Chapter 11

"So, where are we going?" Jae Kyung asked as she crossed her legs and relaxed in the passenger seat.

"It's a surprise" he said, "You were the one who wanted to spend the day with me so don't complain".

"I am not complaining but I do have a question" she said looking his way but he kept his eyes on the road as he responded.

"What's up?"

"Where is your girlfriend? It seems like you have not seen her in days"

He looked out at the road for a moment longer before responding to her. He thought about the ring in his room and what he had to do tomorrow.

"She is getting back from Tokyo today, in the afternoon" he responded, "What is with all the questions? Besides where is your boyfriend, man friend, date? I don't really know what to call him" he chuckled.

"Man friend? Are we in the middle ages?" Jae Kyung said laughing, "To be honest with you, I don't know what we are, he is nice but he can be possessive sometimes, it's weird, I don't really know how to describe it"

Woo Bin clenched his jaw and grabbed on to the steering wheel a bit harder.

"What do you mean possessive?" he managed to get out.

"For example, we were having lunch the other day and it was going fine, normal conversation and then my assistant called and said there was an emergency at the office with some accounts in China and I obviously had to excuse myself from lunch and go handle my emergency at work and he got super mad and was acting like I was leaving him to go meet another man and even if I was, which I wasn't, we are not technically in a relationship so what is it to him and he is very touchy, all the time" she said shaking her head.

Woo Bin felt like turning the car around and driving to Tae's house and using the gun he had in his glove compartment but instead he pulled into a gravel path leading up to a large elegant mansion.

"This is pretty" Jae Kyung smiled as he helped her out of the car.

They proceeded inside and were greeted by an older woman who hugged Woo Bin and smiled speaking to him softly. Jae Kyung was too busy admiring the beauty of the building to listen to their conversation until she saw a sign on the right wall which read,

"Casablanca Home for the Youth"

Jae Kyung smiled to herself before she heard her name being called.

"Jae Kyung I would like you to meet Madame Ming, the director of this center and Madame Ming this is Jae Kyung, a really good friend of mine" Woo Bin introduced them.

"A friend? What a shame" Madame Ming said, "You look so great together"

They both chuckled and Jae Kyung's cheeks turned pink.

"It's a pleasure to meet you" Jae Kyung said.

"Of course, you too, would you like a tour?" Madame Ming asked her and Jae Kyung smiled and said.

"Definitely, that would be great"

At that time five boys came running down the stairs and all said,

"It's Woo Bin Hyong" and Woo Bin smiled as they all ran towards him.

"Boys! What did I say about running?" Madame Ming said and they all slowed down.

"Come on" Madame Ming said to Jae Kyung, "We will let the boys play".

Jae Kyung and Madame Ming proceeded to the stairs and made their way to the second floor. As Madame Ming showed her the incredible mansion Jae Kyung asked her,

"So have you been working here since it started?"

"Oh yes dear, I have been working her for about five years now. When this building was first remodeled and made into this incredible home I was honored to be the director and help kids of all ages feel like they belong somewhere and like they can do anything in the world even though they don't have parents" Madame Ming said sadly.

"They are all orphans?" Jae Kyung asked.

"Yes, every single one of them. It's sad really but what this center creates is a chance for them not to be so alone in the world and create trouble. Not only that, but there is a school here" Madame Ming pointed out the classrooms, "Fully equipped with excellent teachers, and supplies. There are also work opportunities, sports, activities and lessons which the kids are required to complete before they are able to apply to college".

"That is incredible, but how are they able to afford college? It is getting to be very expensive and surely their jobs don't pay enough to pay for college" Jae Kyung asked as Madame Ming showed her the dormitories.

"Of course not, their jobs are simple and surely not enough to pay for college. There is a fund created for them, none of the kids know it, so they have to work extra hard to get scholarships but there will always be enough money to send them all to college. Now getting into college is something they must work for themselves" Madame Ming said.

"This place is spectacular" Jae Kyung said smiling, "But how is it funded? Surely it must have investors?"

"Just one" Madame Ming smiled.

"One? Do you mind me asking who?" Jae Kyung asked.

Madame Ming stood quiet for a second before responding,

"I wouldn't normally say because it is not something the investor wants to be public information but since you are the only person he brought here, I don't think he would mind" Madame Ming said and Jae Kyung stopped walking and said,

"What? He did all this?"

"I have known Woo Bin since he was just a baby, I worked for his family, I worked closely with his mom not that she let me do much work, she was very independent. Anyways after she passed away his father fired all the help in the house and hired new people. Maybe it was too painful, maybe he wanted to let go of it all, I don't know but Woo Bin found me about five years ago and told me his plan for this center and he wanted someone he trusted, someone who, I think, reminded him of the happier times in his childhood so here we are now but do not tell him anything I told you. He has not even told his friends about this place and he certainly has never brought a girl here" Madame Ming and they both laughed a little.

At that moment a little girl come out of the dormitories and stopped when she noticed Madame Ming and Jae Kyung. She bowed and smiled, she was no more than three years old and the pink dress she wore matched her sparkly ribbon perfectly.

"Hi cutie" Jae Kyung said bending down to her.

"Hi" she said shyly.

"I am Jae Kyung, what is your name?" Jae Kyung asked.

"Ella" she whispered.

"It's nice to meet you" Jae Kyung whispered and smiled.

"It's almost time for lunch" Madame Ming said, "Come on girls".

"Do you want to come with me Ella?" Jae Kyung asked.

Ella nodded and Jae Kyung picked her up in her arms and they proceeded downstairs.

"Hey" Woo Bin said to Jae Kyung as she headed downstairs with Ella in her arms.

"Hey" she smiled, "Look at this beauty I found upstairs" she kissed Ella in the cheek.

Ella giggles and Woo Bin smiled.

"Oppa" Ella said reaching out for Woo Bin.

He took her in him arms and Jae Kyung smiled.

"Hey pretty lady" he said to Ella, "You are growing up fast".

"Is this your wife?" Ella asked pointing to Jae Kyung, "I like her, she is pretty"

He looked at Jae Kyung and her eyes became a bit bigger and her cheeks flushed pink.

"Yeah, she is pretty, isn't she" Woo Bin whispered to Ella but Jae Kyung heard him, "You know she is pretty smart too and sometimes demanding but she is great".

"You two should make babies" Ella said and Woo Bin laughed and as did Jae Kyung.

"That's a little fast" Woo Bin said.

"Well, that is what you are supposed to do when you are married; love each other forever and make babies" Ella said.

"Yeah? Is that what you are learning in school?" Woo Bin asked her as they walked over to the lunch table.

"No" Ella giggled, "that's what happens in my princess books".

Jae Kyung laughed and almost wished that Ella was right and that her books actually could become real. She had never seen Woo Bin with kids but it was a sight she did not want to ever leave her memory. He looked so relaxed, so natural, so happy and it made her heart ecstatic.

"Let's go eat lunch" Woo Bin said.

…..

Yi Jung walked around his museum and a smile cracked across his lips as he thought about his opening in less than 24 hours. He had thought about pushing it to a later date for Woo Bin's future but he figured that Woo Bin's father did not need an event to make Woo Bin propose. If he did not propose tomorrow, he would just make him do it another time unless something dramatic happen. He heard footsteps and his assistant greeted him.

"Hello Sir" she said, "Your grandfather is here".

"Right" he said taking a deep breath and following her back to his office.

"Hello grandfather" Yi Jung said bowing as he entered his office.

"Hello" his grandfather said, "The press is very excited for this opening tomorrow, you better not disappoint me".

"Of course not" Yi Jung said feeling uncomfortable. His grandfather never just visited because he missed seeing Yi Jung or the museum. He always visited for a bigger reason and Yi Jung did not want to hear his reason.

"So have you spoken to your father?" his grandfather asked.

Yi Jung released a slow breath and said,

"Not recently, why?"

"Just asking, I don't want him to show up at your opening and create a scandal. Scandals like dating girls that are your age" his grandfather said.

"I would not really call what he does dating" Yi Jung said slightly laughing.

"Well I just came to check in on you and I guess I will see you tomorrow night" hid grandfather said standing up and walking towards the door.

"Yes, thank you for your visit" Yi Jung said standing.

"Oh and Yi Jung" his grandfather said half way out of the door.

"Yeah" Yi Jung said.

"Tell Miss Chu Ga Eul that I am very excited to meet her at the opening" he said before leaving the office.

Yi Jung opened his mouth to say something but he was at a loss for words. He did not really know what question he could have asked. The most logical one was probably how do you know I am dating her but it seemed like his grandfather always knew everything that was happening in his life.

Yi Jung sat down and looked over some preparations for tomorrow evening to take his mind away from his grandfather's visit. He heard a soft knock on the door and when he looked up he smiled seeing Ga Eul.

"Hi" she said walking in.

"Hey" he smiled and stood up to hug her, "I missed you" he held her tight against his body.

"Is everything okay?" she said feeling the tension in his body.

"It is now that you are here" he said still holding her close. She could feel his rapid heartbeat so she wrapped her arms around his torso and rested her head against his chest.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked pulling back and looking up at him.

"Actually, yeah, I do. Do you want to grab a coffee down the street?" he asked.

"Sure" she smiled and he took her hand in his and intertwined his fingers in hers.

"I'll be back" he told his secretary as they walked out of his office.

….

"Okay fine, let's make a bet since you think that you are so invincible" Jae Kyung said.

Woo Bin laughed and said,

"Okay, you are making this more fun since I am going to win and now get a prize as well. What is the bet?" he asked.

"How about whoever wins gets one wish granted" she said.

"Intriguing" he said, "Have you been reading Ella's fairytale books?" he teased her.

"Shut up" she said, "Besides I am with no prince charming".

"Obviously your man friend is not charming" he laughed and pulled up his gun towards the range. After he hit his target he turned back to her and said, "But it's okay, at least you get to spend one day with a real Prince".

She laughed and said,

"We will see who is royalty after this competition".

After two rounds Woo Bin and Jae Kyung were tied in their shooting game.

"Alright, whoever wins this round will win the game. Agreed?" Woo Bin asked.

"Agreed" she nodded as she tried to think of what her wish was going to be. There was no way she was going to lose this game.

They waited for the discs to fly in the air but nothing appeared.

"What is going on?" Woo Bin asked the attendant approaching them.

"I am very sorry sir but the system is not working and since it is late in the day the repair man cannot come in until tomorrow to fix it" he bowed apologizing.

"Oh man!" Jae Kyung said, "Now how are we going to settle who won this if we are tied?"

"May I suggest something?" the attended spoke up softly.

"Of course" Jae Kyung said.

"Maybe a rematch for the future but for now since you had a bet why don't you both get your wish and that way you both win" he suggested.

They both looked at each other for a quick second and then Jae Kyung said,

"I like that, thank you" she told the attended and he bowed and excused himself.

"What if I don't like that?" Woo Bin asked.

"Fine then I will get my wish and you will get nothing" she said putting her gun down.

"No, that's not fair" he protested.

"Okay then so let's get to it" she said sitting down on the bench.

"Fine but remember there is no backing out, you have to do or say whatever my wish is" he said.

"Okay, wish away" she said.

"Okay" he sat beside her and said, "My wish is that you tell me the truth about you and Seo Yeon".

Jae Kyung shifted in her seat uncomfortably but he waited for her answer. He could have probably found out in other ways but he wanted to hear it from.

"Okay fine" she let out a deep breath, "When I met her at your house it was not my first time meeting her. We went to school together and we were even friends at one point, anyways, I was seeing this guy and we were pretty serious until Seo Yeon told him that I was cheating on him, which I was not, and he broke up with me. Then a week later he was dating Seo Yeon. They did not last very long but by the time they broke up I realized that it was not her fault but my ex-boyfriend's problem because he should have not believed her but I guess it is what it is".

He took her hand in his and said,

"Jae, I am really sorry".

She looked up at him and smiled. That was the purest thing he had ever expressed to her and it made her heart jump with joy even though it was something painful.

"So what is your wish?" he asked changing the subject and clearing his throat.

….

"Are you excited for your opening?" Ga Eul asked Yi Jung who sat across from her at a small table in the coffee shop. He smiled and said,

"Yes I am but I am even more excited that you will be there with me" he reached across the table and held her hand.

"I can't wait" she said happily.

"Ga Eul listen" Yi Jung said, his tone changing dramatically, "I need to tell you something".

"Yeah, what is going on" she said feeling her own body tense up on the chair.

"My grandfather come in today to see me, obviously he will be at the opening tomorrow and when he visits he always has a plan, something he needs, or requests that I do" he said.

"Okay"

"He did not say exactly what he needed but I want you to know that I love you and that I will do everything possible to keep you safe and never feel alone. You know how tomorrow night is going to be, the press is going to be crazy and people are going to have questions about the work so you will be by my side all night but I just don't want you to feel pressured or alone" he said, his expression filled with worry.

"Yi Jung" she said squeezing his hand, "I know what being in your life means and I also know what this exhibit opening means to you. Don't worry about me, just worry about your art tomorrow besides, Jan Di and Jae Kyung will be there to keep me company. I love you" she said smiling.

He looked at her perfect face and smile a moment longer.

"I don't know what I did to deserve you but I am glad you are here now" he said reaching across the table and lightly kissing her lips.

…..