Hello there!
How are you doing? I'm sorry I took so long (again) to update. Thing is, I had the most awful last month you could possibly imagine. December was filled with holidays and celebration, and in January I got laid off from my job. I was so shocked, so, so, SO very shocked. I wasn't late, I fulfilled my obligations, I had good chemistry with my team...Then one Friday afternoon is just "You're not what we were looking for. Please sign here, we'll give an indemnization. This change is effective immediately, pick up your things please." And that was that, ladies and gentleman. I really was to numb to realize what they had told me, so I signed, picked up my stuff and left.
On the bright side, my best friend needed help on her job so now I'm working under her. Not the same pay, but who cares? I get to earn a salary each month to provide for my family...So I just meant to share this small part of my life with you so that you would understand why I had taken so much in updating. I'll try to keep the udpates closer to each other.
Love you all!
Jan Di's POV
After all the Jun Pyo drama, Ji Hoo and I went back to work. There was a lot of information about the children and teenagers' presentations from the Macau center. From what we could see and hear, they were good, but there was a certain "something" still missing.
Besides that, there were also several reports regarding the students' behavior that in some cases raised a huge red flag: Children crying, literally, the whole day because they didn't want to be there; youngsters escaping the Center as soon as they could; high absence level from classes…
"I think we're going to have to move the meeting to Wednesday, Ji Hoo. I need to go to the Center on Monday to watch things happen; I can't trust only these reports."
"Well, you know Dragon Lady won't be too happy about that, but she can't do much because she was the one who invited us to fix her problems. I'll call Jun Pyo to let him know he should appease the beast."
"Thanks. I'll call to inform that tomorrow I'll be making an inspection of the Art Centre."
Ji Hoo and I worked very well together; we were each other's support, and that's what most gave me courage.
The next day, I went to the Centre very early, hoping to see the reactions of certain children I had already marked on my reports. While I penned down some notes and observed if any parent actually left his children there, a voice surprised me.
"If you wish, you can get closer, Miss Geum."
"You! You are...erm…"
"The President's Secretary. My name is Jung Sang Rok. I think this is the first time we are being formally introduced."
"Yes, I think so," I said while shaking his hand. Not that we hadn't seen each other before, but, as he said, we hadn't been properly introduced. "I'm Geum Jan Di. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Geum."
"Please, call me Jan Di; I don't like the formal treatment."
"Then, Miss Jan Di."
"You and Secretary Park are alike." I remembered with a smile how these two men wouldn't dare address me without an honorific.
"Excuse me?"
"It's nothing. May I ask what kind of work brings you here so early?"
"You called to give notice that you were coming to conduct an inspection of our facilities. I couldn't do less than come to offer my assistance, in order to make your visit a good one."
"The President sent you to spy on me so I wouldn't do anything improper, right?"
"You are very perceptive." A small smile appeared on his face.
"Well then, Secretary Jung, come along so I don't smear Shinhwa's name all over the place." I was smiling when I said this, and he gave me a real smile back. He looked younger when he did so, and somehow, I felt as such when I was near Secretary Park.
Sang Rok's POV
I escorted and watched Miss Jan Di the whole day while she conducted her inspection. She was present in some classes for a few minutes; she witnessed some of the music rehearsals, and finally, she walked among the students who painted over canvases. All of this she observed with a critical eye and took notes in her notebook. Anyone who saw her could tell she took her job seriously.
I, on the other hand, found myself thinking about how the President had fought so hard to pull apart her son and this young woman who didn't possess wealth but had an abundance of strength. From the first time I learned of her, I thought she was curious, and I was intrigued to know what she had done to tame the young master in such a short time. But then I remembered that love could change even the most stubborn man. I was really sad that I had been forced to participate in the President's orders. At first she tried to bring Miss Geum down with words, then physically, and in the end, she attacked her loved ones. Young Master had only tried to protect her when he went to Macau, and it was easy to see his suffering, but the President didn't care about that as long as he understood what his place was in the world.
I never had the courage to ask Young Master directly what he had felt the day we saw Young Master Yoon carrying Miss Geum on his back and could only stay with him while he watched over the house they'd gone into for hours, nor did I ask how he felt the time I found him crying on the airport floor. I had contained rage inside me for a long time, but then I let it go due to the fact that Young Master's life seemed to be going well. However, after witnessing the scene between Miss Geum and he, to see how he had held her on that balcony and let his tears fall freely, I realized he had never been happy, and it was unfair that he still wasn't, all because of the decision of an unscrupulous woman.
I knew what I had to do; it was just that somehow, the possibility was so low.
"I understand, you don't like the violin then?"
"No...I like the clarinet more, but my mom doesn't want me to play it, and the violin hurts my fingers, and I don't like it."
I pulled out of my thoughts to see Miss Geum crouched down in front of a girl of approximately seven years old, who was crying on a bench.
"And have you tried to tell your mommy about this?"
"Mother...Mother says the clarinet will make my mouth ugly and weird and that no one will want to marry me later…"
The things some mothers told their children made one doubt about their relation to them.
"How would you like it if I make your teacher take you to the infirmary so you can heal those pretty fingers? if it hurts, you must always say so and not force yourself, alright?"
"Y-Yes…" The little girl seemed to be debating about something when, suddenly, she quickly hugged Miss Geum only to immediately run back to her classroom.
"Secretary Jung." She turned to look at me, and I noticed how her facial expression had turned from calm to wrathful. "I'm going to need help with something, and I don't know if you'd be the most adequate person to do so."
"Of course I am. You can count on me. But, before that, Miss Jan Di, would you do me a favor?"
"Me?"
Jan Di's POV
When Secretary Jung told me he needed a favor, I never thought it would be something like that.
I found myself in a big room in which a man was lying on a bed, surrounded by tubes and machines, obviously in some kind of coma.
"Erm, Secretary Jung, I am studying medicine but this is completely outside my area of study. I haven't even finished the program."
"Worry not. I don't wish you to examine him or to perform any kind of diagnosis. The only thing I ask is for you to be at his side whenever you have free time during your stay here. I know it is a lot to ask due to your busy schedule, but this person is like a brother to me, and I know that what he needs most in this environment is warmth. And you are the warmest person I know."
His words moved me, and, besides, I could see in his eyes how important this was for him. However, I was worried that we were inside President Kang's house.
"This favor I'm asking is strictly personal, and if you accept, you only need to call me before coming here, and I'll make sure you get in without anyone bothering you."
I looked at the man in front of me for a moment and then at the bedridden man. I slowly got close and introduced myself.
"Ahjussi, my name is Geum Jan Di. Pleasure to meet you. I hope we get to be good friends during my short stay in Macau."
"I really appreciate this, Miss Jan Di."
"It won't be a problem. But now, I need this favor from you, and it will be a difficult one."
"As you say, Miss."
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Jun Pyo's POV
When she saw me in our room, I could tell she was surprised to find me there. We hadn't seen each other since that day, and I knew Jae Kyung had been avoiding me for obvious reasons.
"I didn't know you were home. I just came for a few things to take to my parents'. After the project is finished I'll be taking a plane to-"
"Jae...Can I talk to you?"
I saw fear bloom in her eyes at my words, and I felt worse than I had two days ago when we discussed.
She seemed unsure of what to do for a few seconds, but she finally sat on her favorite sofa and looked at me expectantly.
"Stay," I told her.
"What?"
"If you don't want to see me, I'll leave the house; if you don't want to sleep in the same bed, I'll go to the sofa…"
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about how you shouldn't have to leave your own home just because I behaved, rather, I've been behaving like a jerk for years. Take your trip and everything else you have planned, but don't feel pressured to leave this place. I'm the one who hurt you so I'll keep my distance if that makes you feel more comfortable."
"Y-Your distance?"
"Only after your trip ends; after that, well...we'll see then."
"I'm completely confused...I-"
"Forgive me, Jae Kyung." Her eyes opened like saucers to hear me pronounce those words. "I said hurtful things; some of them were true, but others were spoken in anger and nothing more."
I went to her and sat at her side, looking into her eyes. "Our marriage was a comedy. A put together act by our parents so that a merger could be made at the least appropriate time. I was in love with someone else, and you began to love me. You found out who I loved, but you still kept going along with it, and so did I. I couldn't forget that love I clung so desperately to, and I've caused you pain all these years...No matter how we came to be, it's not fair to you."
Jae Kyung was fighting with all her might to not let her tears fall; I could tell. I even noticed she was trembling when I put my hand over hers.
"You could've taken any of those… 'suitors' that I'm sure would've treated you as a queen, but you didn't. And your only reason is love, am I right?"
"Jun Pyo, I don't understand why we need to talk about this now. We can wait some time and…"
"Enough time has passed, don't you think? Almost three years of marriage, and you've only been unhappy."
"That's not true. There were moments I was happy with you-"
"But it's not about just moments. It's not fair, and you were absolutely right when you said you are an attractive, smart woman and more. I've been lucky enough to see you grow and witness the person you've become, and I have no excuse for just watching and not doing something about it. I took you for granted, Jae Kyung, and that's simply ridiculous...Look at you, I don't deserve all you've done for me."
"No...Don't do this." Her tears ran freely now, and I felt like trash for making her feel like that again. But it was necessary.
"And I did what you told me. I went to talk to Jan Di, and we put many things to rest. That's why now I need you to accept what I'm asking of you. Jae Kyung...let's put an end to this."
Jae Kyung's POV
To know and hear about what we had discussed about Jan Di had hurt me beyond what I could've imagined. But when the words 'let's end this' left his lips, I thought I was breaking in millions of small pieces. I feared I wouldn't have enough glue to put myself back together.
"I...I…"
"Calm down. I'm not leaving you, though perhaps I should've said that first. I'm starting over."
I was still too shocked to talk, so I could only put on what I hoped was an expression of profound bewilderment. Perhaps he would keep talking if I did.
"This marriage began as a farce, and on my part, it kept on being that. Well, that's over. Let's pretend this marriage doesn't exist and turn over a new leaf. Or, well, not exactly new, but you know what I mean. I'm going to woo you, Jae Kyung; I'm going to make you fall for me completely. So much, that you'll love me a thousand times more than what you love me right now."
"You want to start over?"
"I know it sounds pretentious and that I've wasted three years of your time. But if you give me a chance, I'll prove to you that we are worth it. You were right about Jan Di, she has gotten over me, and I'll do the same. Please, do not think this means I'm taking you as the consolation prize because it's not like that. I thought long and hard about whether it was better to let you go, but you know how selfish I am; if the person I love is suffering because of me, I'll make amends and won't let her go. I love you, Jae; my mistake was to compare it against what I felt for Jan Di because what I feel for each of you is different...Please, dry your tears; I hate to see you cry."
I hastily cleaned my face with some tissues I kept in my purse. When I returned my gaze to him, I saw him kindly smiling at me.
Was this a dream? Or a mistake? Hearing Jun Pyo say he wanted to try again with me was something I'd wanted to hear for years. But now, after everything that had happened, it wasn't so simple to smile and say 'Of course, no problem at all.' I was too hurt.
Nevertheless, there was something that was painfully true, that I couldn't imagine my life without him. With just three words, Jun Pyo had literally almost destroyed me, and I felt that only at the idea of leaving him. What would happen if the breakup was for real?
"I wasn't expecting this," I replied in all honesty.
"I know, that's why I said to take the vacation you wanted. Relax and get away from this environment. When you come back, many things will change, starting with finding another housing arrangement. I hate to live in a place where they'll let my mother come in even if I give orders to the contrary."
"You're serious."
"Of course I am. Don't give up on me, Jae; I'll make this work."
Jun Pyo then did something that had never happened between us. He slowly leaned in and kissed me. True, we had shared lots of kisses, but the ones he used to give me were short and innocent, only when we were involved in a passional encounter in bed would he let his inhibitions abandon him.
This was different; when he put his lips on mine, his hands also moved to my waist and face, respectively. After slowly kissing for a few seconds, I pulled away to breathe because this all seemed like too much. What I wasn't expecting was for him to attack me again and seek my tongue with his. My reasoning flew out the window, and I focused only on the sensations of that kiss that should have been our first.
In the back of my mind, a part of we wondered if he was trying to convince me to do it, but his movements didn't indicate more intention than to kiss me until I passed out. A moan escaped my throat without me planning it.
He sighed. "Don't do that; I won't be able to keep this PG if you keep doing that."
I looked at him, stunned. He had never forced me to do anything, but he didn't usually take no for an answer if he felt like having sex with me.
"What will you do now? Will you go back to your parents?" was his question.
I thought about it for a bit. I couldn't say that I didn't like what was happening and what he was willing to offer, but why not make him treat me as I deserved before taking him back?
"I'll stay. It is my house, after all. And you know what? I'm hungry; I want us to go out without the car. Just stroll around and find a small street stall to eat at."
He smiled this big, blinding smile that took my breath away.
"I'll take a quick shower."
Hope started to dangerously grow in my heart when there was only a drop left 24 hours before.
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Jan Di's POV
"Is this a joke!?" The President asked, pretty beside herself.
"No, it is not."
"Tell me, how is it that you thought to call the student's parents without consulting me first?"
"Do all your hotel and supermarket chains call you when they have to make a decision? I don't think so. All of this was discussed and the person in charge informed. Jae Kyung, I think my mail reached you."
"Yes, it did." She nodded. "I gave her the instruction to proceed, Mother."
"And can you tell me what you're going to say when they realize they came for a farce? This invitation clearly says this meeting is for a 'great business opportunity'."
"And it will be, President Kang. For you, that opportunity has already passed, but many of them still have time. You are invited to assist in the meeting in whatever seat you desire. Ji Hoo, let's go. Jae Kyung, Jun Pyo, you can also assist if you want to."
I was nervous, more nervous than I'd ever been in my whole life. Literally trembling, but the only one who could tell was Ji Hoo because he was tightly holding my hand when we walked to the Centre's amphitheater from the principal's office.
Truth is that Secretary Jung and Jae Kyung had been my two greatest allies, and when I told them about why things were failing and how my idea was born, they helped me form my plan. Although, we were almost sure it wouldn't work.
I had called the parents of the students from 4 to 10 years old for a meeting. Ninety percent of them had confirmed their assistance after the words 'business', 'must-see,' and 'amazing' were put on the e-mail. I was about to confront more than 200 people who had the same mindset as President Kang. The prospect would make anyone tremble.
"It will all be okay. If only one agrees with you, it'll be worth it." Ji Hoo hugged me before I went out onto the stage.
"I love you," was all I could say because, really, my brain wasn't connecting more words.
"I love you, too." He pecked my lips. "Now, let's go."
I went out there, and my heart almost plummeted when I saw all the faces in the place. Suits and ties, dresses and purses, that was all I could see, and the eyes, all fixated on me.
I cleared my throat. "Good morning," I said, once the mic was on. "Welcome to the Art School for Young Prodigies of Macau. It's very kind of you to have taken time out of your busy schedules."
Silence.
"The reason why I assembled you here today is to talk to you about a very important subject: Your children." In that moment, a collective murmur raised among the participants, but I didn't let it get far; I couldn't. "As you know, this school is one of the most prestigious ones in Macau; however, it has stopped being invited to contests and presentations. After a detailed study and talking to the children, we came to the conclusion that the greatest part of this 'failure' is the lack of support in the family environment. Many of them don't wish to be in this school because they feel like-"
"Excuse me, Miss, but this is ridiculous." An older and very handsome man stood up from his seat and strongly spoke. "I cancelled a very important meeting with the Minister of Economy of Italy to come here, and you tell me you're gonna talk to me about my son? I came here for a business opportunity, and if you're not planning on doing that, I have more important things to do."
I could see many agreed with him, and some even started to also stand up. I turned around, scared, and found Ji Hoo's eyes giving me support. I breathed in and started once more.
"And I will, ladies and gentleman. I'm going to talk to you about a business; it is called 'paternity.' But, before we start, please, if any of you consider your work and meetings more important than your children, I ask you to please leave through that door. If you'd rather sign a contract than listen to something that could be wrong with your own children, you have no reason to be here."
I said those last words in a severe and firm tone; I couldn't let this unnerve me, even less in front of those people. I waited for a minute for everyone who wanted to leave. A group of at least 20 did, but others had remained in their seats, pretty taken aback from what I could see, even the man who had interrupted me the first time.
"Well then," I tried to start again, "let's go back to-"
"Miss, if this is about their behavior or their grades, wouldn't it have been easier to send us an email? Or maybe bring the nanny?"
I couldn't believe my ears. This was a woman; the one speaking was a mother, someone who had literally carried a life, a human being in her body.
Something inside me snapped.
"All of you, or most of you, at least, agree with Madam's opinion, right?" There was a whisper of approval. "Perfect, then, I think I need to use another approach with you. Let us imagine a business, any business you'd like, a business that in the long term will give you a ton of benefits. Wouldn't you like to invest all you could so that this business wouldn't be harmed? So that no one will come to try and take what is yours? To spend all the time and money in the world because you know that in the end you'll earn back a thousand times more?" I didn't have to wait for the answers, some even came laced with sarcasm because I asked such an obvious question. "Then, this should be simple for you. I want to ask you only one thing today: Forget you have a child. Take the concept of your son or daughter and erase it; he or she is no longer a human being. I want you to forget that your blood runs through their veins and transform everything you think your child is and turn it into a business."
I saw some faces confused and others, scandalized.
"Take it like this. For you, your children are a business. Why? Because down the line they will have to take care of the family business, or they will have to do what you consider best for their future and the family name. This boy or girl then will get married to whom you consider adequate, so as not to stain your legacy, and finally, they will take your name higher on the status ladder than it is today. Am I right or not about this?"
Another sepulchral silence seized the amphitheater, and I knew I had struck a chord.
"I'll take your silence as an affirmation. Ladies...gentlemen...the problem with most of your children is that they don't like what they do here. Some of them prefer painting, but because the family has musicians, the child must follow the tradition; some of them would rather sing, but because, in the family, Grandfather and Father are pianists, they have to be like them. Consequently, these children are not happy, which leads to rebellion, poor results, low self-esteem, and an endless list of factors that prevent them from being everything they could. But, it's obvious that you will be the ones to make the decisions you deem best for them, as I'm sure your own parents did for you, and for which you're greatly thankful; no doubt, you want them to repeat the story your parents put you through so that they can have the same experiences of your childhood and adolescence."
From the corner of my eye, I could see Jun Pyo's mother was destroying the pamphlet between her hands, and I found it weird she hadn't stopped me yet.
"Let's get back to the main idea, to stop seeing them as thinking and feeling beings; let's look at them as businesses. These 'businesses' are still small and require lots of attention, so spending time with them is important. You must learn everything you can about your 'businesses,' and the good thing is that you won't have to read it because these 'businesses,' in particular, have the ability to speak. When you're about to leave them alone on their birthdays or Christmases and New Year's due to an important contract or meeting," At this moment, the screen behind me came to life with the pictures of several children floating around; that had to be Ji Hoo, "remember that these 'businesses' will give you a lot of benefits. After all, that's all they're good for...and the fact that you give them attention as they grow will ensure they will do whatever you say." This last thing, I said it looking directly at President Kang, who was already up and coming to where I was.
"I see I'm going to be interrupted soon, but please, if you're interested in giving more attention to these 'businesses,' I'll wait for you tomorrow at the same time in art class 1-15 to talk to each and every one of you about the investment opportunities. Thank you."
I could see the President's stunned and angry face when I came across her after stepping off the podium, and I heard her apologizing to all those important people for wasting their time and telling them they shouldn't feel obligated to show up the next day.
"Jan Di." When I reached the backstage I found myself engulfed in the strong embrace of Jae Kyung. "Thank you, thank you so much."
"I don't understand…"
"Geum Jan Di." I turned and saw Jun Pyo. He also came, hugged me tightly, and then let me go. "You said everything that needed to be said."
"Truth is, I completely deviated from the presentation, even after losing two days' sleep preparing."
"But you said what all of us haven't been able to say for years," he told me.
I began to think about how Jun Pyo was when I met him, and Jae Kyung and Ji Hoo, too...They all had been brought up under the same regimes and society. Maybe my small outburst had achieved something good, even if it was only amongst my friends.
"Come, Jan Di. Let's celebrate how you put all those people in their places!" Jae Kyung clapped.
"Alright." I smiled, still in disbelief over what had just happened.
My first idea had been to discuss how I needed these parents to pay at least a bit of attention to their kids because art can't blossom out of nothing. Even if hate, sadness, anger, and similar feelings could make art flow, it was proven that positive feelings went hand-in-hand with what we all knew as art.
We were in the middle of a corridor when a yell made us all stop.
"You impertinent brat!"
The President was almost running towards me, completely furious. Behind her, the loyal Secretary Jung followed with a somber expression.
"Who the hell do you think you are to mount a circus like this!? These people have more important things to do than to come to-!"
"Listen to things about their own children! Yes, I know!"
The woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath; it was evident she was trying to hold herself back.
"Mother," Jae Kyung stood beside me, "what Jan Di said is true. Her point of view presents one we haven't taken into account till today; what matters is the children. How can someone create something beautiful if they are not happy? And they spend all day at home, alone, without someone to talk to or tell what they liked about the school or not. We should try to see this from another angle."
"Jae Kyung, it would do you well to keep your mouth shut. After knowing you've helped this...girl, you can't expect to keep being in front of this project. I thought you'd have a bit more brains."
"Insult my wife again and you'll deal with me, old witch." Jun Pyo stood in front of Jae Kyung.
"Same here. Do not dare yell at my fiancée in that way. It's not for nothing that she's one of the most important employees of Yoon Group." Ji Hoo stood in front of me now, and the President looked at him, incredulous because the title he had just conferred to me hadn't escaped her ears.
"Ha!" She finally laughed. "What do you know? It would seem that you're still in diapers. None of you can even begin to understand how this world works and think that with this ridiculous fantasy of parents and children happy and together all will be fixed!"
"No, all won't be fixed, witch. But I can assure you that if you had asked me, at least once, about my feelings, I would've gladly thrown myself down a ravine twice only because you wanted it."
Surprisingly, this left the President speechless for a second, but she quickly recovered and tried to slap Jun Pyo. Logically, we all reacted, even Secretary Jung, by putting ourselves in front of him.
"Madam, you have an important meeting in half an hour. It would be best to leave this as it is and wait for the result tomorrow."
The woman turned around, furious, and promptly walked away.
"I apologize for all this, Young Master." The Secretary bowed. "The President hasn't been happy with the situation."
"I can see that. I sympathize with you for having to be at her side at all times."
"If you will excuse me, I still have work to do."
"Secretary Jung," I called to him before he could leave. "I appreciate all your help."
He gifted me one of his rare smiles, and the rest of the guys looked at me strangely.
"Come, I'll tell you while we eat."
Ji Hoo's POV
While we had lunch, Jan Di let us know that Secretary Jung had been the one to give her the names of the children who needed more help, and then she crossed that information with the persons with whom she might have a chance to talk.
It was amazing that Secretary Jung had managed to gather all the info in such a short time, but Jan Di told us he had offered all his help since day one and that encouraged her to follow her plan.
"Trust me, I know he doesn't like to work for her."
"Jan Di, that man has been next to my mother since I've had sense of reason. It's one of two things: he likes his job or he's a masochist."
"He has his reasons, Jun Pyo, and I'm not saying I know them, but I know they must be important to stay next to her all this time."
The tone of the meal remained calm while we all told a moment in which we had wished to have our parents close. In my case it was easy because my parents were no longer here, and even before the accident I could remember they loved me very much and always hugged me and played with me whenever they had the time. Jae Kyung and Jun Pyo shared many similar experiences of solitude, such that even they were surprised, and it seemed they hadn't discussed this topic before. When Jan Di perceived the mood had changed she began to tell us her own anecdotes, making us laugh at the ridiculousness of some of them.
They were happy memories; Jan Di was a person who never had an easy life, neither her nor her family, but even so, she had more joyful stories than us three combined.
When we finished, we said our goodbyes, and I took Jan Di back to the hotel. It was true she'd had little to no sleep in the past two days, so I wanted her to rest as much as she could before facing whatever resulted the next day. The reason she had summoned the parents to a classroom instead of the amphitheater again was because she knew the greatest probability was that few or no parents would come a second time, and I could see how that worried and saddened her in equal measure.
The next day, Jae Kyung, Jun Pyo, Jan Di, President Kang, Jae Kyung's father, and I were standing up, waiting for someone to appear, but fifteen minutes had gone by after the agreed upon time, and there was no signal of any parent coming anytime soon.
"I told you this was going to be a waste of time." President Kang was filled with rage, and she didn't see a better way to release it than with cutting Jan Di down with her words. "Are you happy now? This world is not a fairy tale, Miss Geum, and the emptiness of this classroom is proof of it. I hope you know I intend to ask your organization for a monetary compensation due to all the students I will lose because of this, young Yoon."
"If that's the case, we will be more than pleased to give you all the money you consider a student of this institution is worth."
That shut her up for a few minutes. If she thought I was still that quiet little boy that couldn't defend himself, she was wrong.
Jan Di, on the other side, sat down and said nothing; somehow, I could guess everything she might be thinking, and I knew in that moment there was no way I could comfort her over all the things the President kept saying: failure, foolishness, futility...Jae Kyung tried to intervene and was put back in her place in a flash. There was nothing that could stop the President's attack, or at least those were my thoughts until Secretary Jung arrived at the classroom door, a bit out of breath, and one could see he had run there.
"Miss Jan Di, I'm so sorry for the misunderstanding. I assumed they had informed you that they're waiting for you in the amphitheater again."
"Eh?" Jan Di's face displayed the confusion we were all feeling right then.
"Please, come with me." He took us through the several halls leading to the amphitheater, and what we found there left us all speechless. "All these people wouldn't fit in a classroom, Miss Jan Di, so we brought them here."
When I approached her, I could see her eyes were moistened, and she was fighting back her tears. The place had, easily, a little more than half of the attendance from the previous day; I even recognized the man and woman who had first interrupted her dissertation. It was that gentleman who, upon seeing her, stood up and took the floor, stone-faced and speaking in a stern voice.
"Well, young miss, let me tell you that you were terribly impertinent to say everything you did yesterday...But I think I speak for every one of us when I tell you I will not remain quiet and let you tell me I should treat my child as a 'business'."
"Sir, I-"
"No. I don't want to hear more of that ridiculous notion you presented yesterday. I've come here because I'm very interested in the future of my little one, so I plan on sitting here and listening to what you have to say about her. I came early, expecting to be the first, but I think I was probably number fifty. Worry not and take your time; I've canceled my whole day because this is, as you said, much more important."
The man finally showed a hint of a smile and sat down. Jan Di turned around for a moment to quickly dry her tears, took a deep breath, and turned back to face the parents.
"Well then, ladies, gentlemen, these persons will be with me and will talk to you for some time about your children and the most effective ways to help them reach their objectives. Yoon Ji Hoo, Ha Jae Kyung, and...Secretary Jung?"
"I also have teachers ready in various classrooms so that we can split the work and proceed as efficiently as possible. After all, we don't want to press our luck."
"You will be called in the order you arrived, and should you require more time and information about what we discuss today, you'll be able to schedule a new appointment with your children's tutor."
Everyone moved; some looked for the seat corresponding to their arrival order; some made themselves comfortable and took out their laptops to work while they waited, and others stood up to be taken to the persons in charge. It was something so unbelievable that it took me at least several interviews to realize this was really happening. Jan Di, in some crazy and strange way, had managed to plant the seed of doubt inside the heads of these big businessmen and women, forcing them to take a moment to think about their heirs as what they really were: their children.
Of course, not everything was rose-colored. Some people had joined only to keep up appearances and disappeared as soon as they were called, and others simply couldn't accept that their own flesh and blood didn't want the same as them. We lost several along the way, true, but those we managed to reach made us feel great.
We were making history, in a way; this event marked the beginning of a new generation that probably wouldn't have to submit to the rules and traditions they'd been tied to simply for being born under a certain family name.
That night, when we got to our hotel room, I couldn't do less than ask for a bottle of champagne to celebrate with my girlfriend.
"I can't believe it! I still can't believe it!" Jan Di exclaimed, laughing while taking off her shoes and doing a strange, happy dance.
The sound of the cork popping out made her squeal with joy, and I served two glasses to toast with. I offered her one, and we clinked the goblets and drank a bit.
"Though this isn't over yet, and you know it. We still have tons of work in front of us and-"
"Geum. Jan. Di." I pronounced her name slowly after swallowing a great gulp of liquor. "Stop thinking about the mountain of work we'll have from tomorrow onward with the Dragon Lady and focus on what you have in front of you right now."
"And that would be…?"
I didn't answer her with words but rather took her face between my hands and kissed her fiercely. Jan Di responded immediately, and holding onto my shoulders, she jumped up and laced her legs around my waist.
The adrenaline of what we had lived that day was fresh in both of us, and the truth was that when Jun Pyo and Jae Kyung forced us to celebrate with dinner I had reluctantly agreed because all I'd wanted from the moment we left the Art Center was to be inside Jan Di.
"Bed?" I asked her between kisses. My legs were beginning to waver, thanks to her fingers caressing my back and shoulders after she managed to get rid of my shirt.
"Later…" she replied in a breathy moan.
The closest, best thing was the carpet we were standing on, and I kneeled as painlessly as I could.
Now that I was settled on my calves, Jan Di adjusted herself and straddled me, one of my favorite positions.
We were in a frenzy; I growled when I couldn't unbutton her blouse, so I simply tore the buttons in one swift movement. She didn't seem to mind as she threw it far away somewhere and quickly took off her bra. My mouth seized the vast expansion of flesh in front of my eyes, and having one of her nipples in my mouth made her arch her back and rock her hips against mine.
Jan Di's hands were lost in my hair, looking for something to hold onto. In her endeavor, she strongly pulled my hair back, and the slight pain provoked in me an even higher level of arousal. Because she had a skirt on and time was pressing, I simply pulled it up to her waist as our tongues battled in a strong kiss. She soon released my hair and slowly, with purpose, faintly caressed my skin, like she knew drove me crazy. Jan Di roamed through my shoulders, my chest, my stomach and finally got to my belt; it was then that she started to move quickly.
It was an immense relief to be free of my cloth prison. When she started pumping the hardness between my legs I responded by sinking my nails in her back.
"Ah...more…" she asked, and for the first time I threw caution to the wind and scratched her deeply. I knew I would see those marks the next day but didn't care, and it seemed like she didn't either. After too much foreplay, I felt her hand leaving me to move her panties aside and let me in. There was no time to take them off; if we did, we would have to separate, and that was impossible, illogical and stupid. Who wanted to separate for a reason like that?
I felt the moistness of her, and when she started to come down over me I remembered something extremely important.
"Wait...the cond-"
"It doesn't matter." And with that crude assertion, she absorbed me completely.
I bit her shoulder and pressed her against my chest, feeling the wonder of her texture. My brain was disconnected; the only thing that mattered was the instinct to possess the woman in front of me to the point of desecration.
Jan Di tugged at me until her back was against the carpet, with me still inside of her. She hooked her feet around my back, and I heard her whisper in my ear.
"Fuck me…"
If she had chosen to tell me that in English for a particular reason, I didn't know, but it worked wonders to push me further over the edge, and I started moving in an almost animalistic way over her. I'm sure that no matter how thick the walls, someone must have heard us down at first floor reception.
This was pure lust. Forgotten were the concepts of morality when the sensual sound of our fluids collided with the friction of our pelvises. I'd never seen such an expression on Jan Di's face as the one she was giving me now, nor had she ever been so uninhibited. I felt her direct my fingers to her mouth and start sucking hard; this made it more difficult to control myself, and I knew I would come at any moment. Thanks to our strange connection, she felt this and finally threw me completely over the cliff by bringing her fingers down to where we were connected and touching herself. I could now also feel her hand when I thrust into her, and without being able to take it, I spilled everything I had inside her.
I swear I saw white spots from the intensity of my orgasm. When I finally managed to dispel the cloud of satisfaction over me, I focused on Jan Di, only to see her still stimulating herself, and I was upset to know she hadn't come.
"Jan...Jan Di, I can…"
But my voice died on my lips. I felt myself imprisoned between her wet folds with a strength superior to any I had felt before. Her body tensed and her mouth opened, but no sound came out. I had just come down off my peak but went back to it for a moment, and I tried to draw on the hardness still in me to thrust again, so I could help her enjoy her orgasm a few more seconds.
I collapsed over her, trying to keep my weight on my elbows, and we were both trying to regain our normal breathing. Turning to look at her, I noticed her lazy smile and the spams still running through her body.
"You will be my ruin..." I whispered and touched my nose to her cheek.
"And you will be mine...ah!" Her exclamation made me feel I was softening and pulling out of her body, so I rolled to her side to let her free. "Well, um, no one told me this would be so sticky 'after'."
I knew what she meant. The carpet, my pants, her underwear and skirt were totally spoiled with the remnants of our act. And that made me remember.
"Jan Di, why did we do it without…?"
"I started taking pills this month." This took me by surprise, and I saw a faint blush highlighting her cheeks. "I heard it felt different, you know, without a condom, so I went to the doctor. Thing is, I had to wait at least two weeks to be sure it would take effect, and today marks almost three weeks, so...I thought there would be no problem."
"And it wouldn't be no matter what the result. You know this, right?" The 'worst' that could happen was her getting pregnant, and that was not a problem at all.
"I'd like to have children after finishing my career, if you don't mind." She told me in a bit of a haughty fashion, but to me it simply looked cute. "But yeah, I know that no matter the result you'll be by my side."
She kissed me, and even though we wanted to stay lazing on the carpet, the mess made us uneasy, so to the shower we went, together. This was new, too. I'd never showered with her, but it seemed the liquid courage we drank at dinner and earlier tonight was still flowing. We enjoyed a relaxing bath at first, but it ended in another passionate encounter against the tiled wall.
When the night ended, we finally got to use the bed, but this time we were in no rush. We finally fell deeply asleep and satiated.
oº°˚˚°ºoº°˚˚°ºoº°˚˚°ºoº°˚˚°ºoº°˚˚°ºoº°˚˚°ºoº°˚˚°ºoº°˚˚°ºoº°˚˚°ºo
Jun Pyo's POV
The next day after "D-Day" -as I had decided to call it- was supposed to be a calm day, for resting, but after so many meetings the day before, the center had received several calls from parents that also wanted to know what was happening with their children. So, Jae Kyung invited Jan Di and Ji Hoo to our house to discuss future plans but in a relaxed environment.
Jan Di had been happy and Jae even more. I would've liked to help, but I knew that tact wasn't one of my qualities, so I'd leave the interview parts to them and support more in the planning stage.
"Ah, there they are, Jun. Jan Di-ah, Ji Hoo, over here!"
Jae was welcoming them at the front door of the manor. They both arrived with huge smiles, and for some reason, this made me smile, too. I obviously still felt a slight tug inside of me, but to know my brother and a woman I loved were happy together made me feel good.
I saw Jae give Jan Di a strong hug, but the latter flinched with a pained exclamation.
"Omo, did I hurt you? Did I hold you too tightly?"
"It's nothing, Unnie. I...fell down the stairs yesterday and bruised my back a bit, but I'm all better now."
"Down the-! Jan Di! We need to call the doctor immediately. It's best to check if you have bruises!"
"No!" she quickly replied. "Really, Unnie, Ji Hoo already checked it, and it's just a mild discomfort; you'll see, I'll be all better in a bit."
"If you're sure…"
They both went in, arms laced and chatting away. I took the chance to greet Ji Hoo while they walked ahead of us. When we moved to follow our women, I saw a slight mark on his neck, barely perceptible and obviously hidden by his hair. Suddenly, I figured out why Jan Di's back really hurt…
"I'll give you some of Jae's foundation; she might have your skin tone somewhere."
"Eh?"
"You don't want to walk around saying you fell 'on your neck down the stairs', right?" I pointed to the evidence. Ji Hoo had the decency to blush, and I guffawed at his expense. "Ah, my dong-saeng, who would've thought you would so quickly reach adulthood?"
"Please, I'm older than you…"
"By months!"
"Older in the end…"
We laughed together, and I rejoiced in the fact that I had gone back to that familiarity of being able to talk about everything with him.
We were discussing how long they could stay in Macau before their semester started when we heard a loud crashing sound, and we both ran to see what had happened.
"The only thing you did was use two people for your own benefit! You never treated Jun Pyo as a son but as an investment!"
"And why wouldn't I!? After everything the Shinwha Group gave him, it is his responsibility to take charge!"
We found Jae Kyung and Jan Di in front of my mother, but it was the last two who seemed to be in the midst of an outrageous fight with a broken ashtray between them.
"Jan Di!" my friend yelled.
"Stay out of it, Ji Hoo! This is between the old hag and me…"
"Jun!" Jae ran to me. "We met your mother, and suddenly she started to complain about everything we did yesterday, and she said she would fire me from the company. It was then that Jan Di tried to defend me, and your mother brought up your relationship."
I turned around to intervene, but in the midst of the verbal lashing both were giving each other, it was impossible to do so.
"You're just a shrew! I always knew it! As soon as my son left you, you went and seized the best second choice, and now look at you! You're the heiress of the Yoon Group." My mother's tone was filled with mockery.
"I have nothing to explain to you! But if you must know, your son didn't leave me, you split us apart! I loved Jun Pyo, so much...and I know the feeling was mutual! It was only after many years and hardships that I managed to have a new life and a new love, which I'm not planning on letting go even if I have to confront someone 100 times worse than you!"
"Why would you leave him? You're already in the will...I wonder how hard you must have worked to achieve something like that."
"Don't you dare…" Jan Di was growling.
"The only thing your ilk is good for is to lay back, open their legs and cajole men!"
"You should mind your language, Hee Soo…"
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a person coming into the room, sitting in a wheelchair pushed by Secretary Jung. The only reason I didn't fall to the ground was because Jae Kyung held me tightly.
"Sir! How can this be?" Jan Di seemed to know the man who had come in, but I couldn't fathom how.
Ji Hoo was as dumbfounded as I was; Jae Kyung didn't understand anything, and my mother was paler than a sheet.
"Father?" was the only word I could mouth.
Dun, dun, duuuuuun!
How do you like it? =D
