Disclaimer: I do not own BOF- its original plot, characters, etc. I'm just a mere fan who loves the SoEul couple! :D
----------------
Chapter 13: A Child's Promise
Rae Min settled herself inside her bedroom that night. She was tossing and turning on her bed, unable to sleep. "Damn. How could he forget?" she asked herself as she was staring at the ceiling above her.
FLASHBACK
It was a sunny day, twelve years ago, at the So estate. Everyone was busy fixing themselves because the Sos will have their annual family exhibit at their museum a few hours later.
"Il Hyun- ah! Yi Jung- ah! Come here boys!" Yoo Min shouted at her sons. "Faster! We're going to be late if you don't hurry up!"
Il Hyun and Yi Jung, came out of the mansion wearing suits that are made especially for young boys. "You two look wonderful." Yoo Min commented. Together, the young So's and Yoo Min got inside the car.
"Omma, where's Appa?" young Il Hyun asked.
"He's already at the museum. We'll meet him there." Yoo Min answered her eldest son.
"Omma, is there going to be a lot of people?" young Yi Jung asked.
"Yes dear. A lot of well- known people. So you two should behave, alright?" The two boys nodded at their mom's reminder. A few minutes later, they arrived at the museum. Indeed, there are a lot of people- adults, teens, and children- waiting for the museum to finally open. Well- known families in the arts were there including the Chus and the Kangs.
"Good morning, So Yoo Min." Il Bok greeted them. "Good morning, boys."
"Good morning too Mr. Chu!" the two boys chorused.
"Where's Jae Mi and Ga Eul?" Yoo Min asked.
"Unfortunately, they wouldn't be able to come. My daughter's sick. Jae Mi's taking care of her."
"Aw." Yoo Min answered. "Too bad. My boys here are waiting to meet your daughter."
"I'm sure they'll meet someday." Il Bok said.
"We'll go first Il Bok." Yoo Min said. "I need to assist Appa and Hyun Sub inside. We'll see you later."
"Bye Mr. Chu!" The two boys chorused once again.
After a few minutes, the exhibit officially opened. The So family showcased the masterpieces of the family through the years. There were also new pottery pieces made by the living So's, including works of the young Il Hyun and Yi Jung. Indeed, at this age, young Yi Jung has already showed his talents in the field of pottery, so is Il Hyun.
"Omma, Yi Jung and I are just going to play with Eun Jae." Il Hyun said to his mom.
"Okay. Remember, be careful and be in your best behavior even if you play. A bodyguard will watch over you." Yoo Min said to his sons. Together, the young Il Hyun, Yi Jung and Eun Jae played at the small playground outside the museum. While playing, Yi Jung noticed a little girl with soft curls who was watching them from afar. He went up to her and smiled. "Do you want to play with us?" young Yi Jung asked to the girl. The girl nodded and smiled at him as well. The two children walked to the playground.
"I'm So Yi Jung." He introduced himself to the little girl with the soft curls.
"I'm Kang Rae Min." she responded.
"Nice to meet you Rae Min- ah." Yi Jung replied.
The four children played in the playground for what seemed like forever. They were all having fun and giggling. Il Hyun, Yi Jung and Eun Jae got along with Rae Min in just a short period of time. Yi Jung and Rae Min were having fun. Even though at a young age, it can be seen that Rae Min has her eyes set on Yi Jung. Meanwhile, Yi Jung also showed affection towards the young girl. After a few hours, a voice called for Rae Min. "Rae Min- ah! Let's go home now."
"Appa!" Rae Min addressed the man who called her. "A few more minutes Appa." She requested.
"No Rae Min- ah, we've got to go home now." Han Joo replied to his daughter.
Sadly, little Rae Min approached Il Hyun, Yi Jung and Eun Jae. "I've got to go home now. Nice meeting you."
"Nice meeting you too." Il Hyun responded.
"We had fun playing with you." Eun Jae added.
"Bye Rae Min- ah." Yi Jung said.
"Yi Jung- ah." She called the youngest So. "We'll meet again, don't we?"
"Yes." He answered with a smile. "When we see each other again, you'll be my bride!"
"You promise?" Rae Min asked. Her eyes were twinkling.
"I promise." Yi Jung responded. "Goodbye Rae Min- ah."
"Good bye Yi Jung- ah. I'll see you soon."
END OF FLASHBACK
"How could he forget that promise?" Rae Min asked herself once again. "I held onto that promise for twelve years, thinking that it will come true. I've waited Yi Jung- ah. But what happened now? You're engaged to somebody else." Tears started to fall from her eyes until she dozed off to sleep.
C,")
"Woo Bin- ah, you told her?" Yi Jung asked his best buddy over the phone.
"She asked me. I'm such a nice guy, you know." Woo Bin responded. "Why? What's wrong? What did she tell you?"
"She said it was her."
"Ooh." Woo Bin replied. "It somehow fits."
"But…"
"But what Yi Jung?"
"It couldn't be her. I don't know. I just feel that it's not her."
"How can you say that? You've not seen the girl."
"I know. I know. But, I don't feel anything when I see her. There's just no…"
"Then, who do you think is it?"
"Ga Eul- yang." Yi Jung muttered.
"Ga Eul?!" Woo Bin said from the other line. "How could it be her? Yi Jung- ah, she would not join something as ridiculous as that."
"I know that. But she also has those traits I look for. More than that, I felt something inside me snap when I danced with her at the party you arranged."
"The same thing you felt when you danced with that mysterious girl?"
"Yes. I just don't know how to prove that it was her and Rae Min's words are also disturbing me."
"Do you still remember the words that the mysterious girl said to you?" Woo Bin asked.
"I can still clearly remember it." Yi Jung replied.
"Then ask Rae Min what the mysterious girl said. I'm sure the girl still knows it. If Rae Min doesn't know, then it's not her."
"That does not mean that it's Ga Eul- yang."
"For Ga Eul, simply ask her if she joined that dance. There's no harm in asking." Woo Bin replied.
"Alright. Thanks bro." Yi Jung said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay." Both of them pressed the red button and hang up.
Yi Jung settled himself on his bed and was about to sleep when he thought of something. He grabbed his phone from the side table and dialed a number.
Ga Eul was sleeping soundly when her phone started ringing. "Uhhh." She mumbled as she searched for her phone. She pressed the green button and said, "Hello?"
Yi Jung smiled to himself as he heard her voice. "Ga Eul- yang, did I wake you up?"
Upon hearing Yi Jung's voice, Ga Eul suddenly woke up. "No." She lied. "Why did you call Sunbae?"
"I just want to bid you good night Ga Eul- yang."
"Oh. Good night Sunbae."
"Good night Ga Eul- yang. Sweet dreams. I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'll see you too tomorrow."
"You can go back to sleep now." Yi Jung said, grinning. "You hang up first."
"Why would I? You first."
"No, you first." Yi Jung said firmly. At that, Ga Eul can't argue with him anymore and hang up the phone.
Before sleeping, Yi Jung and Ga Eul both have smiles written on their faces as they settled themselves under the sheets. After a few minutes, both of them finally dozed off to sleep, still smiling.
*/n: To those waiting for an update of Do You Believe in Destiny, i want to inform you guys that DYBD is on hiatus/ break/ pause/ whatever you wanna call it. It will take me some more time to continue that one. Really sorry. I promise, I'll finish it. Not just now, though. For now, just tune in to Last Dance. Thanks! :D