Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from this drama. Rae Na is mine and all of the non Boys Before Flowers characters.
JanDi | Monday: 10:12:45 PM
She groaned softly and stretched her sore muscles. Jan Di had spent a good hour leaning over Rae Na's bed trying to get the little girl to finally fall asleep. How many times could one person sing As The World Falls Down? How many? Jan Di had stopped counting a while back.
Rae Na sniffled in her sleep and cuddled deeper into her princess comforter set.
Jan Di smiled and shut the door too in Rae Na's room. The light from the hallway glimmered inside - a sort of nightlight.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
Jan Di's eyes widened as she raced for the cell-phone she had left on the glass coffee table in the sitting room. Its where she did her work when Rae Na was in the living room.
The two rooms were joined together in an open theme form, separated only by a deep set archway.
She breathed out deeply, a slight smile covering her lips as she lanced at the caller ID before answering. "Hey!" She heaved a small sigh and sat down in one of the cushioned wicker chairs that surrounded the tall glass coffee table. "Everything good after I left?"
"Oh! Of course, Sun Ah and I had no issues closing the store up." Jae Na answered easily. "I was just calling to check on the two of you. This morning was a rough and tumble one."
Jan Di groaned. "Wasn't it?" She shook her head and ran her hand through her short dark brown locks. "I can't believe . . . Well I can believe but still! Children can be so cruel." She hissed out a breath.
"I know." Jae Na seethed. "I also know wanted to let you know that I have a friend." She paused for a moment. "She can look into Rae Na's history if you want."
Jan Di sat up a little straighter. "Yeah ple-
Beep. Beep.
Jan Di pulled her phone away from her ear. Her brows furrowed as 'Unknown Caller' blinked repeatedly on the phone. "Hey, I have another call - it could be overseas."
"Kay, kay. Call me back."
Jan Di smiled. "Will do." She ended the called and pressed answer. "Hello?"
"Hello, I am looking for Amara King."
Jan Di frowned. It wasn't normal that her cell-phone was given out to strangers. Overseas, sure; however, the only ones overseas - she knew. They didn't ask for her. They knew the moment the phone was answered she was the one who answered it. "Yes. . ."
"Oh, good!" The woman answered cheerfully. "I am utterly sorry to be calling this late - it took them a while to find a personal number for you."
Jan Di nodded. "That would be because I don't give it out to strangers." Her voice was clipped. She didn't like people looking into her past. It was just that, her's. No one else needed to be in it.
"I'm . . ." She paused for a moment, as if sensing the unhappiness on the other line. "I am truly sorry for invading your privacy."
Jan Di's lips pursed. "Was there something that you needed ma'am?" She breathed out easily as she rose from her chair and moved towards the kitchen - she was going to need coffee.
"I work for Goo Junpyo of ShinHwa Industries." The woman paused once more. "Mr Goo would like to invite you to a lunch tomorrow for 12 at the Todai Restuarant."
Jan Di froze, coffee half way to her lips. "S- ShinHwa Industries?" She had to be hearing wrong. There was no way that the leader ShinHwa Industries was doing everything possible to get ahold of her.
"Yes, ma'am." The smile colored her voice sweetly. "May I confirm?"
Jan Di bounced in place. "Yes, please do."
"Thank you, and once again I am truly sorry for calling so late and invading your personal life."
She smiled sweetly. "Please, next time call the office and ask for Jae Na."
"Yes," the woman laughed. "I will make sure that happens - I'll leave notes in our files." She paused for a second. "Have a good night."
"You too." Jan Di replied before hanging up.
Tuesday: 09:12:20 AM
Jan Di squealed as she walked through the door of her office. It had been one of the most horrible things to keep quiet all night. But there was no way she was going to take a chance and wake her daughter. Rae Na needed all of her sleep. And waking her would only make her cranky. And dear heavens! IF Jan Di ever found out who Rae Na ever got her cranky attitude from - they were going to pay.
Jae Na giggled and rolled her eyes. "Okay spazz, why are you more spazzy then normal?" She grinned cheekily and blinked innocently. "And you just cut me off!" Her mind running a mile a minute. "Then you never called back!" Jenna groaned for added effect. "I waited for you Jack! Why did you let go!" She wailed loudly.
"Seriously?" Jan Di shook her head. "How am I the spazz-ier than normal one?" She grinned easily. "I would never be your Jack either." Jan Di flashed an award winning smile. "Love you."
Jae Na gasped in a scandalized manner. "Why did you let me go!" She clutched at Sun Ah - the unfortunate bystander. "She just let me go - just like that." She sniffled loudly. "And we both know you say that to all the pretty girls." She sniffled once more.
"I'm sorry we got interrupted by the way." Jan Di heaved a small sigh, a soft groan fell from her lips. "Rae Na had a nightmare about the kids from her daycare." She shook her head. "She seems to be getting better - but there are moments of touch and go." A smile curved on the edges of her lips. "But that's not why I spazzed this morning." Her eyes twinkled happily.
Her eyes widened. "You have secrets." She pointed a finger at Jan Di accusingly. "We don't have secrets!" She wailed dramatically once more. "She would be my Jack and now she's keeping secrets." She clung to Sun Ah. "What will we do?"
"Seriously?" Jan Di shook her head, but didn't fight the smile that covered her lips. "Serious faces," she pointed at the two. "I got a call from the secretary of of Goo JunPyo."
"When does he want to meet?" She inquired with a smile. She vibrated with happiness. A slight scream fell from her lips as she jumped in place. "Finally! They have realized all of my hard work."
Jan Di laughed. "Yeah . . . your hard work." She smiled and shook her head. "He wants to meet tomorrow at Shinhwa Mall. At the Todai Seafood Restaurant at noon."
"Oh," Jae Na cooed. She wiggled her eyebrows. "Pretty fancy for a guy who just wants to get to know you on a business level."
She scoffed. "As if." Jan Di tilted her head to the side. "I wonder if they've seen my designs?" She squealed softly at the thought. "I wonder what they want . . ."
Jenna smiled. "This is big!" She fanned the air and did a quiet happy dance. "Now, you need to reply to Mrs. Carlson!" Her eyes narrowed as she stared at her friend. "Since you have returned early, but I will let it pass because this is very important!" She smiled happily. "Get to work, you have a long day ahead of you."
"I know." Her shoulders slumped for a second. Jan Di smiled in affection. "You're the best Jen."
Jenna snorted. "I already knew that."
Junpyo | Wednesday: 12:02 PM
Todai Seafood Restaurant | Shinhwa Mall: Second Floor
He breathed in deep. "Guys . . . I'm nervous." This was utterly ridiculous. A man of his stature, of his standing, his breeding - should not be scared of a business meeting. But it wasn't. It wasn't just a business meeting. It was so much more. So, so much more. This one meeting was literally going to decide his fate. If she turned him down . . . he had no link to his daughter.
"It will be fine." Ji Hoo smiled soothingly. He placed a hand on Junpyo's shoulder and squeezed. "It is going to be okay." Ji Hoo squeezed Junpyo's shoulder once more before patting it.
The other two nodded. "Have we ever led you astray?" Yi Jung questioned with a wide and too innocent smile - a smile he had long ago perfected. The other three knew it too.
Junpyo lifted an eyebrow and stared up at his long time childhood friend. If that wasn't a loaded question, Junpyo wasn't sure he'd ever be able to tell the difference. And that was not a good thing. It was in his job description to be able to call other people out on their shit.
"Haha, okay. Okay." Yi Jung chuckled while holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Has Ji Hoo every led you astray?" He pointed at the glaring friend. "Ji Hoo's never led you astray . . . That you know of." Yi Jung grinned.
Woo Bin frowned. "Hey!" His lips pursed unhappily as he crossed his arms. "I have never led him astray!" He glared at their womanizing friend. "You did that all on your own."
"Hey! What about that time at JeJu? The woman in the pink dress?" Yi Jung wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and smirked. "I do distinctly remember you telling him that she was single." He drummed his fingers against the table and whistled innocently.
Junpyo laughed. "She wasn't. Tia gave you false info." He raised his hands in a what can you do manner and chuckled at the glare he received from Woo Bin."I think she does that to try and keep you humble."
"It's not working." Yi Jung grinned. "We might need to have a talk with Tia - she clearly is not doing it right." He shook his head and faked an exasperated sigh. "What are we going to do with our little Tia?"
He huffed. "Uncool." Woo Bin pouted. "Why do you always gang up on me?" His pout intensified. "It is not fair." He crossed his arms and slouched in his chair. "I am going to get new friends - I've known y'all for too long. This is old news."
"Hey!" Yi Jung exclaimed. "Now that is uncool."
Junpyo laughed, relaxing in his chair. He knew they were doing it on purpose - being childish idiots - and he was thankful. They knew exactly how to get him out of his own skin and to relax. "Don't worry - he'd miss us too much." His dark eyes twinkled. "And who else would put up with him?"
"Okay," Ji Hoo stood. "Let's go." He glanced down at his long time friend. "You'll be fine." He flashed a white smile and turned to glare at the other two - who were not moving from their seats. "UP, we are leaving Junpyo alone."
The brunette with plump lips nodded. "I agree. Thank you - all of you . . . idiots." He chuckled at the squawk he received. Junpyo licked his lips. "Alright, y'all need to go before she gets here."
"What?" Woo Bin smirked. "Why? I wanna meet her." He let his long legs stretch out under the table as he proceeded to make a show of getting comfortable. "She looks beautiful - I wanna see her in person."
Yi Jung chuckled at the elder glared. "Come on WooBin - I saw some easy to take advantage of girls by the shoe department." He winked at Junpyo as he stood and tugged on Woo Bin's shirt collar. "Let's go."
"Leave!" He stressed as he glanced down at the watch on his left hand once more. They had to go before she got here. It would only be so much more embarrassing and just . . . horrible if they stayed. They would say something, anything, and he'd never live it down. Junpyo shook his head. "Why am I friends with any of you, again?"
Yi Jung smiled cheekily. "Cause we are the only ones that tolerate your temper." He whistled a short happy tune as he gave a mock salute in a form of goodbye. "You need us."
"Ha!" Junpyo scowled and waved them away. "Ji Hoo?" He called his long time friend. Holding him back as the others left. Junpyo took a deep breath as he looked up at his long time friend. He had a connection with all of them. But his connection with Ji Hoo ran deeper.
The shorter man frowned softly as he looked down at Junpyo. "What?" His head tilted to the side as he waited. His dark eyes roved over Junpyo's features. He looks nervous.
Junpyo gulped and looked up at him, letting his eyes open and emotions flow.
Ji Hoo smiled softly. "You'll be fine." He pointed to the manila folder to Junpyo's left. "Just follow the notes, and don't forget to tell her about the different spaces." He squeezed Junpyo's shoulder. "Be yourself. She needs to get to know you, not the tyrant Goo Junpyo."
"Thanks." Junpyo nodded. "Thank you." He took in a deep breath through his nose before exhaling slowly through his lips.
.
Jan Di | Wednesday: 12:10 PM
Jan Di growled. She was late. She flung the door to Shinhwa Mall open. She ignored the glances she received and continued to slightly sprint down the path. This was bad. Very, very bad. How was Jan Di going to make a good impression like this? God! He was going to right her off before even meeting her. This entire meeting was going to be over before it even had time to begin. Brilliant!
"Wha?" Jan Di groaned as she slammed into something. Well, she was sort of hoping it was someone. Cause if she had really just ran into an immovable object in the middle of the mall - not only would that be exceedingly embarrassing - she was going to have to get her eyes checked. However, if it was indeed a person than she was going to blame this entirely on him and his inability to see.
She was justified. Jan Di was running late.
"Ow," She whimpered as she blinked slowly. Jan Di's nose scrunched unhappily. She coughed as the brunt of hitting the ground knocked the wind out of her. That hurt. That really hurt. Damn. Jan Di coughed once more and breathed in deeply.
"I am sorry." The deep voice from above called out.
Jan Di slowly opened her eyes to greet the deep voice that sounded above her. She froze. Her brain was offline. And at this very moment, she wasn't sure if her mind was offline because she knocked her head or because of the hot guy in front of her. Yeah, it was offline. And most likely not coming back online for a little while. That wasn't a good thing.
"Are you okay?" His brows furrowed as he leaned closer. Hand still outstretched as he waited for her to take it. "Ma'am?"
Jan Di's breath hitched. Gorgeous. "Ah! yeah!" She nodded. A blush stained her cheeks as she took the proffered hand. "Thank you." She bit her lower lip as he brought her into a standing position with no trouble at all.
"No problem." He chuckled. "I wasn't watching were I was going." He smiled. "Name's Ji Hoo." It was polite to give people their names with the ran into them. Though, Ji Hoo had a small inkling feeling she was the one that ran into him. But who was he to put-out a pretty woman.
A soft blush stole her cheeks, it had been a while since she was shown any male attention - her lady parts were suddenly a little too active. Jan Di shook her head slightly trying to focus on the present and the could-be bedroom future. "Jan Di." She smiled widely and fought the blush that threatened to run deeper. "I'm running late." A gasp fell from her lips as her eyes widened. She was running late. "I'M LATE!" She shrieked before hurling herself around the male and dashing for the restaurant once more.
JunPyo | Wednesday: 12:15 PM
She's not coming. His shoulders slumped as he stared down at his glass of wine. The air in his lungs stilled as it froze. His body numbed. Cold. Everything was cold. She wasn't coming. Junpyo swallowed hard. His eyes hallowed out as picked up the wine glass and downed it. He was an alcoholic. Not yet.
Why wasn't she coming?
Did she find out her daughter was his?
Did she not want him to see his daughter?
Why couldn't he see her?
Did she not want to see her own Appa?
Did she not want him as an appa?
Junpyo groaned and rubbed his temples. He glanced down at the silver rolex on his left wrist and frowned.
Until Next Time. Please Review!