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Summary: Four years and continents apart. What keeps Yi Jeong and Ga Eul's hope alive are the letters that they write to each other from time to time…

LOVE LETTER

XXVIII

As events turned out, he didn't have to call Ga Eul or arrange to meet her. She came to meet them at Jun Pyo's place for an impromptu celebration of both their best friends' engagement. Yi Jeong was happy for them, but he kept a close eye on Ji Hoo who seemed fine. 'Perhaps now he can move on and find someone else,' Yi Jeong thought, feeling a wave of empathy for the white knight of the group. Ji Hoo was gentle, compassionate, good-looking and at the end of the day, far more honourable than Yi Jeong had expected. He more than deserved to find a love of his own.

Woo Bin too looked wistful occasionally as Jun Pyo and Jan Di squabbled affectionately with each other over where to hold the wedding. Jan Di wanted it here in Korea, Jun Pyo wanted the wedding to be held in Scotland; he had seen a medieval castle there and fallen in love with it at first sight. And in true Jun Pyo style, he had purchased it. Yi Jeong knew that Woo Bin had a new girl but he knew that Woo Bin still had a big soft spot for Jae Kyung. Sometime soon, he would talk to him about what happened.

Next to him, Ga Eul was nibbling on some éclairs. "These are delicious," she sighed before realising that he was looking at her. "I like food," she mumbled.

"I know you do. Why do you think I took all those pictures and sent them to you?" he replied softly. His arm was stretched out across the back of her chair and he longed to slip it around her shoulders. Ga Eul however would not be comfortable with such a public, at least her version of public, affection; she hadn't even allowed him to kiss her just now, opting to give him a quick hug before she scooted off to Jan Di, effectively ending his attempts to be affectionate.

"I know, thank you," she said quietly before holding out an éclair to him. He took it from her, enjoying the brush of her fingertips against his. If no one else had been here, he would have asked her to feed it to him and then lick her fingers until she melted into her chair. 'Stop, stop it,' Yi Jeong warned himself. Things would get uncomfortable if he continued thinking about it and he had already chucked his dinner napkin onto the table. If he put it back on his lap, the other three—okay, maybe not Jun Pyo—the other two would immediately know what was going on and he would never hear the end of it.

Yi Jeong had a slightly faraway look, he didn't realise she was offering him another éclair. "Sunbae? What are you thinking about?"

He looked startled and coughed slightly before taking the pastry from her. "Nothing really. Just that one day, we should go to those places together so that you can experience the types of cuisine that they have to offer."

"Oh." She really should be thanking him for his offer but at the moment, all she could think about was travelling alone with Yi Jeong. Specifically, she was wondering about accommodation. Twin rooms, single rooms one bed, single rooms with two beds. If she had her way, she would have liked to cuddle with him in the same bed. 'Stop it, stop it. You cannot be thinking about sleeping with him in the same bed.'

"Ga Eul yang? You don't want to?"

"No! I do. I would very much like to. Go on a holiday with you that is," she blurted out before realising that he could not possibly know what she had been thinking about. "Thank you sunbae."

He knew she didn't want any displays but he couldn't help it. Before she realised what he was doing, he leaned forward and dropped a quick kiss on her cheek. She blushed and looked down. Across the table, the other three hooted at them. Jan Di merely smiled and jabbed Jun Pyo in the side, telling him to be quiet.

"So, when's it gonna be your turn?" Woo Bin raised his glass at Yi Jeong who shot him a mock glare.

"I just got back today. Cut a guy some slack," Yi Jeong muttered.

"If anyone should be given some slack it's Ga Eul. After all, she's been branded Casanova's wife/girlfriend on public television and had the country speculating about whether you'd gotten her pregnant. You should make it up to her soon."

"Ji Hoo sunbae!"

"Not to mention that between us, Jun Hee and I practically bound and gagged the media concerning this matter. You owe us Yi Jeong. Time to hang up your Casanova identity and become a respectable married man, like me," Jun Pyo smirked.

Ga Eul wished the floor would open up and swallow her. She had expected some teasing but not about marriage! And then she felt Yi Jeong's hand over her cold ones, his fingers tightening protectively.

"Firstly, I've sent Casanova into retirement a long time ago. Secondly, I'm not getting married simply to repay you three for your favours, however grateful I am for them. Thirdly, as for marriage, that's between Ga Eul and me. And that is the end of this conversation."

Woo Bin sighed dramatically. "Look at him, all grown up." And then he dodged as Yi Jeong threw an éclair at him. "Maybe I spoke too soon."

"If you boys are finished teasing them, maybe we could go to the hall. Apparently Jun Pyo has made a recording of the castle and he wants us to have a look at it."

"And after that we'll take a vote. If majority like the castle, then we'll have it there."

"Yah! Gu Jun Pyo, this is not some board meeting. The decision is for you and me to make!"

"I wonder how the rest of the wedding planning will go," Woo Bin said to Ji Hoo as they followed Jun Pyo and Jan Di.

"I'm betting there will be fireworks, of all kinds."

……………………..

It was close to ten o'clock when Yi Jeong's car pulled up outside Ga Eul's house. "I've got classes in the morning and early afternoon but I'll call you once I'm done?"

"That's fine. I'm going to see my mother tomorrow morning." Yi Jeong smiled at the concern in her lovely eyes. "Don't worry. My mother is much better now. The weekly therapy sessions have helped a lot and I hear that she's started painting again. She had an exhibition once, before she got married. After that she gave it all up to look after her family."

Ga Eul lifted a hand and touched his cheek gently. "Let me know how everything goes?"

"I'll send you a message, promise. Now, aren't you going to thank me for the lift?"

"Aren't we demanding this evening?" Ga Eul retorted but she saw the mischief in his eyes. "Will a simple thank you suffice?"

"I'll tie you up with the seatbelt if you think that'll let you off the hook."

"Mmm, how about a hug?" She unbuckled her seatbelt, watching as Yi Jeong lifted his eyebrows, fairly daring her to try and make a break for it.

"Warmer, but not exactly what I have in mind."

"You know, they say a kiss is just a kiss."

"Not when it's a kiss from you," he said solemnly. "Now come here Ga Eul yang."

He didn't have to ask twice. She leaned over, her hands sliding up to his shoulders even as his arm went around her waist and his other hand cupped her cheek. Gently, he rubbed his nose against hers, eliciting a soft laugh which he promptly silenced as he kissed her.

When they finally came up for air, he held her close, feeling her heart beat against him. "That was some thanks," he said huskily.

"Call it the Soulmate Special," Ga Eul quipped, trying to catch her breath. She buried her face against his neck, inhaling the smell of his cologne. She loved everything about him, she wanted to keep touching him to assure herself he was here. "Reserved only for So Yi Jeong."

"It had better be. If not, I'll get Woo Bin to help me bury the body."

She giggled and was about to reply when her handphone rang. "Ah? Who could that be?" She looked at the screen and her eyes widened before she hurriedly picked up the call. "Yes? What? No, it's quite late though. Can this wait another time? No. Okay, alright. Bye."

Ga Eul turned to Yi Jeong, her eyes wide and apprehensive. "That was my mother. Apparently she was in my room to get a movie when she looked out, saw your car and figured that you were back."

"And?" Yi Jeong prompted when Ga Eul went quiet.

"She and my father are sitting in the hall right now. They want to meet you."

Yi Jeong's mouth dropped open. "You've got to be kidding."

…………………….

"Done in by Stairway to Heaven, whatever that is," Yi Jeong muttered as Ga Eul fumbled with her keys. "How do I look?"

He looked so worried that if she hadn't been as worried, she would have told him that he looked adorable. He looked a little like a nervous schoolboy on his first day of school and he kept tugging on his tie and jacket. "Sunbae, if you tighten your tie anymore, you're going to be blue in the face when you meet them. Stop fidgeting."

"I'm not prepared! I meant to buy Godiva chocolates for your mother and …and cigars or something for your father."

Ga Eul smiled to herself, touched that he had been preparing in advance for the meeting even though it was only his first day back home. "My father hates smoking," Ga Eul said as she finally got the key into the lock. "And he doesn't drink either."

"So what does he like then?"

"Books. He gets it from Halmoni. He adores rare editions and he has a small collection he built over the years." She turned to Yi Jeong, loosened his tie and smoothed his hair. "Don't worry, my father doesn't own a gun so you shouldn't fear for your life. They just want to meet you in person, that's all. And you look great, almost as handsome as my teacher."

"Chu Ga Eul, you—" Yi Jeong shut his mouth as Ga Eul pushed open the door. He would get her for that later. For now, he had to walk the parental plank. Hopefully, he would not be asked to jump off.

She led him down the narrow passageway which opened up into a hall. It was a nice home but the only thing that Yi Jeong could look at was the couple who were standing near the sofa. Ga Eul certainly resembled her mother, but she had inherited her beautiful hair from her father. Come to think of it, Mr Chu looked extraordinarily young for a man who would at least be in his late forties.

"Good evening, Mr and Mrs Chu. I'm Yi Jeong," he greeted dutifully, bowing low to show his respect. "It's an honour to finally meet you both."

"Oh no, the pleasure is ours. Please have a seat. Ga Eul ah, could you get us some drinks please?" her mother said.

'One down, one more to go,' Ga Eul thought gleefully as she nodded and left a nervous looking Yi Jeong at the tender mercies of her father. Based on that star-struck look on her mother's face when she had seen Yi Jeong, Ga Eul was sure that her Omma would go easy on him. 'She always was a sucker for a handsome face.' Unfortunately, her Appa knew that and would be likely to come down harder on Yi Jeong because he knew his wife would have deserted him in that respect.

Yi Jeong looked longingly at Ga Eul as she left for the kitchen. Taking a seat, he forced himself to look as relaxed as he could. "I apologise for not bringing any gifts. I was going to, after asking Ga Eul when would be a good time to meet you."

"Don't worry about it Yi Jeong. We just wanted to meet you as soon as possible since we've heard so much about you."

Mr Chu looked kind but that smile had a no nonsense firmness to it. 'Heard so much about my Casanova days, you mean. And saw it on the news that I might have impregnated your daughter without marrying her. Where is Ga Eul?' Since she was nowhere in sight, Yi Jeong decided he was on his own. "I don't think much of it was good, especially if it was because of the news. I apologise as well for any inconvenience the situation caused."

"Now now, we know that it's not your fault. Ga Eul's grandmother explained what you had done for her and we guess that someone involved in the planning had spoken to the press. I thought you were very sweet to send her and her best friend on a holiday. My mother-in-law hasn't been that happy in a long time."

Yi Jeong smiled gratefully at Mrs Chu. At least she was on his side.

'Yi Jeong, I'm a straightforward person and there is something that Mrs Chu and I would like to ask you. Are you serious about our daughter?"

"Yobo, maybe now is not the best time—" A gentle pat on the hand from her husband stopped Mrs Chu.

"If Yi Jeong is serious about Ga Eul, he shouldn't mind us asking. After all, if we as parents don't look out for her, who will?"

If—not if—when he married Ga Eul, they would be his parents too. That realisation suddenly dawned on Yi Jeong. As much as he loved his mother and father in his own way, they had never been stable influences in his life. Mr and Mrs Chu would be different. Even though they weren't openly affectionate, there were small signs that indicated how at ease they were with each other. The way Mrs Chu looked at her husband sometimes when she was speaking to see what his reaction was, the gentleness with which Mr Chu treated his wife, the way they sat slightly inclined towards each other.

He wanted them to like him, and not just because they were Ga Eul's parents. "Mr Chu, I assure you that I'm completely serious about Ga Eul. I've never met anyone like her…she's taught me so much. I have a colourful past, if I may be allowed to put it that way, but she's changed all that. I treasure her very much and I'll do everything I can to make her happy. Time will show that my intentions towards her are sincere."

"Omma, Appa, the drinks are ready."

Yi Jeong froze, wondering if Ga Eul had overheard what he had said. She seemed fine though as she served the coffee and sat back down beside him. He wanted to hold her hand but decided not to since her father might take offense at that.

"So, what have you been talking about?"

"Just getting to know him, that's all Ga Eul," her father answered smoothly. "I'll hold you to your word then Yi Jeong."

Yi Jeong nodded, relieved that he had passed the test, for now. There would be plenty of time for him to show that he intended to keep his promise. Sitting safely in a locked compartment of his hand luggage was a small velvet box with something very special inside that he had brought back from Sweden. Something he fully intended to give to Ga Eul when the time was right.

………………

"So, did I pass?" Yi Jeong asked anxiously as Ga Eul walked him to the gate.

"I think they liked you. My father didn't ask uncomfortable questions I hope." She had meant to rescue him sooner but she couldn't find the coffee powder and half suspected her mother had moved it from its usual place to buy them more time alone with him.

"Well, he did ask me if I was serious about you. But it's a fair question and I would have been surprised if he hadn't."

"Defending him are we?" she teased before turning serious. "I haven't told them about what happened with your grandfather. I was going to, before setting a date for meeting them. I'll let them know tomorrow."

"I like them," Yi Jeong said quietly. "I wish my parents had been a bit more like that. Could you ask when would be a good time for me to visit them next week? I'll bring the gifts this time."

"You and my mother are going to get along famously I think. She asked me just now to invite you over for dinner next Friday, if you can make it. She's cooking daeji bulgogi and soy honey chicken. She's famous in our family for those dishes."

"Wild horses couldn't keep me away. I'll bring dessert."

"More éclairs?" Ga Eul asked hopefully.

"Mango mousse and almond sponge cakes. I'll bring some éclairs for you."

He chucked her affectionately under the chin before pulling her into his arms, hugging her tightly. It was amazing, how much he loved her, she was everything.

When they finally parted reluctantly, Yi Jeong gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek, just in case two pairs of eyes were watching from behind the curtains. Ga Eul waited until she saw his car disappear from sight before she locked the gate and went back to the house.

She was already counting down the hours until she could see him again.