a/n: Wow! It's been a while since I made a note to my readers, well I've been busy and I apologize for that. To you all, thank you so much for giving time to read my story, you Guys are so awesome. Thanks for the reviews, favs and follows :). And ntcmiller, it's been a long time :) glad you're back. Take care and God bless us all!

Stunned, even of himself, Yi Jeong was so stunned of his own resolve and vulnerability. A single glance at her had crushed the walls he had again created, after those three months and after yesterday. Will he ever learn that he would never get immune of her? He should have run out of his studio when he saw her seated on one of his working bench. Actually, he should have left before he turned the knob open without even thinking, because he knew deep in his heart that it was her who's inside. And then, the inevitable was there, just across him. Should he run? Would she mind? Would he look like an idiot if he bolted out of the front door? It was too difficult, let alone crazy to think of doing the total opposite when all he wanted was to pull her in and crush her body against him until she's out of breath. God! He missed her terribly!

"I am so scared that you wouldn't come. What took you so long!?"

She sounded accusing, yet relieved, her voice was breathless and shaking, as if she had been holding up from breathing in centuries. It was a game of chance when she decided to come at his studio. And although coming there would either end up of her seeing him or not, she took the opportunity and she was glad that she did.

"Gaeul-yang..." Yi Jeong breathed her name like a prayer.

His heart sunk when she stood up, faced him and saw the never ending tears running down her reddened face. In an instant, he wanted to lash out whoever did that to his angel. Yi Jeong didn't even thought of what's logical or rational about the whole thing, and would simply go and have a spree of revenge to whoever made Gaeul cry. It was so not him.

At the back of his mind, he knew that seeing her would cause him further conflict, up to the point that he might be held off from seeing her. But he didn't care, at all. Future is for tomorrow and he would deal with it once it became present. And that's because at that very moment, he needed to attend to Gaeul.

"Come here." He said, gently and shortly.

Gaeul didn't have to actually think, simply because her trusted pretty little head was not functioning well enough that it allowed her feet to glide straight to him. And just when she realized, her arms were already thrown and wrapped around him. Gaeul broke down; crumbling into tiny pieces while Yi Jeong held her close, picking up those that was shattered.

She had no idea on where she got the guts and managed to be where she was at the moment. The last thing that her functioning brain could recall was when she ran out of their house, went at that same stall where she drank her life out before, took some shots enough for her to lose her tongue, dialed Woobin's number, called Jiho right after and then she was all there at Yi Jeong's studio. And by the way, she did remember what her best friend said, clearly.

'You know it isn't me that you wanted to meet. It isn't me that you wanted to talk to, but here you are being an idiot that instead of coming to him, you tried to lure your way and called me anyway. Gaeul, I think it's time for you to do what your heart is screaming for and get that head of yours some rebooting.' At that Woobin wished her luck and added to call him when she needed help on planning to escape the wedding with Yi Jeong. Surely, her insane-now-level-headed best friend knew it all.

Gaeul also had to thank Jiho for his very quick and eager response. That doctor friend of hers was even too excited when she asked him if he could help her break inside Yi Jeong's studio. Oh! The glints of thrill in Jiho's eyes were promising, which she failed to notice because she was too preoccupied with her thoughts.

'Call me or Yuri if you need a ride home.' She recalled Jiho's generous approach after he told her that he wasn't sure if Yi Jeong would be at his studio anytime soon. One day, of course, no matter what might happen to her, to Yi Jeong, to them and whatever ending they would have, she must at least thank Woobin and Jiho, also Jaekyung for all the things that they had done for her.

...

She was crying and he had no idea how to calm her down. He embraced her tighter and she cried even more. Why? What's wrong? Those words did not make it out of his mouth and was choked back in his throat. Yi Jeong thought that he might be one of those reasons why Gaeul was crying, he could feel it through her every sobs and hiccups, the way she clung to him as if he would drift away if she let go.

"It's okay", he held her arms and untangled her lightly, but not totally. Yi Jeong was still holding Gaeul in place. "I am not going anywhere. I will stay with you, but you really have to stop crying." He said to her and went on with a tone that was teasing. "Women, you know, they think that they're pretty when they're crying. But really, they don't."

Despite of herself, Gaeul was able to find the humor behind his words and hit Yi Jeong's chest. He too, chuckled at what he said and how she had reacted. Gently, Yi Jeong chucked her chin, lifting it up so that he could see her face clearly. Gaeul was no doubt beautiful, although her eyes were puffy, her nose was red and her cheeks were so damp of those crazy tears. Yi Jeong realized that what he said a while ago was purely applicable to some women, but definitely not his Gaeul-yang. She's too lovely to be turned un-pretty with just tears, or maybe he's simply too biased about it.

"I'm sorry, Gaeul-yang. I didn't mean to cause you so much pain, I'm so sorry." He said to her and she shook her head rigorously, dismissing his apology.

"You did nothing wrong, you never did... It's me, I'm sorry because I'm stupid, coward, selfish and a liar. I denied you, I denied what I feel towards you and now... I'm suffering the consequences." Gaeul stated in between sobs.

Yi Jeong didn't mind what Gaeul was blabbing about, because he knew it already, that she likes him too, she said so herself in her drunken state. Instead, he leisurely wiped her tears away, drying them with his thumbs as he cupped her cheeks gently. He had long realized that he wouldn't be able to escape her existence in his life, no matter how he try burying it down alive.

"I will never give you up", Yi Jeong declared boldly while his heart was doing some summersaults.

"Neither do I", she replied and he stared at her wide-eyed.

Did she just say that? Yi Jeong screamed inside his head, yet he stayed looking at Gaeul like he was captured inside a wormhole, dazed.

"I like you!"

She confessed and was answered by a loud silence.

Gaeul became stiff when Yi Jeong seemed at lost about her confession. There was another minute of silence, and there he was looking at her like she had grown another head. Why is he not answering?! She panicked and without any patience left, she hit Yi Jeong's chest rather forcefully.

"Yah! So Yi Jeong, I said, I like you!" Gaeul repeated, almost yelling it out to Yi Jeong's face.

"I know", he said gently right after a long moment, while she felt like dying each second. A sigh came out from her, and Gaeul never did felt too relieved. Oh! He knows it... Wait! What?

"You! What? How...?"

Yi Jeong sighed. "You said it yourself", he revealed.

"I did not! I'm sure!" Gaeul argued, her eyes were still wide.

"You did, you told me the other night."

"But we never... I was drunk that time."

"Exactly", he responded and Gaeul's eyes widened more.

Yes, Gaeul and her drunken blunt honesty. A crimson shade rushed up her cheeks and the room they were in became hot all of a sudden. Yi Jeong smiled seeing Gaeul blush like that. It was something very endearing to watch. And although he was helplessly happy about what was happening to them right at that moment, Yi Jeong was still curious about what pushed Gaeul to ran after him and confess.

"Something happened, what is it?" He tried hard, choosing the right words to ask. And just when the words came out of his mouth, he turned a bit concern if it was too blunt for Gaeul. They needed to talk it over, because in the end of the day, it would cause them whatever they're rightful of.

"I'm... I'm leaving Yi Jeong."

Her words weren't that sharply delivered, still it pierced him right through the right spot. So she's leaving and before she tells him goodbye, she came to him to say that she likes him and then puff, she's gone. Is that really something to be celebrating about? But Yi Jeong had grown wiser, "Because?"

"They set me for an arrangement. I... I was so angry I left my parents without a word. I was so scared and angry, I felt betrayed! I don't want anything about the crap they were telling me."

"Why?" He prodded when Gaeul fell quiet. She was seeing herself fragile and vulnerable, and that made her a little uncomfortable. It was hard for her to be skinned that way, either way she braved herself and spoke.

"Because... Because I don't know who it was, I can't just accept a future that was readily decided by my parents. Because if I ever decide to marry again, I would want it because I know the other person is worth it, that I genuinely care for him, that I like and love him enough. And because I know that, that certain person would love me too, just as much that Junho would be happy about it."

All those times, until then, Gaeul remained appreciative of her late husband Junho and Yi Jeong didn't know what to feel about it. Should he ask Junho's approval first when it comes to her? But he's like in the other side of the dead world. Or did he just forget that he was all set to marry too and there he was thinking about him and Gaeul.

"Then don't marry him." Gaeul's eyes widened at how Yi Jeong sounded as if it was that easy to get rid of the arrangement, as if he wasn't experiencing the same situation.

"Will you not marry her too if I don't?" She dared ask although she was feeling lightheaded and scared of his answer.

"Nobody told me not to." Yi Jeong said in finality without the intention of hurting her, yet it still did. It was a big blow on Gaeul.

He's willing to take such a chance, Gaeul pondered. And if she chose to stay as passive, Yi Jeong might drift further and would definitely marry the bride of his mother's choosing. No! No no no no. She rigorously shook her head.

"Don't!" Gaeul yelled surprising Yi Jeong. His eyes were wide and he seemed flustered of her exclamation. "I mean, don't marry her. Please don't marry her!" Her hands curled hardly, crumpling his shirt between her palms. She knew that she was acting desperate and she has no care, at all. Yi Jeong was this desperate when he asked her to tell him not to marry. That time she should have told him so, but then she resisted the words out of her mouth. And thus she was giving a second chance; Gaeul would seize it for sure.

"For what reason?"

He wondered if Gaeul was strong enough to take his challenge or if she would choose to flee in an instant, hide, decline and deny whatever reason she has in her head. Have you changed? Did you learn? It was heart racing to actually wait for her answer, but he had endured enough of the waiting - for her and for 'them'. Yi Jeong was ready for what might happen; her answer wouldn't matter though, because he had promised her earlier that he would not give her up.

...

Oh God!

Gaeul winced inwardly. How did she ever forget Yi Jeong's wit and sharp tongue? For what reason? Haven't you seen how desperate I am begging you? She wanted to smack his head and choke him, but she resisted the urged of doing so. It's Yi Jeong, she reminded herself. This narcissistic huge head imposing little rascal is making me say it all loud. Well Mister, I'm not backing off.

"Reason?" She echoed him and he nodded.

"My reason isn't that big, I tell you." Gaeul went on, smiling inwardly after she saw the crease of frustration painted at Yi Jeong's forehead.

"What is it then?" Gaeul sighed and stared straight at Yi Jeong's deep ebony eyes; they were so captivating that she almost went lost.

"You can't marry her because I love you."

There she said it! At last she was strong enough not to bend, but one look at Yi Jeong's confused expression, Gaeul wanted to groan and whine like a three year old. The man in front of her didn't seemed to hear or realize that she just made a confession, a vulnerable yet honest confession. And it never last long when she caught him asked about what it was all about. God!

"What did you say?" Yi Jeong pressed some more and at the same time pressing her bruised pride further.

That's it! Gaeul had enough of his antics. "Damn it Yi Jeong, I said, I love you!" She yelled, grabbed his collar, pulled him down to her level and kissed him.

Yi Jeong sighed the moment he felt her sweet and soft lips against his. She drunk before going here, he thought. And he had to admit that he didn't quite expect Gaeul to lose her patience and jump to him like she just did, although he never and ever would detest how she had deal with his childish teasing. Okay, so when did the karma of teasing someone led down to such sweet, passionate and wonderful kiss?

He was smiling as they were kissing, she just knows it. But how could she complain about it when she was feeling immensely happy? It felt so right being in his embrace and she wished she could stay protected in Yi Jeong's arms. However, they both know that they wouldn't be as free as they hope they could be, because she and Yi Jeong were set to marry someone else. What they have at that moment would eventually end if they would not act sooner.

"That was the fourth time you stole a kiss from me" Yi Jeong uttered breathlessly after they broke from the kiss.

Gaeul knitted her eyebrows. "As far as I can remember, it was only three", she argued.

"Of course you would only know three because you weren't a sober the first time."

"What? What exactly are you talking about Mister?"

Yi Jeong smiled, that oh so sexy smile that could make Gaeul's inside turn into a mush. I swear to God not to get head over hills when he smiles. Gaeul scolded herself when she realized that she had been staring at him as if Yi Jeong was some delectable ice cream. She gave him a glare, but it did not even made Yi Jeong flinch.

"Why you little..." She was cut off from her rant with a short but sweet kiss from the grinning Yi Jeong.

"Hmm?" He prodded when they broke.

"Just what..." She started and he kissed her again.

"So Yi Jeong! I demand..." She again, was shushed with another kiss, and this time he was taking his sweet time savoring the moment.

He was playing with her lips, tugging it gently while brushing his tongue lightly, until Gaeul had pulled out from him. "You", she started while breathing heavily. "Don't tell me I kiss you way back in Greece?" It was simply a hunch, and as she looked at how Yi Jeong's face lit up, her hunch became a reality and she could only blush in embarrassment.

Yi Jeong grinned at Gaeul seeing her blush and pout. "And to make it even, I'll give you my fourth." Yi Jeong declared and didn't wait any second and delved down, sealing the gap between them. He really loves teasing her, the annoyed look in her face was too cute and he could not help but kiss her. He held her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist while feeling Gaeul's hands snaking and anchoring on his neck. They kissed and kissed, ignoring the time and the things at their surroundings. It was a celebration of their newly found nirvana, a short escape from the crazy journey that they would be facing the next day.

...

Meanwhile, Jaekyung had made Woobin's right ear bleed when she exclaimed loudly on the phone. He called her an hour ago, telling her that Gaeul went to confront Yi Jeong, just as they had planned. It was actually a plan that was barely depending on what would happen to Yi Jeong's arrangement, how it would affect Gaeul and what crazy event would cross the two before they call it too much. And it happened as if it was meant to, that evening Gaeul called him and told him how crazy her parents were and that she was feeling helpless that she could not talk to Yi Jeong. And that was when he gave his advice, the one he and Jaekyung concocted, but he would take the entire credit because it was in the end his own choice of words.

Of course he was stunned, who wouldn't? For such a long time he had known the Gu's, they were not the type of family that would indulge into something nonsense as arrange marriage. It was a shock to him. And of course, he could be as against as Gaeul with what her parents did. The arrangement was insane, he would not allow his best friend be tied up with some stranger. Woobin had then thought that he would rather push Gaeul, the one he had love for so long, to Yi Jeong than sent his dear friend to the end of her sanity. And just as he knew that his brother Junho, even if he was there in heaven wouldn't allow his precious wife be tainted by some bastard.

"Yah Woobin-ah!" Apparently, the call he made an hour ago hasn't been ended yet, because Ha Jaekyung was still gushing over how successful their plan was.

Seriously? Does this woman know how to shut her mouth? And is she really dumb to not understand a thing when I had been reciting how Gaeul decided to see Yi Jeong over and over again? God please spare me if this Monkey happens to extend this call for another hour! Woobin, in a rare instance had called God for assistance.

"Yah!"

"I'm listening, okay? No need to yell."

"Sorry", she apologized and went on, "and you know, Jiho said that Gaeul was so distressed that she asked him to help her brake in Yi Jeong's studio?"

Woobin rolled his eyes, "How would I miss knowing that if you had told me the same story for the nth time in an hour? Please Ha Jeakyung; will you let me sleep now?" He pleaded her exasperatedly.

...

Yi Jeong contemplated, he wasn't sure of what to do or choose. Would he give her the fiery red night gown that Jaekyung had kept at the guest room cabinet or would he give her the spandex shorts he found with the night gown and lend her his shirt instead? He could not decide. One, for the fact that it might be comfortable for Gaeul to sleep with the night gown, but it would never be comfortable in his part, especially when she asked him if he could stay with her since she was scared sleeping alone and that it wasn't her room. Two, because if he let her wear his shirt and then lend her the shorts, which was actually too short for his liking, it would also have the same effect on him like the night gown would.

Stop it! Don't even go and scheme down that path, So Yi Jeong! He chided himself.

Once again, he was feeling vulnerable because of Gaeul and this time it was for a different reason. Oh! High heavens strengthen me. It was funny to hear himself pray that way, in such an age and time, but he could not take the anxiousness that was heightened by the building inner desire he was battling inside. Hell! He would not decide for this, and to spare him from going insane, Yi Jeong marched back to his room to let Gaeul decide on what to wear.

"Gaeul-yang, you choose..." Yi Jeong stopped from his track and his words died down his throat when his eyes landed at the Gu Heiress.

"And there she sleeps." He said and placed the clothes neatly on top of the bed side table.

Gaeul had dozed on the couch a minute after Yi Jeong left to get some clothes for her to change. She never intended to sleep just like that, but both her body and mind were too exhausted to fight the tempting sleep. It was an emotional taxation day for her and she had willed herself not to fall asleep which ended as a failure.

She was resting her head on her arm and Yi Jeong knew that it would be uncomfortable for her later on. And so, slowly and gently, to avoid her from waking, Yi Jeong picked her up and laid her down his bed. Gaeul was still wearing her dress, and though he realized it would be too restricting, he decided that it's the best since he could not find the heart to wake her up. He was about to tuck her under the blanket when Gaeul's arms shot straight and pulled him down beside her. Yi Jeong was stunned.

Just what does she think she's doing?!

Yi Jeong shook Gaeul, poking her shoulder a little to stir her, but it only made her snuggle closer, wrapping her arms around Yi Jeong's torso. She was mumbling something incoherently and that was enough to tell him she's all into slumber. If he had learned a thing or two about Gaeul it was that she talks during her sleep and that she's a heavy sleeper.

Okay, I guess I'm stuck. He sighed, calming his frenzy heart. It took Yi Jeong half an hour to actually shift into a much comfortable and uncompromising position. And when Gaeul had loosened her embrace, a good opportunity for him to move away, Yi Jeong opted to stay. He scooted closer, a few inch away from her and stared at Gaeul's sleeping face. She's so beautiful and he loves her. He placed trail of soft kisses on her face before he let sleep took over him.

"Good night, Gaeul-yang."