After dropping Jan Di off at the house, Ji Hoo promised to be back with food. At least, that was the plan. For the hours beforehand, Ji Hoo simply drove around the city with Jan Di, laughing, smiling, and joking around. A simple date to keep the two at ease, Ji Hoo especially since he didn't know what to expect with the stranger that threatened Jan Di's safety. The last thing Ji Hoo wanted was to drive her out of his home. If that were to happen, nothing would be the same again. He could predict that much. Parking in the lot outside the restaurant, Ji Hoo sat in silence on his motorcycle. With the concern rising in his blood, he found it impossible to drive his car. His worries kept him from driving safely. For some reason, he found more comfort in riding his motorcycle. Perhaps it was because of the traumatizing experience of being in a car, feeling more alone than ever, unable to dodge the accident that took everything from him. With his motorcycle, he felt more free, safe and secure.
Seconds passed with Ji Hoo sitting silently on his motorcycle, dreading the meeting to come. He couldn't figure out who would take his phone, and how they did so was beyond him. Sighing heavily to himself, he finally removed his helmet, hooking it onto his motorcycle. He removed his gloves, slipping them into the pockets of his jacket and took a glance at his watch.
Five minutes until six. It's time.
He took a quick glance at the surrounding area, looking for mysterious figures, or someone familiar with a deep grudge against him. But no one was in sight. He then moved towards the entrance of the restaurant he visited with his girlfriend before, strolling inside and giving his name to the host. When he gave his name, the host's eyes lit up and led him to an empty table. As he settled in his chair, a glass of water was left on his table by a waiter. Ji Hoo sat by himself, gazing at the glass of water as he waited; feeling more impatient than ever before.
The clicking of heels interrupted the silence that haunted Ji Hoo. He looked up from his glass of water, to see the person who threatened to disrupt the serenity of his life. A blonde woman, dressed in a scarlet gown, approached his table, a smile on her lips. She took a seat across from him, and a waiter approached their table with another glass of water for her.
"Good to see you're here on time. I guess I don't need to send a reminder after all," she murmured. "I was almost worried you'd blow me off."
"You.." he began, furrowing his brows, "You're the one who contacted me?"
Her cherry-painted lips grinned. She tore the wrapping off the straw placed in front of her and dipped it into her glass of water. She took a brief sip of water before looking him in the eye. "Yes. Funny how things work out, don't you think?" She must have noticed his confusion, because she went on speaking without giving him a chance. "It seems you forgot about me."
"My memory is terrible at times, though I don't see how I can remember you. I don't associate myself with thieves," murmured Ji Hoo. "Or stalkers for that matter. Let's cut to the chase. I want my phone back and I won't be leaving without it."
"You associate yourself with a murderer," she responded. "Is that any better?"
Ji Hoo scoffed at her comment, bewildered she would make such an accusation. "Who?" He assumed she was referring to Jun Pyo for the amount of times he beat people up. But Ji Hoo knew for a fact his best friend never took a life, even if he was tempted at times. "I know no such person.."
"Now that's funny, considering how close you two are." Her grin remained, acting as if she knew something Ji Hoo didn't. "Funny how we forget things so easily. But such is the life of the wealthy, right?" She leaned back in her seat, brushing aside blonde strands. "How is your wound?" Ji Hoo blinked at her comment, staring intently at her. "Ah, the wound from the bullet, I mean. I was worried when I heard that you were shot that night. I almost blamed myself."
That night? Surely she isn't talking about the night we went to rescue Kang San. But that's the only night I got shot.
He rested his hand on the table; fingers curling into a fist. He was even more confused by her comments. He couldn't recall seeing this strange woman that night, yet he couldn't brush aside the familiarity he felt when he saw her smile. "Who are you?"
"I'm the one who gave you the missing piece to finding that Geum kid," she replied, sliding her hand across the table and resting it on his hand. "Without meeting me, you would have never found that kid."
Ji Hoo stared at her blankly, finally recognizing her. He pulled his hand away from hers instantly. 'I didn't hear anything, but my mother did… Could I perhaps get your number?'
The woman who disrespected Jan Di, all for the sake of temporary attention from Ji Hoo. And now here they were again, causing him trouble in exchange for the same, brief attention. "How did you get my phone?"
"We had a little run in, but you must have forgotten that too." She held up her hand, flicking her fingers. "I'm pretty good with my hands, though your friend is too. What was his name again? So Yi-Jeong, was it? I heard that he was able to get his friend out of that shabby apartment so easily. I guess I have some competition?"
How does she know about that?
"..What do you want?" demanded Ji Hoo, no longer entertained by her presence. "You clearly want something. Name it."
"I want to be with you. Since I saw you that night and recognized you, I dreamt about being the one you cared about. But that bitch.. She's always in the way, it seems." She sighed, frowning a bit at the mention of his girlfriend. "..I want to keep in contact. Is that too much to ask for?"
"..I refuse to remain in contact with the likes of you," responded Ji Hoo, preparing to get up from the table. "This has been a waste of my time. I won't be pressing charges, as long as you stay away from us. If I happen to see you near Jan Di, I won't hold back next time."
"You will keep in contact with me if you want to keep her safe," she murmured, stirring the straw in her glass of water. "I'm sure you want to keep her by your side, don't you?"
"Your threats are empty to me," he replied.
"Please," she scoffed, smiling 'sweetly' at him. "I know things that you do not. I know her routine, I know your little group. You can call it an empty threat, but that's the risk you're going to take. All because you won't keep my number in your phone."
He glared at her, taking a sip from his water to help calm his nerves. Though these threats appeared empty, the way she spoke about Jan Di was setting him off. "I won't keep in contact with you. I refuse. Nothing will change my mind. At this point, I don't care if you keep my phone." He stood up from the table, only to halt his actions when the woman set his phone in the center of the table.
"If I were you," she murmured, getting up from her seat as well. "I would reconsider. All it takes is your cooperation to keep her safe." Her cell phone rang and she answered it, "I'm through. You can come pick me up." Brushing past him, she strolled on towards the exit, leaving Ji Hoo behind with his cellphone. As she began to make her leave out the restaurant, Ji Hoo could faintly hear her voice. "Plans fell through, so you can go through with it.."
In that same second, as he reached for his phone, he received a notification. He quickly took the phone into his hand and unlocked it, expecting a message from Jan Di. Instead, the message was from an unknown caller, and a picture was sent to him. He tapped on the image to see it full screen, and it was a picture of Jan Di, sitting on the couch in his home. His fingers tightened around his phone, and he opened up his contacts to call her. After a few rings, he was left with a voice mail. He locked his phone and left the restaurant immediately, following after the woman who left him all by himself.
"Hey!" he called out to her once he was outside. He watched her as she headed to her vehicle, escorted by an unfamiliar man; likely her bodyguard. "Hey!" he called again, beginning to run after her. But out of the blue, he began to feel light-headed. He stumbled against the wall of the restaurant to catch himself as he lost balance, placing a hand to his forehead. "What's...going on..?" he murmured to himself, his head spinning. Though he had warped vision, he looked to the car the woman had disappeared into, which had begun to take off.
Damn!
He took out his phone once more, clumsily unlocking his phone. He scrolled through his contacts and tapped on Woo Bin's name before holding it up to his ear.
"Yo, Ji Hoo, what's up—" began Woo Bin once he picked up.
"Woo Bin," Ji Hoo interrupted, his vision starting to blur. "I..I need you to do me a favor.."
"Sure thing. What do you need?"
"I need you to check on Jan Di," murmured Ji Hoo, slumping against the brick wall of the restaurant. "I forgot to bring her food… And I won't be back for a while. So can you order something for her? And stay with her for a while, since I won't be there until later tonight?"
"Sure. I'll head out now," replied Woo Bin. "But are you okay, Ji Hoo?"
Ji Hoo swallowed thickly, closing his eyes. "Yeah. I'm fine." A lie that was necessary so that Woo Bin would check up on Jan Di first. As for what would happen to Ji Hoo, he assumed someone would call an ambulance. He hung up the phone, and kept his eyes closed as he succumbed to the darkness awaiting him.
When Jan Di answered the door, she was surprised to see Woo Bin coming by. He came over, with a smile, and briefly mentioned Ji Hoo being unable to return home until late. Though she was a bit disappointed by this piece of news, she was a little happy to see Woo Bin again. Ever since Yi-Jeong and Jun Pyo left for their individual journeys, she couldn't help but feel that their group had become more distant. But Woo Bin's presence was a reminder that they were still as close as ever, despite their busy lifestyles.
"Thanks for coming by, Woo Bin," murmured Jan Di as she sat down on the couch, beside Woo Bin. He had just finished ordering some food for the both of them.
"It's the least I could do. I haven't been able to spend much time with you or Ji Hoo as of late, and that's partially my fault," he replied, smiling. "Hopefully Ji Hoo will get here soon so that we can all spend some time together. But even if we don't, that's okay."
"I wonder what he's doing," murmured Jan Di, puffing out her cheeks as she considered the possible options. But she couldn't think of anything. "Well, have you been able to speak with Yi-Jeong at least?"
"We speak once a week," Woo Bin told her. "He mostly speaks to Ga Eul, since you know, they're soulmates and all."
"Soulmates?" replied Jan Di, laughing a bit at his comment. "You think so?"
"Yeah. Before Yi-Jeong left, he mentioned how he didn't want to leave Ga Eul. He was a bit bummed having to do so. So I suggested that he just video chat her, because waiting to return to her would be rough on him."
Jan Di's lips curved upwards into a smile. "That's sweet of you, Woo Bin. I'm glad you knocked some sense into him. Otherwise, I would have encouraged Ga Eul to take out some of her frustrations onto him. Though, I do miss him.."
"What about Jun Pyo?" asked Woo Bin. "Have you been able to contact him?"
Jan Di paused, shifting her gaze away from Woo Bin; feeling guilty once more. "Yes. He keeps trying to contact me, though I haven't been able to get back to him.. I was going to tonight, but I left my phone in Ji Hoo's car, and he has the keys.." she mumbled.
Woo Bin bursted into a small fit of laughter. "That is so like you, Jan Di. Sometimes, I wonder what I would do if I didn't have you in my life. You're far more entertaining than anyone else I know."
His words brought a smile to her lips, and she tugged on the sleeves of her sweatshirt. "I wonder the same sometimes, what I would do without any of you."
Especially without Ji Hoo.