Chapter Eight: Finale: Happiness Is… (A Thing Called Happiness) Part II
A/N: Hello, again! I'm sorry for the delay, but this took me much longer than expected, and I was traveling. Once more, due to length, I have split my final chapter into two. Shocker, right?! I just kept adding to it. Anyway, I'll put the two parts out in a row, but I'm still editing the last part, so give me a couple days. I hope it won't take longer than a few days...
So, it's finally winding down… There is a lot of stuff in this chapter, and in the next (LAST ONE), I have a couple lemon-limes in store. Are you excited? Well, don't get your hopes up too much because I'm new at this, haha!
This chapter killed me, but I still don't feel like it's very good. I just couldn't look at it anymore, though, so I'm putting it out, haha. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.
On another note, I created a teaser/trailer video for my third story Like the Lotus: The Next Generation. It's sort of a rough draft. I will be making some additions to it, and I was limited on what clips I could find, but if you're reading that story and are interested then PM me, and I'll send you a link to it. It's just kind of my vision of what the story would look like onscreen. There may be some mild spoilers for later chapters, but nothing too obvious. I am also planning to do trailer/teasers for some of my other stories, at least the first two Lotus ones.
Ni fengle: You're crazy (in Chinese). Forgive me if this is incorrect. If it is, I blame Google, lol…
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the BOF characters.
WARNING: This chapter is suggestive, but next chapter will be M (probably tame M, but still M), so if you are underage or that makes you uncomfortable, please don't read.
Guest Reviews:
Jayjayzek: Thank you for your review, my friend, and I greatly miss seeing your posts! That was a good question about Chul-Soo. I actually wrote another scene with him where he follows the girls to another bar (and gets beat on a little more, haha), but I took it out. I was going to do a little more with him, but mainly he was just thrown in to give the girls a little adventure and excitement.
To Guest/General Note: I've said this before, but I'll say it again. I appreciate that others have different opinions on the pairings, and yes, in the show the main story was about Jan Di and Jun Pyo. But Fanfiction is about being creative and borrowing the characters from a show/book/movie that you enjoyed and continuing that story, or it's about changing something that you didn't like (An AU- Alternate Universe story, like this one is). Overall, I loved Boys Over Flowers, but yes, I preferred the Ji Hoo/Jan Di pairing over the Jun Pyo/Jan Di pairing. That is MY opinion. I'm entitled to feel that way. And that is not even to say that I disliked Jun Pyo or Jun Pyo/Jan Di.
On another note, I constantly aspire to improve my writing, so I welcome all of you to give me feedback, even if critical. But please, I beg of you, don't make it about the PAIRING. That is a waste of my time and YOURS because no one is going to change my mind about the 'couple' I like best. If, however, you want to tell me what pairing you like and request that I write about them, I am open to that—if I'm asked nicely; if the pairing I like is not bashed, and if I have the time and ideas. Arasso?
On this site, we are all looking for entertainment. We all love reading, and many of us are aspiring writers. We writers do it for the love of writing, the love of the particular fandom we write about, as well as for improvement purposes. I am also an aspiring fiction writer, so I use fanfiction as a means of honing my skills. It's so much fun for me, and I really love to entertain others with my writing. And I'm so happy when I make someone else happy or when they are entertained in some way by one of my stories.
I also want to put this out there: Please keep in mind that a lot of effort goes into writing these stories on here, so positive feedback or constructive criticism is greatly appreciated! I, personally, spend an incredible amount of my free time writing, so I always really, really love hearing from you readers. It keeps me going during those late nights/early mornings when I'm ready to just give up and go to bed, haha. And yes, I often sacrifice sleep for my writing!
Remember, everyone is entitled to his/her own opinions and preferences, but ideally, we should be able to express those in a positive way (without bringing others down). And even when giving criticism, it should be constructive. So, let's be encouraging of all the writers out there, even if pointing out something they need to work on. And a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has read and been supportive of me!
Sorry for the ramble; I really hope you all enjoy this!
Time passed in a virtual blink of an eye, and before Jan Di knew it, it was spring—and her wedding was right around the corner. She and Ji Hoo had chosen a spring wedding for all the good things it represented: life, growth, renewal, and love, amongst others. It was also a lovely time of year with the cherry blossoms in bloom.
Jan Di and Ji Hoo had originally planned to hold their spring wedding the following year, in order to have more time to prepare. For, even though they wanted a basic wedding, interning at the hospital and working at the Clinic left little to no time for anything else. Not to mention, even the simplest of weddings required planning, as Jae Kyung had pointed out.
And speaking of the newlywed heiress, the quick wedding was really all her doing. When Jae Kyung heard about their plans, she offered her assistance, assuring them that with her help they could easily pull it off in a few months.
Honestly, Jan Di didn't know how she managed. As the wife of Gu Jun Pyo and the heiress to the massive JK Group Empire, she was extremely busy, too. But when Jan Di brought that up, Jae Kyung merely said that with money and influence, things could get done quickly.
Where had she heard such things before? Jan Di mused.
"Why wait so long?" Jae Kyung had argued. "Haven't you waited long enough to be married?" And neither the Wonder Girl nor the Golden Boy had much of a counterargument to that. It was true—they'd waited a long time to be together, and they both wanted to be married badly.
So, after ensuring that it was, indeed, possible, they got to work on the wedding plans…
The obvious question, once the date was set, was where to hold it. And Jan Di and Ji Hoo had wracked their brains over this. They'd even invited Harabeoji into the decision-making process, but he had simply told them to choose wherever made them happy.
It was ultimately Ji Hoo who came up with the idea of where to have it…
Three Months Ago…
Several weeks after Gu Jun Pyo and Ha Jae Kyung's wedding, Jan Di and Ji Hoo were studying a medical text together on the couch when he suddenly suggested, "Why don't we just have the wedding here—in our home?"
Jan Di smiled sweetly over at her fiancé. "You know, I love the way your mind works, Ji Hoo-ah. How did you get from communicable diseases to our wedding?" she teased.
Raising a brow, he asked, "Do you really want to know?"
She laughed a little at that. "No, not really. But…," and she pondered the idea, growing more and more excited by the second, "…that is a wonderful idea. In fact, it's perfect!" Elated, she grabbed Ji Hoo by the cheeks and kissed his lips.
With an amused smile, he replied, "I'm glad you like the idea, my otter," and went right back to reading.
Jan Di's lips twitched in satisfaction, as she felt another weight being lifted off her chest. Having the wedding here…, she mused. It did seem like the perfect place for two homebodies like them—and a simple choice. Or, so she thought…
But the lovebirds soon discovered that much more went into planning a wedding at home than they thought. There was the theme to be considered—Jan Di hadn't realized the endless possibilities for that. There was also the color scheme, the guest list, invitations, seating, catering, flowers, and a million other small details that went into planning even a simple wedding.
Fortunately, Ha Jae Kyung was a veritable fountain of knowledge on the subject, and she had numerous connections in the world of special events. All their friends were willing to help, too.
The guest list was relatively small, as neither Jan Di nor Ji Hoo had large families. It was basically: F3, Jan Di's parents and brother, Ji Hoo's grandfather, Ga Eul, Jae Kyung, Jun-Hee, Master, and a handful of mutual friends of theirs from medical school and the hospital. Begrudgingly, Jan Di had also invited Ming. She had to fake her enthusiasm when Ji Hoo brought him up, but she ended up encouraging it, since they were longtime friends.
The seating and décor would be taken care of by Jae Kyung, who knew of a good rental place, and Woo Bin offered to get his construction guys to haul and set up the tables and chairs on the day of the wedding.
And from there, it all came together…
A few weeks later…
The final piece in the wedding was the food, which fell into place nicely when Bom Choon Sik overheard Ga Eul and Jan Di talking about it one day at the porridge shop. Eagerly, he offered to cater for them.
"Are you sure you can handle all that food, Master?" Jan Di asked. It was still a title she used with him, despite no longer working there.
The restauranteur assured her that he could and would relish the challenge. As Choon Sik explained, he had a love for cooking, which he developed from a young age—because of his father—and he still had great culinary ambitions.
Jan Di admired Master for paying tribute to his father through his cooking, and she knew he wanted to help them out. But she also suspected that he hoped to showcase his talents to impress his mentor, of sorts, his father's former employer, Yoon Seok-Young.
"Well, I'm sure Ji Hoo won't mind, so…OK, you can do it. Thank you!" Jan Di said.
Master bounced up and down, clapping his hands like a child. He even offered to do it for free.
"You can't just make all that food for free! You'll go broke!" she argued. So, they ended up compromising, and Jan Di offered to at least help pay for the groceries, plus a little extra.
After the discussion, Bom Choon Sik headed off to the kitchen to start cooking, but then he turned back, as if a worry had stricken him. "Jan Di-ah," he asked tentatively, "I am…I mean, am I…invited to the wedding?"
Jan Di pretended to consider this for a long while before answering, "Of course you are!"
And Master was giddy as a schoolboy. Giggling, he pondered aloud on what he should wear for the 'Big Day' and muttered something about needing to get a facial beforehand. Then, he rushed off to the kitchen again, while Jan Di and Ga Eul exchanged a subtle eye roll.
"You just made his week," Ga Eul quipped.
The Wonder Girl smiled at her best friend. Even though their former boss was a bit strange, he was a good friend, and she appreciated him. "Well, I'm glad he's so excited. I'm excited, too."
"Well, you are the bride," Ga Eul pointed out. "You're supposed to be excited. Him, on the other hand…," and the teacher craned her neck to see what their cook friend was up to in the kitchen. Over the sound of rattling pots and pans, Ga Eul noticed him talking to himself and grinning.
The girls traded a shrug and a laugh.
Deciding to move on, Jan Di asked Ga Eul about the trip she and Yi Jeong Sunbae had won at the Wedding Contest. She was very curious, after all.
Blushing, the dark, sleek-haired girl glanced away, "Well, we haven't gone yet…because he said that he wants to save it."
"Save it, huh?"
"Yes."
"As in, Yi Jeong Sunbae plans to propose to you soon and wants to save it for your honeymoon?"
"I don't know," Ga Eul replied honestly.
"Well, I hope so!" Jan Di asserted, placing her hands on her hips. "He better not be thinking he's going to kidnap you and try something on vacation while you're unmarried!"
With a sigh, the straight-haired girl shook her head, "No, it's not like that." Ga Eul could argue with Jan Di that she and Ji Hoo had done stuff while unmarried, but she knew it was no use—because Jan Di still had some suspicions about So Yi Jeong's intentions for her. But there was no doubt in Ga Eul's mind that her boyfriend would propose when the time was right to him. And she would wait for as long as she needed to.
After dropping the subject, the two friends casually conversed until their former boss stormed their table to discuss his thoughts on the wedding menu. Master suggested beginning the meal with traditional ceremonial wedding food, such as rice wine, rice cakes, chestnuts, and jujubes, and he reminded Jan Di of the symbolism behind those foods—chestnuts being for longevity and jujubes for fertility. Master giggled over the latter, and blushing, Jan Di glanced away.
Traditionally, the bride's parents presented the chestnuts and jujubes to the parents of the groom, but as Ji Hoo had no parents, Master suggested they could offer them to Ji Hoo's grandfather if they wanted. Jan Di liked the idea and was sure Ji Hoo would, too.
Master also suggested having pine and bamboo on the table to represent fidelity. He commented that the traditional red and blue clothing and the live chickens could be optional for them, but Jan Di was fairly certain Ji Hoo would want to opt-out of those traditions.
Next, Master asked about potential main and side dishes, tossing out some options that he thought would befit a wedding. And he asked about Jan Di's favorite foods. He knew some of her preferences, having been her friend and boss for years, but strangely he knew a lot about Ji Hoo's likes and dislikes, too.
After detailing to her a vague food addition that Ji Hoo despised, Jan Di questioned him, "But Master, how did you know that Ji Hoo doesn't like that?" It was pure coincidence that she even knew—and only because that particular spice happened to end up in his food one time, and Ji Hoo had practically gagged over it.
Master just gave her a cheesy grin and ran off without answering.
"Aigoo, that guy…," Jan Di muttered, fighting back a smile. It was a little bit disconcerting, though—her master's expansive knowledge of all things 'Yoon Ji Hoo.' But she decided to drop it.
"Well, that all sounds fine to me," Jan Di called out to her former employer. "I trust you to handle it, Master. Your food is always good."
Chook Sik stroked his chin from behind the counter. "OK, Jan Di-ah! I'll handle the menu, but I want you and Ji Hoo-ssi to taste everything!"
"Well, I don't know if Ji Hoo will have time for that, Master, but I'm here now. I could stay for a little while and try a few things."
He seemed disappointed by that, at first, but then gleefully exclaimed, "OK!" and ordered the girls not to go anywhere.
Jan Di agreed; although, she had no idea what she was getting herself into… And she and Ga Eul sat at a table chatting, while their former employer got busy whipping up dishes like some contestant on a cooking challenge.
When several customers entered, the new girl that Master had hired seated them and took their orders. Master then switched gears and began cooking pumpkin, abalone, seafood, and beef and mushroom porridge.
Once finished, he placed them on the counter for the lone employee to serve. When she appeared overwhelmed, Jan Di and Ga Eul offered to help, but Master immediately stopped them. Instead, he told them to sit down and served two of the bowls himself. And then he was right back experimenting with dishes for the wedding, all of which he brought out for the girls to try.
After taste-testing at least five different sauces for only three main dishes, Jan Di was convinced that the food at their wedding would be just as delicious as at Jun Pyo and Jae Kyung's. However, she wasn't so sure she'd be able to move after this…
Minutes later, Master brought out yet another special sauce that he'd concocted and instructed Jan Di to "Open up" as he dipped some onto the spoon. She began to protest, but as soon as she opened her mouth, he shoved it in. And he waited anxiously for her reaction.
"Mmm," Jan Di uttered. "I think I like this one the best." Nodding, Master prepared another heaping spoonful and stuck it between Ga Eul's barely parted lips.
When So Yi Jeong stepped through the doorway of the porridge shop to pick up his girlfriend, there she was—seated at a table, with her boss hovering over her, feeding her… The former Casanova cocked his head in confusion, just as the threesome turned to look at him.
Finishing off the sauce and licking her lips, Ga Eul exclaimed, Yi Jeong-ah!"
"Yi Jeong Sunbae, we were just tasting Master's food for the wedding. He's going to cater," Jan Di explained.
Yi Jeong nodded, "Ah."
Right away, Bom Choon Sik rushed over to Yi Jeong. And with a shy smile, the restauranteur ushered him over to a seat beside the girls. After seating him, Master asked to take Yi Jeong's order. When he politely turned him down, the cook suggested he at least try some of the wedding foods.
Not wanting to be rude, Yi Jeong agreed. "Certainly. Thank you," and he bowed politely.
Again, Master was off like a shot, speedily bringing back a tray with individual samples for Yi Jeong to try. He informed the flower boy of what each dish was—and which sauces and sides accompanied it—and then the chef stepped back to eagerly await his reaction.
The potter tried everything; he would compliment or mouth his approval here and there, and Master would beam brighter each time.
While waiting for Yi Jeong to try the final sample, the chef turned bashfully to Jan Di. Twiddling his thumbs, he asked, "Jan Di-ah…? Will…Ji Hoo-ssi be coming, as well?" And he paused, "…Because if so, I…could prepare some samples for him…"
"No, not today, Master," Jan Di replied. Her old boss poked out his lip in response and trudged back to the kitchen. And the girls and Yi Jeong watched as he sulked the entire way, like a child being sent to his room without supper.
Jan Di sighed. Honestly, doesn't he take this little fanboy obsession a bit far?
The shop owner recovered quickly, though, and cheerily announced that he would make up some samples for Jan Di to take home to Ji Hoo-ssi and Harabeonim.
. . .
The Present…
It was only four days before the wedding, and Jan Di was running around with last minute preparations, in addition to her duties at the Clinic and the hospital. Their friends' involvement had been a huge help, but small things inevitably popped up. Even Ji Hoo had been running errands for her, which brought her endless guilt, for he was even busier than she was.
It was nearing day's end at the Clinic, and Grandfather noticed Jan Di bustling around like mad to finish her evening tasks. He could hear her in the next room mumbling half-thoughts and incomprehensible things to herself. With a smile, he got her attention. "Jan Di-ah, come in here," the old doctor gently demanded.
Jan Di stopped dead in her tracks, and her neck snapped like a rubber band toward the sound of Grandfather's voice. From the seriousness to his tone, it seemed like she'd made some mistake… "Yes, Harabeoji!" she called, as she rushed into his office.
Once inside the adjoining room, Jan Di stood before her future grandfather-in-law. Quickly bowing, she asked, "What is it, Haraebeoji?"
Grandfather took his time studying the young woman before him—a young woman who had come to mean so much to his grandson, and to him, as well. In fact, he cherished her, just like his grandson did.
If not for this girl before him, in fact, he likely never would have reconciled with Ji Hoo. And he wouldn't be part of a family now. Instead, he would be a bitter, smelly old fisherman whose entire day consisted of roaming the streets and complaining about the food in restaurants; he'd be wandering aimlessly through life, dwelling in the past and wishing for the old days back. Or, perhaps he would be dead.
Jan Di watched Grandfather watching her. He was staring at her, straight-faced but with his brow all wrinkled up as if he was trying to figure out the solution to some unsolvable puzzle.
Yes, he's definitely displeased with me… Jan Di was certain of it. She could tell from the look on his face, but she just didn't know what she had done.
Her forehead furrowing, "Harabeoji…," Jan Di began, "Did I…do something wrong?" and she bowed her head.
Grandfather stifled a laugh. Perhaps learning from his grandson's example, he decided it would be fun to tease the girl. Cocking a gray brow, he cleared his throat and replied, "You tell me. Did you do something wrong?" Crossing his arms in mock disapproval, he waited for her answer.
She hadn't done anything wrong to his knowledge, but knowing Jan Di—and her honesty—as he did, he was sure she would try to confess to whatever she thought she did wrong. And he was curious to know what she would come up with…
"Well, I…uh…," and Jan Di seemed to frantically search her mind for whatever error he could be referring to.
In the meantime, Grandfather waited with arms stiffly crossed, wondering how long he should torture the poor child. He felt a bit cruel for doing it, but he just couldn't resist. She was entirely too amusing. Right now, she looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Well, out with it, Child! What horrible crime have you committed?" he barked.
Jan Di's jaw dropped before she finally stammered, "I…I, uh…I forgot to take the garbage out!" She then rapped on her head a few times with her fist and prepared to leave. "I'll do it right now!"
Grandfather shook his head at her. "You don't even need to do that anymore, Child. You are a graduated medical student now, not an assistant."
"Oh," and Jan Di thought long and hard again. With a gasp, she exclaimed, "Oh, I forgot your lunch today!" Frantically, she began bowing and repeating 'joesonghamnida' over and over.
This girl practically had him in stitches! Unable to hold it in any longer, Grandfather bellowed out a laugh that shook his entire stomach. Jan Di simply stared, in pure confusion.
"That's not it, either. I brought my own, remember?"
Jan Di nodded. "Oh, right… Then—?"
"You didn't do anything wrong, young lady!" he cut her off. "I just…wanted to talk to you, that's all."
Jan Di's resulting laugh was a mixture of amusement and relief. "Of course, Harabeoji. What did you want to talk to me about?"
"Well," the old man grumbled, as he stuck his hand into the pocket of his lab coat and fumbled around.
There was something inside that he'd been carrying around for days and meaning to give to her…
"More specifically, I wanted to give you something."
"Give me something?"
"Yes. Hold out your hand," he demanded.
Poking out her cheeks in curiosity, Jan Di extended her hand to him, and he placed something in the palm. Looking down at the tiny object in her hand, Jan Di noticed that it was a hairpin. The long, vintage silver pin had a lotus design on top and was inlaid with emerald, sapphire, and crystal jewels.
Casting his eyes downward, Grandfather explained, "That belonged to my wife."
And Jan Di's lips parted.
"I want you to have it."
"Me?" she pointed to herself while squeezing the pin between her fingers.
Grandfather couldn't help but smile. "Well, it's not doing any good tucked away in my drawer, is it? Besides, I can think of no better person to have it," and he fought back the moisture in his eyes. "As I told you before, your smiling face is like the lotus, for…me…and for Ji Hoo… So, it suits you."
"Harabeoji….," Jan Di uttered, seeming truly touched. She looked down at the old gentleman behind the desk, her own large molasses eyes beginning to tear.
"But Harabeoji…this is very precious. I don't know if I should…"
"Aigoo," he grumbled. "It is precious, but so are you, Child. You are going to be my granddaughter-in-law, are you not? More than that, I have thought of you as my granddaughter for a long time now, so I'd like for you to wear it at the wedding."
His words clearly conveyed how much it meant to him, but still, Jan Di hesitated, "Ha-harabeoji…"
"Will you deny an old man such a wish?" he grumbled.
A slow smile crossed Jan Di's lips, as she fingered the heirloom. Meeting his eyes, she shook her head. "No, Harabeoji. Of course not. I'll wear it. And I'll take the best care of it; I promise!" The Wonder Girl wiped away a few stray tears with her sleeve and tucked the brooch safely into the pocket of her lab coat.
"Good." He glanced away, fighting back his emotion.
After properly composing himself, the old doctor looked to Jan Di again. "I firmly believe that I couldn't have selected a more perfect person for my grandson, even if I'd searched the world over, Jan Di-ah… And there is no other person in this world that I'd allow to wear my wife's hairpin or the ring of my wife and daughter-in-law." And he meant every word of that.
It was unexpected, and Jan Di felt unworthy. "Harabeoji…," she muttered before rushing behind his desk. Leaning down, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Stoic, like a true Yoon man, he remained straight-faced and allowed her to hug him.
Still seated, Grandfather gently patted Jan Di's arm. "I'm so glad that my grandson found you, Child. Or, maybe you found him; I don't know, but picking you shows that my boy has good taste."
Jan Di smiled widely and embraced the old man tighter.
"You're a wonderful girl, Jan Di-ah," he said, giving her arm a squeeze, "and I know that you'll take care of him when I'm gone… And I…want the two of you to take care of the Clinic and the Foundation, too. In fact, I've long since included the both of you in the inheritance."
Pulling back slightly, "Harabeojii, don't talk like that…," Jan Di whined.
"What? I'm not going to live forever, you know! I'm mostly out the door already! And when I'm gone, you're going to have to take care of things…"
Pursing her lips, Jan Di shook her head, as if she could fight that by sheer force of will.
But Grandfather only continued, "When I added you to my will, I didn't know if you and my grandson would end up together, but it didn't matter. You were the only two I trusted to look after my most prized possessions—the Clinic and the Foundation." He tightened his jaw, "And I knew that I could depend on you to look after my grandson and to bring him happiness. My greatest treasure—I knew you were the only one I could entrust with him…"
Out of her sight, Grandfather smiled satisfactorily, knowing he had been right about them all along…
"Harabeojii…," Jan Di repeated for the umpteenth time that evening. But she had absolutely no words to convey how honored she was. Yoon Seok-Young had always cared for and appreciated her, as if he was her own blood. He had accepted her wholeheartedly from the start and welcomed her into his family—something Madam Kang had never even come close to doing…
"I love you, Jan Di-ah," the old man muttered out of the blue.
Jan Di sniffled, while lightly hugging his neck. "I love you, too, Harabeoji."
They remained that way for several seconds before breaking. And Jan Di came around the front of his desk to face him again.
"Thank you," she said, with a sincere bow.
Grandfather nodded. "Yes, now, go home."
"What? Excuse me, Grandfather?"
"Go home," he repeated more firmly. "Go on, get out of here…"
"But I…but there's so much to do—," she protested.
"No buts, young lady!" he grumbled. "Go home and get some rest. I don't need my granddaughter-in-law falling asleep at the altar!"
"I won't, Grandfather…"
"Bah! It's bad enough that that husband-to-be of yours might do that!" and they shared a laugh over Ji Hoo's well-known sleeping habit.
"He has been very tired lately," Jan Di smiled affectionately, as she thought of her hard-working fiancé.
"Mm, yes, so make sure that he gets some rest. That you both do."
Jan Di nodded. "Yes, Grandfather. I'll try."
"Don't try. Do," and for extra convincing, he added, "You're a beautiful girl, Jan Di-ah, but you don't want to have dark circles under your eyes on your wedding day, do you?"
"…Well, no…"
"Then, go on!" He waved her off with a dismissive hand. "Take some time off, and don't come back until after your honeymoon!"
"Are you sure…?" She hesitated in the doorway.
"Yes, yes! You need to be well-rested! Besides, you're going to need your stamina for the wedding night, right?" Grandfather said, winking at her.
Jan Di's mouth swung open like a barn door. "Ha-Harabeoji…?" And the elder Yoon man seemed to take amusement in that her reaction.
"What?" the old man quirked a brow. "I want to have some great-grandchildren before I die, you know! I'm not gettin' any younger! I'd all but given up hope on that dream with my grandson being the way he is, you know… Now, you wouldn't deny an old man a last request, would you?"
"Last…last…request…?" And suddenly, Jan Di grew afraid. Was there something more that he hadn't told her about his health?!
"Harabeoji, you're…you're not, um, dy…are you?"
. . .
He allowed her anxiety to drag on for several seconds before responding, "Of course not!" And Jan Di heaved a sigh.
"Well, not yet, anyway…," he continued, with an impish grin, "But...it could happen at any moment!"
"Any…m-moment…?"
Grandfather chortled, causing Jan Di to release an exhale at the wicked joke.
Nice guilt-trip, Harabeoji… You're making a lot of requests today, aren't you?
Still, he was worrying her a bit, and she couldn't really deny him something like that if she was able to fulfill it. So, she gave him the faintest of nods.
"Right, so, don't take too long! In fact," and Seok-Young stroked his chin thoughtfully, almost deviously, "…Since there is so little time…hm…and you are to be wed very soon anyway…perhaps you should get a jumpstart on that?"
His words nearly made Jan Di choke on her own saliva. "Eh?!" Was this really Grandfather before her?
Grinning, the Yoon grandfather enjoyed her panicked reaction. He felt very wicked for teasing her so, but she did deserve it a little...
After all, Former President Yoon Seok-Young was no fool. He knew that the two of them had shared plenty of intimate moments—a few of which he'd had the pleasure of walking in on… But it didn't really bother him. He couldn't be happier with his grandson's choice of partner, and they were engaged now, so he could let it slide. Still, he did owe them both a little teasing for giving him an eyeful once or twice.
"H-harabeoji… But…I…we…"
"You what?"
When she lost all ability to speak, he guffawed. "You're a funny little thing!" He laughed again. "Now, run along home! No more arguments!"
Jan Di remained frozen, so Grandfather grew stern. "I said, go on home, you!"
"Y-yes!" And Jan Di quickly bowed and rushed out the door, while Grandfather sat there chuckling.
The next day, Jan Di paid an obligatory visit to her family. She hadn't seen them in a while and wanted to do so before the wedding. Plus, she'd missed the last few visits, which her mother was quick to point out, so it had become mandatory. Unless she wanted a beating, that is…
It wasn't like she hadn't missed them, but she had just been so busy. Jan Di knew that wouldn't be good enough for her mother, though, and she fully expected a hefty guilt-trip upon arrival.
As soon as she walked in the door, she was immediately accosted by her father, who had apparently missed her greatly. "There she is! My little girl, the doctor! I'm so proud of her!" Geum Il-Bong squealed.
Her mother and Kang San were seated at the table in the middle of the room. Kang San was on his phone. He did glance up long enough to greet her, but neither got up. Apparently, her mother was still mad, and her brother had better things to do. She could feel the love…
Returning her father's sole attention, Jan Di replied, "Well, actually I'm not a doctor yet, Appa. I'm still just an intern."
"Ohh, but it's only a matter of time, Jan Di-ah!" he chuckled, squeezing her so tight she could hardly breathe. "Appa is just so proud! You've really made something of yourself!"
Despite the sound of her ribs cracking, Jan Di smiled at her father's ongoing faith in her.
"Yes, yes," Gong-Ju spoke up, folding her arms. "Our Jan Di-ah is very successful now, and she will have a wealthy husband soon, too. But…apparently she has forgotten all about the mother and father who raised her..."
Here comes the guilt-trip…
"Eomma, I haven't forgotten you and Appa. I've just been busy."
"Oh yes, I'm sure," Gong-Ju squinted over at her daughter, and she motioned for Jan Di to come to her. "Well, let's have a look at you, then."
Eomma acts like she hasn't seen me in years…
With a sigh, Jan Di did as she was told. She stood in front of her mother, who looked her over carefully.
"Hmm, it seems like you've gotten thinner…," Gong-Ju commented.
Jan Di glanced down at her own body. She hadn't noticed before, but she supposed she may have slimmed down, a little bit. She chalked it up to a hectic schedule, leading to frequently missed meals. Ji Hoo was sweet about it, though. He always checked to make sure she'd eaten and would often bring her food if she hadn't—even if all he had time to do was grab something from a vending machine.
Gong-Ju continued her thorough inspection of her daughter. "Well, you look good, but are you eating enough? You need to be healthy," she scrutinized.
"Yes, Eomma. I am."
Gong-Ju pursed her lips in reply. "Are you sure about that? You're not starving yourself to fit into your wedding dress, are you?"
"No, Eomma," Jan Di grumbled.
"Hmm, alright…" Her mother's tone was cynical. "But just in case, I'm going to feed you."
It wasn't a request but rather a statement of fact, and Gong-Ju argued that it was dinner time anyway, so she might as well stay.
"Eomma, that's OK, I—"
Already in the kitchen, Gong-Ju placed her hands upon her small hips. "You're staying for dinner; no arguments!"
And Jan Di sighed. Usually, Eomma was hounding her to lose some weight, but now she was concerned she wasn't eating enough… She supposed it was nice that her mother did care about her health, after all…
But while cooking, the elder lady continued to pepper Jan Di with questions, such as: "What about that fiancé of yours? Why do we never see him? Why didn't he come?"
"He's very busy, Eomma," Jan Di argued weakly. Her father and brother even attempted to back her up by explaining what an important man Yoon Ji Hoo was, but no excuse seemed good enough.
"I know that he is important. I know all about him," Gong-Ju called back from the kitchen, and she returned to cooking. But just when Jan Di thought the subject was dropped, her mother started up again, "You know, when you were dating Gu Jun Pyo…"
Not this again…
"…He was a busy man, too, but he still came over. And he took care of your family, too..."
At that, Jan Di's withering patience dried up. "Oh, don't start that again, Eomma!" she exhaled sharply. "Ji Hoo has been over here just as many times as Jun Pyo! More, in fact. What, you're upset because Ji Hoo doesn't shower you with useless luxuries? Well, when has he ever not helped out our family when we really needed it? And have you forgotten how he paid off your debts?"
After her outburst, Jan Di instantly shut her mouth. She could still feel her face boiling, as a wave of guilt washed over her. And seeing her father and brother's shocked expressions, she felt even worse. Those two hadn't deserved the blunt of her harshness; they never said anything negative about Ji Hoo, after all. It was just her mother… Jan Di just hated when her mother tried to take advantage…
Lowering her head in humility, the Wonder Girl muttered, "Mianhae…," to no one in particular.
And an uncomfortable silence engulfed the room until Il-Bong broke it. "No, you're right, Jan Di-ah. Yoon Ji Hoo-ssi has helped this family out greatly, and we all appreciate him very much. Your mother didn't mean anything bad."
Keeping her head down, Jan nodded. "I know, Appa."
"That's right; I didn't mean anything by it!" Gong-Ju interjected from the kitchen. "Don't be so sensitive!"
"Mianhae…," Jan Di repeated. "But I just thought…that maybe…you were saying that you don't like Ji Hoo as much as you liked Jun Pyo…"
Na Gong-Ju scoffed. "Oh, I'm not saying anything of the sort! We like him very much."
"Good," Jan Di replied, releasing her breath. "Gomawo, Eomma."
Gong-Ju gave a faint nod before going back to cooking. "…Although, Gu Jun Pyo-ssi is wealthier…," she muttered under her breath. But Jan Di heard and scolded her, "Eomma!"
"I'm just joking!" the woman waved her off. "Don't get so worked up. We're very happy with your choice."
But apparently, that wasn't the end of it.
"It's just that we never see him… It's been weeks since we last saw his face. I forget what he even looks like..."
By then, Jan Di had plopped onto a cushion next to Kang San. At her mother's dramatic exaggeration, she and her brother exchanged an eyeroll, and Jan Di slumped onto the floor like a ragdoll.
Like I've dated so many guys that it's hard to keep track…
Jan Di's father chuckled. "You remember him, Yobo. He's the quiet, serious one with the handsome face and that bright red hair," and Il-Bong tugged on a piece of his own hair for emphasis.
Jan Di sighed.
"Appa, Eomma didn't really mean that," Kang San explained. "She knows what Ji Hoo Hyung looks like."
"Ahh," Il-Bong nodded in understanding, and then he laughed.
Jan Di had to admit she'd missed her crazy family…
Attempting one last time, she explained, "Eomma, it's not that Ji Hoo doesn't want to come over. He is just extremely busy. You see, he has his internship, working at the Clinic, and he has the Suam Foundation to help run. He barely has time to eat or sleep let alone make social calls."
"Well, I think he should make time to see his future in-laws at least once before the wedding," Gong-Ju insisted.
"OK, Eomma. I'll ask him about it tonight, and we can set something up."
"Tomorrow!" Gong-Ju exclaimed. "He should come for dinner tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes, there's not much time before the wedding, so it needs to be tomorrow!"
Reluctantly, Jan Di agreed. Satisfied for the time being, Gong-Ju finished making dinner and brought it to the table. And the Geum family all sat down to dinner.
"Looks good, Yobo!" Il-Bong exclaimed, as his wife plunked down bowls of rice for each member, as well as beef and radish stew and side dishes of kimchi, soybean sprouts, and seasoned spinach.
While her mother began loading up her plate, Jan Di thought of how she'd missed eating with them. As nice as it was dining with her future husband and Grandfather, it wasn't the same as eating with her own family.
After taking a large helping of the mixture in her bowl, Jan Di asked, "How's Shinwha, San ah?" Her younger brother was now attending her alma mater. Both Jun Pyo and Ji Hoo were influential in getting him in, but it was Gu Jun-Hee who had ultimately financed it. It was a debt that Jan Di knew she could never begin to repay, nor one her unnie would ever allow her to.
"It's fine," Kang San replied while slurping his soup.
"Anyone I need to take care of there?" Jan Di slammed her fist into the palm of her hand.
Kang San shook his head, "No. Well, there is this one guy who is a pain, but nothing I can't handle."
At that, Jan Di immediately went into Noona mode. "Who is it?! What's he doing?!"
"It's nothing, Noona. We just don't get along. He's not bullying me or anything."
"You're sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure."
Jan Di eyed her younger brother worriedly. "Well, stay away from him, OK?"
"Yeah, I will."
"And you'll tell me if anything is wrong? Arasso?!"
"Yes, Noona," he replied.
"Promise?"
"Yes, Noona," he repeated automatically.
Although she didn't like it, Jan Di decided to let it go, for now. But she still had a bad feeling. She knew how cruel the Shinwha kids could be, and she wouldn't stand to see her younger brother go through what she did! Maybe she could get him to talk about it more later. Or, if he wouldn't talk to her, then maybe Ji Hoo would know what to do…
The family finished eating dinner in silence.
After a meal that stuffed Jan Di fuller than she'd been in a long time, her mother took her aside and into her bedroom—to talk.
Once inside with the door shut, "What did you want to talk to me about, Eomma?"
"Well, I wanted to speak to you…," she leaned in closer, "woman to woman."
Oh boy…
"OK…," and Jan Di prepared herself.
"I thought I should give you some motherly advice before your wedding day, Jan Di-ah."
"Eomma, you really don't have to—" But Gong-Ju shushed her. "Now, listen up!"
With a sigh, Jan Di waited, dreading what was to come. At best, it would be uncomfortable. At worst, well, who knew…?
. . .
"First of all, I still think it is best that you wait until your wedding night to…consummate your relationship."
Her cheeks heating, Jan Di whined, "Eommaa…"
"But then again," and Gong-Ju folded her arms, "you two have been together for years—and are living under the same roof—so, maybe it's too late for this speech…"
But Jan Di had heard the speech before… Didn't her mother remember the last time?
Livid, the Wonder Girl shouted, "It's not!"
But it had nearly happened more than a few times, and they'd done plenty of other stuff… So, she wasn't totally innocent…
"Good, now listen up. I know you've been together a long time, and it's only a few more days, but it's the principle of the matter…"
"Eomma…," Jan Di groaned; her cheeks were a soft pink tint.
Ignoring her, Gong-Ju continued, "Now, I know that fiancé of yours is handsome, and you two probably can't keep your hands off each other," she smirked, "but you don't want a bun cooking in the oven on the Big Day. It's only proper for it to be after."
By now, Jan Di's cheeks were boiling, "Eomma!" she shouted. After her outburst, Jan Di's eyes shot to the cracked bedroom door. She studied it, wondering if her father and brother had heard.
"Well, it's not that I blame you," her mother went on, "He is very good-looking, and I admit that I was stricken by his beauty when I first met him..." Going off dreamily in her head, Gong-Ju recalled falling into Yoon Ji Hoo's arms at the Arts Center. "In fact, he might be the best-looking man I've ever seen…"
Jan Di's exhale came out as a gale, blowing her bangs instantly off her forehead. "I thought you didn't remember what he looked like…," she mumbled sarcastically.
And Gong-Ju smacked her daughter on the arm. "Don't get smart now!"
"Mianhae, Eomma…"
"That being said," the Na woman continued, "I know you're both full of youthful stamina…," and suddenly, she cast her eyes to the ceiling.
Going off somewhere in her head again, Jan Di assumed.
. . .
"Yes, your appa and I used to be like that once…," Gong-Ju sighed wistfully. "Enjoy it while you can, Jan Di-ah. The passion…and those crazy feelings don't last forever… Eventually, you grow tired of one another…"
Her mother's dejected tone was worrisome to Jan Di. Maybe it wasn't her place, but she needed to know. "Eomma, are you…tired of Appa?" she asked sullenly.
"Oh! It's not like that, exactly. It's just…not the same as it used to be!"
Thinning her lips, Jan Di urged, "But Eomma, everything alright…between you and Appa, isn't it?"
"Oh, of course!" her mother snapped. "I'm just pointing out reality to you."
Jan Di nodded, but suddenly, she felt depressed.
So, she retreated inward to a place that never failed to comfort her, to thoughts of Ji Hoo. Such thoughts, like his arms, kept her warm and safe at night—and never failed to cheer her up. Despite her mother's cynical outlook on love and marriage, Jan Di could never imagine growing tired of her firefighter. Maybe he would grow tired of her, though…
And that possibility sank her further into depression…
Meanwhile, her mother continued to kick her while she was down. "Yes, make the romance last as long as you can, Jan Di-ah. At least until you get a kid or two out of it…"
Jan Di dropped her head back and groaned. "Eommaaaa…"
Her mother certainly had a gift for getting her all worked up. It was annoying. But maybe she had a point… And Jan Di felt her chest beginning to rise and fall heavily.
"Eomma…?" she began tentatively.
"What?" she asked, disinterested, as she began rummaging around through her dresser.
"Do you…really think Ji Hoo will…get tired of me?" Jan Di's thoughts were running wild; she was practically panicking over it.
Her back turned to Jan Di, Gong-Ju shrugged. "It happens with most men," she casually commented.
Omo, Omo…
Instantly, Jan Di's breathing sped up, and she felt prickles stabbing her inside the chest.
When Gong-Ju glanced back, she noticed her daughter's slumped shoulders and lightly shaking body. "Jan Di-ah, what on earth is the matter?!" she demanded.
"Eomma, Eomma… What if…what if Ji Hoo…does get tired of me?!"
The older woman let out an exasperated sigh, but she seemed to take pity. "Oh, Jan Di-ah. Don't let it get to you. Yes, it happens with a lot of men, but your Yoon Ji Hoo seems to be a loyal one, like your Appa, so I don't think you need to worry about it. I think he will stay, especially if there are children involved…"
Jan Di's lips parted. "Ch-children?"
Her mother nodded.
But it wasn't exactly a comfort. "But I…I…don't want him to feel forced to stay, Eomma… I want him to stay because he… I don't want him to get tir—" and Jan Di began to sob mid-sentence.
"Jan Di-ah, pull yourself together!"
Jan Di stared at her mother, hoping for some tiny piece of encouragement.
"Even if he does leave someday," Gong-Ju finally spoke, "you'll still have your children, and we'll make him pay for it! We'll be sure he is responsible for all of you!"
It was a hard kick to the stomach for Jan Di. As she felt the tears returning, she placed a hand over her face. "Eomma, you think Ji Hoo is going to…leave me…and my children!" she blubbered through her hand. She felt babyish and foolish, but she couldn't help it.
But it was ridiculous, wasn't it? She was becoming hysterical over nothing—just a stupid, hypothetical scenario.
Rationally, Jan Di knew this. And in her heart, she was certain that her Ji Hoo would never do such a thing. So, why was it getting to her so? Perhaps this was that whole wedding jitters thing she'd heard about… But she'd never even felt them until she had a conversation with her mother…
As Jan Di softly sobbed, Gong-Ju gave a sharp exhale. "Aigoo, this girl…" Then, she went to Jan Di and grasped onto her upper arms.
Bracing herself for a hug, Jan Di leaned in, but instead, her mother brought her back to arm's length and roughly shook her. "Jan Di-ah, come back to your senses! I'm not saying that is what is going to happen!"
"But what if it does, Eomma? What should I do? How can I keep that from happening?" She pleaded like a small child.
Her mother thought for a moment. "Well, there are some things you can do to keep the marriage alive," she said, placing a finger to her chin.
Jan Di sniffled, "Like what, Eomma?"
"Well, obviously you should cook for him and look nice for him, too."
"OK..."
"And you should know how to entice him, how to lure him to your bed…"
"What?"
"How to entice him," she repeated.
Aigoo…
Jan Di neither wanted nor expected to have to trick Ji Hoo into bed with her. He loved her, and he was attracted to her, though she still couldn't understand why…
Defeated, Jan Di asked, "How do I do that, Eomma?"
"Well, it's all about the...dance, Jan Di-ah. With the right clothing and a certain…look...," her mother demonstrated her best sexy look, "you can get a man to do what you want…"
The Wonder Girl sighed.
"Come on, show me your seductive look, Jan Di-ah..."
"Do I have to, Eomma?" she whined.
"Yes!"
Exhaling sharply, Jan Di poked out her lips into a pout, and she stared at her mother in her most sultry way. "Well, that's not too bad…," her mother evaluated. "Oh, and men like the chase, too! So, it's good to play hard to get occasionally. Make him wait…"
Jan Di slapped herself on the forehead.
"Oh, the finishing touch!" her mother exclaimed. "It helps to wear a sexy outfit once in a while…like this," and she brought a silky pink hanbok out of her closet.
Chewing on her lip thoughtfully, she held it up to Jan Di. "Something like this is good to wear to bed…"
"It's nice, Eomma, but…"
Before Jan Di could finish, the older woman had already taken it away. "Or, maybe couples' pajamas! That would be cute!"
"Eh, I don't think Ji Hoo would go for that, Eomma…"
"Well, I just hope you're not going to wear the type of pajamas you usually wear on your wedding night…"
"What does that mean, Eomma?"
"Well, I don't know what you wear over at his place, but when you lived here your tastes in pajamas were a little bit…naïve. You should choose something more pleasing to a man's eye."
Jan Di subtly rolled her eyes. "Eomma, you were just saying that I needed to behave myself, weren't you? And now you think I need to be…sexier…for Ji Hoo?"
"Well, yes! You don't need to behave on your wedding night!"
Jan Di blushed. That was true…
"You should wear something alluring then. In other words, don't wear those teddy bear pajamas you like so much…"
Aigoo!
"I wasn't planning to, Eomma…"
Just then, the door creaked open, and Jan Di's father poked his head in. "Um, I was wondering…are you two finished talking?"
Kang San was right behind him, looking over his shoulder. Now, he was interested in what was going on.
"Appa! San-ah! What are you doing in here?" Jan Di snapped at them.
But it wasn't like she was surprised. After all, it was a small home, and privacy had always been a concern. Even when Jan Di lived there, she would go to her room and shut the door, but she could still hear everything happening on the other side. All-of-a-sudden, she felt like she was 16 again and clinging to every drop of privacy she could get from the males of the household.
They both offered weak excuses for their intrusion—Kang San's being more believable than her father's—but it was clear they'd been trying to eavesdrop. And Jan Di wondered what all they'd heard.
"We're almost finished here," Gong-Ju explained, attempting to shoo them out the door, but the guys lingered.
Finally, Kang San chimed in, "Noona, are you picking a sexy outfit to wear on your wedding night to impress Ji Hoo Hyung?"
Jan Di's mouth dropped open. I knew it… "YA! You were listening in, weren't you?!"
Both swiftly denied it.
"Then how did you know about that?" Jan Di cocked a brow.
Rather than answering, Kang San skillfully diverted the conversation. "I think you should go to Victoria's Secret, Noona!" he suggested, with a vibrant shake of his head. He was entirely too eager.
Jan Di gaped. "Wh-where did you—?"
A mischievous grin crossed Il-Bong's lips. "Ooo, Victoria's Secret," he interjected. And then he started going on—and on—about a commercial he'd seen.
Jan Di reeled in humiliation. Kill me now…
"How do you even know about that place?" she confronted her younger sibling. To which, Kang San scoffed, "Come on, Noona. I'm 17. Besides, my girlfriend likes that place."
"Your girlfriend? What girlfriend?!"
"Ohh, didn't I tell you about her?" the boy chuckled nervously.
"No, you didn't!"
"Oh, well, I have a girlfriend," he replied with a cool shrug. And immediately, he started looking for an escape. But Jan Di wasn't planning on letting him get away so easily…
With Jan Di at his heels and his parents right behind, Kang San exited the bedroom. Looking back at her parents, "Did you know about this?" Jan Di chided. But they appeared equally confused. Apparently, he'd done a good job of keeping it secret. Not that Jan Di imagined it being difficult. Her little brother was smart, so she wasn't at all surprised he'd outwitted their parents.
"Well?!" Jan Di demanded of her little brother.
"Well, what?"
"Well, what's her name? What's she like? How long have you been going out?"
"See, that's why I didn't say anything. I knew I'd get a million questions." The younger Geum sat down and leaned against the wall in the living room, burying his eyes in his phone.
"Come on! You gotta give us something, you little brat! Are you talking to her now?" Jan Di rushed over to Kang San. Placing her hands on her hips, she leaned over him. Kang Sang shied away, so Jan Di got down on her hands and knees. When she tried to snatch his phone away, he hid it behind his back, confirming Jan Di's suspicion.
Payback time!
Jan Di playfully mussed her little brother's hair with one hand, while reaching around his back with the other. Kang San scooted away from her, but she pursued him. Then, he stood, holding the phone above his head—just out of her reach. She hated that he was taller than her now. And brother and sister entered into a stare down.
Knowing how relentless his noona was, Kang San again attempted to deflect. "You know, Noona, you can order online at Victoria's Secret…," and he pulled up the website on his smartphone. Scrolling through, Kang San's eyes lit up, "Wauu, I'll bet Hyung would love this one on you!" He smirked over at her.
In response, she gave him a malicious squint. "Oh yeah? You think so, huh?" she replied, deciding to go along with his game.
Eyes locked onto his screen, Kang San nodded. "Yep."
"Well, let me see it…"
Reluctantly, the teen broke his gaze from the black lacy teddy. Holding up his phone, he waved the screen tauntingly at his older sister.
Jan Di felt herself blush at the mere image, and she couldn't believe that her baby brother was looking at such things without even a hint of embarrassment.
"Just make sure to choose a fast shipping method, so it comes before your wedding," he instructed.
"I know stuff, Noona," he responded to her bewildered look.
"Fine," she placed one hand on her hip and held out her other hand. "Let me take a closer look, then. You shouldn't be looking at those things, anyway, so hand it over."
"Ohh, no you don't!" he retorted. "I know what you're doing…"
"What do you mean?" she asked, in her best innocent voice, "It was your idea for me to shop there, so hand it over and let me look at the website…"
When Kang San wouldn't give up his phone, she began chasing him around the room. "Give it to me, you naughty boy!" she shouted, while in hot pursuit.
Meanwhile, Il-Bong and Gong-Ju watched in astonishment. When she'd had enough, Gong-Ju interjected, "Ya! Act your ages, you two! Especially you, Geum Jan Di! Honestly, a 24-year-old soon-to-be-married woman running around like a child!"
After being chastised, Jan Di stopped. Kang Sang stuck his tongue out at her, to which she pointed a finger at him, indicating she would get him later.
Once the excitement died down, Jan Di's mother took her aside again, informing her that she'd wanted to give her something for her wedding, but they were interrupted. So, Gong-Ju led Jan Di back into the bedroom, shooting a warning glance at her husband and son en route.
Once safely inside, the curly-haired woman went to her dresser. For a second, Jan Di feared that her mother was going to offer her the silky nightie she'd pulled out earlier, but instead, she handed her two intricately carved wooden geese.
Jan Di knew the significance of the birds. Geese were known to mate for life, and if one should lose their mate, they were said to mourn in seclusion and never mate again. They were extremely loyal birds and exceedingly protective of their partners and offspring.
"These were carved by my great-grandfather, and they have been passed down for generations in my family—from my halmeoni to my eomma to me. Since you are getting married now, Jan Di-ah, I'd like to give them to you."
With a sentimental smile, Gong-Ju handed the wooden pair to Jan Di.
Jan Di was truly touched by the gesture. "Gomawo, Eomma…"
"These have brought many blessings to the women in my family, and I hope they will do the same for you." Pursing her lips, the Na woman continued, "I wish you a long and happy marriage, Jan Di-ah. Display those prominently in your home," she motioned toward the birds, "and that is sure to happen."
Her lip quivering lightly, Jan Di thanked her mother again and reached out to embrace her. Gong-Ju returned the hug. Seconds later, the strong, proud woman pulled away, giving her daughter a light pat on the back. And mother and daughter exchanged a smile.
By the end of the evening, a physically and emotionally exhausted Jan Di was eager to return home to the loving arms of her husband-to-be.
When she walked into the house, she was met by the sound of a beautiful piano melody that told her Ji Hoo was home, too. After putting away the wedding geese—they could find a place for them later—she meandered into the area adjacent the dining room, where the piano resided. From the next room, she could clearly hear the soft, classical piece that after years of hearing him play, she now recognized as Chopin's Nocturne Op. 9 No 2.
She stopped in the entryway. And there, seated at the piano, was the gorgeous creature whose heart a common girl had miraculously managed to capture.
Instead of going right in, she decided to watch him.
Just as much as listening, Jan Di loved watching Ji Hoo play—his perfect posture, the way his long fingers caressed the keys, the look of utter concentration on his handsome face. It was charming and appealing, and she was convinced that if all sound suddenly ceased, she could still watch him for hours and remain utterly captivated.
Jan Di could only see the profile of her fiancé's face now, but even that was a sight to behold. And she knew he was feeling the music… She could always tell when he slipped into that world because he would close his eyes, and his body would sway lightly alongside the music, like a feather on the breeze.
She was convinced that Ji Hoo could not only hear music but could also see it and feel it, perhaps even pluck it right out of thin air if he wanted. Music seemed to flow through his veins like blood. Yes, Yoon Ji Hoo and music had a timeless love, and it would be impossible for anyone witnessing him play to be unmoved by his passion and talent.
Gripping the corner of the wall, Jan Di felt herself drifting peacefully into another world. She even felt her eyes closing…
But then, the music stopped suddenly. The Wonder Girl opened her eyes to see what was going on, and Ji Hoo was staring back at her.
"Oh! I'm sorry, Ji Hoo-ah. Did I disturb you?"
"Not at all. I just got home from the Foundation and was unwinding a little before bed."
I need to do that, too, she thought, as she began picking at the edge of the wall.
Ji Hoo tilted his head sideways, observing her. His lips curled up as he gently beckoned, "Come to me, my otter."
His voice was a siren song calling out to her, and without hesitation, she went to him.
The Golden Boy made room for the Wonder Girl on the piano bench, and she sat down beside him on her usual side. Instinctively, she dropped her head to his shoulder, resting it there for a moment. He turned ever so slightly to press a kiss to the side of her head. "Are you tired, my love?"
"A little," she replied.
"You should sleep, then."
"I will. But not yet. I want to stay here with you for a little bit. Is that OK?"
"Always," was his sweet reply. And he returned his hands to the keys, while still supporting her head with his shoulder.
"Did you eat?" he asked.
"Yes, with my family."
"How was your visit?" he asked, beginning to play.
"It was…interesting," she smiled.
"Interesting?"
Jan Di chuckled. "Yes, interesting. But nice, too."
Ji Hoo nodded.
"Oh, my eomma gave us marriage geese."
It seemed a random statement. "Oh, really?"
"Yes. And they want us to come to dinner?"
He nodded. "When?"
"Tomorrow. I know it's short notice, but it means a lot to them."
Ji Hoo stopped playing and met her gaze. "Alright, I'll clear my schedule."
Hugging his arm, she replied, "Thank you," and held onto the limb for several seconds longer. Then, she sat up and hovered her hands above the keys. "May I play with you?"
"Of course." He smiled.
"What shall we play?" she asked.
"Well… Do you remember this one…?" He gazed out wistfully, as he began to play a melody from the old days.
"Yes." In fact, Jan Di recalled it vividly. It was the song he always used to play to cheer her up, back then. She knew it by heart now.
Jan Di placed her hands alongside his on the keys, and Ji Hoo watched as their fingers moved in sync. Her playing had greatly improved over the years, and she no longer required any instruction from him, at least on this particular song. It was impressive how quickly she'd learned, actually.
But Geum Jan Di was impressive in so many ways—her tenacity, her bravery, her spirit. Whether it was learning a piano piece, passing a medical exam, or standing up to an evil tyrant of a mother, she never ceased to amaze him.
As they played, a memory he hadn't thought of in a long time crept back into Ji Hoo's mind—the night of Jun Pyo's 20th birthday. That night, Jan Di was brave enough to go onstage and play a sad love song in front of everyone, just so she could express her feelings. It had shocked Ji Hoo when she began to play, for it wasn't even a song he'd taught her. And although it had broken his heart, he was so proud of her.
When he took her home afterward, he was prepared to tell her everything. All he wanted to do that night was to hold the beautiful girl in the pink dress in his arms, kiss away her sorrows, and fervently express his love for her.
But he chickened out, telling himself that it wasn't the right time and that she wouldn't accept it right now, anyway…
When Ji Hoo returned to reality, the song had ended, and Jan Di was staring at him. He smiled at her. "Excellent job, my otter," and shaking away his thoughts, he asked, "Would you like to do one more?"
She gave an emphatic nod.
"How about a new one?"
"A new one?"
"Yes. I wrote something new. I'll play it for you first, and then I'll teach it to you."
"That's great! But what inspired you to write a song?"
"You, of course," he responded, in an obvious sort of way. Placing his hands upon the ivories, he added, "You are ever my inspiration, my Wonder Girl. Whether it is leading me to new things…," he smiled at her, "or sparking my creativity…"
Jan Di smiled sweetly back at her husband-to-be. It wasn't the first time he'd dedicated a song to her, but he'd been so incredibly busy that she was surprised he had the time or brain power left to compose one.
When he poised his hands over the keys, she felt her eagerness grow. Each one of his songs was unique; in fact, no two sounded even remotely alike, but they were always equal in beauty. And she couldn't wait to hear this one.
. . .
When he finished, Jan Di clapped loudly. "That was beautiful, Ji Hoo-ah. Thank you!"
With a nod, Ji Hoo indicated that it was her turn. He instructed her to put her hands on the keys, and then he placed his hands over hers. His touch was electric as always, and she felt the tiny hairs on her knuckles stand pleasantly on end. Briefly, he interlocked their fingers and squeezed before gently raising her hands. And he began guiding them to the right notes.
Playing with Ji Hoo was always relaxing, but tonight, Jan Di felt distracted.
She kept thinking about her mother-induced pre-wedding panic attack earlier, and she wondered if she should talk to Ji Hoo about it. But how in the world does one bring something like that up? What would she even say? She couldn't just come out and ask Ji Hoo if he planned to cheat on her and leave her and their children someday?
It would be embarrassing and pathetic, but she knew that Ji Hoo would want her to speak up if something was truly bothering her. So, in the midst of a note, she blurted out, "Ji Hoo, can I ask you something?"
She must have seemed very serious because he stopped what he was doing altogether. "Of course." He turned and gave her his full attention, but she couldn't find the words.
"What's wrong, Otter?" he finally asked.
"Well, um…"
"Whatever it is, you can just say it."
Still working up the courage, she began, "Well, we've been together for a long time now…"
Ji Hoo tossed her that flawless smile. "Yes," he confirmed, as he again began fondling the keys.
"Well, I was just wondering if…you're not…are you…getting…tired…of me…at all?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt like an idiot.
Again, Ji Hoo stopped playing. "Tired of you? Why on earth would you think that?"
"Oh, I don't know," and she attempted to laugh it off, "I was just wondering…"
"Of course, I'm not tired of you," Ji Hoo smirked.
She hadn't really believed he was, but it was still a relief to hear out loud. "OK, good," she muttered under her breath.
Then Ji Hoo went back to playing, but he only got a few notes in before stopping. "I don't understand why you would think that, Jan Di-ah. Would I write songs for someone I've grown tired of?"
"No, I guess not."
"Would I be marrying someone I've grown tired of?"
"No."
"Have I given you some reason to think that?"
"No, not at all."
Dumbfounded, he stared at her, wordlessly asking, 'Then why?'
Flustered, "I don't know why I even said that!" Jan Di exclaimed. Even though she did… She tried to get out of talking about it, but he wasn't going to let her.
"It's just…something that happens…when a couple is together for a while, right?" she muttered.
In that moment, a shadow of worry crossed Ji Hoo's face. "Are you trying to tell me that you are tired of me?"
"Of course not!" she vehemently denied.
"OK, good to know," he exhaled. "Well, I'm not tired of you, either."
There was a pregnant pause, while Ji Hoo stared out ahead. Finally, he spoke, "You don't need to worry. My feelings for you will never change, Geum Jan Di."
And he said it with such conviction that she felt she had no choice but to believe it. Jan Di smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Gomawo, Ji Hoo-ah…," she whispered.
He kissed the top of her head. "Why should you thank me for something I cannot help but do? I love you now, and I always will. Don't you know that losing you would be devastating for me? It would be like losing an arm… But no, that's not right, at all, because you are far more important. I could live without my arm, but I know I would surely die without you. You are a part of me, forever."
"Ji Hoo…" She stared up at him with a look of love and longing. "Ji Hoo-ah... Saranghae."
Returning her 'saranghae,' he gazed into her eyes. "Do you believe me, or do I need to prove it to you?"
The intensity of his gaze revealed his plan to do just that, and she wasn't about to stop him. Their need for each other was pervasive, and with a slow, steady determination, he leaned in. And her lips parted, welcoming his like an old friend.
His kiss immediately silenced any remaining doubts she had. He could be so persuasive…
One after the other, his hands left the keys to touch her. His right hand snaked around her waist, pulling her closer, while his left traveled up and into her hair. Freeing her dark tresses from the ponytail holder, he allowed her hair to fall in a soft wave to her shoulders. And his nimble fingers roamed throughout the silky strands.
Meanwhile, Jan Di's hands wandered the base of his neck, her fingers twisting around the short hairs there…
The kiss, which began soft and superficial, soon grew deep and moist. Their lips pressed and parted, just long enough for him to slip inside. With a pleasurable sigh, she granted him entrance, and their tongues danced alongside each other. Breaking their connection only briefly, Jan Di slid her lips down to his bottom one, and she sucked and nibbled at the soft tissue there. With a moan of approval, he kissed her back more forcefully.
They parted just long enough to get air before starting all over again. Soon, their kisses slowed and softened…
Grandfather happened to be passing by the dining room at the time, and he saw them kissing. Quickly, he averted his eyes. He considered a cough or a loud throat clear to make his presence known, but instead, he opted for leaving them be.
Young love…, he fondly mused. Smiling to himself, the old gentleman left as quietly as he could and headed off to his room.
The Following Evening…
As promised, Ji Hoo and Jan Di attended dinner at the Geums'. They arrived, with a gift in tow, to an awaiting feast. Gong-Ju had prepared roasted fish, the good quality kind—that she had to go to a special market to get and only made for very special occasions. She also served rice, kimchi, garlic stem pickles, spinach, japchae, and fish cakes. It was all delicious but entirely too much.
The social aspect of dinner went relatively well, in Jan Di's opinion. Everyone was happy to see Ji Hoo, and they didn't grill him about his recent absence. Instead, they asked him a lot of questions—none too embarrassing—about the Foundation and the Clinic.
After dinner, Il-Bong insisted upon having some shots of soju with his son-in-law-to-be as a celebratory toast. Out of politeness, Ji Hoo agreed, and he and Jan Di's father tossed back a few, while Jan Di helped her mother clean up in the kitchen. Kang San was technically still too young to drink, but his father offered him one shot for toasting with. After that, the younger Geum kept to himself, on his phone mainly. But at one point, Jan Di noticed her brother pull Ji Hoo aside to talk privately in his room. She was extremely curious about this and wondered if Ji Hoo would tell her about it later…
On the way home, Ji Hoo and Jan Di sat together in the back of the Escalade. They were both tired; plus, Ji Hoo had some alcohol in him, so he didn't expect they would last long tonight. When he felt Jan Di slump against his shoulder, he leaned his head against hers. Hugging his arm, she snuggled closer, as his hand fell, of its own volition, to her bare knee.
It was a warm evening, so Jan Di had worn a navy-blue mini dress. The Golden Boy loved that she was wearing dresses more often now, and he absolutely adored what she had on tonight. The high scoop neckline covered her well, but the fit of the dress hugged her curves, leaving plenty to his vivid imagination. It was cute and sexy all rolled into one.
In a daze, Ji Hoo ran his hand all along the bones of her knee and up her barely covered thigh. Grazing the hemline of her skirt, his migrant fingers curled underneath the fabric…
He hadn't intended to get something started in the car, but his hand seemed to take on a mind of its own as it discovered the exposed skin beneath her dress. Flattening his palm, he skimmed the surface of her upper thigh—just below her panty line—caressing the soft, smooth skin there.
Gradually, his touches became more purposeful…
He began stroking her leg back and forth, pressing his fingertips in ever deeper and tracing delicate patterns into her flesh. The feel of her skin was exquisite as always, and the scent of her perfume was intoxicating. And despite his tiredness, Ji Hoo was quickly becoming aroused. Feeling his energy returning, he wondered if she would be in the mood when they got home…
The problem was that she didn't even seem to notice what he was doing right now…
His feather-light touches—that would normally have elicited a sigh or small giggle—had no impact, and she didn't even respond when he ran his hand the entire way up her leg. His eyes, which had been fixed on her leg while he stroked it, shot to her face. She was now staring out the window, completely oblivious.
She must be very distracted, he thought. Yoon Ji Hoo was not an arrogant man, but he would have thought his gentle ministrations worthy of some kind of reaction. However, she seemed somewhere else entirely.
"That feels nice…," he heard her murmur. Now, he knew she was distracted, for he was no longer rubbing her leg or even touching it. His hand, instead, rested harmlessly beside her on the seat.
Delayed reaction?
"Jan Di-ah?" he spoke softly.
"Hm?"
"Is everything alright?"
She shifted in her seat, and their eyes met. "Yes. I was just thinking how nice that was of you."
"What?"
"Going to dinner," she explained. "Thank you for that."
"Oh, of course. What are fiancés for?"
She smiled at him. "Well, it was really nice of you to clear your schedule like that and to bring a gift, too. You've always been so considerate of my family."
Returning her smile, Ji Hoo said, "Well, I like your family."
But thinking about it, he realized that it was more than that. Oh, he was glad to do it for her, but it wasn't just about liking them or playing the role of good fiancé.
Jan Di let out a happy giggle, "I'm glad."
It made him happy to see her so happy.
But again, it was more than that. After allowing his mind to wander, Ji Hoo realized what it was. "Also, I like…being around a family. I like feeling part of that," he admitted, deciding he needed to be more open with the woman who was soon to be his wife.
Jan Di uttered a sympathetic, 'Ji Hoo,' as she took his hand and squeezed it. "You are a part of it."
Her words nearly brought tears to his eyes.
Oh, he knew he wasn't alone, and he was certainly thankful for the small family he was a part of now—with Jan Di and his grandfather—but that was something different. He never really had what Jan Di did, being an only child and losing his parents at a young age. And for the fifteen years before Jan Di and Grandfather came into his life, there was no one, except him and F4. He appreciated having his F4 family, too, but it wasn't the same.
. . .
"So, you and San-ah talked tonight, huh?" Jan Di asked out of the blue.
"Yes, we did."
"So, um, is it a secret…or, can you tell me what you talked about?" She grinned and lightly hugged his arm.
"Are you trying to extract information from me, my otter?" Ji Hoo grinned.
"Mmm," Jan Di chewed on her bottom lip. "…Yes. But only ask because I'm worried about him!"
Ji Hoo nodded. "Well, he does have a small situation…"
Jan Di's eyes burned into him, as she waited for him to go on. "Well," he sighed, "it seems that another guy—a friend of his—likes his girlfriend, too."
Jan Di scrunched her hands together, "Oh," and her brow furrowed in concern.
"But not to worry, my otter," Ji Hoo said, tenderly tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "Since I have some experience in that area," he said with a sardonic smile, "I gave him some advice. I'm sure he'll handle it well. He really is a strong, smart kid. And he has a good heart, too. He's a lot like his noona, actually."
Jan Di smirk-smiled. "Well, I don't know if he takes after me in being smart… Kang San is much smarter than me."
"You're smart, too, my Wonder Girl," he replied, as he softly brushed her lips.
Once home, they both immediately readied for bed. And fifteen minutes later, Jan Di returned to Ji Hoo's room in casual pajamas. Even though they tried to remain discreet, they had dropped any pretenses about sleeping in separate rooms. Although typically innocent, they shared a bed more often than not.
When Jan Di entered, Ji Hoo was already lying in bed on his back with a hand tucked behind his head. He caught sight of her in the doorway and, with a finger, wordlessly beckoned her. Closing the door behind her, Jan Di slipped into bed with him. He welcomed her in, untucking the covers and wrapping them around her. He rolled onto his side and pulled Jan Di up against his body.
It was then that Jan Di recalled earlier in the car—the way Ji Hoo had been touching her. She felt guilty for basically ignoring him, but she had just been so preoccupied with worries about her family and the upcoming wedding…
But lying in bed as they were now—facing one another, with their bodies pressed together and hugging—she felt the urge to begin something, herself. Beneath the covers, Ji Hoo was running his hands along her back and up and down the curve of her body—from her knee to her ribcage—and it was having its usual effect…
She felt the heat rise from within her core as she pressed her lips to his, and his manhood swelled naturally in response. The feel of their lower bodies flush against each other—touching in just the right places—was making her yearn for more. The need to touch him was practically irresistible, in fact, and she found herself reaching down to grasp for it. But she somehow resisted the urge.
As much as she wanted him, he seemed so exhausted. So, she settled for exchanging a few slow, lazy kisses, while cuddling. He was even so tired that he nearly missed a couple times.
Jan Di was content in this position, but she still wanted to touch him. To placate the urge, she went for his hair. Running her fingers deliberately through his silky auburn locks seemed to be lulling Ji Hoo into a trance. And she watched his dark eyelashes flutter wildly, as he fought to keep his eyes open.
Eyes half-closed, the Golden Boy let out a sigh. "Mmm, Jan Di-ah…," he purred in his drowsy state.
Sleepy Ji Hoo was far too adorable to resist. He was cute, cozy, and oh so warm. With a smile, Jan Di snuggled closer. She knew it wouldn't take long for him to lose the fight, but the sweetness of him battling sleep with everything he had made her want to bury his head in her chest and hold him there all night long…
When he finally succumbed, she placed a soft kiss on each eyelid and pulled him down to her chest. He rested his head there, wrapping his arms loosely around her waist and nuzzling against her neck in his sleep, with no more strength than that of a baby deer.
When he stilled completely, she held him for a while before pulling away and rolling over onto her favorite side. As soon as she did, she felt him cuddle up against her. He buried his face in her hair, and his arms tightened around her stomach. And their bodies fused together, her smaller frame fitting his perfectly.
Jan Di let out a contented sigh, and spooning, they fell asleep together…
The Day Before the Wedding…
The next morning, Ji Hoo prepared to leave for the airport to pick up Ming, who was flying in from Macau for the wedding. Before going, he gave Jan Di a kiss goodbye and asked if she was sure she didn't want to go along.
"Well, I'm meeting Ga Eul and Jae Kyung later, so I probably shouldn't," Jan Di replied.
"…Ming won't want to see me anyway…," she mumbled.
When Ji Hoo looked at her curiously, she added, "He hates me," as if it needed to be said.
"He doesn't hate you," Ji Hoo argued. "He just doesn't know you like I do."
Jan Di pursed her lips. That was just the response someone gave when they didn't want to hurt your feelings…
With a sigh, Ji Hoo placed a hand on Jan Di's arm. "I know Ming can be tough to take sometimes, but he just takes some getting used to. He's really not such a bad guy, and he doesn't hate you."
She could definitely argue that point with him, but he needed to go, so she simply gave him a fake smile, saying, "Yeah, you're right. It'll be nice to see him again…"
Ji Hoo tilted his head at her. Jan Di-ah, you are such a horrible liar...
The Golden Boy knew well that his fiancée and his old friend did not get along well, but he hoped that would change. Perhaps, this time it would be different.
"I'll be home after I drop Ming off at the hotel," he said, as he leaned forward to kiss her.
"Are you sure about that?" she quirked a brow. "Ming might insist on a tour of the city."
Jan Di recalled Ming's little lie about dying in order to get Ji Hoo to stay another day in Macau. Still, she grinned, He is a pain, but I'm glad he talked me into staying longer… Aside from the horrifying bathroom incident—and the crushing heartbreak—she'd had the best time with Ji Hoo in Macau.
"No, Ming has been here before. He won't want a tour." Ji Hoo laughed and kissed her again.
Alright, whatever you say, Ji Hoo-ah… With a sigh and a shake of the head, she waved him off.
At Incheon International Airport, Ji Hoo waited at baggage claim for his old friend from China. The Golden Boy heard the man before he saw him. He turned toward the sound, and there was Ming, shouting his name and running at him. He was fashionably dressed, with hair styled. He hadn't changed a bit.
Once close enough, Ming threw out his arms and pulled Ji Hoo into a hug. Ji Hoo accepted the hug, patting him on the back and chuckling, "How are you, my friend?"
"Good, Ji Hoo-ah!" Ming responded in Korean and then asked about him.
"Doing well, Ming. Very well," Ji Hoo replied. Ji Hoo helped Ming with his luggage, though he wasn't sure why he needed so much for only a couple days, and they headed to the car.
For a moment, Ming looked surprised when Ji Hoo tossed his luggage in the back and slipped into the driver's seat of a white Mini Cooper. The Golden Boy simply smiled at his friend's stunned reaction.
As they drove with the top down, Ming threw back his arms and rested his hands behind his head. Closing his eyes, he seemed to enjoy the spring air, and for a while, there was silence. It didn't bother Ji Hoo but was unusual for Ming.
. . .
Finally, Ming spoke up. "So, Ji Hoo-ah, you're really marrying that girl? The one who stayed at my place?" he asked, incredulous.
Ji Hoo's lips curled into a smile; he nodded. He had actually been wondering how long it would take Ming to bring it up. When he first told Ming he was getting married, the Chinese man had seemed shocked but said very little. And Ji Hoo had been expecting his unabashed opinion on the matter to come any day.
Ming paused, pursing his lips together before continuing, "Are you sure about this? Maybe you should think about it some more… It's not too late to change your mind, Ji Hoo-ah."
Ming, always so direct…
Ji Hoo glanced over briefly and then looked back at the road. "Why would I do that?"
Ming sighed. "Ah, well, because she just…doesn't seem like the right person for you…"
"What makes you say that?" Ji Hoo smirked over at his friend. He knew there was absolutely nothing Ming could say to change his mind about Jan Di, but he was curious to hear his thoughts.
"Well, she…," and Ming seemed to be choosing his words carefully. It was odd to Ji Hoo. Last time—and typically—Ming just came right out and said what he was thinking. He had no filter when it came to that sort of thing. But perhaps the Chinese man was being more cautious, out of respect, since he was marrying Jan Di now.
Ming continued to hesitate.
"She…what?" Ji Hoo cocked a brow, enjoying teasing him a little.
Ming sharply exhaled. "Well, for starters, she's not exactly the best-looking girl you've dated…"
Ah, here comes the bluntness...
"And she doesn't dress well. Plus, she eats more food than I've ever seen someone eat!"
"You told me all this the last time, you know," Ji Hoo quibbled.
"OK, but come on! Surely, you haven't forgotten about the bathroom incident and how she cried for hours after?!"
Ji Hoo chuckled at the memory he'd promised to erase. Poor Jan Di-ah… She was so humiliated. Attempting a straight face, "I remember," he replied.
"What about the way she looked in the morning, huh?" Ming grimaced, "Do you really want to wake up to that each morning?"
This time, Ji Hoo had to stifle a laugh. He knew he should probably be angry with his friend for insulting his fiancée the way he was, but it was more amusing to him—because he thought the exact opposite of Jan Di. "Yes, I do," he answered the rhetorical question. "To me, she's beautiful."
Ming just shrugged.
"Besides, she's been living with me for quite some time now, Ming-ah. I know all about what she looks like in the morning, as well as all her little quirks." Ji Hoo turned his head briefly to his friend. "Are you really trying to talk me out of my wedding, my friend?"
The Chinese man chewed on his lip guiltily. "Well, no, I…I just want to see you happy, Ji Hoo-ah."
"I am happy, my friend, very happy," Ji Hoo replied immediately. "So, you can feel free to be happy for me, too."
"But I just don't get it, Ji Hoo," the Chinese man puzzled. "You're really going to be happy being married to her? Why?"
Again, so blunt…
"Because I love her."
Ming's nose wrinkled up in confusion, and Ji Hoo let out a laugh. "You just haven't really gotten to know her, Ming-ah. Jan Di has a lot of good qualities that you don't know about."
Ming's mouth fell open like a fish. "Like what?"
"Well, she changed my life, for starters…"
Ji Hoo's statement sparked the Chinese man's interest, so he went on to explain just how she had done that and all the Wonder Girl had meant to his life.
. . .
Ji Hoo finished his speech with, "And that's why I'm marrying her." Then, he studied his friend, who appeared almost convinced of Jan Di's good points. "You really should get to know her better, Ming," Ji Hoo added.
And Ming began stroking his chin as if he planned to do just that…
Later that Morning…
Jan Di was headed out to meet Jae Kyung and Ga Eul, in order to complete some last tasks before the wedding, when she received a call.
"Yoboseyo."
The male on the other end greeted back loud and energetically.
"Ming-ssi? Is that you? How did you get this number? I mean…um…I'm surprised that you're calling me…"
…
"Well, I um…"
…
"But I have some errands to run. I was just going to meet some friends right now…"
…
"Ye..."
…
"Ye." She nodded along on the phone, while listening to his extended reply.
. . .
"Arasso…"
A sudden click ended the call, rather rudely. "Yoboseyo? Yoboseyo?"
Sticking her phone into her back pocket, "Aigoo…," she muttered.
Ten minutes later, Jan Di was seated in the back of a black stretch limo with Ming—she on her side, he on his, as far from each other as they could possibly be. She was feeling a bit angry because the brash Chinese aristocrat had wormed in and thrown off her plans. She'd had to call Jae Kyung and Ga Eul to explain the whole thing, but fortunately, her friends were very understanding. And she was glad they'd agreed to go along today. Perhaps they would make a nice buffer…
Ji Hoo's old friend had called Jan Di up shortly after leaving Ji Hoo and insisted on spending the day with her. She could have dropped over dead from shock. Once she recovered, she attempted to explain, as politely as she could, that she had a lot of things to do and was meeting her friends. But he wouldn't accept it. And he had basically invited himself along.
By the time Ming called, he had already hired a driver and was on his way to pick her up, so there was no saying 'no' to him. She might've tried harder to get out of it, had he not given her a guilt trip about doing it for Ji Hoo. As if he didn't know that would be her weakness…
Speaking of her fiancé, Ji Hoo had been called to the Foundation for a meeting, so that left her home alone to greet Ming.
Upon arrival, the Chinese man stepped out of the car, wearing a fine suit—as fine as anything F4 would wear. Perhaps being in their world had rubbed off, for Jan Di thought she even recognized the designer.
At first greeting, Ji Hoo's old friend examined Jan Di thoroughly. Immediately, his lips curled up in that condescending sneer of his, suggesting he disapproved of her casual floral romper and Grecian-style sandals. But then, he put on a big—clearly fake—smile. "Let's go!" he cheerfully said in Korean, as he yanked her by the arm into the limo.
But once in the backseat, the tension began to wash over them. Jan Di attempted some friendly conversation—about his flight and how things were in Macau. He answered her in brief but didn't attempt to start a conversation with her. When she ran out of things to say, she just gave up and silently stewed.
The two stared out their respective windows for much of the drive to meet the girls. After a good fifteen minutes of nothing, Jan Di decided to speak her mind. "Ming-ssi?"
His hands neatly folded in his lap, he just looked at her.
"Is this…really how you want to spend your time today? With me?"
Ming thinned his lips, and he gave the barest of nods before looking out his window again.
Clearing her throat, Jan Di persisted, "But…why?"
He'd said it was for Ji Hoo. Had Ji Hoo asked him to spend time with her? It didn't seem like something he would do…
Ming turned back to her. He seemed amused by the question—or perhaps wondering that himself…
"What I mean is...," Jan Di quickly explained, so as not to come off as rude, "You're, of course, welcome to join us, but I would have thought that you would rather spend time with Ji Hoo today."
Ming's smirk warned Jan Di to prepare for some snotty comeback, but one never came. Instead, he remained polite and said, "I'm going to bond with you."
"Ehh?"
Ming scoffed, "I know you're not very bright, so I'll explain…"
Jan Di glared over at the pompous man. So much for being polite…
"Ji Hoo-ah said I should get to know you, so that's what I'm doing." Simple and to the point. But he seemed sincere about it, even if begrudgingly so.
"Ahh, I see." So, that explains it… Apparently, he would do anything for Ji Hoo, too.
With a sigh, Jan Di folded her arms and looked out her window. Ji Hoo-ah, what did you get me into?
And they sat in silence for the remainder of the drive.
At Shinsegae Department Store, Jan Di could tell that Ming was doing his best to be nice—at least at first… He'd allowed her to run a couple of errands and then offered to take them out for lunch. The Chinese man had also been keeping his sarcastic comments to a minimum, but Jan Di thought he would have a heart attack when she suggested having a quick bite at Lotteria. Ming refused and insisted upon going to a nice restaurant nearby.
From there, Ming started dominating the outing, dragging the girls wherever he wanted to—or thought they should—go. It turned into an argument a few times with Ha Jae Kyung, who had the domineering personality to match Ming's. Although, Jan Di found Jae Kyung to be much nicer about her bossiness…
At one point, the two got into a heated argument in—what Jan Di assumed was—Chinese. And all Jan Di and Ga Eul could do was watch while words they didn't understand were bounced back and forth like pong balls. After Jae Kyung apparently told Ming off in Chinese, she caught up with the other two. Linking arms with them, she muttered an insult about him in English, not knowing he also spoke the language.
"I heard that!" Ming shouted back at her English.
When the group passed by Victoria's Secret, Jan Di stopped. Since her entire family got into her head about it, she had decided that she would buy some new sleepwear. Even though she knew she didn't need to entice Ji Hoo, she still wanted to please him, so she decided to put forth some extra effort.
Understanding what she must be thinking, Jae Kyung threw an arm around Jan Di's shoulder. "Do you want to go in?" the heiress slyly grinned. Standing on the other side of her, Ga Eul looked to Jan Di.
"Umm," the Wonder Girl hemmed and hawed, and then she looked to Ming, who had stormed off ahead but was now looking back impatiently. Honestly, she was surprised he hadn't ditched them by now—and she wished he had.
"Yes," Jan Di whispered, "I do, but…," and she gestured subtly toward Ming. She certainly did not want Ming, of all people, around while she picked out lingerie to wear for Ji Hoo. The only person who could possibly be worse would be Madam Kang, or perhaps Gu Jun Pyo…
Horrified by her own imagination, Jan Di shook off such thoughts.
"Ahh, I see," Jae Kyung nodded in understanding.
By then, Ming had approached and was standing before Jan Di with arms folded. Realizing what she had in mind, he motioned toward the store. Jan Di shook her head, but he grabbed her by the arm. "Let's go!" he said, yanking her away from Jae Kyung before the heiress knew what hit her.
Jae Kyung quickly followed them into the store, as did Ga Eul. Once inside, the girls searched around for Ming and Jan Di. When they caught sight of them, Ming had already dragged his victim over to a rack of bodysuits and was holding up a crimson-colored lace teddy to a clearly mortified Jan Di. With a not-so-subtle sneer, he shook his head, as if it wouldn't do at all. Then, he put it back on the rack.
Jae Kyung's temper flared at seeing Ming's rudeness toward her dear friend, so she stormed up to him and wagged a finger in his face. They started bickering back and forth in Chinese again, while everyone in the store stared.
Jan Di wanted to die.
Then, Jae Kyung forcefully turned Ming around and began pushing him toward the exit.
"Nǐ fēngle!" Ming shouted at Jae Kyung, as she shoved him out of the store.
"I'm not crazy; YOU'RE crazy!" Jae Kyung shouted back in English.
And Jan Di and Ga Eul stood there, staring after them…
Once the bickering pair had left the store, Jan Di exchanged a look with Ga Eul. The teacher smiled sympathetically at her best friend. "Hey, why don't we pick something out while they're gone," Ga Eul suggested.
Jan Di smiled and nodded.
After somehow managing to get everything done, they all stopped for a much-needed coffee break at Angel-in-us Coffee. But during their coffee break, Jae Kyung got a call and had to leave.
Jan Di thanked her for her help and bid her goodbye, but before leaving, the heiress pulled Jan Di aside. "You'll be OK with…?" She scowled in Ming's general direction.
Jan Di smiled. "Of course, Unnie. Don't worry, I can handle him."
Jae Kyung reluctantly went to leave, insisting that Jan Di call her if she needed anything. Jan Di agreed; they hugged, and Jan Di returned to her table. When she returned Ming was already butting into Ga Eul's personal life, so Jan Di attempted to change the subject. But then her phone rang.
She excused herself and walked away to take it. It was Ji Hoo calling from the Clinic to ask where she was and if she needed a ride home.
"No, that's OK. I'm at Shinsegae with Ga Eul and Ming-ssi. Unnie had to leave."
. . .
"That's right."
. . .
"No, your hearing is fine, Ji Hoo-ah. Yes, I said with Ming," she reiterated for her stunned fiancé.
. . .
"No, I'm not joking."
Afterward, there was a silence.
"Ji Hoo-ah? Are you there?"
. . .
Jan Di laughed a little. "Yes, I'll tell you all about it when I get home." Then, she gave him a quiet 'I love you' and ended the call.
After coffee, the trio headed toward the mall exit. Along the way, they walked past a sign for a Day of Beauty sale, which apparently gave Ming an idea. Suddenly, he was announcing—loudly—that he planned to give Jan Di a makeover. Before either could protest, the Chinese chaebol had clutched onto a hand of each of the two remaining girls and dragged them into the nearby salon.
Not long after, Jan Di and Ga Eul were seated in black vinyl styling chairs and surrounded by a pair of hairdressers, who already had their hands deep within their hair. Ming had chosen a curled, partial updo for Jan Di, and for Ga Eul, he'd decided that she should wear hers down in loose waves.
After hair, Ming took them for a makeup application at a department store makeup counter. Ga Eul suddenly had a moment of déjà vu as the makeup artist worked on her—of the time Yi Jeong had gotten her fixed up so they could exact revenge on Gu Soo Pyo.
Once their makeup was done, Ming dragged the girls off for glamour shots at a small photography studio in the mall. He made a couple derisive comments about the state of the place but said that it would have to do given their time constraints. Ming had also wanted to change the girls' clothing prior to the shoot, but Jan Di and Ga Eul protested, so he simply chose props and accessories to 'make them look better.'
First, Ming had Jan Di pose alone while throwing his weight around about how she should pose. He had her pose in numerous positions and even jumped in a few shots himself. After what seemed like hours to Jan Di, he moved on to Ga Eul. Then, he had the photographer take a few of the three of them. It must have looked like such an awkward group, but Ming didn't seem to notice.
At the end, Ming bought prints of the photos to give to Ji Hoo. That seemed OK, but to Jan Di's chagrin, he also ordered a GIANT canvas photo print of her, as well as one of her and him, to hang up in their home. Jan Di accepted, but only because it was useless to try and refuse him.
But oh, she could just picture the huge portrait of herself and Ming hanging in their entryway… She supposed they could just break it out on the—hopefully—rare occasions when he came to visit...
At the end of the day, Ming dropped off Ga Eul and then Jan Di. As Jan Di exited the car, he handed her a shopping bag—Louis Vuitton. "What's this?" she asked.
Without looking at her, he replied, "Oh, nothing much," and he brushed some invisible dirt off his suit jacket. "I just thought…you would look smart with it."
Blinking rapidly in amazement, Jan Di reached into the bag and pulled out the designer brown, canvas hobo bag. "This is…for me?"
He nodded. "Yes. And today…wasn't so bad. It was almost…fun."
Jan Di was stunned. The man hated her guts, at least until today, and here he was buying her an extremely expensive purse for no reason at all.
Jan Di bowed to him from outside the opened car door. "Thank you very much, but I can't accept this," and she placed the purse back inside the shopping bag and shoved it at him.
With a sigh, Ming shoved it back at her. "Just take it."
"But—"
"Call it a wedding gift," he smirked.
"But…b-but...," she began to protest.
"But, b-but," Ming mocked her. "You're not very articulate, even in your own language, are you?"
Jan Di started to scowl, but her mouth decided to go another direction, and she smiled. With a shake of her head, she leaned across the seat to give Ming a quick peck on the cheek.
"Ewww! What did you do that for?!" The Chinese man frowned and furiously wiped the kiss away as if it were poison. Somehow, it reminded her of something Gu Jun Pyo would do. Jan Di chuckled, and then Ming smiled, just barely. "Congratulations. I guess…Ji Hoo-ah didn't pick such a terrible girl, after all…"
Jan Di froze until Ming started laughing at her. "Stop staring off into space, dummy! Now, go on. I have to meet Ji Hoo-ah soon." When she took too long, he grew stern and raised his voice, "Get out of here, babo!"
With a shake of her head, Jan Di took the bag and shut the car door. She waved to Ming as the car pulled away, but due to the tinted windows, she couldn't tell if he waved back.
That Night…
It was the night before the wedding, and F4 and Ming were hanging out at Jun Pyo's lavish new penthouse, while Ji Hoo gave the women free reign of his home for the night. Jun Pyo's butler had prepared a feast for them, and Woo Bin brought the alcohol. They had already played pool and some video games, and presently, they were just sitting around talking.
"Are you sure you don't want to go out somewhere, Ji Hoo-ah?" Yi Jeong questioned.
"Right, anything you want to do…one last time?" Woo Bin emphasized the last three words.
Ji Hoo was seated in his usual chair, as was Jun Pyo. F2 and Ming sat on the couch, with Ming being closest to Ji Hoo's chair. "No, I'm fine with just hanging out here. I don't need to do anything one last time," Ji Hoo remarked. "Jan Di is all I need now…"
Jun Pyo smirked a little, but his eyes expressed his understanding. Glancing to the others, Ji Hoo awaited some comeback, such as that he was a wimp or pathetic or whipped or something, but they said nothing.
F2 exchanged a look that fully expressed their thoughts. Truthfully, they couldn't combat that. It was too sweet, and being happy as they both were, they couldn't bring themselves to bust Ji Hoo's chops.
Jun Pyo had invited Ji Hoo's old friend from Macau over under duress—because Ji Hoo wanted him there, and it was his night—but the Shinwha heir barely tolerated the guy; whereas, Woo Bin and Yi Jeong seemed more amused by him than anything.
Ming had been sticking to Ji Hoo like glue all night, so when F4's 4D boy got up to go to the bathroom, they were all surprised the Chinese man didn't go with him. Instead, they all sat there in tense silence, waiting for their engaged friend's return.
Finally, Yi Jeong broke the silence. "Can you really believe Ji Hoo and Jan Di are getting married?" he asked incredulously.
"Not anymore," Woo Bin commented. "I was surprised when they got together at first. I mean, I always knew they shared a bond, but I didn't think it would end up happening. Even after…," and glancing to Jun Pyo, Woo Bin quickly shut up.
Jun Pyo shook his head at Woo Bin. "Ya, why are you looking at me?!"
"No reason," Woo Bin said, glancing away. Even though everyone had moved on, it was still a somewhat uncomfortable subject. And F2 tried to tiptoe around it.
But Jun Pyo didn't act like he cared much, so Yi Jeong went on, "I'm trying to figure out when I first noticed Ji Hoo's feelings for Jan Di…," the ex-Casanova stroked his chin. "I think I first saw it when he went to her rescue at the party for Seo Hyun. He'd never stood out in public or done anything like that before, so I had the feeling he cared about her a little."
"Yea, yea, man," Woo Bin agreed. "That was strange..."
This time, both Woo Bin and Yi Jeong looked to Jun Pyo, gauging his reaction. But he only joined in the conversation. "I thought it was really weird that he helped her out after I sent her the Red Card."
F2 agreed.
Even though he had no idea what they were talking about, Ming jumped in. "I saw Ji Hoo's feelings for her right away!" he exclaimed smugly. And they all turned to look at the Chinese man.
"When they were in Macau with me… I saw it right away. Ji Hoo would always look at her and smile, and he was really nice to her, even though she was really annoying…"
Suddenly, Ming had three pairs of angry eyes burning into him. "What I mean is…," he giggled nervously. And then, to change the subject, blurting out, "Ooh, ooh, I have a story about Jan Di!" and he raised his hand like an eager student in class.
Holding F3's attention, Ming related the tale of Ji Hoo walking in on Jan Di in the bathroom…
By the end of the story, Ming was breathless from laughter. "And then…and then…Ji Hoo-ah was knocking on the door trying to console her and get her to come out of the bedroom for about a half hour!"
Looking to F3, Jun Pyo's eyes were wide in shock. Woo Bin was chuckling, and Yi Jeong was rubbing his temple while smirking. The potter was the first to comment on the story. "I just can't picture Jan Di acting that way…"
"Yea, she's so tough," Woo Bin commented.
"Well, it happened!" Ming insisted.
"I suppose it kind of makes sense. I'm sure it was humiliating for her, and Geum Jan Di does have her pride. That's probably why she got so upset," Yi Jeong noted.
But Jun Pyo didn't find the story quite so amusing as the others. In fact, he was angry about it. How dare this guy tell a story like that about Jan Di! Fighting his urge to beat the Chinese man, he ordered them all, "Don't you guys EVER say anything to her about that!"
"Oh, I wouldn't dare," Yi Jeong raised his hands innocently.
"Me either. I don't wanna die!" Woo Bin chuckled.
The Shinwha heir scowled at the Chinese man, who quickly clammed up.
By the time Ji Hoo returned, everyone was eerily silent. Eyeing them suspiciously, the Golden Boy settled back into his seat. When the silence persisted, he asked, "Did I miss something?"
Jun Pyo shifted in his chair, while Woo Bin and Yi Jeong looked between one another. Then, Ming spoke up, "No, nothing, Ji Hoo-ah!"
When Ji Hoo didn't seem convinced, Yi Jeong informed him that they were just telling favorite stories about Jan Di, which spawned a conversation about their first encounters with the Wonder Girl…
Ji Hoo informed them all that he had seen her first, when she stumbled upon him playing his violin on the outskirts of the campus. Woo Bin and Yi Jeong related that they'd first noticed her when she stepped up to Jun Pyo after he shoved a homemade cake in the face of one of his adoring fans.
That took Jun Pyo back to that time…
"Do you have something to say?" he recalled asking the bold new girl who'd dared to get in his way.
"She really seemed like she wanted to say something," Jun Pyo said, smiling at the memory.
"Yes, she planned to tell you off that day," Ji Hoo informed with a grin. "But I guess she lost her nerve."
Chuckling, Yi Jeong chimed in, "Well, she certainly managed to make up for it later." And all but Jun Pyo recalled the ice cream incident with amusement.
"She was asking for trouble that day!" Jun Pyo scoffed.
"I'd say you were the one asking for trouble, messing with Geum Jan Di, Jun Pyo-ah," and Woo Bin clapped his friend on the back.
"Yeah, she was only sticking up for her friend," Yi Jeong added.
Jun Pyo grumbled, and F3 laughed.
"She was always getting into trouble, though, wasn't she?" Ji Hoo spoke wistfully of his wife-to-be. And that led to a discussion about Jan Di's knack for getting into trouble.
Ji Hoo, himself, vividly recalled every terrifying incident—the kidnapping, the injuries, the near-drownings… She'd certainly scared him half to death more than a few times…
Meanwhile, Ming sat there, just listening. He didn't really understand the whole Jan Di lovefest, but he now had to admit that there was something almost likeable about her—and he hated that!
"So," Ji Hoo turned to Ming, "After spending some time with my fiancée today, has your opinion of her changed at all?"
The Chinese chaebol chewed on his lip, as he recalled their day together. Finally, he answered, "I guess she's really not so bad…"
It earned the biggest smile from Ji Hoo, which pleased Ming greatly.
Afterward, the guys moved on to more pool and drinking. The night wore on, growing raucous at one point, but then dying down. And the men talked more.
"So, as the married man in the group, do you have any advice, Jun Pyo-ah?" a slightly tipsy Ji Hoo asked.
Jun Pyo scoffed. "Ya, Yoon Ji Hoo! You're actually asking me for advice on being married?"
"Yes," Ji Hoo replied sincerely.
With a haughty grin, the Shinwha heir thought for a moment. "Well… I'm not gonna tell you that marriage is easy, or everything is gonna be perfect like you probably want to hear. Even if you love her, you have to let go of some…fantasies…and expectations sometimes. You have to let the other person win sometimes, too. Even when they don't deserve it," he snorted. "But I'd say that…mostly, it's…pretty good."
Ji Hoo and Jun Pyo exchanged a smile.
F2, on the other hand… They may have been unable to tease the lovesick puppy that was Yoon Ji Hoo, but they couldn't resist messing with Jun Pyo a bit. "
Wau, Jun Pyo-ah! I think that's the most beautiful thing you've ever said," Yi Jeong commented.
"Yea, yea! You said it, my brotha!" Woo Bin joined in.
"And very wise, too. You've really matured since getting married, Jun Pyo," Yi Jeong added.
"Ya, shut up!" Jun Pyo barked. "I was always mature, ever since I was born!"
At that, F3 laughed riotously.
"Since you were born, Jun Pyo-ah, really?" a drunken Woo Bin chuckled. Immediately, Jun Pyo went after him. He attempted to get him in a headlock. The Mafia Prince outmaneuvered the Shinwha heir, but in his inebriated state, he fell.
"Apparently, I was wrong about the mature thing," Yi Jeong observed, as he moved to help his friend off the floor so that he stood a fighting chance. And then Jun Pyo after both of them.
Being in the Shinwha heir's path of vengeance, Ming hopped out of the way, just in time. Meanwhile, Ji Hoo slumped slightly in his chair, with one leg crossed over the other and chuckling softly, while Ming cowered behind him.
After some more roughhousing and a comment by Woo Bin about there being 'two down now,' things settled again, and the guys went to sleep.
Meanwhile…
For her bachelorette party, Jan Di wanted a low-key affair, so she'd invited Jae Kyung, Ga Eul, and Woo Bin's girlfriend over for a slumber party. Briefly, she had wondered if the idea was childish, but her friends loved it.
So far that evening, the girls had participated in the typical slumber party activities: talking about guys—their guys—watching a romantic movie, eating ice cream, and wearing cute pajamas.
A little later, Jae Kyung broke out a bottle of soju and suggested playing a game to liven things up. She said she needed some excitement, given that she was a boring married woman now, who everyone was pestering to have a baby.
So, Ga Eul suggested the game 'Most Likely,' which involved a player bringing up a scenario, and at the count of three, the other players each pointed to the person that they thought was most likely to do that thing. And then each person had to take the number of shots based on how many people had voted for them.
The game began innocently enough, with questions such as: Who is most likely to get sick on a roller coaster; who is most likely to travel abroad, and who is most likely to spend way too much on a shopping spree?
But as the night wore on—and with the added consumption of alcohol—the questions became sillier and kinkier… This was mainly the fault of Ha Jae Kyung and her latest partner in crime—Woo Bin's new girlfriend, who had been egging the tipsy heiress on all night.
When the girls first met the 'Mafia Princess,' they found her standoffish and intimidating. But, wanting to bond with her betrothed, the strong, lithe beauty had attempted to get to know the girlfriends of his best friends. Therefore, she'd attempted to befriend Jan Di, Ga Eul, and Jae Kyung. And the girls had welcomed the mysterious foreign woman into their world without reservation. After doing so, they learned that, despite her background and first given impressions, she was quite personable and a lot of fun to be around. And the four of them had formed a fast friendship.
Jan Di and Ga Eul were relieved when Jae Kyung tired of 'Most Likely,' but then she wanted to move on to Truth or Dare, which Woo Bin's girlfriend was equally excited about. And the two more reserved members of the group reluctantly agreed.
Presently, the girls were all seated on cushions and blankets on the floor of Jan Di's room preparing to play the infamous game. "OK, I think our bride-to-be should go first!" Jae Kyung exclaimed, turning to Jan Di.
Omo… And Jan Di mentally prepared herself.
Jae Kyung made a fist, as if speaking into a microphone. She leaned toward Jan Di and spoke into her fist, asking, "Truth or Dare?" in an intense voice.
Taking a deep breath, Jan Di selected, 'Truth.'
"OK! The bride-to-be has chosen truth," Jae Kyung bellowed in her fake interviewer voice. Well, Ms. Geum Jan Di, this is something I've wanted to know for a long time… You absolutely MUST enlighten us…," and the heiress paused for dramatic effect.
. . .
And Jan Di waited, her nose wrinkling up in anticipation of the inevitably embarrassing question…
Jae Kyung paused a bit longer, extending Jan Di's torture before finally asking, "Is Yoon Ji Hoo good in bed?"
Jan Di's mouth dropped open, and Ga Eul, who had been taking a drink at the time, nearly choked on the liquid in her mouth. The sleek-haired girl managed to get it down but then broke out into a fit of coughs. Woo Bin's girlfriend worriedly clapped her on the back and asked if she was alright.
"Huh?!"
"Is he a good lover?" she reiterated.
When the question finally set in, Jan Di squealed in mortification, "Unnie!" and the Laundry Girl flopped onto the floor, throwing the covers over her head in the process.
Ga Eul stared down at Jan Di's form beneath the blanket. When several minutes passed and she didn't emerge, they all called out to her. The Wonder Girl didn't move, so Jae Kyung crawled over to the Jan Di-shaped lump and poked it. Sitting back on her heels, the heiress begged with clasped hands, "Come on, Jan Di-ah! Please tell us!"
"I really want to know," Jae Kyung persisted in a high, whiny tone. "It's a huge mystery to me. I mean, he's so quiet, but sometimes the ones who seem quiet and shy can be the wildest…"
Jan Di pulled the covers down past her eyes, just enough peer out over the top and glare at Jae Kyung. And then she hid her heated face again. Woo Bin's girlfriend was laughing now, while Ga Eul softly tried to coax her best friend out from her hiding place. When Jan Di wouldn't budge, Ga Eul decided to join in the teasing, "Actually… I'm kind of curious, too, Jan Di-ah."
At that, Jan Di removed the blanket—her face was bright red. "Ga Eul-ah!" she screeched in horrified betrayal before slinking back underneath the covers.
"Alright, you don't have to answer, Jan Di-ah," Jae Kyung spoke up, "but…if you don't then…you have to do a dare."
Jan Di peeked out.
"…And your dare is…hmm," the heiress thought for a moment. "Your dare is to call up Ji Hoo and…talk dirty to him!"
"What?!" Jan Di cried out.
"On video chat, too. So, we can see his expressions!" Jae Kyung added.
Ga Eul gasped, and Woo Bin's girl started giggling.
Yanking the covers off, Jan Di sat straight up, and shouted, "NO!" Then, she went right back under, this time determined not to come out.
"You're so terrible, Unnie," the teacher smirked, and then she placed a hand on what she assumed was Jan Di's arm. "Poor Jan Di-ah. Please come out…" The blankets bunched up, as Jan Di jerked from side to side underneath.
"If you don't want to do the dare, then you have to answer, Jan Di. Those are the rules," Woo Bin's girlfriend pointed out. "You can just say yes or no."
"W-ell," Jan Di squeaked from under the blanket. "We…haven't actually…you know…yet…"
The Mafia Princess and the Heiress exchanged a puzzled look. "Really?" Jae Kyung mumbled.
"How is that possible?" the foreign beauty mused. "Haven't you been together for years?"
"Yes…," came a soft voice from below the blanket. And reluctantly, Jan Di emerged. Glancing away from everyone, she mumbled, "Well, uh, we...decided to wait until we got married…"
"Wow…," the Mafia Princess uttered.
"Aw, that's so sweet!" Jae Kyung exclaimed.
And Ga Eul smiled.
"So, has it been tough for you to wait?" Woo Bin's girl asked.
Blushing, Jan Di replied, "A little… But, we have…done…other stuff, and that's been…really nice…"
"Whoo, stuff!" Jae Kyung exclaimed.
"Stuff is good," Woo Bin's girl commented. "Let's hear about the stuff, then."
Jan Di frowned. "I thought I just had to say yes or no," she grumbled, "Isn't it someone else's turn now?"
"Alright," Jae Kyung said, giving in. "I guess I got more out of you than Ji Hoo-ah…"
Jan Di's lips parted, "What? Unnie…? You…talked to Ji Hoo about this?! When?"
"Before my wedding," the heiress coolly replied.
World's Most Awkward Conversation, Jan Di assumed. She felt she should be angry with Jae Kyung for prying into their business, but she found herself more curious about what Ji Hoo had said.
"What…did you ask him? What…did he say, Unnie?" Jan Di stammered.
"Oh, I just asked if you'd slept together, and he got really embarrassed and nearly choked on his tea," Jae Kyung giggled.
"Unnieeee," Jan Di whined.
"I'm sorry, Jan Di-ah! I was just SO curious, and like Jun says, I'm a really bad girl."
"You're not bad, Unnie," Jan Di muttered.
Jae Kyung smiled at her. "Oh, but don't worry, Jan Di-ah! He didn't tell me anything about your relationship. I swear that man is made of stone!"
The heiress's statement evoked laughter from the group, but Jan Di only smiled warmly. Of course, Ji Hoo would choose to protect their privacy—her privacy.
"Oh! But I did make him blush!" Jae Kyung exclaimed. "I didn't think it possible. It was the funniest thing ever!"
"Unnie…" Jan Di sighed, while the others had a laugh over that, too.
All but Ga Eul, who, always on Jan Di's side, decided to move things along for her, "OK, NEXT!" she shouted out. "And I think the person whose turn it was last gets to choose. So, Jan Di-ah, who will your victim be…?" Ga Eul asked with a sly grin.
. . .
By the end of the night, exhausted from the festivities, the girls lay side by side on blankets on the floor. Ga Eul and Woo Bin's girlfriend fell asleep right away, but Jan Di and Jae Kyung remained awake.
When another hour passed, and Jan Di still couldn't sleep, she softly called out to Jae Kyung in the darkness. Jan Di couldn't see a thing, but she heard her right away. "Jan Di-ah?" the heiress's groggy voice came.
"Oh, Unnie, I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
"No. Are you alright?"
"Yes. I just…can't sleep."
Sympathetic, the heiress explained that she had a lot of trouble sleeping the night before her wedding, too. "Before both of them," she joked.
Jan Di laughed a little, and they started to talk…
"It's funny that here we are again, Jan Di-ah—having a sleepover, talking about guys… Do you remember that time when I stayed over? It seems like a million years ago…"
Jan Di did, and she smiled fondly. "Yes, Unnie."
That time seemed worlds apart from this…
"Only now, Jun is my husband and Ji Hoo is your fiancé."
"Yes." The mere mention of his name was enough to soothe Jan Di, and the reminder that they would soon be man and wife brought with it an unspeakable joy.
"Strange, isn't it?" Jae Kyung mused.
And Jan Di chuckled. "Yeah, a little…" But it wasn't really all that strange to Jan Di. In fact, it was just the opposite—it was right. Being with Ji Hoo felt comfortable and familiar, ordinary even, but wonderfully so.
"Are you happy, Unnie?" Jan Di suddenly blurted out.
"Yes, I am. Are you happy?"
"Yes," Jan Di smiled to herself in the darkness. And that seemed to be all that needed said, for she instantly found herself growing drowsy.
"Goodnight, Unnie," Jan Di whispered.
"Goodnight, Jan Di-ah."
The Next Morning, at Ji Hoo's Home
Jan Di readied for her wedding with only the faintest presence of butterflies in her stomach. Truthfully, she was more excited than nervous. And she should be; it was a very big day. In fact, this day was the culmination of everything she'd been planning for months—and dreaming about for years. It was the beginning of their lives together... Of course, when Jan Di thought about it, they'd had a life together for a long time now… This just made it official.
Jae Kyung had insisted that Jan Di go western, which meant she wasn't allowed to see Ji Hoo before the ceremony. So, the guys had gotten ready at Jun Pyo's and were now in a separate part of the house.
She felt a bit foolish, but she missed him already…
So, she focused on the task at hand—getting ready. Surrounded by her loyal group of three, the bride prepared for the ceremony. Ga Eul was doing her hair, while Jae Kyung worked on her makeup.
Jan Di was glad that Ji Hoo had recently trimmed her hair and cut her bangs into a neat fringe across her forehead. It looked nice. Ga Eul fluffed the bangs out a bit and pulled the rest back into a fishtail braid, which ended in a ponytail.
Just then, Jan Di's mother, dressed in a pink and purple hanbok, walked into Jan Di's room carrying her freshly steamed wedding dress. Gong-Ju hung the plastic-wrapped garment from a shoji room screen and gave Jan Di a few instructions on its care. Then, she hugged her daughter, kissed her on the cheek, and left the room quickly, before her emotions could overwhelm her.
After hair and makeup, Jan Di took her dress and went behind the room screen. She slid off the plastic wrap and hung it over the screen, taking a moment to gaze upon the dress she hadn't seen in months. Wow, it's more beautiful than I remember…
She found herself hoping she would do the dress justice. Perhaps it was a silly thought, but somehow, she believed she didn't deserve to wear the dress. And she was certain that she didn't deserve the man waiting just outside for her.
Jan Di stepped into the gown and pulled it up, zipping it as far as she could on her own. Then, she emerged from behind the screen.
Gasping, "You're beautiful!" Jae Kyung placed two hands upon her chest. Beside the heiress, Ga Eul smiled brightly at her best friend. "You're so beautiful, Jan Di-ah!"
In wordless agreement, Jan Di and the bridesmaids came together for a four-person embrace. And they shared a moment…
After pulling away from the group hug, Jae Kyung placed her hands upon her hips and insisted on having a closer look at the bride. After observing her carefully and deciding she was perfect, the heiress gave Jan Di another hug.
Just then, Grandfather knocked; he poked his head in when bid to enter. "Harabeoi!" Jan Di beamed over at him. Smiling, the elder Yoon man approached her. "You look beautiful, Child," he said.
"Thank you, Harabeoji," and she bowed before him.
A sparkle of emotion in his eyes, Grandfather reached out for Jan Di's cheek with his aged hand. He touched it, barely, and then turned to leave. But Jan Di stopped him. "Wait, Harabeoji!"
The old man faced her.
"You're just in time," Jan Di said. "Would you do the honors?" and she extended her hand to him. In her palm was the hairpin he'd gifted her.
Tears threatening to spill, Grandfather approached her. With a smile, he took the heirloom out of her hand. Jan Di turned around for him, and he slid the pin through the knot of her braid. Then, she spun around to face him.
"You're perfect now," he said, as he kissed her cheek. And Jan Di felt her eyes begin to water. "Thank you, Harabeoji. Thank you so much!" She threw her arms around his neck.
She clearly caught the old man off-guard, but he hugged her back. And then, in a gruff tone, he announced that he would leave her be.
After Grandfather left, Jae Kyung placed Jan Di's veil on her head and adjusted it, while Ga Eul handed over her bouquet.
Jan Di's bouquet was made up of white calla lilies with sprigs of Lily of the Valley mixed in, an addition inspired by Ji Hoo in New Caledonia. And the whole thing was bound by a white ribbon tied around the stems. The bridesmaids carried pink calla lily bouquets and were dressed in individually selected blush pink dresses.
Ga Eul's dress was cute and flirty. The strapless gown perfectly hugged the curve of her bust, while the chiffon skirt flowed over her hips and—due to her petite frame—hit her at the knees. Jae Kyung's one-shoulder satin gown was elegant, yet the fit and flare style gave it a sassy look to match the heiress's personality. The tallest and curviest of the three, Woo Bin's lady was stunning in a mermaid style. With a crystal-embellished sweetheart neckline, the dress accentuated her feminine curves just right, making her the envy of many a woman present. The other two bridesmaids wore their hair up—Jae Kyung's in an elegant bun and Ga Eul's in a side pony—but the Mafia Princess let her long, dark hair hang free as her spirit, her bouncy curls cascading over her bare shoulders like a curtain.
The time came, and everyone took their places outside. It was a clear day, with only a light breeze blowing. Earlier, it had been overcast, but the weather had decided to play nice. In fact, Jan Di couldn't have asked for a lovelier day to hold their wedding.
The ceremony was being held in the back of Ji Hoo's home—and the place that had never seen such color. The path to the altar was lined by a white aisle runner and sprinkled with rose petals. And white folding chairs, tied with bows, were set up on each side of the aisle to accommodate the guests at the intimate gathering.
At the end of the aisle, a string quartet from Ji Hoo's orchestra was assembled, warming up softly. And Ji Hoo stood next to the minister under a floral archway, awaiting the woman he loved.
Meanwhile, the blushing bride stood behind a pillar with her father, gazing out upon the stone walkway to Ji Hoo's backdoor, where the altar now was. In a moment of pure disbelief, Jan Di questioned whether this was actually happening, or if it was just some elaborate dream. To be so in love, and to be marrying her very first love… There was something magical and unbelievable about that. And it had been love at first sight—or at least something like that… Jan Di hadn't thought that kind of thing existed, not until she saw Yoon Ji Hoo.
Moments later, the string quartet began to play Bach's Air from Suite in D Major, stirring Jan Di from her reverie. Taking a deep breath, she watched as the procession began…
First, Woo Bin and his girlfriend walked down the aisle. Next, Ga Eul and Yi Jeong went, and finally Jun Pyo and Jae Kyung. The girls took their places on the bride's side, as the guys took their places next to Ji Hoo. Each of the groomsmen was immaculately and uniquely dressed. Yi Jeong was charming in a classic black tux and bowtie; Woo Bin was dashing in a slate blue suit that only he could pull off. Jun Pyo was also wearing black, but he was wearing all black—even the tie and handkerchief were.
While Jan Di awaited her turn to walk down the aisle, she thought of her memories with Ji Hoo—both the happy and the sad—in this very place…
The first memory that came to mind was a sad one—the memory of the time she came to bid Ji Hoo goodbye, just before leaving to meet Jun Pyo in Macau. She'd gone to say farewell to Ji Hoo, as he had done with her before leaving for Paris. At the time, she thought it would be easier to say it there than at the airport, and she knew that if she put it off it would only get harder. She'd even spoken the same words as he, "I'm really glad I got to know you…"
But those words seemed so hollow and did nothing to convey all that he'd meant to her—even back then. Her first love, her first broken heart... Recalling it made her chest ache anew.
When he said those words to her, she knew he meant it as appreciation… But it was bittersweet, for it meant that he didn't feel the same way as she did. And it also meant goodbye. She had been happy for him, though, because he was chasing after his dream—the woman he had loved for fifteen years. And as much as it hurt, she only ever wanted his happiness…
Ironically, months later, she came to see him with the same intent—to express her appreciation for him and to let him know that she planned to put her all into a relationship with another…
Back then, she was wholly convinced that her choice of Gu Jun Pyo was the right one. He was what she wanted more than anything, but as she walked away from Ji Hoo that day, she couldn't help but feel a heaviness, and seconds later, an emptiness… It was like a gaping hole had just been ripped in her chest. She couldn't explain it then, but she felt like she was losing someone irreplaceably valuable from her life, and somehow, she just knew she was going to regret it.
But things didn't exactly go as expected, and here they were…
Her next reflection was another sad one. She thought of the time Ji Hoo wandered in the rain after the confrontation with his grandfather. Ahead of her was the stoop where she sat waiting all night for him to come home. When he finally returned, he was completely soaked and in agony, and her heart went out to him. She could still see him standing before her on the path. She could see him close the distance between them, and she could still feel him collapse into her arms.
A quick glance to the left, through the clear, glass windows of the house brought a happy recollection. There was the spot where he'd trimmed her bangs for the first time—and so many times after…
Jan Di felt like she was taking a tour through her memories. The next stop—on her right and off in the distance—was the spot where they first washed his car together, which was her way of repaying him for the haircut.
That led her to look back inside the house, and she caught sight of the bench where they dried off after washing his car turned into a water battle. She recalled sitting cross-legged beside him and drifting to sleep, as he silently read poetry—a scenario she'd experienced many times since. Sometimes he read to her, and she loved that, but it was comforting just being beside him while he pored over a book.
Yes, there were countless memories in this house and surrounding it… Jan Di had time to make her way through several more before her time came.
At long last, the perfectly poised string ensemble began playing Pachelbel's Canon in D, which was Jan Di's cue to enter. When she didn't move right away, her father nudged her. Slightly startled, Jan Di's head snapped toward Geum Il-Bong, and she met his smile. Smiling back, she linked arms with her father.
As they began to move, Il-Bong sniffled, "Appa loves you, Jan Di-ah!"
"I love you, too, Appa," she whispered back. And with a deep breath, she went forth. This is it…
But she wasn't nervous or afraid. Instead, she was completely ready.
So, wearing her perfect dress, the lotus necklace Ji Hoo had gifted, and his grandmother's hairpin, Jan Di stepped out into the aisle on her father's arm. In doing so, her eyes locked with Ji Hoo's. And there it was—the look she'd been waiting for… Only, it was more powerful than she imagined!
As crazy as it might have sounded, everything in that moment seemed to fall into place for her. It was as if the stars had aligned or something, like the very heavens above were telling her that this was how it should be. All was finally right in her world.
Smiling brightly, Jan Di made her way down the aisle to meet her groom. She had attempted a steady gait, but that all fell through when she saw Ji Hoo. Now, she was just trying not to stumble. But focusing on him seemed to help. Somehow, she was convinced that he'd never let her fall.
And Ji Hoo had never looked more handsome, which was saying a lot. He was dressed in an ivory suit with a light gray vest and silver tie. It wasn't a color scheme she normally saw him in, but it looked good on him, nonetheless. Although, she was pretty sure he would look good in a paper bag…
With sure footing, Jan Di continued her walk. And fixing her eyes on him, she allowed his gaze to lead her down the aisle, like a homing beacon...
At the end of the aisle, Geum Il-Bong held onto Jan Di's arm a bit longer than he should have, prompting her to whisper, "Appa, you have to let go."
Ji Hoo smiled at the tender moment.
With trembling lip, Il-Bong let go; he pressed a kiss to her cheek and presented her to his son-in-law. Jan Di smiled as she took Ji Hoo's outstretched arm. The couple exchanged a loving look and then faced the front, prepared to join forever in holy matrimony.
The officiant began speaking, and Jan Di did her best to pay attention, but she couldn't help casting sidelong glances at her husband-to-be, who looked and smelled so nice. Ji Hoo seemed to notice this, for the corners of his lips twitched. But he kept a serious face on.
After the minister finished his speech—and there were no objections—the couple was bid to face one another. Ji Hoo took Jan Di's hands, and they stared deep into each other's eyes.
And they were asked to repeat the vows.
First came Ji Hoo's turn. "Yoon Ji Hoo-ssi," the minister began. "You, Yoon Ji Hoo are to become the husband of Geum Jan Di. Do you promise to love and respect her, to take care of her and help her, in joy and sorrow, in health and sickness, every day and forever?"
With a nod, Ji Hoo replied, "Yes, I promise."
Then, the minister turned to Jan Di. "Geum Jan Di-yang, you are to become the wife of Yoon Ji Hoo. Do you promise to love and respect him, to take care of and help him, in joy and sorrow, in health and sickness, every day and forever?"
"Yes, I promise."
The couple smiled at one another.
"Now, it is time for the exchange of rings."
At his cue, Jun Pyo handed off the rings he'd been guarding. Ji Hoo took the ring of his grandmother and mother and tenderly slid it onto Jan Di's finger. She, in turn, took the gold band with the silver lining that they'd chosen together and slid it on his ring finger.
In keeping with tradition, they each took a sip of the ceremonial wine. And they were pronounced man and wife.
Finally, came the kiss—their first kiss as husband and wife, the first of many to come…
Ji Hoo leaned in first, touching his lips to hers in an insistent, yet chaste kiss. His lips moved softly across hers in a way that suggested he wanted to deepen it, but he kept it dignified. She would've expected nothing less. Gently, Jan Di laid her hands on his broad shoulders, resting them against the perfectly pressed fabric of his suit jacket, as he kissed her.
And the moment was all she'd dreamed of since high school—and more…
***To Be Concluded***
A/N: I really mean it this time… The next one is IT! ;)