absurdity of the situation and before he knew it, he threw back his head and laughed.
The startled servant fell on his knees when he heard the sound.
Jun Pyo laughed until tears came to his eyes. Still chuckling, he wiped the corner of his eyes.
" Leave. I'll find her myself."
Scrambling to his feet, the servant withdrew, shaking his head at being employed by a pair of loons.
Entering the basement gym, Jun Pyo saw his wife dressed for battle. He watched as she advanced at an unseen enemy, marveling at where she got the training. Her skill was evident, every slash powerful. Had he been in the mood, he would have liked to find out how good she was by picking up his own sword.
Closing and opening the overhead lights, he drew her attention. Jae Kyung's head whipped and he could feel her angry stare behind the mask.
Nonchalantly he drew a chair and sat, drawing one leg over another.
"The servant relayed your message." He began, almost smiling as he recalled the performance. " It was very explicit."
In one swift movement Jae Kyung whipped off her helmet. He noted however, that inspite her anger, she gently laid down her sword in its case, showing that indeed she was trained by a master.
Shedding off her robes, she looked at him, brows knit in anger. He kept his face calm, but he could feel his body responding to her presence. Sweat had formed on her brow and arms. For a little thing, he realized that she possessed enough strength and skill to beat somebody twice her size.
Standing before him clad in a black tank tops and black pants, cheeks flushed from both anger and exertion, he expelled a breath. She was beautiful.
She continued to stand before him, her arms crossed defensively.
" I apologize for earlier." He began.
" I will not give you a divorce." She spat.
What the heck is she talking about? Jun Pyo wondered.
Slowly, she advanced towards him. When she was standing a mere foot away she stopped. " I will not give you a divorce." She repeated.
" I heard you the first time." He ground out.
" I will never give you the freedom to marry her." She continued as if she did not hear him. " You said this is a business arrangement, then it shall be a merger for life. I have tried my damnedest to be a good wife. I stood by you as you treated me like a non entity. For six months, I gave this marriage everything I have while you escaped your feelings for another girl. Well, I have had it!"
Now starting to be angry at her tirade, Jun Pyo stood up but she pushed him down the chair.
" I'm not finished! You want to talk, fine! I'll talk!" she shouted. " I am your wife and I shall stay that way until the miserable day we both die. Every time I tried to get close to you, you threw it at my face. I get it now Jun Pyo. You don't love me. I'm just this pathetic rich girl whom you used for revenge. Well, consider yourself successful. I feel like shit! Being accused of running over somebody whom I once considered a friend by my husband tends to make a normal person feel that way! Can you hear me? I am miserable so you should be happy."
Angry tears welled in her eyes and she wiped it with her hand.
" Go to your beloved Jan Di. Do whatever you want with her. Just remember this, she will always be the mistress. " with that she turned and stalked out of the gym, leaving him rooted on the spot.
