Lesson #9
Partying Does Not Always Mean Rebelling
[ Go out and have fun, it's your prerogative. Although, if you chooses to play with fire, make sure you're ready to get burn. ]
Yi Jeong enters the office of his halabeoji.
"You called for me."
"Have a sit." says Master So. It sounded like an order instead of an invite.
Yi Jeong did not, however, move on his spot. "If you have something to say, make it quick. I'm going at the Ha Farm Ranch in an hour." he said firmly.
"I'm glad you can still find time to socialize with your so-called friends."
"Even prisoners have to unwind too, can they not?" he retorted mockingly.
"Says the prisoner who holds the crown." Master So answers with the same tone.
"Yes. The crown he doesn't want in the first place."
This conversation is not going anywhere. Yi Jeong turned his back to his grandfather and walks towards the door.
"Prepare a speech for the party." This made Yi Jeong turn back again to his grandfather. He didn't know if he's going to laugh at him or punch the old man in the face.
"And what do you want me to say? Thank you for dooming my life?" he said with a cold laugh.
"You can leave now."
Ga Eul joins her friends at their table as they clap when the host calls So Yi Jeong on stage.
Yi Jeong confidently took the spotlight and gave the crowd his warm smile, a glass of champagne in his hand. He glances at his friends, all giving him encouraging smiles and thumbs ups. He met Ga Eul's eyes, she's smiling up at him with high spirit, somehow wiping all of his worries away.
"My deepest appreciation to all of you who honored us tonight with your presence. In behalf of my family, please accept my gratitude." He bowed and the crowd gave him around of applause.
"Thank you for joining us tonight as we celebrate another successful year of the Woo Sung Museum. Exactly 189 years ago, my great-great-great grandfather build this institution from his sweat, blood and tears. He named it after his son, my great-great grandfather, So Woo Sung Senior. He calls it his masterpiece."
Yi Jeong's voice fills the Great Hall as all ears are on him. His grandfather sits at the furthest corner, watching him like a hawk but Yi Jeong doesn't mind. He got a message to deliver. A message he didn't intend to share but a certain someone changed his mind.
"As a boy, I grew up using the Museum as my second home. I used to run along these halls, playing hide and sick with the guards and my nannies. I can practically explore the Museum with my eyes closed, though I'll probably look stupid." the crowd laughed with him.
"For me Woo Sung Museum is just a museum. Just another random building in the world. But I was wrong." Yi Jeong can feel the attention of all the people. A playful yet warm smile lingers in his lips.
"Woo Sung Museum is a blessing. You might wonder why I called it that, I don't see it too until tonight. I came to realization that my ancestors left us the most precious gift one can ever receive and that is the power to nurture. And with that power vested in me, I will make sure the next generation will continue to ignite that fire of blissful knowledge. Because the Museum is where history and arts resides as one," his eyes meets the pair of eyes he find so mesmerizing and smiles. "a certain someone told me so."
He saw Ga Eul's eyes widen and that adorable blush spreads to her cheeks. She grabbed the class of champagne in front of her and drinks it all up in one gulp. Yi Jeong chuckles at this.
He raised up his own glass of champagne. "So here's to a wonderful masterpiece. Here's to Woo Sung Museum. Here's to our blessing."
"Blessing." everybody chanted with their glasses raised and together shared a toast for the new CEO of So Empire.
Ga Eul came out of the toilet cubicle fishing her phone from her purse. "Yeoboseyo? Jan Di-ah?"
"Ga Eul, where are you?"
"Washroom. Where are you?" she sandwiched her phone between her ear and her shoulder as she washes her hands at the automated sink.
"We're at the side entrance of the Museum,Jae Kyung unnie and I will wait for you here. We'll change at her house before heading to Club Casa." Jan Di answers.
"Okay, I'm on my way." Ga Eul ended the call. She and her friends- F4, Jan Di and Jae Kyung- arranged for an after party at one of Woo Bin's clubs. They agreed for a quick change at the Ha Mansion then head straight to the said club.
She replied a quick message to her parents saying the party's over and don't wait up for her because she will be home late. After sending the message, Ga Eul checks her inbox. 30 messages received and 16 missed calls. She sighed, she had expected this to come.
She went out of the Ladies' Washroom, eyes still glued to her phone as she reads the messages of her friends and co-workers one by one.
"Good evening Ms. Chu."
She almost dropped her phone from hearing that voice.
Master So Woo Sung the Third stood in front of her, his playful smile is no longer present and what makes him more intimidating is his lone presence. No business partners around, no bodyguards, no assistants. Ga Eul bowed at him politely, glad that she overcome her shock immediately and shows respect. "Sir."
"I assume you have a pleasant evening tonight Ms. Chu?"
"Y-Yes, Sir. Thank you for letting me in your party."
"This is not my party. This is Hyun Sub's son's party." he said coldly.
"But Yi Jeong sunbae's your grandson and it is the anniversary of your Museum so that makes it your party, Sir." she said. From head to toe, Yi Jeong's grandfather is as scary as Jun Pyo's mother, in Ga Eul's opinion. They have the same aura in them. Earlier she didn't notice it because of his friendly smiles but right now that he's not even giving so much as a nod, Ga Eul never thought she'll find a person as cold as Madam Kang.
The heavens granted her silent pleas as the corner of Master So's lips formed a smirk.
What's up with this family and their smirks?!
"Sunbae?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, Sir. Yi Jeong is my sunbae."
"Did you attend Shinwha?" Ga Eul noticed the interest that sparked from the man's eyes.
"No, Sir. He is my friend Geum Jan Di's sunbae and since he's senior to me I've always called him sunbae." she answered truthfully.
Master So surprised Ga Eul by laughing. His laugh echoes through the hallways. "Who calls their boyfriend sunbae?"
Ga Eul shakes her hands in front of her. "N-No Sir. Yi Jeong sunbae and I are just friends. He ..He's not my boyfriend. No." shaking her head as well.
It only made the old man laugh louder. "I see why my grandson only has eyes for you."
"Sir?" she looks at him with absolute confusion.
"No wonder you had turned a boy into a man. You're an interesting piece Ms. Chu. " he finally said after his third round of fits.
He said piece not person? Ga Eul wonders if the old man still knows the difference between an object and a living person. Does geniuses always seem to be out of sane?
"Uhm, Sir, I don't think I understa-"
"Ga Eul-yang!"
Ga Eul turned and saw Yi Jeong with a furious look, briskly walking towards them. He puts his arm protectively over her shoulders and stares at her eyes, silently asking if she's okay then briefly glared at his grandfather before turning back his eyes at Ga Eul. "Come on, our friends are waiting for us." he turns them to leave without saying anything to his halabeoji.
"Make sure you drive young Ms. Chu safely in her home tonight, Yi Jeong." Master So said before the two can walk away.
Yi Jeong turns to him and so does Ga Eul. "You don't need to remind me."
"That's good to know. And please bring her to our home some other time for dinner. I would like to hear from her from now on."
It was now switched. Master So turned and started walking back to the Great Hall and it's Yi Jeong and Ga Eul's turn to get left behind. The smile Woo Sung gave to them is enough to freeze them in their feet.
It's a smile Yi Jeong had never seen in his halabeoji. He turn his head to look at Ga Eul. "What did you do to my grandfather?"
Yi Jeong gulped down his vodka shot. The liquor draw a strong line in his throat but it didn't bother him one bit. What bothers him is the not so innocent Ga Eul in the middle of the dance floor. He loosens his tie for comfort but still ineffective.
He is not the only one with the same dilemma. His friends Jun Pyo and Woo Bin had their eyes fixed on two particular ladies on the dance floor as well, each with an empty shot glass in hand. The only one in total ease is the resident doctor, Ji Hoo who's having fun watching his friends with their struggle.
Yi Jeong's eyes follows the sweet movements of Ga Eul's hips accordingly to the music. He is tremendously thankful to Jae Kyung for choosing these clothes for Ga Eul. Ga Eul with the red dress earlier at the party is breathtakingly gorgeous and this Ga Eul in leather pants and black heels is so hot Yi Jeong can't take his eyes off her.
And so does other men.
He let out a low grunt in his throat when a guy "accidentally" bumped into Ga Eul's small body. She stumbled a little but this guy helped steady her. If eyes could kill, the poor guy must have been dead by now.
He swings another shot. He wants to believe that it's the alcohol talking and not his sober mind. He's feeling possessive over Ga Eul and it is not healthy. Friends shouldn't be possessive of their friends.
Ga Eul continued dancing to another song with Jan Di and Jae Kyung.
He can feel his friends are having difficulties staying still beside him. Whose idea is it again to go clubbing? It's either he can kiss that mastermind or he will strangle him.
Another song plays. How can those girls still have the energy to dance!?
This song is a little slow and somewhat sensual. Yi Jeong chuckled at what he believes to be the title of the song. Ga Eul had called him that once.
Playboy.
But his chuckles where cut short when the guy who bumped to Ga Eul came back and the brave soul even invited some friends with him. Four of them danced their way around the three ladies who seemed to be enjoying the dance better than the other songs.
With hawk eyes, Yi Jeong, Woo Bin and Jun Pyo watch as those men innocently moves their body, trying to get the girls attention but when they started grinding their sorry bodies, the three snapped.
"Oh hell no!"
"I don't think so!"
"That's it!"
Woo Bin, Yi Jeong and Jun Pyo stood at the same time and dashed to the dance floor. Ji Hoo covers his mouth from laughing at his friends, contemplating if those three morons get into a fight, will he serve as referee or join the fight? Probably the latter.
Without uttering a word, three members of F4 shooed those pathetic guys away. Ji Hoo clapped for their triumph. They stood facing the girls, protectively locking them inside a circle they made to avoid any unworthy men getting near them.
Ga Eul noticed this and faced Yi Jeong who's not even trying to dance. "Relax sunbae, their only trying to be nice and accommodating."
"No they're not Ga Eul-yang. They're trying to take advantage of you!" he almost screamed through the loud volume of the music.
Ga Eul giggles. "Come on sunbae, dance with me."
"What?"
Ga Eul steps closer to him. "Dance with me."
The smile on her lips had somehow took his anger away. He started dancing along. They were halfway to the second song when Ga Eul talked again.
"Let's have sex, sunbae."
His voice got stuck in his throat which seemed to run dry despite of his shots earlier. In his entire life as a playboy and a ladies' man, he was never asked such direct proposal. If it had been other woman, he would get turned off immensely by their eagerness but when it came out of Ga Eul's lips, it made numerous things to his body and mind.
Then all of a sudden she burst out laughing.
"I was just kidding, sunbae. You should have seen your face."
He found his voice again. "That's not funny, Ga Eul-yang."
"Relax. Have fun. You're so stiff, Yi Jeong sunbae." she said with a laugh.
Let's not talk about stiffness right now, please.
"Besides, even if I joke around like that no one will take me seriously anyway. I mean, come on, I'm not that kind of attractive. Even I don't see myself in that kind of light. I just don't have sex appeal."
"That's not true." If you don't then why am I aroused as fuck and we haven't done anything…yet.
"Oh come on sunbae! Stop sugarcoating everything for my sake!"
He just shook his head. "Are you drunk Ga Eul-yang? Come on let's go. I'm taking you to your home." he emphasized the last part more to himself.
Ga Eul ignored him though and continued with her small dancing. "Confidence. You said I should be confident to be sexy. I don't think it will work on me. Me and sexy just can't be put together. I mean, just look at my name. Ga Eul. That's like the most unsexy name there is."
Okay, it's really time to go. Yi Jeong's pretty sure 'unsexy' is not even a real word. She probably had too many champagne. He tries to grab her hands so he can take her out of the dance floor when Ga Eul put both of her arms over his shoulders so he can't reached them, bringing her body closer to him once again.
"Why can't I have a name as sexy as yours, Yi Jeong sunbae?" she pouts at him. Yi Jeong chuckles at how cute she is and sexy at the same time. If only she knew.
He decided to humor her. "Any name could be sexy, it's just a matter of how you say it." There's no harm playing with her for a little fun, right? Smirking, Yi Jeong closes the small gap between their bodies and brings his lips closer to her ear.
"Chu Ga Eul." he whispers, making her gasp in surprise. He felt the goosebumps run through her skin at the slight touch of his lips on her ear.
Ga Eul surprised him when she played along. "So Yi Jeong."
Yi Jeong snaked his arms tighter around her waist, he can feel every curve of her body. "Ga Eul-yang…."
This is the first time he uttered her name with so much desire. He's blocking all nasty thoughts in his brain with all his might. He smirked again triumphantly when Ga Eul failed to respond, after all, Ga Eul is still his sweet innocent Ga Eul-yang.
Ga Eul lifted her chin up so her lips are brushing slightly at Yi Jeong's ear. She felt him flinched from the contact.
"Yi …Jeong sum …bae…"
Fire.
As much as Yi Jeong enjoys their little game, he needed to stop or else they will end up burning in the flames both of them would regret. Well, maybe not both but it's better safe than sorry.
He pulls away. Did he saw disappointment in her eyes? He intertwines his fingers at Ga Eul's and pulls her back to their table. Ji Hoo's no longer there so he decided to leave a message to his friends that he and Ga Eul will be leaving first.
They were quiet on the ride home.
Ga Eul had not fallen asleep like what Yi Jeong was hoping for.
She was looking out of the window. Her eyes are tired, they've been open since the break of dawn. She went to the market to buy the ingredients she needed for the food she made for the orphanage. It's been a very long day.
Yi Jeong parked in front of her house. Ga Eul faces him before opening the gates. "Thank you sunbae." she said with a radiant smile Yi Jeong always liked seeing in her.
"The pleasure is mine."
"No, I mean for everything. You've been a very good friend."
Right. Good friend. Yi Jeong listen to your friend.
She waved at him goodbye before going inside. For a second he thought she will kiss him goodnight. He will gladly take it even if it's just in the cheeks but his luck has been pushed enough for tonight.
He went back to his car and started the engine when his phone beeped.
Don't forget the invitations tomorrow, sunbae.
He replied a short message.
Yes, Ma'am.
He was hoping for another message but doesn't look like he's getting a second one. He shifted the gear to drive when his phone beeped again.
Have a safe ride home. :)
With a smile, Yi Jeong drove off.
*89*