Chapter 6: Is This The End?
Disclaimer: I don't own these BOF characters but the new ones.
Published: December 10, 2018
"I'm sorry, Gentlemen. Can we continue with this later? There has been an emergency with a very, very dear friend of mine and I must get to the hospital right now."
Sweats had gathered on his forehead as his heart pounded hard. A call from Mr. Chu came in when he was in the meeting. The phone almost dropped from his hand when he heard the news.
"I'll inform the new date. Thank you for understanding," as he shook hands with the three men and immediately rushed out of the venue and sped off to the hospital.
"God, please let Ga Eul be alright. Please, please, please, and Baby too."
"She was rushed to the hospital from the Mall. It's bad, Yi Jeong-shii. It was that woman, your ex-girlfriend and Ye-Jin wouldn't stop crying," was what Mr. Chu had said. His heart stopped beating for a while. Ye-Eun had definitely crossed the line.
"Yoboseoyo, Woo Bin? I need a favor. A huge one."
"Appa!" Ye-Jin jumped into his open arms when Yi Jeong arrived. Her face was red from crying. "Aunt Ga Eul is sick, Appa." She pointed to the delivery room.
"There was a lot of water on Aunt Ga Eul's dress and Aunt Ga Eul cried and cried. I'm scared, Appa. Will Aunt Ga Eul and the baby be alright?"
"Don't be scared, Baby. They'll be alright. The doctors will make sure of that. The doctors won't let anything bad happen to them." Not only was he trying to calm his daughter, but it was also for himself.
"Sir, what happened?" as he approached Mr. Chu. Mrs. Chu was nowhere to be found. "Where is Madam?"
"My wife is inside with Ga Eul. She waited until I arrived because someone needs to look after Ye-Jin. Ga Eul went to the restroom and when she didn't return soon, her Omma got worried and tried to call her but the call didn't go through. So they went there and that woman came out of the restroom laughing, and Ga Eul was screaming in pain and calling for her Omma. Her water broke and my wife blamed herself for letting Ga Eul go alone but it's that evil woman's fault," said Mr. Chu but his eyes were fixed on Yi Jeong making the latter cringed inwardly. Was that accusation in the older man's eyes?
"I'm so, so sorry for what happened," was the only thing that he could say.
"Appa, I'm tired." Ye-Jin's breathing started to escalate.
"Baby?" No. No. No. Not now, Ye-Jin. Please.
"Where's your bag, Baby?" He looked around and finally saw the bag on one of the chairs. Quickly, he took it and looked for Ye-Jin's medication, just to be ready.
"Yi Jeong-shii…" called Mr. Chu, anxiously looking at the father and daughter. A nurse who was passing by also stopped, ready to help.
Yi Jeong gave a nod, indicating that he would handle it. He had taken a seat and Ye-Jin sat on his laps.
"Baby, listen to Appa's voice, OK? Now breathe in, slowly, and exhale. Breathe in… exhale. Inhale… exhale… Inhale… exhale…" His right hand on the little girl's chest, gently massaging it and the other on her back, coaching her to follow his instruction. If Ye-Jin got through this exercise, she would be alright. On some attacks, she passed through but on others, it meant the hospital for her.
The little girl tried to follow her father's instruction but with difficulties. All the crying and tension from the incident had worn her out but she knew that she must be strong, as her Appa always said. "Don't give in to it, Baby. Try to fight it if you can."
A few minutes passed by and Ye-Jin's breathing gradually returned to normal, much to the relief of her father and Mr. Chu. She leaned tiredly against her father's chest.
"That's my strong beautiful daughter. You did great, Baby. Appa am proud of you. Appa am here for you. Appa love you," while kissing her temple. Yi Jeong then adjusted Ye-Jin's position so that she was more comfortable in his arms.
It was a scare for Mr. Chu to see Ye-Jin fighting her short of breaths but he was also amazed to witness how Yi Jeong dealt with the situation and how loving he was to her. His respect for the younger man increased. Who would have thought that South Korea's ex-Casanova would be so caring and have so much love for his daughter? Any woman would be fortunate to have him as her partner or husband. Ga Eul would be…
"Ga Eul..." His mind went back to his daughter after being side-tracked by Ye-Jin's episode.
"What's taking them so long in there?"
He then looked up to the delivery room's door, hoping that someone would come out of there.
With a now dozing Ye-Jin in his arms, Yi Jeong paced left and right, back and forth of the delivery room. His heart had started to pound harder again with every passing minute, but his mind was everywhere: to his conversation with Woo Bin earlier, to what he wanted to say and do to Ye-Eun and most importantly, to pray that Ga Eul and the baby would be alright.
"Yi Jeong-shii," called Mr. Chu.
"Yes, Sir?"
"What is her problem?"
"Excuse me, Sir? Whose problem? Ye-Jin?"
"That woman. Your ex-girlfriend."
Yi Jeong stopped pacing and looked at the older man. Blood had drained from the potter's face. Ex-girlfriend. His ex-girlfriend. His ex-girlfriend had gone crazy. The mother to his daughter had gone crazy. He then closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
"I want to press charges. She's too much." Mr. Chu said between gritted teeth.
"If something bad happened to Ga Eul and the baby, she's going to get it from me, personally! How did you ever meet her?"
Yi Jeong cleared his throat, not expecting Mr. Chu to ask him that. Was Mr. Chu blaming him for what Ye-Eun did? He prayed not.
"Sir, I assure you that I'm also enraged by what she did to Ga Eul and I'm with you in this. I won't ever forgive her if that happens."
Mr. Chu just stared at the younger man, trying to understand the whole situation. Why Ye-Eun was heartless and dared to hurt his daughter who was innocent. For all he knew about Ye-Eun was what Ga Eul had told him years ago and recently but he tried not to be judgmental. However, now all he wanted to do was send the crazy woman to jail.
"I've asked my friend Song Woo Bin to help. We need at least a video footage outside of the restroom and we need witnesses too. It's going to be difficult for us if there are no witnesses in the restroom. But we'll try our best."
What he kept from the Chus was how Woo Bin was going to dig everything and he meant everything about Ye-Eun and use the information to put a stop to her craziness and evil schemes. His bad feelings about her were now heightened given this current event incident and he was not going to just sit and be quiet about it.
"Appa…"
"Shhh. Shhh. Sleep, Baby. Appa is here."
Just then, the delivery room door opened. In an instant, they rushed over.
"Honey…" Mrs. Chu came out with a doctor.
"Ga Eul?" asked Mr. Chu.
Mrs. Chu nodded to Yi Jeong and he returned the gesture.
The doctor answered. "We almost had to do a C-section. Mrs. Chu Ga Eul will be moved to the ward in a while but the baby is premature and too small for her gestational age. We're going to monitor her for a few days."
Relieved filled the space but concern for the baby was also there.
"Honey, she's perfect. She looks like both of them," said Mrs. Chu while wiping her tears away.
"When can we see them?" asked the anxious Yi Jeong.
"Once she's transferred to the ward."
"Doctor, please give her a private room. Money is not a problem. I want her to get the best treatment," requested Yi Jeong, awarding him a surprised look from Ga Eul's parents.
"Alright, Sir. If you please excuse me but if there's anything regarding the Mrs. Chu Ga Eul and her baby, we'll inform you immediately."
"Thank you, Doctor," the three said simultaneously.
"Honey, I was so scared."
"I know, Honey but Ga Eul's alright now and let us pray that the baby is too." Mr. Chu continued to gently run his hand along his wife's arm.
"Madam, I am so sorry for what happened."
Mrs. Chu looked up to Yi Jeong.
"It's not your fault, Yi Jeong-shii. It's my fault."
"Honey! Don't. It's not your fault either."
"But…"
"I don't want to hear it."
Mrs. Chu just bobbed her head, sad that the unfortunate event had led to Ga Eul giving birth earlier than expected but was also relieved that both mother and daughter were saved.
Mr. Chu then led his wife to the row of chairs and Yi Jeong followed. All they had to do now was wait for Ga Eul.
"Honey, we need to inform Joon-Hyun and the Im family. They'd want to come and visit."
"I'll call them now," said Mr. Chu and immediately fished out the phone.
Yi Jeong pretended not to hear the conversation between Mr. Chu and whomever on the phone with him. It was still hard for him to know that the Im family was still Ga Eul's family and now that Ga Eul had given birth, there was a high probability that she and the baby would go back to the Im Mansion. He had to think fast.
About five minutes later, a nurse wheeled Ga Eul out of the room and the three awaiting adults stood up immediately.
"Ga Eul… Sweetheart," Mr. Chu and Mrs. Chu went to her and she offered a faint tired smile. Her eyes then found Yi Jeong and her breath hitched as the tears began to gather. Her heart started to constrict.
"Ga Eul-yang…" Still, with Ye-Jin in his arms, Yi Jeong cautiously approached Ga Eul. He noticed her glistening eyes and his heart splintered. He prayed that she would not hate him for what Ye-Eun had done.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae… How's Ye-Jin?"
"Tired but she's alright… Ga Eul-yang, I'm sorry…"
But Ga Eul shook her head. She did not have the energy to talk about the matter. Not yet, at least.
They all then followed the nurse to the ward, a private room to be exact, just as Yi Jeong had requested.
By the time the nurse left the room when Ga Eul was comfortably seated on the bed, Ye-Jin stirred and woke up. She looked around and once she saw Ga Eul, climbed down from Yi Jeong's laps and went to Ga Eul.
"Aunt Ga Eul, Aunt Ga Eul. Are you alright? I was so scared."
Ga Eul took the little girl's hands and lightly rubbed them. "I'm alright, Sweetheart."
"Aunt Ga Eul, your tummy?" Finally noticing the now much flatter stomach. Panicking, "Baby? Where's the baby?"
"The doctor is keeping the baby with them for a while. She's too small and needs extra care. When she's stronger, the nurse will bring her to us."
Yi Jeong had to calm his heart down. Ga Eul was so gentle and patient with Ye-Jin that his love for her grew more. If ever she would love him back but he was willing to wait for the time to arrive.
"Honey, let's go see the baby," suggested Mr. Chu to his wife. "Ye-Jin, would you like to come too?"
"Can I? Appa?"
"Sure, Baby but you'll have to tell Appa what you think of the baby later, deal?"
"Deal. Thank you, Appa. I love you, Appa."
"We'll be back soon, Sweetheart." And Mrs. Chu kissed Ga Eul on the forehead.
When the three of them left, there was an awkward silence in the room. Both Yi Jeong and Ga Eul just looked at each other. There were so many things to say yet somehow it felt as if there were no words to say.
Not able to bear the silence any longer, Yi Jeong approached the bed and pulled a chair next to it, making Ga Eul shifted uncomfortably on her bed.
After a deep inhale and exhale of a breath, "Ga Eul-yang, I am so sorry for what happened." His voice was guilt-laden and Ga Eul wanted to cry as her mind recalled the earlier incident.
Ye-Eun was truly out of her mind and evilly dangerous. She could have lost her daughter and maybe her own life. Why was Ye-Eun brought into her life if, in the end, the woman was going to be hurting her and her daughter? Why was Ye-Eun so adamant to have Yi Jeong back and that she was willing to do anything for it even if it meant killing others? Why did Yi Jeong Sunbae meet Ye-Eun and fall for her in the first place?
This was all Yi Jeong Sunbae's fault.
"Please leave me alone, Yi Jeong Sunbae."
"What?" Yi Jeong was taken aback by her words.
"All these wouldn't happen if you didn't come here, if you didn't meet her." Allegation filled her words.
"Ga Eul-yang?" His heart broke into pieces.
"Just go, Yi Jeong Sunbae. Please." She looked into his eyes, pleading.
No. This was not happening.
"Ga Eul-yang. Please. Please don't say that."
"She could have killed my baby and me, Yi Jeong Sunbae. Has it ever occurred to you?" The tears were now unstoppable.
"I'm so, so sorry, Ga Eul-yang but please, please don't ask me to leave. I promise that she will never come near you and your baby again, ever. Trust me, please."
"Why did you have to meet her? Didn't you know that she's like this? Why didn't you see that she has an evil soul? Why, Yi Jeong Sunbae?" She was sobbing hard at the moment.
He wanted to dive into the cold Arctic water to numb the pain in his heart from her questions. How would he answer her? He was guilty for betraying her love years ago, that he admitted but he could not turn back time. That past would forever be the past, unfortunately, scarring Ga Eul deeply. But he too was forever reminded of that when he looked at Ye-Jin and Ga Eul, and it pained him too. However, it was done and there was nothing he could do to change it. All he could try now was to redeem himself and show Ga Eul that he was willing to do everything to show his love for her and that history would not be repeated.
But Ye-Eun… Ye-Eun had come back and caused trouble and pain, again. Only this time she had taken it up to reprehensible measures, and he would stop Ye-Eun once and for all.
"Ga Eul-yang…"
He braced himself by taking her hand but she flinched at the contact for a brief second and then let him. He let go of the breath that he was holding.
"I have no words other than sorry for what I've done those years ago but I am also like you now. I don't know what happened for her to turn out to be the monster today."
Ga Eul silently agreed. Ye-Eun was a monster. A horrible terrible evil monster.
"But you have my words when I said I won't let her come near you and your baby ever again. I'm going to protect you and your baby with all my might and power. She won't get away with what she did, trust me, and she will never hurt you and your baby again."
But Ga Eul just kept silent, with tears still running down the cheeks. Her feelings were mixed up. She knew that it was not Yi Jeong's fault for Ye-Eun's unforgivable actions but she was too hurt and in pain and worried about her baby that she had questioned and vented her anger at him.
She then closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to rationalize her thoughts and feelings and get them straight.
"Ga Eul…"
The longing and plead in his voice did not skip her. Her heart ached more. She recalled Ye-Eun's words in the restroom.
"She offered me a deal. To keep Ye-Jin with me and persuade you to come back to her. She's obsessed with you. She hates Ye-Jin."
Yi Jeong stiffened. Ye-Eun was deranged, crazy, insane, mad, lunatic and what other similar vocabularies to describe her.
She then continued to tell him about the two teenagers who came into the restroom but soon left after Ye-Eun gave them the glare, and how she refused to follow what Ye-Eun told her, to how Ye-Eun proceeded to push her.
Yi Jeong saw red.
"She put my baby's life and mine in danger, Yi Jeong Sunbae. She's dangerous." Ga Eul was back to crying but it only made her stomach hurt.
"I'm tired, Yi Jeong Sunbae. I'd like to sleep. Do you mind leaving the room?"
Yi Jeong did not want to leave. He felt the need to be with her and to protect her. He feared to leave her alone.
"Sure. I'll just be outside."
"Thank you," and she closed her eyes.
Sighing, Yi Jeong left but lingered outside. His mind was racing.
"Yoboseoyo, Woo Bin? What did you find? Where is she now?"
…
"I need a few men to guard Ga Eul's room here and the NICU. I don't want that crazy woman to come here."
…
"But don't make it too obvious. Keep me posted. Thanks, Woo Bin."
Mr. and Mrs. Chu and Ye-Jin arrived just as he ended the call.
"Appa, the baby is so small and wrinkly but she's very pretty and cute, Appa."
Yi Jeong scooped up his daughter and gave her a wide smile.
"Really? You can go in? What else?"
"Yes, Appa. The kind doctor allowed me to go in but only to the window in there. Only Halmoni went in. The baby sleeps in the glass box."
"Like Snow White?"
"Yes, Appa. Like Snow White but there're some wires on her body. Halmoni and Harabeoji said to help her get better."
"Yes, Baby. Halmoni and Harabeoji are right."
"Yi Jeong-shii, how is Ga Eul?" asked Mrs. Chu.
"She's tired and wanted to sleep. I just came out not five minutes ago. What about the baby?"
"The doctor said that they need to monitor her temperature and look out for any complications. It might take days or weeks depending on her condition."
"I promise that only the best doctors will attend to her and Ga Eul, Sir, Madam." He had already talked to Ji Hoo and asked Ji Hoo to contact the hospital's administrator about it.
"Thank you. Yi Jeong-shii, I think you should go home. Ye-Jin should rest. She's had a tiring day as well."
"But Harabeoji, I want to wait for Aunt Ga Eul and the baby," protested the little girl.
"You can come here again tomorrow, I promise."
Ye-Jin looked up at her father, asking for an answer and Yi Jeong nodded. He too did not want to leave, cautious if Ye-Eun would come and create more troubles but Mr. Chu was right. Ye-Jin needed to rest.
"We'll come again tomorrow, Baby. Say goodbye to Halmoni and Harabeoji."
With a pout on her adorable face, Ye-Jin hugged the two elders but not without telling them that she will be back soon.
"Sir, Madam, please call me if there's any progress or news about Ga Eul and the baby." He wanted to go see the baby but Ye-Jin had started to yawn.
"We will, Yi Jeong-shii. Thank you for coming."
"And thank you for looking after Ye-Jin."
"Bye Halmoni, Harabeoji."
Woo Bin had emailed all the details on Ye-Eun and Yi Jeong was shocked.
There was a long list of records of her medical condition, mainly due to severe depression, hallucinations, and self-inflicted injuries. She was also almost institutionalized but her parents threw in a fortune to avoid it. Two years later, her doctors claimed that she was cured and free of the conditions. With her parents' influence, she started her modeling career. She was a natural beauty and becoming quite successful with a somewhat good reputation with a few international projects and jobs. Her recent job was here in South Korea which was how she came to stumble upon them.
If she was cured, then how was she still a horrible person upgraded to an evil monster?
Yi Jeong plonked down on his bed with a massive headache. He hoped that Woo Bin had started with their plan.
The next day after breakfast, he had to attend two meetings that he could not get out of. As usual, Ye-Jin was tagged along although the little girl was impatient for not being able to visit her Aunt Ga Eul and baby sister, as she called the baby.
As soon as the meeting was over, the father and daughter headed to the hospital. Fortunately for them, it coincided with the hospital's visiting hours. Ye-Jin requested that they went to see the baby first.
The baby was beautiful with Ga Eul's fair complexion, cute nose, and thin lips. Her other features were from her father. Ye-Jin was right. The baby was too small that it made him wonder if it was because of Ga Eul's condition but he prayed that in time and proper loving and tender care, the baby would be much healthier.
Twenty minutes there, the two then went to Ga Eul's room. However, there were voices and Yi Jeong took a peek through the small glass window on the door. The Im family had arrived: Joon-Hyun, his mother, sister, and brother that he recognized from the hospital on the day of Ga Eul and Joon-Ho's accident. Ga Eul's upper side of the bed was raised half-way up and she had a smile although the smile, to Yi Jeong, did not quite reach her eyes. Her parents were also there. Yi Jeong considered on whether to enter.
What would the Im family think when they saw Ye-Jin and him? And now that they were here, he wondered what their conversations were about. Would they want Ga Eul and the baby to come back with them soon? What would Ga Eul's decision be?
"Appa, come on. Let's go in. I missed Aunt Ga Eul." Ye-Jin had been pulling his hand for a couple of minutes now when her father seemed to be frozen in front of the door.
"Uhmm… let's go to the canteen for a while. There are a lot of people there. We don't want to disturb them, do we? We'll come back in fifteen minutes."
"But Appa…" One of her hand was already on the doorknob and turning it.
Everybody in the room turned to look at the door. There was no way that he and Ye-Jin could go away now. Hesitantly, he followed Ye-Jin in.
Surely, the looks on the Ims showed curiosity and confusion. He forced a smile and shook hands with the men and Mr. Chu, and slightly bowed to the older women and Joon-Ho's sister and Ga Eul. Ye-Jin did the same before going straight to the side of Ga Eul's bed and leaned against it.
"Mr. So Yi Jeong. A surprise to see you here." Joon-Hyun definitely did not hide his surprise and that was for sure.
"My daughter and I, we're here to visit Madam, Sir and Ga Eul-shii. We've been here for a few days."
Madam Im raised her eyebrows and so did the rest of the Im children. Ga Eul held on to Ye-Jin's hands.
"I'm sorry to disturb but my daughter wanted to see Ga Eul. We won't be long, right, Baby?"
Ye-Jin pouted as she looked at her father. She was not going to leave soon.
"That's alright, Mr. So. I'm sure Ga Eul appreciates your visit."
"Ye... Yes, Yi Jeong Sunbae."
It was awkward and uncomfortable for Yi Jeong, especially when Joon-Ho's younger brother kept glancing at him with slight frown on his forehead. So he looked around the room.
The face behind the window on the door stunted him.
"Excuse me. I'll be right back."
Before anyone could say anything, he quickly paced toward the door but the person was gone.
Once he was outside and looked left and right, he saw a woman, walking almost jogging away toward the exit.
"Ye Eun!"
But the woman walked faster and he ran to catch her. He managed to grab her arm and fortunately, they were near an emergency stairwell so he pulled her to it. Once they were on the other side of the door, he jerked his hand away.
"What the hell are you doing here? You have the nerve to show up your face here after what you've done?" He had to control his voice from screaming at her. And why didn't Woo Bin's men alerted him about her?
"What exactly have I done?"
"Don't play dumb with me. You almost killed Ga Eul and her baby! Was that your intention?"
"Did she tell you that? What a bitch!"
"Ye-Eun!" His right hand was already up to stroke her but he stopped before it hit contact.
"Yi Jeong, you wouldn't dare hit me. You never hit me before."
"There will always be the first time!"
"No. You wouldn't dare. You love me. You wouldn't dare."
"You truly are delusional and crazy."
"I love you, Yi Jeong. I'm here because my gut tells me that you'll be here and I'm going to bring you home with me. We can elope while they're busy chit-chatting in there. You can leave that girl with them. This is our chance, Yi Jeong." She had taken a step toward him.
"Ye-Eun!"
He put a hand up to stop her. "I don't love you. You hurt my daughter, Ga Eul and her baby. I will never love you again."
"That little bitch, that bitch, and her little bitch are all you think about? Why don't you love me?" Ye-Eun was already screaming.
"I'm going to kill them all!"
In the blink of an eye, Ye-Eun had taken out a small knife from her handbag and erratically swung the knife in front of him, shocking the life of him. Was this for real? Was Ye-Eun really this sick and crazy? His heart beat faster and faster. He had to think fast. Ye-Eun had become a different person.
"Ye-Eun… Listen to me." His voice was gentler. "Put the knife down, please."
But she just looked at him with a deep V on her forehead, eyes red and different.
"Ye-Eun, this is me. Yi Jeong. Please give me the knife. There's no need for it. Let's talk it out."
Unexpectedly, she swung the knife nearer to him, almost slicing his arm which on reflex came up to protect his face.
"Ye-Eun!"
"This is all your fault, So Yi Jeong! I hate you! I hate you! You ruined my life! I'm going to kill you and then I'm going to kill those bitches!"
And lunged toward him. Yi Jeong instantly shifted to the left to avoid her and grabbed her wrists. She kept screaming and struggling while kicking his legs making him crouched in pain but still held on her wrists firmly. The echo of her screams was deafening in the confinement of the stairwell. She was a woman possessed and it took most of his energy to hold her. He then tightened his grip and she screamed in pain. The knife finally fell to the floor, missing his right foot and he instantly kicked it and it glided toward the stairs. Then, he twisted her wrists and she screamed louder.
"Help! Somebody, help!"
Suddenly, the door opened and a couple of male staff came in and were shocked to see the two of them.
"Help!" cried the potter.
"I'm going to kill all of you!" She was still squirming and twisting left and right to get free.
Straightaway, the staff who was the bigger one wrapped his arms around Ye-Eun's waist from behind and pulled her away from Yi Jeong. Yi Jeong then released her wrists and Ye-Eun started to kick her legs in the air and flailed her hands erratically while cursing Yi Jeong and the man. She punched and scratched the man's hands but he held on tightly. The other staff quickly opened the door for his friend and Yi Jeong. By the time they stepped into the hallway, people had already gathered, pulled in by Ye-Eun's screaming. Two securities had also arrived.
"Cuff her quick," ordered the staff who was holding Ye-Eun. The other staff immediately grabbed Ye-Eun's hands, though not without a struggle from the fitful woman, while one of the securities cuffed her hands. She was still screaming like a mad woman as she looked at Yi Jeong with hatred when the staff put her down and the other security held her forearm.
"You are going to pay for this, So Yi Jeong!" she spat.
"You need help, Ye-Eun."
"I hate you!"
"Yi Jeong-shii? What's going on?" Mr. Chu and the Im brothers had also arrived upon hearing the commotion.
"Sir, I'll explain later. I promise." And he followed the securities and staff together with Ye-Eun to the security office.
A few hours later, Mr. Chu and Yi Jeong were in the hospital cafeteria. The Im family had gone back since Madam Im was tired. They would come back tomorrow.
"What happened, Yi Jeong-shii?"
And he told all. By the time he had finished, Mr. Chu slumped back against the chair and ran a hand in his hair.
"She's insane."
"I promise that she won't be a problem to us all anymore. She's going to jail for a long, long time."
"But is there a possibility that she'll plead not guilty by reason of insanity? I mean, she sounded like she's having a mental problem. What if that's true? Will she be a free woman? No. I won't let that happen. She needs to be locked up!"
Yi Jeong gulped hard. "She did have a history of severe depressions when she left the country."
"What? Then lock her up in the institution and never let her out."
"Sir, I understand how you feel and I promise that she will be going to jail. We won't let her be free. She's too dangerous to let free."
Mr. Chu suddenly shivered. "I can't imagine what will happen if we were not with Ga Eul and the baby earlier…"
Yi Jeong cringed at the thought of it. He would not forgive himself if Ye-Eun managed to hurt Ga Eul and the baby.
"Yi Jeong-shii, are there any more of your exes that we should be aware of? Those who are like the crazy woman?"
Yi Jeong froze at the unexpected question.
"Sir… I… I don't have any girlfriend prior to Ga Eul, only …. you know but I don't think they are like Ye-Eun." He was sure that his face was beet red from embarrassment. It was not normal to talk about past 'relationships' with the father of the woman he loved.
"How can you be sure?"
"I…"
How was he going to answer the question? He did occasionally receive threats from some of the girls and women whom he had a nightstand with but he ignored them for he only viewed them as empty threats coming from frustrated girls and women. He also had some stalkers but that was all that they were. None were like Ye-Eun, so he believed.
"You know what, I'm worried now for Ga Eul and the baby. What if…"
"Sir." He had to cut in for he did not like where this conversation was going.
"I understand your concern, Sir. I do but please give me a chance to prove that I am worth it for your daughter and granddaughter and that I will keep them safe."
Mr. Chu looked at the younger man and saw the fear of rejection but also determination in his eyes. The older man sighed heavily.
"I'm a father, Yi Jeong-shii and all I want is for my daughter and granddaughter to be safe."
"I know, Sir. I'm a father too. I understand."
"You know, Joon-Ho's mother wants Ga Eul and the baby to be back in Seoul soon. After what happened earlier, she believes that they will be much safer there at their place."
"Sir…" No. No. No.
"But my wife managed to talk to them and have Ga Eul and the baby here until Ga Eul is ready to go back."
Yi Jeong thanked the heaven above.
"But I'm going to be honest here. Joon-Hyun and his brothers asked me about you and I can tell that they were not comfortable seeing you and Ye-Jin here. You are not looking good in their books, Yi Jeong-shii."
Yi Jeong knew that this was one of the challenges that he had to face but he would fight for Ga Eul and her baby even if it took him years.
Mr. Chu just watched the younger man in front of him who was deep in thoughts. Fate was indisputably hard to understand and predict. Years ago, his daughter was supposed to marry this man but he ruined them with his infidelity, breaking his daughter's heart. It was hard to watch his daughter in pain but destiny brought a new love to her and they were married. Again, fate crushed her when she was at the top of the precipice of happiness by taking her husband away but still gifting her with their proof of love in the form of their daughter. And now, this man came back for a chance of happiness and joy, both his and hers. All Mr. Chu wished for was for his daughter to have her happiness and joy and willed his heart to give this man the chance. Yet his ex-girlfriend came back and in a very short period of time had caused them trouble but she was out of the picture for now and hopefully forever. It was now up to his daughter to decide. There were still many issues that lie ahead of her, especially concerning the Im family. He just hoped that his daughter would make a decision that was the best for her and her daughter.
Both startled at the ring of Mr. Chu's phone.
"Yoboseoyo, Honey."
…
"We're at the cafeteria. Alright. We're coming." He then put down the phone.
"Ye-Jin just woke up from her nap and asking for you."
"Oh, thank you. It's time for us to go back as well. It's getting late."
"Madam, I can't thank you enough for looking after Ye-Jin." Yi Jeong had the tired-looking Ye-Jin in his arms.
"That's alright, Yi Jeong-shii. She's a good girl and easy to look after."
"Thank you. So, we'd better get going."
"Appa, can we come again tomorrow?"
"Appa have some meetings, Baby. We'll come if there's enough time." The meetings included a trip to the police station with regards to Ye-Eun.
A pout adorned her face, clearly not happy with the news.
"And Aunt Ga Eul needs to rest."
"Yi Jeong Sunbae…"
But Yi Jeong slightly shook his head. As much as he wanted to come, Ga Eul really needed the rest and Ye-Jin could be a handful.
"Appa…"
"Yes, Baby?"
"Can we go visit my baby sister before we go home?"
The four adults went quiet and exchanged looks. Yi Jeong prayed that none of the Chus thought that he taught Ye-Jin to call the baby her sister.
"Sure, Sweetheart," replied Mrs. Chu. "Send our love to the baby, OK?"
"OK, Halmoni. Good night, Halmoni, Harabeoji, Aunt Ga Eul. I love you."
"We love you too, Sweetheart," said Mrs. Chu while Mr. Chu and Ga Eul offered a smile and a good night wish.
When the father and daughter left, Ga Eul laid back and sighed.
"Appa, Omma…"
"Yes, Sweetheart?"
Both parents went to her bedside.
"What exactly happened?" She was referring to the incident earlier.
"That Ye-Eun. She came here with the intention of 'hurting' you and the baby, and she tried to stab Yi Jeong with a knife during their talk."
"What?" Ga Eul's stomach felt like it was knotted tight. Ye-Eun had really lost it.
"She's locked up at the police station now, waiting for her parents to arrive."
"She's crazy, that woman!" exclaimed Mrs. Chu.
"I want my baby here with me, Appa, Omma. Please."
"She's safe now. Yi Jeong mentioned that some men are guarding the NICU and this floor."
"You mean the security?" asked Mrs. Chu.
"No. His friend's men. His friend's in the security business."
"Woo Bin Sunbae…" whispered Ga Eul. Not many knew about Woo Bin's other business and she was relieved that Yi Jeong was smart with it. If not, her father would go berserk. "Thank you, Yi Jeong Sunbae, Woo Bin Sunbae."
"I can't believe that this happened. Our lives were alright and now, look where we are," stated Mrs. Chu.
Mr. Chu bobbed in agreement while Ga Eul lowered her gaze. Life with the F4 was always 'interesting'.
"Omma, Appa, the doctor said that I can go home tomorrow." She needed to divert from the painful topic.
"That's good news, Sweetheart."
"But Yi Jeong said that you can stay here as long as you want. He'll pay for the stay," said Mr. Chu.
"Why would he do that? And why should Ga Eul stay here?"
"It's easier for Ga Eul to see the baby until the baby's ready to come home."
"Oh… that's very thoughtful of him."
Ga Eul's lips curled up a little. Warmth washed over her being when she thought about him.
"He even offered for us to stay at the nearby hotel so we don't have to travel far."
"Oh. That won't be necessary," said Mrs. Chu.
"That's Yi Jeong Sunbae for you, Omma, Appa."
"Ga Eul, Omma Im wants your answer tomorrow. Have you given a thought about it?"
Ga Eul nodded and started to sniff. Things were too overwhelming right now.
"I'm not ready to go back to Seoul, to the house. I… I want to stay here. Can I? Omma? Appa?"
"Sweetheart." Mrs. Chu placed a hand on the young mother's shoulder. "Of course, you can. Whatever you say, Sweetheart. Until you're ready. Our home is your home, always."
"They'll understand and respect your decision. If they want to see you and the baby, they'll come here," added Mr. Chu.
"Hmmm," agreed Mrs. Chu.
"Omma, Appa, I'd like to see my baby now."
"Alright, Sweetheart."
Two days later, Yi Jeong and Ye-Jin came to the hospital to visit and to inform that they had to go back to Seoul. There was a pressing matter at the Museum that needed his presence. Ye-Jin was upset because she would miss her baby sister, so she said but Mrs. Chu assured her that she was always welcome to visit. She also promised to send a picture of the baby every day, and that sealed the 'deal'.
Ga Eul tried to hide her uneasiness and sadness over the news. Even though it was a very short period of time, she had gotten to be accustomed to the little girl's presence and enjoyed their time together. She silently wished that Ye-Jin and Yi Jeong, of course, would visit soon.
But before they left, Yi Jeong requested to talk to Ga Eul alone which had her parents' raised their brows in suspicions yet they still left the room with little Ye-Jin and took her to see the baby. Ga Eul's heart began to drum a little bit faster.
He took a seat next to her bed and looked at her with unreadable yet mixed expressions, at least for her.
"Hi." A smile graced his handsome face.
They had exchanged the same greetings when he arrived. Still. She then returned the smile. "Hi."
"How are you?" He was referring to her feelings.
He knew her too well. "I… I'm not really sure how to describe them, Yi Jeong Sunbae."
"Everything's too much to handle, am I right?"
She could only nod, but the tears were starting to gather and her nose became redder.
"I'm really sorry about… you know who but know that she won't be any problem anymore. Woo Bin and I have made sure of that."
"What did you and Woo Bin Sunbae do?"
"Enough to guarantee that she'll be behind locked bars for a very long time but that'll be a story for another time."
"Nothing illegal, I hope."
He chuckled and she joined in. "No. Nothing illegal. I promise."
He wanted so badly to touch her blushed cheeks.
"I've talked to the hospital administration. You're free to stay here for as long as the baby is here. I know that your insurance can cover the expense, but this will be on me. I insist."
"Yi Jeong Sunbae…You don't have to if this comes from your guilt-feeling of what Ye-Eun-shii did."
"No. No, Ga Eul-yang. It's not because of that. I really want to do it. Just think of it as a friend's help and I know how difficult it is to be commuting daily from home to the hospital. Moreover, you're still recovering from giving birth. It's not advisable to move too much."
"OK, Yi Jeong Sunbae. Thank you." She was very touched by his concerns.
"Ga Eul-yang, have you decided on the baby's name? Im Ki Eui?"
A surprise greeted her. "You remembered."
He nodded with a smile that made her heart beat faster.
"Im Ki Eui."
"A very beautiful name for a very beautiful girl and she'll grow up beautifully."
"Thank you, Yi Jeong Sunbae."
Silence suddenly engulfed them, each in his and her thoughts.
"Tell me how you feel, Ga Eul-yang."
And she broke into sobs and looked at him. Tears staining her cheeks.
"I'm scared."
"Oh, Ga Eul-yang…" and he took her hands in his own.
"I'm scared. What if I can't be a good mother? How am I going to raise Ki Eui alone? What if she asks where her father is? How am I going to answer? I'm not strong, Yi Jeong Sunbae."
"You are not alone, Ga Eul-yang. You have your parents here with you, and the Im family…" he hardened his heart with the mention of the Im. "They won't let you be alone. They will not let you in the hardship."
"When Ki Eui asks where her father is, you will tell her with great pride that her father was a hero and a very good man. That her father is now in heaven, looking out for her, and that her father loved her."
Ga Eul cried louder. She missed Joon-Ho so much that it hurt.
"And you have me, Ga Eul-yang. I'll be here with you to support you all the way. If you are afraid that Ki Eui won't ever get a father's love, please don't. I will provide her with that love. I already love her like my own child, Ga Eul-yang. I will give her all the love that a child should receive."
"Yi Jeong Sunbae…"
"I truly do and will, and Ye-Jin loves her too. She's already calling Ki Eui her sister."
Ga Eul understood the underlying meaning to his words and her heart was torn. She needed to be very certain of her true feelings. Should she be feeling this way, this soon?
"Yi Jeong Sunbae, I… I don't know what to say." She did not want to get hurt again.
"You don't have to if you don't want to. All I ask is for you to allow Ye-Jin and me in Ki Eui's life… and yours."
She wiped away the tears and looked into his eyes. There were longing, hopefulness, and love in them that her heart swelled with indescribable feelings.
For what felt like an eternity, she slowly nodded, shy. With a wide smile, Yi Jeong brought her hands to his lips and kissed the back of them, making her cheeks blushed rosier. He then stood up and kissed her forehead, lingering longer than he should and said "Thank you." against the forehead followed by a very low whisper of "I love you, Ga Eul-yang." which he hoped that she did not hear.
Her breath hitched and tears swelled again.
He then sat down again and they just gazed at each other, somewhat finding mutual understanding, solace, and peace from the other.
The door then opened and came in her parents and Ye-Jin. Yi Jeong quickly let go of Ga Eul's hands but it did not escape Mr. Chu. Yi Jeong quickly stood up and offered his seat to Mrs. Chu, to which she thanked him.
"Appa, Aunt Ga Eul, the baby opened her eyes and smiled at us."
"Oh, really? That's great, Baby."
"Did you get to see her eyes' color, Sweetheart?"
"Yes, Aunt Ga Eul. They are dark brown. Wait. Black?" The little girl looked at the elders for confirmation.
"Dark brown, Sweetheart."
"Yes. Dark brown."
"Appa, Omma, I've decided on the baby's name."
Their eyes lit up and so did Ye-Jin's.
"Ki Eui. Im Ki Eui."
"What does it mean, Aunt Ga Eul?"
"Ki means the one who has arisen, and Eui means righteousness. Im is her family's name."
"Ooo… My name means talented and precious because I am precious and talented. Right, Appa?"
Yi Jeong chuckled and nodded.
"Really? What talents do you have, Sweetheart?" asked Ga Eul.
"Appa said I'm good in making people happy, talented in drawing butterflies and building beautiful block castles, and I made a pretty pot from the clay."
Yi Jeong nodded in agreement and Ye-Jin glowed proudly.
"Wow. That's a lot of talents, Sweetheart. You must show us your pot and drawings."
"When I come back, I'll bring them here." Her head held up, happy that the elders wanted to see them.
"We can't wait to see them," added Mr. Chu.
The little girl beamed brightly.
"Baby, it's time to go. It's a long drive home."
"Must we, Appa?"
"Yes, Baby but we'll come back as soon as we can. Can you wait patiently?"
She sighed heavily. "Yes, Appa."
"Alright then. Sir, Madam, Ga Eul, thank you for accommodating us and looking after this naughty girl here."
"Appaaaa…."
The elders laughed at her protest and pout.
"It's a pleasure to have her here. She's a sunshine," said Mrs. Chu making Ye-Jin smiled at the compliment.
The little girl then hugged and kissed the elders and Ga Eul on the cheeks while telling them repeatedly that she will come back soon and not to forget to send the baby's pictures every day. Yi Jeong then shook hands with Mr. Chu and bowed to Mrs. Chu and Ga Eul, and they finally left.
The moment the door closed shut, Ga Eul felt a part of her heart left too.