Chapter 51: Waltz of the Flowers
Sun Hi stayed with Jan Di and Jun Pyo for the next few days in their mansion. Jan Di seemed to be getting a lot of practice on being a mother because she tended to Sun Hi's every need as if she were a child. If Sun Hi was hungry, Sun Hi made sure she ate. If she was tired, Jan Di put her to bed. When she tried to go into work, Jan Di talked with the porridge shop owner to get her permission for temporary leave. Sun Hi didn't want to be a burden, but she was too sad and too depressed to argue.
She would have stayed with Hye Rim, but she and Woo Bin became preoccupied with finishing the last touches on their engagement party. Still, Hye Rim called her every few hours to check on her. It was almost becoming overwhelming for her, but she liked that someone cared about her at least. It just wasn't Ji Hoo.
The day of Woo Bin and Hye Rim's engagement party rolled around, and Jan Di's dress and Jun Pyo's suit arrived that morning. The gown was a dark blue, floor length, satin strapped dress that fit her perfectly and there was enough room in the stomach area for her baby bump to not be too noticeable. Jan Di picked out large dangling diamond earrings to pair with the dress and sparkling silver shoes from her closet.
At this rate, Sun Hi expected not to go. She had the dress that she had worn a long time ago to the ballet with Ji Hoo and the dress that she attended the hospital charity banquet in but those dresses would bring back too many memories. She didn't feel much like celebrating love either.
Then, another gown arrived in the afternoon. This one was beautiful light gold color with sparkling gold beads and was floor length with one shoulder strap. It was gorgeous to Sun Ho. At first, she thought it was a back up dress for Jan Di. Then, Jan Di told her to try it on.
"I guessed the size," Jan Di told her, "but I figured it would go perfect with those shoes I gave you."
"This is for me?" Sun Hi asked incredulously.
Jan Di smiled at her. "You haven't had much time to buy a dress for the occasion so I took a chance. We could always go shopping now and pick out something different."
"Unnie, I can't accept this. I don't think I'm going to go to the party anyway."
"Hye Rim is your best friend. It would be rude for you not to make an appearance, right? You can wear some of my jewelry, and my hairstylist will be arriving soon. Honestly, I hate getting dressed up like this, but it'll be fun with you here."
"But Unnie, he'll be there," Sun Hi said quietly.
Jan Di smiled gently. "He will be. All the more reason to look beautiful. Make it so that he'll regret everything. If he's mean to you, Unnie will put him in his place."
Sun Hi allowed herself a smile. She looked again at the dress Jan Di had picked for her. She wanted so badly to see him, if even for a moment. Maybe she'd even get to talk to him and explain to him the misunderstanding.
Three hours before the event. Jan Di's maids helped them get ready, and the hairstylist put Sun Hi's hair up to suit the style of the dress. A make-up stylist arrived too and prepared them.
While getting ready, Jun Pyo's mother came into the room. She was apparently going to the party as well.
"Perfect choice, Jan Di," she critiqued Jan Di's choice of dress. "You're finally learning how to represent Shinwa well. Make sure you talk to several of our benefactors tonight, but avoid talking business with Woo Bin's father."
"Thank you, Mother-in-Law. I'll be sure to do this. You also look very stunning."
When the woman turned her attention to Sun Hi, Sun Hi bowed nervously and said hello.
"Who are you?" asked Jun Pyo's mother rather bluntly.
"This is Lee Sun Hi, Ji Hoo's girlfriend," Jan Di introduced her incorrectly. She had been Ji Hoo's girlfriend but was nothing of the sort now. Now, he hated her.
Jun Pyo's mother looked her up and down and made a face. "Another one. Where do they find you girls?"
"Mother-in-Law, that's a little—" Jan Di pulled a worried face. Sun Hi felt a little embarrassed. Even in a gorgeous dress, she looked common.
"Well, enjoy yourselves tonight. I won't stay for long. Jun Hee and I have a meeting in London tomorrow morning."
The woman left without a goodbye to Sun Hi, but she bowed anyway.
"Your mother-in-law is scary," Sun Hi commented when she was out of sight.
Jan Di laughed. "Not nearly as scary as she used to be. I'm the only one who suffered a lot at the wrath from an F4 parent. My father-in-law is a good man though."
Jan Di told stories of her trials with her mother-in-law for the rest of the time they finished preparing. Soon, Jun Pyo arrived at the room in his suit, and the three of them made their way down to the limousine that was waiting. Sun Hi almost forgot the nervous feeling she had in anticipation of the party.
When they arrived to the engagement party, Sun Hi felt as though she were at a movie premiere or a lavish party for celebrities. Everyone was dressed spectacular. The women were embellished with colorful jewels and diamonds, and the men were wearing crisp, smart suits. The party was at Hye Rim's family home, which although it looked classic on a regular day, it had been transformed to be even more breathtaking for the evening.
Valet workers opened up the doors for each car that pulled into the drive, and when Sun Hi was the last to climb out of the limo, Yi Jeong and Ga Eul, who was dressed in a silky dark purple gown, were waiting for them.
They all made their greetings, although Sun Hi felt shy. It felt strange and awkward to be here without Ji Hoo at her side.
As if someone was reading her mind, Jun Pyo looked past her at the next car to arrive. "Ah, Ji Hoo," he called out.
Sun Hi couldn't help herself. She spun around and laid eyes on him. He was dressed in an immaculate white suit with perfect hair and a diamond earring sparkling in one ear. She wondered just how many white suits he had. This one managed to look different than the others.
She could tell that her friends had all tensed as he stared at her blankly for a few long seconds, then strolled up to them as though she did not exist. She bowed to him anyway but went ignored. Her heart began pounding from anxiety.
"We should probably go in," said Yi Jeong, attempting to break the awkwardness. "Woo Bin and Hye Rim will be looking for us."
Sun Hi trailed behind all of them and behind Ji Hoo as they entered the mansion and into the main ballroom. When they entered, she was surprised to find that every guest was being announced to the room as if it was a royal gathering.
"Introducing Shinwa CEO Gu Jun Pyo and his wife, Geum Jan Di," bellowed the announcer into a microphone. Jun Pyo and Jan Di descended the stairs.
"Introducing award winning potter So Yi Jeong and his partner, Chu Ga Eul." They too descended.
"Oppa," Sun Hi found the courage to speak to him.
He paused and then said without turning to look at her. "Let's not pretend to know each other tonight."
Then he began descending the stairs without waiting. She followed after him out of habit.
"Introducing Dr. Yoon Ji Hoo and his partner, Lee Sun Hi," their names rang out from the announcer's microphone. Sun Hi turned momentarily to see how he even knew her name. He seemed to be reading from some sort of list, and she wondered if he had memorized the face of each guest and who they were expected to arrive with.
She felt somewhat angry with Hye Rim over this. It had been beyond embarrassing to be announced as someone still attached to the ex-boyfriend who hated her. Ji Hoo looked more annoyed than she did, which made her feel even worse.
Their friends did not seem to know what to do with themselves or where their loyalties lie. Sun Hi decided to detach herself from them and drifted about the room. She didn't really belong with them anymore and was more so here to support Hye Rim. And Woo Bin. She helped herself to a glass of champagne and some hors d'oeuvres as she scanned the room. Everyone was with someone but her. Why was it that whenever she attended something like this, she felt incredibly out of place? This wasn't her world at all, and Ji Hoo wasn't around to reassure her that it was. Maybe he had been right. Maybe she wasn't suitable for him. That didn't mean that she loved him any less though.
"And now, it is my honor to present the reason for our gathering, the honorable Prince Song Woo Bin and his fiancé, Princess Im Hye Rim!"
Sun Hi looked at the staircase to see Woo Bin and Hye Rim entering the party. Hye Rim wore a gorgeous bright red gown that swept the floor and accented all of the best features of her body. It was revealing in some areas but much more conservative than her normal fashion. She truly did look like a princess. Both she and Woo Bin looked amazing and definitely in the mood to show off in front of those they had invited.
Sun Hi did not approach them when they greeted other guests and spoke with their group of friends. She watched Hye Rim scan the room and when they locked eyes, Hye Rim immediately came to where she was standing.
"Puppy, you came," Hye Rim smiled at first, and then looked upset. "Why are you over here alone? Was someone mean?"
"You look stunning," Sun Hi changed the subject, "and everything looks really beautiful. I can't believe how much planning you did for this. Your family must be very happy."
"They are. So are Woo Bin's parents."
"Are you and Woo Bin happy?"
"Yes, I think we are. I'm more worried about you."
She took a deep breath and caught a glimpse of Ji Hoo. Jan Di seemed to have pulled him aside and was talking to him. Sun Hi placed her focus back on Hye Rim and felt sorry. This was Hye Rim's night to celebrate being engaged to Woo Bin, not to concern herself with Sun Hi's well being. She shouldn't have come. She was just going to ruin the night for everyone.
"Don't worry about me. Enjoy your night. We're all here for you."
Just then, Woo Bin approached. He greeted Sun Hi and then asked if he could borrow Hye Rim for a dance. The two of them made their way to the middle of the dance floor and began to waltz. Hye Rim did not seem the type to dance this way, but she clearly knew what she was doing. It was strange to see her like this.
Several classical songs played, and more and more couples waltzed, including all of her friends. Ji Hoo stood off to the side, watching the crowd and drinking champagne. She couldn't read his face nor imagine what he was thinking.
Eventually, she began to wander more around the room to take her mind off of things. Just when she had almost made a complete loop, Yi Jeong stepped in front of her.
"May I have this dance?" he asked her with a charming smile.
"I've only ever waltzed once," Sun Hi admitted. "And Ga Eul unnie—"
"Will not be offended," Yi Jeong finished for her, "and if your dance partner is exceptional, waltzing is effortless. I happen to be exceptional."
He guided her onto the floor and began to step and twirl her around the room. Now that she was doing something she loved, dancing, she started to feel lighter. His smile was easy and he made witty conversation as they danced. She almost forgot that she was lonely and was being ignored.
"Ga Eul is very fond of you," he said suddenly. "We all are."
Sun Hi blushed. "Thank you."
"It may not feel like it, but we always try our best to help and protect those we care about. Even when one of us is being unreasonable." Yi Jeong then twirled her around and dipped her romantically. When he brought her back to her feet, he parted from her and began to dance with Ga Eul who had just appeared and had broken apart from dancing with Ji Hoo.
She and Ji Hoo were left standing in the middle of the floor staring at each other.
Ji Hoo sighed and met eyes with Jan Di. Then, he held out a lifeless hand to her to continue the dance. Sun Hi took it quickly. They began to dance in silence around the room. For the most part, Ji Hoo avoided eye contact. It didn't matter. She couldn't take her eyes off of him. Eventually, his eyes met hers, and it felt as though the dancing became more intense. For a moment, everything and everyone seemed to disappear.
The song soon came to an end. Ji Hoo blinked and the moment was over. He remembered he was upset with her and stopped moving although he still held her in a dancing position.
"Oppa, I know you're mad, but can you please just listen?" Sun Hi pleaded, taking the opportunity to speak to him.
"Did you promise me never to see him again?"
"Yes, but—"
"You broke that promise. There is nothing to talk about." His hands fell from her body. He straightened his suit coat and turned away from her.
"Oppa!" she cried out to him as he walked away. "Oppa!"
The crowd parted for him, and he disappeared into a room off to the side of the ballroom. She was left standing on the dance floor alone, and music kept playing as if they were still dancing amongst everyone else.
She gathered her dress and ran the opposite way of him and into the garden. She ran until she was alone. Or thought she was alone. She heard footsteps following, and for a moment she expected Ji Hoo to come and apologize. It wasn't him. It was Jan Di who had followed her.
There was a stillness in the air as the two women stood there in the garden, breathing in the cold night. Jan Di's eyes bore into hers, both sheltering tears. Sun Hi eventually collapsed on a bench and began to sob, and Jan Di slid into the seat next to her.
"It's not easy," said Jan Di quietly. "It wasn't easy for me, and it wasn't for Ga Eul. Both of us dealt with hardships when it came to our men. Jun Pyo once ignored me after I flew all the way to Macau to see him. He looked right at me and then pretended he didn't know who I was. My heart broke into so many pieces in that moment. Yi Jeong took Ga Eul on a date and flirted with women in front of her, then offered her to his father just to show her how cruel he was. I imagine the same thing happened to her heart."
"I don't know much about Woo Bin and Hye Rim's relationship so I don't know any of their hardships. But tonight is maybe the one time Ji Hoo will selfishly shatter your heart."
"Aside from the break-up?" Sun Hi cried. "Wasn't that enough?"
"He'll regret both sooner than later."
"Unnie, you don't know. You didn't see it. You didn't see him fight Jin Woo, the way he looked at me afterwards. Like I was something dirty. Like I ruined his life."
Jan Di smoothed Sun Hi's hair back as she cried.
"I met with Jin Woo that night to tell him to take back his claim at the hospital. I wanted Oppa to get his job back, to help him like he helped me. I love him, Unnie. I don't care for Jin Woo, and I never did the way I do for Ji Hoo Oppa. I know that now."
Jan Di continued to listen as she attempted to sooth Sun Hi.
"Truthfully, I'm not like you and Ga Eul unnie. I know that you were just a poor, unworthy girl like me once upon a time, and that you were saved by the F4, but I don't think I can be saved. No matter how much I love, there is no prince for me."
"Sun Hi ah—"
"Unnie, I think it's time for me to leave," she said through tears, and began to take out the jeweled earrings she had borrowed from Jan Di. She slid them into tje woman's hand. "I'm starting to miss when things were simple, before any of this. The more I stay in Seoul, the more I become heartbroken. I'm thankful for you and the other Unnies, and for the F4. But I really want to go home now." She stood, deciding that although she would not end her life, she would end this part of her life.
"Sun Hi, please. Don't run away to where we can't find you," there was slight pleading in Jan Di's voice.
"I don't think such a place exists. I see no other place than home. Unnie. Thank you and goodbye."
The two women smiled at each other. Both had tears in their eyes. Sun Hi hiked up her dress and turned away from Jan Di. In her heels that were meant to carry her somewhere nice, she walked away from the party, from the truest friends she had ever had, from the men that showed her another side of life different from poverty and struggle. But most heartbreakingly, from the man who she loved deeper than anyone.
N/A: This was a nice long chapter for you. Was having a hard time deciding on a title, but found this one after searching "waltz" and finding out that it's a famous song from the "Nutcracker" (one I only know by sound). And since this IS Boys Over Flowers…
"Last chapter" coming up within the next week… unless I break it into 2 parts! Still deciding. Thank you for reading and please review!
