Lesson #7

No to Rebound

[ Rebound is a nasty word accompanied by it's nasty meaning. Never look for a rebound. If you do then you're just looking for a whole new drama. ]

Good morning sunbae, the invitations were almost done. I emailed them back the latest copy with the corrected names of Jan Di's parents. They said it'll be ready tomorrow morning. Can you pick them up? I have morning shift.

Ga Eul's text is the first message Yi Jeong reads after waking up.

He scanned through the new messages he received the entire night with his left eye still closed but after seeing one came from Ga Eul, he was suddenly fully awake.

He sighed after reading her message twice. He was expecting this message but the disappointment he just felt confirms his in denial thoughts. He closes the message then went to his photo gallery and clicked at the very last photo he had taken.

It was Ga Eul. She's smiling triumphant at the camera holding a bull image trophy. This picture was taken right after she won from that bull game.

It's been a week since they went to Jae Kyung's country farm. It's been a week since he last saw Ga Eul.

He keeps pushing the thought of missing her. Ga Eul is just a friend. He shouldn't be missing her like this. Again. It's not natural. It's not right.

He locks his phone and tossed it at his side.

Maybe it's because of the wedding preparations. Yeah, that must be it. They've been spending more time together again because of the wedding. It felt like those days when they used to see each other everyday bringing back their egoistical friends together.

Those days were like the golden days, even though they've been through rough times, it was that time Ga Eul still likes him.

He ruffles his hair as if shaking the thought. Ga Eul taught him how to be brave and move on and to live his life with no regrets. He is not doing a good job by going back to those memories.

He turns his head at his night table. A black elegant paper's still laying open beside the lampshade.

An idea popped in his mind, a smirk formed in his lips.

The doorbell rang making Ga Eul jumped. She ran to the door and opened it and was surprised to see who's her visitor.

"Ga Eul-yang."

"Sunbae."

Hair in a messy bun, matching purple tank top and shorts, fluffy slippers and completed with a yellow apron. Yi Jeong had to intake a deep breath as his senses welcomes her. A smile spread to his already beaming face.

"Sunbae, what are you doing here? Didn't you receive my message?" Her eyes are still wide from seeing him on her doorstep so early in the morning. She glances to the wall clock at the living room, it's only 6:30.

"Can't I visit my friend?" Yi Jeong said innocently with those signature puppy dog eyes smile.

She narrowed her eyes at him. Something's up.

Yi Jeong laughed. "Come on Ga Eul-yang, aren't you going to invite me inside?"

Ga Eul looked over her shoulder. Her parents are out already and she's in the middle of something important, she don't really think she can do a visitor but nonetheless she sighed and opened the door further for him to enter after all, Ga Eul is anything but rude.

"Thank you." Yi Jeong's relieved she had let him in without further questions. He's not very keen on telling her the main reason of his visit. Not yet.

They stood behind the door, Yi Jeong noticed her little hesitance. Did I come on a bad time?

"Uh, you can make yourself at home, sunbae. Have you eaten breakfast yet? I think I have some porridge at the fridge, I can reheat them for you." She offered, although she doubts Yi Jeong will eat that.

"How about you Ga Eul-yang? Did you have your breakfast?"

She shook her head. "No, not yet."

"Ah, you're still cooking." He said, looking at her apron.

"Uhm, yes and no."

"Huh?"

Ga Eul went back to the kitchen, Yi Jeong following behind. The smell of freshly baked bread greets him as he enters the kitchen. The small dining table were full of fruits and vegetables, even the sink if full of stuff still in plastic. Two burners are open, one has a pot with simmering white stuff and the other has a stack of steamer pots.

"Woah, are you going to open up a restaurant, Ga Eul-yang?" he said, peeking at the safest one to look – the fruits.

"This is for the kids." She said as she stirs the simmering food.

"Kids at the hospital?" Ga Eul had mentioned to him the kids she befriended at the hospital. She'd already made a progress of chatting with them and the kids had started opening up to her. He's not surprise though, Ga Eul is an energetic, friendly girl and her smile is infectious.

"No. Kids at the orphanage."

"You work at an orphanage too?" Seriously, she and Jan Di doesn't know how to chill when it comes to work.

Ga Eul laughs, something that made his insides feel a pleasant warm. "No sunbae, I'm a volunteer there."

He shook his head and rolled his eyes. See, no chill.

"What are you making?" he took off his coat and placed it at the chair.

"Cheese bread, dumplings, beef, mushroom soup, vegetable rolls and blueberry cheesecake."

"You're going to make all that on your own?"

Ga Eul took a spoon and tasted the soup, she nodded her head then killed the fire. Soup is done. "I've been doing this once every month."

Yi Jeong watch and can't help but be amaze at how she works at the kitchen. She looked like a chef but with more passion and grace. Her movements are precise, she knows exactly what she's going to do. She's into her cooking she barely noticed the presence of him.

Yi Jeong watches with full attention. He enjoyed seeing that frown in her brows when she's lifting the pots or when she's tasting the food. He likes her game-on face and the smile that she makes whenever the food tasted good. Yi Jeong tries to focus on her face alone because no matter how cute she is her body is betraying her.

Ever since that bathroom incident, Yi Jeong had started to notice the tremendous changed on Ga Eul's body. When she had her back at him, Yi Jeong's eyes will marvel at her round firm butt that her shorts are not enough to cover from his hawk eyes. He never finds armpits sexy but Ga Eul has the most flawless one and whenever she's reaching something above her head, he gets a good view of them. He wished he did not put her hair in a bun, her neck is like calling out his name to put his own mark. Yi Jeong's thankful at that apron though, it has kept his eyes away from her chest which he didn't fail to notice her tank top has a low cut and the apron is high enough to cover her. And that tongue. Her pink innocent tongue that keeps poking out whenever she's concentrating or getting excited.

It's one of her mannerisms.

It's one of Yi Jeong's favorite mannerism of her.

Yi Jeong adjusted himself, loosening the tie on his neck and taking deep slow breaths. Ga Eul already thinks he's a sex god to the opposite gender, he doesn't want her to think he's a lowlife pervert.

He flinched when he heard her gasp. Oh shoot, can she see my sudden excitement?

"I'm sorry sunbae, I had almost forgot you're there. I'm really sorry."

"N-No, i-it's okay." He had to straighten his body, shaking off his thoughts. "I don't want to interrupt you with your cooking."

"I'm so sorry. When I'm done with these we can play a game or watch a movie." She offered as she dumps the dirty dishes at the sink.

"Actually, there's one thing we can do." Two things but let's not think of that right now.

"What is it?"

He went back to his coat and pulls out a black envelop. "Oh yeah, the party tonight." She said upon seeing the invitation.

"Good thing you remembered." He said. Today is the 89th Anniversary of the founding of Woo Sung Museum. Ga Eul already has an invitation but he brought another one just in case she forgot.

"Of course, I won't forget. It's at 8 o'clock, right? Don't worry, you'll see me there." Flashing him her radiant smile.

"Actually, I was thinking of maybe going there together." He said it so innocently and it's obvious how he made it sound so casual like it's nothing.

Ga Eul on the other hand stopped from cutting vegetables and look at him with a shock expression but with a hint of grin. Yi Jeong wishes she wouldn't look at him like that. It will not help if he will blush.

She surprised him when she chuckles. "Yah, Yi Jeong sunbae can't get a date tonight? Did hell freezes over?"

Okay, time to defend himself. He had predicted this will come and he had prepared a good explanation. "It's not that. My grandfather had started his schemes of slowly setting me up on dates with the daughters and granddaughters of his business partners just like what happened at that Japanese restaurant and I have no intention of spending a special night with random heiress. I'd rather spend the party with someone I know. Take it as a small favor, Ga Eul-yang."

Exactly as he practiced.

"Why is it so special?"

"Because… tonight will be the official turn over of the empire to me."

Ga Eul's eyes widen from hearing the news. She jumps up and down from excitement. "Sunbae congratulations!" she jumps to him putting her arms around his neck and fully hugs him.

Yi Jeong was caught off guard. He didn't expect this reaction from her. He didn't care if she's a little sweaty she still smells wonderful, he hugs her tightly even before his brain will scream at him no.

They broke apart too quickly for Yi Jeong's disappointment. "I'm so happy for you sunbae." She says as she looks up at him. "I'll gladly be your date."

She was so near to him, he wanted to close their gap. With her looking so happy for him, he can't help but be happy too. Taking over the family enterprise is not something he really looks forward too but with Ga Eul's smiles he felt like for once he's doing something right.

"Let me call Ji Hoo sunbae first so he will know I'll be going with you now."

A needle popped his happy bubble. "Ji Hoo?"

Ga Eul went to the table where her purse is and pulled out her phone. "Yeah, the other day he asked if I already have a ride to the party and I said no so he offered."

Seriously? Ji Hoo? What is wrong with that dude? Is he planning on taking the two best friends hearts?

Yi Jeong shook his head. No. Ji Hoo's not like that. He's the nicest guy in the world. Too nice he gave up his own happiness for the happiness of others. He's just being the nice guy and a good friend to Ga Eul. That's all.

"I'll tell him." He volunteered before Ga Eul makes the call. "What time are we going to drop these foods at the orphanage?" deliberately changing the subject.

"We?"

"Yeah, since I'm asking you a small favor, wouldn't it be nice for me to do something for you in return?" His lopsided smile is back making Ga Eul forget what they were talking about. After all these years, he still has that affect on her.

"Ga Eul-yang?"

He snaps his fingers in front of her face. She blinked several times. Yi Jeong has to hide his grin. "Uh, l-lunch time, sunbae."

She looked down at her apron as everything went back to focus again. She awkwardly run back to the sink and continued cutting those forgotten vegetables.

Yi Jeong closes the trunk of his orange sports car carefully. It's now full of food inside, he wouldn't want to mess everything she made. He jogs back inside of her house, humming to himself quietly when he heard something. He stopped on his tracks and stopped humming.

"When I first saw you I already knew

There was something inside of you
Something I thought that I would never find
Angel of mine"

Is that Ga Eul-yang singing? Yi Jeong leans at the wall next to the door of the kitchen, he inclines his head to hear better.

"I look at you looking at me
Now I know why they say the best things are free
Gonna love you boy you are so fine
Angel of mine"

It's definitely Ga Eul-yang! She's singing!

Yi Jeong steps inside the kitchen, Ga Eul has her back at him, washing the dishes at the sink as she sings. He closes his eyes as he listens to the angelic voice that is Ga Eul's.

"How you changed my world you'll never know
I'm different now, you helped me grow

You came into my life
Sent from above
When I lost all hope
You showed me love
I'm checkin' for you
Boy you're right on time
Angel of mine"

"You have an amazing voice."

Ga Eul gasped. She turns around. Yi Jeong was looking at her with a mixture of admiration and amazement she just knew she's blushing under his gaze.

Yi Jeong walk over to her. "You said you can't sing."

"I said I don't sing but I didn't say I can't sing." She corrected him. He snorted, this is Ga Eul being a smarty pants again.

"You definitely need to sing at the wedding."

Her eyes grew wide. "Oh no sunbae! I can't!" waving her hands in front of her vigorously.

"Why not? Don't you want the rest of the world to hear your angelic voice?"

"There's nothing angelic in my voice Yi Jeong sunbae and you know I have stage fright." She doesn't mind singing at home and alone but singing in front of hundreds of strangers would be a huge problem.

"We can work on that. Remember what we talked about confidence?"

Ga Eul has to look away or else Yi Jeong's blinding smile will cut her from the world again. "I-I'll t-think about it."

They were already in the car going to the orphanage but Yi Jeong is still not dropping the subject.

"Can you sing again?"

"For the last time, NO." she said firmly. She rolls down the window to have some fresh air.

"Aww come on, I sang for you when you asked me to."

"That's a different thing. You were even too proud to showcase yourself.." She pointed the street they were suppose to turn.

"How about later at the party?" he asked as he makes a turn to the street.

"Absolutely not! Yi Jeong sunbae, do you want me die young?!"

Yi Jeong burst out laughing. Aside from his friends, Ga Eul is the only girl who can make him laugh like this. Carefree and no inhibition.

"Alright, alright. I won't ask for tonight I might go dateless if I insisted but you will sing at the wedding."

"You know I can't sunbae." She said with that sad and uncertain look in her eyes.

"You can and you will. I'll help you." He reassures her.

"How?"

"Just leave it to me."

It only made her worry more. He saw her expression and laughed again. "Relax, Ga Eul-yang. Just trust me on this one and you already know I'm a man of many talents-"

"Yeah, yeah I heard that already but if I die on Jan Di and Jun Pyo sunbae's wedding day I will haunt you for the rest of your life."

They arrived at the orphanage. The two of them brought the food inside and they were welcomed by the nuns and the children. Yi Jeong can tell that they are all excited and happy to see Ga Eul.

It was his first time stepping inside an orphanage, for a second he thought they entered a boarding school.

Ga Eul got busy playing with the kids as Yi Jeong stands in the corner.

"Hyung."

A little boy tugs on his coat. "Yes?"

"Do you know how to play yoyo?" the little boy showed him an old looking yoyo. Yi Jeong bends down and smiles at him. "Yes. I was the best in my class when I was your age."

The little boy's face brightens up, his eyes turns round with excitement. "Can you show me some of your tricks?" he asks eagerly.

Yi Jeong took the toy from him and demonstrated a few of what he remembers. The little boy was amazed, soon enough Yi Jeong is showing him more than a few tricks and the children had started gathering up around them.

Ga Eul felt a hard nudge on her side.

"Yah, Ga Eul-ssi, your boyfriend's pretty good with kids." says Suzy, one of the choir members of the church which is also a volunteer for this event.

"He's not my boyfriend, Suzy." A smile spread in her lips as she watches Yi Jeong interacts with the orphans.

"Really?! Can I get his number then?" says Aira, another volunteer.

Suzy snorted. "You won't stand a chance with him Aira."

"Why not? Is it because he's handsome?"

"No. It's because he's F4's Casanova So Yi Jeong, the So empire heir. No commoner will stand a chance with him."

"But he's hanging out with Ga Eul-ssi." says Aira.

"Friends and girlfriends are totally different."

Aira sighed and pouted as she arranges the food Ga Eul and Yi Jeong brought. Suzy nudge Ga Eul once again but softly this time. "I hope what you're saying is true." She lowered her voice so Aira wouldn't hear.

"Which one?" Ga Eul whispers as well.

"About him not being your boyfriend."

"He's really not." Ga Eul answers truthfully. She knows where her concerns are coming from.

"Good. You just got out of a bad relationship, you ought not to be looking for another one. And it wouldn't really be fair for him if you will use him as a rebound."

What Suzy told her still echoes to her mind even after the event was done. It was already near afternoon and they need to get ready for the party.

Rebound.

She wasn't thinking of that. She's aware of what it means but never have thought of it. Yi Jeong is her friend, she will never do that to him. Besides, she is not his type, he made it clear few years ago. If he didn't like her back then, what makes her think he will like her this time?

Yi Jeong's driving quietly when he noticed that Ga Eul haven't uttered a word since they left the orphanage.

"You okay?" he asks with concern.

Ga Eul took a deep breath. Tonight is Yi Jeong's night, there's no room for her dramas in life. She turns to look at him, smiles and nodded, perfectly masking her troubled mind. "Where do we go next? My fairy godmothers?"

"Fairy godmothers?" he knew something's bothering her but didn't push it, the day is still long, he can ask her later at the party or at the after party.

"Yep. You wouldn't want your date looking like a rug, would you?"

"Chu Ga Eul, you're not a rug. You're beautiful." He said it with all sincerity he has.

She smiles, she really appreciates her friend's sweet talking. She got used to this part of his charm, she wishes she will get use to his smile as well or his smirks so she wouldn't be caught gawking at him whenever he flashes her that sweet smile of his. And it would be nice if her heart will stop misbehaving too.

"Whatever you say, Mr. Casanova. But seriously Yi Jeong sunbae, where are we going? This is not the way to my house." she said, pointing at the road they are taking.

"Jae Kyung texted me to bring you to her house. I told her I will bring you to the party but she insists on having you there first."

"Ah! There goes my fairy godmother! I wonder if Jan Di will be there too." Ga Eul felt relieved, honestly speaking she's actually hoping for Yi Jeong to dress her up again because she has nothing to wear at the party and since she will be going as his date, she doesn't want to look like Yi Jeong's maid next to him.

Yi Jeong laughed at her reaction. "There, there now Cinderella. Make sure you won't forget your slipper."

"Maybe I should wear snickers then. You wouldn't mind, would you?" pointing at the pair of shoes she's wearing right now. "Those high heels Jae Kyung unnie has are seriously going to kill me, sunbae."

Yi Jeong chuckled. "If you managed to stay alive after tonight, I will treat you ice cream."

"Okay, but if I tripped I will hold you responsible for my broken leg."

*89*