A/N: This fanfic spins off from the Korean drama, "Young Lady and Gentleman", and tells the story of a promising love between Lee Young Gook and Park Dan Dan. "Young Lady and Gentleman" currently airs on KBS TV on Saturday and Sunday nights. It goes without saying that this story won't completely follow what's actually shown on TV. The timeline of this story begins approximately around episode 26. Slightly AU but I'm confident you'll appreciate my designs. Reviews are always appreciated!
Memories of you . . . and our love
Chapter 1
On the surface, Lee Young Gook had it all. He was the successful president for the Korean company FT group. He lived in a very stately mansion worthy of someone in his position. Plus, he was the father of three adorable children and the stepbrother of Lee Se Ryeon. In sum, he was in the prime of his life and career. Yet, unease reigned supreme in his heart. What could have happened to this otherwise successful gentleman?
It was two years prior when his wife was suddenly taken up to Heaven. Although he did his best to cope with the situation, the reality of her death understandably shook Young Gook to his core. Rather than completely deal with his grief, he reacted like some other people and threw himself relentlessly in his work. Unfortunately, his relationship with his children suffered as a result. His heart remained stuck in limbo as he constantly thought of his late wife.
Young Gook's children had always relied strongly on their mother to raise and mentor them as they grew. With her death, it became painfully apparent that they needed someone to continue mentoring them. Specifically, they needed a strong, maternal figure in their life. To that end, Young Gook hired a live-in tutor named Park Dan Dan to help him with raising his kids. Could he ever have envisioned how this decision would change his life?
Although Park Dan Dan was known for being a determined, optimistic young lady who got along well with others, it was unclear just how well she and Young Gook's children would interact. In time, she put those concerns to ease as Jae Ni, Se Chan, and Se Jong grew to both respect and adore Dan Dan. Still, it wasn't just the kids who grew to like Dan Dan. Young Gook himself realized that he had not only hired an employee, he had found someone to whom he would grow attached to also. Despite some initial reservations to the contrary, he found himself in a place where his heart could gravitate towards Dan Dan. Then, his life took an unexpected turn.
He went on a hike as he was prone to do from time to time. On this particular occasion, he was resting comfortably along a trail looking at the sky. As his thoughts started to wander, he realized that a special handkerchief that Dan Dan bought for him was flying into a breeze. As he vainly pursued the cloth bandana, he fell and gashed his head profusely. Although he would ultimately walk away from it, his mind went from a 41-year-old to a 22-year-old as he developed amnesia. Although he struggled with his new situation at first, he was slowly regaining certain memories. Still, his mental plights could not change two realities. One, he still loved Dan Dan deeply in his heart and he was determined to make her his love. Second, today was her birthday and Young Gook was determined to make this one her most memorable one yet.
The house was very quiet that morning. Young Gook was especially pleased about this fact if it meant that he and Dan Dan were alone. Still, he wanted to be certain of this reality before he made his next move.
"Park Se Sang noona. Park Se Sang noona!" he called out.
"Yes, Chairman Lee?" Dan Dan replied as she ran down the stairs to greet him.
"I have something very important to tell you!" he said.
"What is it?"
His face playfully changed from feigned seriousness to lightheartedness. "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Dan Dan! Happy birthday to you!"
Dan Dan's reaction went from complete surprise to girly laughter. "Chairman Lee! You called me down here to wish me a happy birthday?" she incredulously asked.
"Of course! It's your first birthday as a member of this house. I wanted you to know that I remember!"
"Chairman Lee. I'm really touched by this. Thank you so much! Thank you so much! By the way, I'm a little surprised that you remember. Especially with . . . . everything else going on"
"Park Se Sang noona. I hired you to be our live-in tutor, yes? That means I have your birthday on file. As soon as I saw it, I knew that I had to help you celebrate".
"That's very sweet of you to remember and celebrate today for me."
"By the way, what are your plans today?" he asked.
"Since you gave me the day off today, I thought I'd go see my family and go from there" she replied.
"You can see your family later. I have some plans for you!" he said with a slightly impish grin.
"You do? What plans?"
"First, I need you to go upstairs and put on the prettiest outfit you own!"
"Chairman Lee, I don't understand"
"Trust me on this, will you? Go get changed and we'll take it from there". As she cast him a quizzical look, she realized that he was serious. So, she made the now familiar jaunt upstairs to her room. As she scoured her closet in trying to select an outfit, her mind began to race.
"What does Chairman Lee have in mind? Why do I need to get dressed up?" Soon, she settled on some clothes that Anna Kim had given her as a present. With her new attire in tow and her hair and makeup perfectly set, she bounded down the stairs back to a waiting Young Gook.
As he looked at Dan Dan, he couldn't help but feel absolutely star struck.
"She could pose as a model for FT group!" he thought amusedly. Indeed, she suddenly had a radiant glow that just completely set his heart ablaze.
"Wow. You look amazing Park Se Sang noona!"
"Thank you! But where are we going that we're both getting dressed up?"
"You'll see." With that, the two of them made their way to his company car as his driver helped seat the two of them in the back.
As she sat in the car, she looked out the window struggling to comprehend the meaning and gravity of the trip. But soon, her questions were put to rest as she came to spot an impressive building in the distance. Young Gook had taken her to FT group headquarters! But why?
As a global conglomerate, FT Group had the trappings of a busy, industrious Korean company filled with hustle and bustle. Yet, on this day, the building was eerily empty . . . and quiet. That reality certainly set alarm bells off in Dan Dan's head.
"Chairman Lee? Why are we here at FT group? And where is everybody?" she asked incredulously.
"I gave everyone in the company today off. I wanted to bring you here to help you celebrate your birthday in style!" he said with a grin.
"Are you serious? Chairman Lee, how can you do that? You're the president of FT group. I'm supposed to believe that you gave all your employees an off day to celebrate my birthday?!"
"Yes. Come inside. The fun is just starting."
As they made their way in, it was a jarring experience seeing an otherwise busy office building so empty and quiet. They literally ran into no one else as they traversed from one end to the other. Soon, they came upon a room that had a stage. It was there that the first part of Young Gook's operation DD birthday would go into action.
"Chairman Lee. Why are we in here?"
"Because I have a present for you here. You just stand near the stage. I've got the rest"
It turned out that Young Gook had planned for this day more meticulously than Dan Dan realized. On the stage stood a standing microphone along with a guitar. Soon, Young Gook made his way onto the stage and grabbed the guitar. With the guitar in tow, he practiced a few bars but one thing was amazingly clear. He wasn't just good – he was an outstanding guitar player! That fact alone shocked Dan Dan. But what happened next was priceless!
As he played the guitar, Young Gook started to sing. He started with an upbeat love song (he would tell Dan Dan later that the inspiration for the song came to him in a daydream). From there, he belted out song after song after song. Dan Dan was getting a free concert at Young Gook's expense and she was absolutely loving it!
"Chairman Lee! That was amazing. I had no idea that you played guitar. And you can sing too!"
"So did you like my little concert?" he asked.
"I did! In fact, I have to admit there's something cool about a man who can play a hot guitar and sing some tunes!"
"Hot. What about . . . sexy?" he playfully asked.
"Sexy works too. If you know someone, then can you send him here too?" she said with a smile. With that, they both erupted in laughter.
"Park Se Sang noona. You must be hungry. Pick one of the tables and I'll get us some food"
"OK".
With that, Young Gook ordered some catering from a seafood restaurant. Soon, the two of them sat at a table near the center of the ballroom with the choicest of fare in front of them. From lobster to oysters to linguine vongole, Dan Dan and Young Gook were truly enjoying their lunch. Topping it all off was a couple of glasses of fine wine for both of them as well. In short, part 1 and part 2 of operation DD birthday were smashing successes. Still, part 3 would be the last but perhaps most challenging one to pull off.
"Chairman Lee. This has all been wonderful! First the music and now the food. Thank you for making my birthday so special. I still can't believe you did all this for me!"
"Being a company president has its perks I'll admit! And you're very welcome! But the day is not over yet. I have one more thing to share with you!"
"Really? What now?" At this point, she couldn't imagine that this day could be any better. Soon, he got up and reached out his hands for hers. At first, she didn't understand the meaning but as she stared at him, the gravity of the request became clear.
"Chairman Lee!"
"It's Ok, Park Se Sang noona. Just trust me." With those words, the two of them made their way back near the stage. Only this time, the music would be shared silently between them as they engaged in a slow, but very meaningful, dance together. The minutes seemed to glide by as they sweetly swayed back and forth in each other's embrace.
"Park Se Sang noona. I hope I've made your birthday one you won't ever forget!"
"You have. Thank you! I really won't forget today for as long as I live!"
"I'm glad. Then, there's just one more thing for me to give you!"
At this point, Dan Dan's heart was pounding harder than a judge's gavel. She had a sense of what might happen next, and her hands began to shake nervously. And Young Gook's heart felt like it would explode out of his chest. Plus, feeling her shaking hands did little to calm his nerves as his hands also began to quiver in kind. Soon, though, he mustered enough serenity in his heart to provide one final gift for his partner.
The buildup was slow, sweet, and completely unavoidable. Despite being an amnesic, Young Gook had not stopped loving Dan Dan with all his heart. Likewise, Dan Dan's love for him did not diminish but rather intensified despite the current hardships. The interplay of all these hidden, magnetic forces finally exploded into a kiss so sweet and passionate that it could only come from two people genuinely and madly in love with each other. As they continued their sweet embrace for a few more moments, it became clear that time did truly stand still for them both.
Neither of them knew what the future held. Still, the thought of tomorrow was irrelevant. What mattered was the here and now. With that, Young Gook and Dan Dan could agree on one thing. Today was a Goldilocks day – not too strong, not too weak. It was just right. Because they both understood one very powerful truth. True love always wins. Always!
A/N: Well, that concludes this tale. I meant for this to be a one shot. But, if you want me to continue this story, then please let me know. Again, any reviews are greatly appreciated! We'll see you on the other side!