HELLO READERS! Thank you for your continued interest in Seoul's Dawning, the sequel to Macau at Night. I say this every time because I've had people get confused about the order of things.
We have an extremely busy chapter, and at over 11K words a long one. I didn't get to cover everything I'd hoped to but there's a lot of action, changes and a lemon I know many of you will l-o-v-e
Tiny bit of English, but otherwise Korean.
We pick up the story from Jan Di's point of view during the destruction of her building.
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HELLO AGAIN SEOUL!
Unable to catch her breath, Jan Di could felt the warm, thick blood filling her mouth. Every move made pain shoot through her and she felt faint. She'd come home just to grab a few things but, after staying up all night caring for her sick boyfriend, she allowed herself a quick nap.
When the first blow shook the building, her screams were drowned out in a wall of noise. Bricks and concrete rained down upon her, pinning her under her blankets. With all her strength the Wonder Girl pushed at the largest chunks of rubble but, it was no use.
Refusing to give up she wiggled as much as she could, pleased when she managed to shift a few bricks away. Having freed an arm, she was trying to try to shift the largest piece again when a gigantic metal ball came sailing through her small kitchen. In its wake a chunk of the ceiling collapsed and dust clouds swirled up around her.
The pain was intense and she felt herself weave in and out of consciousness. The fluidity of the sensation surprised her, one moments she was there trapped and barely able to breathe, and the next she was swimming. She weaved back and forth between the two realities until finally she found herself in the ocean. Crystal clear water surrounded her and, although she couldn't see land, she was unafraid.
After swimming for an eternity she came to a sandy shore. The beach was packed with people, and the lapping waves attracted children eager to splash with their friends. Finally touching her toes to the sand Jan Di marveled at the beauty around her. Across the water the place she'd come from was dark and sooty. Filled with too much noise and too many lights, she was glad to leave it behind.
Sitting on the hot sand the laundry girl began to take a good look around. The faces of her friends filtered through her mind and she searched for them in the crowd. Disappointed when she didn't recognize anyone, she wrapped her arms around her knees and buried her feet in the sand feeling quite sorry for herself. She had expected to find someone here, but the more she tried to remember who the more the memory slipped away.
'Where is everyone? Why did I swim out here alone? Has no one come to look for me?'
There were so many families together here enjoying themselves, she felt the odd one out. Self conscious she lowered her head, barely glancing at the people around her lest they think she was staring.
"Jan Di-yah!" a familiar voice called out to her, it's tone laced with worry. "Where are you?"
With a gasp and a cough, Guem Jan Di looked up into the worried eyes of the man she loved.
She tried, but was unable to speak in a voice more than a whisper. The litany of questions Ji Hoo and Jun Pyo showered her with were pointless. They'd commandeered one of the Escalade's, along with one of the Song Clan's drivers, and she was carefully laid out across the back seat.
Yoon Ji Hoo sat in the foot-well by her head and wiped the droplets of blood off her lips. It would be easier to tend to her if he had the use of both hands, but she had latched onto one and stubbornly held it to her. She would give him a squeeze whenever she felt his grip slacken and sometimes he did so just to feel her move, to prove to himself she was still alive. Her skin was too pale and her breathing too shallow, but as long as he felt her hand in his he could remain calm.
The golden boy knew as soon as they arrived at the hospital she would taken away from him to be treated and he was doing his best to mentally prepare himself for it. Staying calm was an absolute must, he couldn't succumb to panic like he did in Macau.
"She's far too stubborn to let something like this keep her down for long, you'll see." Gu Jun Pyo said from the passenger's seat.
Nodding the quiet man hoped his friend was right. He went to wipe her lips after another coughing fit and, momentarily lucid, Jan Di called his name. With a forced smile he met her eyes, dazzled by the strength he saw in them.
"We're almost there. Not much longer." he promised before leaning down to give her cheek a gentle kiss.
The Don Juan had only just rolled out of bed when he received the panicked text from Ha Jae-Kyung, throwing on his clothes he raced out the door already organizing the Song Clan into action. He woke a still sleeping Yulina just before leaving to tell her there was an emergency, but he didn't elaborate more than that. Without a doubt he was going to be in for an earful from her, but there was simply no time to wait and explain things right then and there.
He met Yi Jeong at the barrier, ignoring the uniformed officer who tried to stop him. Casting an eye over his shoulder, he saw his friend was handling the situation without him. Prince Song nodded a hello to the heiress as he passed and noticed the Shin-Hwa heir appeared to be comforting her.
'That will be a story to get out of him later', he thought.
The foreman didn't see the giant of a man walking up behind him until it was too late. Stumbling back, his eyes going straight towards the barely concealed gun, the stout man became quite compliant. Patting his Chief of Security on the shoulder as he passed by, Song Woo Bin sent the others off to secure the site. Barely a moment later the auburn haired man heard the unmistakable whine of Ji Hoo's motorcycle approaching.
"I will keep an eye on him, go secure the sight. Make sure no one comes in or out." he said to his most trusted employee before turning back to address the foreman, "Now I have a few questions."
"What do you mean there's nothing more you can do? Look at her!"
"My apologies but the best treatment for a pulmonary contusion is rest. The injury must be allowed to heal in it's own time. We will keep her here overnight, with your permission, to monitor her oxygen levels and release her in the morning."
Seeing that her words were doing nothing to ease the worries of the young man, the doctor tried another tact. Resting a comforting hand on the anxious man's arm she lowered her voice to a more soothing tone.
"Listen to me, you brought her here quickly and THAT made all the difference. In many of these cases the patient dies from respiratory failure before help can arrive."
The young doctor hoped her words were getting through to him. He ran his hands repetitively through his hair unable to stay still. She'd seen family members go into shock on a few occasions once the adrenaline wore off. Maybe there was someone she could talk to about him.
"Do you understand what I'm saying? Maybe you should go get something to eat, our cafeteria isn't terrible."
The hateful look she received to her suggestion startled her and, momentarily flustered, she excused herself from the room. Out in the hallway the newly graduated doctor saw her patient had numerous visitors in the waiting area, all worried about her. Unsure who to talk to first she asked if any of them were family, sighing when they all raised their hands.
"Who will be responsible for Miss Guem Jan Di's care?"
Stepping up to take responsibility for Jan Di, the young Song clan leader ushered the doctor a few feet away so they could speak in private.
"You didn't come out here just to tell us about Jan Di did you?"
Startled, she caught herself gaping at the man's prescience. "How did you know?"
"Yoon Ji Hoo is family, what is it you need to tell me?"
She wasn't telling him anything new. Ji Hoo's behavior was erratic and the doctor worried he could go into shock. Woo Bin did his best to assuage her concerns. After what happened in Macau they were expecting the golden boy to crash eventually. The fact that he hadn't yet after the last 24 hours could only be a testament to Ji Hoo's force of will.
He was so used to the quiet man's behavior he forgot how others might see it. Particularly others in the medical profession...
"It's been a rough 24 hours for the two of them. I'm only surprised he's lasted this long. Don't worry though, I'll make sure he takes a break and gets some rest."
He should have expected this, or at least have expected something. He'd let his mind drift, and full of wistfulness he dropped his guard. In that tiny moment of distraction his mother made her move.
The paperwork he'd snatched from Woo Bin's men proved it, but she was always one step ahead. He couldn't trace the order directly to her and couldn't pin the 'accident' on her either. The foreman said their instructions were to clear the building as soon as possible and that it was derelict. They'd been surprised when he and Jae-Kyung exited, they'd been informed the site was secured.
He wanted to be furious at them for not double checking but they were just dupes in her game and couldn't be blamed; after all what kind of employer orders a building destroyed knowing someone is still living there?
Hanging his head in shame at his family's ruthlessness, he was surprised to feel a hand on his back. Ha Jae-Kyung had come over to sit by him and for once he didn't send her away. The circular patterns she was making were soothing and it made him realize how tense his muscles had been the entire time.
She'd ingratiated herself into his life, but the curly haired man was determined not to like the heiress simply because his mother had chosen her for him. He knew the engagement was unfair to her as well and he wondered why she stayed.
Jae-Kyung was too similar to him, he decided, to be able to make him happy. The heiress didn't challenge him to be a better man the way Jan Di had, and her eager acceptance of even his worst behavior disgusted him.
It didn't even matter to him anymore that he was being forced to marry, if he couldn't have the laundry girl he didn't care who was picked for him, but he refused to be wed to someone so desperate to please.
"What are you doing?" Jun Pyo asked, trying to shake off her touch.
Removing her hand from his back she sighed, wondering what it was she'd done wrong now.
"You are a difficult man to understand sometimes." she whispered back. "If you would rather be left alone to brood just say so, but I could use the company."
The Shin-Hwa heir tapped his foot nervously at her words. He was so wrapped up in himself he'd forgotten her role in this too. When he told Ji Hoo he was a selfish man he was being honest. The first person he'd ever cared about more than himself was lying in a hospital bed right now. She was number one on his list, he was number two... he didn't know where Ha Jae-Kyung fit in but it was pretty low down.
It was all so complicated. If he wasn't forced into an engagement with her he could see them being friends, maybe. Didn't she think she deserved more from life than to be married away as a business deal?
"Why do you want to marry me?" Unable to hold it in any longer he had to know.
With a slight grin the heiress replied "Because I love you Jun.", but the man in question just scoffed at her words.
"You LOVE me? You LOVE me? How can you love me? You don't even know me." he growled out unable to look at her.
Unaffected by his words she continued on, "I think I fell in love with you the moment I met you."
"You must be a complete idiot then. The moment I met you I was out shopping for my g... for another woman, and you were just in the way. What is it with you? Do you like being sold off to the highest bidder?"
Misunderstanding his point, the heiress replied that she only accepted the terms of the engagement because it was him.
"So you agreed to marry someone you just met, who has treated you worse than you've ever known, because you think it's love. Do you like being treated like dirt? Is that it, the rich girl isn't used to someone not bowing to her every request?"
"I like a challenge." the heiress replied coyly, but Jun Pyo wasn't done yet.
"In case you haven't noticed I don't love you, and anything you think exists between us is all in your head. My heart already belongs to someone else. So you can either keep waiting hopelessly for this to turn into what you want or, you can grow a spine and move on."
As soon as the words were out of his mouth the Shin-Hwa heir realized everything he'd said also applied to him and Jan Di. It was time for him to move on, her heart didn't belong to him anymore. Trying to make something out of nothing, he was being just as much of a hopeless fool as his fiance.
Jun Pyo allowed his own words to sink in, and a newfound clarity filled him. The two of them were a fine sight, just as pathetic as each other, pining after the wrong people. He almost felt sorry for her, after all he'd gone out of his way to be as difficult as possible hoping to scare her off. She was stubborn, he'd give her that.
Blinking rapidly, the Chinese girl couldn't believe her ears. All his harsh words, his coldness and rude behavior, she'd put up with it because she believed it was all for show and he didn't really mean it. She knew he didn't love her yet but she thought she had a chance of winning his heart. Now he was saying it was hopeless as he loved another.
Her mind flashed to the sight of him carrying a bleeding Jan Di out of the hotel pool and the hard look he gave to Ji Hoo when the golden boy said he'd take her now. Could it be? The necklace, she'd nearly forgotten about it. It had said 'J+J', she'd just assumed...
"I can't believe this. How, how... how dare you!"
Smacking him on the back of his head she pounded her small fists into shoulders, arms and back berating him the entire time. "Who acts like this, and after all I did for you! We made love you idiot." giving him a few extra whacks on the head he fell out of his seat onto the floor.
Her words attracted the attention of the F2, who were up until then trying to ignore the couple's argument. Exchanging glances the pair of them needed to have words with their idiotic friend, that is if he survived the wrath of Ha Jae-Kyung.
Shielding his head from her punches he grabbed her arm to deflect a blow. "What does it matter, it's not like you were a virgin."
The F2 winced at his words. "He's a goner now." the So heir whispered to the Don Juan who nodded in agreement.
In a rage the heiress began kicking him in the shins. She was fuming, she'd done everything possible to make him love her. She'd given him unconditional love, supported him in subverting his mother and given her body to him.
"You awful, awful stupid man." Freeing her arm from his grip she shoved him over. "This isn't over."
On his back the curly haired idiot stared up at his fiance, wincing as she ground the heel of her shoe into his chest.
Storming away from his side she paused for a moment before leaving, "Tell Jan Di I am praying for her speedy recovery but that I couldn't stay."
Passing a confused Chu Ga Eul in the hall, the heiress nodded a curt hello and left the ward shouting "How dare he!" once more. Three sets of eyes turned in sync to look at the crumpled man dusting himself off, but he just shrugged and threw himself back down into the uncomfortable chairs outside the ICU.
"That was cold Jun Pyo, even for you." quipped the So heir as he rose to greet Ga Eul.
Taking her delicate hand in his, Yi Jeong offered her the seat next to him and she blushed from the special attention. She couldn't help but notice the awkward tension that filled the room and quietly she asked what was going on. By the time the Prince of the Song clan came over the long haired girl was fully caught up and anxiously waiting for Woo Bin to fill them in on what the doctor said.
"She'll be fine, but she'll be on bed rest for a few days. Ga Eul-ah maybe you could go relieve Ji Hoo, he could use a break and you're probably the only person who can make him take one."
"Of course Sunbae, and thank you." she said with a low bow to the auburn haired man.
"Don't thank me, thank Jun Pyo and Ha Jae-Kyung, they're the ones who figured out what was going on."
The porridge shop girl spun around to catch the Shin-Hwa heir's eye. Since his break up with Jan Di she'd barely seen him, but she owed him forever if he was the one who made her best friend's rescue possible.
"I don't know what to say, Jun Pyo-Sunbae I am in your debt." With another low bow she made her leave and a moment later the last member of the F4 joined them.
Throwing the evening paper down Madam Kang screamed in frustration. The headline alone was dangerous: Shin-Hwa foul up nearly kills Wonder Girl. If they ever found out the truth of the matter the company would be in ruins. She knew there was only two things that the press loved more than a scandal, a baby and a wedding.
Secretary Jung came into the office on her call and a short while later her staff brought Ha Jae-Kyung to her.
"I hope I haven't pulled you away from anything important." President Kang said, instructing the heiress to sit opposite her.
Unable to summon her usual bright smile, she sank into the seat wondering what the intimidating woman wanted with her.
"Is everything alright? You appear... less lively than you usually do. I know you are not wed yet but I want you to think of me as your own mother. Feel free to come to me with any problem child."
The heiress wasn't fooled by the woman's words. She'd always had to be wary of those who would take advantage of her wealth or position and Madam Kang was just another in a long line of users she'd met. This wouldn't be easy though.
"Thank you, I.. I appreciate it but... I can't marry Jun Pyo."
Collapsing into the offered chair Yoon Ji Hoo felt like he could sleep for a week. The last 24 hours had been one long nightmare: First Jan Di was attacked at school, then he ran into his grandfather at the clinic, then he spent the night wandering the streets making himself ill, before at last he'd rushed to his girlfriend's side to save her from being crushed alive.
Barely opening his eyes, the tawny haired man looked around the room and noticed the missing girl.
"Where's Yuli-ssi?"
Alarm coursed through Woo Bin's veins. "Crap, I'm never going to hear the end of this!"
Laughing for the first time in ages, Ji Hoo didn't envy his friend. Once the older man was out of sight he turned to regard the Casanova of the F4.
"Go ahead and ask then." Yi Jeong said crossing his arms.
"What did you find out?"
The famed potter had hoped to avoid this conversation for a bit longer. Tilting his head towards a scowling Jun Pyo he shouted for his friend to fill the golden boy in on what they'd learned.
"Are you sure? This isn't her style, she usually gets someone outside the company to do her dirty work."
The Shin-Hwa heir unhappily confirmed the truth as they knew it. "I don't know what to do about her anymore. She's out of control. Sometimes I think Guem Jan Di was better off before she knew us."
"I, I can't think like that. Maybe you're right, but... I don't want to think about where I'd be if I'd never met her." the thought chilled him to the bone.
"Jun Pyo, talk to your mother, you're the only one who can make her see reason."
"The witch sees what she wants to see."
"Maybe that's because she sees the truth." Yi Jeong piped up from behind them. "You're still in love with Guem Jan Di."
The only way he could protect the woman he loved was to forget about her. Had it really come to that? He hated Yi Jeong when he called out his bluff, forcing him to admit his feelings about the short, hard-working laundry girl.
"How do you suggest I do that then?"
"The same way men have done for centuries. I know a few girls who might interest you."
"I'm not interested in your left overs."
Dismissing the scowling man's comment, a confident Yi Jeong began dialing. "I assure you I haven't dated the girls I'm thinking of. They're far too... intense for my liking, but I think they'd suit you well. After all you do have a type."
Ji Hoo pitied his best friend's predicament. He knew, he knew without a doubt Jun Pyo still loved Jan Di. He couldn't deny him the right to do so, but he didn't have to be happy about it. Maybe a date would do the heir some good, after all Jan Di was his first girlfriend and he went from that to being engaged. He'd never really dated before.
The golden boy's own experience in that area was rather limited as well. He'd been on 'friend dates' with Seo Hyun and had been set up a few times, something he'd agreed to only out of politeness, but he'd never properly dated anyone before Jan Di came along.
"Yi Jeong, I need to make a few phone calls. Text me if I'm needed."
Leaving the two remaining men to talk, the exhausted man headed outside. Naturally Ji Hoo been able to convince Jan Di to come to his when she was released, she didn't have much choice after all, but he still had to get everything ready.
His family's secretary had once worked for his grandfather and, when the older man went missing after his parents death, the loyal man had stayed by his side. Ji Hoo knew he could count on him to get everything ready for Jan Di's arrival in the morning. There were still a few details to work out before her release, but the tawny haired man was too excited to let such minutia weigh him down.
He could feel his cheeks warm at the thought of living under the same roof as the woman he loved. She'd agreed to stay until she was well, and it was only proper he offer her a room of her own, but if everything went right he hoped it would turn into more than a recuperative stay. He didn't dare mention his plans to the others, he knew they would tell him he was rushing things but... maybe everything up to now was fate.
Seeing the familiar car pull up to the curb Ji Hoo waited for his secretary to bring him Jan Di's books and clothes. She'd specifically asked for her schoolwork, saying she needed to catch up on her studies for medical school. Only Guem Jan Di would think of school a few hours after nearly being killed.
On his way back he flipped through the heavily marked study guide searching for information related to Jan Di's injury. The information only confirmed everything the doctor had already told him, but he still felt dissatisfied. It occurred to him that his grandfather would know all about pulmonary contusions, that would be a last resort though.
The Shin-Hwa President was trying to be patient as she listened to Ha Jae-Kyung's reasons for wanting to break the engagement. She'd have to have a word with her son about his behavior. She'd assumed he'd of had enough sense NOT to screw this up.. apparently she was wrong. There was absolutely no way she'd agree to end the engagement but she had to temper the impetuous girl's reaction or she was liable to speak to her parents about the matter.
"My son can be a difficult, he's not had any real relationships with women. He's... inexperienced in matters of love, if you can be patient with him a bit longer I expect his behavior will improve. He needs a strong woman of class by his side to support him. Someone who understands the demands of our world, do you understand?"
"I'm sorry, I just don't think I can do this anymore. I can't marry someone who... who obviously hates me."
The words left her nearly in tears, she hated feeling so powerless, but that was what she was in this situation. Jun Pyo was right, they were little more than strangers. She'd wanted to make this work so badly she'd ignored her doubts, but she couldn't ignore them anymore.
"I wanted to marry him, but he doesn't want to marry me. I won't force my love on him any longer."
Furrowing her brow at this turn of events, Madam Kang tried to placate the young woman. Under much duress, the heiress agreed to give Jun Pyo another chance. This time the older woman would make sure her son towed the company line. The merger would happen one way or the other.
Fortunately she had the perfect leverage.
He really hadn't meant to forget about her. In all the fuss and worry their lunch date had slipped his mind. There would be hell to pay, he was sure of that. He'd left her in his bed, at his parents, but he doubted she was still there. She wasn't the type of girl to hang around waiting for him.
Oh he was so screwed, they were supposed to meet up with a few of her friends from the music program. Ji Hoo didn't speak to anyone outside of their close knit group, but his girlfriend was more social than the golden boy. Maybe if he rushed he could still make it.
With a quick text to Yi Jeong to let him know he'd be a while, the Don Juan raced off to Yulina's home away from home; the cafe specializing in Russian treats and teas was where she always wanted to meet. Seeing her sitting alone he raced to her side.
"I'm not late am I?" he said, feeling a bit winded. With an amused smile on her face the Russian girl shifted to allow him room to sit by her side.
"Not at all. It's alright I spoke with Ga Eul a few minutes ago, she let me know what happened."
"So I'm not in trouble?" he replied suspiciously.
"Well no more than you ever are." she teased, squirming when he kissed her neck in response.
"What would I do without you babe?"
He'd said it lightheartedly, but the words hit him hard. The lean, muscular man went two weeks without her and it wasn't a time he liked to look back on. By some tacit agreement they never talked about it and he was relieved she hadn't asked. He would hate lying to her, but the truth was something he hoped she'd never learn. She'd been accepting of his past but he didn't want to test her limits.
"So are these close friends?" he asked quickly when he noticed two boys approaching the table.
"We haven't hung out in a while but they're international students too, we tend to stick together."
"I'm not sure you answered my question Yuli."
Before he could get another word out, his girlfriend was introducing everyone and calling over the lone waitress to take their order. The two boys were twin brothers from Hong Kong. Specializing in percussion instruments, they were second year students at Shin-Hwa College.
The Don Juan watched the brothers carefully; he tended to be distrustful of anyone outside their circle particularly when it came to Yulina. Jealousy was not a feeling he was accustomed to and it soured his stomach. Feeling her squeeze his knee, his mind became more... favorably engaged and he gave her slender hand a kiss.
"So how did you two meet?" one of the brothers, who Woo Bin remembered was named Li Wei, asked him.
"Ah, through mutual friends. Do you know Yoon Ji Hoo?"
Nodding enthusiastically the brothers went into great detail discussing one of his performances, but as the conversation steered to composers the Prince of the Song clan felt lost.
"No way Liszt's sonata is not harder than Scarbo. I think it's easier."
"Well then you think wrong." Yulina replied back. "What do you think Li Jie?"
"I think... it's best not to get between the two of you in an argument."
Woo Bin had been over the moon when the Russian girl confessed her feelings to him yesterday. Now, listening to Yulina and her friends bicker, the auburn haired man remembered there was a whole side to his girlfriend's life that he knew next to nothing about. It was where his initial jealousy of Ji Hoo had stemmed from and he felt left out.
Would this be what she would feel like when he took over the Song clan? He kept thinking it was so far off into the future, but really it was just around the corner for him. If he planned to build a life with her it was time for him to step up and accept his role in the family.
His fingers flew across the screen of his new Shin-Hwa phone. The text was short and to the point; he trusted his father would understand his meaning.
'I'm ready.'
With slow steps, the weary girl entered the Yoon family residence. The family physician was already there waiting to examine her but she shooed him away in favor of laying down on the couch.
"Just give me a minute, I promise I'm not running away." Jan Di chuckled to herself, making her chest ache more.
Her boyfriend fluttered around her in a tizzy, unable to sit still he made honey tea and brought out snacks his staff had prepared especially for her. Finally stopping him mid pillow fluff with a kiss, she took his hands in hers. As terrible as this had been for her, she knew he had suffered too. For one thing he'd barely slept, he'd missed two days of classes and every time she looked into his eyes she could see the worry lodged deep within his heart.
"Ji Hoo-yah this had been hard on you too."
"Don't think like that little otter." A slight smile graced the handsome man's face and Jan Di felt her heart skip a beat.
"I can't help but think like that. It seems like you've thought of everything except yourself."
Pressing a hard kiss to her hand he held her as close as possible, careful not to injure her further. Softly he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, all the while thinking of how close he came to losing her.
"I promise to do whatever you ask of me AFTER the doctor checks you out."
With a groan, the Wonder Girl mumbled something about being tired of doctors. Carefully the tawny haired man helped her up, walking with her into his bedroom where the doctor was waiting to examine her.
Jan Di hesitated when the doctor instructed her to lay down, and Ji Hoo offered to give her some privacy but she was having none of it.
"You told me once all we have is each other."
The golden boy nodded remembering their first official date, and then blushed fiercely when he remembered how the evening ended. Sitting at her side he took her hand and gave it a quick kiss.
"I've not done a very good job protecting you."
"You're wrong." Jan Di knew how much he blamed himself. They were a bit too similar in this way. She traced small circles onto the back of his hand with her thumb, hoped to ease his troubled mind. "You can't control everything Ji Hoo-yah but your always there when I need you and... you've protected my heart."
Leaning forward he gave her a light kiss, whispering a soft 'I love you' in her ear.
Growing uncomfortable with the direction things were going the doctor cleared his throat, reminding the young couple he was still in the room before they got too caught up in each other.
"If we could begin?"
The Yoon family doctor for over 30 years, he'd known Ji Hoo since he was born. Never had he seen the young man act so... uninhibited. The poor boy had been through too much sorrow in his life and it had forced him to grow up before his time. It warmed the older man's heart to see him finally come out of his shell and he was glad the lonely man had found someone.
A confident So Yi Jeong waited outside the small room in Ga Eul's school's annex. He'd seen the long haired girl go in at the start of class and entertained himself as he waited by watching her work. She had a lot to learn but he knew her teacher was capable. Eun-Jae had trained alongside him under his fathers tutelage. Seeing her now made his heart ache. What a mess his life was. Without Eun-Jae by his side he'd fallen into the same pit his father had.
The old man had warned him before that you only get one chance at love. Had he lost his already?
He hid from the students as they exited the class, taking extra care to make sure Ga Eul didn't spot him, before he walked in. She was clearly surprised to find him there and he couldn't help rushing to her side. Taking her in his arms like he'd longed to for years he kissed her. Any other woman would have slapped him, but not Eun-Jae.
She just took his face in her hands and gazed up at him with pity in her eyes.
"Do you love him?" He asked, breaking free from her hands, unable to bear the sad look she was giving him.
"Of course." she said quietly.
"How could you leave me? Do you have any idea how much I've suffered since you left?"
"Yi Jeong-ah, I never meant to cause you any pain. I... I too was suffering. I guess... I gave up."
"I still need you."
"You never needed me, I wish you had. Someone who needed me would have noticed me sooner. It's not fair to expect a woman to wait endlessly, hoping for more, with no promise of a tomorrow."
"I was young and stupid, we both were, but we can start over."
"Life doesn't go backwards and... I don't want to start over." He was clearly shocked by her words and she didn't want him to misunderstand her. "It took me a long time to admit it to myself, but I was never right for you. I always wanted more from you, more than you were ready to give, I didn't want to be another one of your girls."
"You could never be another one of my girls."
"You don't know that. Even now you haven't changed, not really. I thought I could change you, to mold you like clay in my hands until your cracks were gone. I forgot that the cracks are beautiful in their own right."
"Eun-Jae what are you saying?"
"I guess I'm saying goodbye, in person this time."
Gathering her bags, she was about to leave the room when she bumped into one of her students who was standing just outside the room.
"Chu Ga Eul, is everything alright?"
The name made Yi Jeong snap his head to attention.
"Oh, I'm glad I caught you, I just wanted to return this, I forgot to give it to you during class." Handing the handmade key-chain back to her teacher the porridge shop girl bowed and was about to leave when she caught the So heir's eye.
Without any greeting he walked past the two women and left. The long haired girl felt a sinking sensation as she watched his retreating form. She'd caught some of the conversation, but not all of it. She knew that whatever had happened between her teacher and So Yi Jeong was none of her business, but she was stuck frozen by the door the moment she heard them speaking.
There were so many mysteries surrounding Yi Jeong; maybe her pottery teacher could help her uncover some of them.
"Teacher, if you don't mind... what really happened between you and Yi Jeong-Sunbae. Why did he leave so suddenly?"
Wanting to learn more about her studies he'd been staying late the last few days, keeping Yulina company while she practiced. For two hours after classes they locked themselves in the music rooms downstairs and, while she played, he studied. His father welcomed his interest in the family business, but made it clear he expected Woo Bin to complete college before he'd even consider giving him an official role.
For nearly six months he'd skipped lessons, ignoring the required coursework necessary to graduate on time, and now he was paying the price. The Don Juan was failing three classes but he'd made arrangement with each of the professors to make up the missed work. He found listening to the Russian girl work on her composition for the showcase helped him concentrate.
The carpeted floor of the small room, designed to dampen sound, was comfortable and he sprawled himself out as he made notes on the assigned readings. The Global Business course he was on was particularly tedious at times, and although Ji Hoo was in the same program as he was, the golden boy didn't make a good study partner. Every once in a while he felt like he was missing out on something and wondered what course of study he would of chosen had it been up to him. Actually if it had been up to him he probably wouldn't be attending college at all, but it wasn't.
His parents had been asking him to bring Yulina over again for dinner, and he had a fair idea why. It was virtually impossible to keep any secrets from his father and he suspected the old man knew what he was planning.
"Yuli-ssi, I need a break." the auburn haired man yawned loudly, checking his phone when another text from his mother came in.
"Just one... moment... there." the Russian girl replied with satisfaction as she finished the first draft of her performance piece. "I don't know how Ji Hoo does it, composing is so much more complicated than it looks."
"Can I hear it?"
With a nod the lithe girl's fingers began dancing across the strings of the gayageum. Playing a haunting melody, she stopped halfway dissatisfied with herself. "I need to talk to Ji Hoo-yah, I hate writing in C. It's so... boring."
"I'll swap you for microeconomics."
"Oh, no way señor. Not unless you want us both to fail."
"My mother wants me to bring you around for dinner tonight." he said, tossing her his phone so she could see the message for herself.
"Any particular reason?" Yulina said having a look at it and handing it back.
Collecting his books, the muscular man sighed knowing he still had several hours of revision ahead of him. He watched as the woman he loved flicked her long hair out of her face as she worked to edit her composition. Walking up behind her he pulled her hair back for her, leaning over to see the hurriedly scribbled notes he had no idea how to read.
The Don Juan was an expert on her body by now and knew just where on her neck to kiss to make her shudder.
"Mmm, you know I'd love to but I'm just so stressed out right now." Leaning back, she tilted her head to look up at him. "I'm in trouble. I don't know what I'm going to do."
"You're too hard on yourself Yuli."
"I have to be. I'm doing a miserable job learning the 25 string, maybe I should just go back to studying sanjo. I can't mess up at the showcase, it's too important. All those snobs will be expecting me to fail, and it's been so long since I've done a public performance they might get their wish."
Massaging her shoulders he remained quiet, he knew she didn't want him to reassure her, she just needed to vent.
"How about I'll see if I can find a Medovic recipe for after dinner tonight."
The Russian girl twitched her nose in amusement, he knew there was no way she could say no to honey cake. "I suppose I can come over... if you insist."
With a quick kiss he sprang up. Already ready to go, he helped her organize her notes and dropped her off at home. For some reason Woo Bin was particularly excited about having Yulina over for dinner with his parents and he buzzed about the kitchen, irritating his mother as she readied their meal.
"I'm leaving to get cleaned up, can I trust that you won't destroy the kitchen in the meantime?"
"You wound me mother." he replied as he worked to blend the cream.
He'd never made anything quite so complicated before, and as he looked at the 30 step recipe, he had a bad feeling.
"The things I do for this woman." the Don Juan muttered to himself, unaware that his mother could still hear him.
With a soft smile the youthful woman paused and, looking at the time, went back to the kitchen to help her son.
Eun Jae treated her favorite student to a cup of tea, and the women sat opposite each other talking about the famed potter. Ga Eul swung her legs as she listed to her teacher's stories. The older woman had never spoken about what happened with anyone before, but something about Ga Eul made her trust her with her secrets and it felt good to unburden her heart. She'd tried her hardest back then and it hadn't worked out, but maybe So Yi Jeong was finally ready for love.
It hurt the long haired girl to learn the truth about Yi Jeong's family, all the suffering they'd put him through, and then to lose the only person he could confide in. The porridge shop girl could understand why her teacher left, but she didn't know if she could forgive her for hurting him so.
She'd heard the end of their conversation, and she knew the woman opposite her was his first love. Eun-Jae explained about the letter but it didn't make any sense to Ga Eul; why hadn't he gone to meet her that morning? It felt uncomfortable learning so many intimate details about the So heir's life from a third party. She couldn't help but think it was an invasion of his privacy.
Saying goodnight to her teacher, the long haired girl wandered slowly home lost in thought. At the bus stop she watched people get on and off as she waited for her bus to arrive. All these people, each had their own story with their own pain.
'Are some of them lost like Yi Jeong-Sunbae? Do they have a loved one waiting for them or are they alone?'
Lost in her thoughts she nearly missed her bus.
'What is he doing right now? Probably out drinking, that seems to be his answer to everything.'
The way he'd stormed out of there worried her to no end, and she found herself unable to sleep that night. Using the free time to re-read the book of poems Petr gave her she watched the sunrise and left the house early. It was time to check on him.
A fuzzy headed So Yi Jeong woke as the first rays of dawn seared his skin. Working to open his eyes he saw he was not alone. Ga Eul stood nearby holding a cup of ginger tea. The way she looked at him, with reproach, made him want to disappear back into his dreams.
Closing his eyes to escape he twitched when her words stung him.
"Why are you like this?"
With effort he sat up and looked at her, pretending unconvincingly he'd only just noticed she was there.
"Oh, it's you Ga Eul. I want to sleep. Can we talk later?" he said with none of his usual charm.
"Yi Jeong-Sunbae, you acted like you were so much better than me before, you called me names and made me feel small, but now you're like this."
"Can you just shut up and leave." he said with growing irritation.
"No, because if I shut up now then I'll probably have to watch you spend your life like this. So I have a few things to say. You're a liar. You're immature and a pathetic coward."
"What!"
"You said you pretended because you didn't want to hurt her right? But it was you who didn't want to get hurt. You thought she'd see you for what you are and run away. I know your cool and collected self is just a mask but the Yi Jeong I like is afraid of love, afraid of people leaving him like a child. Do you know why children cry when they don't get want they want right away? They fear if they wait they will lose it forever."
She wasn't sure he understood her, but the way he stared blankly at the floor told her he was at least listening. Maybe she could get through to him.
"Why didn't you meet Eun-Jae that morning on the rooftop?"
"What?" He looked at her wide eyed and shook his head at her story.
'The letter...' he remembered everything.
The days blurred past for Jan Di. Between the pain medication, the physical therapy Ji Hoo made sure she completed daily and her studies life seemed quiet. Yulina and Ga Eul had come over a few times to see her, bringing her a few items they'd salvaged from the wreck of her apartment. The building was now fully demolished and the laundry girl was saddened to lose her small home. It hadn't been much but it had been hers, and she had made good memories there.
When the doctor first informed her she expected her to recover within a week, Jan Di had thought the woman crazy. Yet here she was on day five and, although it hurt to cough or sneeze, she was relatively pain free. The human body was truly an amazing thing and the Wonder Girl hoped she'd be privileged enough to be allowed to study it professionally.
Ji Hoo had taken a keen interest in her studies and quizzed her daily. It annoyed her to no end that her boyfriend already seemed to know more than she did. She supposed she'd just have to accept it though, Yoon Ji Hoo was a genius and excelled in whatever he put his mind to.
This Sunday they were forgoing the usual day out in favor of a day of rest and relaxation. Having decided to study outdoors today Jan Di rested her head against her boyfriend's shoulder. He was serious about his rest and quickly fell asleep in the warm sun. Jan Di loved to watch him in these small peaceful moments. He'd been working so hard looking after her, with no family around between them he'd taken an almost fatherly role making sure she was eating and following the doctors orders.
She knew better than to say anything to him about it, after all he had no experience to compare it to so he was unaware what he was even doing. It was sweet she decided in the end, and if fussing a bit made him feel better she could tolerate it. After all she supposed she had a tendency to mother him when he was unwell. Dismissing any lingering awkwardness about it, she was left feeling indebted to him.
No matter how much trouble she made for him, he never complained. If only her OWN parents had been that supportive. Although she missed them she felt happier since they'd left. She felt so dreadful thinking that way, but her parents histrionics were tiring and she was always having to clean up after their messes.
"I'm such an ungrateful daughter, mother forgive me." she said to herself. The very least she could do is send them a message. Whipping out her phone she began to type an email to Kang-san. She trusted him to give her a more honest interpretation of what was going on than either of her parents. His reply came quickly and upset her to no end.
Nothing has changed, they'd left Seoul in debt only to find themselves in the same situation once again. Maybe she could send them some money, she was still working at the porridge shop and making deliveries.
She was preparing a mental checklist of all the things she could do to earn a bit more cash when she heard something fall. Looking around all she could find was a key. It looked new, but where had it come from? Pocketing it for now she got up and went to the kitchen. She wanted to do something special for dinner tonight.
The savory aroma of beef woke the tawny haired man. Stretching his arms out he yawned and looked around. He saw Jan Di was busy working in the kitchen and the sight made his heart pound. Today he was planning on asking the Wonder Girl to move in with him, officially. What would she say? The thought of her refusing filled him with so much anxiety he felt sick.
"Yoon Ji Hoo, are you just going to sit there all day?"
Stepping outside to see him, Jan Di was puzzled by his troubled expression.
"Is everything alright Ji Hoo-yah?" she said crouching down to be eye level with him. Still holding a wooden spoon in her hand, the laundry girl looked the picture of domesticity and the golden boy pulled her near. Holding her close, he felt her relax in his embrace and just like that all of his anxiety disappeared.
How could he explain to her in words what seeing her in his kitchen, making them an impromptu meal meant to him? Jan Di had used his kitchen more in the last month than it'd been used in the last 15 years. Unable to put all his feelings into words the golden boy did the next best thing.
The kiss he gave her was potent, full of longing and love, it awakened the urges he'd been working to suppress. He'd been extra cautious since her accident, and as a result their physical contact had been limited to kissing. More than once he had to cool things off between them to be safe; later having to finish himself off in the shower when his libido refused to calm down.
It'd been a week since they last made love, and it was the longest week of the tawny haired man's life.
"Jan Di" he whispered, "how much time do we have before we have to go in?"
Dinner was a quick affair but the washing up took a bit longer. Up to her elbows in suds Jan Di watched as Yoon Ji Hoo did the drying. When he bent down to put the pots away she nearly dropped a dish. The Wonder Girl bit her lip, embarrassed by the growing need inside her.
It was usually Ji Hoo who put the brakes on and, although it was frustrating, she knew it was the right thing to do. One of them had to be sensible, she just felt bad that it was usually him. What must he think of her?
Only now when the buzzer went off, interrupting their moment in the garden, it was her who had to cool things off. The quiet man always seemed so in control, and she was secretly delighted to see him get carried away. Rinsing down the sink, she was drying her hands when she noticed him staring at her.
"Something I can help you with?" she said with a bright smile as she walked to his side.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she stood on her tiptoes trying to even out their height. Even in her tallest heels, the ones Seo Hyun had gifted her that had miraculously survived her apartments destruction, she was still a few inches shorter than him. She was used to it though, all through school she'd always been the shortest kid in the class.
'Still a few more inches wouldn't be so bad' she mused as she lowered her heels to the ground.
"You seem much better." the golden boy began, unsure how to approach the topic with her.
His body still felt aflame from their brief interlude in the garden and he craved her touch. He tried to listen to what she was saying, something about school tomorrow, but he was failing miserably. Ji Hoo knew how modest his girlfriend was and that she would never consider herself sexy, but he just had to disagree.
All he could do was nod at random intervals while watching the way her tongue flicked out when she licked her lips. Jan Di captivated him, her mannerisms, her body language, and the innocent way she managed to make the simplest things arousing beguiled him. He tried to be good, he tried not to look, but he couldn't help notice how all he had to do was turn his head slightly to the left and the setting sun made her blouse see-through.
The golden boy was sure Jan Di must have noticed how his cheeks flushed at the realization. Feeling himself growing warm he squirmed a bit, his tight white jeans becoming uncomfortable as his body's natural responses kicked in. Maybe he should give himself some space.
Walking out of the room, he stopped when the laundry girl wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. Such a simple gesture; did she have any idea what she was doing to him? He was about to pull her hands away after noticing how close they were to touching his erection when she stopped him.
"Don't" she murmured, "I've missed this."
Allowing her hands to stay he rested his own nimble hands on top of her smaller ones and, instead of fighting it, he welcomed the feelings she was building within him. He could feel the rise and fall of her chest as her breasts pressed against him and he imagined himself caressing those soft mounds.
Intensely aroused, he wished he'd worn just about anything else today. Surely she could feel it by now, the way his jeans bulged out was unmistakable. His cock ached to be free of it's constraints and a bit of pre-cum escaped in anticipation. He grit his teeth, rapidly losing control over his body, his muscles twitched. Something had to happen and soon or he was going to have to have another shower.
The tawny haired man didn't realize what she was doing until her hand began rubbing and squeezing him. He flinched at first, startled by her boldness but she shushed him and her words made it clear she knew what she was doing.
"Shh, let me Ji Hoo."
The caresses of her small hand were rapidly working him to the point of no return and he had yet to even touch her. His heart pounded in his chest and he moaned out her name.
"Mmm, Jan Di-yah, let me touch you."
His hands ran down the sides of her legs and back up, wrapping around to squeeze her ass.
"I can't wait much longer." he whispered, trying to regain control before he came.
Swallowing hard Jan Di released him, coming around his side to face him. Her cheeks were a lovely shade of red and, in less than a second, he pulled her close. Her breathing was rapid, just like his, and he looked into her wide eyes seeking approval.
Although he was aroused he was still a gentleman, and he waited for a cue from her. The fluttering of her eyes shut was all he needed. Bending his head down to her he hoped to pick up where they left off and he wasn't the only one. Jan Di's tongue lightly licked his bottom lip seeking to deepen their kiss. With a small moan of pleasure he allowed her entrance and, letting his girlfriend take the lead, his hands roamed her body.
The way she pressed against him left him in no doubt of her need. Sliding his hands back to her hips, he guided her a few steps back until she was pressed against the kitchen counter. Her kiss grew fervent when he began grinding into her. The way she clawed at his back told him she was enjoying herself and breaking the kiss she pulled at his shirt, helping him lift it away.
Ji Hoo made short work of her thin blouse and undid her bra before she even realized what was happening. The way she ran her hands along his pectorals, he couldn't help but reciprocate. Cupping her breasts he couldn't NOT notice the lingering bruise across her chest. The purple was fading but it reminded him of how close he came to losing her, again.
"Jan Di-yah" he whispered, shuddering under her touch. Softly squeezing one of her breasts he leaned in close, "I don't want to hurt you.".
"It doesn't hurt." she assured him as he moved the fleshy mound around a bit more. "You always make me feel so good Ji Hoo-yah. I want to do the same for you."
"You most definitely are." he said as he began kissing her neck. Her little moans were making him lose his mind and he sucked hard before lifting her to sit on the counter. Leaning forward he began to suck at her breasts but he wanted more.
His long fingers slid up her thighs and rubbed against the crotch of her pants. Her moans became more desperate and he too needed release but the kitchen was not an ideal place. Thinking quickly he carried her to the dining table and undoing the buttons of her pants slid his hand down into her underwear. Jan Di was so wet and ready he was able to slide his fingers deep within her folds and quickly found her clit.
Remembering Yulina's tit for tat rule Jan Di raised her shaky hands and tried to take his jeans off. 'The best rule ever.' she thought when she finally undid the button. Ji Hoo lurched forward when he felt her touch him. She's taken out his cock and, finally free, it swelled rapidly.
He moaned when she began stroking him, biting his lip to prevent his volume from rising too much.
"Oh Jan Di, it's so good." Sliding his hand out from her pants he slid her off the table and rapidly began pulling at her remaining clothes. Jan Di's fell away easily but his took more work; he vowed never to wear such ridiculous jeans again.
Fully naked they pressed their bodies tight against one another. Rapidly caressing, touching each other all over, Ji Hoo wanted to please her and asked what she'd prefer. His tongue in her ear he eagerly responded to her request, she wanted to be on top like when they were at the embassy. Swapping positions he shuffled his body back onto the table, pulling her forward at the same time.
The moment she took his swollen cock in her hand to guide him in, he reached up for a kiss. The golden boy forced his tongue into her mouth just as she pushed down against him. His cock slid in smoothly finding that the press of her inner walls against him, surrounding him, as he moved inside her felt so much more intense after a week of celibacy.
Pleasure overtook him and he broke their long kiss. Laying back fully he watched with eager eyes as Jan Di moved her hips, rising and falling over and over. He didn't even have to do anything, her movements were amazing.
"Aaaaaah yes... Jan Di-yah, yes you feel so good." Biting his lip he whimpered and curled his toes allowing himself to simply feel. "More... more... oh don't stop." He begged as her movements slowed. Ji Hoo could feel her muscles were beginning to tremble, and he grabbed her hips to help her continue on as her own orgasm rocked her.
The sight of the woman he loved in the throws of ecstasy, as his cock drove in and out of her, spurred him on. Panting hard he quickened his pace, grunting at every thrust as he built to his release.
"Say it, say my name." he groaned.
"Ji Hoo" she called out running her hands across his chest.
"Yes, more." he said shakily, "I'm so close."
Leaning back she screamed out for him in a long cry as her orgasm peaked.
"Yes Jan Di, yes, yes, YEEEEEES. AH AH OH YES!" every cell in his body shook and with one last thrust he screamed out "Ja-an DIIII" as he cum burst out of him like a volcano exploding. She rode him all the way through his orgasm, extending his high until he couldn't even remember his own name.
The feeling was earth shattering and Ji Hoo never wanted to come down from his high, but as his breathing slowed so did the trembling. Jan Di fell forward against his chest, and the golden boy held her tight as she panted breathlessly. Every time with her was amazing, but after a week off it was almost like their first time all over again.
"Jan Di-yah..." he said in a breathy voice, his throat dry from panting. "I want you to move in with me."
"Huh?"
AN: So... what'd you think?
It wasn't quite what I planned but sometimes a story takes on a life all its own. I know some of you were looking forward to Yulina's b'day party but I decided to delay that to spend more time on what happened to JD and the JP/JK dynamic.
I think the lemon was a doozy so I hope you can forgive me a little there.
I realize how long this story is getting and I hope you guys can bear with me till the end. I have big plans for the flower four.
As always I'm a terrible proofreader so if you spot a mistake let me know, no harm no foul.
In our next chapter
The rest of the lemons I was planning
Will JD move in with JH?
Where is WB planning on taking Yulina for her birthday?
Until next time XOXO
PS: Reviews make me HAPPY