3 days after the dreadful evening…
Seoul was lit with bright colourful lights and the thick white snow covered all the buildings and the streets, promising a real White Christmas in a couple of days. The corridors of the hospital were also adorned with bells, wreaths and garlands, producing a merry feeling in the patients and the hospital staff, who were not fortunate enough to spend their Christmas out with their family.
Jeong was sitting in front of the bed on which Woo Bin was resting, with a big bandage around his wounded thigh and bruises all over his body and face.
"The news of the explosions at the Song Tower had reached me through our men almost immediately, even before it was telecasted in the TV. I informed Madam Kang and Master Jun Pyo right away," spoke Jeong with a serious tone. "It was very early in the morning for Master Jun Pyo, but he immediately grasped the severity of the situation in hand and asked me to locate where you all are and provide tough security."
"Yes, you did an amazing job with your men in rescuing us in time. And I will forever be indebted to Madam Kang for taking my family in her shelter, out of the reach of media and any further danger," spoke Woo Bin with a heavy tone. "Is there any more update on my men who were in the Song Towers during the explosion?"
"Apart from the unfortunate fatalities of the two security personnel, the wounded men are being treated and they seem to be out of danger," remarked Jeong. "Thankfully it was Sunday, and the regular employees of Song Industries were not at work, other than the security personnel."
"It was a clever tactic to distract all my men, and somehow isolate me and my family, leading us to the trap," added Woo Bin, enraged.
"Although most of the Kim gang members were apprehended by the police at the warehouse location, Kim Seok and his closest assistant are still at large. He might still be attempting to cause harm to you," commented Jeong thoughtfully.
"This time, he will die in my hands," muttered Woo Bin under his breath.
Jeong did not comment on his words. He slowly stood up from his seat and bowed to Woo Bin.
"I will take my leave, Master Song. I hope you recover soon."
Ji Hoo entered the private cabin about a minute later. Seeing him, Woo Bin's stony façade softened a bit.
"How are you feeling?" asked Ji Hoo in his characteristic calm tone, as he took a seat beside the bed.
Woo Bin simply snorted.
"I am fit as a fiddle."
"If you wish, you can be released…" spoke Ji Hoo when he was interrupted.
"I am not leaving this hospital as long as Yi Jung is lying there in the ICU, battling with the wounds inflicted because of me. And you are here; who knows, maybe Kim Seok's next target," uttered Woo Bin with vehemence.
Ji Hoo had no words to refute his friend. He just nodded his head in acceptance.
"How are the girls doing?" asked Woo Bin a moment later.
"They are in one of the Shinwa safehouses. Once Yi Jung's condition becomes more stable, he will be moved there as well," informed Ji Hoo.
Woo Bin let out a sigh and leaned backwards.
"I failed everyone."
"It was not in your hands, Woo Bin-ah," responded Ji Hoo.
"But it all happened because of me. Kim Seok's grudge against me ruined so many lives. I will never forgive myself for what I brought to my family, my friends and the company. Those men should not have lost their lives, it should have been me," muttered Woo Bin, as his eyes glistened with a hint of a tear.
"Don't say that!" exclaimed Ji Hoo, and in moment he was sitting by Woo Bin's side on the bed, hugging him tightly.
The tight embrace smothered Woo Bin a bit, but he was more surprised by his brooding and usually stoic friend's sudden burst of intense emotion. When Ji Hoo loosened his hold and held Woo Bin by his shoulders gently, facing him, his eyes shone with unshed tears.
"For some time that evening, it felt like I had lost both you and Yi Jung. It brought me back to the moments I had lost my parents, that same despair and trauma," he whispered in a shaky voice.
It was Woo Bin's turn to hug his friend this time, assuring him.
"Don't worry. Don Juan will not leave you so soon, nor would I let a single scratch come on any of my friends and family again."
"Just stay safe and strong. We will all be with you in building up the Song empire from its ashes," said Ji Hoo patting his friend's arm.
For the first time since the fateful evening, Woo Bin's face broke in a warm smile.
"Yes, no one can defeat the invincible F4."
….
The three girls were having their warm cup of coffee next morning. Their jittery nerves had been calmed a little in the past days within the safehouse. Yi Jung's operation had been successful, although he still needed to be in intensive care unit. Ga Eul had to be sedated on the first night, but then onwards she was much in control of her emotions. Tight security was placed in her house, to keep her mother and aunt safe. Jae Kyung was informed that Do Jung had not died, albeit severely wounded. Both the legal team of Shinwa and Song groups were working fervently, so that she would not be prosecuted for attempted murder, but it would be just a case of self-defense, with charges of abduction, threat, attempted molestation and murder on Do Jung instead.
Apart from that, Ji Hoo's legal counsel was busy with yet another aspect. Ha Jin's parents had lodged a police complaint against Ji Hoo for abduction of their daughter, when Ha Jin failed to return home that night. Her father had stormed to the hospital next morning, searching for Ji Hoo and his daughter. Since Ha Jin had already been moved to the safehouse, and it was absolutely impossible to divulge her location to anyone for the safety of the other girls as well, Ji Hoo had to bear the brunt of her father's wrath and incessant allegation of 'seducing and manipulating' his 'little girl' out of her marriage and her parents' control. It was quite a scene that Ji Hoo was confident his hospital staff would not forget for a long time to come. Thankfully, Mr. Jeong and the Shinwa security personnel had intervened, and rescued him from being lynched publicly by Mr. Go.
"Why did we even plan to go to that Paradise Resort for Ha Jin-ah's hen party? Couldn't we have done that somewhere here in Seoul, at some night club or something?" mumbled Jae Kyung while twirling the coffee in her mug.
"True! Since then, nothing has been normal in our life. It seems out of all the 25 years of my life, I have had my full quota of adventures and misadventures squeezed in these few months," drawled Ha Jin, twirling a finger in the curls of her hair.
Ga Eul let out a sigh. She wrapped her arms around her folded legs, pressing them to her chest.
"I don't know what to think. Perhaps our life would have been much uneventful, had we not been to the Paradise Resort and met the great F4. But don't know why, I feel that these were the only days in my cursed life that I actually felt alive," she spoke slowly.
Ha Jin was sitting close to her. She immediately wrapped her arms around Ga Eul, comforting her.
"You are right. I would never have understood what living a life without permissions and orders would be, and what it meant to be falling in love for the right reason, had I not met Ji Hoo," she admitted.
Jae Kyung knelt on the floor, placing her head and hands on Ga Eul's lap. She did not know whether she could proclaim the same about her love, or the absence of it in her life. That fateful night had brought Woo Bin to her, keeping her close to him until she was transferred to the safe house. He had whispered words of regret and requested for her forgiveness throughout their ride together in the car.
I am sorry, Jae Kyung-ah. I hurt you so much. I was such a fool. Please, please forgive me…
"Hold on to your love, my girls. If fate has brought love in your life, don't let go of it," she spoke with a sad smile.
A lady security guard knocked at the door before entering and bowing. The girls straightened themselves and looked at her anxiously. Since they were not allowed to use their own mobile phones, this security guard was their only source of information from outside.
"Dr. Yoon has informed that this evening he will be arriving here with Mr. So and Mr. Song," she informed.
A heady feeling of relief, happiness and anticipation flashed on the faces of the girls.
Evening seemed to be too long a wait for them to bear.
….
The safehouse had several large rooms, one of which was transformed into an intensive care unit within the few hours before the men were supposed to arrive. The girls helped the staff in the preparation, and waited with abated breath.
As an ambulance and a car maneuvered in the driveway of the safehouse in the evening, security guards in plain clothes surrounded the building, and ensured that the three men's entry in the house was without any glitch. Yi Jung was carefully wheeled in on a stretcher and the medical team placed him in the improvised care unit efficiently. Ji Hoo helped Woo Bin step out of the car and held him around the shoulder, as his friend walked with a crutch in his other hand. Mr. Jeong walked in behind them.
Ha Jin and Jae Kyung gingerly walked towards them as Ji Hoo helped Woo Bin settle on a couch. Ji Hoo turned around and flashed a warm smile at the girls, a silent assurance that now that they were all together again, everything was going to be fine from then onwards.
….
Ga Eul waited outside Yi Jung's room as the medical team did their job, and once they assured that everything was in perfect working condition, she stepped in. After looking briefly at the numerous machines and tubes around the bed, she gazed at the face that had been haunting her every waking hour of the day and every sleepless night.
"Ga Eul-ah," croaked Yi Jung, and tried to push himself up.
"No, no! Please don't move," cried out Ga Eul and rushed to him, taking a seat close to his bed.
Tears were rolling down her cheeks, and his eyes were equally moistened, but a blissful smile adorned his face.
"Thanks for coming back to me, Yi Jung," she mumbled and gently placed a kiss on his hand folded on his chest.
"Had to fight long with the Grim Reaper, and at the end he gave up," replied Yi Jung with a snigger.
Ga Eul stared at him in horror.
"Don't worry, my dear. I will not let go of you so soon. You are stuck with me in this life and more to come," he spoke lovingly.
For the first time in the last few days, a bright smile appeared on her face. "I will gladly remain stuck with you, forever."
Ga Eul gently caressed his hair and Yi Jung's eyes grew heavy as the medicines started their effect.
"Take rest now. I will be here when you wake up," she spoke and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.
It was going to be a peaceful night.
….
"Things are all safe and running well here. The guards will be outside round the clock. You can reach me any time of the day or night, if needed," spoke Jeong.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Jeong. You have made it all safe and sound for us," replied Woo Bin with a bow.
Jeong bowed to them. "Please don't mention it. I will take leave now. Take rest, and please let me know before you decide to step out of the house."
Once they were left behind in privacy, Ji Hoo pulled an unsuspecting Ha Jin in a hug and pressed his lips on hers.
"Go, get yourself a room, man!" shouted Woo Bin teasingly.
Jae Kyung was too embarrassed to stare at her friend's 'predicament' and turned away blushing.
Ha Jin pulled out of the kiss and hid her face in Ji Hoo's chest as he started chuckling, while caressing her long hair.
"Her Abeoji is going to send me to prison any day. So, I have to make up for that within the little time I have, don't I?" he announced, earning a horrified look from Ha Jin.
"He will have to go through me first, before even laying a finger on you," muttered Woo Bin with a grunt.
"I'll talk to Abeoji and…" said Ha Jin when Ji Hoo interrupted her.
"No, you won't do anything now. First, we will get married and then your parents will have to accept us together without any more drama."
"Was that a marriage proposal I heard just now?" asked Jae Kyung with a gasp.
"What a lame proposal! You need lessons from me and Yi Jung, Ji Hoo-yah. If I was in your place, I would have swept off Ha Jin-ah from her feet," snickered Woo Bin.
Ha Jin's face grew even redder than it was already before.
"Hey you bugger, keep away from my girl," shouted Ji Hoo, tightening his grip around Ha Jin even more.
Woo Bin just rolled his eyes and was about to come with an apt retort when Ga Eul joined them at the living area. He opened his mouth and closed it again, and then looked down with unease. Jae Kyung understood his discomfort and turned at Ga Eul with a smile.
"How's Yi Jung? Is he comfortable?"
"He is sleeping," replied Ga Eul and took a seat opposite Woo Bin. "How are you, Woo Bin?"
He looked up startled, hearing her addressing him.
"I-I am ok. I am absolutely fine."
Ga Eul nodded her head and looked down at her hands on her lap.
"Guys, I need to make a confession here before all of you," mumbled Woo Bin, clearing his throat.
Everyone looked at him in anticipation.
"This whole mayhem was solely because of me. I had a nemesis from my dark past, which I thought I had left behind forever. But I was wrong. He came back to exact revenge, not only from me but my family and close friends. Many innocent people lost their lives because of this. And then he tried to harm you all as well. And I failed miserably, I could not protect you from his wrath. I do not deserve to be forgiven. But if possible, please believe me, I would never have intended to see any of my close ones in pain because of me."
His voice choked as he concluded his confession. There was a heavy silence in the room as none of the girls or Ji Hoo spoke a word.
"I don't know if I will ever be able to face Yi Jung-ah. And I am sorry Jae Kyung, for all the trouble you went through because of me," blurted Woo Bin, as his eyes glistened with unshed tears.
Ji Hoo walked to him and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder.
"I trust you. So, does everyone else under this roof," he spoke shaking Woo Bin slightly by his shoulder.
Ga Eul and Ha Jin came and sat beside Woo Bin with bright smiles, conforming Ji Hoo's words.
Jae Kyung stood still, gazing at Woo Bin, as he looked in her eyes for her response. Somehow, she could not find words to express her inner feelings that were wrecking a havoc in her. She feared that she would make a fool of herself if she opened her mouth. Because all she could think of was how much she loved him and no matter what, she would never be able to not forgive him for anything.
After some struggle she opened her mouth.
"Ok, can we now get back to the pressing issue in our hand?"
Everyone looked at her in surprise.
"What issue?" asked Ga Eul.
"Ji Hoo's marriage proposal to our Ha Jin-ah," blurted Jae Kyung, earning gasps and raised eye brows from around her.
"What? Ji Hoo proposed Ha Jin-ah? When?"
"That was not even a proposal! The worst ever."
"No, he didn't propose."
"Jae Kyung, you are in big trouble!"
The cacophony around her made Jae Kyung laugh out loud, bringing a much-awaited relief in her heart.
….
It was way past midnight, when Jae Kyung felt very thirsty and walked to the kitchen to grab a water bottle. Ga Eul was sleeping on a couch in Yi Jung's room. Ha Jin and Ji Hoo had retired to one of the bedrooms, after being severely teased by their friends about the 'marriage proposal'. Jae Kyung was smiling remembering Ha Jin's cherry red face, when she heard a sound from the living area. She turned around and saw Woo Bin stealthily walking on his crutch towards the door.
"Where are you going at this hour?" she asked as she rushed close to him.
Woo Bin was startled to see her there.
"You are awake? Go sleep. I will be back soon."
Jae Kyung held his free hand and pulled back slightly.
"Tell me where are you going? Are you going to look for that Kim guy?" she spoke shakily.
"My men found him. He will die in my hands," he muttered gritting his teeth.
"Let the police do their job, Woo Bin. Please don't get yourself into danger again," pleaded Jae Kyung.
"Don't worry, Jae Kyung-ah. I will be back," replied Woo Bin.
He raised his free hand and touched her face delicately. Rubbing his thumb on her cheek, he stopped a tear from rolling down. He could see a raw fear in her. He hated that that fear was instilled in her only because of him. He would have to put an end to it tonight, he decided. He pulled her closer and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Just wait for me."
