Chapter 9: Dae-Hyun and Eun-Kyung – Part III
Disclaimer: I don't own these BOF characters, other than the new ones.
The main characters and F4 children:
So Yi Jeong and Chu Ga Eul's children: So Dae-Hyun, So Jae Hwa, So Dae-Jung, So Dae-Hwan, So Jae Eun and So Jae Ji. Deceased/Miscarried: So Dae-Ho.
Endearment: Dae-Hyun – Baby (until 7 years old), Jae Hwa – Darling, Dae-Jung – Baby (until Middle School), Dae-Hwan – Hwannie/Sweetheart, Jae Eun – Eunnie/Sweetheart, Jae Ji – Precious, Dae-Ho - Precious.
Song Woo Bin and Ha Jae Kyung's children: Song Eun-Kyung and Song Won-Bin.
Gu Jun Pyo and Geum Jan Di's children: Gu Jung-Hee, Gu Jung-Hwa and Gu Jee Ha.
Yoon Ji Hoo and Yoong Ha Eun's son: Yoon Joo-Won
Published: July 22, 2017
"OPPA!" Both Jae Eun and Jae Ji ran to hug their Dae-Hyun Oppa.
"Hey, Oppa's best girls." He kissed their cheeks and pinched their noses.
"We missed you, Oppa."
"Oppa missed you too."
The rest of the So family watched them with wide smiles and grins, except for Jae Hwa. Still, they were curious about the brunette-haired white girl who came with him. The girl kept a few steps behind Dae-Hyun and the sisters.
Dae-Hyun then went to hug Ga Eul. "Hi, Omma," he said and was rewarded with tears from the mother. Ga Eul hugged him tightly.
"Omma missed you very much. You've been bad, Dae-Hyun, making Omma missed you." She lightly slapped his back.
"Sorry, Omma. There's so much work to do. I'm sorry. But I'm Omma's and everybody's now."
Ga Eul then broke the hug, kissed his forehead and cheeks.
"Appa…" He went to Yi Jeong, next. The father took his hand for a shake and pulled him in for a hug. "How are you, Dae-Hyun?"
"Good, Appa but…"
"Very busy?"
"Yes, Appa. Very busy but good."
Yi Jeong nodded in understanding.
It was then Dae-Jung's turn. "How's your Math Club, Nerdie?"
"Awww, Hyung. Dae-Jung are not a nerd," replied Dae-Jung with a scrunched nose. Dae-Hyun laughed and patted his younger brother's shoulder.
"And who is this tall yet still chubby handsome boy?" He turned to Dae-Hwan who was next to Dae-Jung.
"Hyung! Omma, look at Hyung." Dae-Hwan pouted. Everybody laughed. Their Dae-Hyun was still the same. He loved to tease his brothers. Dae-Hyun then pulled his brother for a hug.
Lastly, Dae-Hyun approached Jae Hwa who was quietly observing the happy reunion of her brother and family.
"Hey, Darling."
"Hey, Oppa."
It was an awkward situation between them. Dae-Hyun could feel that Jae Hwa was angry at him and he could guess why. He knew that they have to talk but right now the whole family was watching them with smiles. He did not want to arouse anything suspicious. Hence, he embraced the young lady and she returned the hug, though hesitantly.
Then, he faced everybody. "Sorry that I'm late. The traffic here is quite something and I have to wait for Carmel to finish her class. We're using her car too for today."
"Carmel?" asked Jae Eun and Jae Ji.
"Oh," Dae-Hyun motioned the brunette to come nearer.
"Everybody, this is Carmel, one of my close friends."
"Hello." Carmel gave a thin smile. She looked uncomfortable being among the strangers.
"Hello." The So members slightly bowed. They looked at Dae-Hyun and Carmel alternately.
Dae-Hyun knew that he had a lot of questions about Carmel coming his way later.
"Come on. Let's go, shall we?"
Dae-Hyun then took his youngest sisters' hands as he led them to the cars. Yi Jeong, Ga Eul, Jae Eun and Jae Ji went with Dae-Hyun while the other three So siblings went in Carmel's.
During the ride, Ga Eul and her daughters asked about Carmel to which Dae-Hyun replied that she was one of his close friends. Then he diverted the conversation to other things and asked the girls about school, the flight to New York and all. The girls excitedly shared their stories. Yi Jeong glanced back to Ga Eul. He knew that his wife was not satisfied with Dae-Hyun's answer. Her nightmare a few weeks ago came to mind. But he would save the questions for later. They did not want to spoil the trip for their young children.
Meanwhile in Carmel's car, it was an awkward uncomfortable atmosphere. She did not talk much or tried to initiate a conversation. Dae-Jung and Dae-Hwan were the ones who asked questions about New York when they could not stand the deafening silence any longer. They too, found it weird that Darling Noona was also quiet, fixing her gaze at the world outside of the car. Carmel answered the boys' questions as briefly as she could.
Forty minutes later, they arrived at a medium-sized bungalow. The garden around the house was beautifully manned and cared. The boys took out the luggage with the help of a butler and brought them inside.
"Dae-Hyun, this is not your place." It was a statement from Yi Jeong.
Dae-Hyun nodded. "My apartment is too small for all of us. Furthermore, all the rooms are occupied."
Yi Jeong exchanged puzzled looks with Ga Eul. "Full?" he mouthed at her.
"Full?" asked Ga Eul. "I remember you told us it's a four-bedroom apartment."
"Yes, Omma, Appa. It is. But there're Carmel, Mark and Samantha."
The parents were surprised at his answer. This was news.
"Oh. Sorry, Omma, Appa. I forgot to tell. They are my course mates and Mark and Samantha are my close friends too. They moved in about 6 months ago. It's easier for us to work and go to class together."
"2 boys and 2 girls?" uttered Ga Eul.
"Omma," Dae-Hyun laughed. "We're not boys and girls anymore. You'll get to meet them before the vacation ends."
Ga Eul glanced at Carmel who was leaning against her car watching Jae Hwa, Jae Eun and Jae Ji admiring the garden and the area.
He waved at them. "Precious, Eunnie. Come on. You get to choose your room," called Dae-Hyun.
Immediately Jae Eun and Jae Ji ran toward the house. Jae Hwa walked behind. When she passed by Carmel, her heart stopped.
"Did Carmel just call my sisters Annoying Spoiled Brats?" Her blood boiled. She fisted her hands.
She was about to turn around and confront the rude woman but Omma called out her name.
"Yes, Omma. Coming." Jae Hwa gritted her teeth. She decided that she hated Carmel more. She wondered for the millionth time why her brother left her Eun-Kyung Unnie to be with this rude person instead.
The three girls shared the second largest room in the house; Dae-Jung and Dae-Hwan chose the one facing the vast backyard with a few apple and orange trees. Their parents, of course, took the Master bedroom while Dae-Hyun had a room for himself.
The bungalow was modernly yet beautifully decorated.
Dinner was prepared by two kitchen staff who came with the rented bungalow. Other house staff included the butler and two maids. At first, Ga Eul wanted to cook but Dae-Hyun forbade. His reason was "Omma is tired from the long flight. As much as I missed Omma's cooking, I want Omma to rest for the night."
The family was whole again. The young girls were the most excited about this vacation and they could not stop talking. Dae-Hyun really missed his family. Jae Hwa, on the other hand, was the quietest. Yi Jeong asked her if she was fine. She replied yes but a little tired. Furthermore, she was having her monthly woman thingy as she called it. Dae-Hyun looked at her and she looked at him. She then quickly averted her eyes and focused on the food. Still, once in a while, she glanced at Carmel who was sitting next to Dae-Hwan. Carmel, in Jae Hwa's eyes, looked like she could not wait for dinner to be over.
Sensing that Carmel was feeling left out, Ga Eul and Yi Jeong asked her about her study, family and all. Carmel's hometown was in a state up north and her father was an engineer. Her mother was a housewife. She was the only child in the family. She said that her interest in ceramic started when she was 7 years old since her grandfather worked at a pottery factory. Dae-Hyun added that Carmel's work was good and Appa should see them some day.
Yi Jeong was always one who admired young people with interests in pottery. He gave Carmel lots of advice and tips. Carmel just nodded her head. However, Jae Hwa did notice how Carmel subtly rolled her eyes at one of Yi Jeong's advice. Jae Hwa wanted to poke those eyes badly.
After dinner, everybody lounged in the family room and discussed their plans. It was a noisy affair, especially among the three youngest Sos arguing over which places to visit first. Yi Jeong, Ga Eul, Dae-Hyun, Jae Hwa and Dae-Jung watched them in amusement.
"Omma and Appa thought that everything was agreed on before we came here?" asked Yi Jeong.
"Dae-Hyun, it's getting late. We got to go." It was Carmel.
All the Sos were surprised. They looked at Carmel and then at Dae-Hyun. They thought that he, at least, would stay with them.
"Aren't you staying here, Oppa, Carmel Unnie?" asked the innocent Jae Eun. Jae Ji nodded in agreement.
"Yes." "No."
Both Dae-Hyun and Carmel replied, further surprising everybody. Dae-Hyun then excused themselves and motioned Carmel to follow him. They went outside.
"What are you doing?" asked Dae-Hyun. He did not see that coming.
"What am I doing?"
"Yes. We've agreed. I'm staying with my family."
"That was before. The house if full. I want you to come home with me."
"No, Carmel. What has got into you?"
"It's dark and I don't want to go back alone."
"So stay here. You can take my room and I can bunk in with my brothers."
"No. I don't want to stay here. I'm going with Mark and Samantha to the museum tomorrow."
"Well, you can go back early in the morning."
"No. I'll be tired by then."
She then held his arm and pulled him closer. "Please come home with me. I'll miss you. Won't you miss me?" She leaned forward to kiss him.
But he leaned back a little. "Carmel, I can't. My family is here."
Carmel let go of his hand and pouted.
"If you come with us, then you won't miss me and don't you want to get to know my family?" He smiled at her.
"I've been to all those places, Dae-Hyun."
"Well, then you just have to continue missing me."
"Dae-Hyun, when are you going to tell them about us?"
"Carmel, please understand. I haven't seen them for more than a year and I don't want to surprise them about us tonight. Not yet. In a few more days, I'll tell them. OK?"
"Why? Why not now? Don't you love me?"
"Of course, I love you. It's just not the time yet. Just a few more days. Just be patient."
"Are you sure you don't want to come back with me?"
"Yes, Carmel."
She further pouted and frowned. "I'm going."
"Hey, don't you want to say goodbye to them?"
"That's OK. I'm sure they've gone to bed. Say goodnight for me."
She then hugged him and leaned in to kiss him but he shifted his head a little making her lips touched his cheek. Carmel hissed in disappointment. She then quickly entered the car, slammed the door and sped off. Dae-Hyun shook his head. His girlfriend was angry at him. She was always this way when she did not get what she wanted. He then went inside.
"Dae-Hyun," called Omma.
"Oh, Omma. Omma startled me." He had a hand over his chest.
"Sorry. Is everything alright? Is Carmel alright? Has she gone back? Why?"
"Everything's alright, Omma. Yes. Carmel's gone home. She's going somewhere tomorrow with Mark and Samantha."
He placed an arm around Omma's shoulders.
"But… is she mad at us? Are you supposed to go with them?"
"No, Omma, and she's not mad. Don't worry about her."
He then kissed Omma's cheek.
"I missed you, Omma."
Ga Eul smiled.
"Omma, can I sleep in Omma's bed tonight?"
"Oh? And where do you suppose Appa should sleep on?"
"Well, I'll sleep in the middle then. Omma on my right, and Appa on my left."
Ga Eul lightly punched his arm as they both laughed happily.
As they passed by the kitchen, Dae-Hyun saw Jae Hwa looking at him with questioning eyes. They really needed to talk.
The days after were happy days for the So family. They went to so many places and tasted new food and delicacies. Each member had chosen two venues to visit. Dae-Hyun had been the perfect tour guide. Even though he was just over a year in New York, he knew most of the places. Other than the two youngest sisters, Dae-Hwan was the most excited. He had already imagined and planned the many scrapbooks when they get back to Korea. He could not wait to work on them.
It had been six days. Jae Hwa began to slowly open up to her brother. Their conversation extended to few words and sentences. They would occasionally share laughs. Yet, there was still that distance between them.
Every night Jae Hwa could hear Dae-Hyun talked on the phone with Carmel. She heard how he tried to console the latter, she assumed, and promised her that he would call her again tomorrow night and be back as soon as he could. She could also hear him ended the call by saying that he loved her. Jae Hwa's heart broke. She cried for Eun-Kyung Unnie. She wanted so badly to talk to Dae-Hyun about it but there was just always no appropriate time for it.
On the 7th day, when they got back to the house, Carmel's car was on the porch. Dae-Hyun was surprised and so was the family. Dae-Hyun asked one of the staff and she said that Carmel had arrived an hour earlier and was in his bedroom. Dae-Hyun rushed upstairs.
"Carmel, what are you doing here?"
She was on his bed.
"Dae-Hyun," and quickly sat up. She approached and kissed him.
"Carmel." He had not closed the door yet.
"Dae-Hyun."
"What are you doing here?"
"I missed you. You promised to come home two days ago."
"When did I?"
"You did!" She was about to cry.
"OK, OK. I'm sorry. But we're planning to meet you guys tomorrow. My family's flight is two days after."
A smile etched up her face. Dae-Hyun would finally be hers again.
"Are you staying for the night?" He wanted to know.
"Yes. Are you going to tell them about us tonight?"
"We'll see."
"Dae-Hyun!"
"Trust me on this, OK?"
She pouted and wrapped her hands around his waist. "I missed you, Baby."
"Shhh. My family is here. They can hear you." He glanced at the door.
"So what if they could?" She was angry again.
"Why are you so afraid that they'll know? Why? Are you ashamed of me?"
"Carmel. Stop acting like a child. You've been acting strange since my family arrived. What is wrong with you? These mood swings. I don't get it. I told you to wait. I will tell them about us."
"When? And why do they have to come here and steal you away from me? And those girls. They annoy me so much with their stories and why did they keep talking about this, this, this Eun-Kyung? Wasn't she the one who came a few months ago? And the other girl. Darling? She's younger than me but she doesn't talk to me. How rude. I hate her. I hate them all. They ruined our time together."
"Carmel!" His voice was up a notch.
"Oppa…." "Oppa…"
Jae Eun and Jae Ji stood frozen at the door. They came to tell Dae-Hyun and Carmel that dinner was ready.
"Eunnie, Precious…"
Carmel looked at them with a hateful glare. "So rude. Interrupting other people's conversation."
"Carmel!"
Tears trailed down the two sisters.
"Dinner's ready. Omma asked to inform Oppa and Carmel Unnie. Sorry."
Jae Eun ran away as soon as she finished talking. Jae Ji followed her sister.
"Eunnie, Precious." Dae-Hyun went toward the door. Before he left, he looked at Carmel. Anger was evident in his eyes. He could not believe what came out of Carmel's mouth.
But she stared back and crossed her arms. "I'm not going down until you agree to tell them about us tonight."
Dae-Hyun's face turned red. Was this the real color of Carmel? What had gotten into her? He knew that she was a jealous person but toward his own sisters and family? And what did she say about his little sisters again?
"You listen to me. You…"
"Dae-Hyun!" It was Yi Jeong. He sounded angry. "You come down right now!" Yi Jeong bellowed from downstairs.
"You are coming down with me," and he pulled her hand roughly.
Once downstairs, everybody was in the living room. Jae Eun and Jae Ji were crying. Jae Eun had her hands around Appa's waist while Jae Ji, around Omma's. Jae Hwa, Dae-Jung and Dae-Hwan's faces were red. They were obviously controlling their anger. Dae-Hyun swallowed hard.
"Appa… Omma…" his voice was low.
"Dae-Hyun, Miss Carmel." Yi Jeong was serious.
"Why are the girls crying?" His voice was cold and serious.
"Appa… Omma…" He then pushed Carmel forward but she just glared at him. "Apologize, Carmel." But she did not say anything.
"Miss Carmel, what did you say to my daughters?"
She kept quiet.
Yi Jeong counted one to ten in his head while Ga Eul held Jae Ji tightly.
"Dae-Hyun. Who is Miss Carmel to you?" Yi Jeong turned to his first born. Dae-Hyun glanced at Jae Hwa before looking at Appa.
"Carmel… Carmel is my girlfriend. No. Carmel WAS my girlfriend." He held his head high. He purposely said it in English.
"Dae-Hyun?" Dae-Hyun!" Oppa?" "Hyung?"
"Dae-Hyun? Baby?" Carmel held his hands but he roughly brushed them away.
"Yes, Carmel. I'm breaking up with you. You obviously are disrespectful towards my family. They didn't do anything wrong to you, yet you hate them. I can't be with someone who hate my family."
"Baby? You must be joking. Tell me that you are." She tried to take his hands but he stepped closer to his family.
"Dae-Hyun?" Dae-Hyun?" Oppa?" "Hyung?" "Miss Carmel?"
"I'm not joking. I don't joke about these things. I thought you're different. I thought you're a kind, nice girl. I thought your jealousy was normal but I thought wrong. I'm glad that my family are here. If not, I will always be blinded by your pretenses and acts. I'm glad that you've finally showed your true colors."
"Dae-Hyun!"
"Go back, Carmel and pack your things. I don't want to see you when I go home. Goodbye, Carmel but before you go, apologize to my family."
All the So members were stunned at the turn of the event. There were so many things happening and revelations coming out tonight. They could only watch Dae-Hyun and Carmel alternately.
"Dae-Hyun, Baby, I love you and you love me. You can't throw away our love in a second. I'm sorry, Baby."
"Don't apologize to me! Apologize to my family!" He shouted at her, to which the youngest girls cried more and the others were shocked at this new side of Dae-Hyun.
Carmel's expression changed from pleading to anger. She then looked at each So child.
"No! I'm not going to apologize. I hate all of you. You steal Dae-Hyun from me. You make Dae-Hyun forget me. I won't forgive you for this."
"Carmel!"
Yi Jeong managed to grab Dae-Hyun's wrist before the young man could strike her.
"Oppa!" "Dae-Hyun!" "Hyung!"
Carmel then turned to Dae-Hyun.
"You want to hit me? Hit me! You want to break up with me? Fine! You're not the only guy in this world. I can get someone much better and richer than you. You love your family that much, huh? Then go to your family. Who needs a mommy's boy, anyway?"
PANGGG! PANGGG!
Carmel's head snapped to the left and then right. Jae Hwa had slapped her hard.
"DON'T YOU EVER INSULT MY BROTHER AND FAMILY!"
"Darling!" "Noona!" "Unnie!"
Carmel was about to strike back when Dae-Jung and Dae-Hwan came nearer and held Jae Hwa's arms. They shook their heads to Carmel.
"URRRGHHHH! YOU ARE GOING TO REGRET THIS. ALL OF YOU!" and she stormed out of the house. Not long after, they heard the sound of her car leaving the place.
Dae-Hyun fell to the floor in front of Yi Jeong and Ga Eul. He bent down until his forehead touched the floor. "I'm so, so, so sorry, Omma. Appa. I'm so, so, so sorry, everybody." He cried out loud.
Regrets. He felt regrets. He also felt guilty. Guilty to everybody and mostly guilty to the one girl who was not there.
"Eun-Kyung… I'm so sorry."
"Oppa…"
Eun-Kyung woke up with sweats on her forehead and her heart racing fast. She placed a palm over the heart and shook her head.
No! It could not be. She wiped away the falling tears.
All the So members were silent as they listened to Dae-Hyun. He started off by apologizing for being too busy to call them regularly. He indeed was busy with two degrees in hand. He then told them about his second Master degree. Yi Jeong and Ga Eul were surprised. He should have discussed this matter with them. They asked him about the tuition fees and he replied that he used his savings. He wanted to surprise them with it. He reasoned that he needed the extra degree if he was to be the So Heir and continue to run the family's business. Yi Jeong and Ga Eul were surprised and touched by his effort and intention of continuing the So legacy but they still thought that he should have asked for their opinions.
Next was the hardest part. The one thing that he knew everybody wanted to know: Carmel.
Carmel was his course mate. They met on the first day of the term. The four of them; Carmel, Mark, Samantha and himself, were assigned in a group for a big project that they had to submit at the end of the term. Being new in a foreign land, they, especially Carmel, were helpful. As time went by, they became closer but he still lived on his own.
Carmel reminded him of Eun-Kyung. She was beautiful, smart, kind and almost everything that Eun-Kyung was. He did not know how and why, but he started to fall for Carmel and he had an intuition that she was also falling for him. Maybe it was because he was away for so long and Carmel was always there to accompany him? He could not answer that. They started to go out on dates and one day, out of the blue, he told her that he loved her and asked her to be his girlfriend. Of course, she immediately agreed. He then asked her as well as Mark and Samantha to move in with him. By that time, he was happy again though becoming busier that his calls to the family became lesser and shorter.
Yi Jeong knew what Ga Eul wanted to ask. He then looked at Dae-Hyun. Their son understood him and shook his head. Yi Jeong and Ga Eul sighed in relief. Even if he and Carmel were a couple, he never slept with her despite her many advances. He was like Omma.
But with this current event, he could not believe that Carmel was such a person. Gone was the kind and nice Carmel, replaced by someone who was bad to the core. If she could be so disrespectful of his parents and family, who would say that she would not be disrespectful to him too, later in the future if they got married? It was a real eye-opener for him.
"What about Unnie, Hyung?" asked Dae-Jung. Jae Hwa held her gaze on her Oppa. She wanted to know too.
"Eun-Kyung…" Dae-Hyun lowered his head.
"I have wronged Eun-Kyung. I have wronged Eun-Kyung. I'm a bad person."
"Oppa hurt Unnie when she came here." Jae Hwa stated, to which everybody turned to look at her.
"Do Oppa know how hurt Unnie is? How could Oppa be so cruel to Unnie? How could Oppa? Unnie came all the way because Unnie missed Oppa and wanted to see if Oppa was alright, and also Unnie thought that maybe if Unnie came, Oppa wouldn't be lonely on Oppa's birthday. But what did Oppa do to Unnie? Do Oppa know how hard it was for Unnie? Do Oppa know how hard for Darling to see Unnie hurt? And Unnie is still thinking about Oppa. Unnie doesn't care if her heart was crushed but Unnie did not want to tell everybody because Unnie did not want everybody to think bad about Oppa. Unnie is suffering inside, Oppa. Do Oppa know that?"
Jae Hwa let her tears came trailing down. She had let out all that she had been suppressing all these times. She felt like the heavy boulders on her shoulders were instantly lifted up.
"Oppa know. Oppa know. Oppa is so, so, sorry."
"Oppa should apologize to Unnie but Darling don't know if Unnie would forgive Oppa." The girl further stated.
"Omma…" Dae-Hyun kneeled in front of Ga Eul and held her hands.
"Please forgive me, Omma."
Ga Eul gently patted his head and nodded. She also wiped away the tears, hers and his. His Appa and siblings looked on with mixed feelings. But one thing for sure, they were grateful, glad and happy that Dae-Hyun chose them, his family, instead of Carmel.
"Should I call Eun-Kyung, Omma?"
"Not tonight, Dae-Hyun. It's night time. Tomorrow."
Dae-Hyun nodded.
Jae Ji suddenly stood up and hugged Dae-Hyun, surprising everyone. Dae-Hyun then hugged her back.
"Precious love Oppa."
"Oppa love Precious, too."
Soon, Jae Eun joined in the hug, followed by Dae-Jung, Dae-Hwan and lastly Jae Hwa.
Yi Jeong had his arms around Ga Eul shoulders as he coaxed his wife. Their hearts soared high at the strong love among their children.
"Annyeong, Eun-Kyung."
Her heart beat faster and she immediately swiped on the End Call icon.
The phone rang again but she did not answer it. She looked at the screen with an international number flashing on. Her heart beat faster. She knew that it was him. It was Dae-Hyun.
The ringing died but soon started again. Again, she let it be. Tears started to fall.
The phone rang for forty-three times, as shown on the phone's screen.
She then switched it off.