A/N: Finally, a chapter update! I am sorry for my long hiatus, but I should be able to update a bit more frequently for a while! Thank you all for remaining patient with me! I'm glad everyone enjoyed the chapter!

Onto reviews: Glad you thought for the most part, Ji Hoo's and Jan Di's interactions were adorable! I always aim to make their interactions sweet, even during the simplest of times. I do feel like Jan Di and Ji Hoo had that type of relationship. As for the cloaked figure, it's hard to say now that three of them have seen the figure, but none of them said a single thing. But there will definitely be more of the cloaked figure ;) And it will get more...clear eventually. Glad you liked that line I put in for Ji Hoo, I really couldn't resist, and there will definitely be complications. I almost feel a little bad for what I have planned. And thank you, even though my hiatus was longer than I expected (JHsgf82). Glad you enjoyed the chapter! And you will find out more about the cloaked figure and their intentions! ;) I'm also happy you liked Ji Hoo's teasing (angee818323)! And I don't mind your comment, so no worries. I do actually appreciate your opinion, and if possible, I would like to discuss this more with you, so I can get a better idea on how I could improve. So if you do have an account on this site, I would love it if you could message me and talk with me about it, since I aim for improvement! If not, it's okay, and I will try to work with the feedback you gave me. But thank you very much for your comment (Hyun)! The story is updated, and I'm glad you're enjoying the story (guest)! And thank you for being patient (mkerkau)!

Now that reviews are done, here is my next chapter. Please enjoy, and thanks again for being patient!

"What? You did what?" demanded Ga Eul over the phone. "And then you ruined this chance?"

Jan Di couldn't help but flinch at her friend's shocked tone and held her cellphone away from her ear as Ga Eul continued to comment about her surprise. Once Ga Eul's voice fell silent, Jan Di placed the phone back against her ear and sighed in disappointment herself.

"I know, I know Ga Eul.." mumbled Jan Di. "I still can't believe I spilled hot chocolate all over his clothes.. Don't remind me how terrible that is." Jan Di groaned, "And yes, I know. I've been with him for a while now, and I still can't believe I wasn't ready."

"Especially since you're dreamt about this scenario tons of times when you first met him!" Ga Eul chimed in. "I'm surprised! Like, really, really surprised! How many chances do you get to sleep with a rich guy—"

"Ga Eul!" Jan Di's mouth gaped open at her friend's shocking comments. "Since when have you talked like that?" Clearing her throat, Jan Di now spoke in a hushed tone so that she didn't attract anyone into her room at her next statement. "And by the way, I have not pictured this scenario since I met him! Not once!"

"Now that's a lie if I ever heard one," Ga Eul snorted. "I'm certain you've fantasized about that kind of moment plenty of times. I mean, you basically had this big crush on him. It was a little cute.."

"Ga Eul!" Jan Di fell back onto her bed, groaning louder this time. "..What am I going to do with you.. I think you've been talking to Yi-Jeong too much.."

"Not nearly enough," admitted Ga Eul, with a sigh following after. "A part of me thinks that it isn't meant to be.."

Now Jan Di's crimson blush—from her friend's earlier comments—faded away as concern for Ga Eul began to rise. "Why do you say that? Is he.." She really didn't want to say it, but Jan Di had to know what Yi-Jeong was pulling this time to allow Ga Eul to think in such a way. "..Is he being 'friendly' with other girls again?"

"No, no.. It's nothing like that." Ga Eul paused briefly, before continuing. "It's just that we don't get to talk as much. Don't get me wrong—he does video chat with me, and it's always nice to hear from him, but I just feel...a little withdrawn from him."

Jan Di fell quiet, unable to think of anything to say to reassure or console her friend over her worries. Jan Di was familiar with such a feeling, however. Ever since the incident in Macau, she had felt distanced from Jun Pyo, who she had loved very much. But ever since their resolve, she was able to feel much better.

Still.. I feel distant from him, even though we did talk..

Shaking her head, Jan Di did her best to reassure her friend and offer her advice. "Well, that's only normal. He is in sweden, and it has been some time. But if you do feel this way, you should try and talk to him about how you're feeling. I really do think communication is the key to all relationships."

"I guess you're right, Jan Di." Ga Eul let out a relieved sigh over the line. "I don't know what I would do without you.. Well, actually, without you, I wouldn't have met Yi-Jeong to begin with. So even though I don't say it a lot, thank you.."

At Ga Eul's words, Jan Di trailed off into her own thoughts.

If she didn't meet me, she wouldn't have known Yi-Jeong..

It was odd to Jan Di, how certain events or scenarios could set things in place as they were. After all, if Jan Di hadn't run laundry to Shinhwa High, then she would not have saved a student's life. And if not for her saving that life, she would never have been enrolled in Shinhwa High under a scholarship available to her. If she hadn't befriended Min Ji, then she wouldn't have gotten tangled up with F4. Getting tangled up with F4 led Jan Di to getting closer to Jun Pyo and his F4 gang, which also then led to her dating Jun Pyo.

And if Jun Pyo didn't try and get rid of me at Macau, then… Jan Di felt her chest ache at the memory, and at the heartbreaking speculation. Then I wouldn't be with Ji Hoo like I am right now.. At this point, Jan Di could not imagine a life without Ji Hoo. But it would have been possible, if Jun Pyo had told her that he loved her, and wanted to continue being with her.

Am I thankful he broke my heart? Or should I be sad, knowing that things could have been different? How should I be feeling about this..

"Jan Di!" rang out Ga Eul's voice from the phone. "Are you really daydreaming during our phone call? Or.." Jan Di could hear the playfulness in her tone. "..Are you fantasizing about your sunbae's dreamy, attractive body..?"

That was enough to snap Jan Di out of her thoughts, to which she immediately—and loudly—responded, "No! Ga Eul! For the last time, I don't think about Ji Hoo's 'attractive' body!"

The next thing she heard was Ga Eul's laughter—along with the sound of the door opening. Jan Di's eyes widened and she forced herself up into a sitting position. Ji Hoo was standing at the entrance of her room, lips grinning and eyes filled with amusement.

"Ga Eul.. I need to call you back," whispered Jan Di into the phone before hanging up on her friend. "Ji Hoo.. What are you doing? Aren't you supposed to knock?"

"Knock? In my home?" he repeated, tilting his head, almost like a puppy who was curious. "Since we're asking questions suddenly, what was that about my body?"

"I wasn't talking about you," responded Jan Di with a small scoff, averting her gaze so she wouldn't feel as humiliated. "I was talking to Ga Eul about Yi-Jeong.." A part of that statement was true.

"I see.. So you were talking to Ga Eul about Yi-Jeong's body.." repeated Ji Hoo with a raised brow. "Aren't you supposed to be my girlfriend? I don't talk about Ga Eul's body with Yi-Jeong, now do I?"

"Wait a second—we weren't talking about Yi-Jeong's body!" objected Jan Di. "I would never, at least! I have no interest in his body; you're the…" her voice trailed off, as she saw where this conversation was heading. It was typical: Jan Di tried to make excuses to cover up the odd truth, and Ji Hoo would tease and mess with her until she led herself to telling part of the truth. Ever since day one, this had always been their way of conversing. "...Well, mister know-it-all, now you won. Like always."

"Oh? You're not going to hide it anymore?"

"What's the point in hiding it? We do this all the time, and I'm no match for you.." Jan Di pouted a little bit, though she rolled her eyes in a playful manner after seeing his grin grow. "What? I said you won."

"So that means you're still at zero wins, while I've accomplished six hundred." His remark caused her to snort.

"Six hundred? I doubt it.." When he didn't deny it, she blinked rapidly. "You're kidding, right? How are you going to keep track of something like that…!"

"Easy. I just remember that every time we see each other, to add another to my win." Ji Hoo closed his eyes, still grinning. "You even said I always win."

"Aren't you feeling a little arrogant today?" mumbled Jan Di as she got up onto her feet to approach her 'boyfriend.'

"Is that how you should be talking to your boyfriend, who plans on taking you out on a date today?" he questioned her.

Now the conversation was shifted. "You're taking me out on a date?" she asked, curious now.

"I was going to. But.." his voice trailed off as he shifted his gaze away from her. "I'm not certain if I want to now, after hearing you call me arrogant. But maybe if I hear an apology, I'll change my mind." He peered over at her, clearly waiting for the apology he mentioned.

Jan Di puffed out her cheeks before giving in with a sigh. "Okay, okay. What I said was out of line…" She averted her gaze briefly before looking him into the eye and offering a sincere apology, "I'm sorry, sunbae.."

"I didn't think you would actually do it." Ji Hoo closed the space between them and placed both hands on either side of her head. Unlike before, he was now smiling genuinely, as Jan Di could tell from the loving look in his eyes—something she loved very much. It was usually easy to tell how Ji Hoo felt from looking into his eyes, because unlike the initial encounter, he had grown to be more expressive of his feelings. And Jan Di had also noted how much happier he had been. It brought a smile to her own lips, as she placed her hands atop his larger ones. "I was going to take you out on a date anyway."

"Still, I shouldn't be calling you arrogant. You're anything but that," she responded quietly, mesmerized by his smile and eyes. "Where are we going?"

"I was thinking maybe a movie, and dinner afterwards?" he told her as he leaned down to press a light kiss to her forehead—very briefly—before pulling away and dropping his hands from her face. "Would you like to do something else?"

"That sounds great. I'll get ready—" began Jan Di, before she realized that she really couldn't do the first bit. "Ah.."

"What's the matter?" Ji Hoo was puzzled by her sudden change in reaction.

"I have to video chat my family tonight. In about two hours, actually.." Jan Di sighed heavily, rubbing the side of her head. "I'm sorry.."

"It's fine, Jan Di. Really, your parents are generous enough to let you continue living with me." Ji Hoo ruffled her hair in a playful manner. "We can just go out for dinner tonight. But.." his voice trailed off. "Will I be able to speak to your parents today?"

Jan Di froze at the question. "..It...might be possible.."

I haven't been able to tell them we're dating..

She was only reluctant because she did hide their relationship from her parents, but she also hid that fact from Ji Hoo. As far as he was aware, her parents were fully informed of their relationship. But that wasn't the case. And Jan Di did not want him to speak to her parents, and give away what she had been trying to hide.

"Let's talk about it after dinner." Jan Di quickly wanted to change the subject. "Now go—a lady needs to get dressed." Jan Di began pushing her boyfriend out of the room and closed the door on him. Afterwards, she exhaled in relief. "Good job Jan Di… You're going to get caught for your lies."

She didn't want to think about that. Instead, she decided to think about what to wear for her date. Jan Di rushed to her drawers filled with clothes, pulling out items that she thought would look nice, but ended up being a terrible idea to wear for the date. Truthfully, Jan Di didn't know what to wear for a date—they never went on dates because of their busy schedules.

Well.. My busy schedule at least..

Her schedule consisted of school. And when it wasn't consisted of school, it was all schoolwork. And when it wasn't schoolwork, it was studying. Jan Di felt a little guilty about making little to no time for Ji Hoo.

Now's not the time! I need to focus on our date tonight. Who knows when I'll be able to go on another one.

As she went through each clothing item, Jan Di realized that she didn't have anything fit for a date. At least, not for a date with Ji Hoo. Despite her current living conditions where Ji Hoo didn't let her pay a single thing, she still never thought about buying new clothes she could afford for the first time. A part of her felt so stupid for not taking Ga Eul up on her many offers for shopping. Now, Jan Di was beginning to regret studying more than necessary.

Sitting on her bed, panicking internally because she couldn't find the right outfit, she heard a knock on the door. Ji Hoo! Still a mess and not properly dressed, Jan Di didn't know what to do or say as she paced around the room, thinking of something to wear. But she knew she was taking far too long, especially since they were low on time. Finally, after a couple minutes wasted as she tried to match clothes together for a 'date' outfit, Jan Di gave in. There was just no way she would find an outfit fitting for their date in enough time. So, wearing the same clothes as she was earlier—which happened to be plain and simple—Jan Di opened the door.

"I'm sorry, Ji Hoo…" her voice trailed off as she blinked, peering down the hallway, only for there to be no sign of Ji Hoo. At first Jan Di was confused, until her gaze dropped to the floor where a bag was set. Carefully, she bent over to peer inside the bag, and her eyes widened at what she found. Then, after glancing down the hallway once more, Jan Di took the bag into her room and shut the door, preparing for her date that night.

Ji Hoo was seated on the couch, dressed in another one of his white suits. He waited patiently for his girlfriend, who he assumed would be getting dressed right at that moment. He had left a gift in front of her door, since he knew very well she wouldn't have anything ready for a date. Ji Hoo didn't care how she dressed, she would always be beautiful, but he knew very well that she cared how she looked when she went out with Ji Hoo. So he prepared her an outfit ahead of time.

Then he heard the light footsteps, which was obviously Jan Di finally coming out to see him. He turned his head in her direction, briefly mesmerized by her beauty. Strolling towards him, Jan Di was dressed casually, yet...she looked stunning. Ji Hoo had brought her a pair of black flats, tights, and a jacket, all the compliment her white dress. Somehow, Ji Hoo knew she could pull off the outfit.

"...Thank you, Ji Hoo," were her first words as she approached him, arms folded behind her back nervously. "It's very pretty.."

"No need to thank me. I just wanted to see if you could pull this off.." He offered her a small, casual smile. "Not that I doubted you. I knew you'd impress me. And.." He got off the couch to approach her. "..It looks even more beautiful when you're wearing it."

"You always say those kinds of things," murmured Jan Di, glancing up at him with a smile of her own. "You always make me feel better about myself."

"I always mean what I say. Really, I don't even think a model could pull this off as well as you do." Together, the two of them walked to the front door, although not before Ji Hoo grabbed her coat off the rack and helped her into it. "It's cold outside, so let's remember to bundle up." After her coat was on, he pulled on his, and then held open the door for her. As she strolled out, he followed right behind her, making sure to lock the door. "Harabeoji won't be home for a while tonight, so I thought we could spend time together before I go pick him up."

"Let's bring him back something for when he gets home," murmured Jan Di as she rubbed her hands together to warm them up. "He's been working so hard.."

"We will. I'll make sure of that." Ji Hoo escorted his beautiful girlfriend to his car, opening the passenger door for her, and closing it after she seated herself. Then he made his way to the other side of the vehicle and got in, immediately starting the engine to warm up the car and turning up the heat. For the few seconds they sat in silence, Ji Hoo could tell something was on Jan Di's mind, from the way she still continued to rub her hands, even though the car was heated well.

"Ji Hoo.." she began quietly. "My parents.."

He cocked his head to the side slightly as he focused his attention on her completely. "What about them?"

"...I'm sorry they're bothersome," she finished. "They're overwhelming, so I'm sorry about that."

Ji Hoo blinked slowly, raising a brow. Is that what you really wanted to say? Regardless of what was actually on her mind, Ji Hoo couldn't call out her lie, since he wasn't sure if that was the truth or not. Instead, he accepted the answer—for now—and put the gearshift in reverse, pulling out from his parking spot, and then shifted into drive. "Put on your seatbelt. And they're not bothersome. They're just being parents, Jan Di," spoke Ji Hoo as he drove off to their destination. "They have you in their best interest.."

Perhaps he was a little biased, and maybe he shouldn't have spoken for her parents. After all, Ji Hoo lost his parents at a very young age, so he didn't know what it was like to have parents nagging him, or worrying constantly over the actions he made, or the girl he decided to date. It was less of an annoyance, yes, but truthfully, Ji Hoo would have liked to experience the comfort that came with having parents like that.

"Don't worry. I'm happy that your parents are…" he paused. "...'overwhelming.' Because I know that if there is a time I can't be there for you, your parents will be. So, it reassures me. And I would like to meet them formally, now that everything is calm. But I will wait until you're ready, Jan Di." He glanced over at her very briefly. "Don't ever feel pressured to do anything because of me. I am very patient." He flashed her a smile. "I waited for you all this time, didn't I?"