Waking up with the sun rising far away from her window, the sun rays begin to touch the sleepy face whose eyes didn't want to open up and welcome a new day. Eventually she forced herself to get up from bed and prepare to work as usual. It totally surprised her to look at the clock and see it was past the time she had to prepare, at this hour she was supposed to be heading to school. Hitting softly the side of her head, she scolded herself for not waking up sooner. At this rate she wasn't even going to be able to eat breakfast and that was going to be a huge problem for her.
Getting ready, she looked at herself in the mirror and knew that today she was a total mess. Then, she grabbed an apple and headed straight to open the door to leave immediately. All of a sudden she bumped into someone outside the door and this caught her by surprise. It was So Yi Jeong.
"Need a ride?" he asked with a radiant smile, knowing she was very late to class. Ga Eul nodded really fast without saying a word, she still couldn't believe he was there. Was she imagining or in a dream? she asked to herself while looking at the Casanova, expecting for him to disappear or vanish at any time and declare herself crazy. But none of those happened as he grabbed her by the arm and begin to walk.
It was odd to have his presence there at this time of the day, it was mostly Woo Bin who would appear from time to time in front of the door mischievously waiting to scare her to death. Even though she was happy to see him, Ji Hoo's words begin to come across her mind and she felt guilty for having to stay quiet about it. However, she thought for a second of spilling out everything she was told of his past but the memories of him being totally rude and a bit aggressive terrified her. There was no ideal time to tell him all she knows, so for now her mouth was going to stay shut about it and just hope he can open his heart about it soon.
The ride to the school was very quiet, just a few short sentences were made of how they were feeling at the moment. So Yi Jong noticed this but remained silent about it, knowing that at some point she would talk about anything that could be bothering her. But the country bumpkin was nowhere near to express her feelings towards the real problem, and this was making the Casanova get a little frustrated as the ride was almost ending.
Parking in front of the building of the school, Ga Eul turned to look at him and his worried eyes. "Is everything alright?" he couldn't hold the question anymore. She nodded without looking at him. It was difficult to keep as a secret all she knows. She was afraid to open her mouth and let it all out and exposed to him. There was no doubt that not only she will be affected but Ji Hoo too.
"Okay" Yi Jong quickly said before opening the door and getting out of his car. Ga Eul looked at him walking around the car, giving him an odd stare while he opened the door for her. At first she thought he was being a gentleman but when she saw how the Casanova grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the building, she didn't know what he had mind.
Everyone stared at them when she clatter up the stairs wondering why So Yi Jeong was with her. Nobody, except her class, knew about their relationship. Since the beginning of her career as one of the teachers at this school, Ga Eul always tried to keep a low profile around her co-workers and students, but now, this was too much. She tried to hide her face with her free hand but that was obviously not going to stop from everyone seeing them together. It embarrassed her in a normal way. It was like presenting her boyfriend to her parents again.
"Yi Jeong sunbae!" she whispered with a scolding voice while trying to pull away her hand, but the potter's grip was too strong.
"Ga Eul yang" her co-worker immediately said very surprise by what was happening in front of his eyes after opening the door from her classroom. He gulps really hard when he sees So Yi Jeong, but after some seconds his glare changed completely into one more profesional and turns to look at the country bumpkin.
"The kids are waiting. You are a bit late" even though it was a small scold, his voice couldn't sound more shy than now. It was always like that and for some reason Ga Eul couldn't stand it, however, she would show deep respect to him for how he had the ability to manage the kids.
"Sorry, it's my fault" Yi Jeong smiled and looked at his girlfriend for a second, giving her the I-got-your-back glare before returning to look at the male teacher. "I'm So Yi Jeong by the way. Ga Eul's boyfriend" he emphasized that last word, he clearly did and the country bumpkin noticed. This wasn't what many would call being 'friendly', this was totally 'marking his territory'. She knew him already and there was no way he could hide that jealousy behind that fake smile. At that moment Ga Eul squeezed his hand in sign that he shouldn't be like that, but the potter didn't care.
"So how long do you guys know each other?" still holding that smile, he placed his hand on top of her head and stroke her hair a bit, making the moment very awkward.
"uumm...I don't think its time for this kind of conversation, kids are waiting" right after those words he pushes the door to enter without caring much of what Yi Jeong just asked him. This made him visibly offended while Ga Eul tried to hold a smile. Suddenly, he unexpectedly went after the teacher, entering now to the classroom while the kids were looking at him and whispering things like 'is that sunsengnim's boyfriend?' or 'isn't him very pretty?'. Ga Eul rapidly followed behind and tried to make him go but it was just impossible.
"Sunsengnim" one of the students called her out and she turns to look at her. "What is he doing here?" the little girl asks with her hand still up. But before the country bumpkin could answer another student talked.
"Excuse me Mr., aren't you the one who visit us before?" a little boy asked him very curious, tilting his head to the side.
"Mr. I should say you look very pretty for my sunsengnim" the same little girl from the beginning placed her hands over her cheeks while smiling.
"What are you talking about? Both sunsengnims look better together" another student said while pointing at Jun Seo and giving a firm nod. So Yi Jeong gives a twisted smirk and looks at her with the most peaceful glance he could give.
"Well-" Ga Eul placed her hand on top of his mouth before the Casanova could something rude to the young girl.
"Behave" she whispers in his ear with a very serious tone. He didn't know how but it send him shivers under his spine for how scary she could get with this. It was clear that this kids and their education are greatly important to her.
Jun Seo smiled at this but nobody noticed. He was at the corner of the chalkboard trying to get unnoticed for now. After analyzing the situation he came with the conclusion that that So Yi Jeong was the reason of why Ga Eul's friend wasn't coming anymore. It made him feel relief, yes, happy to know that now he could deal with something more easier, someone more easy to handle. Nobody knows the secret he has been holding for so long, not even the main one who should know it, but it was all because he knew he could live with it. Lots of memories returned to him in that same moment when everyone was holding their attention to this F4 guy. He started to remember those times were he would get threaten by Ga Eul's best friend even when she didn't even pass through his mind one single time. Not even words were once exchanged between them in a friendly matter back in college. There was no interest whatsoever to meet her more than just a friend. Jun Seo only saw her as a classmate, someone who he would spend some time of his hours with, just that. But to Woo Bin's eyes, it seem more than that. He didn't know why but that led him to find curiosity of why the country bumpkin was so precious to that guy. At first he thought he was just her brother, but no, she once confirmed of not having any siblings. That was when his interest to know more of her striked harder. It was difficult to talk with her but when the opportunities came in, he would admire how a girl could have such an unique personality, a very pure heart and humble soul like no other. Evidently the bullying and threats kept incrementing with time as for how he would carelessly ignore the warnings and go against the words of Woo Bin.
Jun Seo kept overlooking at his warnings until one day...
"I'm going to give you a lesson for today" the Casanova said and this made Jun Seo snap back to reality. A small smirk appeared on his face while looking at all of them. Everything has changed now and he was more than grateful to live a peaceful and successful life now as a teacher. That was the only thing he cared about.
"You can all go now" the country bumpkin announced to the class when the bell rang. Everyone took their backpacks really quick and left to meet their parents outside the classroom. Only the three of them were still there a but silent while gathering up all the instruments the kids used. Ga Eul immediately became annoyed when she saw how Yi Jeong was trying to pick up more on his arms than Sun Jeo. It was some male pride she couldn't stand yet it was funny to laugh at.
"I may leave now" without waiting for any reply or reaction, the male teacher left the classroom.
At that instant the Casanova stands in front of her face with a serious gaze but doesn't say anything. It was like a eye-stare contest where every feeling could be told by just looking at each other. After some seconds Ga Eul gave up and turned to look for her things. "Why you never told me or Woo Bin about him?" asked after seeing the country bumpkin was never interest to give him an explanation.
"I didn't think he was a good subject to talk about, besides, even if we known each other for four years we haven't been that close of friends" grabbing her trench coat from the desk, she takes a quick glimpse at his face before heading to the door.
"FOUR YEARS, GA EUL!?" there was absolutely shock on his face while he tried to keep up with her pace outside of the classroom. Some teachers stared at him and it made the potter to get embarrassed by it, raising his hand in a greeting way and smiling before running to the country bumpkin again.
"You never told me this for four years" he once again said before getting to the car. A careless stare was giving to him and this offended the Casanova really bad. After that she gives a nod in response and shrugs like there was nothing wrong on that. Yi Jeong's mouth was still open in disbelief, he couldn't believe it.
"Aish! If you are going to be like this all the day then maybe I should just walk alone home" it was not even a maybe as she started to walk away from him and this, more than anything now, touched the deepest and sensitive part of him. This is what anyone would call 'acting like a girl'. Yes, he was being very emotional.
"Yah! Ga...Ga Eul!" he screamed as she was getting far from him. "If you don't come back here..." he paused and thought about any threat but he didn't have any on his mind.
"If you don't come back here I...I-I will go there and...make you get in the car" the threatening voice wasn't useful at all and even more what he said as this only made the country bumpkin smile. But that didn't stop her or made her feel compassion on how he was indirectly trying to beg her to go with him in the car.
Few seconds later and more farther from him, it felt weird how he gave up easily. It resulted completely odd how he wasn't trying anymore, and even when she wanted to look behind, her pride wouldn't let her. Suddenly, while all thoughts and worries rushed through her mind, the sound of a car got close to her and she could feel it almost beside her. It was So Yi Jeong.
"Come on, Ga Eul, don't do this to me" he begged while lots of people behind pressured him to move with the loud honks. The country bumpkin got really embarrassed by this as every angry eyes were set on her, making her feel the guilty one. Without thinking it she got in and soon enough the potter drove her off to the house with a happy smile.
"What does she want from him?" she thought to herself while looking through the window of her room. Lots of suspicions and assumptions sinned around her mind as she tried to discover why that commoner was all this years glued to his son. It was obvious the intention; that commoner just wanted their money. There was no doubt she was one of too many gold-diggers who have tried to persuade her son's heart into loving.
Taking a deep sigh, she took some pills on top of the drawer that was next to her bed and popped them inside her mouth to gulp it down. Her head was heavy, thumping so hard for the stress she has let it in. There was nothing better for than to lay down the head over a pillow and let it rest, but even that option didn't seem to make her happy. She couldn't stop thinking about her son and how worried she was for what that girl may result to be. Never did Yi Jeong thought about marriage but being a player, now here he was planning to marry soon a woman without any important generation nor a rich and stable socio-economic life between rich people. What could possibly her son have seen in that unwealthy girl? There was nothing outstanding of her, nothing that she could notice outside the normal in the dinner. What then?
A knock was suddenly heard and she gave the permission to enter. A man well-dressed came in and walked up to her. Mother So was still facing the window, but when she could feel his presence being closed, she turned her head a bit to side just to catch a glimpse of what the man was holding on his hand. It was a photo, a picture taken of Ga Eul. Then, again, the man gives her something else; an envelope. "I need to find out who she is and what she wants from us" she murmured to herself while the man quickly went away.
"Chu Ga Eul, better be careful with who you mess with" she said before opening the envelop.
"Why you brought me here?" her eyes were set to the workshop in front of her. It was a long time she hadn't visit this place. Only those times where she was completely she would come here and just enjoy the quiet and peacefulness of the memories they build together here. Sometimes she hoped while day dreaming that So Yi Jeong would appear there, that if she wished it every day it would come true. Even though four years have passed since the last time they were here, she felt like this was her shelter when difficult times would arrive in her life without the Casanova being present. This workshop was the only place she could feel more close to him during the most depressing years of her life.
Thereafter Yi Jeong got out of the car without saying a word in answer to her question, just a warm smile. Soon enough he opened the car door and pulled her out like if he was in a rush. Ga Eul didn't say a word and just followed him, besides, that was the only thing she could do as he was holding her with a tight grip.
Shock was written on her face right when they entered. It fascinated her to see all the flowers that were covering the workshop and even the pots and vases that Yi Jeong made. Her mouth was wide open by how happy she was to have this kind of surprise. Still, she didn't know why he was doing it. Turning around, the commoner gave him what-is-this glare and he just smirks.
"Happy Anniversary, Ga Eul yang" with the most calmest voice he spoke while looking at her with a loveable stare. Hands were inside his pocket not knowing what to do, thinking that the best thing was to just look at her and admire her beauty and happiness after so long of being absent to his eyes.
Ga Eul blushed and looked down a bit sad. "I totally forgot" in all her innocence she said and with her eyes expressed sorry.
"It's okay. What matters is that we are together and I want to make it until forever" he walked closer to her and held her hands.
"That's why, Ga Eul, I was so anxious to see this day coming. I was waiting for the moment to return here and see you and know that you're still mine, and what's best of all, it's that is going to be forever" she kept silence for how speechless she was by his words and the way he was holding her tightly, looking at her with a warming smile and heart-melting smile.
"Ga Eul, by all we have been through, I think we are ready for the next step, that is why I brought you here where no one can't decide but just us what we want for our future. Ga Eul yang, I want you to be my future, but make it soon please " she smiled at the last part and looked down for a second, thinking on all the sweet memories that existed on her mind about the past. After that, she looks at him in the eyes with a shine that no one could take it away.
"The past has been... amazing. It is full with many great things about us to remember. Now the present it's wonderful. I am seeing you right now and there's no better thing than that and than to love someone like you. The future... well, I'm not in a hurry to find out how it will turn out to be because in the end, I know it's going to end with you being by my side. I want to be with you, Yi Jeong sunbae" it was such awkwardness she felt for how those words came out she hid her face on the potter's chest. The Casanova could only smile widely at this, exploding of happiness in the inside and feeling like this was one of the best days of his life, but still, there was a last question to be asked.
Slightly pushing her from his chest, he looked at her in the eyes before talking "Ga Eul, do you want us to get married now?"
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