A.N.: Hello everyone. Thank you for the reads, support, and reviews. I'm much better now. Thank you for your concerns. I don't know what else to say but feel touched. Thank you again.
To heartluv: I was writing this Epilogue when your review came in ^_^. Wasn't planning on one. Was replying a dear friend's email when I suddenly felt the need to get all the leftover emotions out through this Epilogue. Thanks heartluv.
As far as 'What Should He Do?' is concerned, don't worry. I'm not neglecting it but these past two weeks were a race with time. Within this week alone three of my younger siblings got married. Yup, you read it right. Three separate weddings in seven days. No joke. Super busy and super exhausted to the max.
Can this epilogue also be a peace offering for not updating WSHD sooner? ^_^ Appreciate your understanding and patience. Hugs and love.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.
Published: 19.09.2016
Yi Jeong scrunched the rose scented cream-colored card that he received just a few minutes ago and threw it on the floor. He poured his vodka glass and shot it down his throat fast. He refilled the glass and downed the colorless liquid and repeated the process, again and again, and again. Woo Bin, Ji Hoo, and Jun Pyo exchanged looks. Woo Bin stood up and approached him at the bar counter. They were all at Woo Bin's penthouse.
"Hey, Yi Jeong. That's enough. You'd be wasted in no time at this rate." Woo Bin held down Yi Jeong's hand on the counter top but the latter shoved his hand away. "Leave me alone, Woo Bin." He glared at his best friend.
"No! Come on. Let's sit there." Woo Bin tilted his head towards the sofa where Ji Hoo and Jun Pyo were seated.
"I said leave me alone. I don't care if I get wasted… or die." Yi Jeong raised his voice.
"Nope. You can't die and you don't want to die Yi Jeong. You have a daughter to look after." Yi Jeong stiffened at the mention of his three years old sick daughter. He let go of the glass in his hand.
Woo Bin helped his best friend to the sofa. Yi Jeong leaned back and closed his eyes. He massaged his throbbing temple. Ji Hoo pushed a glass of water towards him.
"Ji Hoo, are you going?" Jun Pyo asked him in a low voice. He glanced at Yi Jeong.
"Yes, I am. You?" The doctor asked back.
"I have to go or Jan Di will kill me." Jun Pyo whispered, afraid if a certain someone could hear him.
"Why the hell are you whispering? I'm right here next to you. I can hear you." Yi Jeong glared at Jun Pyo.
"Woo Bin, are you going as well?" Ji Hoo asked the Mafia Prince.
Woo Bin shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Maybe. I haven't decided yet."
Yi Jeong abruptly stood up, surprising the F3. He went to the counter and bent down to pick up the crumpled card. He opened the card and smoothed its surface. He touched the center of the card and looked at it with sad eyes. His tears finally came down.
"Ga Eul, please don't marry him."
It was midnight. Yi Jeong slowly opened the light pink door and entered the bedroom. The dimmed night light offered assistance to his soft steps towards the small bed at one corner of the room. At another corner, various sized dolls and teddy bears were neatly placed on the floor. He kneeled down at the side of the bed and watched the small sleeping beauty on the bed. She was the small female version of him. He tucked the hair that covered part of her cheek behind her ears and kissed her cheek. His eyes glistened with tears.
Flashback
"I don't want this baby, Yi Jeong!" Ye-Eun screamed at him. He had lost count of the number of times they had these fights since they discovered that she was pregnant.
"Why not? She's our baby." He screamed back at her, also with the same words as before.
"I don't want to be a mother. I hate children. This baby makes me fat and ruins my career. And you are going to make me marry you because of this baby. I don't want to get married. I've told you that thousands of times Yi Jeong. This baby ruins everything." She started to punch her swollen stomach. She was already eight months pregnant.
"Ye-Eun!" He grabbed her wrists to stop her from hurting herself and the baby.
Ye-Eun struggled but Yi Jeong's grips were firm. She stopped struggling when tiredness consumed her. She stared at him with loathing in her eyes.
"I hate you, Yi Jeong. I hate you. You ruin my life." She spat at his face.
"Ye-Eun!" Yi Jeong embraced her as she cried and cried like a child.
His heart ached whenever she uttered those words. His heart bled whenever she tried to hurt herself and their baby. His heart crushed whenever she said that she wanted to abort the baby. How could she? Why was there no love in her heart for this small being in her? Wasn't this life in her part of her and part of him? How could she love him but not his child? Their child? Yi Jeong too cried along with her.
He managed to make her keep the baby with the deal that the baby would be given away as soon as she was born. She made him promised that they would never have any contact with the child and that they would never have another child ever. She too, made him promised that they would never get married. But her emotional episodes of wanting to kill the baby were still constant. He had to watch and monitor her closely.
Ye-Eun gave birth two weeks earlier than scheduled. There was a complication with the birth. The baby's umbilical cord had coiled around her neck and her heartbeats were dropping. The doctor needed to perform a C-section to save her. Yi Jeong waited anxiously and worriedly outside the labor room.
Ye-Eun refused to look at the baby. She turned her face away when the midwife wanted to pass her the baby. The midwife then gave the baby to Yi Jeong. He had already loved the baby the minute they knew about her and now looking at her pure angelic innocent face with her heaven baby smell made him loved her more and more. He kissed his daughter's forehead and cheeks. Just then, the baby suddenly choked and began to turn blue. He panicked and cried for the midwife. The baby was immediately taken away.
"Yi Jeong! No!" Ye-Eun cried, startling him as he was about to follow his baby. He did not know what to do. He looked at the door and back at Ye-Eun. She stared at him. Yi Jeong was torn between his daughter and his lover. Feeling defeated, he stayed back with Ye-Eun. He cried inwardly but made a vow to keep his daughter. He just needed a way to make Ye-Eun accept her daughter.
So Ye-Jin. He named her So Ye-Jin. Yi Jeong's heart broke when the doctor informed that baby Ye-Jin had a weak heart. She had to be monitored closely for the next few days.
Ye-Eun went home three days after. She went berserk when Yi Jeong told her that he had to break his promise on baby Ye-Jin. He told her that their baby was sick and he was going to give his all in making the baby healthy. Ye-Eun screamed, cried and threw things at him.
A month later, baby Ye-Jin was frequently in and out of the hospital. Ye-Eun packed her bags and left. On the mirror of the vanity table in their bedroom was a "Don't bother to come for me" note. Yi Jeong dropped to the floor, numbed in the heart before he screamed her name out loud.
End of flashback
Yi Jeong wiped his tears. He then kissed Ye-Jin's forehead again. "Good night baby. Papa love you." and quietly exited the room. He went to his bedroom and changed his clothes. He then lay down on his big cold bed.
It had been three years now.
When Ye-Eun left, he went to her parents' place to talk to and reason with her. Instead, her parents shooed him away, cursing and swearing, and accused him of ruining their only daughter's life. They warned him to stay away from her. Two months later he heard her family moved to another country. And she was gone forever.
Every night he seldom slept well. He thought of her, wondered where she was, wondered what she was doing, wondered why she did what she did and wondered why she hated her own flesh and blood. He had no answers to all of those questions, other than her saying that the baby ruined her life. How could she think such of their baby? All those times before she got pregnant, she was a loving girlfriend and a wonderful lover. He thought that she shared the same dreams as him, to be married and to grow old together with their children. It seemed that he thought wrong. So, so wrong.
Yi Jeong closed his eyes.
Was this his punishment for all his sins towards Ga Eul?
"Ga Eul, oh my sweet kind beautiful Ga Eul." Yi Jeong choked a tear.
Flashback
"Ga Eul-yang…" Yi Jeong stood frozen, unbelieving on what had just happened.
A minute later he ran outside to catch up with her. She was still not far from the studio. He rushed towards her. In his rush, he bumped into her back and quickly locked her in his embrace.
"Ga Eul-yang. You don't mean this. You can't leave me. You love me and I love you. Don't leave me Ga Eul-yang. I'm sorry." He whispered into her ears.
In an instant, Ga Eul twisted her body around and slapped him hard on the cheek. She roughly pushed him away. Her teary eyes became angry. Her composed self just a few minutes earlier in the studio shattered and replaced by a broken hurt woman.
"Just cut the crap, Yi Jeong-shii. You don't love me. You only think that you do." Ga Eul snickered.
"You don't even need me in your life," she then turned serious and looked him in the eyes.
"And I surely don't need a jerk and a scum bag like you in mine, either."
"Ga Eul-yang!" He felt as if a bucket of ice was poured down onto him.
Ga Eul pushed him one last time before she turned around and ran as fast as she could.
"Ga Eul-yang!"
All his calls and messages were ignored by Ga Eul. Hence, he begged Jun Pyo to ask Jan Di to persuade Ga Eul to meet him and resolve their problem. The F3 and Jan Di were shocked to hear about their break-up. They did not see it coming since the two were so much in love with each other. Or so they thought.
Ga Eul kept mum of the reason. All she said was that her father got a promotion and they had to move to a city up north of the country. She told Jan Di that she had thought it over and over and she did not think that she was up to a long distance relationship. Furthermore, her mother wanted to open a kindergarten and she was going to help manage it.
Jun Pyo, Woo Bin, and Jan Di were furious at Ga Eul. They could not believe that Ga Eul could easily break Yi Jeong's heart. For them, long distance relationship was not something to worry about in this modern age. Communication and transportation now were made easy by technology. To their eyes, the potter was heartbroken and devastated by the break-up and Ga Eul was fully responsible for it.
"Yi Jeong." Ji Hoo dropped by Yi Jeong's luxurious penthouse unannounced, surprising the latter. He came to talk to Yi Jeong about Ga Eul. He sensed that something was amiss with Ga Eul's reasons of their break up. Did she not go through this kind of relationship before and survive? Sweden was much, much farther than up north. So why the reason?
Yi Jeong hesitated in opening the door. He kept glancing over his shoulder and the ever observant doctor cum musician did not miss it. Ji Hoo pushed the door a little harder. "I need to use the bathroom." He nonchalantly spoke.
Ji Hoo entered the apartment before Yi Jeong could say anything. Yi Jeong's expression spelled nervousness and he kept fidgeting.
"Who is it, Yi Jeong?" Ye-Eun came out of the bedroom while drying her hair with a small towel. She wore a tube top and a tight black short. Ji Hoo's eyes widened as he stared at her. He then turned to Yi Jeong. His expression was none that Yi Jeong had ever seen before.
"I can explain." said the potter.
Ji Hoo's face reddened as Yi Jeong explained everything. He probed Yi Jeong into telling the whole truth. Not once that he looked at Ye-Eun. Yi Jeong stressed so many times that he loved Ga Eul and that he would never leave her despite being with Ye-Eun. Breaking up with Ga Eul was never his intention. He asked Ji Hoo not to hate Ye-Eun. When Yi Jeong finished with his explanation Ji Hoo shook his head and stood up.
"The guys and Jan Di owe Ga Eul an apology. As for you Yi Jeong, I hope you will tell them exactly what you told me. They need to know about her." Ji Hoo briefly looked at Ye-Eun who was holding Yi Jeong's arm.
"I don't want to scold or reprimand you since it's your life and your choice, but I want you to know that you have lost something valuable and precious. I hope that you don't regret this choice of yours."
Ji Hoo turned his attention to Ye-Eun. "Ye-Eun-shii. You have some big shoes to fill now that you are Yi Jeong's girlfriend. Good luck to you.'
He then walked to the door. "Yi Jeong, I do hope you are happy now." And he shut the door behind him.
Jan Di wanted to kill Yi Jeong and Ye-Eun. Fortunately, Jun Pyo and Ji Hoo were there to stop her. Jan Di then stormed out of the lounge forcing Jun Pyo to run after her. Woo Bin only cocked an eyebrow. He knew that Yi Jeong was flirting and sleeping with random women even when he was with Ga Eul, but when he stopped frequenting the clubs, Woo Bin thought that Yi Jeong had decided to become loyal to Ga Eul. It never crossed his mind that Yi Jeong had another girlfriend.
As time went by, Jun Pyo and Woo Bin somewhat accepted Ye-Eun into their circle. They saw how loving the couple was. Yi Jeong was happy, and they were happy for him. Jan Di, however, did her best to avoid the couple, while Ji Hoo acted neutral.
All were well between the couple until Ye-Eun got pregnant and the problems started coming out one by one. The F3 did not want to intervene much with Ye-Eun's behaviors turning 180 degrees. All they could offer was that Yi Jeong to be patient. "Maybe it's the pregnant women hormones?" guessed Jun Pyo. Unfortunately, it was not.
After Ye-Eun left, Yi Jeong became a lost man. The F3 helped him to come out of his mourning for his daughter was sick and needed her father. Even Jan Di came to help babysit Ye-Jin although she seldom talked to Yi Jeong when she was there. Yi Jeong tried to talk to her and asked about Ga Eul, but she kept quiet and pretended that she did not hear him.
As the time passed by, Yi Jeong began to think about Ga Eul more and more.
When he looked at his daughter, he remembered how Ga Eul loved children. She loved to share stories of her kindergarten children. They even discussed that they wanted three children of their own. Before he met Ga Eul, marriage and children were not in his future plan. He was afraid if his future wife and children would end up broken like his mother and him. But Ga Eul changed all those. She said that he was not like his father. He had a loving and caring soul in him and he would be a great husband and father. Yi Jeong believed her and so when he knew about Ye-Eun's pregnancy, he felt like the happiest man on earth. He could not wait to be a father and shower his child with all the love that he could give.
When he passed by a florist, he remembered Ga Eul's love of flowers. Her apartment had a vase of mixed flowers at almost every corner. Her coffee table was never without a red rose. She even gave him a pot of primroses that symbolizes eternal love. She told him that their love was for eternity.
When he went for a swim in his pool, he remembered that time when Ga Eul came and asked him to purposely lose to Jan Di in that swimming competition. He hated her guts at that time but was intrigued by her bravery and boldness.
When he took his daughter to the seaside, he remembered his time with Ga Eul in New Caledonia. He remembered her annoying talk about soul mates. He remembered her cute poses and selfies. He remembered her cute side ponytail swaying left and right when she walked away from him on that beach when he tried to talk to her. He remembered stealing glances at her and admired her cute pretty face…
… and more.
"Ga Eul-yang. Where are you? I miss you very much."
It was a Saturday morning. Yi Jeong took eighteen months old Ye-Jin to the new children center in town. He heard that the center offered free consultations regarding anything children. There were also playrooms, music classes, art classes, cooking classes and more. The center also offered tuitions for primary up to high school children. All free. It amazed Yi Jeong that the owner of this center was very, very generous to offer such. He went to check the center out. He too, thought that Ye-Jin could make some friends there.
The center was huge. It was a modern and traditional Korean architectural building that surprisingly matched in harmony. Being an artist himself, Yi Jeong awed at the magnificence of the building. Yi Jeong carried Ye-Jin in his arms. As they entered the building laughter, screams, noises and all filled the air. It was like a world of children and children only. Ye-Jin clapped her hands and grinned widely. She seemed excited and eager to play and make friends.
Yi Jeong roamed around. Children and parents were everywhere. Some were running, some were crying, some were screaming and whatnot. He tried to look for the consultation room to ask about children with heart conditions. He already knew quite a lot about it from Ye-Jin's doctors, but he wanted to see what type of consultations regarding the matter that the center had to offer. Yi Jeong saw a lady consoling a crying little girl. She was on one knee in front of the girl. She had her back facing him. He approached the lady.
"Excuse me, Miss. May I know where the consultation room is?" He politely asked.
The lady seemed to freeze momentarily before she slowly stood up and turned to face him. Yi Jeong's jaw dropped and he staggered backward. Fortunately, his hold on Ye-Jin was firm enough or he would have dropped her.
"Yi Jeong-shii." "Ga Eul-yang."
Ye-Jin held out her hands for Ga Eul to take. Ga Eul hesitated at first then took the little girl from the man. Ye-Jin wrapped her small arms around Ga Eul's neck and kissed her cheeks.
"Your daughter?" Both asked each other with Yi Jeong gesturing to the girl who was clutching on Ga Eul's skirt. The girl was still crying.
"Yes." "No." Yi Jeong and Ga Eul simultaneously answered.
Yi Jeong felt a surge of relief, happiness, and hopefulness in his heart upon hearing her answer. He too felt that his heart became full again.
She was beautiful. Two years and four months. He had not seen her for two years and four months. There were signs of maturity in her. She looked calm and happy and there was a beautiful glow on her face.
"How are you Ga Eul-yang?"
"I'm fine. Thank you. And you?"
"I'm OK. It's been long Ga Eul-yang. I mi…"
"Do you come here often?" She quickly cut him.
Yi Jeong stiffened before he shook his head. "This is our first time. Figured we'd come and check it out. I heard good things about this place. What about you?"
The crying girl pulled her skirt again. "Excuse me. I have to take her to her mother. I guess it's nice to meet you again?" Ga Eul handed Ye-Jin over to him and took the other girl's hand and left.
Yi Jeong watched Ga Eul walked away and soon followed her close.
Right after Ga Eul sent the girl to her mother, Yi Jeong quickly grabbed her forearm, startling her. She immediately pulled away. "Yi Jeong-shii. What are you doing?"
"Ga Eul-yang, can we talk? Just for a while. Please?" Ye-Jin again stretched her hands out for Ga Eul to take.
"Looks like my Ye-Jin likes you. Please?"
Ga Eul furrowed her eyebrows and looked into his eyes. She then took Ye-Jin from him and led them to a playroom. There were toddlers and young children running around and engaged in the many activities there. When she entered, some of the staff waved and greeted her. She returned the gestures and smiled. She then put Ye-Jin down on a floor mat with many soft toys. The little girl cooed and clapped her hands and grabbed as many as she could. Ga Eul sat next to her and Yi Jeong sat next to Ga Eul.
"Do you work here?" He asked her out of curiosity.
"I'm a volunteer here. Two days a week."
Yi Jeong nodded, storing the precious information in his mind.
She continued to watch little Ye-Jin and said "She's beautiful. Like you and her. She has your eyes and dimples and her nose." startling Yi Jeong.
"So you're married then? She's not here? Is she at work?"
Yi Jeong's throat felt dry. "We didn't… she left us a month after Ye-Jin was born." His voice was low and sad.
Ga Eul's breath hitched. She looked at little Ye-Jin with sympathy and caressed the innocent girl's soft cheeks.
"I'm sorry Yi Jeong-shii. I didn't know."
Yi Jeong nodded. "Ga Eul-yang, are you…"
"Sweetheart. There you are. I've been looking for you."
Ga Eul immediately turned to look at the owner of the voice. A smile curved up wide and she motioned the person to come near.
Yi Jeong though had a different expression.
The two of them stood up. The person then kissed Ga Eul on her cheek before offering his hand to Yi Jeong. His other hand went behind to settle on her waist.
"Annyeong. I'm Im Joon-Ho. Nice to meet you. Is my lovely fiancée treating you well here?"
Yi Jeong felt his newly awaken hope crushed and his heart shattered into a million pieces. A few brief seconds later he cleared his throat and forced a smile to the man. He picked up his daughter and shook the man's hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm So Yi Jeong. Yes, she's been a great help." Yi Jeong looked at Ga Eul and she smiled at him.
"So Yi Jeong? So Yi Jeong of the So Museum? I knew it. I thought that you look like him. You are him." Im Joon-Ho laughed at himself while Ga Eul still had that gorgeous smile on her face.
Yi Jeong glanced at her before turning his attention to the man. "Are you a volunteer here too?"
Im Joon-Ho pulled Ga Eul closer and shook his head. "Umm my family owns this center. I'm one of the Directors."
Yi Jeong gulped hard and nodded.
"Sweetheart, I have a meeting in twenty. I'll see you later OK? Don't forget to take Mr. So around. Mr. So, if she doesn't, don't hesitate to tell me. I'll personally 'punish' her." Ga Eul slapped him on his arm lightly.
Im Joon-Ho extended his hand to Yi Jeong for a shake. "Nice to meet you Mr. So. Bye cutie pie. Have fun arasso?" Im Joon-Hon gently caressed little Ye-Jin's cheeks. He then gave Ga Eul a peck on her lips, to which she instantly blushed and playfully pushed him away, earning her a laugh from the man.
Yi Jeong and Ga Eul watched Im Joon-Ho walked away. Ga Eul had a wide smile on her face. Yi Jeong turned to look at her and saw that same glint in her eyes when they were together. The same glint that meant she was madly and deeply in love with him. Yi Jeong suddenly felt jealous; jealous of Im Joon-Ho for being the lucky guy to receive her love. Most importantly, he felt his heart ached from regret; regret that his choice had led to the loss of one Chu Ga Eul from his life.
Ga Eul bowed to him and said "Goodbye." and was about to join the other staff in the room when Yi Jeong spoke.
"Ga Eul, your fiancé," It was so hard for him to say the word. "Asked you to show me around. Can you? I… I'm also looking for the consultation room. I have some things to ask. Please?" He was trying his luck.
Ga Eul did not answer immediately. Instead, she held her gaze on him for what Yi Jeong felt like the longest five seconds of his life. His heart beat faster. She then sighed and nodded. Yi Jeong's heart, on the other hand, leaped in joy.
She took him to the second floor and led him to a corridor of eight consultation rooms. Each door had a glass panel so that visitors can peek into the room. If the consultant was alone, the visitor could simply go in and meet the consultant. It was truly a first come first serve service without any hassle for an appointment.
She also gave Yi Jeong a pamphlet and a booklet about the center. "Everything is in here." She nonchalantly told him with a smile. "I'm sorry Yi Jeong-shii. I promised a boy and his sister that I'm going to show them how to make photo collages. I'm already late. Thank you for coming here. I hope you and Ye-Jin enjoy your time here. Goodbye." She bowed at him and left as quickly as she could before he could say a word.
Little Ye-Jin looked at her father, then at the retreating Ga Eul and again at her father. "Papa. Mama?" Yi Jeong was surprised. He kissed her forehead and shook his head. "Sorry Baby. Aunt Ga Eul is not Mama. Does Papa's Baby want Aunt Ga Eul to be Baby's Mama?" The little girl giggled and kissed Papa's cheek.
"Papa too, Baby but Aunt Ga Eul is going to be somebody else's Mama, some day."
That night, on his bed, Yi Jeong kept thinking about Ga Eul. Her voice, her smile, her beauty, her laughs and her everything. He remembered them all and a smile curved up. But not for long as the image of her and that fiancé of hers standing so close together and the man stealing a kiss wiped his smile away. He felt a stab to his heart.
She was not his.
However, there was this voice that told him that he had to try and woo her back. The voice told him that Ga Eul still loved him.
He had asked around for Ga Eul's schedule and had surprised her the second time he took his daughter there. He acted as if it was another coincidence, but asked her to join them for lunch at the center's cafeteria. She hesitated at first, then accepted when he said that it was just a friendly invitation. Lunch was casual with both of them avoiding the elephant in the room.
Every Saturday and Sunday he would take his daughter to the children center and made sure that they would meet her. His feelings for her grew and he started to send her text messages, asking how she was doing, has she taken her meal for the day, informing her about Ye-Jin's day and throwing hints about how he felt about her. But her messages were always short and polite.
The F3 and Jan Di got to know about his visits to the center and that he had found Ga Eul again. Jan Di who had been keeping the secret about Ga Eul had to spill out the beans when Jun Pyo asked her if she knew about her best friend. Jan Di defended herself saying that it was on Ga Eul's request.
Three months later, Yi Jeong was again at the center. He purposely waited for her outside her classroom after dropping Ye-Jin at the art class on the first floor.
She looked lovely with her hair let down. Her makeup was a simple blush and light pink lipstick. She wore a baby blue sundress that stopped just above her knees. "She still wears a headband. Cute Ga Eul." Yi Jeong murmured and chuckled softly.
"Ga Eul-yang."
Ga Eul jumped a little, startled at his call. She put a palm over her heart. "You scared me. Please don't do that again."
He sheepishly grinned. "Sorry. Ummm Ga Eul-yang, can I treat you to some midmorning snacks and tea?"
Ga Eul thought for some seconds as she watched him. She then nodded. They then proceeded to the cafeteria. He surprised her by pulling her chair for her to sit. She said "Thank you."
"What would you like? I'll get it for you." He was ready to order.
"Just some green tea and a sandwich, please. Thank you."
"Ga Eul, are you on a diet? You are already slim and beautiful. Come on, I'm buying here. Order away."
Ga Eul shook her head. "I had some breakfast with Joon-Ho." Yi Jeong's smile disappeared for a brief moment before it came back.
"OK. I'll get our food." He then left to the counter.
Ga Eul observed the man at the counter. Every few seconds or so, he glanced at her over his shoulder and smiled. She knew what he was doing these past three months. She knew his gestures, his smiles, his gazes, and glances, and she knew his flirts and charms. He was trying to make her fall in love with him again. Ga Eul shook her head.
During the meals, Yi Jeong talked about Ye-Jin and her conditions and also how the little girl showed improvement in her health since they started to visit the center. She too seemed happier to be around the many children there. She was making friends. He also told Ga Eul that he planned to donate to the center. Ga Eul replied that she was glad that the center had brought positive effects to little Ye-Jin and she too, thanked Yi Jeong for his kind, generous thoughts.
They continued to talk, more Yi Jeong though, until Ga Eul smiled at him and was about to stand up and thanked him for the meal when Yi Jeong leaned forward and grabbed her hand.
"Yi Jeong-shii?" She tried to pull her hand away but Yi Jeong held firm for some seconds before letting it go.
"I'm sorry Ga Eul-yang. I… I think… Ga Eul-yang, isn't it time to talk about us?" He asked with hopeful voice and eyes. Ga Eul sighed.
"Ga Eul."
Ga Eul's eyes widened at his endearment for her. It was the first time.
"Ga Eul, what happened before between us, I'm really, really sorry for being a royal jerk. I was selfish back then, and greedy for your love and hers as well." Yi Jeong locked his gaze on her.
Ga Eul steeled her heart and held her poise.
"When you left, I felt part of me left with you. I was heartbro… "
"But not for long, I'm sure. Why did you feel that way when you have her by your side the whole time?" Ga Eul startled Yi Jeong when she cut him.
"Because I loved you Ga Eul and I still do love you." Yi Jeong finally confessed.
"Yi Jeong-shii!" Her voice slightly raised. She then quickly looked around to check if people had caught on them. Fortunately, their table was a little farther towards the wall that people could not really hear them. Moreover, the place was quite noisy with the many children and their parents.
"Yi Jeong-shii. You can't love me. I'm Joon-Ho's fiancée." She showed him a gorgeous ring on her finger. "And we're going to tie the knot soon. I'll…"
"You can't Ga Eul." He interrupted her. "You can't marry him."
Ga Eul raised one eyebrow. "And why is that Yi Jeong-shii?"
"Because I know that you still love me, Ga Eul, and I love you."
Ga Eul laughed, a little too loud. When her laugh died down, she stared at him.
"I'm sorry Yi Jeong-shii. I don't know why you think that I am but I don't love you anymore. I love Joon—Ho. My heart is his now."
Yi Jeong felt the inside of his chest smashed into a million pieces that Ga Eul could see pain and agony in his eyes.
What is she saying? He was so sure that she loved him still, for during these times with her at this center, never once that she showed that she hated him. The way that she treated him was like how she used to, minus the touch, hugs, and kisses, and that she called him Yi Jeong-shii. She too was kind to his daughter. He thought that she had forgiven him.
"Yi Jeong-shii, I'm sorry if you feel that I still love you. I apologize if my behaviors these past three months led you on. It was never my intention. Forgive me."
Though her words cut him deep, he was not giving up.
"Ga Eul, please give me another chance. I truly am sorry for all my wrongdoings. Please, Ga Eul. I realize now that you are the one for me. I love you, Ga Eul."
Ga Eul shook her head and held his gaze. She breathed in deeply and exhale. "You can't say that Yi Jeong-shii. It is not fair for her and it sounds as if you regret having Ye-Jin."
Yi Jeong gasped at her words. Ga Eul was right for one. There was not an ounce of regret for having Ye-Jin in his life. Ye-Jin was the evidence of his and Ye-Eun's love.
"Yi Jeong-shii. I won't deny the fact that I missed you like a mad woman after I left that day. Even if my heart broke, no, even if you crushed my heart, I'm still a human. You can't imagine how angry and devastated I was to see you both that day and to hear you said you love her. Yet, my feelings for you, they did not go away that easily. I had loved you for so many years, it was hard to erase them in a blink of an eye."
Ga Eul was wavering. Her mind told her not to cry, but the deep cut in her heart reopened with every spoken word and she forced her tears not to betray.
"Yi Jeong-shii. Did you not feel the moment you fell for her, you created this distance between us in your heart? Did it not occur to you the moment you fell for her meant you betrayed me? It hurt so very much here,…" she pointed to her chest, over her heart, "…to see you with her that night. It hurt more because I saw that you wanted her more than you wanted me and that you love her more than you loved me."
Ga Eul paused to take out a small lace handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her tears. Yi Jeong could only watch her with sad, guilty eyes.
"It never crossed my mind that I would someday leave you because I was so madly and deeply in love with you. Your attention and affection those last three months made me loved you more. But you hurt me Yi Jeong-shii. Turned out they were all lies. You broke your promise that I was the one and only woman whom you love."
She laughed softly in her cry.
"Do you know that life in a new city without you was hard in the beginning? I admit that. It was not easy to forget you. You had made your mark in here…" again, she pointed at her heart, "…but it came to me a few weeks later that there was no use for me to keep on holding to your memories when you don't even love me." Ga Eul dabbed her tears away.
"Since then, every night, I prayed that the heaven above would wipe away and erase my love for you. To make me forget you. Like you with her, I too, want my happiness and joy… even if it means without you."
"Ga Eul, I do love you." Yi Jeong protested.
"But you stopped looking for me."
"Because you told Jan Di that you don't want me to find you."
Ga Eul softly laughed as she shook her head.
"If you really loved me, you wouldn't care what I said and would come to fight for your love."
"Ga Eul…"
"Having said that, I still stand by my decisions. I can't be with a man who loves someone else too. Like you, I am greedy. I don't want to share the man whom I love with another woman or women."
"Ga Eul…"
"Yi Jeong-shii, I've moved on. I have Joon-Ho now. He is the kindest and most caring man that I've ever met."
Yi Jeong leaned back against the back of the chair. He did not want to listen about Joon-Ho but no words came out even if he wanted to tell her so bad. His uneasiness did not go unnoticed by Ga Eul.
"Yi Jeong-shii. He doesn't know about our past together. I only told him that my past relationship didn't work out. You know what?" He shook his head.
"I believe it is the fate too, that we met again. So that I can tell you that I'm not angry at you anymore. Joon-Ho said that living with anger in the heart will only make you restless like there is some unfinished business. Like there's this feeling and voices that keep nagging to forgive all who hurt you. Once you've done that, forgive them and it'll become much easier to let them go."
She kept her eyes on his.
"I forgive you Yi Jeong-shii. I have for a long time now, thanks to Joon-Ho."
Ga Eul stood up. She held out her hand for a shake.
"Friendship is all that I can offer you from now on, Yi Jeong-shii."
He was speechless and frozen in his seat.
Ga Eul retreated her hand. She smiled at him.
"Yi Jeong-shii, if it was not because of you and her, I would not have found my happiness and joy. So thank you. I have now found my Joon-Ho."
He kept his gaze on her.
"Thank you for the sandwich and tea. I'll see you around, Yi Jeong Sunbae."
His eyes followed her walked out of the café until she was gone.
"Ga Eul…"
End of flashback
"Ga Eul. Please don't marry him. Please give me another chance. Please, Ga Eul." Yi Jeong continuously chanted until sleep came and took over.
Three months later
"Congratulations Ga Eul."
She startled at his voice. She was talking to two lady friends while her husband was with some friends in another section of the exquisitely decorated hall, perfect for a grandiose wedding. She then excused herself from her friends and turned to look at the person.
She was stunningly gorgeous in her simple yet elegant white wedding dress. She wore natural makeup that highlighted her beautiful eyes. He could look at those eyes forever. She smiled at him with that sweet smile of hers.
"Thank you, Yi Jeong Sunbae. Thank you for coming too. Are the others here as well?" She was referring to Ji Hoo and Woo Bin. Jan Di was her maid of honor, which meant Jun Pyo was there as well.
Yi Jeong nodded. "They are here somewhere. I lost them five minutes ago." He softly chuckled. He then held his gaze on hers. His eyes showed longing and sadness.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae." Ga Eul tenderly spoke.
"You can't do this anymore Yi Jeong Sunbae. Please don't hurt yourself with this love. I'm married now."
"Ga Eul, you are the only one in my heart. I love you, Ga Eul."
She shook her head.
"Please, Yi Jeong Sunbae. I have found my soul mate and I believe your soul mate is somewhere out there, waiting to be found. You need to find her. You can't do that if you keep loving me. Please let go of your love for me and open your heart to her. It's time for you to move on."
"Ga Eul…"
"I will always be your friend Yi Jeong Sunbae. Don't you doubt about that."
Ga Eul glanced over Yi Jeong's shoulder to see her husband, Im Joon-Ho waving at her. She waved back with a sweet smile etched up wide.
"Excuse me Yi Jeong Sunbae, Joon-Ho is calling."
She bowed to him.
"Yi Jeong Sunbae, as a friend, I pray and wish that you'll find your happiness and joy. Always."
She then walked away, leaving him rooted to the floor, watching her every graceful step to the awaiting proud husband.
T. H. E. E. N. D. ( Again :P )