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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

XXXIII

Tomorrow, she would be married to Yi Jeong. In the last few hours of the afternoon and in a beautifully kept garden that overlooked the loch, she would walk down a narrow path that led to a small gazebo. There, before their family, friends and the Justice of the Peace, he would be waiting for her to start their life together.

Ga Eul sighed and gazed out the window at the glittering loch. She felt so excited, she wanted to be with him so that time would fly and the hours in between would disappear. Instead, she was stuck in her room because of some silly superstition which wasn't even Korean in origin but which her grandmother and mother wanted her to adhere to. In the meantime, her wedding planner was busy going over last minute details with Yi Jeong.

A gentle snore from her bed reminded her that she wasn't entirely alone. If she were Rapunzel, Jae Kyung was Sleeping Beauty. Terrified because of the fake ghost story that Ji Hoo had told her, she had spent the night sitting up in bed with all the lights on. As a result, she had hardly been able to keep her eyes open for most of the morning and the moment Ga Eul had been confined to her room, Jae Kyung had gladly accompanied her so that she could catch a nap without fear of being alone with a lonely spectre. Jan Di had wanted to come to but Jun Pyo had insisted that she stay with him.

Quietly so as not to disturb her sleeping friend, Ga Eul took out a pen and some paper. If she couldn't see Yi Jeong, there was one other thing that she could do. It had been quite awhile since she had last written him a letter.

………………………

Yi Jeong looked around at the garden, aware that Ga Eul was several levels above and probably looking out of her window. He had tried sneaking through the gardens to see if he could have a look at her, even if it was from afar. But his mother had realised what he was up to and had sternly warned him against upsetting his future in-laws, so he had no choice but to obey. Inwardly, he sulked a little but the thought of marrying Ga Eul tomorrow more than cheered him up. They had waited five years for this day to come and one more day would be bearable.

"Is there anything else that you would like to go over again Sir?" His wedding planner asked solicitously but Yi Jeong told her that everything was fine. The garden was huge, a sprawling landscaped work of art which was fairly bursting with colour. In order to complement this, the marquee tent where the wedding dinner would take place in was large and cream, with the centrepieces of the tables created with flowers from that garden itself. The wedding theme was cream and pale gold, his favourite colours on Ga Eul.

It was almost evening and time for dinner. Once again, he wished that he could eat with Ga Eul but reminded himself to be patient. Still, he couldn't help but be curious over the strange demand that they both follow the tradition of not being able to see each other the day before and on the day of the wedding itself. Woo Bin had said that some couples followed that rule but as far as he knew, it was only for the day of the wedding, not the day before.

"Yo, my soon to be married bro."

Yi Jeong jumped before he could stop himself. He hadn't even heard Woo Bin coming up behind him. "Are you guys going to eat now? I could use some company."

"How the mighty have fallen. Once best friends, now substitutes for Ga Eul." Woo Bin sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his heart and then ducked as Yi Jeong tried to elbow him in the side.

"Mystery solved," Ji Hoo announced as they made their way to the main dining hall.

Yi Jeong frowned. "What mystery?"

"This strange arrangement about Ga Eul not being allowed to see you until the wedding tomorrow. Woo Bin and I overheard a conversation between your mother, her mother and grandmother. Based on what they said, Ga Eul's grandmother is the main culprit with your mother as the second in command. Ga Eul's mother is just going along with them."

"And this is about?"

"Grandchildren and the number four. They're planning for the appearance of Number One tomorrow night and are counting on your suffering 'Ga Eul deprivation' to help with that. You'd better hide the condoms later buddy. I wouldn't put it past your mother or her scary grandmother to make sure the protection goes missing."

He didn't know what was more disturbing: the nefarious plans of his mother who had deserted him in favour of her in-laws or that Woo Bin and Ji Hoo had shamelessly eavesdropped on their seniors and were cheerfully relating this to him.

"Yi Jeong ah, did you hear Woo Bin?"

"Loud and clear," Yi Jeong muttered. "Thanks for the heads up." He wasn't about to tell them that at least for tomorrow night and the honeymoon, there would be no protection used. If it happened, it happened. If it didn't, they would wait a year before trying. If he told his best friends about his plans for fatherhood, they would in all probability keel over and faint. It was a sight worth beholding but his desire for privacy where this issue was concerned outweighed the former.

"By the way, Ji Hoo ah, I need a favour…" Yi Jeong withdrew a small blue envelope from his pocket which Ji Hoo took without question. "Thanks."

"I'll pass it to her after dinner. By the way, did you notice the smell of roses in the hallway today? I mentioned it to Jae Kyung before she went off with Ga Eul and I think she almost had a heart attack."

Woo Bin pressed his lips together in annoyance. For some funny reason, Ji Hoo was getting his kicks from frightening the normally unflappable heiress and it was working. Jae Kyung had looked so pale and worn out that morning that his heart had gone out to her. He had almost offered to bunk in with her to give her some assurance of safety but had stopped himself in time. All he needed was just one more day, and then he would be able to walk away from Ha Jae Kyung. When he got back to Korea, he was going to go through that little black book that he had left lying in a drawer in his room. Maybe it would dim the memory of having to be so near to her now.

…………….

Ga Eul rose to her feet immediately when she heard a soft knock on the door. Any thoughts of it being Yi Jeong were quashed when she heard Ji Hoo's clear voice from behind it.

"Love Letter Delivery Service," he quipped, smiling angelically as he held out the envelope to her. "Yi Jeong could not risk the Wrath of Halmoni even though he is dying to see you. Besides, they've got him trapped in the hall going over all the wedding details with them again. You wouldn't happen to have a letter for him too, would you?"

"Poor Yi Jeong." In spite of herself, Ga Eul grinned at the irony of Yi Jeong being rendered helpless by three elderly women. "Thanks Ji Hoo sunbae," she said as she handed her envelope to him. "By the way, where's Jae Kyung? She disappeared after informing me that she was going to bunk in with me tonight."

The only indication of alarm that flashed across Ji Hoo's face was the tiniest twitch of his brow. "I have to go now Ga Eul. By the way, you don't mind the smell of roses do you?"

Ah, she knew what he was going to do. "No, I'm fine with it. But I don't think Jae Kyung is going to be happy about this."

"Oh she will be. She just doesn't know it yet."

……………..

Still tired in spite of her long nap that afternoon, Jae Kyung yawned. She was full after dinner and was looking forward to a hot shower and good night's rest in Ga Eul's room. Darting in quickly, she gathered her towel, a small bag of toiletries and her nightie before locking the door and heading one floor up. She was at the top step when she smelt it. The faint scent of roses came wafting gently towards her. Her eyes widened in horror. Tentatively taking a small step towards the room, she realised that the smell was coming from the end of the corridor, where Ga Eul's room was situated.

"Oh crap," Jae Kyung whispered. A part of her wanted to run into the room and just stay there with Ga Eul. The rest of her was in favour of running back down the stairs and hiding in her own room. Ga Eul didn't need to know about some stupid ghost the night before her wedding day. Swallowing hard, Jae Kyung tiptoed down the steps, hoping the ghost would not have noticed her.

"Almost home free," she muttered as she unlocked her door and slammed it shut behind her. That was before she realised that her room now smelt faintly of roses too. The scream that she had earlier suppressed escaped and before she knew it, she was out in the corridor hammering on Woo Bin's door.

"What? What is it?" Woo Bin opened the door and was almost knocked over as Jae Kyung came barrelling in.

"Quick, lock the door," she said, her teeth chattering. "The ghost is in my room."

"Uh, are you sure?" Geez, that was smart, he thought to himself, wincing inwardly. But Jae Kyung in his room while he had nothing but a robe on was having an effect on his ability to think on his feet.

"It smells like roses in there now but a minute ago it didn't! This ghost is following me around. It was waiting for me outside Ga Eul's room."

She was shaking and close to tears. Woo Bin knew better but he went ahead and hugged her to him. "It's okay now. I'm here yah? You'll be alright."

Jae Kyung leaned against him, waiting for her shivers to subside. Closing her eyes, she inhaled his scent and for a moment it felt like that wonderful night they had shared years ago. They had both fallen asleep on his couch and she had woken up cuddled in his arms. He always made her feel safe.

"Feeling better?" he murmured, rubbing her back while cursing himself for a fool and for taking advantage of her fright so that he could hold her.

Yes and no. She felt less fearful and was now more confused. 'Think of Oliver,' she told herself sternly but could not for the life of her summon a recollection of his face. "Could I use the bathroom? I need to shower."

Images of Jae Kyung slick and wet while covered in foam popped into Woo Bin's head. "Sure, help yourself," he mumbled.

"Woo Bin ah, could I stay here for the night? I'll sleep on the couch or something." It felt incredibly awkward asking this now but she reckoned she might as well get it all out of the way. For a moment she thought he was going to refuse her. Then, to her immense relief, he shrugged and nodded.

"You can't have the couch though. I'll sleep there. You take the bed."

"Thank you. You really are a prince," she said softly before closing the door.

There was nothing princely or remotely chivalrous about the thoughts he was entertaining now. Well, what Jae Kyung didn't know wouldn't hurt her. But it was going to be one long night for him.

……………………

Only the soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the room. Once it became clear that Jae Kyung wasn't coming over, Ga Eul took out Yi Jeong's letter. Gently opening the envelope, she withdrew a single sheet of white paper and unfolding it gently, started to read his familiar flowing script.

Ga Eul yang,

It feels a little strange to be writing a letter to you again. I'm sitting in my room and looking down at the garden. Everything is in place and all that is missing is tomorrow.

I feel a little anxious, but in a good way. Our mothers and grandmother have gone over the wedding details with fine toothcombs and if they can't find any problems, I think everything will proceed smoothly. I have to speak to your father though. He can't be found anywhere and it's a useful skill to have in case I ever need to escape from them.

I'm looking forward to seeing your gown; you and my mother have done a good job of keeping it a secret. I hope you like the ring; I know I'll like seeing it on your finger.

Don't forget that our things will be shifted to the room right at the end of the top floor. That's the room that's been turned into a honeymoon suite and most importantly, has the best view of the loch. If you're wondering why that's important, remind me to explain it to you tomorrow. We'll be spending our first night as man and wife there.

It's kind of nice seeing that last part down in writing.

I keep thinking about that day when Woo Bin and I showed up at the porridge shop with news that Jun Pyo had been released from the hospital. You may not have guessed, but I was a nervous wreck. You'd already rejected me once and here I was preparing to tell you that I was going away but I was going to wait for you, that I hoped you would wait for me. I almost backed out a few times but I told myself I had nothing more to lose and everything to gain.

When I look at where I am, where we are today, I'm so glad that I decided to be brave.

Sleep well tonight. Tomorrow is ours and every other day after that.

Yi Jeong

………………

Only the soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the room. For the umpteenth time, Yi Jeong wondered if Ga Eul was sleeping. Lying on the bed, he stared dreamily into nothing, wondering about tomorrow. And try as he might, he couldn't stop thinking about their wedding night either. Deciding that he was not helping himself, Yi Jeong took out the small blue envelope that Ji Hoo had slipped him. Withdrawing a single piece of white paper, he started to read her familiar neat script.

Sunbae,

I'm starting to feel a little like a princess trapped in her tower, waiting for you to come and save me, only I know that this time, you're facing something more insurmountable than any dragon: our mothers and my grandmother. So I'll forgive you for not showing up but you have to make it up to me soon.

I'm imagining you are standing in the garden now, going over the wedding details one last time with our wedding planner and I wish I could be there with you. I'm sure everything will be fine. And even if it rained, it wouldn't spoil anything for me. You'll be there and we'll be married.

The past five years have been a long journey and to think we almost never began it when I walked away. I'm so glad that you came for me and held on when I gave up. I guess that's how I knew you really were my soulmate.

It is amusing when I think back to the time in New Caledonia when we were on the paddleboat and talking about soulmates. At that time, I was thinking that of all the men out there, you would be the absolute last I would pick as my potential partner.

I'm so glad that I was completely wrong about you.

Under a different sky, in a different country, we're going to begin a different chapter in our lives. Tomorrow can't come soon enough. I can't wait to see you.

Ga Eul