CHAPTER SEVEN -QUESTIONS

Jan Di stared at the phone in her hand and unconsciously chewed her lip as she tried to decide what to do or even if she ought to do anything at all. It had been nearly a week since Woo Bin had last shown up for their meditation session at the temple, and she was worried, although she couldn't say just why.

As amazed as she had been when he had first shown up at the temple on his own, she had been more surprised and strangely disappointed to find him absent several days ago. She had asked Jun Pyo last night if he had seen him lately and Jun Pyo had seem startled that she would be asking about Woo Bin. He told her he hadn't been in contact with any of the F4 in the last week or so and as he seemed unaware of their meetings at the temple she decided to drop the subject.

Whatever Woo Bin's motivations were for visiting the temple, she knew they were personal and she figured it was his business to decide whom he'd share that with. If he hadn't mentioned it to Jun Pyo, then she wouldn't either. Although the time she had spent with Woo Bin over the last month or so was utterly innocent, she understood Jun Pyo's nature and did not want to incite his tendencies for jealousy and flying off the handle without having all the facts.

She had since tried twice to call Woo Bin only to find his phone switched off. She hoped her growing unease was a simple overreaction, after all Woo Bin was a grown man and could choose to spend his time how he wished. Goodness knew he could take care of himself, so why should she feel worried?

Restlessly, she paced around her room a few more times before heading out the door in the direction of the temple. "Jan Di? What are you doing here at this time?" Chung Ho Sunim asked, quite surprised to see her.

"Chaesamnida, Sunim. It's about Woo Bin. I can't get a hold of him and there's probably no reason to, but I'm starting to worry. I don't suppose he's said anything to you that might give us a clue where he's gone?"

The Sunim was quiet for a moment. "Anyio, Jan Di, I cannot think of anything. Although..." "Ye?" "It's nothing," he said, "but I did notice several times last week that there was a black car that seemed to follow the two of you as you left the temple. Maybe it was nothing, but considering the company you keep my dear, maybe it was something."

"Kamsahamnida, Sunim! I've got to go!" Her initial reaction to the Sunim's words was to suspect Jun Pyo's mother, although after taking a moment for rational thought she knew this couldn't be the case. The Gu family had finally managed to put Madam Kang in her place and they maintained a cold, if not always quiet, truce. Besides that wouldn't explain Woo Bin's seeming disappearance.

She knew if Jun Pyo had any suspicions or concerns about the two of them she would've heard something about it by now. Sneaky he could be at times, but he was terribly clumsy at it. Hiding his thoughts and feelings was something he had only ever managed around his mother. No, if something was going on it was related to the people in Woo Bin's life, not hers. She winced as she realized that after more than a month of getting to know him better, she still didn't really know who that would be. But she knew someone who did…

"Ga Eul-ah? Where are you right now, are you with Yi Jung? Good, you two stay right there, I'll be over shortly. Why? I'll tell you soon – just wait for me there OK?" Jan Di hung up the phone as she grabbed a taxi, a rare extravagance for her but justified by the circumstances she felt.

Twenty minutes later she was getting out in front of Yi Jung's pottery studio. She had barely paid the driver before Ga Eul was at her side, her face lined with worry. "Jan Di-yah? What is it? What's wrong? Did Jun Pyo do something stupid? Did you guys fight? Or did something happen at school? Or with Ji Hoo? What happened?"

Yi Jung came up behind her and wrapped his arm around Ga Eul's shoulders. "Shush," he told her, "Jan Di, come inside," he invited, smiling.

Once they were seated comfortably, with Ga Eul and Yi Jung looking expectantly at her, Jan Di drew a deep breath and began. "Sunbae, do you know where Woo Bin is?" she asked Yi Jung.

"Woo Bin?" he responded with a shocked tone. This was not a question he had ever expected to hear from Jan Di, of all people. "Well, he stayed here for a few nights, maybe a month or so ago. We've talked on the phone a few times – he declined to go out dancing with Ga Eul and me…other than that, I couldn't say. Why? What's going on, Jan Di?"

Jan Di looked thoughtful as she replied, "Just…well, it may be nothing but…would you try calling him, Sunbae, right now?"

Yi Jung glanced at Ga Eul, the two of them obviously still completely confused. "All right, Jan Di-yah, but then you better explain what this is all about." He picked up the phone and dialed, waited and…"That's not right! It says this number is no longer in service? How can that be?"