Author's Note: The reason why it took so long to post this chapter even though it's short is because I kept putting off finishing it. If you read it, you'll know why. I'm sorry. I also had to deal with plagiarism issues. Apparently, someone thought it was fine to copy CTC and change the names, then take credit for it in another site.
On a lighter note, a shout out to azngurlz093! I was going to give the anonymous reviewer a piece of my mind but you beat me to it. Thank you!
Chapter 33 – The Price of Fame
"The Casanova has fallen." Yi Jung announced in a room full of people including the press, South Korea's top elites, world-renowned artists, celebrities and politicians.
His cryptic opening statement hushed the entire room as all eyes focused on him. And though he spoke of his downfall as a Casanova, ironically, So Yi Jung gave his audience one very genuine smile.
He knew that he shouldn't even be talking about his personal circumstances when the spotlight of the celebration was supposed to be the re-opening of Woosung Museum. The night was supposed to be a celebration of South Korea's history and culture as showcased by the museum that his family has maintained for generations. And yet, So Yi Jung chose this same night to let the whole world know of his downfall.
"I know most of you are curious about what I meant by what I just said." He grinned. "But tonight is for South Korea's heritage and culture, not about me. Tonight is the celebration of Woosung Museum in successfully preserving South Korea's national treasures. I hope you all have a good time and enjoy." He raised his glass to his attentive audiences and quickly flitted off the stage.
As soon as he stepped down the stage, So Yi Jung immediately went to where Chu Ga Eul was sitting. He grinned at her without regard or care even if the people around them saw him as a love-struck man with his lady-love.
"You really know how to make an opening statement." Ga Eul grinned at her husband lovingly.
In her puffy white mini-dress, Chu Ga Eul looked divine. She would have looked like a bride in her all-white ensemble except for the gold and sparkly red doll shoes she paired the dress with. What was really surprising was the fact that So Yi Jung himself wore an all-white tux with red linings and with a red handkerchief on his chest. Their outfits undeniably matched as were the grins they wore on their faces while they looked at each other.
Truth was, Ga Eul chose to wear a puffy dress in order to hide the growing bulge of her stomach. She also opted to wear flats rather than high heels because of the strain it might cause on her legs, which could affect her pregnancy. Even at such an early stage of her condition, Ga Eul gave her best to ensure that her pregnancy had no complications.
She was planning on telling Yi Jung about her pregnancy, but he became so busy these last two months for the preparation and re-opening of Woosung Museum that she decided to tell him after things had settled down.
Still grinning, Yi Jung held out his hand to Ga Eul. "Of course. I believe they all deserve a fair warning that from this day on, I'm already off the market."
Ga Eul placed her hands on Yi Jung's. He lovingly tucked it on his elbow and held it in place as he led her to mingle with the other guests. So Yi Jung was determined to let everyone know that the lovely woman in his arms wasn't going away any time soon. He wanted them to know that Chu Ga Eul has a permanent place in his heart and in his life.
"Ga Eul!" A very round and very pregnant Jan Di gleefully bellowed as soon as she saw Ga Eul among the guests.
"Jan Di!" Ga Eul gleefully waved in return and momentarily disengaged herself from Yi Jung's arm to give her best friend a hug.
It had been months since Ga Eul last saw Geum Jan Di. This was mostly because of Goo Jun Pyo's insistence that she stay home to make sure that her condition was well-monitored. However, for the re-opening of the Woosung Museum, Geum Jan Di just had to attend. And since she was Geum Jan Di, Goo Jun Pyo had no choice but to give in.
"I missed you so much! And I'm so excited for your baby!" Ga Eul gushed with a cheerful smile on her face.
In response, Jan Di beamed. "I missed you, too! If it weren't for this ball I have in my stomach, I would have long visited you."
"Aish, I understand. You just keep yourself healthy to make sure that your baby comes along nicely."
"Oh, and before I forget, congratulations on the re-opening! And I'll just have to say that Yi Jung is turning out to be such a loving husband. Who knew, right? He seems to make you glow!" Jan Di held Ga Eul's hand and grinned.
Simultaneously, while Ga Eul and Jan Di were catching up, Yi Jung took up his position among the other F4 members. He was greeted with welcoming smiles and brotherly taps on his shoulder by the other F4 members.
"Congratulations on yet another success, bro!" Woo Bin greeted. Surprisingly, he came to the opening alone, and without a beautiful lady tagging along.
"So is this the official event to announce So Yi Jung's succession in handling the renowned museum?" It was Goo Jun Pyo who asked.
"Aigoo, I'm afraid my mom is still very much alive and kicking to make me run the museum yet. Besides, I'm still working on having mini-Ga Euls! I can't possibly accept more work now." Yi Jung was quick to reply.
"Mini Ga-Euls!" Woo Bin's grin was priceless as he teased. "Who knew you'd actually say that out loud?!"
"Now that we're on the subject of mini-Ga Euls, I think you should hurry it up. Jan Di and Jun Pyo's little one is due out in a few more months. That baby is going to need someone to play with soon." Ji Hoo smiled as he clinked his glass with Yi Jung.
"I'm working overtime already! Stop pressuring me!" Yi Jung jokingly complained.
"Oh, and just a piece of advice, if Ga Eul gets pregnant, you should probably employ a dozen maids at your disposal." Jun Pyo suggested after he took a sip of his drink while letting his eyes discreetly wander over to where his wife was.
"And why is that?" Yi Jung asked.
"Call it a survival tactic." Goo Jun Pyo knowingly answered.
"Mwo?" Ji Hoo asked, puzzled and completely confused.
Of course, the other three F4 members looked at Goo Jun Pyo like he grew another head. He wasn't exactly known to be the brightest member of the F4, so the other three needed a few more information to be able to understand just what the heck he was talking about. And since it was Jun Pyo who was actually talking, he could be referring to just about anything in the world at that instant and the other three would have no whatsoever idea about what was running inside his head.
"Do you know what Geum Jan Di did just last week?" He asked his friends, sounding completely exasperated. "She called me in the middle of a very important meeting only to tell me that she wanted to eat a fried cross-eyed milkfish."
"A what?!" Woo Bin asked, sounding incredulously amused.
"A cross-eyed milkfish!" Jun Pyo repeated for emphasis.
The three other F4 members looked at each other and burst out laughing. In all fairness, even though Goo Jun Pyo claims to barely survive his wife's pregnancy, he seemed to be contented and happy.
"I'm telling the truth! She wouldn't stop whining until I got what she wanted." Jun Pyo insisted.
"So, did you really end up frying a cross-eyed milkfish?" It was Ji Hoo who asked.
"Well, no, not really. One of the cooks I employed fried a regular milkfish and was able to arrange its eyes to make it look like it was cross-eyed." Jun Pyo explained. "But that didn't happen until after I've scoured every fish market in Seoul."
If there was one word to describe the married Jun Pyo, it would be 'whipped'. Geum Jan Di clearly has her husband in the palm of her hands.
"Let's just hope Ga Eul doesn't ask for those things when she gets pregnant." Yi Jung smiled. "In the meantime, please join me and my wife for a special tour of the new Woosung Museum."
Looking lovingly at his wife, Yi Jung took her hand and placed it on his arm to lead her for the special tour. Everyone was invited to see the vastly improved Woosung Museum. Following Yi Jung and Ga Eul as they led the pack, were the F4 along with Geum Jan Di and Yoon Eun Hye.
The tour was designed to highlight the improvements and major attractions inside the museum, and all throughout the said tour, So Yi Jung remained by Ga Eul's side. He looked at her as if she was the only person he saw and remained pretty much oblivious to everyone else. It didn't take a genius to know who made the Casanova fall.
The tour lasted for over an hour, and when it was over, the guests poured into the main hall for dinner. Congratulations and cheers were exchanged as the guests lined up to talk to So Yi Jung and Kim Young Ran.
While Yi Jung was busy entertaining the guests, Ga Eul sat by the main table along with the rest of the F4, Geum Jan Di and Yoon Eun Hye. She sat among friends and held a smile on her face.
"So, Ga Eul, does this mean what I think it means?" Woo Bin casually asked.
"I don't understand. What do you mean?" Ga Eul asked back.
"You and Yi Jung, are you ready to make everything public? It's not going to be easy, you know."
For a moment, Ga Eul paused as if to think. She looked at her hand and touched her wedding band. She and Yi Jung both wore their wedding rings that night. It was a silent gesture, but it meant a lot.
To answer Woo Bin's question, she smiled. "Nothing worth doing is ever easy, but since Yi Jung and I are together, I'm confident that we'll be okay."
"Cheers to that." It was Ji Hoo who raised his glass with an encouraging smile on his face.
Dinner went on smoothly. After dealing with the guests, So Yi Jung returned to Ga Eul's side. The thing was, he didn't seem to be disturbed by the fact that he and Ga Eul were appearing in public. As the cameras flashed and the night went on, So Yi Jung and Chu Ga Eul allowed everyone to see that they were together. And surprisingly, even So Yi Jung's mother, Kim Young Ran, seemed supportive despite refusing to comment when asked by the reporters.
After dinner, reporters were given the chance to ask questions from Kim Young Ran and So Yi Jung regarding the re-construction and development of the museum. On the other hand, Ga Eul remembered that she had forgotten her phone at her desk so she excused herself and went to the office.
The museum office was on the second floor so Ga Eul had to walk quite a bit from the main hall. She quickly grabbed her phone from her desk to hurry back to the main hall. However, as she was about to walk down the stairs, someone suddenly grabbed her left hand, effectively stopping her from walking down thirteen flights of stairs.
"Excuse me?" Ga Eul asked, sounding surprised and affronted.
"You're married." The person who grabbed Ga Eul's left hand was a woman. She stared at the ring on Ga Eul's left ring finger after she spoke.
Ga Eul recognized the woman as a famous actress. She recognized her because she was a common face in television commercials and because she briefly saw the woman with Yi Jung before. At that instance, she was wearing a red bandage dress and looked very exquisite.
Ga Eul briefly looked at her wedding band and drew strength from it. "Yes, I am." She replied, looking courageous and confident.
"And your husband?" The woman asked again.
The night was supposed to be a momentous occasion. It was the re-opening of a brand new and improved museum showcasing South Korea's culture. It was also the night of So Yi Jung's very public admission that the reputed Casanova has fallen.
Nobody could have predicted what happened next.
In one fluid movement, the famous actress pushed Chu Ga Eul down thirteen flights of stairs.
To Be Continued…
Author's Note:
The truth is, it was so hard for me to finish writing this chapter, especially since I'm imagining it happening in my head. =(