An elderly gentleman sat in his serene garden sipping tea in the quiet of the morning, whatever had been weighing on his mind temporarily vanishing in the morning breeze.
One could almost get lost in the So mansion's lavish grounds which spread out extensively sloping away from the tall white building in well-manicured lawns and gardens. However, this little alcove hidden away from sight had been allowed to grow slightly wild and unkept, the natural foliage and wildflowers unhindered by a gardener's hand. It had been the preferred sanctuary of its master, while she lived, and was now allowed to remain just as it had been in those days of the past. So Yoon-hee thought fondly of memories colored with the joyful presence of the lady he had lost as he relaxed in the stillness barely broken by the swish of leaves in the wind. A quick step on the path broke the tranquility, and soon, a young man came into view from around the corner of the winding path. He greeted the old gentleman with a respectful bow and sat rigidly on the weathered garden seat opposite him.
"You sent for me?"
Setting the antique Japanese-style teacup aside in thought, Yoon-hee contemplated the young man. His grandson's visits had become somewhat of a rarity of late. Gone were the days when he and his brother used to play in these gardens as young children, chasing each other through the mazes of shrubs and trees, climbing on their grandfather's knee to tug at his beard, or getting fingers in the wet pottery clay he'd often been working on. Perhaps it was regret that flickered across his face momentarily, but these emotions were quickly put aside, a stony expression taking their place.
The gentleman sighed,
"You're quite close with the Song heir," he paused at the nod he received for reply.
Yi Jeong braced himself. It had been a long time since his grandfather had tried to interfere with his friends and he hoped this visit wouldn't be another attempt. His traditional grandfather had never fully accepted the members of the F4 as suitable companions for his grandson, disliking the negative attention their behavior had often warranted and also feeling a sense of superiority to those who were not part of the "old families," whatever that meant.
While it was true the Song family could not boast of the same long lineage the So family could, Yoon-hee's real dislike for the mafia family lay in their lack of "sophistication," which he believed could be seen in their association with the "riffraff" that many factions of their organization relied on for intel. This, paired with jealously of their power and significant influence had quickly taken over any slight admiration he had felt for their shrewd business sense and the talents which had allowed them to progress so quickly to the prestigious position they now held.
Realizing he could not control Yi Jeong's defiant, independent nature and not wishing to alienate the family completely from such powerful connections, Yoon-hee had contented himself with expressing his displease by often pressing Yi Jeong to distance himself from "less than ideal members of the aristocracy." In turn, Yi Jeong had learned he could do as he pleased regarding his friends so long as he was careful news of his escapades didn't reach his grandfather's ear.
Yoon-hee's voice brought Yi Jeong back to the present
"No one can get anywhere with Ri Hyn, so I would like for you to have a word with his son. The Song's influence in South Korea's underground 'security' sector is well known," pinching the bridge of his nose between his eyebrows Yoon-hee proceeded "I resent such dealings, as you well know, but it is a favor for an old friend."
Flinching slightly at his grandfather's attitude towards his close friend, Yi Jeong tapped down his anger and ventured his guess as to why his grandfather would suddenly be seeking his help, something he knew cost the man some pride.
"President Cho?"
The older gentleman stroked his grayed beard, not speaking for quite a while. "yes," came the low reply at last, "this business with the construction site has been quite a nuisance."
Yi Jeong knew the case and was disgusted that his grandfather could talk about it so dismissively given the fact this "nuisance" involved the murder of a young child and her father. The police had been taking their time with the investigation, and no suspect had yet been named. It seemed likely they were sitting on the case due to the massive publicity it had attracted. No one wanted to be made a scapegoat, especially with public outrage at its height, which threatened the careful balance of power within the law enforcement administration.
His grandfather continued on in a weary voice, "President Cho naturally wishes for things to be resolved as quickly as possible and get peace for the families involved."
"And likely avoid any unnecessary scrutiny of his business operatives," Yi Jeong couldn't help but add darkly.
The old gentleman merely glanced towards the fountain bubbling softly a couple yards away, "Few can keep their hands clean in this day and age. Talk with your friend. Perhaps his father can hurry things along." Although Yoon-hee had looked down on the mafia family Ri Hyn headed, he couldn't deny the value their assistance would be in a situation like this.
Yi Jeong remained quiet, resenting his grandfather's sudden acceptance of Woo Bin knowing it was only because he had a need for the family's powerful connections.
"You may dislike the man Yi Jeong, but I owe him a great deal. President Cho introduced me to my mentor, which allowed me to meet your grandmother."
Yi Jeong thought of the sainted woman who had been his only recollection of warmth during his young years after his parents' divorce and abandonment by his mother. For this, he'd help this once, even as he felt just how low his grandfather had stooped to use his grandmother's memory as leverage.
"I'll see what I can do."
"That's all I ask."
Rising, Yi Jeong would have left immediately if not for his grandfather's voice freezing him in place.
"Oh, and Yi Jeong, the museum will be cleared of unnecessary showings in the coming months. A few pieces from the So private collection will be included; you may want to take a look when you get a chance."
He'd said the words flippantly but Yi Jeong knew these "few pieces" were likely done by his mother. A pottery artist herself, she had contributed greatly to the museum when she first married into the family and her works had now dwindled to very few with the passing years as the So family seemed bent on erasing her memory.
Yi Jeong realized this was his grandfather's indirect way of allowing him to take the pieces rather than them being destroyed or locked in storage where they'd be forgotten to collect dust.
A bitter memory flashed through his mind.
Yi Jeong trudged towards the museum's back entrance, deep snow encasing his boots and snowflakes scratching their icy fingers on his cheeks. He'd nearly beaten Il Hyun to the door when something crunched underfoot. Brushing away the snow, he picked up one of the pottery shards that lay broken all over the ground. He recognized the piece; it was his mother's. Falling to his knees, the young boy cradled the broken shards in his hands, hot tears threatening to fall. A comforting hand touched his shoulder and Yi Jeong looked up to see his older brother, eyes ablaze with fire where kindness had usually shown and tears streaming unashamedly at the cruel way his mother's beautiful works had been destroyed. At that moment, whatever small hope Yi Jeong had held that his mother would return and life could go back to the happy days he had once known, was shattered. In its place, a burning bitterness found its home.
"Thank you, sir," he answered the man who was still waiting for a reply, a steel edge to his voice that was always there at the mention of his mother. Leaving the garden in haste, Yi Jeong's thoughts turned dark as he viewed this once happy place, now only a reminder of what had been and what had been destroyed by the greed of his father and ill parenting of his grandfather.
Watching the retreating form, Yoon-hee sipped his tea before flinging its cold contents on the ground, discontentment lining his face.
Working his frustration into the clay, Yi Jeong made his third attempt at a vase, building it gradually up and up before crushing it with his hands. He was still fuming from his conversation with his grandfather and had just decided against his plan to talk with Woo Bin when his phone buzzed. Punctual as always, his friend was already waiting outside. Clearing his station in a hurry and discarding the last remnants of the failed vase, he rushed out the door and headed towards the front exit where Woo Bin would be waiting in his car.
In his haste, Yi Jeong disregarded the college tour his presence had just interrupted when a loud voice squeaked out,
"It's Yi Jeong!"
A cluster of students quickly intercepted his path with some pushing and tugging at him for a picture, others holding out pen and paper for his autograph, and, still, others, standing in awe, gaping at the gorgeous man whose presence had halted the dull tour.
Managing to barely slip away from the melee, what was a tour doing on a private floor anyway? Yi Jeong headed for the stairs, which were likely to be less crowded than the elevators, a few stragglers rushing after him. The main crowd, realizing the object of their attention had vanished, let out disgruntled complaints as their tour guide, an excitable young lady named He Soo, attempted to re-establish some form of order. This proved to be of little use, however, and He Soo soon gave up trying, looking at her own photo she had managed to get of the beautiful So heir and sighing in contentment. At least this interruption, however short, was a welcomed break to their otherwise mundane lives.
A glance behind confirmed those following had started to disperse, man didn't these students ever take a break? Yi Jeong quickly sidestepped through the door to the stairwell out of sight, pausing momentarily till the last sounds of running faded down the hall he had just come from. It was going to be a long semester if he had to constantly avoid the students of this college and now the tours of high school students. He would have laughed at the absurdity of the situation and the image of the Great Yi Jeong hiding away in a stairwell if he hadn't knocked into something, or rather someone, judging by the low squeak of surprise.
Occupied by his thoughts and in his haste to climb the stairs, Yi Jeong had failed to notice the figure just rounding the curve at the top of the flight until it was too late. A crash of papers was all the warning he had as his shoulder collided with the other person. Likely another girl seeking an autograph, Yi Jeong thought, biting back annoyance and plastering on his fakest smile as he reached for his jacket, which had fallen from his arm. The girl was busy gathering her papers, and as Yi Jeong looked at her, his fake smile was replaced with slight recognition and then with a real smile. In contrast to his intense gaze, the girl took little notice of him except to tip her head in his general direction before retreating down the stairs he had just climbed.
And just like that, she was gone, disappearing from sight just as quickly as she had appeared. It all felt so familiar, the person, the collision, but most keenly, the indifference this girl seemed to have towards him…a sharp contrast to the crowds of people who had just chased after him…That was the second time at this school and by the same girl too. He'd seen her before if he was not mistaken, and he didn't often mistake seeing a pretty girl or a crazy woman trying to sweep mice out of a dorm room he thought with a laugh, though the disappointment he felt at her absence was new. Noticing something on the concrete landing, Yi Jeong picked up what turned out to be a small leatherbound book. Turning it over in his hand, he briefly contemplated the garbage can sitting in the corner by the door to the stairwell before stuffing it in his pocket.
Never one to shy away from attention, Woo Bin stood outside leaning against his vehicle, hands in pockets, seemingly oblivious to the group gathering around him. Spotting Yi Jeong, he threw him a casual wave before pushing off the side of his black SUV and twirling his key ring on one finger.
"Yah, what took you so long?"
"I was delayed by a rather nice interruption." Yi Jeong answered, thinking back to his encounter on the stairs. "Can we get going?" he hurried over to the other side of the SUV, tugging the handle impatiently.
Woo Bin raised his brows at what this "nice interruption" could be but unlocked the doors without another word and climbed in.
"Taking things a bit seriously with this whole new image, are we?" motioning to the interior of the SUV, Yi Jeong's eyes crinkled in a smirk.
"What can I say, apparently, it's better for the board members to see me as a 'mature businessman' and my Lotus just wasn't cutting it," Woo Bin answered with mock severity, looking around the compartments of his new ride in distaste.
Yi Jeong was about to respond when his phone buzzed in his pocket. Fishing it out, he saw the caller ID and knew he'd have to take it, nodding to Woo Bin to drive on. While the landscape rushed by the windows, the man on the other end of the line droned on at a turtle's pace about agreement forms and waivers that would need to be issued for the new museum showing. Finally ending the call with the insufferable man, Yi Jeong was about to broach his grandfather's request with Woo Bin when his friend cut in,
"What's that?"
Glancing down, Yi Jeong saw he was talking about the leather book he had taken out of his pocket when searching for his phone. He had forgotten it was there.
"nothing"
"From your 'nice interruption' perhaps?'" Woo Bin teased his friend, who was looking strangely on edge.
Yi Jung attempted to act calm and unaffected by his friend's inquiry, though he felt anything but, for some reason, he wanted to hide the book away from sight and his friends prying questions that were sure to follow.
"Perhaps"
Woo bin did not disappoint,
"Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Did you at least get her number?"
Yi Jeong looked in exasperation at his friend, unsure what Woo Bin was getting at but having the sneaking suspicion he wouldn't like it. It bothered him that Woo Bin was teasing him like the book belonged to some typical conquest. She wasn't one of those girls.
"A girl goes to the trouble of dedicating a book to you. The least you could do is appear interested even if you never call her. This isn't high school; you gotta be a gentleman." Woo Bin spelled out the last word as if he was explaining to a three-year-old, or Jun Pyo.
"Whatever, can we move on?"
"Fine, fine…"
Thank goodness for that…
"must be losing your touch," Woo Bin ribbed his friend. Dogging his friend's elbow, which was suddenly thrust towards his ribs, Woo bin blustered, "Yah! Just stating the obvious! Ok, ok." Throwing his hands up in surrender at the murderous scowl from his friend, "what did you want to meet for?"
Leaving the lightheartedness of their conversation, Yi Jeong hesitated before relaying his grandfather's request.
The mafia prince listened patiently and nodded, knowing it was difficult for his friend to talk about family matters. "I'll have the boys take a look and see what they find. No need to bother my father just yet; he hasn't exactly forgiven me for 'borrowing' his yacht yet. How was I to know he'd planned a romantic getaway with eomma?" The man laughed at the thought and slapped the steering wheel. Yi Jeong smiled at the easy way his friend talked about his family. Despite their fights, father and son were very much alike, and while they often bumped heads, a disagreement never lasted long with one or the other giving in in the end, how very different from his own strained relationships.
It was late evening when Yi Jeong roamed the school halls once again. He had promised to show Woo Bin a few of his latest works still at his studio and was now accompanying him back towards the main entrance where his SUV was parked, albeit less a crowd of adoring fans this time as the school was mostly deserted except for the occasional zombie-like student studying for the coming midterms.
Woo Bin had fallen behind to give some girls a few autographs. Tutting at Woo Bin's reverting to such "childish habits", Yi Jeong was perfectly convinced it must be due to a subconscious rebellion against his father's constant pressure to take over the mafia business.
Walking down a final corridor that was lined on either side with classrooms, a motion to his right caught his attention.
The last rays of sunlight were streaming in the windows and falling warmly on Ga Eul's shoulders as she studied the canvas before her, it was long past class hours, but Professor Shu had given her special permission to stay and paint a little longer after Ga Eul had been held up and arrived late for class. She had been working nonstop and barely noticed the waning sunlight.
Stepping closer to the windows which lined the hallway, Yi Jeong peered into the classroom. It was a large room filled with paintings of all shapes and sizes, and modeling clay sat in one corner where various sculptures attested to the long hours of work students had spent there. An assortment of supplies filled the extensive bookshelves wrapped around the room, only stopping at the floor-to-ceiling windows on the opposite wall but what drew his attention was the figure at the center of the room, intensely studying the upright easel before her. Natural light gave a warm glow against her silhouette, and curly raven black hair fell halfway down her back while slender arms reached forward to adjust the easel's tilt.
Yi Jeong stood transfixed watching as the girl continued painting, she was completely oblivious to her surroundings and the admirer watching her. Deft hands moved quickly over the canvas that was slowly coming to life under her brushstrokes, head tilted slightly in concentration. She reminded Yi Jeong of himself, becoming so absorbed in her craft that the rest of the world was lost for a moment.
So this was why he kept bumping into her. She was an art student…
"Man," at Woo Bin's low whistle Yi Jeong broke out of his reverie,
"maybe I should enroll here." And he only sounded like he was half-joking to Yi Jeong's horror.
Tearing his gaze from the window and not liking the way his Don Juan friend was admiring the girl, he tried to usher the man away. He didn't want Woo Bin to see her or get close to her or, God forbid, talk to her. What the heck are you doing, Yi Jeong? Why do you care so much? He could figure it out later; right now, they needed to leave.
Woo Bin took in his friend's weird behavior and the odd expression on his face. He'd only seen that look one time before.
"Do you know her or something?"
No answer, just the blank expression the man had perfected to cover his discomfort for those who didn't know him well enough to see through the façade. But unfortunately for him, Woo Bin did know him better than that.
"Don't tell me she's book girl?" nothing
"the 'nice interruption?!'" Again, Yi Jeong didn't reply, which gave Woo Bin the answer he was looking for.
Yi Jeong ushered his laughing friend away, but as the duo neared the corner of the hall, the backside of a dark-clothed figure could just be seen exiting the building through a door to the side, a utility exit. Something about the person put both men on edge, and without a single word, both men followed where he had disappeared. Upon opening the door, they found no one. Odd.
Well, there's chapter 4! I hope you're all staying safe and warm if you're in the path of these winter storms that decide to hit much of the U.S. this week. Power went out and water got shut off so it's been a hectic few days but I finally got a chance to sit down and upload a new chapter before the power goes out again. Stay safe!
