Hello my lovelies!

Here I am again, thanks to Sandy's help!

*le sigh*
So I'm kinda aiming to update at least once a month, hopefully twice but in all likelihood it will only be once a month. Sorry! Got more teaching hours at work so my days are a bit longer and fuller. On the other hand, better paycheck!

Also, I'm pretty sure we are entering the the end of the story - I thought it would be shorter than 7 Days, but apparently not! LOL - I 'll try to get it done before the end of the year!

Anyway, thanks for all your patience, and to Sandy for all the awesome vibes.

Chapter FIFTEEN: REGRETS

Present Day

"Hyung?" Wang So asked as he came closer to the tall figure slumped against the bar.

"So-yah! What are you going here?" Yo asked loudly, and he nearly fell when he tried to step off the stool, falling back down into it.

"Driving you home, apparently. Or do you want me to call Mun Seong-ssi? Or drop you at her place?"

"She won't answer," Yo said, struggling to stand up and finish his drink at the same time.

Yo took advantage of his height and leaned on his younger brother, using So to prop himself up as they walked out and toward the parking lot. He collapsed on the passenger's seat of the car as soon as So opened the door and passed out.

Since So didn't want to deal with his parents in case they were around, he decided to offer Yo shelter for the night, and took him home.

Which was easier said than done as Yo was very uncooperative as So maneuvered him from the car to the house. Thankfully, So thought, Seol was not home as it wouldn't do for his small child to see her uncle this drunk.

"What the fuck happened to you?" So muttered as he dropped Yo onto the couch, heaving just a little. His older brother was heavier than he looked.

"I fucked up, So-yah," Yo slurred though So hadn't been expecting an answer.

"Yah, we have all gotten a bit drunk from time to time."

"Mun Seong broke off our engagement," Yo said solemnly. If it weren't for the fact that So had never seen it happen (not even when they were children) he would have sworn that Yo was about to cry.

"Kang Mun Seong has a soft spot for you, hyung, I'm sure she'll forgive whatever you did if you apologize," So said, trying to be comforting but feeling utterly lost.

"I don't think so," Yo shook his head miserably. "She said I make her sad."

-.-

One Year Ago

"I think this is my favorite place we've visited," Mun Seong said, stretching contentedly as she and Yo relaxed in a hammock on the last day of their summer holiday.

"You say that about every place we go to." Yo's voice was low and rumbly in the quiet, sleepy afternoon.

"That's not true! I do like going to new places, but some are more special than others." Mun Seong countered as she propped herself up on his chest.

"Really?" He teased.

"Yes! The first place we ever went to together, that resort in Bali? That's special, even if you were either sulking or asleep during the first half of it."

"It was right after my father was released from the hospital, after the heart attack. I was exhausted."

"I know, that's why I dragged you there, even if you did sulk like a teenager." Mun Seong thought for a moment. "When we went to New Zealand that was special too. It was cute seeing you geek out about Hobbit town."

"Hobbiton." He corrected automatically, making her giggle.

"And last winter? In Switzerland?" She waved her hand, showing him the ring he had given her there. "Top ten moments of my life, easily."

Yo smiled and smoothed her hair back. "So, when we get married, do you want to go back to one of those places or go somewhere new?"

"Somewhere new, definitely." Mun Seong said, dropping her head down. "Marriage is like a stopping point and a starting place at the same time, right? Even after all this time, if we ever get married it will be the start of… something ."

-00-

Present Day

Wang Yo woke up feeling groggy, disoriented and like there was a 50/50 chance the contents of his stomach would end up on the floor at any given moment. Righting himself, he found that he had been laying on a couch in an unfamiliar house. Somewhere in the distance he could hear So's voice, scolding someone… and a voice that sounded like Jung's answering back.

He vaguely remembered that So had picked him up from the bar the previous night, so Yo guessed they were at his house – the house So had bought when he found out about his daughter. Because that was his brother, the type to jump right in.

Groaning, he stood up and made his way toward their voices. He came across the kitchen and his two brothers.

"What the hell happened to you?" Yo asked when he noticed one half of Jung's face was black and blue. The sound of his own voice making him wince.

"I got into a bit of misfortune last night." Jung admitted, gingerly rubbing some ointment on his face. The smell of it made Yo gag.

"He got drunk with his friends from the gym and drove his bike into a post." So answered, passing Yo some hangover medicine and a bottle of water. "He showed up here at fuck-knows-what-in-the-morning."

"You're an idiot." Yo said, gingerly taking an empty seat at the table.

"That seems to be the consensus this morning." Jung said sulkily. "Idiots all around."

"You're lucky Seol was spending the night with her grandmother, or I would have kicked you both out." So said annoyed.

"What about Hae Soo?" Jung asked, perking up.

"She's not around either." So said.

"They're in a fight." Yo guessed and dropped his head onto his arms, willing it to stop pounding. So didn't confirm nor deny it; he just said he had to go to the office and reminded them to lock up when they left.

And much as it pained Yo to admit it, Jung was right: they were idiots all around.

..00..

Three Days Later

Soo sat at her desk and sighed for the fourth time in the last twenty minutes, going through her tasks on autopilot, often pausing to ponder her current predicament with Wang So. It had been four whole days since their fight and they weren't speaking currently.

He still went to pick up Seol every morning, but other than asking if she was ready, he didn't really talk to Soo. And he hadn't shown up to her home after work like he used to, nor had he asked her to drop by his place – last night he had asked Baek Ah to take Seol with him and – according to what Seol told her that morning – the two of them had taken her out to eat pizza and then Baek Ah dropped a sleepy Seol home while So waited in the car.

It was infuriating!

The one who was supposed to be angry was her, not him!

Plus, Seol was noticing, or at least noticing she was sad and…

"Soo-yah." Madame Oh voice startled Hae Soo a bit.

"Yes, Madame Oh?" Soo answered, straightening her spine and trying to pretend she hadn't just been startled.

"I just wanted to remind you you have a meeting with Mr. Baek Ah and Ms Kim. I tried the intercom but it seems like it's not working."

"Oh, I'm sorry! I'll go right now!"

Soo quickly gathered her things and rushed off to Baek Ah's office finding him fixing some flowers on a vase, humming to himself and pausing to arrange the refreshments on the table so all the edges matched. Their neatness was a trait he shared with Wang So.

"Oh, you're here," Baek A greeted her warmly. "Sit down, Woo Hee should be here soon. Can I offer you anything?"

"No," So said, melting into the couch.

"Oh, so you're like that too." Baek Ah pointed out, gingerly stepping over Soo to sit at the other end of the couch. "So-hyung has been terrorizing his employees all week."

"I wouldn't know. He's avoiding me."

Baek Ah shrugged. "He's just afraid."

"Wang So isn't afraid of anything. He is the bravest person I know." Soo jumped to his defense.

"Usually, yes, but he is a wimp when it comes to his emotions. You have to understand how life has been for him…"

"You mean the stuff with his parents and his… scar?"

"Yeah. Anyone would have kept him close and safe after what happened, but his father? He shipped him out to live with us. He was like a scared cat the first few weeks after he came home from the hospital. It took him a month to understand no one was going to attack him and that we liked having him around."

Soo nodded. So had slowly told her about it when they had first become involved. Soo remembered wanting to punch something when So finally told her the whole story behind the scar she had helped him to cover.

"Anyway," Baek Ah went on. "Though he was much better after a while living with us, So was always so serious. And when he started working for his father it was even worse. Until he met you. You're all he has ever wanted and that's why you're his biggest fear ever. He thinks that you're not into the relationship as he is and that he'll lose you and Seol-ie again."

"He knows I love him, or he should. And I would never take Seol away!"

"Except that you did."

"I didn't mean to! And I've been trying to be patient and make it up to him, but he overindulges Seol and then blows things out of proportion when I call him out for it."

"Well… that's him, alright. Go big or go home. I mean, his first proposal was over the top to the point of being gaudy."

"First proposal?"

"Oh, shit. I shouldn't have said that."

-000-

6 years before.

"You know, you could at least make an effort." Wang So said, looking with distaste as a half-dressed, probably still drunk Baek Ah ate ice-cream straight from the cartoon on the screen.

"I was at a party, but I left early just so we could keep this appointment." Baek Ah sulked. For as long as Baek Ah had been studying in Paris, he and So made a point of skyping each other once a week at the same hour, no matter what. Sure, they texted and talked on the phone on other days, but this skype call was their thing.

"Why are you half naked then?"

"Because my apartment doesn't have AC and it's hot as hell!" BA complained, then glared at So. "You look fresh. Wasn't there a heatwave in Korea right now?"

"There is," So shrugged. "But I chose to live in a building that was built in the last twenty years. My AC works perfectly. You're the one who chose to live his bohemian dream in the Latin Quarter."

"I'm just trying to get some life experience, Wang So." Baek Ah pouted. "These are my last months in Paris...I want to enjoy them fully."

"Clearly you are enjoying them now."

"YAH! Wang So! Don't mock me when I'm suffering!" Baek Ah yelled suddenly.

"SHHH! Soo-yah is asleep, you idiot!"

"Oh, the infamous Soo-ya," Baek Ah said, perking up. "Am I going to get to meet her this time?"

"I'm not going to wake her up for you." So said smugly, "But yes, you'll meet her soon. I'm taking her to Paris for your graduation."

"WHAT!"

"Keep quiet!"

"You're bringing her here?"

"Yes. I haven't asked her yet, but I already got the plane tickets and reserved the hotel."

"Wow, you're really serious about her, aren't you?"

"I am." So said. A soft smile was forming on his lips as he began to rummage through his desk. "This much," he added, pulling out a velvet-covered box and opening it to show Baek Ah the ring there.

"Omo!" Baek Ah nearly choked on his ice-cream but managed to swallow. "Wow, you – her- you're going to propose? Has your father met her? And your mother? My mother? Anyone?"

"Well, I'm sure father and my brothers have seen her around the office, and I think Mu knows I'm dating her. It's not like I'm very subtle I'm afraid." So laughed, remembering how Soo always complained he was too affectionate at work and was going to get her in trouble one of these days. "My mother doesn't care what I do, and Eomeoni has talked to her on the phone; they seem to get along but she has been too busy to come to Seoul and meet Soo in person. She did say she's happy if I'm happy."

"Daebak!" Baek Ah shook his head. "I can't believe it! I never thought- I mean, you guys have been dating less than a year!"

"I knew I wanted to marry her on our first date." So sighed. It had taken him almost a month to ask her out properly after she had taught him to cover his scar that day in early November.

He still remembered seeing her standing outside her building, wearing a puffy, white coat over warm tights, a flower-patterned skirt and a fluffy blue sweater, the winter sunlight shining on her black hair.

Wang So swore his heart skipped a beat when she saw him and smiled, dimples showing while her eyes turned into half-moons.

With a happy sigh of contentment, So refocused. "I have my proposal all planned, do you want to hear?"

"Might as well. Just tell me you're not planning on doing it at the Eiffel tower, please?"

So scoffed. "I reserved a suite at Le Bristol, and got a table at Epicure and the..."

-00-

Present Day

"He was going all out, really," Baek Ah said. "And you missed out on that restaurant because it was delicious."

"You went?"

"I made So take me as my graduation gift. I wasn't going to let that reservation go to waste!" Baek Ah said, outraged. "Food was great, but it might not have been my best idea ever."

So had gotten very drunk afterward, and Baek Ah had to drag him up to his room and hear how much he missed Soo. It had been heartbreaking.

Hae Soo sniffled. "I'm sure I would have loved it."

"Yeah, well, Wang So has been planning his life with you since your first date: Overwhelming and a bit sappy? Yes, but it's also the kind of person he is. That's why he's having such a hard time letting go of stuff. But he will because he loves you; he just needs time."

-00-

Wang So stood up from behind his desk and stretched, going to refill his coffee cup as his mind wandered back to Hae Soo as it usually did when it wasn't drowning in work. He stared at the old coffee machine which he had moved from his old office in daily operations when he became CoO. It was the same machine Soo used years before, in her days as his coffee-elf when they first became close.

It was stupid sentimentality, and Mu had offered to get him a new one many times, but he didn't seem to be able to part with it because it reminded him of his happy past with Soo-yah.

The past he so wanted to get back to where he and Soo were together and happy.

"Well, at least you look as miserable as she does," A female voice cut through Wang So's reverie, and he found himself facing Oh Soo Yeon. Her voice was cold and her posture perfect despite the cane she used.

"Madame Oh, what brings you here?"

"My child is sad, and it's your doing. I thought I should at least make sure you're suffering like she is. Karma and all."

"You're harsh, Madame Oh, and matters between Soo-yah and I are only our own."

"I have little patience for the men in your family, but I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt since Hae Soo assured me you were a good man. Even when you were strangled, she never said anything bad about you. I didn't even know you were Seol's father until Geon tried to intervene." Madame Oh mused, helping herself to one of the visitor's seats in front of So's desk without waiting for an invitation.

"I'm not like my father."

"I hope so. Wang Geon could never admit when he was wrong or did something bad. He has a pathological need to feel like he's in control and would trample over the people he claimed to love in order to retain that power."

"It sounds like you know him very well."

Oh Soo Yeon nodded before adding: "Once I loved him too much, and he claimed to love me, just not enough. That love made us both miserable." Her voice was implacable. "I had hoped Soo-yah's fate with you would be different."

"I don't mean to hurt her, I want to make her happy, but she's-"

"Stubborn and scared. I guess you feel the same, don't you?" Wang So nodded and Madame Oh went on: "I'm not going to tell you what to do about it, as you said, the matters between you and Soo are only your own to figure out. But let me offer you a piece of advice: You might feel wronged – by Soo, your parents or by life – and you might even be right. But clinging to that righteous indignation will only make you miserable and lonely."

It was already making him miserable and lonely. Maybe Madame Oh was right.

Madame Oh nodded, feeling like her work here was done and stood up taking her leave only to run into Lawyer Park.

"Soo Yeon-ah!" Park So Kyung exclaimed delightedly. "What brings you here?"

"I was nearby and I figured I would tempt you with lunch if you're free." Madame Oh smiled and her whole face softened, like it usually only did for her beloved Seol. "What do you say?"

"I'd love to!" Lawyer Park said eagerly, passing the many files he carried to his assistant and asking him to put them in his office. "Here I was feeling all dejected because my Soon Deok-ah had cancelled our lunch plans when you arrived to make my day all better!"

Madame Oh laughed. "You exaggerate, but keep going," She said, taking the arm Park So Kyung offered and vanishing from sight.

Wang So looked after them, shaking his head at Lawyer Park's antics. He had never seen him like that. Someone he had never seen in his current state either was Wang Yo, who chose that moment to arrive at the office.

Yo looked rumpled and tired. His usually tailored suits had been replaced in the last few days by more casual pants and black shirts (which So was sure he was stealing from his own closet). Yo was listless and inefficient, showing up late to the office and leaving early.

So wasn't sure what was going on with him. All So knew was that the day after he had picked him up from the bar, Yo had shown up at his house and parked himself on the couch like that was his new habitat.

-00-

Three Days Before

Once his stomach had settled enough, Yo had taken a cab to the bar and then drove home with Jung in tow. When he arrived, a box was waiting for him at the entrance hall table.

"It came for you last night," Jung told him (not) helpfully.

Yo suspected he knew what it was. His stomach dropped again while his heart started to beat faster. Opening the lid, the first thing he encountered on top of a pile of documents was the ring he had given Mun Seong almost two years before.

The floral halo ring was classic art deco with clean lines but also oddly romantic. Mun Seong had worn it everyday since he had put it on her finger. She had been so happy with it, that he had gone back the next day to purchase wedding bands that would match the ring for when they eventually got married.

Yo plucked the ring from the box and closed the lid once more, sliding the ring into his pinkie-finger, feeling bereft all over again like he had when Mun Seong had walked away from him. He picked up the box and started to go up to his room when he was interrupted by his mother, who requested he come to her private sitting room.

Yoo Shin Myeong was simmering with anger and disapproval.

"I had a call from Minister Kang this morning," she said.

"I can imagine," Yo said, staring at the ring.

"That foolish girl! She seemed so docile as a child and I thought she was the better choice. I didn't expect her to turn out this stupid and disgraceful."

"Don't speak like that about Mun Seong, Eomeni."

"Don't you dare defend her! She has disgraced her family and ours too!"

"I'm the one who made the biggest mistakes."

"You are Wang Yo, son of Wang Geon and Yoo Shin Myeong! The honor of marrying into this family should have kept that girl in check! It should have made her overlook whatever is that you did."

"Mun Seong doesn't care about things like that."

"Clearly! Damnation! I should have picked Mun Gong; that girl is ambitious enough to keep her role and see things through."

"I would rather die than marry Kang Mun Gong."

"Yah, don't make that face. Minister Kang won't allow it and neither would I after this. So tell me, who will it be then? The Hwangbo girl? I used to think she wasn't good enough but Hwangbo Holdings is doing all right these days, and she does have the poise and class, and the connections. It wouldn't be a terrible match."

"Eomeoni!"

"Don't use that tone of voice! We need to fix this before the committee gathers to vote on who the next chairman will be. Plus, you are almost thirty five! If you don't marry quickly… more rumors will come up."

"I don't care about the rumors, mother! All I want is to be left alone, is that too much to ask?"

"I don't know why you're reacting like this," Yoo Shin Myeong said, miffed, annoyed and offended. "I'm giving you exactly what you wanted. I will let you marry that Hwangbo girl-"

"You don't know anything about me or what I want," Yo said, abruptly, standing up. "It has never mattered to you what any of us wanted or needed."

"All I have done, all my life, is to look out for the wellbeing of my sons!"

"Really? Should we ask So what he thinks about that?"

"Don't mention that mistake to me! He was always your father's-"

Yo simply turned and left the room, slamming the door behind him.

-0-0-

Author's Note:

Sorry! no sneak peek because it doesn't exist yet!
LOL
Buuuut I can say that some fluff is on the cards for SOME people. Others will continue to be miserable!

Take your guesses!