Lesson #11
Learn From Your Mistakes
[ What went wrong? - The three W's that holds the vital information that can make or break your next relationship. Analyze and Evaluate for future reference. It'll be a big help, I swear on Yi Jeong's expensive leather shoes. ]
Finishing with a signature, Yi Jeong closes the last file he's been reading for half an hour now. He's done with the paper works but now he needs to face computer works.
He sighed, closing his eyes and massaging the bridge of his nose. Glancing at his wrist watch, it says he's been working for almost five hours straight and it's not even noon yet. He's not really into breakfast so most of the time he skips it but right now his digestive system's growling at him for neglecting them.
He unlocked his phone and went to the messages. He got new ones but none were too important. He scrolls down and found the one he's looking for - the old text from Ga Eul thanking him for the Music classes and for the dinner the other night.
He can't pretend that he misses her now. If before he will regard this feeling as loneliness or lack of female companion but he can't lie to himself anymore. He misses Ga Eul and that's a fact.
He locks the phone, secured it to his side pocket, grabbed his car keys from his desk cabinet and was about to stand up when his secretary's voice came from the telecom speaker.
"Master So, someone is requesting to see you, Sir." says Secretary Kim.
"Tell them I'm busy and cancel my appointments for this afternoon, I'm going somewhere."
"But Sir she said she's a friend of yours."
Yi Jeong sighed. He hasn't been in touch with his lady 'friends' lately and the inviting messages he kept on ignoring could have resulted to them demanding his attention even in his office hours. He sighed once again.
"Tell them I'm busy."
"But Sir, she said it's really important."
"I'm leaving Secretary Kim." Yi Jeong stood up and put on his suit.
"But Sir-"
"Tsk!"
That made his secretary know that the matter has been decided. "Alright Sir, I'll politely inform Ms. Chu Ga Eul to leave."
Yi Jeong almost tripped on his shinny expensive leather shoes. "Who?!"
"Ms. Chu Ga Eul, Sir. She said her name is Chu Ga Eul." says Secretary Kim. "I apologize for disturbing. Should I ask the valet to ready your car, Sir? Which one are you going to use?"
"N-No! I'm ..I'm not leaving anymore. Tell her to come inside." Yi Jeong went back to his chair, slightly tidying his desk.
"Sir?" the confused voice of Secretary Kim asked.
"Bring Ms. Chu in here." he instructed. He waited for his secretary's response but he probably proceeded with his command right away. Not even a minute passed, Yi Jeong heard a knock on his office door.
"Come in."
The door opens and the person Yi Jeong was just thinking about walks in. She bowed at his secretary before he closed the door.
Yi Jeong would lie if he haven't played this scenario in his mind before. Ga Eul-yang walking towards him with a shy expression in her face but her eyes are painted with desire. She will be in office uniform and will take the seat in front of his desk just like where she is right now.
"Good morning, Yi Jeong sunbae." Ga Eul greeted with a hint of shyness in her voice and he can also somehow feel some hesitance in there.
It's alright Ga Eul-yang. Just say it and I'll do it.
Wow. Even in his mind he sounds so creepy.
"To what I owe the pleasure?" Yi Jeong said with a playful but serious face. In his opinion, nobody can sport that expression better than him.
"Uhm…" her hesitation is now very evident. "How was your day so far? Have you eaten already?"
He needed to hide his grin from her petty way of getting to the point. Yi Jeong answers her questions though, he'd like to humor her and also, he can wait for her to be ready. He's not in a hurry. He got all day.
"It's fine, Ga Eul-yang. Been busy since the sun had risen. As for the meal, no, I haven't eaten anything since dinner last night."
Ga Eul gasped. "Sunbae! You shouldn't skip breakfast! It's the most important meal of the day!"
"Really? Not lunch? I thought it's lunch." he said, playing with her.
"No. Where did you get that? You shouldn't be listening to everything Jun Pyo sunbae is telling you."
Yi Jeong burst out laughing. Only the two best friends can directly and indirectly insult the head of Shinwha empire, in fact, the whole F4 in general. Oh, and also their resident Monkey friend.
"In my defense, he didn't say lunch. He said afternoon tea."
Ga Eul joined the laughter eventually. At least it took her nervousness away. Her visit is with a great purpose and she's been chewing her fingers the moment she stepped inside the building.
"I will have lunch in about an hour." he assures her.
She just nodded, trying to buy some time for her courage to take over, she shifted her eyes around his impressive office. Paintings hang at the wall, Ga Eul believes to have cost more than her monthly salary at the hospital, furniture that never saw dust in a day, small historical artifacts scattered beautifully around the room and pots and vases to amuse Yi Jeong.
Yi Jeong watched her as she absorbs his office. As much as his father insists that the two of them are more than alike in most cases, Yi Jeong immensely disagree. He doesn't share his father's lame sense of style. He personally picked the display on his office so he take huge pride to it.
Without realizing, he's actually anticipating her say about his office. He felt that Ga Eul's opinion matters to him.
"Your office is impressive, Yi Jeong sunbae."
"Thank you, Ga Eul-yang." he smiled at her, glad to hear her verdict.
"But do you know what's the most eye-catching from your office?"
"What?" Yi Jeong was curious. It's probably the painting of lavender near the door. He likes it very much and it reminds him of someone.
"The man in the suit." says Ga Eul with a playful smile.
Yi Jeong was taken aback. Did she just flirt with me?
Yi Jeong doesn't blush. No. He never blush. Blush and him are not acquainted to one another but right now he swear to God he could feel himself blushing.
Ga Eul suddenly laughed at his expression.
"How's that for compliment, sunbae? Woo Bin sunbae said you guys would like to hear compliments from me and Jan Di sometimes. He's complaining that you don't get it from us."
"Oh. I see."
Ga Eul continued to laugh.
"Is that why you came here? To give a modest compliment?"
Her laughter died. Did he got mad from what I said?
He's looking at her with his intimidating stare. It had struck her now just how huge the differences of their status.
I'm going to kill Woo Bin sunbae for giving me that stupid advice of complimenting the person first before asking for favors. Aish!
She took a deep breath, she needs to do this now before everything went further south. The man in front of her turned from Yi Jeong sunbae to Master So real quick. "Uhm, sunbae… I came here to ask for a favor."
Favor? Yi Jeong can crack his brain open to guess what's his friend needed help with. Definitely not monetary. She and Jan Di never asked for F4's financial help even though they will in a blink of an eye. He hope it's not about his dumbass ex or Yi Jeong would swear he will erase that pig in the face of the earth. She could be asking for his help with the orphanage again since the kids had taken a liking to him. Or maybe it's work related, how many jobs can she seriously squeeze in 24 hours?
Well, if she's looking for a part time job, he would take her as his secretary in a heartbeat. Of course he would have to explain this to Secretary Kim but he'll deal with that later.
At the thought of having Ga Eul as his secretary had brought back those unseemly thoughts he had. Ga Eul entering his office in a plain white blouse tucked in those high waist pencil skirt and sexy heels, out of town business trips, the two of them working late at night in his office.
It's official. Sex in the office is now his top fantasy. With Chu Ga Eul.
He will have her spread wide open for him on this very desk as she pleads him to take her. Sir Yi Jeong…. Please, I need you…
"Yi Jeong sunbae…. Please, I need you…"
So Yi Jeong swallowed hard. Fuck!
"...I need you to take a friend of mine on a date."
Yi Jeong felt like he just did an ice bucket challenge.
"What?!"
"She's a patient at the hospital, please be nice to her sunbae."
Ga Eul continued to plead as Yi Jeong drives to their destination after lunch. He glanced at her sideways as she begins explaining his upcoming date with a stranger.
Chu Ga Eul is the only person-woman on the planet that had set him up on a date with someone else. No one has ever done that. All the ladies want him to themselves, sharing is a tabooed word but this maiden beside him had even plan this date for him. She has a freaking itinerary on her phone!
Yi Jeong chuckles quietly, Ga Eul's still busy explaining his date details she didn't notice this.
This just adds up to the long list of his 'Firsts by the Country Bumpkin'. She may not be the first girl to confess her feelings for him but she's definitely the first one to fit all of his 'Don't Mess' dating rules. First woman to show sincere care about him in a long time, first to show him the good side of life, first to accept him of who he is, first to recognize him as Yi Jeong and not just as the So heir. First to teach him bravery, courage and second chances. Not to mention the craziness he's been feeling lately towards her. She even made him blush a while ago! And now this!
Chu Ga Eul you're a wonder woman.
They arrived at the amusement park five minutes than her scheduled time.
"Date on amusement park?" he raised his eyebrow at her. Ga Eul looked up at him puzzled.
"Why? What's wrong with amusement parks? There are lots of couples doing their dates here." she defended while pointing at the people around them.
"For commoners, yes."
Ga Eul mentally slapped her forehead. Of course the amusement park is not date material for Yi Jeong. He might not even had set foot in here before. She's too nervous on setting up this date she had forgotten some important details.
"I'm sorry, sunbae. It's the only place I can think of." she said apologetically at him.
Does this girl know I'm weak for her pouts?
Yi Jeong cleared his throat and distracted himself at the crowd around them before he will get tempted to do something with that pouty lips of her.
The place is not bad. Not really remarkable but not bad for a local amusement park. He looked at his wrist watch, 3 more minutes before his 'date' comes, he can't help but wonder how did he end up in this situation.
"I wanna ask you something."
Ga Eul looks up at him, Yi Jeong's thankful she's not pouting anymore.
"Why did you set me up on a date?"
"Well, uhm… here's the thing … -"
"GA EUL!"
They both turn to look. A petite girl who just came out of her car stares back at them. Ga Eul immediately ran towards her with a smile. "Min Jin-ah!"
Yi Jeong's lips curls into a smile. Once again Ga Eul added another first on his list. He didn't wait for the girls to come, as a gentleman, he went to them instead.
If he can remember, one of the things Ga Eul instructed him to do when they were in the car is to greet his date with a smile and be friendly but instead of following her itinerary, Yi Jeong went straight to his date and hugs her. This earned a surprise gasp from Ga Eul which only made Yi Jeong grin even more.
"How are you Min Jin-ah? Haven't seen you in a while."
Another gasp from the match-maker.
"I'm fine, Yi Jeong. I got private teachers now that's why I don't attend school anymore." Min Jin answered coolly.
"Y-you two kn-know each other?!"
"Of course. Min Jin attends Shinwha." Yi Jeong answers simply. It amuses him how Ga Eul's almond eyes had turned round from the news.
"You do?!" she looks at Min Jin with those wide eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"You didn't ask." Min Jin said with a raised eyebrow.
"But..but..-"
"And we're also in the same Arts Club." says Yi Jeong.
"Are we suppose to go in this place?" Min Jin asked as she looks at the amusement park in front of them.
"It'll be fun. Come on." Yi Jeong took the teenager's arm and leads her inside. When he glanced back to Ga Eul she gave him two thumbs up and an encouraging smile.
Yi Jeong would, of course, prefer if Ga Eul will join them but that doesn't apply as date anymore. Min Jin is not only a former schoolmate, her family's been involve to some of the So businesses so the two of them are pretty acquainted to one another. He was actually relieved that Min Jin's his date rather than some random stranger. In fact, he doesn't even call this date because she's way too young for him but he's not complaining.
They tried few simple rides since Min Jin's body's weak and she can't be exposed to too much crowds. They did a little catching up but never bought food from any of the food stands. Min Jin asked if they can rest for a little while and Yi Jeong agreed.
When they settled at one of the empty benches, Yi Jeong spotted a familiar head from the bushes. Ga Eul is motioning for him put his arm around Min Jin's shoulder. He shook his head, trying not to laugh at her spying friend.
"I still can't believe you're friends with that crazy girl." says Min Jin, who appears to have not noticed the girl in the bush.
Yi Jeong chuckles. "Me either."
It's true that Ga Eul and him are complete opposites, like comparing ice and fire but in his opinion, he had never met a woman he can be more compatible with other than her. He found himself smiling at this thought.
"I didn't agree on this one, you know. She just forced me."
Yi Jeong looked at her confused." She forced you to go on a date with me?" he thought it was Min Jin's idea to demand a date and Ga Eul was too nice to decline and also too gullible to agree.
"She's been pestering me the moment she started working at the hospital. She's the most annoying human being. More annoying than the nurses. She wanted me to eat the hospital food and you know hospital food are just plain disgusting."
Yi Jeong laughed. "That sounds like Ga Eul-yang, alright."
"So annoying!" says Min Jin. "But she's the only one who had put up with me. Most of the nurses and given up forcing food on me but she just won't give up!"
Despite of how annoyed she looked, Yi Jeong saw her smile at this.
"The other day, some of the hospital staffs are talking about her. They say she's friends with Dr. Geum, Gu Jun Pyo's fiancee and then the news from your Museum's anniversary confirmed that she's connected to F4 and they even saw her the other day with Master Chef So Yun Joong. Ga Eul's pretty much the gossip topic at the hospital these days."
Yi Jeong feels worried on these news. He just hope no one is bullying her or hurting her in any way. He needs to ask another favor to his doctor friend again.
"When I asked her yesterday if she's really friends with you, she turned it into a challenge. She said if she can prove you guys are friends then I will have to surrender to her and eat the hospital food." Min Jin chuckles coldly. "Guess I have to eat that disgusting thing from now on."
Once again, Ga Eul proves to Yi Jeong that she's one of a kind. He already know her exceptional qualities but it still amazes him how she can still be this enchanting.
The date ended well. Yi Jeong didn't have to give Min Jin ride back to the hospital, she took her family car. Ga Eul was jumping up and down when Min Jin left.
"Yes! I win Yi Jeong, sunbae! Min Jin will get better now. I'm going to make sure she'll eat the healthiest food the hospital can give. I'll cook for her as well. I might have ask for Yun Joongie's help again but that's okay."
"Don't bother that guy, he's too busy with his life and I heard he got a new cooking show going to different provinces so he'll be more busy now than ever." says Yi Jeong, he's making things up now but he doesn't care, anything to make Ga Eul hundreds of miles away from his poisonous cousin.
Her pout came back. "Aww, really?"
"Yes. If you want to cook I can help you."
Ga Eul laughed at him. "You can do a lot of amazing things sunbae, but cooking in not one of them."
"I haven't cook for you, right? You'll change your mind once you tasted my food. You might even forget your name."
Her laughter fills his ears like a beautiful melody. Her pout may have weakening effect on him but it's her smile and laugh that can make his heart flutter.
"I envy Min Jin."
Yi Jeong glanced at her from the driver's seat. They were done eating dinner (Ga Eul's treat- she insisted, Yi Jeong agreed but only if they will have dinner again next time and it'll be his treat) and now they're on the way to Ga Eul's house. They were quiet for a while, just listening to music and being comfortable with each other when she brought up Min Jin again.
"I saw how comfortable she is in your date. She had a crush on you, she has a picture of you as her phone wallpaper so I know. She's so cool around her crush. If that was me I would not be able to speak clearly. For sure I'm going to stutter a lot and won't be able to look at him in the eyes for so long."
"Yeah, I can remember." he teases.
"Sunbae!" she snapped at him.
Yi Jeong laughed. "You were like that when you were pursuing me, remember?"
She glared at him. Why is he bringing this stuff again? Does he want to rub in her face that she failed at him?
"I think it's normal to feel shy around your crush." he said, sensing Ga Eul's serious about this matter. "But I also think through the course of time, that shyness will go away. Do you know why?" he glanced at her again as he asked.
Ga Eul shook her head.
"Because the two of you will be comfortable with each other. You got comfortable with me eventually, remember?"
He didn't know what's up with him bringing those memories back but one thing is for sure- he likes those memories.
Ga Eul fell silent. Is that the reason why Su Pyo and her didn't work? She was always shy with him, always thinking of what to say, what to wear and how to act. She always weigh things from Su Pyo's perspective before doing something that she forgot how to relax and be comfortable with him.
Is that why he didn't love me? The first time and the second time?
Yi Jeong pulled over at the side street. Ga Eul's in deep thoughts she didn't notice them arriving at her house.
"Do wanna hear my advice?" he asked, bringing Ga Eul's attention back to him.
She's not sure if Yi Jeong's the right person to give advice on this matter but she nodded her head anyway since he's offering.
"Just be you Ga Eul-yang. You don't have to act cool or pretend on something you're not."
Ga Eul looked down to her hands. This is exactly her dilemma with her past relationship and Yi Jeong hit it like a bull's eye.
He lifted her chin up with his fingers, the contact made them both shiver. "Be with someone who you can be your 100 percent you, Ga Eul-yang. Just like how you are with me."
His head inches closer. She was frozen staring deep in his mesmerizing face. Her eyes fell to his lips. Lips that she used to fantasized kissing years ago. Their lips never got the chance to meet even once when she was pursuing him. They almost kissed back at his studio years ago but her mom's phone call interrupted them but it had left her wondering what would it feels like to kiss those luscious lips.
He continued inching closer to her and she can't think of anything to do other than close her eyes, waiting for that long awaited kiss but just like last time it didn't happen.
They were interrupted again by none other than her mom's phone call.
She abruptly opens her eyes but instead of answering the call, she clicked the seat belt open and hopped out of the car in a flash. "GoodnightYiJeongsunbae!" she said in one breath with a quick bow, not meeting his eyes then dashed inside her house.
Yi Jeong was left there at his orange sports car, glued to his position. He moved his hand to feel his chest. The music coming from his stereo's incomparable to the booming sound of his pounding heart.
*89*
Thank you for all the positive feedback. I'm glad people are liking this story.