Hello there, ladies. How are you all doing?
I hope this pandemic is treating you well and that you and your loved ones are all safe and healthy.
It's been a while, huh? I know and I apologize for it, I have no more excuse but the fact that I'm working a lot and my little one gets all of my free time.
Now, there's something I've been wanting to address since a few days ago but decided to wait so that I could have a cold head to do it. On July 1st, I received a review that made me feel angry and disappointed. Probably most of you didn't know that I used to have a Pat/reon account, for whoever wanted to donate whatever they wanted for the things I write. The thing is, one person donated on a tier that allowed them a sneak peak of the upcoming chapter and I happily gave it, this wasn't the first time I did it. What I didn't expect, was that this person would disrespect me by sharing it in a public review in this story. In 3 small sentences, they simply summarized this whole chapter and that...I can't even begin to describe how awful that was for me as a writer.
Yes, I know I haven't written in almost 6 months. Yes, I know that there are still people out there who are waiting for an update (Thank you for that, btw, I really appreciate it). But that doesn't give anyone the right to share it. This wasn't the first time I shared sneak peaks through the Pat/reon platform, but no one, not even once, went along to share it with the rest of the world. Quite frankly, I felt as if this person simply spat on my hard work.
I'm no famous writer, English is not my first language and I know I make tons of mistakes, but I do this for fun and because I love BoF and the JanHoo couple. I do this out of LOVE. Having Pat/reons was a nice bonus if it happened, but I've been writing for more than 8 years without charging a single dime for it, even until today. Everything was voluntary donation and then this happened.
I decided to erase my Pat/reon account and stay with only Ko/-fi as it is a much simpler way to be supported in case anyone would feel like doing it.
This chapter was supposed to be longer and better, and I apologize if this is not what some of you were expecting, but this truly was a low blow to me and I felt really down about it. I already had more than half of this chapter when the review happened and I was this close to simply erasing this whole story and leave FF. A friend of mine convinced me not to do it, not to throw everything away for one ignorant person, so I thought it better and I will stay, but I hope this doesn't happen again (Ergo, no more Pat/reon account)
And that was my long rant and I'm sorry for it, I don't do this but really, it made me so angry that I didn't know what else to do.
I hope the next update doesn't take me this long and I hope you enjoy this chapter even if I know it's not my best.
Thank you all who are still reading, and thanks to any of you out there that helped me through Pat/reon and never shared any of the sneak peaks I gave.
Big hug for you guys.
"That was...interesting."
"If you had a better idea, then you should've done it." Woo Bin scowled at Yi Jung.
They had just staged the most ridiculous play in an attempt at getting Ji Min's toothbrush.
With the excuse of visiting him (though they did want to know how he was doing), Yi Jung created a 'distraction,' and Woo Bin went to the bathroom where he 'accidentally' let Ji Min's toothbrush drop to the floor.
Jan Di had told him it was okay, that they could just wash it, but Woo Bin was emphatic in telling her about all the millions of germs on the floor. He felt obligated to buy a new one for Ji Min, and he wasn't taking no for an answer. She accepted, but then she asked for the brush to put it in the trash. That's when things had gotten interesting because Woo Bin didn't have a good enough excuse not to give it to her.
After an improvised song and dance from 'The Lion King', they managed to slip away with the toothbrush secured inside a ziploc bag.
"This is all your fault, just so you know."
"When are you going to stop saying that?" Yi Jung sighed. He wasn't happy with how they were doing things, either, but he firmly believed this was necessary.
"Probably never. You are forcing everyone's hands here. Have you stopped and thought about what this will mean for Jun Pyo once the result comes in?"
"What do you mean?"
"Dude." Woo Bin stopped walking, and Yi Jung did the same. "Just think. This happened on the trip to New Caledonia, remember? The trip Jun Pyo planned entirely on his own to tell Jan Di about his feelings. So, while he was there pouring out his heart, Jan Di and Ji Hoo were bumping uglies…"
Yi Jung hadn't forgotten; he really hadn't, but he suddenly remembered how much of a mess this all was because of the importance of the event to their leader.
"Shit…"
"Yeah, that's not gonna cover it. My best advice to you? Start thinking about covering your jewels because it's not only Ji Hoo who is going to come after you, but also Jun Pyo and a very angry Jan Di. Good luck."
"Wait, where are you going?" Yi Jung asked once he realized Woo Bin was leaving him.
"To get this to the lab. I would very much like to deliver it myself; I won't allow for any mistakes. See ya, bro."
Ji Hoo was still thinking.
He hadn't been able to actually sleep that night; it had been impossible. He had gone through each and every interaction he'd had with Jan Di since they first got together, not only in New Caledonia, but from the first time they met each other.
He should've known right then; he should've realized that Jan Di would be someone special to him when he decided to interfere with Jun Pyo's plans (for once), when he found himself smiling at her reactions or ending up annoyed at her words. Why should he care? He used to not care at all, and the one who had noticed was Seo Hyun. How ironic was that?
It had been so brief, the time between them, but so intense as well. Barely a couple of months, but she had remained inside of his heart for years after that. He had never given up the search, not really. He still had men looking, if not as many as before, but still as incessantly. He couldn't blame his team for the lack of response, though. Jan Di had really been living in a place that was forgotten to modern civilization.
But, back to the problem at hand.
Geum Jan Di.
Geum Ji Min.
Ji Hoo was now 99% sure that little boy was his.
The dates matched; her behavior before he left for Paris fit. Of course they would be unlucky enough to get her pregnant on the first and only time he didn't use a condom. He hadn't lied when he talked to Yi Jung and Woo Bin; he had taken precautions after New Caledonia.
Although he was hoping for something to happen when they had their first date, nothing had happened. However, they began texting and studying together more often, flirting, and even leaving notes for the other on the staircase, which was their secret place. It seemed no one went to that part of the school besides cleaning personnel, and they always cleaned first thing in the mornings, so they knew they always had the place all to themselves after classes, sometimes in between. He stole kisses and hugs, laid his head on her lap when she needed to study, and offered help if she asked for it.
He vividly remembered the second time they'd been together. It had been much like the first time, not planned at all and a little rushed, but way more passionate.
Sunbae: I'm bored
Jan Di-ah: I'm not, I need to study for tomorrow
Sunbae: I don't
Jan Di-ah: Good to be u
Sunbae: I'm cold
Jan Di-ah: Are u?
Sunbae: Yes, can you come over?
Jan Di-ah: It's 1am, Ji Hoo
Sunbae: So?
Jan Di-ah: So you'll definitely distract me
Sunbae: But we won't be cold
Jan Di-ah: Get under the blanket
Sunbae: You're warmer
Jan Di-ah: ...
Sunbae: Are you blushing?
Jan Di-ah: No
Sunbae:You are
Jan Di-ah: Am not. Let me study
Sunbae: Take a picture to prove it
Jan Di-ah: U drunk?
Sunbae: No.
Sunbae: Possibly...
Sunbae: Maybe, I went out with the guys
Jan Di-ah: So you are drunk
Sunbae: Where's my picture?
Jan Di-ah: I'm not sending you a picture!
Sunbae: Why not?
Jan Di-ah: I look gross!
Sunbae: You could never look gross. Now send me a picture
Sunbae: Please...?
Jan Di-ah has sent a picture
Sunbae: You look beautiful
Jan Di-ah: SO drunk!
.
.
"Why are you grinning like a fool?" Yi Jung asked Ji Hoo as he put down his phone.
"Found a joke online; it was funny."
"You found an online joke funny. That's a miracle. Bet you were texting someone; your fingers were moving at light speed." Woo Bin elbowed his side.
"Ohhh, you got yourself a lady friend, Ji Hoo-ah?" Yi Jung teased him.
Ji Hoo's facial response was involuntary, but he did feel his lips moving up, and both of his friends were immediately on him.
"Who is it, man? Throw us a bone here; you never share!" Yi Jung boomed.
"Yeah, Seo Hyun will always be our noona, but what happened between you two is history; you need to move forward. Plenty of fish in the sea," Woo Bin followed. "And Jan Di is not that kind of girl."
"If I were to even dare to think about her like that, I'm sure I'd get a flying kick." Yi Jung shuddered, remembering the strength Jan Di possesed.
"It's nothing, really. I was texting, but I didn't say anything because I knew how you two would react." Best if Ji Hoo didn't let them know that it was actually Jan Di he had been talking to.
"You need to step up your game, Ji Hoo. You can't always be the perfect gentleman." Yi Jung served himself another drink.
"Yeah, a bit of spice is needed." The other F4 concurred.
"Have you tried sexting?"
"Sexting?" Ji Hoo hadn't heard about it, but the name was pretty self-explanatory. "You guys do that?"
"Not always, but as I said, a bit of spice from time to time is not a bad thing."
"Yeah, and it's not like you dive headfirst into it, start slow. 'What are you wearing right now?' Or compliment her lips; that always gets them."
Ji Hoo really didn't think of it as anything more than a joke. He honestly didn't expect the results that opening line would produce.
.
Sunbae: What are you wearing?
Jan Di-ah: What?!
Sunbae: Woo Bin and Yi Jung teased me about 'sexting' the other day, and I thought I'd give it a try, and I know that's a good opening line.
Sunbae: So, what are you wearing?
Jan Di-ah: Of course they would.
Jan Di-ah: Well, I'm up on the latest fashion now that I hang out with u and F4.
Jan Di-ah: I have this ratty and tatty sweatshirt with old jeans on
Ji Hoo laughed on his bed; he could picture what she was wearing.
Sunbae: A sweatshirt. That's hot.
Jan Di-ah: Of course, I always dress sexy.
Jan Di-ah: What are u wearing?
Sunbae: Why don't you guess?
Jan Di-ah: Well, that's not too hard. I bet it's something white.
Sunbae: No, not today. Unless you want to include underwear.
Jan Di-ah: Yoon Ji Hoo!
Sunbae: What? We all wear underwear. Right? Unless you're different.
Jan Di-ah: They're really a bad influence on u.
.
Yeah, Ji Hoo knew that to be true, so he was already texting an apology, but then another text from Jan Di came.
.
Jan Di-ah: So, boxers or briefs?
Sunbae: You really want to know?
Jan Di-ah: Maybe I'll give you some for your next birthday.
Jan Di-ah: With some designs on so you don't get bored with all the white.
Jan Di-ah: What design would you rather have?
Jan Di-ah: Hearts or smiley faces?
Sunbae: Neither.
Jan Di-ah: Hm, I wonder if they sell underwear with musical notes?
Sunbae: What about you?
Sunbae: What designs do you like on your underwear?
Jan Di-ah: I'm a simple girl.
Jan Di-ah: Whatever is on sale.
Sunbae: I liked the purple ones.
.
Jan Di didn't answer for a minute, and Ji Hoo mentally kicked himself. Had he really said that to her?
Thankfully, she did reply.
.
Jan Di-ah: You remember that?
Sunbae: I remember everything about that night.
Sunbae: Your bra was white and the underwear was purple with a small flower stitched on the side.
Jan Di-ah: Yeah, well...sorry.
Jan Di-ah: I didn't have time to prepare any fancy lingerie.
Sunbae: I prefer your simple ones.
Jan Di-ah: Don't lie, men always like fancy lingerie.
Sunbae: It wouldn't have mattered to me whatever you were wearing.
Jan Di-ah: Really…?
Sunbae: Really.
.
He stared at his screen for a while. Neither of them were texting another answer. They had gone from stupid banter to dangerous territory as they discussed a minor detail of what that night had entailed.
But as much as Ji Hoo would love for a second chance in that area, he knew he wasn't going to openly just ask for her to-
.
Jan Di-ah: Wish I could come over.
.
His fingers had never typed as fast as right then.
.
Sunbae: You could.
Sunbae: Your parents wouldn't mind.
Sunbae: Right?
Jan Di-ah: They normally wouldn't.
Jan Di-ah: But it's very late.
Sunbae: Tell them you need to study for the English exam.
Sunbae: We have a lot to cover, so we'll pull an all-nighter.
.
Am I really telling her this? I'm gonna kill Yi Jung and Woo Bin for putting ideas in my head.
.
Sunbae: Just, if you want…
.
Each second that passed waiting for her answer felt like an hour.
.
Jan Di-ah: Okay.
Sunbae: The car will be there in 10.
Sunbae: Just use the card I gave you to come in.
.
He didn't stop to think because, if he did, Ji Hoo was sure he would stop the whole thing. Quickly calling a driver for Jan Di's house, he took a shower and put some water on to boil. He could at least try to be hospitable and not seem like some kind of...beast or something.
But really, checking their messages again, what was Jan Di expecting by coming here? What was he expecting? Not that he would ever force her into anything, but…
But…
The sound of the door pulled him out of his thoughts, and he went to welcome Jan Di.
She still had on the old sweatshirt and jeans she had mentioned earlier, and he had been right‒she looked amazing. Jan Di also had a small bag with her, most likely her school supplies and uniform, which let him know she was planning on staying the night.
They looked at each other, and the silence between them sang with electricity.
"Um...would you like some tea?"
"Tea, right! Sure, I'd love some."
He smiled and let her go to the kitchen first, where the water had just boiled. She went to take out two cups, and he took out the tea leaves. When Jan Di came back, her arm grazed his and their eyes met. It was as if someone had turned a switch; the air surrounding them seemed to be crackling. Their breaths suddenly came out faster, and without knowing who had moved first, their lips met in a bruising kiss.
Ji Hoo pulled her roughly to him, and Jan Di grabbed his face with the same force. It was desperate, and he wasn't sure why, but he didn't quite care. After she gasped and opened her mouth to mingle their tongues, he hoisted her up onto the countertop, leaving Jan Di at the same height as him.
The way her legs parted to accommodate him just made him groan loudly and kiss her harder. His hands went down and sneaked under her sweatshirt where he found a second different, thinner layer of cloth. He splayed his hands across her back, and she broke the kiss, bearing her throat. Ji Hoo didn't think twice about kissing the expanse of flesh there while Jan Di's hands alternated between running through his hair and fisting the back of his dress shirt.
"Up," he managed to whisper, and Jan Di quickly raised her arms for him to take off her sweatshirt. She had some kind of camisole beneath it and nothing else.
Slowing down a bit, Ji Hoo started to kiss his way down to her breasts. Jan Di held herself up with one arm behind her, the other still firmly grasping his hair. Ji Hoo kissed, licked, and bit, lowering one strap of the camisole and tasting her skin directly. She let out small noises that sounded loud in his big, empty kitchen.
And why were they still here?
Going up again, he kissed her and tried to take her to his room, but he was distracted as she literally robbed him of air and thought and speech, sinuously moving her hips against his own, making both of them groan at the feeling of his hardness against her core, still separated by their clothes.
After a number of minutes of caresses and kisses, he managed to finally grab her behind and carry her to his bed.
The tea, the cups, and the boiled water were forgotten.
It was as if they shared one mind, for after he softly set her on his comforter, Jan Di went to take off her jeans while he quickly divested of his shirt and pants. He helped her take off her camisole, and then they stopped.
They were breathing hard, looking at each other's bodies without a trace of shame or fear, only want and desire. Jan Di's hands went to touch his chest, and he kneeled over her, prompting her to do what she wanted.
Jan Di explored, kissed, and tasted. He could feel her fingers trembling a bit, but her countenance was bold and sure. She took care of him lovingly but also fearlessly, tracing patterns in his skin and exhaling small puffs of hot breath that were slowly but surely driving him crazy.
When he could take it no more, he pushed her back on the bed and went to open his bedside drawer. Inwardly thanking the old lady from the pharmacy, he took out a condom, only to return his eyes to his bed and be stricken speechless by the sight.
Jan Di, almost naked, with an open, beautiful expression on her face, her arms raised above her head, sensually and wordlessly inviting him to her.
They quickly discarded the last of their clothes and, soon, they found themselves connected. Ji Hoo entered Jan Di, and after a few seconds, quickly started moving.
This was different from New Caledonia; this was rougher and more passionate, both of them enjoying the other openly and truly for the first time.
Listening to her moans and sighs and the kisses placed on the shell of his ear drove Ji Hoo mad. He couldn't remember, for the life of him, what exactly he murmured against her skin, but whatever it was, she seemed to enjoy it. Unable to hold himself back, Ji Hoo sucked a mark on her clavicle. He knew he shouldn't have, but at least it was in a place that no one would see.
Mine. He thought when he saw the flesh turning red.
Their rocking bodies were starting to lose their rhythm, and Ji Hoo felt himself losing his head along with it. Everything around him was reduced to Jan Di.
The way she looked as he moved inside of her.
The way she smelled as his scent mingled with hers.
The way her sweat tasted on his tongue.
The way his skin felt when she raked her nails through it.
The way she sounded as he reached his climax above her.
Of course, being the gentleman that he was, Ji Hoo immediately helped her find her own release with his long, adept fingers. Not long after, Jan Di's back arched off the bed, and she trapped him with her legs as she rode her orgasm hard.
Several moments later, they came back from it and smiled at each other.
"I told you." Ji Hoo bumped his nose against hers. "You're warmer."
Jan Di could only laugh.
"Ji Hoo?" He quickly snapped out of the memory to find Sun Mi beside him. "Hey, are you alright? It's the third time I've called your name."
"Yeah, I'm okay. Sorry, I'm just distracted about some work stuff."
"That's okay." She sat beside him and smiled. "So, the guys were saying that they were planning on spending lunch and a calm afternoon in the hotel because Ji Min is supposed to rest for a couple of days."
"Really?" He went to check his phone and realized it was dead. "Oh, I didn't charge it."
"Maybe that's why no messages reached you," Sun Mi said, smiling. "Have you even had breakfast?"
"No, but-"
"I'll make you some tea, then. Why don't you take a shower while I do that?" He didn't have any fight in him to say he felt like his insides might simply return whatever he was to eat or drink at that moment, so he nodded and got ready for a shower.
Ji Hoo didn't know if he was going to be able to behave normally around Jan Di, but he would try his damn best.
The DNA result wasn't back yet, so he was clinging to that small sliver of hope that meant Jan Di hadn't simply kept the existence of his own son from him.
"Yah! We thought you weren't coming anymore!" It's not like Ji Hoo and Sun Mi were late, but they had all been there for an hour already.
"Yeah, sorry. Didn't get much sleep last night." Ji Hoo directed a veiled but pointed glare towards Yi Jung and Woo Bin who distracted themselves with the decor around the room.
"Uncle Ji Hoo!" Ji Min exclaimed from bed when he saw the man in his bedroom.
The guys had decided Ji Min should rest as much as possible, so they had decided to eat in bed, something that, not quite surprising for Jan Di, they'd never done.
"Hey, little man. How are you feeling?" Ji Hoo stroked Ji Min's hair and saw Jan Di's eyes looking back at him. He could somehow see his own smile reflected on the little boy's face.
Realizing his thoughts, he quickly looked away and took a breath while Sun Mi greeted Ji Min. This wasn't going to be an easy afternoon, and he owed it all to one of his best friends that he wouldn't have any peace of mind until a laboratory finished its tests.
I swear I'll punch you later, Yi Jung.
Ji Hoo sat down on a bean bag, and Sun Mi did the same. Jan Di quickly gave them some food, although Ji Hoo noticed his plate had way less than Sun Mi's. At his questioning look, Jan Di smiled.
"You didn't sleep at all, did you? Whatever it is you're doing, you should always try to get at least four hours of rest, perhaps five, now that you're no longer nineteen. This shouldn't upset your stomach; if you want more, just let me know."
Ji Hoo chuckled and started to eat. How she could tell he hadn't slept, he didn't know. But perhaps, it was the same as how he knew when she was in trouble.
The guys had discovered a new cartoon on Netflix, and Ji Min had simply become obsessed with it. Miniforce X was the name, and Ji Hoo knew that Ji Min would leave the city loaded with merchandise of the little aliens, courtesy of F4.
Wait-
"Jan Di, when are you leaving?"
Jan Di sighed a bit and looked at the sad face of her son. Ji Min really didn't want to go, and it had less to do with the fancy accommodations and more with the new friends he had made.
"We were actually thinking about leaving tomorrow. We would've done it today, but with Ji Min getting the high fever..."
"Shouldn't he rest more before leaving, then?"
"I can't take more days off than what I've already requested."
"But-"
"I need the job, Ji Hoo. I know all of you guys want us to stay longer, but I really need to work."
Everyone present nodded, and Ji Hoo knew she was right. Jan Di had already told him she had one of the best jobs one could find on the island and he wouldn't want to be the cause of her losing it, but he also hadn't thought about how fast they would be leaving.
"Uncle Ji Hoo, look!" Ji Min raised a plush puppy toy, and Ji Hoo was suddenly, again, transported to another memory. "We can't have a real dog, but mom told me that maybe when I'm older we can get one."
"That's wise of her; a puppy is a lot of work. What's his name?" Ji Hoo asked, taking the old toy in his hands.
"He's Max!"
"Actually, he was Thunder before we started watching Miniforce X," Woo Bin piped in with a smile.
Ji Hoo remembered throwing ball after ball to get a tower of bottles to topple over and fall, managing it on his second try and getting a prize.
"Didn't think you'd still have it," he said to Jan Di.
She shrugged, but he could tell she was a bit embarrassed. "It was one of the few possessions I had and, when he was two, he claimed it for himself. Not a day passes that 'Max' doesn't sleep with him."
"You gave it to her?" Yi Jung asked, way more interested than he should be.
"Yeah. It was at the Shinhwa festival."
He remembered the story Jan Di had told him about asking her parents for a puppy and the hunger strike event.
'I can't give you a real puppy now, but maybe this one will do for now.'
It was the cheesiest line ever, but she seemed to like it, and years later, he would be lying if he said he wasn't glad that she'd kept a gift from him. He had actually seen the puppy the night he had gone to get clothes for Jan Di and Ji Min, but due to recent events, he had forgotten about it.
"What's the Shinwha festival?" Jae Kyung asked, and the guys started to talk about it, of course, relaying some of their most infamous adventures at it.
After watching Moana, Jan Di noticed Ji Min was starting to doze off, and everyone quickly started gravitating towards the living room section of the hotel suite.
"Hey, why don't you take a nap, too? You're barely keeping your eyes open as it is," Jan Di suggested to Ji Hoo.
"I'm okay."
"No, you're not." She looked at him, and Ji Hoo held her gaze.
The questions were right there on the tip of his tongue, and he could ask them; hell, he would have a right if his suspicions were correct.
But what if they weren't?
His gut was telling him something, but the rational part of his mind was saying something else.
"Jan Di-"
"Hey, guys, what's up? Are you coming or not?" Jun Pyo interrupted them, and Ji Hoo was both relieved and annoyed about it.
"I'm coming. Ji Hoo is going to take a quick nap."
"Why am I not surprised? Just go lay down with Ji Min; both of you seem to have been cats in your past lives."
Ji Hoo felt that statement hit him way more heavily than it should, but he relented to the nap because he was feeling truly exhausted.
"Where's Ji Hoo?" Yi Jung asked when only Jun Pyo and Jan Di appeared.
"He's exhausted, so I told him to take a nap." Jan Di sat next to Jae Kyung and took a swig at her soda can.
"He is? He didn't say…" Sun Mi looked worried.
"A nap will power up our cat boy," Woo Bin assured her, and Sun Mi smiled a bit.
"So, tomorrow, you're really leaving?" Jun Pyo asked Jan Di.
"Yes. As I mentioned before, we would've left today, but with Ji Min being sick, I thought it best to wait at least a day, but tomorrow I have to go back."
"I'm going to miss you, Jan Di-ah." Jae Kyung hugged her, and Jan Di let herself be engulfed in the woman's arms. She had really liked Jun Pyo's girlfriend, and the teenager in her was glad that Jun Pyo had found someone as special as her.
"I'll miss all of you too, but we will probably be in touch now that I have a new phone, courtesy of Woo Bin."
"You're going to be swarmed with texts. And we can always plan for you to come for another visit, right? Or longer."
"We'll see." Jan Di knew about the guys wanting her to come back for good, but she still had to think it over, because it wasn't as simple as packing her bags and leaving her previous life on the island.
"What about some Scrabble? We're six, so we can form 3 couples," Jae Kyung suggested.
"Sure!"
Jan Di felt a knot forming in her throat.
When she had gone back to the bedroom to check on Ji Min, she had found Ji Hoo and her son sleeping, side by side, in the same position.
"They really were cats in their past lives or something, I swear." Jun Pyo had gone with her to wake them up.
This was one of the reasons why she didn't want to stay right now. Ji Min was starting to show several mannerisms that were definitely inherited, even his love for sleep and the position in which he did it. And she couldn't stop it; she wouldn't be able to say, 'Hey, Ji Min, could you please stop behaving like your father for a bit?' because that was impossible. She had seen Ji Min grow into a very precocious and happy child, even with all the hardships her family went through, and she had tried her best to allow him to thrive as much as her meager means allowed her to.
Jan Di knew money would make everything easier, but that also implied telling the truth after so many years, and she wasn't ready to face the consequences of her actions yet.
Call her a coward, that was nothing new.
Jun Pyo managed to wake Ji Hoo up without disturbing Ji Min's sleep. Ji Hoo blinked lazily and stretched, looking around and landing his eyes on Jan Di.
"You guys will be having breakfast with us, right? And then we'll go to the hangar?" His voice sounded a bit rough; it always did as soon as he woke up.
"Yeah, we already discussed all the details." Jan Di and Ji Min would be returning home on Jun Pyo's private jet as it was faster and easier to transport everything they had been given during this past week.
"We'll leave for now then. Ji Min looks like he could still use the rest."
"Yeah, I'll make sure to give him his medicine."
"You do have enough, right?"
Jan Di resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Yes, I do. Thanks to you guys."
"Okay." Ji Hoo went and hugged her for a bit longer than usual, but this didn't bother her at all. Jun Pyo hugged her as well, and then, all of the F4, plus girlfriends, said goodbye.
The next morning went by quicker than Jan Di expected.
Her things were quickly put together and she was leaving with no dirty laundry at all, courtesy of the hotel. She was, however, leaving with way more than the sole backpack she had brought to the city: The luxury case set filled to the brim with clothes, accessories and gifts, plus the vase with the sunflowers were the things she was taking back to the island.
She wasn't sure how she was going to explain it to the neighbors, but she thought it best to tell part of the truth. After all, Jan Di knew how it was best to keep a bit of a truth in every lie she told…
After a hearty breakfast with everyone on the hotel top floor, they were driven to Jun Pyo's private hangar where the good-byes were taking a bit longer than expected, though Jan Di could completely understand why her son was taking it way harder than she first thought.
It wasn't just the fact that the guys were rich and had drowned him in gifts; F4 truly and genuinely had gained the little boy's trust, and they were all young men, something that wasn't that usual back on the island. The men back there were either teenagers or grown men. The only one that was in the same age range as F4 was Chul Moo, and Ji Min only got to see him from time to time due to work.
Ga Eul, unfortunately, couldn't ask for time off, but they had had their own teary goodbye the night before back at the hotel.
"Come now, Ji Min-ah, we'll see each other soon, we promise." Jan Di heard Woo Bin trying to soothe her son as Ji Min clung to Ji Hoo like a koala. All F4 surrounded the little boy as he was gently put down, his eyes red, wet, and puffy.
"You promise, really promise?"
"Of course we do. We'll be calling you on your mom's phone, too," Yi Jung assured him.
"And we'll check with her to see when she can visit again, alright?" Ji Hoo crouched down and ruffled his hair.
"O-Okay…" Her little one sniffled.
Jan Di went for one more round of hugs and good-byes before finally leaving, but when she let go of Ji Hoo, she felt him stopping her.
"Ji Hoo-ah?"
"Jan Di...is there anything you want to tell me?"
"Why would you think that?"
"Call it a hunch."
Jan Di felt her stomach drop. She didn't think she had looked at him any differently from usual, but she could be wrong. After all, lots of emotions had gone through her since she encountered him a few days ago. Had it really been only a week?
And who was she kidding? Ji Hoo always seemed to know when she had something on her mind, but this wasn't something she could simply come out and tell him.
"No, I guess I'm just a tad sadder than I thought about going back, that's all."
"You can call at any time and come back whenever you want. You know that, right?"
"I do."
They said no more, and he let go of her hand.
Jan Di then climbed the stairs to the Shinhwa luxury jet and waved her hand along with Ji Min through the window, not really knowing when she would see them again.
"Woo Bin-ah."
"Yeah?"
"When will the results come in?"
"In two to three days. It's not a money issue; it's a process issue. This really is the fastest they can have the result."
"Let me know as soon as you can."
"I will."
"Omma, really, I'm sorry none of my clothes fit you, but it's not like I bought this; it was gifted to me, and I wasn't about to say 'Oh, why don't you throw in some clothes for my mom while you're at it?'"
"Oh well, no matter. At least I'm glad you had fun." Jan Di's mother was helping her fold the clothes, though there was no need. They would have to keep them inside the bags as there was no space in her room. The cases barely fit.
"Ji Min looks so handsome with his new haircut; he'll be breaking hearts soon enough."
"Thank you, mom, just what I want to hear…" Jan Di knew Ji Min was very good looking, and she wasn't just saying it because he was her flesh and blood. She guessed she had to thank Ji Hoo's genes for it.
"But you look not so bad yourself! Even more so with these clothes! You look so different, Jan Di-ah! I want to see you wearing all of these in the next few days."
"Sure, Mom, I'll wear high brand clothing for helping you out with the fish in the morning and then my Louboutin shoes to work in the back of the store when I run the inventory."
"Aish, you're no fun."
Sun Mi went down the stairs. She had already checked in Ji Hoo's office, the boardroom, and all the other places he might have been as he wasn't answering his phone. They didn't have plans, but they would usually look for the other if their days ended early, just so they could go out to dinner or simply spend some time together.
For some reason, she thought about the music hall and went there next.
When Sun Mi opened the door, piano music and Ji Hoo's singing voice poured out. She hadn't heard him in a while, and this song seemed to be new as well. She tried to be quiet so as to not interrupt him and sat as close as she could to listen better to the words.
You smile back in our pictures,
unknowing of our approaching farewell.
The notes were warm, but there was an underlying desperation to it as well as sadness. Ji Hoo seemed to be completely enraptured in what he was doing. Sun Mi recognized this tune as the one he had been humming for a few weeks now. Perhaps he finally finished? It certainly seemed like it.
Your eyes, nose, lips
Your touch that used to touch me,
to the ends of your fingertips.
I can still feel you
Such emotion, and his fingers skilfully moved over the keys as if flying. No music sheet in front of him, just a laptop next to the piano so he could record what he was working on. He was singing the words as if hurt by a lost lover.
Your black eyes that only saw me
Your nose that held the sweetest breath
Your lips that whispered 'I love you, I love you…'
She didn't know if she should be there; he was lost to the music as usual, but somehow, it felt different to her. Sun Mi slowly rose up as the crescendo of the music played out, for she was sure it would come to an end soon, and she didn't want to interrupt Ji Hoo. Still, her heart clenched at the strong emotions she could feel in the words he had just sung.
"Chul Moo, really…"
"I'm sorry, Jan Di-ah, it's just that you really, really look different."
It wasn't the first time Jan Di was hearing these words; everyone around her had at least one comment about how she looked now. About her hair, her shoes, her jeans. Not that she was actually wearing Louboutins or Prada dresses, mind you, but she was wearing new sneakers and jeans, and her hair was styled differently.
"Is it a good-different or a bad-different?"
"Definitely a good-different, but I bet this month's salary that this change has to do with your F4 friends, right?"
"Don't say it so loudly, okay?" Even if on the island people weren't as knowledgeable about the latest happenings of the city, everyone still knew who Shinhwa and the F4 was, and she didn't need that kind of attention.
"Ashamed of your city friends?"
"Never, but you know that I'd be the center of gossip if that kind of information were to be leaked."
"I'll keep my mouth shut, don't worry about it. Though it was a huge surprise to know you used to hang out with the F4."
"Yeah, I know. It was all by chance, but we ended up being very good friends, and I...I was also very surprised when I saw them again. I didn't think they would just welcome me again."
"Why?"
Jan Di sighed because she knew she couldn't reveal too much about it, but, as always: A bit of a truth.
"I left the city without telling them. You know my dad had a lot of issues, and I didn't want them just using their money to help me out. It wouldn't have felt right."
"But why not keep in contact? They seem to really care about you, especially that sunbae of yours."
Jan Di rolled her eyes because of the way Chul Moo said it, but she could see why he did so. Ji Hoo and she had always been the weird pair back then, and it seemed they still shared that...something.
"Ji Hoo and I just...understand each other, but that doesn't mean I was about to say, 'Hey, can you lend me this huge amount of money? My dad likes to gamble, you see, so I need to pay off his debt.'"
"No, I can understand. How is it going with that, by the way?"
"Not yet paid in full but getting there, and there's not a place here that would accept his money at a betting table. He knows my mother or I would find out and that we'd offer him to Poseidon as a sacrifice."
"Whoever said women were the weaker sex doesn't know you two or my gran."
They both laughed and went back to work.
"Is everything okay? You seem kind of distracted," Sun Mi said to Ji Hoo while they were eating in one of their favourite restaurants.
"Yes, forgive me. Just some issues at work that I need to pay attention to. I shouldn't carry work out of the office, sorry."
"It's okay, it's happened to me a few times," she said, smiling. "Anything I can help you with?"
"Unfortunately, no. I'm just...waiting on a particular result. After that, I'll know how to move forward with a certain project."
"Well, let me know when you have the answer."
"...I definitely will."
So, now it was all down to whatever a piece of paper said. A piece of paper that was still inside the white envelope Woo Bin had brought to his house at least 10 minutes ago, which Ji Hoo still didn't have the guts to open and get it over with.
It was just reading a test result; even someone who only knew how to read could do it. But Ji Hoo had further knowledge; he had dove headfirst into genetics for the last couple of days, and he knew what to look for in a DNA paternity test result. He just had to open the envelope, take out a piece of paper, and read.
"Okay, okay…I can do this. It's going to say 0% chance; there's just no way she hid a son from me for so many years. No way at all."
Ji Hoo had repeated that same line to himself at least 100 times over the past two days, but still, he hesitated one more time before finally opening the damn envelope. He unfolded the test sheet, and his eyes immediately went to the 'Probability of Paternity' result.
It read 99.99999998%
The alleged father is not excluded as the biological father of the tested child. Based on testing results obtained from analyses of the DNA loci listed, the probability of paternity is 99.99999998%.
Ji Hoo's eyes now went to the top of the page.
Child: Geum Ji Min
Alleged father: Yoon Ji Hoo
Jan Di woke up and went about her day as usual. She put on some water so that Ji Min could take a hot shower and helped her mom with breakfast. Her dad had already been out and about way earlier than them. Her brother woke up to eat and also get ready to help out at the fish market.
Jan Di walked with Ji Min to his school, which was more of a daycare than a school, but he was learning the basics, so for now, Jan Di was content.
She walked back through the village to almost the border of the high main road, greeting neighbors and friends alike as usual.
"Good morning, Jae Hee!" she greeted the other girl as she pulled her hair into a bun.
"Unnie! Busy day."
"Ugh, yeah, but it's a necessary evil." It was inventory day, and even if they were a small diner, things still needed to be sorted, counted, and tagged. Jan Di had been in charge of it since the first time she had shown the owner she knew what to do. She guessed all those years working paid off, plus the strict financial classes at Shinhwa, which Jan Di never thought she would actually use.
A couple of hours had gone by, and Jan Di was happy to see nothing was missing and everything was still in order. Not that she didn't trust Jae Hee, but the security at the diner wasn't the best, and they had been robbed before.
"Is Chul Moo coming today?" Jae Hee asked.
"Yeah, he said he'll be here at‒actually, in about 10 minutes," Jan Di corrected herself after checking the clock.
She then saw Jae Hee take out a small mirror from her bag and check her hair. Jan Di knew Jae Hee carried a torch for Chul Moo; the only issue was their age difference. Jae Hee was barely eighteen, so he had confided in Jan Di that he would feel weird looking at Jae Hee like that. Jan Di hadn't had the heart to tell Jae Hee the truth because, who knew? Maybe one more year and Chul Moo would change his mind.
"I'm going to move this to the kitchen, and then we just have to wait for the new supplies," Jan Di told her.
"Got it. Let us hope we have clients today."
"We will, you'll see."
Jan Di moved the box inside the kitchen. She was crouching to check the gas valves when she heard the little bell that indicated the arrival of a new customer.
"Daebak, Chul Moo-ah!" She got herself up and went outside to greet her friend. "If that's not being punctual, I don't know what is! Did you bring-?" Her words died on her lips when she faced, not Chul Moo, but Ji Hoo.
A very angry-looking Ji Hoo.
Actually, a livid Ji Hoo.
"W-What are you-?" She began to ask, but he quickly cut her off with a voice so cold it made her shiver.
"Are you sure you don't have anything you need to tell me?"
Her stomach sank to her feet; her heart lurched painfully against her chest, trying to escape, and her throat closed, all words suddenly failing her.
He knows.
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