A/N:

This is going to be a long chapter. Hope you'll enjoy :)

Chapter eighteen.

"Sunbae.. I did not mean to_"

Ga Eul was cut off mid sentence as his lips sealed hers. She was first taken back, but soon responded in a desperate manner. Although every passing moment her conscience was blaming her hard, somewhere in that same conscience told her that this was right. They were meant to be together that they are soulmates and they belong together. As the kiss continued only deepening every moment passed, she, unaware to her own self was stepping backwards, till she touched the firm, broad edge of the wooden desk. She was pressed between them; the approaching Yi Jeong and the table that stood firm, unable to be pushed back for its weights which had made it glued to the ground. As he approached further forward there was one thing left for her to do, and as her hands entwined his neck and dishevelled the smooth mess of his hair, his hands aided her to lift herself up and sit on the desk. But they did not stop from there. After they smoothly placed her on, they start to travel again, caressing her, one further down her waist and the other further up on her thigh.

They had yearned for this too much and in every passing moment they were only focused on how to answer their thirst. And they were almost going to.

But this time it was his ; the phone which rang, dragging them back to their senses.

If it was a simple ring-cut, then they were probably to discard it and continue, but for the fortunate and unfortunate, the caller was much persistent than that.

They pulled themselves out from the kiss and stared at each other till their minds comprehended what was almost going to happen. A blush immediately and completely coloured Ga Eul's face, as she hopped down from the table as soon as Yi Jeong stepped back, letting his hands fall back to his sides.

He pursed his lips, then looked sideways taking more steps back to make enough space for Ga Eul to slip out from the uncomfortable distance. He was almost reaching for his phone in his pocket when Ga Eul had reached the door to get out from there, but before she opened that door, someone else did. And the two women froze staring at each other this close, for the first time. And Yi Jeong swallowed seeing her standing at his studio ; the one person that was missing for this bit of drama... Lee Ji Ah.

"Ji Ah agashshi... " Yi Jeong flashed a nervous-as it was too obvious, smile, but instead of responding him she eyed at Ga Eul from tip to toe. Especially her skirt which was apparently not that smooth though Ga Eul was trying her best to make it.

And worst of all, the redness had yet not left Ga Eul's cheeks.

"You..?...Have we met before?" the girl asked flashing a sudden smile which had surprised not only Ga Eul but even So Yi Jeong.

"A-A-Anniyo... we haven't probably met before..." Ga Eul answered, her voice still trembling of the shock.

"Aa... I remember... you were at the Shinhwa wedding weren't you?" she smiled even wider, almost a fox like one. " you.. are Geum Jandi's Chingu- Ga Eul... aren't you?"

"Ye..ye..." Ga Eul nodded uncertainly.

"And the other girl stretched out an arm, " I, am Lee Ji Ah, So Yi Jeong's fiancé... " she smiled even more benevolently.

And Ga Eul let out another uncomfortable chuckle, slightly shaking her hand. "I.. It's a pleasure to meet you... but I... really have to go now..." and slipped out from the studio without another single glance, leaving Yi Jeong alone with Ji Ah.

She chuckled glancing at the trail which Ga Eul had left and turned at Yi Jeong, "I thought Yi Jeongshshi, was busy readying for the exhibition ?... "

"She_" Yi Jeong cleared his throat and looked away avoiding her eyes, " was just a friend..."

"Hmm I see.." she then eyed him from tip to toe. "close... aren't you?" and let out another unpleasant smirk.

Ga Eul first almost ran, taking lengthy steps as fast as she could, away from the forbidden studio, and when she was away as much as she knew it would be safe, she walked, partly because she was worn out, both physically and emotionally, and partly because she didn't want anymore unnecessary questionnaires, by making her parents worry.

After the shift at the porridge shop, she went home almost on time for dinner. And Ga Eul was more than relieved as there wasn't any tacky questions asked by her parents, especially her mother, regarding her day. After all, she was silent for most of the dinner with only asking her to take more of some dishes and less of the others.

But her confusion and disturbed expressions were too obvious for her appa to go unnoticed. Maybe that's why he crept in her room when Ga Eul had climbed to the bed covering her face from the sheet, finally been able to think over about the things that happened back at Yi Jeong's studio.

"tsk.. dadl... haven't I told you before not to cover over your head when sleeping ?"

"Appa?" Ga Eul tossed the cover aside to see him seating on the edge of her bed.

"Dadl can we.. " he sat with a grunt as for the wounded leg, " ...talk for a bit? "

"Aa..arasso.." Ga Eul lifted herself into a sitting position with a quizzical look on her face.

"I... was going to ask this... since few days...dadl, you seemed more .. unhappy these days.. wae ?"

" Ah. Anniyo.. there's nothing like that..." Ga Eul chuckled.

" Did you... by any chance meet him again?"

Ga Eul went silent, taking time to produce an answer while her heart beat fast and her brain screamed out the events happened back at the studio.

"Ye... about once or twice..." she chuckled uncomfortably, " after all... Manim So is his omma..."

"Hmm..." Mr. Chu nodded and remained silent for a considerable time though he could tell that his daughter was lying even without glancing at her.

At last,...

" That person... dadl, what made you think him as your soulmate?" he asked in a low voice.

Ga Eul opened her mouth, given the chance to explain.

"Dadl.. soulmates... " though he interrupted "...must make equal sacrifices for each other... so , is there anything he had sacrificed for you?" he looked firmly into her eyes while Ga Eul searched her mind for an answer.

"Ani? Isn't it?... it's only you who had done..." he sighed. "if he did, if he really is your soulmate.. then I.. won't think twice..." he trailed off and wiped out a tear." ah... you are too fragile and innocent for him...and me and your omma... we ..can't lose you..."

Ga Eul came near and hugged him tight. " Appa... " she chuckled. " Why would you ever lose me?.." and laughed even louder. He joined her a bit later though, and returned the hug and kissed her goodnight. But again at the door, he awaked his voice,

"Dadl?"

"Hmm?" Ga Eul was half way into slipping under the covers again.

"Have you thought about the idea of going back to our village ?"

"Ah!" her smile vanished again. " anniyo.. not yet..." she answered apologetically.

" Arasso .. then take your time and think about it..." he nodded confirming his doubts and left the room switching off the lights.

Though she was advised not to, Ga Eul again pulled up the covers till her head, and let out a loud sigh. Going back to her huramoni's village, meant the end of her endless hours of work and ensured the family a more stable living from their farms and cultivation back there. Even there was the rural school where she could continue teaching.. but she could not leave Seoul... after all the presence of a certain person was holding her to this city. He- her soulmate or not, there was only one thing that she knew.

She loved him.

Sliding the door closed, Mr. Chu entered the small dining, where his wife was waiting for him.

"So is it his?" she asked anxiously.

"Hmm.. probably.." He calmly replied and retreated to their own room not sparing a single glance at the offensive handkerchief.

The next day, when Ga Eul went back to work at Madam So, she came aware of two things..

One- that she had been fired from her job, her salary for an year has been transferred to her bank account though.

Two- that not even as a visitor she was allowed to meet Madam So.

The first made her suspect the Head Master but the second confirmed her that it was none other than Yi Jeong.

The realization made her go a bit off from the tracks. She went to Ahjumma Kim and gave her a letter asking her to deliver it to Madam So, stating that it was meeting her that had been prohibited. And Ahjumma Kim, in-part because she had been friends with Ga Eul the months she had worked at there and in-part because she actually had a point, did as she was asked.

The letter of course contained the private number of So Yi Jeong.

It took a whole week to get a response for her act- the so-called revenge and that day was as stormy as their times. Ga Eul was asked to come to the studio immediately. Though his tone was calm, there were hints of a warning in it, which made Ga Eul regret her deeds. Other than hate she was worried of what stupid thing he would do to himself, so she hurried to his studio, again discarding her parents' advice.

The storm had already started and the rain was pouring long before.

Once she entered the studio, she half expected him to have one woman in each of his arms with an attempt to avenge her, or maybe at least his fiancé . Or at the least, him to be seated on the bench at the table, furiously waiting for her, or maybe at the mini pantry, gulping down a bottle of wine. She even looked in the store room, though it was silent, as if he was there with some broken pieces of pottery. Ani, he was nowhere in there. Ga Eul was alarmed and she ran out calling him but was never answered. She searched everywhere. At last she came near the kiln.

Amidst the heavily pouring rain, she saw that it was lighted.

And with a lighted hope she ran near. But she regained her composure once seen the figure of him, darkened in front of the blazing fire.

There he was, seated on the short wall as before. Hair and cloths dishevelled, holding a bottle of wine from one hand despite being near the flames, emptying it with occasional gulps while the other rested on his knee, supporting his bent figure.

His shine was dimmed, like a light gone dull or a metal become rusted with time. The ever shining So Yi Jeong- looked broken and vulnerable.

The sound of Ga Eul shaking her umbrella, before folding and entering the shed, made him aware of her presence.

He glanced at the approaching figure

" Ga Eulyang ... did come after all..." and smirked. His voice was half hidden under the violent thumping of rain drops on water. " Has Ga Eulyang again lied to her appa ?" he simply smirked again at the glare he received. Keeping the folded umbrella at a side, Ga Eul sat leaving a fair and more comfortable distance between them.

"Did Ga Eulyang, tell them about our little argument?" He asked again in a sarcastic tone

And received another glare. " Anniyo? I presume..." and was going to gulp down the rest of the wine.

He was already too drunk. The empty bottle near his foot told that he was.

"Stop that !" she tried to snatch away the bottle. " If Sunbae is going to scold me, then go on."

"Anniyo." He scoffed. " why should I? When I am the one who's wronged here..." and jerked his hand to have another gulp.

"Omma... is suffering because of me... and.. " his voice lowered, " ... and...so is you "

Ga Eul kept silent and let him continue.

"I... if I had not existed... then none of you would have suffered..." and sighed. "And this isn't a life worth living ..after all..."

"will you stop talking that nonsense?" Ga Eul snapped back. But he remained calm-if it could have been called as calm-his over drunken state.

"Ga Eulyang asked me why did I remain silent that day, didn't you?" he again smirked, suddenly getting more interested on the rain damped label of his bottle of wine. "what should have I told?... that it isn't me?" he again scoffed. "What's the point of trying to answer, when it was the same ; both my truth and lie ?"

He looked at Ga Eul, turning his head for a side as if analysing her from her different angle, and grinned.

"Or was Ga Eulyang curious, of knowing how they all ended up in my bed?"

Ga Eu let out a scornful laugh, "Aish he is really drunk !" and rolled her eyes before facing him.

"You... ! Keep your affairs for your own self! I am not interested in them!"

"Interested? Anniyo don't you disgust them ?" Yi Jeong asked still his face sided and grinning even widely. " Ga Eulyang, playboys like me... are not supposed to have a soulmate."

Ga Eul again rolled her eyes. " it's not that you aren't supposed to, it's that you don't understand them!"

"So you still do believe in them?"

And Ga Eul kept silent, coming to know that he had again taken the words out from her own mouth.

The flame has gone down, and darkness was reclaiming their surroundings.

Yi Jeong chuckled seeing her diffidently looking away. And without wasting another moment he leaned in and claimed her lips, pining her to lay down. Ga Eul gasped at the sudden act and struggled to release herself but he held her down and climbed on to her, trailing kisses along her neck and down her collarbone. He was so warm and Ga Eul could feel the heat radiating from him though the heavy rain sprinkled tiny drops of water at her face.

Yi Jeong kept kissing her and slightly bite her neck while his hand went back to undo her dress.

He was almost going to rip it off, when Ga Eul caught his hand in a firm grip.

The act made him stop and look into her eyes.

"Sunbae... stop." She uttered in a squeal. " The Yi Jeong sunbae I know, is not like this."

He swallowed hard.

With shift moves he climbed down from her, allowing her to sit and straighten again.

Yi Jeong chuckled. "That was indeed the Ga Eulyang I knew..." he took the bottle of wine and gulped the last bit left of it.

He smiled and chuckled and then laughed. "You are so boring..."

"Mwo?" Ga Eul again glared at him.

"Boring and agh!" he opened the other bottle of wine. "annoying.. " and returned her glare. " tsk I hate that type- the scary cats.. fierce in words but there's nothing else for them other than that..."

It took a few second for Ga Eul to realise what he had really said.

"What did you say?"

"Go home!" he uttered in a careless tone. "you, do not belong here!"

And with enough insult for a lifetime Ga Eul stood up and left.

And she disappeared to the rain Yi Jeong let out a sigh. He had done that again, successfully even better than before. He slid down from the wall to the ground gulping down the wine. The bottle was emptied within minutes and he opened another, the last of the four bottles he had brought out from the studio.

But it only took few meters away from the kiln, the time spent- for Ga Eul to realise what he was actually doing. When the realisation hit her, she paused on the spot and sighed returning back to the kiln.

By the time she reached the kiln, the flame was almost out, and the rain poured even harder as if the pouring had only filled the divine reservoirs. Yi Jeong was on the ground having the last bit of the fourth bottle.

Ga Eul snatched away the bottle and tossed it as far as she could. Yi Jeong flinched at the act but his head kept bent down., with hands fallen back to his lap.

"You... you thought I won't understand that? Arasso! If I am the scary cat then who are you? Are you any braver than me ? Having meaningless nights with a random girl ?" she scoffed " is that what Sunbae called bravery?"

"Anniyo! It's not called bravery that was just a mask which Sunbae used to cover your cowardness!... and Ye! Sunbae is still the same! A TOTAL PATHETIC COWARD!" she yelled. "has it no use, everything I had done to make sunbae better? I did everything I could do and don't sunbae dare to make them a waste!... I.." she inhaled forcing the tears not to stroll down. " I returned back to Sunbae even after he lent me to his abeoujji.. so if Sunbae wants to chase me away, sunbae should find a better way..."

She stood there, staring at him awaitin for a response. But there was none, he sat there motionless.

Ga Eul dropped to the ground shaking him wildly.

"WILL YOU JUST SAY SOMETHING!" and screamed, but he remained the same. She shook him and slapped him, but it was only a grunt he gave in return.

Though when shaking, her bare hands touched his cloths, she felt that they were damped. Though in a slap that her bare hand touched his face she felt that he was burning.

The heat that was radiating back then, and the wetness that rubbed her face when he was kissing, why did she not understand it back then.

She placed a hand on his forehead and gasped.

"Sunbae.. you are burning !"

It all explained his silence.

Not only that he was drunk, but was burning with high fever.

Ga Eul looked at the heavy rain.

"Sunabe.. let's go inside.." her voice shivered, partly because of the cold wind that blew to the shed, now gone cold as the kiln had completely drowned in darkness.

"Sunbae.. let's go inside.. agh try.. to sta.. nd up!" she gave her whole strength to lift him up to his legs. Yi Jeong grunted between the gritting teeth, shivering apparently for the coldness.

The moment he stood he collapsed on to her, and Ga Eul taking time to think a way to take him inside.

"Sunbae . Hold me, " she made him go a hand across her shoulder, and guided him out, taking heavy steps.

She was unable to hold an umbrella when giving her whole strength to drag the Yi Jeong who was practically leaning on her. So they got damped from the rain, when crossing the roof less bit of space between the kiln and the studio.

But once they got in, she with a grunt switched on the lights, and guided or more precisely, dragged him to the rest room as she thought the bench won't be much comfortable for his current state.

The rest room, which was where he spent his nights while an exhibition was coming and had to spare the good lot of time at his studio, consisted a sofa- large enough for him to sleep, and a small coffee table in front of it, another mini pantry with more things to eat than to drink accompanied by a fridge and a cupboard which had the sheets, covers , towels and some extra cloths.

That was how much knowledge, Ga Eul had gained from dating the potter for almost six months.

As soon as Ga Eul made him lie on the sofa she went for the towels. She first dried his hair and then his arms. But it was obvious that his rain damped cloths kept him wet.

And Ga Eul turned crimson red when the thought crossed her mind. She first shook her head and knelt down on the carpet, staring at him.

It was obvious, he can not keep wearing those cloths.

And she had to undress him.

She shook him a bit at first. As if to try ask him to change the cloths himself. But it was useless as he was already knocked out.

The coat and the waist coat was alright. It was the shirt and the trousers that mattered. Ga Eul was dying with embarrassment and her fingers trembled when reaching for the shirts buttons.

She closed her eyes tight and unbuttoned them one by one.

Yi Jeong did not respond. He kept there lying and shivering even more, when his bare skin being exposed. With a matter of minutes his shirt was out and Ga Eul kept it at a side of the table neatly folding it, only to distract herself from whatever the thing she had no choice but to do next.

Her hands reached for the buckle of his belt for few times but retreated as electric shocked. She buried her face in her palms and sighed few times before ultimately making her mind to do it.

This is not something like that.. this is not something like that.. it's just because he's sick and can not wear these cloths.. they are wet.. the fever would worsen if he'd do...

She uttered as a mantra and again turned her face aside, tightly closing her eyes. A shiver went through her spine once she heard the belt unclasp. And with few more trembling movements Ga Eul managed to make Yi Jeong lay completely naked on the sofa.

The last bit of her soul was almost killed by her embarrassment. And mostly for her own sanity than the fact he was visibly shivering, she managed to toss a sheet over his body till his neck, and let out a sigh slowly opening her eyes, still trembling of the things she had to do.

With another few exhales she was able to make her mind to make a call for her omma and lie that she was staying at Jandi's as Junpyo sunbae had been out of Korea.

She again buried her face between the folds of her arms. And once she looked up she found herself glaring at his fever-reddened face, with equal hues colouring hers.

"W-Water..." a whisper escaped his lips.

Ga Eul immediately regained her senses about the current situation.

"M-Mwo?"

"Water... I am.."the sleep and shivers again took him over.

Ga Eul jumped to her feet and went to the pantry, found a glass and poured water.

"Sunbae.. " placing the glass on the table, she helped him to lift himself a bit and allowed him to lean on her while she managed to make him drink.

The heat radiating from him distracted her, it was making her worry.

She then took a damped towel and placed it on his forehead while taking another, damping it and moisturizing his bare chest. His neck and his chest, his abdomen and then his arms and feet.

It was something she had learned from her mother to reduce the high temperatures. And she repeated it the whole night, occasionally damping the cloth and continued. She stayed awake staring at him stroking his hair as if she was a mother to him. Once when midnight he slightly spoke, still his eyes closed, he caught her hand though.

"Ga Eulyang, please don't leave..." it was again the same request. And despite the weariness Ga Eul chuckled, as she saw the bracelet still around that child's wrist. Then again she repeated the moisturising, his necks his chest, his abdomen and then his arms and feet.

It repeated till dawn, when at last his fever went down.

Ga Eul sighed in relief.

And with few more tasks completed, she left the studio in the light of daybreak.

When Yi Jeong woke up, it was almost ten in the morning. The first thing that registered in his mind was the smoothness of the sheets. And then was that it hit him.

He was completely naked under it.

He jolted forward with the sudden realisation. He searched his mind for any sort of a memory about the last night, but it was blurred if not, blank. He took some breaths to calm himself down and scanned the room for her or at least for any offensive item. And at his side he saw a bowl with porridge and a spoon holding a small note.

Sunbae,

Don't worry. Nothing happened last night, as much as the things sunbae's dirty mind would imagine..

The porridge is getting cold.. drink it before it gets too cold.

He let out a sigh and then smiled.

But then, Has Ga Eulyang had undressed him?

He swallowed a bit, before taking the spoon and tasting the porridge,only to immediately throw it out.

He turned back the note.

Ye .. it doesn't have any salt, just like sunbae's little act last night !

Yi Jeong could not help but chuckle at it. It seemed he can not run away and she can not be chased away.

And if he can not run away and she can not be chased away, what other things that were left to do?

His mind wondered, while getting dressed up and going to the pantry to grab the little jar of salt.