CHAPTER 35

SAIA'S POV:

Ji-Hoo nuzzles my ear and I push him away. He persists on being playful tonight in the back seat of his white Escalade and I'm grateful his driver is ignoring us. He drapes his arm across the back of the seat and I eye him suspiciously.

"What is with you tonight?" I laugh and push his hand away as he tries to tickle my side. He chuckles and kisses my bare shoulder.

"I love you. Isn't that a good enough reason to want to touch you?" he grins.

"I love you too but we will be at the museum any minute now."

"So? They can wait. They don't need us there for it to start." He smiles mischievously.

"Yi Jung has worked hard on this exhibit. We should be there." I say as I push his wandering hands away.

"You should have worn a shorter dress."

"So that you can complain that everyone can see my legs? No thanks. Besides I like this dress."

"True but it's in my way at the moment." He laughs.

"Aish! There is just no pleasing you…" I say in mock exasperation. He laughs again and pulls my hand to his mouth to kiss my fingers.

I have never been to an event like this. When we arrive, Ji-Hoo gets out first and reaches for my hand to help me out of the car. The playful Ji-Hoo is gone and is replaced by the serious one. Photographers are everywhere and their cameras blind me as I smile and cling to Ji-Hoo's arm. Reporters shout questions at us as we make our way towards the entrance of the museum. I can hear them trying to ask Ji-Hoo who I am along with questions about the Foundation and the Hospital but he ignores them. His neutral mask is firmly in place and I laugh to myself.

"What?" he asks me.

"If I didn't know you any better, I would say that you are a completely different person from the guy who was teasing me in the car moments ago."

He pulls me close to hide his smile in my hair and his laughter makes me smile. "I prefer to show that side of me only to you."

We meet up with the others and wait for Yi Jung to start the exhibition. All of the F4 are here for this along with their girls. Woo Bin is even here, even though he should be resting. I can tell he is favoring his injured shoulder. Jae Kyung has been fussing over him most of the night. Ga Eul clings to me and Jan Di nervously. She excitedly chatters about Yi Jung's newest works. This is the first time I have seen them in person and they are impressive. I can see why he is so famous.

Leaving the others to talk and mingle, I wander over to the pot that has especially caught my eye tonight. Colored half in black and half in white, it almost looks like the potters version of the Ying Yang. Its shape is unique too. Slimmer on top and curvier on the bottom, it is almost shaped like an hourglass. The matted texture of the piece gives it an earthy tone. It's very elegant and simple but beautiful. It isn't flashy or showy like many of his other pieces. The simplicity and uniqueness are what I like most about it.

As I am admiring the piece, I catch sight of DK hovering close by and reality comes crashing down on me. Our bodyguards are everywhere in here tonight. Dressed in tuxes to blend in with the crowd, it has given me the illusion that we are safe. Be we're not. Not even here.

"I see that piece has caught your eye." Yi Jung says as he walks up beside me.

"Yes. It's very beautiful."

"Really? I like it myself but this piece has more critics than lovers. I'm happy you like it though. A potter likes to know that his pieces are appreciated. What do you like most about it?"

"I like everything. When I look at it I see humanity in its simplest form. We all have a dark and light side. Some people have more darkness or more light. Instead of focusing on one side or the other, if we except the piece as a whole it is very beautiful."

He looks at me in wonder. "Amazing. You are the first person to understand what this piece represents to me."

I can feel my cheeks turning red and pray my hair is hiding most of it. "Well… I'm sure everyone sees something different. It's all about interpretation, isn't it? Just like when I dance to a piece of music, my dance may not be the same as someone else's because they may feel the music in a different way than I do."

Yi Jung smiles and nods his head. "Spoken like a true fellow artist. I guess we are the only ones that can understand the deeper meaning in our works."

I smile and nod. He leaves me to mingle with the rest of his guests and I make my way over to Jae Kyung.

"Ya… I hate things like this. They are so boring! Why can't they be more like a party? Yeah? Everyone here is so stuffy!" She pouts and grabs my arm. "Plus that jerk Woo Bin ran off because I was trying to feed him."

I laugh and pull her towards the corner. "Come on. Let's drink and watch people from over here. We can make up stories for what we think they are saying to each other."

It doesn't take long till we are both snickering behind our champagne glasses over people in the room.

"What do you think Jun Pyo is saying to those old men over there?" I ask her.

"Probably something smart and intelligent. I know he doesn't seem like it but he is very smart when it comes to business. He can be very charming when he wants to be." She is staring at him with a dreamy expression on her face and I quickly draw her attention to someone else. That look on her face makes me uncomfortable. We continue with our little game till Ji-Hoo finally makes his way over to us. Feeling light headed from the alcohol, I lean heavily against his arm.

"What are you two girls up to?" he asks.

"We are trying to find some fun in this stuffy room. But apparently I haven't had enough liquor because it hasn't become fun enough yet." Jae Kyung says and reaches for another glass of champagne. I grab another one as well but before the glass reaches my lips, Ji-Hoo takes it out of my hand.

"Ya! That's mine!" I say and reach for it but he turns his head away from me and downs the glass in one shot.

"I think you've had enough for tonight." He says.

"What?" Indignant, I let go of his arm and step away from him. "And who are you to tell me what to do?"

He lowers his head till it is even with mine and looks me in the eye. "Only the man that loves you and thinks that you shouldn't have any more."

"Psh… You don't give me enough credit."

"Then I'm asking you to please not drink anymore tonight." He says seriously.

"Why? It's not like I'm driving or anything. I can behave myself." I say. Jae Kyung grabs my arm and pulls me away from him towards the other end of the room.

"I like Ji-Hoo. He is a good guy but sometimes he can be a real party pooper." She says. Grabbing more drinks, we continue our fun and laugh over what we think some of the bodyguards are thinking as they watch the crowd. I hear DK cough somewhere close beside me to hide his laughter. At least we are not the only ones that think it's funny.

When everyone starts to leave, the guys come and find us. Ji-Hoo steals my drink again and finishes it off. "Come on. Let's go home."

"Home? Wait. You aren't coming back to the house with us? Is it okay for them to do that?" Jae Kyung asks Woo Bin.

"I argued with him about it all night so don't even bother. I'll have my men keep an eye on them." He says with a sigh.

"We aren't going back to Woo Bin's house?" I ask Ji-Hoo and lean heavily on his arm. My feet are not as steady as I thought.

"No. There's something I want to talk to you about in private and I want to be at home… I was hoping for a more sober you though."

"I am sober! Enough…" I trail off at his pointed look. He finally shakes his head and smiles. We make our way outside to where the others are waiting for us. Most of the guests have already left and the cars start to pull up to take the F4 back to Woo Bin's house.

"Ji-Hoo, isn't that your car still parked over there? Why hasn't your driver pulled it around yet?" Jun Pyo asks. Ji-Hoo looks over at it curiously and Woo Bin steps up beside him.

"That's strange. Let's go check it out." Woo Bin says.

"Stay here. I'll be right back." Ji-Hoo says to me and I take Jae Kyung's arm. I feel uneasy as I watch them move towards the car. Maybe I'm just being paranoid…

Ga Eul interrupts my thoughts by taking my other arm. "Did you enjoy the exhibit?" she asks. I turn to her and smile.

"I did! Yi Jung is very talented! I espec-" the force of the explosion knocks all of us down to the ground. I look up in horror to see the Escalade engulfed in a massive fireball. Oh my god… no… Scrambling to my feet I run towards it, my heart pounding in fear.

"JI-HOO!" I scream. Where is he? No…

Before I can get too close, strong arms pull me back to keep me away from the car. The heat is burning my skin as I desperately try to claw out of DK's hold.

"NO! LET ME GO! JI-HOO! NO!" I scream. Yi Jung falls to his knees in the road and Jun Pyo is staring at the car in shock. DK continues to pull me to a safe distance and I struggle against him the whole way.

"JI-HOO! NO! STOP IT! LET ME GO!" I yell at him and fight against his hold on me. He is a lot stronger than me though and manages to keep me away.

"I'm sorry…" he says quietly. "I'm so sorry…" I stop fighting long enough to look up into his eyes and the sorrow on his face shatters me. I go limp in his arms and sob against his chest as wave after wave of pain pounds against my broken heart. NO! You promised me you would never leave me… This can't be happening… This isn't real… This has to be just a terrible dream… It can't be true…

(^_^)

I'm numb. My eyes are so swollen from crying I can hardly see. The sun is starting to come up as DK guides me to Boo Ki's room in Woo Bin's house. After they told her what happened she left for her room so that no one would see her reaction. She's devastated… Just like me. But even as I enter her room to lay down beside her on the bed, it doesn't feel real. My heart doesn't want to believe it. She looks at me, her eyes red from crying and I push her hair behind her ears.

Ga Eul enters the room and sits down beside us on the bed. Her tears still run down her cheeks as she rubs Boo Ki's back with her hand.

"This can't be true, right? It's just some kind of misunderstanding?" she asks us. Ga Eul tries to swallow back her sobs and shakes her head. Boo Ki hugs me close to her and Ga Eul hugs her from behind. As they both cry I can't join them. I feel cold and frozen. Only hours ago he was kissing me and laughing beside me in the car. How can he suddenly be gone?

(^_^)

It's raining hard today… It fits the mood… Boo Ki and I huddle under an umbrella at the funeral service and she grips my hand tightly. Woo Bin's was first and now Ji-Hoo's. He's being buried next to his parents. After all this time, he is finally with them again. I'm glad both of the funeral's are on the same day. I couldn't do this again. I can hear my mom sniffle behind me and I hear Jan Di's soft sobs somewhere to my left. I hate this. That person in the casket can't be him.

The explosion had been so hot that Ji-Hoo and Woo Bin had been burned beyond recognition. I can't even look at his face to prove to myself that he is really gone. I'm in denial. I've already admitted it. My heart refuses to believe that he's gone. But I know that I am only kidding myself. He isn't coming back.

Min Seo Hyun places a white rose on his casket before Jun Pyo takes her shoulders and pulls her away. I didn't even know she's here. To be honest, I'm not really sure who is actually here. My shattered heart keeps trying to block out the pain and the sympathetic looks everyone has been giving me.

As the service ends, everyone turns to leave but Boo Ki and I stay. DK still hovers close to me and I feel my mother squeeze my shoulder.

"Boo Ki, come with me and let Saia have a moment with him. Okay?" She says and Boo Ki leaves with her.

I feel a figure walk up to me and it's a man I don't recognize. DK watches him like a hawk but the older man seems unfazed by his intimidating stare.

"Miss Caelum? I'm very sorry for your loss. My name is Yong Tae Yong. I am the Yoon's family attorney. Whenever you are ready I need to discuss with you the terms of Yoon Ji-Hoo's will."

"…Excuse me? I'm sorry but what does that have to do with me? I'm not a member of the family." I say in confusion.

"Yes I know but he left his entire estate to you and there are some details about the Foundation, the Hospital, and the Clinic that I need to discuss with you. Not right now of course."

I blink at him as my fuzzy brain tries to make out what he is saying. "…I…don't understand."

"It's okay. We will talk later." He says and quietly walks away.

"I don't want it…" I whisper and shake my head. I turn towards the casket and the umbrella falls out of my hands as I angrily approach it.

"Do you hear me Ji-Hoo? I DON'T WANT IT! I JUST WANT YOU BACK, DAMN IT! DO YOU HEAR ME?" I yell. I gasp for air as my body shakes with my hysterical sobs and I let the rain pound against me. Sinking to the ground besides the casket I scream in pain. This is wrong… This isn't real… It doesn't feel right… I can't believe that you are gone… I don't want to believe…