CHAPTER 8

A/N: I got discouraged and almost gave up this story because I forgot something important. I love that people are enjoying my stories but the fact is, I am writing them for me. I may not explain things very well and my grammar may not be as great as I would like but for better or worse these stories are still mine. I do revise them often after I am done, cleaning them up and re-wording things. I do want them to be as clear on the screen as they are in my head. I don't have anyone proof reading or editing. I do everything myself because I want these to be all mine, with no one else's hand in it. I guess that makes me selfish.

I welcome constructive criticism but I have a hard time taking it at first. It is a major flaw and I admit it. I will always try my best to make these stories better but at the end of the day my harshest critic is still me. Lol.

Now that I am done with my rambling I will return to my story… ^_^

*ALL CHARACTER'S ARE FICTIONAL. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO PERSONS LIVING OR DECEASED IS PURELY COINCIDENTIAL.*

WOO BIN'S POV:

I must admit that I am surprised that Boo Ki chose a club to go to of all places. I never really pictured her as the partying type. Then again as I sit at the bar and wait for her to return from the restroom, I get the feeling that she isn't really here for the "scene". Turning my attention to the dance floor, I see a lot of beautiful women. Yi Jung and I would have had a lot of fun here back in our playboy days. There are several older women who are looking my way and I wink at them. I've always preferred to date older women whenever I decided to have a girlfriend. Boo Ki has changed that though. In a way I'm glad. I don't want her to be anything like my other girls.

"Still a big flirt I see." Boo Ki says with a snicker.

"I'm just acknowledging that they have great taste but I only have an interest in you."

"Sure…" She says and rolls her eyes. I lean in close to her and look her in the eye.

"I am going to prove myself to you Boo Ki-ah." I say seriously.

She searches my eyes and I keep my gaze steady. I will show her that I am serious. Looking away she reaches for my beer and takes a long drink.

"Why don't you start by buying me one of these?" she says.

Laughing, I nod my head. "Sure."

(^_^)

BOO KI'S POV:

So far I haven't had any luck locating my contacts tonight. It's been fun flirting with Woo Bin though. I haven't had the chance to flirt with a guy in awhile. I know it's dangerous to encourage him but I am tired of not having any fun on this trip. In Seoul I regularly went to clubs. It was never Saia's thing so I always went alone. Life's too short to not have fun once in awhile. I never went home with any of the guys I met though. I'm not that kind of girl. When it comes to sex, I can always find a nice guy for a quick tumble in the sheets. It gets rid of the itch for awhile. I don't do relationships. Not anymore.

We make our way to the last bar for the night and I finally notice someone I recognize. This place is a bit rough and I warned Woo Bin but he still came with me. He doesn't seem bothered by it at all. I need to find a way to talk to the woman at the bar alone. The bartender gives us our drinks and makes his way to the other end of the bar.

"I'll be right back. He didn't mix my drink right." I tell Woo Bin.

"I can take care of it."

"That's okay. Wait here." Making my way over to where the bartender is, I hand him the glass and ask him to make it stronger. He nods and starts working on it. Pretending to look around, I finally turn to the woman beside me.

"Hello Maria." I say to her and flash my bracelet at her. Only a select few know what it is. It carries my family's crest and she recognizes it immediately. Her eyes go wide with fear and she moves to stand up but I put my hand on her shoulder to keep her in her seat.

"Easy. Do you remember me?"

She shakes her head but then takes a closer look at me. "Wait. Boo Ki? Is it you?"

"Si. It's me. It's been a long time."

"Not long enough." She murmurs. I smile and nod.

"I'm not a part of that family anymore." I tell her.

"Sure… If it's true, then what do you want from me and why do you still wear the seal?"

"I'm wearing it because I need their resources at the moment. Are any of them here right now?"

"Not that I am aware of."

"I need you to find out for me."

"Why? If you are no longer with the Maeng family then I am not obligated to do anything for you."

"I'll give you double what they pay you to help me and an extra $5000 to keep quiet about me being here." I tell her as the bartender returns my drink to me.

"Are you for real?" she asks in disbelief.

"I'm very serious. You know me well enough to remember that I keep my word."

"…Okay then. I'll look into it. How do I contact you?"

I slip her a piece of paper with my number on it and she takes it as I sip my drink.

"Making friends?" Woo Bin asks as he steps up behind me. Maria looks at him warily. She doesn't trust anyone. I can't say I blame her after the life she has led. Turning around to face Woo Bin I give him a mischievous smile and see Maria slip away as I distract him.

"I was just asking her for a recommendation on a good place to eat. The locals know all the best places." I tell him. He moves closer and dips his head.

"If you were hungry you should have just said something. I'm hungry too." He says suggestively. His arms come up to trap me against the bar and I can see the fire building in his eyes. I tilt my head and move my mouth towards his. His eyes widen in surprise and then grow warm with pleasure as I move closer.

"Let's go then. I know the perfect restaurant." I say a breath away from his lips. I can feel my pulse pounding in my veins. Careful… I may be taking my teasing a bit too far… Pulling out of his arms, I make my way towards the exit with him following close behind me. Once we are out of the bar he pulls me back against his chest. He nips my ear and I shiver in pleasure. I've never denied that Woo Bin is a very sexy man but flirting with him is playing with fire.

"That was cruel." He breathes into my ear and nuzzles my neck. It takes every ounce of my self control to not turn around and taste those sexy lips of his. I can't afford to lose him. His friendship is important to me and if I kiss him, it will all be over. Pulling out of his arms, I turn to him and put my hand on his chest to keep him at a distance.

"Have you ever had real Mexican food Woo Bin-ah? Not the stuff your gourmet chef makes but authentic Mexican food?"

His frustration is written clearly on his face but he plays along with my change in subject.

"No. I can't say I have. I'm more partial to Italian."

"Then you are in for a treat." I tell him as I grab his arm and lead him down the street. My ear and neck still burn from his touch but I try to ignore it. Why can't things be easier?

(^_^)

SAIA'S POV:

Geez I'm still so tired… Ballet practice ran long yesterday thanks to Yu Mi trying to show off for the director. She never has forgiven me for getting the lead role in our production. I'm disappointed though that the season is almost over and our last performance is next week. Time has gone by so fast…

I glance to my right and have to hide my grin. DK looks terrified in the passenger seat of Ji-Hoo's white Lotus. DK hates when I drive this car because he doesn't like how small it is. It's a nice car. Ji-Hoo won't drive it even when he's here so I use it. I see no reason to let it sit and collect dust in the garage.

Today is a special day for me but no one knows it. It's hard being here with no one to talk to. I always have DK but he's not Boo Ki. It's not the same. Walking through the halls of the Suam Arts Center, I feel a twinge of sadness that Ji-Hoo isn't here. One year ago today, I met him for the first time when I sprained my ankle. He was the doctor that examined it at the hospital. It's kind of silly to feel so sentimental over something like this but I can't help it.

It's difficult to spend time with Ga Eul or any of the F4 since I know things they don't. I don't like seeing the grief on their faces. I wish I could just tell them the truth. I didn't realize how affected Jun Pyo would be by Ji-Hoo's "death". He always looks so sad every time he looks at me and always asks me things about Ji-Hoo. He seems to feel guilty for not spending more time with him. I know that the F4 are like brothers but Ji-Hoo seems to have distanced himself from all of them before he met me. Knowing him, he was probably at work or asleep.

I understand Yi Jung's grief a lot more because he and Woo Bin are very close but he misses Ji-Hoo too. Both Jun Pyo and Yi Jung are doing their best to keep it together and they are constantly bugging me to spend time with them. At first I hated it because they always looked at me as if I was going to break but now it feels like they want me around just because of Ji-Hoo. I feel bad for avoiding them but honestly I haven't had time. Even though I agreed to Ji-Hoo's demand that I not work so much my time is still taken up by ballet, work, and now that I know he's alive, I find myself sleeping a lot. My body seems to be trying to make up for lost time. I still have nightmares but they come less frequently.

As I walk into Ji-Hoo's office I am not prepared for the sight I see. Jun Pyo, Yi Jung, and Seo Hyun are waiting for me and a huge bouquet of flowers is sitting on the desk. It's hard keeping a reign on my temper at seeing Seo Hyun. I haven't seen her since the funeral and we do not get along. It irritates me seeing her here.

"Well this is unexpected. What are all of you doing here so early and what's with the flowers?" I ask calmly. DK takes up his spot by the door and I sit down in Ji-Hoo's chair.

"We came to see you but the flowers were here before we arrived. They aren't from us." Yi Jung says. I look at the bouquet in confusion and finally spot the card buried among the blossoms. Pulling it out, I open it and my heart jumps to my throat.

One year ago today you changed my life forever. I love you. There's no name but I already know who it's from. I blink back the tears and have to clear my throat at his sweet words. I didn't expect him to remember or to do anything about it. It really makes me happy that he remembers and despite the risk, he still sent me a reminder of his love for me.

"Saia? Is everything alright?" Yi Jung asks in concern. I nod and tuck the card in my pocket.

"So what brings you here?" I ask as I regain my composure.

"We wanted to go over some things with you. We might be called to testify against Tae Mu and since Seo Hyun is part of the prosecution she's here to go over questions both sides will probably ask us." Jun Pyo says.

We spend most of the morning discussing the trial and preparing ourselves for what we need to say on the witness stand. My stomach rumbles angrily at me for skipping breakfast and I glance at my watch as Jun Pyo finally stands up to leave. ShinHwa's CEO is an incredibly busy man. I'm surprised he was able to stay for this long.

"Jan Di wants to know if you can stop by for dinner on Sunday with the rest of us. It would be nice if you would come." He says quietly. His tone of voice surprises me. The usually loud and boisterous Jun Pyo just hasn't quite been the same since the explosion.

"Plus Ga Eul misses you a lot. She's so close to her due date that she doesn't get out much. It would be nice if you could come and see her." Yi Jung says.

"…Okay. I'll be there." I say with a smile. They nod and leave the office but Seo Hyu hangs back and I watch her warily. The last thing I need is a lecture from Ji-Hoo's old flame.

"Saia, I know we haven't gotten along in the past but I hope we can put our differences aside. We both want the same thing. We want to see Tae Mu pay for what he's done." She says.

"…Yes. We do."

"I miss Ji-Hoo a lot. There are a lot of things I regret not saying to him but I know that it wouldn't have made a difference. He loved you more than he has ever loved anybody. I hated you for that and I realized at the funeral just how much you loved him too. You've done a great job with the Foundation and the Hospital. I'm sure he's very proud of you."

"…Thanks." I say uncomfortably. It's still early but I suddenly have the urge for a very strong drink…

(^_^)

ALEJANDRO'S POV:

It's been three days and I still can't get her out of my head. Sure, she was with another guy but she was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She is definitely foreign, maybe Asian. Her big doe eyes got my attention first. They are dark and mysterious with a hint of playfulness and intelligence in them. Her dark red hair is obviously dyed but suits her. Cut in a bob, it falls just below her chin and her bangs are swept to the right side of her face. She's tall with long, sexy legs and she's thin but toned. She probably works out.

I remember seeing her laugh at the guy she was with and feel myself grow warm at the memory of her smile. Damn it… Why did that night have to be about business? I regret not being able to talk to her but I couldn't get away. What were they doing in a place like that anyway? None of the tourists frequent that club. Only locals know about it so they must be familiar with the city. It bugs me that she was with someone but even though they seemed to be friendly with each other, they didn't look like they were together. I never saw them touch each other.

It isn't very often that a woman seriously catches my attention. I don't have the time for their foolish games. This one seems different though. Or I could just be seeing what I want to see. I shake my head at the thought as my driver pulls up in front of my father's house.

My father and I rarely get along but since it's my mother's birthday I agreed to come. Listening to my father talk about his campaign for President isn't very appealing but luckily my older brother and sister are here to distract him away from me. Wouldn't he be shocked if I brought that Asian beauty here as my date? I would love to see the look on his face if I brought her here. Making him angry is fun for me and the thought of her on my arm is a major bonus.

We are going to meet… That's all there is to it.