Welp, I was gonna wait till midnight, but I have AP US History stuff to plow through so here we go, 11 pm on December 31, 2016. Sorry for ending 2016 on a bit of a low note. I'll make it up to you in the next chapter. Promise.
Happy New Year, my friends.

Walking to work with his brothers was like walking to school, except when So was in high school, Eun was in elementary school. They walked side by side, each carrying a bag, and each wearing a suit as if they were a backpack and uniform.

Of course, when Wook and So had walked to school as children, they had never been trailed by Eun's fans who cried his name and took pictures of them, and they had been accompanied by Yo or Mu.

As soon as they left the guarded apartment complex, they- or, Eun, was recognized. And so, their morning commenced with a gaggle of fans clamoring for Eun to look at them.

So spoke about the stock market with Wook who seemed to reciprocate his feelings that if the company were to switch hands, inevitably, KOSDAQ would fall and KOSPI would rise due to the magnitude of the power shift. They needed to reassure stockholders that the change would not be permanent and that revenue would rise again.

Eun trailed off to take a few selfies and to sign a few shirts, but otherwise stayed close to his more professional brothers, listening as they changed the subject to their nieces and nephews.

Mu's son was ten and his daughter was six. The two were attending one of the finest elementary schools in the area, rubbing elbows with other children of massively rich families. Yeon Hwa's girl was four and, according to a group text all of the Wang siblings were not allowed to leave, had lost one of her front teeth after falling off of a swing set. Their other nephew was from Yo, whose wife had given birth just nine months ago.

So knew that soon, they would be celebrating the boy's first birthday and the entire family would be required to attend since they would all be in town. He wondered how Yo was faring as a father. No doubt he would be strict, but his son was born from a political union of strange direction. In a past life, So had despised his older brother, but he only felt confusion in this one. Did he hate Yo? Did he love him? Why was his memory of Yo fuzzy?

As the trio drew closer to the main offices of the Jong Group, a man on a golden bike flew past them, waving. Baek Ah called out to his brothers as he drove his bike front first into a bike rack before locking it.

Blinking, So stared at the strange looking vehicle. It was a polished, golden color, but it looked hammered and mutilated, as if someone had beaten it with a shovel. "Is that the one he made-"

"-made from recycled trombone parts?" Wook finished his brother's question with a long suffering sigh. "Yes." So stared at his favorite sibling in undisguised confusion. Baek Ah wore a hanbok with jeans and carried a gayageum case on his back as well as a gray backpack that looked ready to burst from years of abuse. His long hair was braided with feathers and he wore gold chandelier earrings.

"Is that a model thing?" Eun asked, confused. They watched as their brother drew closer, noticing his cheerful smile "I didn't know Baek Ah had pierced ears.

"He probably pierced them himself last night," Wook said with a shake of his head.

Scoffing, So squinted at his younger brother to see if there was anything else out of the ordinary about his appearance. "You know, the Americans have a word for people like our Baek Ah," he said. "I hear they're calling it… hips-ter."

As So crossed the street, he watched a gray car with tinted windows pull up in front of the chrome building. The driver exited the car and opened the back door for a polished Yo to step out, his pinstriped suit making him look even taller and skinnier than he already was. "Of course that asshole wears pinstripes," Eun muttered distastefully, peering down at his own striped suit.

Yo's cold stare rested on his brothers and Eun flinched, wondering if he had heard. "What a coincidence," said their older brother. "To think that five of us would meet at the same moment."

So knew that his past life and present life were different and that Yo was different in some way, but all he could see were the kohl lined eyes that had smirked as they shot arrows into Eun as if he were an animal. He knew that there were discrepancies in the timelines of past and present, but he could not differentiate or see where the past ended and the present began. What was Yo like, again?

The five brothers remained still, none willing to make the first move until Baek Ah shrugged and made his way into the building, waving at a few older fans who recognized him. The other brothers soon followed suit, Wook and Eun being the next to enter while So stayed back to walk with Yo.

"I hear Wook has a girl hidden away at his house," Yo began, pulling his phone from his pocket to check a text. So noticed his brother's lock screen was generic while his home screen was a picture of his son and wife. "A cousin of the Go Group. His wife's cousin?" The two maintained their placid faces for the cellphone cameras and bystanders that watched them. "She's quite young, isn't she? My wife's age, if I'm not mistaken."

"What's your point?" So felt his hand clench into a fist as Yo referred to Soo. He knew that in a past life, Yo had cared nothing for Soo, hurting her and going so far as to shoot and arrow at her.

Yo still seemed not to care much for Soo as he shrugged off So's remark. "What better match for Jung than a girl from a good family with a good name? They're close in age and she isn't rich enough or powerful enough to pose a threat if they were to marry."

"Ever so political, Brother," So scoffed, stepping into the air conditioned Jong Group headquarters. He did not even want to think about Jung taking his Soo again. The idea was foul, the concept bitter. His anger could only flare so many times before he grew dangerous. "Have you ever thought about how Jung might feel about all this arranged business? I thought Father decided to stop arranging marriages after you and your first wife's… altercations."

Three brothers and one sister had been arranged in marriages. First, Mu's marriage had been a success arrangement wise. He and his wife were friends and on amiable terms with each other, maintaining a friendly romance. They had produced a son within the first year of marriage and a daughter by the fourth. Ten years of marriage and neither seemed to want divorce.

The second marriage had been Wook and Myung Hee, an arrangement made when they were both teenagers, but a resounding success even though, through seven years of marriage, they had no children.

After Wook, his younger sister, Yeon Hwa had been arranged into a respectable family within the Jong Group. She had married the son of one of the Chairman's friends and her marriage had been somewhat of a success with a daughter being born just a year after the wedding. Yeon Hwa herself had vehemently opposed the marriage, having been in love with someone else, but her pride was soon quashed by their father and she had married, maintaining a close friendship with her husband.

Building off the success of the past three arranged marriages within the family, Taejo had decided to marry off his coldest son to a fire tempered girl from a wealthy family, hoping their contrasting personalities would kindle another romance. After a month of amiable and forced dating, they were wed. The week after Yo had gotten married, he and his wife had fought bitterly over anything and everything. Windows had been shattered, pottery thrown, a car had been destroyed, and the police had been called twice to prevent their fights from further escalating. Divorce had been requested by both children to their parents, but both sides had refused; tax season was coming and their alliance needed to be strong.

The two had divorced after the legal number of days required for a marriage to be binding and the following month, Yo had married his former wife's younger sister. Yo's second wife was twenty-four, an age difference as wide as So and Soo's. From what So could remember through his veiled memories, Yo seemed to have liked her well enough to have a child with her.

"Hm," Yo smirked as they boarded an elevator. "My first wife and I were nine years apart in age. My current and I are twelve. I hear the girl in Wook's house is only a few months younger than Jung."

So remained silent, unwilling to give his brother a way of controlling him. Instead, he jabbed the number of the floor he was headed to. "Jung will be too busy preparing for the Olympics to care. Good luck with your ventures, Brother. In the meantime, you should hope our eldest brother doesn't snatch the company from under your nose."

Turning toward Yo, So expected an arrogant glare but what he received was a strange look of mixed curiosity. "Are you alright?" Yo asked, his tone softer than So remembered. "Did you eat something bad? You're acting strange."

"What?" So frowned.

"You don't look any different," Yo gazed over his brother. Without kohl lining his eyes, So thought they looked… concerned? "Did Mother say anything to you?" The elevator stopped and So shook his head.

"I haven't spoken to her."

"Good," Yo said as he stepped off of the elevator. "I'll tell her you've arrived. In the meantime, stay away from our parents' house. I don't want you getting hurt." So blinked as his older brother clearly worried over him before giving a small wave and walking off as a slew of secretaries informed him of the day's events.

"What…" So whispered as the doors shut.

Soo walked arm in arm with Myung Hee as they wandered around the shopping mall, browsing and buying things for the house. Behind them walked Chae Ryung and a security guard hired by Wook. Both held shopping bags of the women's purchases.

"It will be my nephew's first birthday soon," Myung Hee said as they passed by stores showcasing baby supplies and clothes. "We'll have to get him something for the party. I know Wook's brother will be inviting us."

Nodding, Soo walked into a store with Myung Hee, looking at the tiny clothes and toys that lined the racks. They perused past shelves of hanboks and toys until Myung Hee decided on a white lamp that displayed constellations onto the ceiling as well as a blanket made from the fibers of a lotus plant. Soo had never seen a more expensive baby blanket. The product was not even available because it had to be custom ordered from Myanmar.

"Is it really worth all that effort to give Yo's son something for his first birthday?" Soo asked once they had left the shop with a hefty receipt. "From what I know, Yo is a…" an ass? a bloodthirsty tyrant? thought Soo. "A bit difficult to love."

Her cousin's reply was immediate. "Gyung is a sweet little boy who should not be blamed for his father's actions. He is a baby reaching his first birthday. I think something special is required regardless of parentage."

Soo supposed she could agree. She knew that her memories of Goryeo were affecting her memories in the present world. Having never met this world's Yo in person, Soo knew she could not judge the man too quickly. She sighed, feeling conflicted over past and present.

Soo felt herself thinking about So as she passed by a store that sold children's costumes. There were masks of all shapes and sizes for sale and Soo smiled as distant memories of the past emerged in her mind. Flashes of white sheets, black masks, and a love that had blossomed and been torn apart. She had no wish to see that love injured again.

"Myung Hee, I won't be going home with you today," Soo said when they reached the parking lot. Her cousin turned with raised eyebrows.

"No? Why?"

Soo cleared her throat as their security guard waved the valet off and went to fetch the car himself. "I was thinking about meeting my… boyfriend," she said in a quiet voice. Fiddling with the hem of her shirt, Soo looked at her cousin.

Myung Hee gave Soo a soft smile and a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Ever since Soo's parents had passed, she had cared for her cousin as best as she could and it was in those moments that she felt like a mother. "Will you be eating lunch out? Do you want to bring him over for lunch? I know Wook will come home for lunch, but I don't think he'd mind having your boyfriend with us. I think he may be starting to approve of him."

Shaking her head, Soo watched the car pull up. "I won't be long and I have a few errands to run, so I'll eat lunch at home. I'm only going to see him for a short while anyways. Will you be able to get home on your own?"

Noticing that her cousin tended to go off on a tangent when she was nervous, Myung Hee gave a gracious nod as the guard opened the car door before moving to load their purchases into the trunk.

Waving a frail hand, Myung Hee motioned toward her cousin. "I'm fine, Soo. But since you're on your own, I want you to take the guard with you. Chae Ryung can drive me home."

Soo held her cousin's hand and helped her into the backseat, laying a blanket over her legs. "Thank you, Myung Hee," she said, pressing a kiss to the older woman's cheek. "I'll be home soon!" Chae Ryung was already sitting in the driver's seat, unbuttoning the front of her jacket to give herself space to move.

Watching the white car drive off, Soo sighed and shook her head to clear her mind. She needed to stay focused.

She turned to the guard. He was tall, unnoticeably dressed in a plain suit, and wore dark aviators and an earpiece that was connected to the Wang family's main security network. "Do you have to follow me around?" Soo asked.

"Yes, young mistress," the guard's reply was immediate.

"Why do you call me 'young mistress?' I'm not even married," she said, pursing her lips.

"We were told by Mister Wang that you would be the young mistress and beneath only the mistress of the household." Frustrated, Soo stared at the emotionless man with as much contempt as she could muster… which was not much because she knew she had no reason to hate him. He was only doing his job.

"Fine," she finally groaned. "You get to follow me around. But don't call me 'young mistress.' I'm Soo! Hae. Soo." Putting her hands on her hips, she looked up at the taller man who did not look in her direction.

"I was told you may choose between young mistress or milady," he replied.

Exasperated, Soo turned on her heel and grasped her purse as tightly as she could before bolting for the elevator. She ran as quickly as she could and then immediately, regretted her decision.

In high heels and skinny jeans, Soo was no match for a trained guard in flat shoes and he caught up to her in a heartbeat, joining her in the elevator as the doors closed. The people in the elevator stared as Soo placed her hands over her face. "Please don't follow me."

"My apologies, young mistress, but you will have to ask the master of the house for that."

They walked through the streets of Seoul and Soo tried her best to stay at least three yards ahead of the guard. He did his best to remain two yards behind her.

How am I supposed to buy things like condoms when Wook has an attack dog following me? she thought, annoyed. How on earth would she get through the day while listening to the guard call her "young mistress?"

Shaking her head, Soo turned and began walking toward a pharmacy. The guard followed, quickening his pace to open the door for her. "Could you please wait outside?" Soo asked quietly. "Look, I know Wook has you trailing me so I don't get hurt and yes, I know that he pays you to be near me, but this is a pharmacy and I'd like privacy. I'll be five minutes and if I'm not out by then, you can march in and see if I've been murdered."

The guard looked apprehensive- at least, Soo thought he did. It was a bit hard to tell beneath the sunglasses. They stared each other down until finally, the guard relented and stood straight, just outside the store.

Soo purchased two boxes of condoms and then piled on vitamin supplements, energy drinks, and even added a box of bandaids for good measure. She refused to allow the guard to report to Wook that she had purchased contraceptives.

"Alright," she tied the bag containing all of her purchases and handed it to the guard. "I'm going to meet my boyfriend now and I'd like it if you also kept your distance then."

If the guard was rolling his eyes beneath his dark sunglasses, Soo did not know, but she thought he was rolling them.

To the untrained eye, the couple that walked by the river in the wealthiest part of Gangnam was like any other enjoying the fine, spring day. The girl wore a lavender blouse and jeans while the man beside her was in a patterned shirt and casual slacks.

To the trained eye, the two spoke quietly and the girl seemed uncomfortable. They were also followed by a guard who remained discreet but also managed to keep the girl in his sight at all times.

Soo wrung her hands as she tried to find a way to break up with her boyfriend in the simplest way. They had only been seeing each other for a month, so it did not have to be hard, right? Soo knew that if So had not found her, she would have kept seeing her boyfriend, but now that he was there, she… she was torn.

"You look tense," Jung Jae noted as Soo fretted over her words. "Are you alright? You look like you're about to collapse."

Placing a hand over her chest, Soo took deep breaths and thought to herself. This is for So. This is so we can be together. I can do this. It won't hurt Jung Jae's feelings. I-

"Young mistress," a cautious voice broke her thoughts and the guard frowned at her, "you're swaying. Perhaps you should sit down and I'll call a car for you. It's almost time for lunch with your family."

"Soo," Jung Jae held her shoulders as she took deep breaths to steady herself. "Soo, are you-"

"I'm breaking up with you!" Soo shouted out of the blue. Her eyes widened at her own straightforwardness and she turned toward the river to compose herself. A hand grasped her shoulder and Soo turned again when Jung Jae gave her an angry look. "What? You can't be serious," he scoffed. "You're breaking up with me?" he asked. "Why? For what reason?"

When Soo could not find the words to come up with an excuse, she shook her head. So instead, her ex spoke. "I have money and I'm from a good family. I thought you liked me!" Jung Jae did not let go of her shoulder. "Is this because I'm not from a higher family like yours?"

Shaking her head, Soo breathed deeply. "It's not that," she tried to reason with him as his grip grew tight on her shoulder.

The guard was by her side in an instant, pushing him away and placing himself in front of Soo. He stepped to the right so Soo could face Jung Jae but kept himself between them, his shadow casting over the younger man.

Soo clasped her hands as she steadied herself. Her fingertips felt cold and numb. "Please, Jung Jae, this has nothing to do with your monetary status. We both know I'm not rich either-"

"No, but you seem to have deluded yourself into thinking that!" he shouted at her, pointing an accusing finger at her. "Living with your cousin and her rich husband- you're not one of them!"

"It's not because of money!" Soo exclaimed, trying to avert her gaze and stay out of the eyes of passersby. A few people pointed at them, but otherwise did not interfere. "I have someone else," she said. "I met someone and he… he understands me," she claimed, holding her purse in a death grip to prevent herself from losing touch with reality. Then, in a voice more hushed than a whisper, she said, "I love him."

If the guard had heard her quiet words, she did not know. Her former boyfriend, who had been so kind and sweet to her, changed in that moment. He made no move to get closer to her, but stood a yard away, sneering at her. Soo stood with brimming eyes as he spat insults at her and called her a whore, accepting blow after verbal blow.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go," she sniffled, wiping her nose as tears fell from her eyes. "I'm... expected for lunch."

"Well, you know what?" shouted Jung Jae. "I never needed you anyways! You were a political alliance!"

Soo did not even turn around. Too used to being betrayed by men, she barely even seemed to hear. The guard followed her as she walked away from the river. Jung Jae did not.

Once they had walked onto the street, the guard hailed a cab for her and held the door for her to sit, taking the seat right in front of her. Soo felt the sobs she had choked down emerge as the driver peered back at her.

"Take us here," he said to the driver, raising the blind between driver and passenger. He showed an address card to the driver who rubbed his eyes and read the scrawled lettering. "Do not look at her and do not speak. I will pay you double for your silence on this matter."