Hello there!

I'm back with the second chapter of this story. I want to thank to all of you for such amazing reviews and PM's. I had a much better response than I was expecting and I'm really touched. I even got a review from France! How cool is that? So really, you guys, thank you very much, to read your reviews makes me want to write more and better every day.

I had a Guest review and if you're reading this, thank you for your words and I'm so glad you're captivated! To the ones with an account, we have been talking via PM ;) And I thank all of you again for taking the time to leave me a line or two.

Now, on to this new chapter!

Previously on Part of Me: Ji Hoo found a lost boy outside a music shop and helped him find his mother, what he wasn't expecting was to find the boy's mother was his long lost friend, Geum Jan Di. How will their reunion go?

Ji Min was greatly confused. Hyung-nim was at one side, looking as if something hurt, and his mother was at the other, eyes brimming with fresh tears. He went back to Chul Moo to ask what was going on.

What little Ji Min didn't know, was that this was the first time these two people had met after eight long years, almost nine. Many things had been left unsaid and undone, not only to Ji Hoo but all of F4 and Ga Eul.

Ji Hoo felt his limbs coming back to life, so he took off his sunglasses once more and slowly tried to walk.

One foot in front of the other.

He approached Jan Di with a calm he wasn't actually feeling, and after what seemed like hours, he was in front of her.

Chul Moo watched this silent exchange with apprehension. Clearly, Jan Di knew this man, but her reaction was far too strange. He assumed he must have been one of the friends she used to talk about from the city. But what could have possibly happened to provoke this kind of reaction in her? He thought of intervening, but the guy didn't seem dangerous, and he had brought Ji Min back. He decided to keep watching for now.

Jan Di's hands were now on her chest, which heaved with her breathing. There he was, in front of her. He looked different; his hair had changed, as had his features, but his eyes were the same, clear and apparently capable of reading whatever was going through her head.

Ji Hoo's hand slowly but surely went to her face and cleaned away a lonely salty drop, which caused a sob to escape Jan Di's mouth.

Ji Min started to rush to his mother, as did Chul Moo, but they both stopped when they saw Ji Hoo gently lifting his arms and pulling Jan Di into an embrace.

Jan Di didn't even try to fight him or her reactions. She just started crying and let herself be cocooned in Ji Hoo's arms. He remained there, firmly holding her while lowering his head near hers. After a couple of seconds, Ji Hoo felt Jan Di hiding her face in his chest and encircling her arms around him, returning the embrace.

Why is she here now? And with a child? What happened in all this time? There were a million questions going through Ji Hoo's head, but he preferred to think about them later; after all, he wasn't just going to let Jan Di go again without a proper talk.

"I take it you two know each other?"

Chul Moo's voice brought them back to reality, and Jan Di lifted her face to answer her friend.

"Yes, we do."

"Omma, why are you crying? Hyung-nim is nice, and I promise I won't go out alone like that again." Ji Min spoke up.

Just then, Jan Di noticed she hadn't let go of Ji Hoo and blushed a little bit.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"It's okay." Ji Hoo answered while opening his arms. Before Jan Di, a handkerchief suddenly appeared.

"Here, Omma, Hyung-nim lent me this before." Little Ji Min gave her a highly expensive looking piece of cloth.

"Thanks, honey." Jan Di took the handkerchief and couldn't help but smile in remembrance; this was so like Ji Hoo. "You still carry these around, huh?"

"It comes in handy for situations like this," he answered with a smile.

"Does Hyung-nim know Omma?"

Ji Hoo felt a little embarrassed. After all, he had just gone and embraced Jan Di in front of her son and a guy Ji Hoo still didn't know who he was or what he was to her.

"Yeah, I know your mom from long ago."

"I knew it! There was a reason I liked you!" Ji Hoo only smiled and turned to Jan Di, who was looking at him, too.

Someone cleared his throat.

"Oh, right! Chul Moo, this is Ji Hoo; he was my sunbae when I was in high-school." Jan Di introduced him.

"Yes, we've met." So this is 'sunbae.'

Ji Hoo nodded in acquiescence.

"Oh, that's good then." Silence reigned for a bit; it was obvious this was a delicate situation. But trust a kid to diffuse the tension.

"Hyung-nim, how do you know Omma? Since when? You went to school together, right?"

"Well, it's a long story, actually, but yes, your mom and I met in high-school."

"Ji Min, what have I told you about asking so many questions at once?" Jan Di gently chided her son.

"Sorry, Omma."

"We could go somewhere," Ji Hoo offered. "You know the guys would love to see you again, and I suppose Ga Eul would, too."

Jan Di looked down, embarrassed.

"It's been so long."

"I know, but I'll tell them to be on their best behavior; although, you must expect us to want some answers after all this time."

"And what if she doesn't want to answer? Jan Di's life is her own," Chul Moo cut in.

"Chul Moo, it's okay. It is true that I have some explaining to do."

"No, you don't if you don't want to." He turned to Ji Hoo. "Thank you for all your help. We can find our way from here."

"Are we leaving already? No fair! I want to stay with Hyung-nim a bit more. Can we, Omma?"

"JI Min, we need to get going, come on." Chul Moo opened his hand, expecting Ji Min to take it as always, but this time the little boy didn't and went to hide behind one of Ji Hoo's legs. "Ji Min!"

"Chul Moo. Go back to the hotel; I'll call you when I'm done. Ji Hoo is a friend, and I'll be more than alright."

"Jan Di-ah."

"I'll be fine. Don't worry. Please, go." Jan Di begged him. She really didn't want a confrontation between Chul Moo and Ji Hoo.

Ji Hoo actually wanted to tell her that it was okay to meet later or maybe the next day, but he didn't know if she would just disappear again, so he remained silent. Ji Min was still stuck to his leg; apparently, he had earned the little boy's trust somehow.

He watched as Jan Di tried to placate her…friend? And she sent him back to the hotel they were staying in. Finally, the guy started to leave but not before sending a really dirty glare towards Ji Hoo. He remained impassive.

"Sorry about that. He's a little…over the top sometimes, but he's a good guy."

"I'm sure he is."

"Yeah." Jan Di smiled nervously.

"So, just give me a minute. I'll call the gang, and we can go to them soon. Perhaps we could go to eat something while they get together."

"Sure, that'll be okay."

Jan Di went with Ji Hoo to a nearby family restaurant with Ji Min holding her hand. She actually felt really nervous about this; after all, she was going to face F4 and Ga Eul after all these years, and she could only imagine how many questions they were going to come up with..

What will I tell them? I can't possibly reveal everything, but I do owe them something after the way I left.

"Are you okay?" Ji Hoo asked her when he returned with their order from the counter.

It was a normal combo hamburger set for them and a big, colorful toy-included set for Ji Min.

"Yes, I'm okay."

"This is so awesome! Mom, look at the toy I got!" Ji Min was extremely excited.

"Yes, it's really great," Jan Di answered her son with a big smile.

Ji Hoo sat across from her and started to unwrap his meal. "I'm sorry. I know this is sudden, and I probably should've given you a little more time."

"I understand why you did it. I don't have the greatest record of facing things head on." They all ate, and Ji Min was the one who kept the tension at bay with his innocent and cute remarks about the food, the games in the restaurant, or his new favorite toy.

Ji Hoo's cell phone rang, and Jan Di could hear how he was undoubtedly answering the F4's questions.

"Yes, she is here…No I didn't find her; it was a coincidence…Yes, in Woo Bin's apartment is easier. Just be sure to bring refreshments, candy, and have the DVD set up…Yes, candy." He mouthed a question to Jan Di: 'Can he eat candy?' Jan Di just nodded. Ji Min wouldn't die from eating an overload of candy for a day. "Yes, see you in a bit then." He hung up. "Okay, we're all set; they're already there."

"Okay, let's just finish here and go. Are you ready, Ji Min?"

"Yes, but I need to wash my hands," he said while showing his greasy fingers.

"I'll take him to the bathroom, and I'll be back in a bit." Jan Di stood up, clutched her purse, and led Ji Min on.

Ji Hoo still couldn't believe it. Geum Jan Di, a mother. Not that he ever thought she would be a bad one; he had seen enough of her caring personality to assume that someday, she'd have children of her own and love them dearly. But she was only 25, and Ji Min was seven, so that meant that shortly after she left, she got pregnant. That couldn't have been easy, more so because of her family's financial situation.

He guessed he would just have to wait until they reached the apartment to hear what she had to say.

The three of them left the establishment, and Jan Di could see there was a man in front of the store, standing next to a car.

"Young master, the car as you requested. There'll be no calls or meetings tonight."

"Thank you, Secretary Park. I'll take it from here."

"Are you Hyung-nim's daddy?" Ji Min asked the tall man who was giving Ji Hoo his car keys.

"No, I'm not," Secretary Park kindly answered.

"Geum. Ji. Min." Jan Di spelled out his name slowly; apparently, her son still hadn't learned when the right time to ask questions was, nor which ones were the right questions.

"Sorry, Omma"

"Hello again, Miss Geum. It's great to see you again."

"You too, Chae Yun-ssi. But you seem to have forgotten that I don't like being called 'Miss Geum,'" she said with a smile.

"Excuse me, Miss Jan Di, force of habit."

"That'll do. This is my son, Geum Ji Min." She patted her son's head. "Greet properly," she asked him.

"Hello sir, my name is Geum Ji min; I'm seven years old. Nice to meet you." And he extended his little hand.

"It is very nice to meet you too, young man. I'm Park Chae Yun." He shook Ji Min's hand and gave him a little bow.

They exchanged quick pleasantries and went on their way. Ji Hoo opened the back door for Jan Di and Ji Min and then climbed into the driver's seat.

"Are you okay?" Jan Di finally managed to ask. "With driving, I mean."

"Yeah, after that time it became gradually easier." He turned around and looked at her. "Don't worry."

"Okay." She gave him a small smile.

Ji Hoo turned around again and took out his keys. Jan Di couldn't help but notice the charm hanging from the keychain.

"Why do you have that?" she asked in great surprise.

"It's a gift from you, is it not?" was his only answer.

Jan Di took a deep breath and didn't say anymore. There were many things to be said.

They rode for twenty minutes and arrived at a very nice complex of apartments. There seemed to be only five floors so perhaps one was Woo Bin's.

Ji Min had stayed unusually silent; he had never seen a house so big.

"Are you ready?" Ji Hoo asked her.

"No, not actually. But let's go, I'd really like to see them, too."

They entered the building and pushed the button for the elevator. Inside, Ji Hoo grabbed Jan Di's hand and gave it a slight squeeze.

She didn't flinch but instead squeezed back and allowed the warmth from his hand to calm her nerves a little bit.

After a couple more seconds, they were on the fifth floor.

"Come on, they're all waiting." Ji Hoo released her hand and waited for the doors to open. Jan Di was impressed that they didn't actually need to knock on a door or step out of the elevator into a corridor or something; when its doors opened, they were directly in the apartment.

"Yoh, man. We've been waiting!" Song Woo Bin greeted his brother and turned around to see Jan Di.

"Um…Hi, Woo Bin sunbae," she said nervously.

"Geum Jan Di." Woo Bin looked sternly at her for a second. "Do you think it was okay what you did? To disappear from everyone's life? Especially-"

"Woo Bin! That's enough." Ji Hoo warned.

"Yeah man, I know, I was just preparing her for what Jun Pyo might say." He grinned and answered Ji Hoo. "Now you," he turned to Jan Di again, "Come here and give me some love."

"Oh my God, you haven't changed." Jan Di laughed, relieved. Woo Bin hugged her tightly, and she laughed at his brazen display of affection. "You're actually choking me a bit."

"Deal with it, it's been years." But he let her go. "So, shall we proceed?"

"Wait, where's Ji Min?"

"Who?"

"I'm here," a little voice from behind Ji Hoo answered.

"Whoa! Wait, is this your kid?"

"Yes, he is. Say hello." She beckoned Ji Min to her, and he left his secure place.

"Hello, my name is Geum Ji Min; I'm seven years old. Nice to meet you." He extended his little hand to Woo Bin.

"Holy shit!"

"That's a bad word." Ji Min laughed while Ji Hoo slapped Woo Bin in the head.

"Sorry, but…whoa! Oh man." Woo Bin covered his eyes and let out a harsh laugh. "This is gonna be good." He then crouched to Ji Min's level and patted his head. "Hey there, buddy. I'm your uncle Woo Bin; I'm gonna teach you lots of things." He winked at him.

"Yeah? Like what?" Ji Min asked, excited.

"Well, is there a girl you like at school?" Woo Bin teased, knowing fully well that Jan Di would probably kick him.

"You stay away from my son, you hear me?" She said between laughs. Of course she knew he was joking, but still, Woo Bin wasn't the Don Juan for nothing.

"Should we enter then? I bet Yi Jung is having a hard time keeping Jun Pyo in that room. Come, Ji Min." Woo Bin offered his hand, and Ji Min went to take it. "Let's go grab something to eat first."

"Omma, can I go with Uncle Woo Bin?"

"Yeah sure, go ahead," she said, knowing that Woo Bin would keep Ji Min distracted for a bit while she greeted the other two.

"Alright then, chocolate and ice cream it is!" Woo Bin yelled.

"Yeah! That's so cool!" Ji Min followed happily.

She watched as her son disappeared from her sight and released the breath she was holding.

"That went better than I expected," she told Ji Hoo.

"Yeah, well. That's Woo Bin for you. But don't relax just yet, the great Goo Jun Pyo awaits."

"Okay, yes, just give me a second." Ji Hoo watched as Jan Di closed her eyes and took deep breaths. After the fifth one, she said she was ready.

Ji Hoo guided her through the huge living room to where their friends were waiting.

They entered the lounge, and Yi Jung stood up immediately. Jun Pyo moved forward in his seat, and Ji Hoo stepped aside and let Jan Di be seen.

"Hey guys." She weakly waved.

"I'll be damned, it is you." Yi Jung went full-on smile on her and rushed to hug her. "Geum Jan Di, where the hell have you been all these years? We went half-mad looking for you!" He let her go and looked at her from head to toe. "You haven't changed from what I can see. Still working two jobs and helping the family?"

"You know it," she said with a smile of her own. She was so relieved that Woo Bin and Yi Jung had reacted so well to her after all those years. But of course, the main character was left.

"So, that's it?" Jun Pyo finally spoke. "Eight years, not a phone call, not one letter or e-mail, and you just saunter in here like we just saw each other yesterday?"

Jan Di cringed at his words, and she knew for certain that the rest of the guys felt the same way to some extent; they were just better at hiding it.

"Goo Jun Pyo…"

"Do you have any idea of the mess you left behind? We were all worried sick! And let's not even mention Ga Eul…Yi Jung told me she cried for weeks!" Jun Pyo finally stood and started pacing. Ji Hoo wanted to say something but thought better of it.

"Jun Pyo, let's just sit down and talk; we agreed we were not going to gang up on her." Yi Jung tried to reason.

"We are NOT ganging up on her! I just want answers; we all do! You can't deny it." He finally went to her and saw that the girl he had loved had turned into a woman, but she still had the same expression as back then when she was about to cry.

"Jun Pyo, that's enough." Ji Hoo interjected. "You're not getting anything out of this. You want answers? Then let her talk, don't just attack her as soon as she comes in."

Ji Hoo kept trying to reason with him, and Jun Pyo knew that he was right; he just hadn't been able to restrain himself with his questions and his anger.

"I'm sorry," Jan Di told him with a watery glance, and Jun Pyo finally broke down and hugged her fiercely, crushing her against himself.

"Don't ever do that again, Geum Jan Di," he whispered in her ear as she returned his hold. "If you had problems you should have come to us. We would have helped you."

Jan Di just repeated she was sorry and spilled her tears on Jun Pyo's high couture shirt.

"Hey, why don't we just sit down and talk as I've been asking to do since the beginning?" Yi Jung asked after Jan Di had calmed down a bit. "We have food; we have drinks; we have time, so let Jan Di tell us her story quietly, and then we can ask a few questions." He emphasized this word for his leader, no doubt.

Yi Jung mixed some alcohol in Jan Di's drink even after she refused, telling her it would help with the nerves. When she drank a bit, she could tell it was really just a tiny bit of alcohol, so she accepted the glass.

"Well then, Geum Jan Di, what reason did you have for leaving almost nine years ago?" Jun Pyo asked.

"Jun Pyo…" Yi Jung sighed.

"What? I'm only asking."

"Listen," she said, "It is very difficult to explain why I left, but what I can tell you is that it was a very difficult situation for my family and me. I couldn't possibly reach out to you guys because I'm not like that and you know it."

"But-"

"Let her speak," Ji Hoo interjected.

"How many so-called friends have you had in the past that sought you out only because you were rich? Only because they wanted to obtain something from you? I didn't want to do that."

"We know you weren't and aren't like that Jan Di," Yi Jung told her. "We really would've helped in any way we could if you had just told us."

"I'm really sorry; I just…I didn't…I couldn't tell you guys. I knew you'd try to fix it somehow, and that wasn't your responsibility."

"So okay, you don't have to tell us exactly why you and your family left," Jun Pyo told her. "But couldn't you have at least kept in communication with us? What reason did you have for disappearing for almost nine years? And it better be a good one."

"Well, I…"

"Omma!" a loud shriek came from down the corridor, and neither Yi Jung nor Jun Pyo could believe their eyes when a small boy came running to Jan Di with open arms and hugged her with a chocolate bar in his hand. "Uncle Woo Bin is the best! He has a huge kitchen, and it's filled with candy!"

"Is it now? Remember you shouldn't eat so much or you'll spoil your appetite for dinner, okay?"

"Okay!" He turned around in her arms and saw the men in the room. "I know Hyung-nim, but I don't know them. Are you Omma's friends too?"

"Wait, wait-" Jun Pyo's head couldn't catch up.

"Jan Di, are you telling us this is-" Yi Jung had a truly surprised expression.

"Yes, these are my friends from school. Greet properly please," she asked her son for the second time today.

"Hello, I'm Geum Ji Min; I'm seven years old. Nice to meet you!"

I just love Ji Min. He's not a perfect child by a long shot, but he's very loving of his Omma.

On the next chapter of Part of Me: Jan Di will get to talk with F4 and meet new people too. F4 will ask for something and, as usual, will win. A challenge is made and Jan Di thinks she can pull it off even though her opponent is a tough nut to crack. The question of who is Chul Moo is answered and Ji Min will be held up high. Before the day ends, someone asks Jan Di how she feels Jun Pyo will be as a father.