All morning Ga Eul had heard the giggled disruptions in class and hushed whispers through the halls. What all the commotion was about, she couldn't be sure, but she dearly hoped it would die down soon so she could study in peace. Shin University was indeed abuzz with more than the usual activity. Rumor had it that one of the F4 had been taking private classes at the school, a thought that sent shivers through many students. However, even more shocking was the news that this member was thought to be staying in the dorms. In Su, the instigator of this particular rumor swore he saw one of the famous four wandering the hallways long after dark several nights ago. Though he wasn't exactly known for his honest reputation, many still hoped In Su's words were true and even though it had been hours with still no sign of a fancy sports car, or, more importantly, the devilishly handsome man they hoped would emerge from it, anticipation quickly spread throughout the entire school rippling in excited whispers and hushed giggles.
The F4's reputation was well known, especially as they branched out into the "real world" and distinguished themselves as able businessmen while also distancing themselves from their less-than-mature high school days when they had ruled their school and often bullied those considered beneath them. Things had changed with the arrival of Jun Pyo's now wife. Although specifics were unknown, Jandi had changed the F4, making them more humane and less of the harsh and sometimes cruel figures of the past. In those days, many a rumor had speculated just what tricks Jandi had used to capture one of the most eligible gentlemen in the country and many a bitter soul had pronounced her a seductress whose charms wouldn't last more than a month, but those hopes gradually dwindled as the years passed and the F4 leader remained devoted to the girl who had stolen her way into his stone heart. Now, with Jun Pyo married and Ji Hoo away studying in the U.S., Woo Bin and Yi Jeong had been claimed as the personal property of many fiercely loyal fans, college students included.
Two such college students were busy lamenting their misfortunes to each other.
"Just my luck, how am I supposed to make Yi Jeong fall madly in love with me if I'm stuck in classes all day!?" one girl commented to her friend, who was only slightly less crestfallen herself.
"I don't know," her friend replied, shoving tortoiseshell glasses up the bridge of her nose in defeat, "but if my hubby Woo Bin comes into sight, no class is going to stop me getting his autograph this time!"
"That's fine with me. I'll be busy just trying to get Yi Jeong to notice me. You know So Ah almost broke her arm in that crowd last month, and he didn't even look at her!" Whoever So Ah was, the girl speaking didn't seem all that sad for her "friend."
"Besides," she continued, "So Ahs gorgeous, what chance do I have if he won't even look at her twice?"
It was true, more than one girl had set her heart on Yi Jeong, and more than one had been politely, but coolly, rejected. While Woo Bin seemed fairly open and warm with everyone, Yi Jeong remained a mystery; his charm and good looks causing others to naturally gravitate towards him, but his cool demeanor keeping them at arms-length.
"See now, my Woo Bin would never do that," glasses commented smugly. At the suspicious glance from her friend, she continued, "He'd at least give her a second look."
The two shared a look before suppressing the giggles that threatened to burst out. Calming down, Woo Bin's self-proclaimed wife proceeded, "You shouldn't have fallen for that Jack Frost of a man anyw—"
"Yahh! Don't talk about him like that. I can dream, can't I?"
Her friend just laughed, "Well, I wouldn't buy wedding invitations just yet, Yi Jeong's not settling down anytime soon."
Similar whispered conversations were held amongst the many students milling around the University's rotunda entrance, all trying to act natural like they normally hung around the steps to the building on a rainy Monday afternoon.
Making her way through the school grounds, Ga Eul hurried towards the gazebo at the edge of the extensive botanical garden in the back of Shin University. Light rain misted around her turning her once straight hair into curly wisps. If she had known it was going to rain, she wouldn't have bothered straightening it last night, she thought miserably, reaching the gazebo and pulling out a book. Na Ri was going to meet her so they could work on their paintings together, but it'd be a while before she got here, and Ga Eul didn't feel like starting without her friend. So, settling in with a good book she waited, not minding the delay, especially out here where few ventured except the occasional botany student. It was even more peaceful now, with most students already inside or hurrying through the rain to their dormitories, and Ga Eul had a chance to think uninterrupted except for the lone bumblebee that wobbled in seeking shelter from the rain.
Standing near one of the great windows which lined the eastern wall of his personal studio, Yi Jeong noted with curiosity the lone figure sheltered within the distant gazebo nestled among the flowers. He had grown used to seeing her silhouette, book in hand more often than not, and the familiar figure brought some comfort to his troubled mind. It was now raining quite hard and storm clouds were brewing, but Yi Jeong wished he was outside too instead of cooped up inside working on a tea set for his grandfather's museum. Selecting some clay from a nearby shelf, he turned to continue his work.
Recently Yi Jeong had preferred this studio over the one closer to home and the problems that lay there. Located towards the back of the building, it allowed for easier access without as much disturbance from other students. Plus, this personal studio had a full view of the gardens spreading lusciously out to meet the green hills beyond the school grounds. He knew the privacy of his own studio in such a large university was likely bought by his grandfather's influence. Frustration clouded his mind as thoughts drifted to the outburst he had overheard this morning when his grandfather, in a fit of rage, broke the tea set already rendered by his father, declaring it to be of poor quality and a disgrace to the family name. Yi Jeong had consequently been charged with the task instead although he knew there was nothing wrong with the pottery itself, his grandfather had merely wanted to put his father in his place—great, more drama, just what the family needed.
"Why are you waiting outside?" Na Ri questioned incredulously over the phone, "It's raining you weirdo!"
"You try sitting inside all day with annoying classmates" Ga Eul rose from her cozy spot and started hurrying towards the back doors of the University, "I needed a break to get my creativity flowing!"
"Yah, try that on someone else. I've been surrounded by idiots all day," letting out a dispassionate sigh Na Ri continued, "is getting into the right circles really worth it? Maybe I'll switch to computer tech instead."
"Yeah right, you know you'd quit the first week, besides imagine the idiots you'd have to work with fixing their tech issues." Ga Eul heard a bitter chuckle on the other end.
"Just hurry up, I'm already at the studio door, and you STILL have the only key." Having lost their argument, Na Ri emphasized that last point to regain some pride.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." Ga Eul hung up in a huff and shifted her things into one arm, tugging one of the double doors with her free hand still grasping her phone.
On the 70th floor of one of Seoul's many towering business buildings, a wizened old man sat behind his mahogany desk waiting patiently as the young man before him continued his report, sharp business suit crinkling slightly as he handed his boss some papers.
"Are you certain?" The old man asked, at last, laying the papers down and studying the man before him.
"Yes sir, he was the only one apprehended at the scene, and our sources confirmed he acted alone."
Face breaking for the first time, the old man rubbed his brow tiredly, saying nothing.
"We could continue the investigation; officer Cheng is ready to notify Chief Park if their involvement is requ-"
"No," the old man paused, "no, continue with the plan. I will not let one little misstep derail everything. We did everything legally; there's no need to involve the police yet."
"Yes sir" business suit answered, accustomed to following directives, no questions asked. This didn't mean the man had no opinion, however, and he was sure whoever had touched the boss's granddaughter, be him a petty mercenary as they believed or a powerful figure, he would be sorry once all was said and done. The man would already be regretting his actions if the boss's men were as versed in fighting as their reputation led one to believe.
Somewhere in one of Seoul's back alleys, a man, battered, broken, and left for dead, gasped through bloodied lips...
Yi Jeong had just reached the doors leading out of the building when a loud noise behind alerted him to the fact that another class had finished. Anxious to avoid the crowd, he yanked open the door handle and would've rushed out if not for the solid object he found himself crashing into. Reaching out instinctively, Yi Jeong went to grab the girl's arm before she could fall backward but missed. Face flushed with cold and curls blowing in the wind, the startled girl swiftly stepped back trying to regain her balance, her phone hitting the pavement hard in the process. Thrown by the encounter but maintaining his ever-suave persona, Yi Jeong stooped to pick the phone up, noting its cracked screen as he held it towards her. He was about to speak when the girl surprised him once again, grabbing it out of his hand with a quick nod and mumble of thanks, she left without another glance.
Ga Eul hurried down the hall, hoping Na Ri wouldn't be too cranky when she got there, unaware of the man who hadn't budged from his spot. The girl had hardly noticed him, Yi Jeong mused, left standing there slightly baffled, hand still extended, his gaze followed her retreating form fairly intrigued by the strange girl with the wild curls bouncing with each step.