Hello again my lovelies, welcome back to Seoul's Dawning.
Apparently today is the 10th anniversary of BBF premiere and in that note I've worked to get this chapter out to you today. I've been kinda sitting on it because I wasn't sure I was satisfied it was ready, but here goes nothing!
Remember English, Russian otherwise presume it's all in Korean.
Timeline wise we are the day before the wedding and if you remember right the last chapter left off in the middle of a lemon.
Go back if you don't believe me.
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Still here?
Alright then, back once more to Jeju Island... see you at the end of the chapter!
Saturday Afternoon
Ji Hoo's arms wrapped around her middle, keeping her close as his golden abs working hard. He grunted in pleasure; she looked far too cute dressed in the oversized doctors coat and it made him want to touch her all over.
Breathing hard, he urged the Wonder Girl on whispering half-spoken words in her ear. "I love you Jan Di-AAA... aa...aa... oh yes."
Her arms around his neck, she buried her face in the soft material of his loose shirt. Buttons, once more undone, it was the only items of clothing he still wore.
"oh oh Ji Hoo oh...it... it's too much..." Jan Di breathed out, in pace with his thrusts.
Guiding her body to crash into him again he replied. "No it's not." in her ear, "You're doing so good." Kissing the slip of skin the oversized scrubs revealed on her shoulder blade, he trailed his tongue up her neck.
His muscles were beginning to struggle, and it was becoming difficult to keep going as the pleasure began to overwhelm him, making him weak in the knees.
Breathing hard he lifted Jan Di's legs, repositioning her. Every sense heightened, the heat from her core consumed him making him forget where he ended and she began. It was as if they were one.
"Ah Jan Di AH ah ah ah AH!" he cried, trembling against her body. "ah ah ah ah ah ah" he whimpered out, an octave higher than usual.
The golden boy half heard her cry out his name before his mind exploded, his cock pulsing as he filled her a second time that morning.
Loath to pull out, even after the waves of pleasure passed, he lingered inside her. She still felt so good, and being with her felt so right. Eyes nearly black with lust, Ji Hoo captured her lips in a searing kiss.
His mind raced with thoughts of all of the promises he longed to make her; but then he remembered his grandfather's advise.
'For someone like Guem Jan Di a simple promise is perfect. All of the nonsense you boys call romance will only scare her away.'
They kissed hard once more, the golden boy sparing a brief glance at the time; 'Guess we'll be late then.'
Back at the hotel the other guests for the wedding had begun to arrive. Wafts of expensive colognes and perfumes filled the main lobby, and the elevator ride upstairs was even worse.
Coughing discretely the young girl tried to remain invisible, after all she wasn't here for show like the others around her were.
She was here for work.
Her fingers clenched around the hastily scrawled note, she exited quickly when the doors opened to her floor.
In the last week her life had turned upside down. Sure she'd had her problems, and it wasn't perfect, but she had had a home and more importantly, money. Now her bank account was empty and she was in danger of being tossed out on the streets.
If she could show her she was still useful for something...this was her chance and it was doubtful it'd come again.
Walking to the room selected for her she remembered her last phone call with the Madam. The woman had wished her luck and told her to find her freedom.
'Freedom to starve is no freedom.' she thought bitterly.
Sauntering into the lavish hotel, the famed potter reached for his phone. As much as it amused him to torment his son by surprising him, the boy's temper was too short and it wouldn't do for him to make a scene.
Ready to hang up when his call went, predictably, unanswered; the sharp eyed man noticed a familiar face amongst a crowd of young people.
"Chu Ga-Eul" he half shouted, raising a hand in greeting.
Hands in his pockets he did nothing to hide his bemused smirk at finding her here. He suspected his son had something to do with this.
"Sir?" she replied, in a small voice, her eyes scanning the room nervously.
With a predatory gleam in his eye, the older man continued, "I remember you. He never introduces his women to me."
She flinched visibly as she remembered their one and only encounter. "I... I was..." Clearly unable to get the words out, he almost felt bad for putting her on the spot.
"You're much to good for him. I hope you remember this, he doesn't deserve you. No act of kindness, or gift of karma, could make him good enough to be with you."
He'd never seen someone blush quite so brightly before and, although she wasn't like the women typically in their circle, he could see how his son thought her pretty.
Meanwhile the woman in question's mind was racing. 'What does he mean? I'm too good? Does he mean, he thinks we're too different?'
Finding her voice at last, Ga Eul took a moment to weigh her reply. "Sunbae and I don't always get along but, that's what love is. A push and pull, a give and take. If you love someone, you love them. Faults and all."
"See this is what I mean. You are incredible Chu Ga-Eul." He raised his eyebrows in surprise, he didn't think it was possible for her to get redder.
"I know what people will say." he whispered conspiratorially.
'What they always say.' his inner voice mocked his own words.
"So remember this; You Are Too Good For Him. Don't listen to their words. Ever." thinking quickly of his own father he added, "No matter who it is."
The same smile that had seemed dastardly before, now looked almost loving. "I've taken their looks and comments for thirty years. They don't go away whether you obey society's rules or not. So don't be afraid of them. Always choose your joy."
Nodding slowly, a slight grin formed on Ga-Eul's face. "Thank you, thank you sir."
With a low chuckle the famed potter teased, "I don't want to hear you call me that, sir." He sneered, for emphasis, while finding her confused face amusing.
"Next time we meet... I hope you'll call me father-in-law."
Instantly red again at his implication she couldn't think of a way to respond, and the older man left with a wave before she could reply.
Heart beating in her ears, she tried to dismiss his words.
'After all, what does he know. Yi Jeong-ah never speaks to him.'
"Stop being foolish Ga Eul. That's not what he meant. Surely not." After repeating the mantra for 10 minutes, and convincing herself she believed it, she started to calm down.
Almost laughing, she acknowledged how silly it was for her to get so flustered. Feeling more embarrassed about the way she responded, than the sentiment, the long haired girl threw her head back in frustration.
'What must he think of me now!'
The knocking on the door interrupted the engaged couple's interlude, and shouting out for whoever it was to go away, the heiress balked when she heard her mothers voice.
"Hide, hide." she whispered to the Shin-Hwa heir, throwing the messy covers about in an attempt to organize the room. Quickly snatching the vibrator she threw it into the nearest drawer as Jun Pyo grabbed his own clothes and headed for the bathroom.
"Just a moment, I'm not dressed." she called out, hoping to buy some time.
Checking the time she knew her mother would give her grief over sleeping in; not that she really was, but it was better for her to think that than to know the truth.
"Mother." Jae-Kyung said humbly in greeting, opening the door to the room.
The heavily made up woman wrinkled her nose upon entering and it occurred to the heiress to open a window to let some air in. Quickly doing so, hoping the musky aroma wouldn't alert her mother to the truth, she offered her a drink.
"Darling, I'm not here for pleasantries." her mother replied dryly, moving to sit on the antique Victorian couch; it's dark wood gleaming as the light from the sun gradually broke through the clouds.
Nervously coming to sit beside her mother, the heiress was surprised when she took her hand with a squeeze.
"Since we've arrived we've spent almost no time together. Why is that?"
"Mother?" she replied, unsure what she wanted to hear.
"Jae-Kyung, I suspect you're hiding something from me. Care to share?"
Scanning her mother's dark eyes for an ulterior motive, she was surprised by the amount of sympathy she saw. "I... I..." she stuttered, her usual confidence failing her. Not knowing where to start or how much to reveal, Jae Kyung opted for a small truth.
"I've been having second thoughts about the wedding."
"So?" her mother replied offhandedly, "Oh, you're not actually thinking of calling it off are you?"
"Um... well..." the heiress began.
"Jae-Kyung, there is so much for you yet to learn. The JK Group... WE are in a unique position right now." her mother explained more clearly.
"For the first time Shi-Hwa is weak, we have an opportunity to expand into the Asian market; an opportunity that won't repeat itself. For a promise to support their expansion into the Western market we will make billions. The stocks alone will ensure our influence and, should Shin-Hwa not perform well in their next review, well... a change in leadership isn't unheard of in these cases. And YOU, my darling, will be situated very near to the top."
Pleased with herself the older woman leaned back comfortably, tapping her daughters hand gently to signal the end of the conversation.
It was a challenge for Jae-Kyung to keep her expression neutral. Choosing her next words carefully, the young woman squirmed under the scrutiny of her mother's eyes. "I, I may not have as much authority as you think."
"Nonsense. You're marriage will ensure your authority; and when the time comes to choose a new President, you will be in a position to direct the change in leadership."
"Me?"
"Of course you. What do you think we have trained you for? We will merge the companies and you will lead the re-organization."
"You seem to have everything planned out."
"Of course. Which is why I wanted to speak to you." Not getting a reply, the older woman sighed heavily. "At the dinner last night, I couldn't help but notice some... tension... between the yourself and Gu Jun Pyo."
"Tension?" she repeated, in a voice slightly higher than she intended to. Casting her eyes quickly towards the bedroom door she wondered whether he was listening in the entire time.
Yes, last night the dinner had been awkward, but the tension wasn't between her and Jun Pyo; it was between them and Jun Pyo's mother.
"Gu Ju Pyo and I are perfectly fine. There's nothing to worry about mother."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, we understand each other perfectly."
"Then why did the two of you barely speak to each other the entire evening?"
Wracking her brain to remember the night before and what was said, Jae-Kyung searched for an out. "We just, there's still a lot of preparation to be done. And..."
"And?" the sharp eyes woman gave her daughter a severe look, daring her to continue lying to her.
Realizing his soon to be mother-in-law had Jae-Kyung cornered the Shin-Hwa heir took to pacing. He needed to get out of this room, and soon before he was given away somehow.
Jae and he had come to an understanding about their relationship, they'd take it as it goes and see what happens. While that was great, and lifted a lot of stress off his shoulders, he didn't want the older woman to think their relationship was anything more.
He knew the Ha's weren't traditional parents, but they would most certainly balk at finding their daughters fiance... in their daughters bedroom the day before the wedding.
There would be NO chance at calling it off if he was caught in here. His own mother would have a minister there on the spot, and he'd be wed before the hour. Almost in a panic Gu Jun Pyo dialed the first number that came to him.
"Woo Bin-ah... I need help..."
Uncomfortable with leaving his girlfriend alone with his father, Song Woo Bin lingered outside the door until he could delay his mother no further. They both knew she'd dragged him out on a pretense and as soon as they were in the elevator he dropped it.
"Eomma, are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Not at all."
"Then WHY did you..."
The youthful woman cut him off before he would utter another syllable. One hand on his back, a warm smile grew on her face as she spoke. "For YOU of course. I said I would speak with him and I did."
"Ugh..." Furrowing his brow, the Don Juan brushed his bangs out of his face; they were getting long again.
"I expect he will want to speak to you next."
Answering his mother with one quick nod, a shrill ring broke his mood.
"Jun Pyo...wait slow down ...you're where?" the Prince of the Song Clan asked, an amused smile breaking out on his handsome face as he listened on.
Bowing again and again, Song Woo Bin looked every part the Don Juan. His hand lingered gently as he brushed an imagined loose strand of hair behind her ear; then he titled his head and smiled.
Predictably, like countless women before her, Jae-Kyung's mother was soon lulled into complacency. A gentle joke followed, and her ensuing chuckle gave him the predictable opening.
"It suits you. Your smile..." he said in a low voice, his lidded eyes holding her gaze steadily, "it suits you."
Rolling her eyes at Woo Bin's antics, Ha Jae Kyung was just glad the theatrical display was working. Well... and a little embarrassed. Who knew her mother would fall for his tricks so quickly?
Eying the famed potter, who came along to help, as he tapped discretely on the bedroom door to let Jun Pyo know it was safe to come out; Ha Jae Kyung's nerves got the better of her.
"So Yi Jeong, long time no see. How's Chu Ga Eul, is she okay after the... incident?"
"Oh... yes, she is." he said louder than usual to hide the sound of the door creaking open. "Thank you for asking. It's... kind of you to think of her. And how are you and... our friend?"
With a sharp look the heiress told him to change the subject, as the previously mentioned friend was just slipping out of the bedroom.
Getting no more that five steps before he was caught, Gu Jun Pyo spun around to greet his fiance's mother.
"Madam Ha... I've just come up looking for you... I knocked... but... "
"Oh yes, I was just going to get that." Jae Kyung interrupted rushing to his side.
"And what can I do for my future son-in-law?" she replied with a smile.
Completely drawing a blank Gu Jun Pyo looked to Jae Kyung for a way out.
With a barely perceptible nod, the heiress cried out in indignation. "Don't you know it's bad luck for a groom to see a bride the night before the wedding!"
"What?"
"Yes, get out." she said quickly.
"What are you talking about you crazy woman." the curly haired idiot answered back, immediately annoyed with her tone.
"I said get out."
"I heard that." He scoffed, "But what is all this nonsense about bad luck. There's no such thing as luck."
"Is that so?"
"Of course it is, I didn't take you for a fool before. And another thing..."
"Pardon young man..." the older woman purred, touching his shoulder to get past. Casting one eye back at the two of them as she went by, Jae Kyung's mother smiled sweetly and, with a nod to their friends, excused herself.
Clearly signalling for the others to join her, a confused So Yi Jeong shook his head at Jun Pyo as he and Woo Bin left.
In shock Jun Pyo waited for the door to close behind them, leaving him alone with Ha Jae Kyung once more.
"Well. That didn't go the way I expected." he mumbled to himself.
At the same time, an uncomfortable Yulina darted her eyes back and forth between her paternal grandmother and her boyfriend's father. Locked in a sparring session, their sharp words and unspoken innuendos made the Russian girl eyes widen.
"My grandson tell me you've been making inquiries."
"I don't know what you mean." the head of the Song Clan replied nonplussed.
"You either think you are very clever or that I am very stupid."
Yulina knew her grandmother did NOT like to be challenged. The daunting family matriarch didn't mince words and the Russian girl always figured this was where she got her bluntness from.
"I was just speaking with your son."
Leaving the comment hanging there, Song Won-Sik waited for her continue. It was obvious he'd offended the older woman by questioning her family's worth outloud, and he waited to see what she'd say next.
"I take it you do not approve of my granddaughter and he dating." Pausing only a beat, she went on, "I am not certain I do either of course."
This caught the older man's attention. "They come from two different worlds."
"Obviously." The silver hair woman drawled out, rolling her eyes inconspicuously. "THAT is not what i was referring to. He's a bit... what is the right word... Yuli help me. How do you say худощавый*?"
"Он не" The Russian girl protested, with a huff of disapproval.
"Любо́вь зла́, полю́бишь и козла́."
Irritated, Yulina crossed the room to sit on the couch. Her back to the two of them she knew she was being teased and didn't find it the least bit amusing. It didn't help that the painkillers she'd taken earlier were wearing off. Pouting a bit she took her mood out on the couch cushion, giving it a few whacks with the back of her hand.
Woo Bin's father's eyebrows raised at the sight of Yulina thumping a pillow into oblivion; it was a show of immaturity he'd never witnessed from her before.
With a smirk the tall man moved towards the table the laptop rested on. Taking in the the mischievous glint in the elderly woman's eye, he wondered what to make of her. Perhaps he needed to research the Vladimirovna's a bit more.
"You have one son" the proud woman said. She too had made her inquiries. "One son is not a son. Three sons is a son."
"And that is what you have." he replied quickly, mindful of his tone.
"Naturally. And seven grandsons."
"...you mean two... and a third." he replied with a smirk.
With a snort Yulina listened to the two banter a bit more, the sharped clipped tone of earlier fading away. Hearing her grandmother brag about her cousins always irritated her; the only granddaughter of the family she thought the older woman might show a bit more interest in her. She frowned at her own jealousy, it wasn't like her to act like that.
What was it about her grandmother that brought out the child in her?
"Yulina."
She sprang up at the mention of her name with a wince. Pushing her curls from her face she moved more carefully, her aching ribs protesting the entire way over; the last thing she needed were wither her grandmother or the King of the Song Clan knowing she was in pain.
"Come back in twenty minutes."
"Baba?"
"Enough nonsense. You have three children, not one."
"Yes, but you didn't ask about the girls."
"And you didn't mention your granddaughter."
Finally caught off-guard, the leader of the Song clan's smug look momentarily faltered.
"And she wonders why I disapprove. But I don't have the heart to tell her. Does HE even know?"
"No. It's simpler this way."
"...yes ...that I understand. Now tell me, what is it you are so desperate to know?"
Guem Jan Di adjusted the thick rimmed tortoiseshell glasses. Although they covered most of her face, they did little to hide her identity. Walking a few steps behind, her boyfriend looked on with amusement.
If anything, he thought, the sight of a doctor in scrubs and a lab coat drew attention to them, but he couldn't convince Jan Di of the same. So here he was, going along with another of her silly schemes and keeping a wary eye out for Madam Kang. Perhaps the heavens were in the favor, the witch was nowhere to be seen.
Spotting Yi Jeong talking animatedly on the phone across the other side of the lobby, he grabbed Jan Di's elbow and steered her in that direction.
It was obvious when the former Casanova spotted them, his jaw dropped and Ji Hoo had to give him a pointed look to stop him openly laughing.
Clearing his throat Yi Jeong gave them an amused smirk, his famed dimples making a full appearance. "Ji Hoo aren't you going to introduce me to your lovely lady friend. Ah..." he teased, looking around the room, "but where is Guem Jan Di?"
With a hard clap on the back, Yi Jeong dropped the pretense and praised the laundry girl on her disguise; earning an elbow in the ribs from Ji Hoo.
"We're just trying to avoid the wicked witch. Have you seen her?"
"My eyes haven't had the privilege of being polluted by the sight of her yet today. But that doesn't mean she isn't around."
"I know." the golden boy replied quickly.
Deciding it was best to make a quick exit they said their goodbyes and headed to the nearest elevators. Unfortunately that was the moment the heavens decided to mess with them.
"Yoon Ji Hoo." Came the stern voice, and the short woman at his side scrambled to hide behind him.
His eyes wide, the quiet man gave a thin grimace and short bow to the powerful Shin-Hwa president.
"Yuli?" came the concerned voice from down the hall.
Watching him step off the elevator, the Russian girl tried to get up from her spot outside their room. Thrown out of their room by her grandmother, she'd been sitting on the floor brooding. The wedding was already a disaster and it hadn't even officially began.
With quick steps the Don Juan was at her side. Helping her to her feet, his dazzling smile broke her out of her bad mood.
"Mmm, I've missed you." she murmured against his chest as he drew her near.
"That bad?" he quipped, as he wondered where his father had gotten to.
Pulling back to look him in the eye she shook her head, "You have no idea."
With a sigh, Woo Bin listened as his girlfriend relayed everything that was said. Pacing the hallway, his arm around her shoulder the pair imagined what life could be like without their family's interference.
"Why can't my grandmother just be normal?"
"I don't even know what normal means."
"You know like on television. She makes soup and complains I'm too skinny. She doesn't verbally spar with the leader of the Song clan."
"I thought I told you before, normal is overrated."
Sighing the Russian girl let him pull her into a tight hug, but the pair jumped apart barely a second later when the door to their room opened wide.
Nodding at his son and the Russian doll by his side, Woo Bin's father didn't pause for conversation and a confused Yulina looked up at her boyfriend; but he seemed as stunned as she to see a grinning Song Won-Sik heading casually to the elevators.
"M-M-Madam Kang." Jan Di stuttered, surprised to find the one woman she hoped to avoid had snuck up beside her.
"Guem Jan Di." she answered back coldly, her dark eyes taking in the absurd clothing she wore. "Are you off to a fancy dress party?"
"Um. I. No." she replied, taking a half-step backwards.
With a gentle push, Ji Hoo guided his girlfriend to stand fully behind him. "Can I help you?" he said bored, schooling his features to hide any anxiety he felt in the cruel woman's presence.
He'd lost track of the number of times the witch had hurt Jan Di. Gritting his teeth he waited for an opportunity to leave discretely.
"I have someone here I'd like to introduce you to, although I think you already know her don't you So Yi Jeong?"
"Sorry, what?" Yi Jeong replied, he'd only been half listening as he busily scanned the enormous lobby for Ga Eul.
The three friends watched with concern as the wicked woman called over a young woman from the opposite side of the room. Walking elegantly towards them, the girl nodded serenely at the former Casanova.
Already wracking his mind to place the woman, Yi Jeong made sure to keep distance between them when she came to a stop at his side.
"It's been a while." she said politely, keeping her own mask in place to hide her worry at failing Madam Kang.
"Well I'll leave you young people alone." the Shin-Hwa president said, amused with how uncomfortable she'd made the three of them.
Nodding once at the young girl as she left, she trusted that the whore would remember her role. After all, the rewards were too great for her to risk even the slightest mistake.
Breaking the tension Guem Jan Di set to work introducing herself and Ji Hoo to the new girl. Polite, but formal, Jan Di tried to pry a few details out of her.
"How did you meet Yi Jeong Sunbae?"
"At the Boombar, I was out with a few friends celebrating."
Narrowing his eyes as she recounted the events of that night the famed potter tried to remember the last time he was there.
Blushing now, the girl went on to explain how their evening was cut short. "I had to leave suddenly, I'm sorry if I got you in any trouble."
'Trouble?' his mind raced, he'd gotten into trouble more than a few times at the Boombar, which time was she referring to?
"I'm not a fan of the police." she said in a half whisper.
Instantly red, So Yi Jeong knew exactly which time she was referring to now.
Not wanting to share that information with either the human statue or the Wonder Girl, he offered the young woman his arm and began to lead her away.
"Let me buy you a drink."
Suspicious eyes watched the handsome potter walk away with the strange girl.
"What was that about?" Ji Hoo mumbled, certain he was missing something important. "Maybe I should speak to Woo Bin..." he said to himself.
"You don't think..." Jan Di began, similarly stunned and unable to even say what she was thinking.
"No, he's not like that anymore. I'm sure of it." Looking around the spacious lobby, he eyed the Shin-Hwa President critically.
"Quick, lets get out of here before she comes back!" Jan Di demanded, pulling on his arm.
Gasping, when she began to walk towards them, the Wonder Girl dragged Ji Hoo away, looking for somewhere to hide.
His own mind lost in thought as he tried to decipher the mystery behind So Yi Jeong and the new girl, he barely noticed where they were headed. In fact it wasn't until he heard the telltale click of the heavy door shutting behind them that he awoke from his stupor.
"No wait, Jan Di don't" he cried out, but it was too late. Pulling on the handle of the door he sighed.
Frozen mid step the laundry girl turned around, only to see her boyfriend shake his head and chuckle.
"Only you Jan Di." he muttered, giving her a quick kiss on the forehead as he walked to sit on the stairs.
Locked in the emergency stairwell, the pair sat side by side halfway up the first flight of stairs, and both began to dial. Frowning when Chu Ga Eul's phone went immediately to voice mail, Jan Di looked to see a similar expression on her boyfriend's face.
"That's odd." he murmured.
Hanging up when the call to the former Casanova went to voicemail, he tried dialing Gu Jun Pyo. Looking suspiciously at his phone as it again went to voicemail, he signed and tried the Don Juan.
Leaving his girlfriend's side, Woo Bin jogged to catch up to his father before the elevator doors closed.
"Sir, may I ask..."
"Out with it." the tall man barked, turning around to face his only son. "I didn't teach you to be a coward." he grumbled.
Woo Bin felt his cheeks flush with shame at his father's cruel words. "Yulina said you spoke with her grandmother?"
"We came to an arrangement. That's all you need to know."
"Yes sir." he knew better than to keep asking questions when his father was like this.
Ever since he'd confessed to his father about what happened to him with his former tutor, the man had been curt and keeping him at arms length. He knew he'd disappointed him, but he'd hoped to be forgiven by now. Squaring his jaw he thought of all the things he wanted to say.
'It's not fair.' was the most prominent of them.
'I was only a boy.' being the next.
But these were excuses in his father's mind, and they'd already had this fight; he didn't need another. Frustrated with himself he bit his tongue, complaining was a sign of weakness.
He'd been raised to fix his problems, if he wanted his father's respect back he needed to do just that.
Again and again he wracked his brains.
'How?'.
He'd been trying to work out exactly this ever since they came to Jeju, but with no luck. Furrowing his brow, he was irritated that he was no closer to finding the answer. He hadn't gotten anywhere on his own.
'But I'm not on my own.'
The idea came to him and his features lit up like a thousand watt light bulb, 'the F3 and Yulina can help.'
His father may be the lone wolf type, but he wasn't. That was why he couldn't get anywhere, that's why he couldn't come up with a solution. Maybe his father worked best alone and shunned any council, but just because HE did it that way didn't mean Woo Bin had to be the same.
Hiding his impertinent grin, the Don Juan bid his father goodbye when they reached the lobby before pressing the button to take him back up again. The wheels were turning, and for what felt like the first time in ages, he felt like himself again.
He'd just gotten back to his room when he received a text from Gu Jun Pyo. Apologizing to Yulina, he gave her a quick kiss before heading back out the door. Making plans in his head the moment he shut their door, he dialed the restaurant downstairs and arranged a private dinner, one with absolutely no interruptions.
With almost a skip in his step Woo Bin opened the door to Jun Pyo's suite, Yi Jeong following him in a moment later. Not greeting either of them, they watched with concern as the curly haired man paced the room nervously.
Breaking the tension Yi Jeong asked Jun Pyo why he'd insisted they come over right away but the Shin-Hwa heir only grumbled that to wait for Ji Hoo.
When a half hour went by and the golden boy didn't show the Don Juan began pressing his friend for an explanation.
Angry that his best friend would abandon him the night before his wedding, Gu Jun Pyo instead kicked Yi Jeong's feet out his way as he went past.
Well versed with their friend's temper, the former Casanova rolled his eyes ignoring Jun Pyo's behavior, his patience long gone. The meeting with the 'mystery woman' in the lobby had left him anxious. His recollection of that night was fuzzy, but if she was who she claimed to be then he needed to make sure she got nowhere near Chu Ga Eul.
He groaned to himself imagining that meeting.
'Ga Eul-yang, let me introduce you to the last woman I slept with before we started dating. Did I mention I got arrested thanks to her?'
Every sense on high alert, Yi Jeong told Jun Pyo he'd leave if he didn't explain himself right away.
Yulina put away the laptop, having said a lengthy goodbye to her grandmother and again promising to visit in the summer.
Taking out her phone to text Woo Bin that it was safe to return, she was startled to find seven missed calls.
"What the...?" Immediately calling back, she breathed a sigh of relief to hear Ji Hoo's calm voice on the other end; she'd been worried something had happened again to Jan Di.
"Oh." a smirk broke out on her face the more she listened, "Oh..." and she had to cover her mouth to stop laughing outright.
"Only you two. Alright I'm coming." About to hang up she added, "Don't go anywhere." before ending the call.
"Ha Jae Kyung. I know I've called you a monkey before, because of how stubbornly you clung onto those shoes... and to me... but it's occurred to me that maybe I'm a monkey too. I clung on too... and for too long. But then I grew up. I thought if I loved someone I'd hold them forever no matter what. I know, I'm selfish aren't I? I thought love was a fight, something to claim as yours and to keep others away... but love shouldn't be a fight. That's not how it's meant to be. Love is thinking about what's best for someone else. It's when someone else occupies your every thought and decision. And not out of worry or fear, but out of joy. I've never felt that way about you. But that doesn't mean I won't, it just means I need more time and... maybe we need a real chance. So, what I'm trying to say is... monkey will you be my girlfriend... for real." he added quickly, clearing his throat and looking expectantly at the F2.
"Well? What do you think?"
Unable to form the words, the famed potter nodded to his friend to explain for the both of them.
"ARE YOU CRAZY! YOU CAN'T SAY THAT AT THE ALTER!"
"Well what do you suggest then?!" Pulling at his hair, Gu Jun Pyo collapsed into one of the tallback chairs he'd previously lost a fight with in frustration. "Maybe I should just get married then, is that what you think? Is that what you both think?"
"No, of course not."
"...you already know what you need to do." came a calm voice as Ji Hoo walked through the door.
Looking up Jun Pyo ignored his best friend's poignant words, but was taken aback by the pity he saw in Guem Jan Di's eyes.
Ready to smash something he stalked over to Woo Bin, holding out his arm as if to challenge him to an arm wrestling competition.
"Break my arm then. With your skills I know you can do it easily."
An audible groan came from the former Casanova, who shook his head at Jun Pyo's solution.
"Gu Jun Pyo! You coward! Don't you DARE do that to Unnie!"
"What do you suggest then?" He spun around, facing off with the small, fiery girl. "Tell me. Tell me what to do." Without realizing what he was doing he'd grabbed the Wonder Girl by her arms.
"Tell me NOT to go through with it!"
Four jaws hung open in astonishment at his words.
"Gu Jun Pyo..." came Ji Hoo's voice, low and threatening.
"I can't do that." Jan Di replied, cutting him off. "and I WON'T do that to Unnie." The laundry girl stormed out of the room and, casting a dark glance at his best friend, Yoon Ji Hoo followed on her heels.
The quiet left behind was overwhelming, making Yi Jeong's words seem all the louder. "Gu Jun Pyo, what were you thinking!"
Unable to look at his friends the curly haired idiot headed to the bedroom, slamming the door behind him.
"This whole thing, from the moment Ji Hoo and Guem Jan Di got together, has been a disaster."
"Come on man, you don't mean that."
"Says who?"
"You never would have gotten together with that little cutie of yours if Jan Di-yah and Ji Hoo never got together."
"That's not... you don't know that."
"Please Bro, don't insult me. If there's one thing I know it's So Yi Jeong."
"What's your point?"
"Don't be too hard on Jun Pyo. What would you do if it was you?"
"If it was me?"
"Yeah, you being forced to marry someone who was NOT Chu Ga Eul."
Feeling as though he'd been punched in the chest, Yi Jeong stood abruptly and left the room, leaving the Don Juan alone.
Woo Bin sat there bemused for a few moments before, casting a wandering eye around the room, he noticed the bar. Wandering over his eyes scanned the expensive labels until, satisfied with his choice, he poured himself a double portion of bourbon.
"Here's to the F4, what a fine collection of idiots."" the Don Juan said to the empty room as he swirled the amber liquid around the highball glass, before tossing it back in one. "oooh smooth...".
Sighing to himself, he poured another and did the same again.
AN:
Yeah I know, its rather a strange place to leave off the story, but next chapter starts on the actual wedding day. About time, I know, I know!
At any rate, I hope this chapter wasn't too confusing as it contained a little bit of set up for a major scene in our next chapter that may otherwise seem out of place.
I want to thank everyone who is reading this for sticking with me even though I've become a super slow poster.
As you will know if you've been reading this story through, 2018 was a sucky year all around.
Here's hoping for a more fortuitous 2019 for all of us!
As always I am a terrible proof reader so feel free to point out my grammatical and spelling errors, I know they are there.
*Here is what they are saying in Russian to each other:
"Thin?"
"He is not"
"Love is blind."
In our next chapter:
Wedding bells ring for JaePyo
MK is super evil (shock)
XOXO until we meet again!