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Summary: When Woo Bin asks Ga Eul for help with 'emergency measure' date, how come Yi Jeong is the one who ends up going out with her? A little story about how Casanova manages to wrangle his second 'pretend' date with Ga Eul.

JUST PRETENDING

II

At the same time that Jan Di was frantically trying to reach Ji Hoo and reluctantly coming to the conclusion that the last person on earth that she wanted to see was the only one who might help, Yi Jeong was racing home. With Ga Eul safely at home (he refused to think of her getting into bed), he stepped on the gas pedal, enjoying the way the car picked up speed as it ate up the road beneath him. Like pottery, driving helped calm his nerves and for some reason, his heart beat a little faster as he thought of tomorrow's date.

"What to do tomorrow?" he mused to himself. Anything he did with Ga Eul was sure to make her overprotective and hot-headed friend jump. What he needed to do was make his overprotective and hot-headed friend believe that the date was real. At the same time, he wanted Ga Eul to enjoy the date. It was important to him that she liked what they were doing. "Only because it'll make Geum Jan Di panic even more," Yi Jeong told himself.

For a girl who used only basic blush and the occasional lip gloss, Ga Eul liked cosmetics. She had smiled in wonderment and delight when he had brought her to the salon for a makeover, as though she couldn't believe that the girl in the reflection was her. He recalled being a bit stunned himself, when he had looked up from his magazine. So adorable little Ga Eul yang was more than cute with some make-up and a good hair stylist. It had been easy that night, pretending that she was really the girl who had taken his heart.

Reaching down, Yi Jeong picked up his earpiece and dialled the first of several numbers. Already a plan was forming in his mind and he wanted his people to get working on the arrangements. Everything had to be perfect tomorrow. So much depended on it.

……………………….

Ga Eul opened her eyes and realised that she had actually fallen asleep after what seemed like an interminably long period of tossing and turning. Sunlight peeked through the blinds covering her windows. It was the morning of her second pretend date with Yi Jeong. Shivering slightly, she pulled the covers up to her neck, eyes on the small alarm clock next to her bed. She had two hours to get ready, to remind herself that this was just an act for Jan Di and Jun Pyo's benefit. Tomorrow, her world would be normal again.

She had just finished combing her hair and was examining herself in the mirror when her phone beeped. Yi Jeong had sent a message: he was outside her house and Jun Pyo and Jan Di were hiding at the corner of the street, spying on him. Ga Eul smiled, thinking how predictable Jan Di was. "At least Jun Pyo sunbae will be there to prevent Jan Di from inflicting bodily harm on Yi Jeong sunbae," she murmured as she locked the door and walked out to the gate.

Yi Jeong looked up when he heard the soft clicking of her shoes on the pavement. He smiled as she appeared. Ga Eul looked nervous as he opened the door for her and ushered her in.

Damn. Why did he always have to look so handsome? She had never seen him in that tan coloured suit before. Come to think about it, she had never seen him wearing the same suit twice. "Just how many clothes does this guy have?" Ga Eul wondered as Yi Jeong got in beside her, his shoulder brushing hers slightly. "And does a million dollar car have to be so small?"

"It's small because it's built for speed," Yi Jeong replied.

"Ah?" Had she spoken out loud? "Oh, I guess so," she muttered while cursing herself for an idiot inwardly.

Ga Eul yang was nervous being alone with him. It pleased him, to know that he still affected her. Now all he had to do was ensure she was never left alone with Woo Bin. He wanted to be the sole object of her affections. It was purely an ego thing, he was sure of that. However, he couldn't have her walking on eggshells with him, looking like a deer that was ready to bolt any second. He needed her to be comfortable with him again.

"Are you ready, Ga Eul yang?"

"Yes," she replied softly.

"The trouble we have to go through for our friends," he stated, staring down the street at Geum Jan Di who was proving why she would never be spy material. Behind her stood Jun Pyo, looking crossed and embarrassed with his arms folded disapprovingly. His best friend had to be madly in love to subject himself to such ridiculous behaviour.

Just like how his mother always sent him hunting down his father. The thought arose suddenly like an unwanted spectre. Yi Jeong's smile turned brittle. It was better to be a Casanova than a fool in love.

"Do you think we will get away with it?" Ga Eul asked softly, staring into the distance. They had gotten away with it once, and she had the satisfaction of knowing that she had walked away from Soon Pyo with her head held high. But she had been ensnared by Yi Jeong in the process. Would she be able to get away this time? Did she even want to?

Forcefully smothering his dark thoughts, Yi Jeong turned to Ga Eul. "Don't worry, just follow my lead." She smiled and the trust in her eyes was unbearable to him. She shouldn't trust him. She should just learn to have a good time without investing herself in the experience. When was the little fool going to learn to protect herself? "After all, we've even practiced before."

Ga Eul swallowed, blinking rapidly. She could feel her face turning red again. How did he know she had been thinking about that?

Good, she had probably understood the unspoken warning behind his words. Yi Jeong leaned over, intending to buckle her in when Ga Eul shrank from him. It wasn't an act with her, not like how some of the other girls enjoyed playing coy with him. "Relax, don't be nervous," he murmured softly. She smelt like a field of flowers, her sweet subtle scent enveloping him. At the back of his mind, Yi Jeong knew that Geum Jan Di was probably screaming with her binoculars pressed to her eyes but he didn't care. He deliberately leaned in even closer, close enough to feel the warmth of her breath on his cheek as she turned her face away to avoid his. This was the closest he would get, Yi Jeong warned himself. This time, there were limits involved.

"Let's get going." He revved the engine and took off, trying not to laugh as Geum Jan Di plastered herself against the wall in a futile attempt to stay invisible.

Glancing sideways, he saw Ga Eul staring at her friend in the rear view mirror, her lips slightly parted in disbelief. Then she giggled. "Jan Di ah." She shook her head and met his eyes. "This is going to be too easy Sunbae."

…………………………..

"Sunbae," Ga Eul stared at the shop that Yi Jeong was pulling her towards. "Are you sure you want to go in there?" Through the glass doors she could see rows and rows of lipsticks, blushers, perfumes and other types of cosmetics. It was like the Holy Grail of the cosmetic lover. It wouldn't have a single thing that Yi Jeong could buy for himself though.

"Ga Eul yang, just go inside," Yi Jeong said patiently as he wrapped an arm around her slender shoulders and steered her in.

"We can always go somewhere else. Isn't there any other place that you want to go?" she protested.

"No. Now go do some shopping," he said firmly and gave her a gentle push in the direction of the lipstick counter. He had seen how her eyes had zoomed in on those.

That was a first, a girl asking him about his interests. Most of them would have squealed with delight and latched onto his arm, dragging him into the shop so that he could pay for their purchases. But this was Ga Eul yang, of course she was different. Oddly enough, it made him want to come here even more, to see if she wanted to buy anything.

A quick glance outside confirmed that Jun Pyo's fire red sports car was parked directly opposite the shop. Honestly, Jun Pyo had as much sense as Geum Jan Di. With a car like that, who could miss him? Yi Jeong grinned, shaking his head before turning around to look for Ga Eul.

She was picking up the samples, testing them out on her skin before putting them back. Not once did she touch any of the ones for sale. The girl had no intention of buying anything for herself, Yi Jeong realised. With a small sigh, he walked over.

Ga Eul jumped slightly as Yi Jeong draped his arm over her shoulder. "Sunbae—"

"If I don't do this, Jun Pyo will know we're acting," he leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Now, is there anything you want Ga Eul yang?"

The thing she wanted most in the world was for him not to be acting, for this to be a real date. However, she was going to cut out her tongue before admitting that to him. "Not really," she said. "I mean, I like this place, very much. But I don't have much cash on me at the moment."

Yi Jeong grinned as he plucked the sample lipstick she was holding from her hand. He checked the shade and before she could stop him, he reached for the lipsticks on sale and pulled out one that was the same colour.

"Sunbae, no—"

Ga Eul stopped when Yi Jeong tore open the wrapper. Great, now he had bought her something. That was going to make this even harder.

"Ga Eul yang, look up."

"Ah?" She stared at him as he uncapped the lipstick, a cheeky smile on his face. "Sunbae, what are you doing?"

Something he had never done before but he was going to confess that to her over his dead body. "Something that will make Geum Jan Di's blood boil. Don't move."

She could either dodge his hand and make a scene, or she could let him apply the lipstick for her. Aware that the salesgirls were watching them, Ga Eul chose the former. She didn't want to embarrass Yi Jeong in public. Besides, Jan Di was watching and she needed to think that Ga Eul was helpless before the force of Yi Jeong's charm.

"Which isn't too far from the truth," she thought as she lowered her eyes, forcing herself to stare at the buttons on his jacket as she stood still for him.

Her lips parted automatically as he touched the lipstick to them and suddenly, Yi Jeong's mouth went dry. He managed to keep his hand steady so that he wouldn't make a fool out of himself but he could feel his pulse racing. What on earth was wrong with him? Quickly, he put the lipstick away, pretending not to notice as she wiped the corner of her mouth self consciously. Only one other person had managed to make him feel like a nervous schoolboy. It couldn't be happening again.

"We'll take this," he called out, flashing his signature Casanova smile as an obviously star struck salesgirl came forward to take the lipstick from him. Ga Eul, in the meantime, had slipped away and scurried off to the furthest corner from him.

After his pulse returned to normal, Yi Jeong joined her. Unsure of what to do next, since his Casanova tactics for some reason seemed to be backfiring on him, he kept quiet, watching as she picked up a bottle and held it close to her nose, inhaling the scent. What would she do if he slipped an arm around her and inhaled her scent?

From the corner of her eye, Ga Eul saw Yi Jeong move and her heart jumped into her mouth. It was too soon, she still hadn't fully gotten a grip on herself. Inspiration seized her and just as his fingers touched her waist, she turned and spritzed him.

Ga Eul couldn't help but laugh as Yi Jeong frantically backed away. She could smell the rose fragrance that permeated the air between them.

"Ga Eul yang! You…" he sputtered, trying to brush the smell from his jacket.

"Now you smell like a flower. Isn't that fitting?" she teased, waving the bottle at him.

"Don't you dare," he warned even though he couldn't wipe the grin from his face. "Two can play at this game." With that, he swiped a bottle from the shelf next to him.

"Sunbae, don't--" She squealed and turned away as he sent a cloud of scented mist her way. And then she felt a warm hand on her wrist as he easily disarmed her. Before she could do anything, she was pulled up firmly against his side, his arm around her waist.

"It takes more than perfume to stop me, Ga Eul yang," he murmured. Refusing to contemplate the wisdom of his next act, Yi Jeong rubbed his cheek against her hair for the briefest of moments. "Now, shall we go?"

Before she could say or do anything, he released her and walked to the cashier. He didn't have to look back to know that Ga Eul was blushing. This was cutting it too close, Yi Jeong thought as the sales girl swiped his credit card. His pulse was acting up again, to his great annoyance. The museum should be a safe place for the both of them. And then Yi Jeong remembered that he had closed the museum for the day, just so that they could be alone. Of course, he had left instructions for Jun Pyo and Jan Di to be let in but he intended to lose them in the massive building.

"Don't panic," he told himself firmly as he collected the small shopping bag from the girl. "This isn't a real date; there is nothing to worry about. It's just acting," he repeated silently even as he slipped his hand into Ga Eul's, their fingers intertwining instinctively. "It's not real."

A/N: Thanks for reading! All constructive feedback is welcomed. Let me know what you thought?