Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from this drama. Rae Na, Yunho, Ai Mi, Sun Ah, Jae Ni, Jae Na, Jae Min ,Jae Hoo are mine.
Note: I am sorry it has taken so long.
Chapter Six | Who Is?
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JP | Saturday: 04:25:46 PM
WooBin stood and moved towards the desk. He snatched the papers from his friend's hand and began to read them. He smiled softly. "She has no background info. Parents are unknown." His brows knitted together momentarily. "Icy blue eyes and she is negative B." His lips pursed in thought. "She has a slight temper for such a young age. But she's extremely smart - straight A's." He nodded. "Deh, she could really be your child."
Yi Jung and Ji Hoo chuckled.
Junpyo smiled. Impossible . . . right? His smile faded. Had he really found his baby girl? Had it been that easy? His licked his dry lips. No it was impossible. Never to be real. Junpyo had long ago learned what the penance was for the life he had lived as a young child and teenager. He was never to know who his daughter was. Never to find her. He was meant to spend the rest of his life searching with no evidence. Searching for a daughter that would haunt him to the ends of the earth and back until the ends of his days. "What do I do?" Junpyo whispered.
Ji Hoo smiled softly. "I think you should learn about the mother." Junpyo needed to start of slow. He couldn't rush into this. It was a very fragile situation. "Take it easy."
Yi Jung nodded.
Woo Bin looked down at the file in his hands. He flipped through the papers. "Her name is Geum Jan Di." His dark brown orbs flitted back and forth across the paper. "She is the . . ." He whistled.
Junpyo arched an eyebrow in amusement. What could have possible caught Woo Bin's attention - had to be something major. Woo Bin wasn't easily impressed - none of them were.
"Well, you don't have to worry if your little girl had a hard life." Woo Bin commented easily as he dark eyes flew over the page.
Yi Jung frowned. "Why is that?"
"Ms. Jan Di is also known as Amara King." He smirked and shook his head. "She is a leader in the fashion world - especially in America."
Ji Hoo's eyes widened. "The owner of Mperial King Fashions?"
WooBin nodded. "Yeah, that one."
Yi Jung whistled.
"She has a good family background. Dark simmering chocolate orbs, 5'2''." He chuckled. "She'd be a little smurfette next to our 5'11'' Junpyo." Woobin wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Junpyo hid the smirk on his lips while shaking his head.
WooBin continued. "She's extremely smart." His smile dropped. "She's infertile." He winced.
"Why?" Ji Hoo questioned.
"Pelvic Adhesions: A bands of scar tissue that bind organs after pelvic infection, appendicitis, or abdominal or pelvic surgery. This scar tissue formation may impair or cause complete infertility."
A pregnant silence filled the air around them.
"Hyung. She has had . . ." He looked down at the papers he still held. "Rae Na. She has been with Rae Na for 5 years." His lips pursed as he glanced down at the paper. "She, Jan Di, would know everything about her. Her likes, dislikes, phobias, allergies . . . everything."
Yi Jung frowned. "Are you going to try and take Rae Na from Jan Di?"
They all stared at Junpyo. They waited for his answer.
Junpyo's lips pursed. His brows knitted together in contemplation. Could I do that . . .? After knowing what I just found out. That she can't have children. Could I really do that? I know the loss...
. . . JD . . .
Jan Di heaved a small sigh and shook her head. Her little girl had fallen asleep on the couch while watching Lady and The Tramp 2: Scamp's Adventure. It was her daughter's new favorite movie.
Rae Na was becoming addicted to puppies. If she kept this up . . . Jan di was going to cave and buy one. WHo wouldn't. Those damn beautiufl little blue eyes that looked at you like you hung the moon each and every time you took her to the pet store to play with a puppy - it was going to be her end. And Jan Di knew for a fact that no one would blame her.
She heaved another sigh and leaned down to pick up the sleeping child. Jandi cooed softly in the back of her throat as Rae Na whimpered softly. Jan Di rocked back and forth on her heels and sung softly. She lulled the child back into sleep.
"Nite baby." She whispered. Jandi sat on the side of her daughters 'big girl bed'. Her slender fingers pushed the wavy tendrils of messy dark chocolate hair. A soft smile slid onto her supple lips as she traced the closed wide doe eyes. The straight and pointed nose: cute and button like. Chubby little cheeks; slightly rose-y. The round jaw.
Her smile turned sad. Who ever made you...they were so stupid to give you up. So stupid.
She sniffed lightly. A soft sigh fell from Jan Di's lips. She cooed once more as Rae Na whimpered.
"Momma?" She whimpered once more.
Jan Di's hand stilled. Her brows knitted together. What is she dreaming about? She cooed more and drew lazy circles on the girl's arm as she made perch on the child's bed.
Monday: 06:15:20 AM
Jan Di smiled. "You ready for day care?"
Rae Na nodded quickly.
Jan Di rolled her eyes. Her daughter was beyond cute. "Well let's go. Mrs. Oh is probably waiting for her star helper!"
Rae Na giggled cutely. Her natural aegyo showed through.
Lunch
Jan Di heaved a small sigh and patted her flat stomach. "Spicy Kimichi was a great idea. Jenna that was the best idea you have had yet."
Jae Na smirked. "Oh . . . So getting the fashion editor of 'Marie Claire' to give you a front page - full coverage - in their next edition was . . . mediocre?" Her head tilted to the side in mock impishness.
Jan Di rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean."
Knock. Knock.
"Ms King?" Both looked up to the secretary who stood at the door.
"Yes Sun Ah?"
"The school called. Ms Rae Na had a small break down." The girls voice was soft.
Jan Di's eyes widened as she jumped to a standing position. "OMO! My baby!"
Jae Na cooed softly. "Get your stuff and go get your daughter." She turned to Sun Ah. "You, take messages for Ms. Kings - 'she is in meetings all day'. If they are urgent transfer them to me and I will deal with them." Jenna turned back towards Jan Di. "Go get your daughter and maybe pick up a little ice cream for us all." She winked. "So you soon boss."
Both girls saluted their boss who smiled in thanks.
~ ABC Childs Care
Jan Di's high heels clicked loudly on the linoleum flooring. Her dark brown eyes flitted back and forth in a frenzy.
Where was her baby?
"Ms. Geum!"
Her head snapped in the direction of the voice as she came to a sudden halt. Mrs. Oh.
She smiled. "What happened?" She asked in a hushed whisper.
Mrs. Oh heaved a small sigh. "I am truly sorry."
JanDi's eyes furrowed. She turned stoic. Her kind facid gone. Que MBM: Momma Bear Mode. "What happened to my baby." Her voice calm yet dangerous. She wasn't questioning or asking. She was demanding.
Mrs. Oh's eyes widened slightly. "Some kids were picking on her. I wasn't paying close attention. I didn't realize . . ."
Jan Di's eyes narrowed. "What happened to my baby?" She repeated.
"Some children were making fun of her because she didn't have a father . . ." She whispered the last words carefully.
Jan Di heaved a small sigh. Her eyes scrunched together. She knew this day would come. She just didn't think it would be this soon. "Where is she."
"My office. I put her in there with a small carton of banana milk."
Jan Di nodded and moved passed the teacher and towards her office. She opened the door carefully and closed it sharply behind her. "Baby . . ."
"momma~" The small girl whimpered softly. Her eyelashes were clumped and glistening with shed tears. Her eyes tinged red. Her straight little button nose was a soft pale red. Her chubby cheeks held fresh tear trails. A flushed look covered her face.
Jan Di's eyes glistened at the complete broken look that marred her baby's face, pooling in her orbs. She dropped to her knees in front of her little girl. She smiled sadly and wiped at the dried tears. "I'm so sorry baby . . . So sorry."
Rae Na nodded and held out her arms. Silently asking her mom for a safe, warm, comforting hug that only a parent could give.
Jandi scooped the child up into her arms and squeezed her tight. "How about we get some ice cream? Then stop and go see Ms. Jae Na and Ms. Sun Ah?"
Rae Na nodded slowly before letting her head fall to rest on her momma's shoulder.
Jan Di rubbed Rae Na's back soothingly as she grabbed Rae Na's jacket and book bag. She proceeded out of the day care.
Rae Na sniffled. "momma?"
"Hmm?" Jandi hummed in question. She hugged the tiny little girl to her. Her arms wrapped around Rae Na's waist - while the younger was propped up on her hip as they walked towards the exit. Jan Di stopped short and turned towards the Manager. "I suggest you get a hold of your bullying problem. If you can't - then maybe you should higher more works to keep a eye on the children. Your current number doesn't seem to be working."
Her voice was clipped and cold.
You don't mess with a Momma Bear's cub.
The manager nodded curtly. "I am sorry. The problem will be resolved by tomorrow."
Jan Di nodded. "We shall see, won't we?" She twisted on her heel and left before she could receive an answer.
She continued to bounce Rae Na softly and coo.
Jan Di giggled softly as Rae Na oh'd and ah'd while looking at the 115 different flavors of ice cream. "Are you going to pick up darling?'
"momma I don't know what to pick!" Her big round eyes stared up at her mother pleadingly.
Jandi smiled and caressed her child's hair. She dropped down onto her hanches in her pin-striped pantsuit. "Think you can narrow it down to two flavors?'
Rae Na's eyes widened as she giggled and nodded her head vigorously.
Jan Di and the lady behind the counter smiled softly at the little girl.
"Okay, you got Jenna and your's ice creams."
Rae Na nodded cutely and followed her momma into the 'Mperial King Fashions' 4 story building.
The first two levels were the actual shop; where everything was sold. The third and fourth level were the work shop, mateial, and designing floors.
Jan Di smiled and held the door open. She smiled brightly at her workers. Jandi kept the elevator open as her daughter stepped in. She giggled softly as Rae Na sang along with the music on the elevator radio.
Jenna stood at the elevator entrance with a wide smile on her face. "Did you eat my ice cream?" Her hands moved to her hips as she eyed the chocolate ice cream on Rae Na's lower lip.
Rae Na giggled.
Jae Na smiled and grabbed her ice cream from the little girl. "So? Shall we go into momma's office and devour our food?" She wiggled her eyebrows.
Rae na giggled once more.
Jenna smiled. "Do you even have ice cream left?"
Rae Na giggled. "Aniyo! But momma said I can finish hers." She smiled impishly and flounced into her momma's office.
Jan Di smiled and moved to sit at her desk. She heaved a small sigh and stabbed the melting food with her spoon.
Rae Na bit her lower lip as she sat in the chair facing her momma next to Jae Na. She played with her fingers while kicking her feet slightly. "momma...?"
Jan Di looked up and smiled. "Deh?" Her head tilted to the side. "What is it baby?"
"Who's my Appa?"
The spoon in her hand fell on the desk. Drops of vanilla ice cream splashed across her skirt. Jan Di knew the question would come up, but she didn't know it would be this soon. How was she supposed to answer that?
Jenna stood quietly. She gave Jan Di an encouraging look before leaving the room.
That was a family only question. A family matter. Family ONLY.
Jan Di heaved a small sigh. She knew it was coming, but that didn't mean it didn't affect her any less. She bit her lower lip and stared deep into her daughter's icy blue eyes. "Honey . . ." Jan Di stood from her chair and moved to kneel in front of Rae Na.
"momma?" Her head cocked to the side in question was she waited. Her icy blue eyes wide and innocent.
Jan Di gulped nervously. "I . . . I . . . " A tear slid down her cheek as she stood and quickly twisted around. Dammit! Why was it so hard? Why was it so hard to admit she didn't know? WHY?
Simple.
Once she admitted. Once the words 'I don't know' left her lips; that would be the moment Rae Na wasn't her real daughter.
It would be the moment she'd have to admit Rae Na wasn't her own flesh and blood. It was the moment she'd have to say 'you aren't mine'. The moment she'd have to look her little girl in the eyes and say 'your momma and Appa didn't want you'.
Would it make it any better tell Rae Na that she did.
No.
It wouldn't. It wouldn't make anything better. It wouldn't ease the pain. It wouldn't stop the resentment that would follow. Or the anger.
As soon as the words 'you are not my real daughter' left her lips, Rae Na would know. Her real family hadn't wanted her.
This moment had haunted her. Haunted her with every breath she took. Every blink of her eyes. Every glance at her daughter. Every flitting thought about the bundle she had come to love so deeply.
Another tear slid down her cheek. Jan Di sniffled softly and quickly swiped at the tear.
Why did it have to hurt so much?
She needs to know.
Jan Di heaved a small sigh. She turned around and looked at her expectant daughter.
"momma . . . If you don't want to tell me, right now . . ." Rae Na looked down. "You can wait."
Jan Di's head tilted. "Are you sure? If you really want to know . . . I will tell you baby." She didn't know how, but she would find the courage for her baby.
Rae Na smiled and shook her head. Long black hair swayed around her. "No momma . . . I . . . I want to wait." She smiled and held her arms out. Fingers wiggling as she silently asked her momma to pick her up.
Jan Di smiled and lifted the girl.
"We'll wait, until we are both ready." Rae Na mumbled against her momma's neck.
Jan Di smiled and hugged her close. "When do you grow up?" She is a smart little cookie. Her dark brown orbs tinged red. She gulped down the lump in her throat. A watery smile slid across her soft petal pink lips. She's growing up so quick.
"It's okay, momma." Rae Na giggled. "I'm still growing momma." She tightened the arms around her momma's neck. "I love you momma!"
Jan Di smiled and tugged the girl closer. She pulled her lower lip into her mouth. The question still rang loud and clear in her mind. Who's my Appa? Jan Di heaved a small sigh. Guess it's time I try to find out about Rae Na's past...
...
Junpyo | Monday: 12:45:35 PM
Could I do that?
Junpyo heaved a sigh. He had spent the better part of the weekend with that question running through his head. And to this very minute . . . he still couldn't answer it. That question had kept him from sleeping properly. He still couldn't answer it.
Junpyo's lips pursed. His brows knitted together in contemplation. Could I do that . . .? After knowing everything I have found out? That she can't have children. Could I really do that? I know the loss . . .
"Junpyo?" Woo Bin questioned softly.
The three friends returned, they had left him alone to think everything over. They knew it was a shock. They knew they chance like this was one of a million. And they wanted their dear friend to know they were here if he needed them.
Junpyo shook his head as he as pulled from his revere. "Hmm?"
"Are you going to take her?"
Junpyo bit his lip. "I . . . I don't know."
Ji Hoo frowned. "Junpyo, you can't. She's had that child for over five years. Taking Rae Na from her now would be like taking a part of her heart and then expecting her to live on as if nothing happened." He shook his head. "That's inhuman cruelty." Ji Hoo looked pointedly at the other. "You know that."
"I know." Junpyo nodded. It was true. And he did. "Then what do I do?" He stared down at the picture of the smiling little girl. "She's mine. She's physically mine . . ."
Ji Yung heaved a sigh. "Why don't you put yourself in their life? Get to know them." He slow smirk covered his lips. "Who knows. You might fall for both."
Woo Bin nodded. He smirked. "I agree, you might even like Ms Geum Jan Di." He wiggled his eyebrows.
"Doubt it." Junpyo snorted. "I want to meet my daughter. Not date some socialite."
Ji Hoo frowned. "Socialite? You don't know anything about her."
"That doesn't matter." He waved the other off, "they are all the same." Junpyo shrugged. "All women, every last one of them."
His three friends frowned.
"Not every woman you meet will be like her." Ji Hoo retorted.
Junpyo heaved a small sigh. He knew that. It was just so hard to believe. So hard . . . His brows furrowed in concentration. "Then what do I do?"
"I'm confused." Woo Bin frowned. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Didn't we already answer that question?"
"Yes," Yi Jung chuckled. "We did."
Junpyo heaved a sigh. "How?"
Woo Bin shrugged. "I don't know."
"Well, you could take the business approach." Ji Hoo rolled his eyes. "Why don't you invest in her business? You own a chain of ShinHwa Malls, Car Dealerships, Reality, ect."
The others frowned. "Huh?"
Ji Hoo heaved a sigh and leaned back. "She's a fashion designer, no?"
"Yes," Woo Bin grabbed the file and flipped through the pages. "Fashion designer. Amara King - Emperial King Fashions. Thought the spelling was cool."
Junpyo looked back at Ji Hoo.
"You really choose now to play dense?" Ji Hoo questioned incredulously. "Malls usually have fashion departments right?"
"Ooooooooohhhhh~" Yi Jung sang softly, finally understand where the other was going. "That actually took me a few too."
Woo Bin frowned. "Okay, well pretend we," he pointed to Junpyo then himself. "Are playing dumb."
"Jeez!" Ji Hoo groaned. "See if she would like to have a boutique opened in all of your malls."
Junpyo heaved a sigh. "She's famous and has her own store . . . Why would she want to set up a boutique in my malls?"
Ji Hoo let his head fall back against the couch he sat on. "Do you really not pay any attention to your could be competitors?"
Junpyo shook his head. "Dragon Lady usually slings the door open and yells it at me." He shrugged. "Why make more work for myself when she can do it for me?" He grinned cheekily.
The others smirked.
The Dragon Lady.
Aka.
President Kang.
Aka.
Kang Hye Soo.
Aka.
His Mother.
Though out of all of her titles, they preferred the Dragon Lady.
"She only has one store. Here. In Seoul, Korea. She hasn't branched out." Ji Hoo explained. "This means - branching out could very well become helpful to both of you. She can have her designs featured around the world. And you can get to know her . . . And her daughter."
Junpyo nodded.
"You," Yi Jung pointed at Ji Hoo. "See, this is why we keep you around. You're the smart one." He grinned impishly and snickered while the Ji Hoo smirked.
Woo Bin yelled his protest before pouting.
Junpyo sat there with lips pursed. Could it really be that easy?
"So what do you think?"
Junpyo bit his lower plump lip. With a shaky left hand he raised it towards the phone. He picked it up and held down the second black button above the circular number buttons. Junpyo pressed it to his ear. "Jaemin, I need you to set up a face to face meeting with Amara King."
His three friends smiled brightly.
He grinned nervously back at them. His heart was beating in overtime.
Okay, revamped - hopefully a little better.