This is the last installment for this week. I've decided to take more frequent breaks for all of my stories, so the next chapter will be some time next week. I did not get any suggestions for the prompts, so I've been wondering - no more new ideas? Because they do give me inspiration, so thank you to all of you who sent me your suggestions.
It was so strange to see Eun Soo next to a man. He could tell she was smiling and excited just by the way she walked and lifted her head up slightly to look up to Min Ho, who strolled comfortably besides, stopping periodically and gesturing at the various buildings.
They did not seem to notice Choi Young, which made him even more upset, and instead of joining them, he followed behind, like a thief confined to the shadows. Something strange inside him stirred, and he became convinced that the picture in front of him was wrong. It should have been him, not the actor besides Imja.
He's never stopped to think even once about the fact that she was a beautiful woman and men find her attractive. He'd never had a reason to worry since he had never been in a situation where it was a concern.
A group of people passing by, all cheerfully greeted the actor and he, polite and friendly as usual, introduced Eun Soo to them.
Who the heck does he think he is to introduce her to some strangers?
Choi Young was clearly angry with the poor guy, who did not seem to do anything wrong, and was just being nice.
They stopped and he pointed to a roof, where the lighting was set up. She tilted her head all the way, and stepped back, her foot stumbled over loose gravel and she lost her footing. Lee Min Ho quickly extended his arm and she landed on it safely; and for a second, they stared at each other before he pulled her back up and she apologized, hiding her face away, while he kept saying that it was nothing.
"Are you OK?" He looked worried, and kneeled to check her ankle, while she tried to stop him, grabbing his arm.
Choi Young watched the whole scene, growing dump with astonishment and losing ability to think succumbed to a never known to him before feeling of jealousy that burned through him, making his KI light up his eyes with fire.
"Imja," he called loudly, making both the actor and her turn.
"What is going on with you two?" he heard himself say, feeling so stupid, yet unable to control the desire to snap the guy's neck; he came up quickly grabbing Eun Soo's arm and stood between her and Lee Min Ho.
"Young-ah, nothing is going on. Calm down. He was just showing me around. I thought you wanted to rest," she nagged him from behind, surprised at his reaction.
Sure, she was taken aback for a minute to be next to a star, but the guy was so sweet and easy going, she forgot right away about his status and felt comfortable talking to him. Did she flirt by any chance? Did the general see her flirting? But she really did not mean to. It was just a natural reaction in the face of… basically, the 'Lee Min Ho'. What kind of girl in her right mind would have a stone face? It's not something she could control, really.
"I did not ask your opinion," snapped at her Choi Young and practically growled at the actor, who took a step back, knowing well by now general's abilities.
"Daejang, I'm sorry if I did something to upset you. I was trying to be a good host to your girlfriend. She was so curious. What did I do?" he finally asked, staring honestly at his master.
"You… You… look too… I just don't like her next to you. You are too friendly, that's what it is. Don't you know that you are not supposed to walk so closely to somebody else's woman?"
"I was too close? Sorry," Min Ho took another step back and bowed, apologizing. "I did not mean to be like that. I guess my manners are lacking. I will go."
"Don't!" She held onto Min Ho's sleeve, making him nervously heave away.
Eun Soo was not very amused by her boyfriend's behavior. "This is not some middle ages, you know. I'm a modern woman and you can't apply your archaic rules to this world."
She confronted Choi Young, who did not seem to care for her opinion, only talking to the other man. "Thank you for understanding. I will see you for filming later. Please don't be late." And pulling Eun Soo firmly at the wrist, he started in opposite direction.
"Stop it! What's with the dragging?" She tried to free her hand unsuccessfully and then stopped, making him turn. "What are you doing? I have never seen you act so incredibly childish and stupid. Are you jealous by any chance?"
"Yes, I am." He forced his gaze on her, heavy with self-deprecation.
His honesty disarmed her as usual.
"I am jealous and I can't understand why myself. I've never been jealous before, but I just can't stand you walking next to another man like that. It tore me into pieces inside and I got angry with him. I know it is unbecoming, but I can't seem to control the feeling. Sorry, Imja, just let me calm down."
"Stranger," she softened, abandoning her fighting spirit. The man was lost in this world, still learning his way. It was tough for him to understand and be comfortable with her casual behaviors around others. "Look, I've been insensitive to you. I was acting like a regular fan, but I guess, you would not understand or know what it is. Kind of like for a commoner to see a king up close and take a walk with him."
Choi Young frowned, confused.
Eun Soo took his hands into hers and gently caressing his fingers started talking, "It is a rare chance to meet a celebrity and such a nice person at that. He worships you, do you know? He talked about you more than the film. He was telling me how great and admirable you are. He told me about your amazing ability to make people stop everything and listen. He has never seen anybody hold attention with just one look and have director and producer agree to your demands without any objections. He talked about how solid you are as a person and about your integrity. He's been learning a lot from you just over a course of a few days. I think you got yourself a fan. Don't worry, just because he is attractive. He means nothing to me."
Standing on her toes, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "You are my one and only man. OK?"
"Do you want to break some rules?" she dared him.
Choi Young did not need an invitation, he pulled her closer and dipped for a kiss, making her limp in his arms right away.
KI sparkling on their lips, they have learned to control it by now and ignore the energy surge bursting through them, they have contained and calmed the electrical power that woke up at the touch, engulfed in a kiss, forgetting where they were.
They heard a cautious cough from behind and both looked in its direction a bit dazed after the intense kiss.
"Dude, they are looking for you," Hee Jun appeared out of nowhere, able to find Choi Young in this maze of a movie set.
"Noona, you made it! Did you meet our star yet? Did you get an autograph? Did you.." he swallowed the last word, noticing the not so subtle glare from Choi Young.
"Dude, you can't possibly be…" he covered his mouth with a hand, afraid for a word to jump out, who knows how this violent man would react this time. He had to try and curb his curiosity for now.
"Let's go," Choi Young replied curtly and then looked at Eun Soo, completely transforming his gaze into the sweetest and most loving one possible. "Imja, if you are tired, you can rest inside a lounge. Hee Jun can take care of you."
"Are you kidding me? I want to see everything. It is not every day that I get to be on the live movie set. Young-ah, don't be jealous, please. Even if I act a little stupid around Lee Min Ho, it's because I don't know him as well as you do. You just don't get how popular and famous he is."
"I thought I was popular and famous," grumbled Choi Young.
"You are, but in a different way."
They all met again; this time around, the actor made sure to maintain at least a few feet distance from the Daejang's girlfriend and not to look at her if preferable. However, it was difficult, as the woman came up to him and asked if he had a poster he could autograph.
"Of course, I'll have somebody bring you one," he turned away as soon as possible, not wanting to chance any more wrath from his trainer. In a few minutes somebody delivered a poster of the movie, with a large costumed picture of Lee Min Ho on it. He signed it and gave it to Eun Soo, apologizing that he can't spend much time with her.
"Don't worry," she felt guilty for Choi Young's outburst. "He is usually not like that. He will not take it out on you, I promise."
The actor did not look very convinced and stepped behind a bench, which was a part of the set, creating a physical obstacle between them for surety.
"Young-ha, look what I got," she was excited and unrolled the poster.
He swallowed jealousy that immediately woke up again and pressed his lips to control anything that might come out disclosing his weakness.
After the shooting, he found the poster and while Eun Soo was chatting with Hee Jun, looked at it again. After a minute's thought, he tore it in half and felt like it was easier to breathe.
"What happened?" Eun Soo was very upset. "Did you do it on purpose? Again with jealousy?" She was getting angry even.
"No, it was an accident. I grabbed it too quickly," he lied.
"Then make sure to bring me another one." His trick did not work and hanging his head, he approached Lee Min Ho. "The poster got damaged, can you get another one for my woman, please."
"Sure, Daejang."
Choi Young turned to walk away.
"Wait, I left a pass for her upfront. If you want her to come any time, she could use the pass. I want to make it up to you. Maybe, one day you would allow me to treat you guys to a meal."
Choi Young looked from under the lowered brows.
"You look like a couple in love, I'm jealous. I don't even have a girlfriend. I work all the time, and when I don't, I wish I was lucky enough to experience the kind of special connection you have."
"You can tell this just by looking?" the frown softened on the forehead of the General.
"She looks at you like you are her whole world. I only hope to meet somebody like that one day."
"She is my whole world; you have no idea what I gave up to be with her." Suddenly shared Choi Young.
"You are a romantic, Daejang." Smiled Min Ho. "Me, too."
"Something else we have in common," Choi Young was no longer jealous, in fact appreciative. This actor had a neck for seeing what's important and indeed had a way with people, making them comfortable around him.
I hope you enjoyed the jealous side of Daejang. Thanks for reading and reviewing. See you next week.