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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

XXXII

Ga Eul smoothed down the dress, and gazed at the mirror, aware that she couldn't stop smiling. Her wedding was five days away, she would be flying to Scotland with Yi Jeong and their friends the day after, and everything was going according to plan. Apart from viewing the tape that Jun Pyo had made of the castle, Yi Jeong had shown her pictures of surrounding gardens, the dark crystal blue loch that the castle was situated near to, and the gentle rolling hills behind. It was like a fairytale castle, a place where happy endings could be made. She couldn't wait to be there.

"Ga Eul ah, are you going to come out?" Jan Di called. 'Time to stop daydreaming,' Ga Eul told herself as she adjusted the bodice. Giving it one final tug up, she stepped out of the dressing room. "Well, what do you think?" Jan Di had seen the dress many times before but Jae Kyung had returned from the States only three days before.

Jae Kyung had been working on her BlackBerry Storm but the moment she saw Ga Eul, she stopped, her hand frozen in mid air. Dropping the phone, she stood up and circled Ga Eul slowly.

"What?" Ga Eul looked at Jae Kyung nervously. The gown had been custom made for her and she had worked with one of the top designers in the country, at the insistence of both Yi Jeong and Madam Kim, her future mother-in-law.

"You're going to outshine even the scenery I think," Jae Kyung said quietly, a smile slowly making its way over her face. "You look so beautiful, and this dress is wonderful."

The ivory satin and lace gown was strapless and fitting, revealing her slender figure before flaring out in gentle waves just above the knee and ending in a small elegant train that was covered in intricate floral blooms. The embroidery was astonishingly delicate and the satin glowed gently under the light. It made Ga Eul look ever fairer, turned her into an ethereal princess.

"Have you decided what jewellery to wear?" Jan Di asked, noting the fleeting wistfulness that appeared on Jae Kyung's face. Even though the latter was as cheerful and bright as ever, coming to Korea was painful for Jae Kyung. She had returned after more than two years only to attend Jan Di's wedding and now, she was here because Ga Eul had asked her to be a bridesmaid. As far as she knew, there had been no contact between Woo Bin and Jae Kyung. In fact, the two seemed to avoid each other like the plague. They had always been at opposite ends of the massive ballroom where her wedding had been held and Jae Kyung had requested to be seated with some other socialites that she knew rather than the other F4 members. The moment the wedding had ended, she had boarded a flight back to America. Until today, no one knew exactly what had happened between Woo Bin and her.

"Yi Jeong's mother is lending me her antique diamond teardrop earrings and I'll wear a diamond cuff bracelet she bought me as a wedding gift. And of course my engagement ring, but nothing else apart from those. This dress is an accessory in itself."

Jae Kyung tapped her fingers against her chin lightly. "You should wear your hair down, in soft waves. Just pull some of it back and let the rest come down naturally. Your hair is gorgeous anyway, it's shampoo commercial material." She mock flipped her own short locks and they burst out in giggles.

"Since I'm already in my dress, let me see you in yours."

While Jae Kyung was inside changing, Ga Eul sat down beside Jan Di. "This dress is tight," she wheezed slightly. "But I think I should still be able to eat."

Jan Di smiled. "Just look at us," she nodded in the direction of the mirror. "We still look the same although so much has changed. I'm married, you're getting married. And to members of F4 too. Who would have ever imagined this moment all those years ago?"

They looked at their reflections in the mirror. Jan Di could see the changes time had wrought on her; her hair was longer, her face wiser, those sharp dark eyes just a little bit mellower as well. And as always, the large rock masquerading as a diamond ring on her wedding finger could not be ignored. Most men bought big diamond rings because they either loved their wives or wanted to flaunt their wealth. Jun Pyo must be the only husband in the world to buy a huge in-your-face ring as a warning sign to other men that she was taken and that they should forget about pestering her or else.

"You look happier, and more peaceful," Ga Eul said softly. "In spite of a rough start, Jun Pyo sunbae has been good for you."

It wasn't like Jan Di to praise her husband in front of others, let alone in private. But the tenderness in her smile as Ga Eul spoke was unmistakable.

The conversation came to a halt when Jae Kyung emerged. "That's not fair," Jan Di pouted. "How come she looks so much better in the same dress?"

Like the bride's gown, the bridesmaid's dress was also strapless with a fitted bodice. But below that, the material fell in flowing drapes that stopped quite a few inches above the knee. Jun Pyo had grumbled but Jan Di had told him flat out that she was not altering the dress. The material was of the palest baby blue. While Jan Di looked very pretty in it, Jae Kyung was striking.

Jae Kyung did a little twirl and admired the way the material swirled gently. "That won't be true according to Jun Pyo. And his is the only opinion that counts." Her smile dimmed momentarily before brightening again but it had given away whom she was thinking about. "You know, you guys might have to come to America next year for bridesmaid dress fittings too."

"Ah?" Jan Di blurted out her surprised exclamation before she could stop herself. Ga Eul wasn't able to speak at all. Her first thought was to call Yi Jeong and tell him.

She had been wondering for days whether she ought to tell them about his proposal. It had been so sudden; he had insisted on seeing her off at the airport and moments before she walked through the gate, he had proposed. If she still came back single and unattached, they should get married, he insisted. He would be able to fill that gap in her heart if she gave him a chance.

"His name is Oliver, he's a business associate and we're really good friends." That's why she felt so guilty for even considering his proposal. "I'm considering his offer. He's been very patient and there's no one I like as much as him. I'll give him an answer when I go back."

Ga Eul wanted to point out that friendship involved a different kind of love and affection but she stopped herself. Obviously Jae Kyung knew that. So what was the point in telling her not to marry this man? "As long as you feel that you'll be happy," she finally said, noticing how relieved Jae Kyung looked.

Jan Di nodded mutely. It was clear she didn't approve but she wasn't going to say it. But she did ask a question that had been weighing on all their minds when Jae Kyung dropped her bombshell. "Are you going to tell Woo Bin sunbae?"

Her only response was a sad smile and a small shrug. Apparently, Jae Kyung didn't know the answer to that.

……………..

Chung Ae stood nervously outside her husband's room. The wedding was taking place soon and she had already packed her bags. Two days before the wedding, she would catch an evening flight together with the rest of Ga Eul's family and her own relatives, and Il Hyun and Eun Jae. Apart from them, none of the So clan would be there, including Hyun Sub.

Gathering her courage, Chung Ae knocked on the door once. There was no response. She knocked again, louder this time. And then she heard his voice telling her to come in.

Hyun Sub had thought it was one of the servants. He hadn't expected to see his wife in this wing of the house, let alone standing here in his room. They really were strangers living under the same roof. He managed to stay out of her way and she had made no efforts to see him at all, especially once she had begun treatment with her psychologist. "What do you want?" he asked, trying not to sound too cold.

It was hard to be in his presence; after all, she had spent a lifetime of unrequited love on him. He had not even tried to love her; perhaps that's what hurt the most. But she was stronger now and she had to do this, at least for Yi Jeong's sake.

"Are you sure that you won't come?" she finally said, holding her hands together to prevent herself from fidgeting.

Hyun Sub went back to knotting his tie, trying to ignore the sight of his wife whom he could see in the mirror. "You know that my father disapproves of this marriage. I don't want to anger him any further or he might go back on his word to leave Yi Jeong alone. Besides, I don't want to go. I don't like weddings." He smiled ironically at that last part and although he knew he was being slightly cruel, he couldn't help it.

That hurt but she refused to flinch. Hyun Sub despised her for her weakness and she had to show him that she was different now. "I didn't realise that. Yes, you are right. I was just concerned about Yi Jeong; he was disappointed when he told me that you were not coming."

When she smiled graciously at him, Hyun Sub seemed to see her for the first time. She wore a simple lavender blouse and white skirt. Around her neck she wore a strand of pearls. She was still a beautiful woman, with her dark hair and pale unlined skin, and utterly wasted on him. "Are you going out?"

"Yes, I'm going over to Ga Eul's place. Her mother and I have some errands to run together." When he didn't reply, she took it as a sign that she should go. Chung Ae was about to close the door behind her when Hyun Sub spoke again.

"Send Yi Jeong my well wishes. He took the road less travelled by. For his sake, I hope it has made all the difference."

Chung Ae blinked against the fiery sting of tears. "I'll let him know, he'll be happy to hear it." She paused for a second before deciding that she would speak her mind. "You and I, we've hardly done anything right but our sons have turned out good men."

Her words were still echoing in his ears long after she had gone.

……………

Yi Jeong brushed a stray hair from Ga Eul's cheek, stroking her head gently as she sighed and nuzzled in closer. Unable to sleep until the last part of the flight, she had finally dozed off and had proceeded to practically sleepwalk her way through customs while leaning on him. And now they were finally in a car on their way to the castle and she had slept off again. He was tired too but had decided to keep awake as much as possible. He didn't want to miss a moment of this.

Jun Pyo, Jan Di and Jae Kyung were ahead in their own car and behind them were Ji Hoo and Woo Bin. Yi Jeong wondered again if he should tell Woo Bin the news of Jae Kyung's possible impending engagement. Woo Bin was pretending not to care that Jae Kyung was around, but he could not disguise the faint shadows under his eyes, or the fact that he drunk harder or flirted more now that she was here. If he cared for her, he ought to pursue her. If anything, Yi Jeong's own situation with Ga Eul should serve as an encouragement to seize chances that came one's way.

The car coming to a smooth stop interrupted his thoughts and he realised that they were here. The wall was high and iron gates looked equally imposing. But leaves and branches from the magnificent trees that lined the seemingly endless driveway formed a golden canopy that was like something out of a dream. "Ga Eul yang, wake up." He shook her gently until she opened her eyes and yawned. "Look outside sweetheart."

"Sunbae, oh my goodness…" Ga Eul pressed her fingers to her lips. She had never seen autumn like this, had never seen trees such a rich shade of gold. It felt like she was being travelling deeper into some enchanted wood.

Turning to him, she planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "I'm so glad you suggested getting married here," she murmured before turning her attention to the scenery outside again.

Yi Jeong was wondering just how much Jun Pyo had paid for this when the castle came into view. Still framed by the trees on either side as they neared the end of the driveway, it was a startling white under the sun with dark greyish blue roofs and turrets. And not too far away in the background lay the deep wide loch that stretched as far as the eye could see, surrounded by green hills dotted with trees gilded gold and red by autumn.

"Happily ever after comes with a perfect castle apparently," Yi Jeong finally said after he and Ga Eul sat there admiring the view in silence.

"Let's hope some of this romantic atmosphere rubs off on Jae Kyung and Woo Bin sunbae."

"You never know. It just might."

There was something about the way he said that which made Ga Eul stare hard at her fiancé. "Did you do something?"

Yi Jeong's mischievous smile was enough to answer her question.

……………….

Woo Bin surveyed the room. For a place that was about five hundred years old, it was not bad at all. His room had a view that overlooked the lake and now that it was almost evening the waters sparkled, threaded with light like diamonds.

When he found himself wondering where Jae Kyung was, Woo Bin decided it was time to explore the place. The rest of the guests would arrive only tomorrow and all of them were putting up in the numerous rooms the castle contained. The wedding would be take place the day after. In the meantime, he would try his best to avoid her, he was sure it could be done.

Which was why he was mildly horrified to discover that she was staying in the room directly opposite his. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question," she shot back, chin slightly in the air.

Then an awkward silence descended. Jae Kyung looked at the ground while Woo Bin stared off to the side, hoping that Ji Hoo or Yi Jeong or anyone would appear. Unfortunately though, the corridor was deserted except for them. Woo Bin wondered if he could get himself shifted to another room.

"I hope you're not thinking of running off to another room."

Damn the woman. She could always read his mind. "It might make things less awkward."

Jae Kyung pasted on the biggest smile she could muster. "It was more than two years ago and I'm past that. Besides, this is Yi Jeong and Ga Eul's wedding. We can put aside our differences for a couple of days." With bravado she didn't quite feel, she held out her hand to him. "Care to shake on that Prince Song?"

Big bright eyes gazed up at him and in spite of himself, Woo Bin grinned. Ha Jae Kyung was openly daring him to turn down her offer. "You're on Monkey."

Taking the first step was already enough for that day. But somehow, Jae Kyung could not bring herself to say no when Ji Hoo asked if she wanted to explore the area with Woo Bin and him. Besides, Jan Di and Jun Pyo were off exploring on their own, and Yi Jeong and Ga Eul were meeting with the wedding planners and the staff. She didn't want to be a third wheel. And whether she liked it or not, she knew she also wanted to be close to Woo Bin. In spite of his sudden coldness to her and the way he had ended their semi-relationship, she still missed him. If she could walk away from him at the end of this, she would take it as a sign that she could learn to be happy with Oliver.

She was busy pondering the wisdom of this decision when Ji Hoo's words almost stopped her in her tracks. "Did you know the castle might be haunted?"

"What?" Jae Kyung hardly ever squeaked and usually nothing fazed her. But ghosts were another thing entirely. One couldn't beat up a ghost.

"Well, I haven't managed to find out the entire legend but I read something about a pair of lovers who quarrelled here and the woman ran away and got lost in the mists of the hills. Some say she fell into the loch and drowned. Others say she left and there are other stories about how she was carried away by another suitor. The man, who was a son of the family that owned this castle, spent his whole life searching for her and he died before finding her. So apparently, his ghost is still searching for her until today. By day he roams the countryside and by night he searches the rooms, thinking she will be there."

Woo Bin didn't believe in ghost stories at all but he was concerned about Jae Kyung who was staring ashen-faced at Ji Hoo. "Oi, Ji Hoo ah, stop talking about such things."

"Why would Jun Pyo want to buy a castle with such a miserable history to it?" Jae Kyung jumped as blades of grass brushed her legs.

Ji Hoo smiled. "Oh, you know Jun Pyo. He's an impulse buyer. Please don't mention this to Yi Jeong or Ga Eul okay? It might upset them. Besides, I didn't smell roses in the hallway or corridor just now."

"Hey, that's enough. Why don't we—"

"What about the smell of roses?" Jae Kyung interrupted Woo Bin who was standing behind her. She could not see him frantically pointing at her and shaking his head at Ji Hoo, who chose to ignore him.

"The male ghost supposedly carries roses with him to give to his lover when they meet again. It's his way of saying sorry."

So much for roses being on her top five list of favourite flowers. Jae Kyung shivered and wrapped her arms tightly around herself in spite of the gentle warmth.

"Are you okay?" Woo Bin asked, glaring daggers at the oblivious Ji Hoo's back as the latter walked off. "Monkey?"

She was not going to imagine a lonely male ghost roaming the corridors. Nope, she wasn't going to imagine him trying all the knobs and handles and making his way into the rooms. No way was he going to make his way into her room. "Woo Bin ah, can I just hold onto your arm for a second?"

Without questioning why, he held out his arm to her and let her wrap her slender arms around it as she pressed herself against his side. His solid warmth and strength felt good and for a moment, her fears were abated.

…………

Ji Hoo snuck a quick look back before speaking again into his phone. "It's working. Yup, she swallowed that ghost story, hook, line and sinker."

"Operation: Mr and Mrs Monkey has successfully taken off."

"I wish you wouldn't call it that."

"Yah, this is my castle and my plan. I'll call it anything I want."

"Wasn't it Jan Di and Yi Jeong's plan?"

"Oh look, Jan Di wants to talk to me. I'll see you later."

Ji Hoo chuckled softly as he slid the phone back into his pocket. Behind him, Jae Kyung and Woo Bin were still walking arm in arm.