Sorry for not posting sooner, I hope you are having some amazing holidays. Happy New Year!
Enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I do not own BOF.
Chapter 12. Closing some cycles
Ga Eul watched the sea in front of her and thought that she must be gone crazy there waiting for sir So Yoon Hee. September was definitely not a good season to go to the beach in Seoul. The breeze was stronger, the salt stung into the eyes and the sand clung to the body. However, standing there Ga Eul managed to keep herself calm a bit.
The day before, an important part of her life had changed, Yi Jeong had returned from Sweden, and after suddenly appearing right at the place where she and Yi Jeong's mother were talking, things went ... in a good way.
Would you like to have a date with me? He had told her. She had answered yes. Ga Eul had forgotten for a moment all the problems with her parents, the constant persecution of her mother-in-law, the family instability that her baby was going to have, her life, her studies. She went on a date with Yi Jeong like the old days, like they did back in March, more than seven months ago.
"Really, So Yi Jeong, where you are taking me?" she had asked after accepting the date, Yi Jeong had taken her hand, and after putting on his sunglasses, they started walking.
All the times they had gone out in the past, Yi Jeong was in his car, this time it was different to walk hand in hand with him, it made her feel various sensation. They walked for a while in silence until they reached a mall, Yi Jeong bought two ice creams and they sat on some giant beanbags that the mall had in one of its areas for people to recreate or just talk.
Too bad Ga Eul couldn't even taste the ice cream, her stomach seemed to have closed as soon as she had the ice cream cone in her hands, and her nausea increased, she handed Yi Jeong the chocolate cone again.
"I think the baby doesn't like ice cream" she commented breaking the silence. Yi Jeong chuckled.
"He or she will have the character of the mother"
"Hey!" Ga Eul complained but the wealthy potter kept laughing. Ga Eul also laughed, as she had not done in a long time, and it was as if she opened a very large gift, or as if she read a very old book, small details but that filled the soul.
Then, Yi Jeong handed both ice creams to a boy who passed by and who happily accepted both sweets.
"Ga Eul-yang, how are you?" he asked when the boy left. The girl blinked.
"It's been pretty tough days since you left" she finally admitted.
"Mianhe" Yi Jeong said suddenly. She didn't know what to say, she could definitely see the pain in his eyes, because she was feeling it too.
A couple of seconds later, he took her hand drawing her attention again.
"I'm not going to waste this date. You are more beautiful than when I left" he spoke again, this time that devilishly charming smile crossed his face.
She widened her eyes in surprise.
"Give it up. Those casanova tricks aren't going to work on me."
He raised his eyebrows and approached her, making everything in her freeze, very close to her face, their noses almost touching.
"I think they already worked, and I have living proof of it" he whispered pointing to her slightly bulging belly.
"So Yi Jeong!" she protested.
Yi Jeong laughed, regained his composure and squeezed Ga Eul's cheeks playfully.
"Yi Jeong, I don't understand. You ran away, your parents… everything you have. You're risking everything" Ga Eul spoke without meeting his eyes.
Yi Jeong sighed.
"I wanted a normal and common time with you, but since you insist on bringing everything to the table, let's talk" he said "It took me several days in the cold city of Stockholm, to understand that now everything is different. That I am not just So Yi Jeong the prodigy in plastic arts, but for better or for worse now I am So Yi Jeong the father of a creature that does not have all its complete parts but has managed to turn my world upside down "
"Chu Ga Eul, I don't even know what I'm doing myself. But I came back to fix this, be honest with me, what was all that with my mother?" he spoke again.
Ga Eul closed her eyes suppressing some tears, the hormones were driving her crazy. Then she told him everything, from the day outside the university when Mrs. Park Im Hyun found out about her pregnancy, the first threats and conditions, to the conversation just an hour ago when Yi Jeong found them.
Yi Jeong chenched his fists, it did not surprise him at all, his family by position and power could do anything, however, the So family was not characterized by following the rules of high society to the letter.
"Ga Eul, tomorrow I want you to meet someone" He determined. Ga Eul frowned confused but nodded.
After they finished their date, at night Yi Jeong accompanied her to her house, she was alone because her parents were in the clinic, and it was at that moment that Jan Di called.
And there she was, nervous, waiting to meet the legendary So Yoon Hee. She was thinking a lot about everything when Yi Jeong came to the pier to tell her that her grandfather was waiting for them. She took one last look at the sea, and took Yi Jeong's hand and together they went to meet Yi Jeong's grandfather.
So Yoon Hee was a retired businessman, but like the other men in the So family, he had great talents for the plastic arts, he had decided many years ago after the death of his wife to settle on the coast of South Korea, therefore he lived by the shore of the beach. Ga Eul was very nervous, Yi Jeong tried to smile as they headed towards the entrance of that beach mansion, but he was also quite nervous.
For some reason Yi Jeong knew the password of the entrance, so they entered without announcing themselves. In an impeccable way a very old man was sitting in the living room with a glass of wine in hand. The glass walls allowed to see the sea from there, Ga Eul thought that with Yi Jeong's style, maybe when he was old, he would be like that, that thought made her chuckle, and calm her anxiety.
"Haraboji" Yi Jeong said bowing. Ga Eul bowed as well.
The man made a gesture with his hands and invited them to sit next to him. At that moment Ga Eul forgot how to breathe, she started to feel dizzy. Both she and Yi Jeong sat on a huge sofa in front of Grandpa.
"Something really big has to happen for you to come here, Yi Jeong-ah" the man said. Yi Jeong nodded and even though the man in front of them seemed to have a smile, Yi Jeong didn't.
"Do you two want a drink? This red wine is the best from our exclusive reserve in France." he offered.
"We did not come with a plan to get drunk with you. I guess you know that I left my father in Sweden, and my credit cards were already confiscated" Yi Jeong said. His grandfather nodded and stirred his glass with his hand.
"Sure, I understand when there are major reasons for not drinking" he commented staring at Ga Eul. She instinctively hugged herself, that day she was wearing a white blouse and a long skirt, her pregnancy of just 4 months was beginning to show. "Chu Ga Eul, I've heard a lot about you, the waitress who happened to go out with my grandson, and suddenly she is expecting a child! Something very common for every goldigger and sluts. "
Ga Eul blinked, and Yi Jeong was ready to reply but his grandfather waved his hand.
"I have not finished speaking" But then, the glass slipped from his hands and fell to the floor, while the old man winced and clutched his chest.
The reaction was immediate.
"Haraboji!"
Both Yi Jeong and Ga Eul stood up and approached him. Ga Eul didn't know exactly what to do, but she knew she should help, the situation itself reminded her of her dad, and she wished she could be there when it all happened. As Yi Jeong called out the man and shook him, Ga Eul carefully crouched down removing the man's shoes, then awkwardly taking the pulse on his wrist. She had learned a thing or two from Jan Di.
"A girl with a noble heart" he said suddenly after several seconds, settling in his seat and regaining his composure. His eyes wide open, his characteristic smile, and without any apparent pain, before the stunned eyes of Yi Jeong and Ga Eul.
"You have tricked us!" Yi Jeong accused him, picking up Ga Eul, and directing her to sit where they were before.
"It may be, but I just wanted to try something and I got it" he admitted, then turned his gaze to Ga Eul "You could have done anything in such a situation, after all I had just insulted you. But no, that only shows the good heart that you have. You remind me of my beloved wife."
"I-" Ga Eul started to say.
"My wife was also a waitress, and it took her a long time to notice a rich man like me" the old man interrupted her. "When she finally accepted me, my father did not agree. Sure, we did things right" he emphasized looking at Yi Jeong.
"What happened?" Ga Eul asked
"We got married, a secret marriage, I was still working for the family business, and by the time my father discovered everything, Yi Jeong's father had been born. And my father had no choice but to accept it, So Jae Min, she he agreed to learn everything to be with me, without ever losing his essence"
"I am so sorry for coming here, for damaging the image of your family" Ga Eul said.
The man waved his hand.
"The only bad thing you did here was bumped into Yi Jeong" he said "You deserve better than this stubborn man here"
"Yah!" Yi Jeong complained.
"Yi Jeong, your father made his own decisions and is paying the consequences, both you and your brother also have decisions to make. I do not approve of what you did, the press is everywhere, and I've never agreed with the money-wasting life you had, it was going to lead you to something bad" So Yoon Hee commented.
Then he added "But at this age, I only understand that just like the mud on our hands, if something went wrong we have to rebuild, I don't know what your parents are up to, but I am still the chairman of the So family. The fact that a woman comes from high society does not prove anything, there is your mother and I dare say that Chu Ga Eul has a better heart than her"
Yi Jeong had a hard time following the conversation, what his grandfather really meant.
"Haraboji, I came here because that way you disinherit me from the family So, I'm going to stay with Ga Eul, this is the most complicated decision I have made in my entire life, but I will be a better father than my dad is with me" Yi Jeong replied, taking Ga Eul hand.
"I already told you, this is about rebuilding. You have my support, but I want you to do things right: a marriage" the old man repeated, Ga Eul lost the color in her cheeks. "But, with the rebounding of the press it is not now the best decision. I am going to give you back your credit cards, please take care of that baby, after it is born you can get married, that will give Ga Eul time to fix things with her parents"
Yi Jeong couldn't be happier, his grandfather had approved everything. He could have a future with Ga Eul.
"But, I don't belong to-"
"Chu Ga Eul, I'm sure this family needs more kindness like yours" he replied "Now, don't you want to stay for lunch? My great-grandchild in that belly can't be hungry when I'm around.
Stepping on Parisian ground was like something magical for Jan Di, after 14 hours of flight being able to finally see the city of love was an achievement. Of course, for her husband, it was not like that. After arriving in the French capital they had a problem with the airline because a suitcase had been lost inside the plane, then it turned out that it was not checked in.
And for Ji Hoo it was a big problem since he knew from a good source that his wife had bought different babydolls nightwear to wear on that second honeymoon, lingerie that he hoped would be in the suitcases that they did carry.
They had finally arrived at the hotel, it was a little after 3 in the afternoon when they arrived in Paris, Ji Hoo used to sleep on flights, Jan Di did not use to do it since she did not feel comfortable sleeping on a plane, so she was tired.
The room was as huge as it was elegant, that reminding Jan Di of the first suite she stayed in with her family when they started traveling because of business.
She ran and threw herself on the king-size-padded bed. Ji Hoo laughed.
"Are you so excited to get to bed?" Ji Hoo smirked. Jan Di leaned on both elbows to get a good look at him.
"Yah!" she complained throwing him a pillow, which with good reflexes the redhead man dodged.
"How about a shower? it's still early you can rest and at night we can go to a restaurant for dinner" He suggested "After all, I guess tomorrow you will abandon me for my family's business".
Jan Di stood up and walked over to him and put her arms around him.
"Ours. Now is our family. And you know you have to accompany me, these are fast matters. Besides, it's not like our time in Seogwipo Island was bad."
Ji Hoo also wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him.
"A kiss, I only got that from you!" he complained.
Jan Di opened her mouth in outrage.
"It was three or four kisses as I remember it" she affirmed. "Besides, you owe me a song"
"Arasso" Ji Hoo gave up "We are even"
"I accept your offer of the shower, if after dinner you sing to me" Jan Di said.
Ji Hoo leaned over to her and kissed her, it was a short and sweet kiss.
"Okay, wifey."
September on the streets of Paris was the most beautiful thing Jan Di had ever seen. The streets were filled with a sea of orange and yellow leaves thanks to autumn.
The day before, she and Ji Hoo had arrived in the French capital and had a dinner under the stars, then back to the hotel Ji Hoo finally sang a song for her, the young man's angelic voice could kill her and bring her back to life again. They had enjoyed the rest of the evening, they made love and snuggled up next to each other. So that morning she had woken up early and forced Ji Hoo to go out and see as much as they could before their meeting with the investors.
The best part of staying in the 8th district of Paris was the proximity to the Field of the Elysées. After so much insistence, they both went there and enjoyed the beauty of nature, they had breakfast on the edge of the Monceau Park. At noon they met with the French investors, it was a fact the Suam Art Foundation in France would have the same benefits as its namesake in Korea.
"One of our biggest contracts is the presentation of the Suam Philharmonic at the fashion week shows here in Paris" one of the men in a tie said, Jan Di thanked those years studying English because he could understand it clearly.
"It's an honor for the foundation too" Jan Di commented.
"Chairman Yoon, assured us that the talented Yoon Ji Hoo could conduct the philharmonic for this weekend's fashion week concert."
Ji Hoo who was sitting next to Jan Di choked on the orange juice he was drinking. Jan Di looked at him and patted him on the back.
"My grandfather didn't say anything to me, and it's impossible to rehearse an entire orchestra for a presentation like this in less than five days" Ji Hoo barely said as he recovered from the bad drink.
Another of the men who was there at lunch intervened before Ji Hoo's indisposition
"Young Yoon, the manager of the parade asked exclusively for the presentation of our foundation, her words were-"
"I properly know the qualities of the Suam musicians. And if anyone can make the best performance for this parade it is Yoon Ji Hoo" a female voice completed. Jan Di and Ji Hoo turned to see the person who had approached them. As if the years were not in vain: tall, slim. With her hair in a high bun, flawless makeup and a long red dress that highlighted the white of her beautiful skin. Min Seo Hyun stood before them with a charming smile.
"Gentlemen, please. You can go now, from here I will negotiate with the couple" She said, the businessmen nodded and said goodbye, leaving room at the table for the beautiful woman. Jan Di was still perplexed, Ji Hoo avoiding the gaze of the woman in front of them, cursed his luck. Of all the people it had to be Seo Hyun, why?
"It's been a long time, Ji Hoo-yah. I thought I would never see you again, everything would be easier if you answered my messages. I knew you got married" She spoke again, looking closely at Jan Di whose cheeks turned pink from the intensity in the look of the supermodel.
"Annyeong" Jan Di greeted with her best smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, darling. You're so beautiful" Seo Hyun replied.
"Ji Hoo, about what happened years ago-"
"Ji Hoo" Jan Di said standing up "I'm going back to the hotel, you really need to talk with her. Call me when you finished"
Ji Hoo grabbed her arm.
"I don't have to hide anything from you, when you already know everything. Stay"
Jan Di smiled.
"I know, and I trust you. See you later" She leaned towards him and kissed him, a short but very meaningful kiss, she didn't know where she got the courage to do that, but she wanted Seo Hyun to know that Ji Hoo it had also closed cycles.
After finishing the kiss, she said goodbye to Seo Hyun with a bow and left the restaurant.
"From the moment of your wedding announcement, I thought it was a marriage of convenience" the supermodel commented.
"It would be at first, but I really love her, to the point of wanting to give her up just because I thought she had something with Jun Pyo." Ji Hoo admitted.
"That is the kind of love that is worth having." She said.
Ji Hoo cleared his throat, before a lump formed. It was so strange to have Min Seo Hyun in front of him again.
"I wanted you to only reply to some of my letters. Although our relationship was not meant to be, it does not stop being real, and it does not stop being special" Seo Hyun told him with a little smile.
"If you think like that, you shouldn't have finished what we had the way you did. I would have supported you in your dream of being a lawyer" Ji Hoo claimed to her.
"It was not a healthy relationship. When you have to clip your own wings to follow the dream of the person you love, then it is not worth it. Loving is about balance" she said.
Ji Hoo seemed to ponder it, because every word was so true.
"I already know that. Thanks for coming into my life, and thanks for everything, after all that gave me the opportunity of knowing someone like Jan Di"
Seo Hyun nodded with a sadness smile.
"You know? After arriving here in France I had more than three love disappointments. Last year as I sent you each of those letters, I was hoping that maybe our relationship could work again. Then this year, when I saw the news of your engagement, I felt happy for you, and finally I could close that cycle." She had long ago ordered a bottle of wine, poured a glass and handed it to Ji Hoo. He took it and after a click of both glasses they both took it, at that moment Ji Hoo also felt that something was closing, and having her there was like going back to the times where both were the best friends in the world.
"Now that everything is said, I am not going to negotiate with you. The first rehearsal is tonight, and the tickets on sale say that you will be conducting the orchestra, so I am waiting for you and that wife of yours tonight at the amphitheater" she told him.
Ji Hoo sighed heavily. He knew that Paris was not going to be that dream honeymoon, however the Suam Foundation had become Jan Di's dream, and doing that was going to make her so happy that that would already be the greatest reward for the young musician.
"Okay"
They continued talking about the presentation and the fashion week, until Seo Hyun received a call, at first Ji Hoo downplayed it but during the few seconds that the beautiful woman was on the phone she did not stop looking at Ji Hoo with a chilling face.
As soon as he hung up the call, Ji Hoo frowned.
"Everything is alright?"
"It was one of my men, they are on the main street of the city, and there was an accident. Jan Di is seriously injured" she said.
A/N: Thank you, really thank you for reading, for staying tune, for your reviews. the next chapter will be the last chapter, but there will have an epilogue. Oh, don't forget Yi jeong's mom plans, next chapter will be interesting.
When I started this story I didn't think I was going to get here. I liked the development of the characters, and I hope you like the ending. the next update will be for January 8th or 9th. Have a nice and happy new year 2021!