Chapter 9: Tolerance

Author's Note: I really wanted to name this Coward and be inspired by SS501, but there was something bothering me that I had to get out of the way first. It was difficult to write because the emotions represented can't really be explained by words… But it's writing from something I've experienced so I hope you like it.

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Woo-Bin's POV

I woke up to Jun-Pyo sitting on me. Groaning, I shoved him off and sat up. Looking at the clock, I realized it was only 11:00. Sighing, I turned to Jun-Pyo and Yi-Jung.

"You'd better have a legit reason for waking me up this early. The Don Juan has a reputation to uphold, and that reputation includes not having bags under his eyes." Jun-Pyo just rolled his eyes, and I glanced around. Yi-Jung, Ji-Hoo, and Ga-Eul were back in Jun-Pyo's living room. It'd been two days since the argument; I suppose Jun-Pyo called another meeting after finally getting sober. That guy's liver is honestly superhuman, considering the fact he's still alive.

"I have an announcement!" Jun-Pyo stated, animatedly. I groaned, annoyed, this guy really recovered too fast. He should give us normal people a moment to turn on brains on. "I have fallen in love with the commoner!"

Jun-Pyo is to the F4 as Seung-Ri is to Big Bang. He somehow manages to kill any type of mood or conversation we have going effortlessly. Everyone was speechless after that confession, or "confession." The fact he loved Jan-Di was something we'd established a while ago.

"What on earth are you talking about? Haven't we already established this?" Asked Yi-Jung, his brow furrowed. "I can understand that you're no longer lett- giving up. But what is this now?"

"After discussing with Ga-Eul this morning, I've realized that the relationship between Jan-Di could've never worked out correctly. Love is a relationship of give and take, while Jan-Di was giving too much and I was only taking. From now on, I shall help her with every obstacle, because-"

"We get it. Well, I don't actually, but let's get on with things." I said, rolling my eyes. Whatever he was talking about, I didn't want to think about.

"But-" Jun-Pyo started again, but was cut off by Yi-Jung.

"You can pour out your feelings in a book, or a diary or whatever. Ji-Ha lives with Jan-Di; you don't really have time to waste." Ji-Hoo stated flatly. Jun-Pyo nodded in agreement.

"So, what're we going to do first? The confession? Because I have a really good idea for that." I said, excitedly. We could take Jan-Di back to the ski resort. Another excused to avoid my dad, and there were bound to be girls there.

"Nope, I shall deal with the obstacles first." Jun-Pyo determinedly muttered, not looking much exited. I rolled my eyes, he thought too much about too little.

"Don't worry about Ji-Ha, I can just send my men on him. They won't even kill him. He'll just end up in Africa or something like that." I said casually. That dude really wasn't a big deal.

"Nope, not Ji-Ha. That comes later. First, Mother."

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Jun-Pyo's POV

Thinking back on what happened between Jan-Di and me, I realized how much Mother really put her and her family through. Not only did she give up her family, her business, and her previous lifestyle, she had to choose between me and the lives of Ji-Hoo and Ga-Eul. I sighed, I really hadn't done anything. Seeing her hurting, I'd wanted to be her escape. I wanted to make her happy while she was so miserable, because I couldn't control Mother. This was all an excuse though; I didn't want to approach Mother. Confrontation with her was frightening, and I just didn't want to go through that. So I let Jan-Di suffer alone, in my selfishness.

"Young master, it's good to see you. Your mother will see you in a few moments, she's still writing-" The secretary began, but I rolled my eyes.

"I will see her. Now." I glared, daring her to argue. She immediately handed me the key to Mother's office, and I smirked. Walking down the hallway, I really should've prepared some argument. I was currently attempting to convince the most influential business leader on the planet to allow her heir to marry a commoner. As insulting as that sounded, it was the raw truth. I sighed, I should just wing it. Maybe it'll be like one of those dramas and intelligence will just flow into my mind.

Sliding the card through the lock, I walked into my mom's office. She was on the laptop, and didn't bother turning to greet me. Knowing she wouldn't acknowledge me until she was finished with whatever it was she was working on, I sat down and stared at the plant for a while. I'd almost had the entire thing memorized by now. There 27 whole leaves between three shoots. The one closest to the left had two half-lives, which would be disposed of by the end of the day. Imperfection drove my mother

"What do you need? How many times must I remind you to make an appointment? You have nine minutes. Start." She said, and I sighed. Hopefully, this wouldn't take more than nine minutes.

"I am going to marry Jan-Di." I started, flatly. Seeing no reaction, I continued. "This is the one thing I'm determined to do, no matter what happens. Because-"

"Is that all? You may not have the wedding for two months, because I shall be abroad in England. Don't pick a Saturday either, because those are never free. Goodbye." She cut me off, and immediately turned back to the computer screen.

"So… You don't mind Jan-Di anymore?" I was suddenly riled; this might be another plot to get rid of her. "That's not possible. You can't just go from cursing them to h*ll to loving them." My temper was rising for some unknown reason; the thought of her catty plotting angered me.

"I don't love her." She stated flatly, as if I were some insolent child.

"Then you just plan on putting up with someone you hate as your daughter-in-law?" I answered.

"I'm allowing you two to marry. I suggest you don't complicate things."

"Is that what you're going to do? Every time she angers you, you're going to threaten her? That's never going to work!"

"As I repeat, I do not love nor hate her."

"What is that? You have to have some feelings, even you! You can't just pretend she's not there, you have to face the problem-"

"I love you and your father." She started flatly, and my mind immediately went blank. Mother loving someone was not something my mind was capable of comprehending. Okay, maybe I was exaggerating. But still, it was amazing.

"I don't particularly like Jan-Di, and I admit I used to hate her. But your father has taken a great liking to her, as well as you. I've come to realize Jan-Di can be there for you in ways I just cannot. During all your low and emotional times, I'm just not mentally capable of supporting you. To continue hating Jan-Di would only hurt you and your father. So for the sake of you two, I have grown a tolerance to Jan-Di. I cannot hate her because of my love for you, nor can I love her. Our personalities just clash." My mind was still completely blank, this was just too much.

"My meeting is starting. Make an appointment next time. Goodbye." She said stiffly, obviously affected by the awkwardness. After she left, I really didn't know how to react. I decided to take this as a victory, and think about my mother's confession later.

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Yi-Jung's POV

Sitting alone at my studio, I had completely finished the collection for the exhibit a few minutes ago, when the last tile came out from the oven. Exhausted, I glanced at the clock. It was around 9 o'clock. Sighing, I decided to just sit there until I feel asleep and a maid came and dragged me back to the house. Unfortunately, the silence gave me time to think about what Ga-Eul had said earlier.

"If you can stand watching her in so much pain and not have the will to comfort her than you don't love her at all!"

I groaned, this was not something I wanted to think about right now. I glanced at the armwarmers, which were placed right next to my puzzle with two missing pieces. It was just like my heart, I had no idea who held the missing pieces anymore. I groaned, and walked towards my liquor cabinent. This was going to be long night.

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I am a HUGE fan of SoEul, so I had to add the last bit. The epilogue at the end of the drama drove me insane. As nice as Kim Bum can sing, it didn't make up for the fact that they didn't even show Kim So-Eun's face xP So… That was to let some of the hot air out of me. I hope this chapter isn't as awful as the last one…. Hopefully ~_~