"Teacher, is it true that you're getting married?" one of her fellow students raised the hand to ask a personal question. Every other children in the classroom begin to talk all at once on how that couldn't be possible or that they wanted her to end up with someone else. Ga Eul smiled at the curious little ones, however, it still was a mystery on how they got to know such information.
"So is it true?" the same boy asked again trying to talk over all the others. Ga Eul nodded and some boys booed at this.
"Teacher, you said you were going to wait until I get older so I could be your boyfriend" he sounded disappointed and lower his head very sad.
All the different reactions led the country bumpkin to grin for how everyone, in their own way, loved her as the teacher. Even though it was just a few moments since they met on the first class, they bonded quickly with each other. Being a teacher not only consisted on helping them with an specific subject but making the kids learn about what shouldn't just be taught at home, and that was love and values. Ga Eul was sure she had taught them well.
"Are you going away?" another student asked with her eyes all hopeful that she wouldn't leave them.
"No. I'm just going for a while" all the kids sighed at this and were more relief to hear the good news.
"But teacher, where are you going? You just get married in one day, right?" the same girl questioned very curious.
"Yes, it's true one gets married in one day. But after that the married couple goes to a honeymoon" after she said everyone tilted their heads, not understanding what she was talking about. At that moment she regretted her words.
"What's a honeymoon?" the boy who was disappointed at how Ga Eul didn't wait for him asked, scratching the back of his head confused.
"I know what they do" another student got up on her feet and smiled brilliantly as the thought of being the only one to know there made her feel more smart. "They travel to the moon and eat lots of honey because it's sweet and delicious, just like their love" Ga Eul tried to hold her laugh back while the other children seem really convinced about her explanation.
"Teacher, I hope your husband is really rich because I bet a plane ticket to the moon is really expensive" the most little girl from the classroom said and everyone nodded at this.
On the other side, Ga Eul smiled at how innocent the kids could still be and she didn't want to change that at all. Of course they didn't have to know what really meant a honeymoon. At least that was not part of her job and she was more than thankful. Being a parent isn't easy but a teacher seem more difficult; being inside a room full of more than fifteen adorable yet hyperactive children was a challenge, and even more when it was about to bring their attention to the class and actually making them learn all at once. However, the commoner was happy and satisfied with the job she chose as her career. Kids could bring joy to her life and sometimes they would make her desire one, but that thought would be shaken away immediately.
The bell rang and the students raced to meet their parents outside while Ga Eul was left alone in the room, cleaning up the mess as every day. A sudden knock was made against the door and she turn to see Park Jun Seo standing in front of it.
"Are we still going out?" after he asked his cheeks blushed when it felt wrong how the question came out.
"I mean-"
"Yes. Come at my place at 7, the three of us will be waiting" with that being said, Ga Eul took her personal things and left the classroom without saying goodbye to the teacher. It didn't matter to him because all he could think about was the date that awaited him tonight. Even though it wasn't with the girl he wanted, at least he could get to see the country bumpkin.
After Ga Eul exit the building, it resulted strange that Yi Jeong wasn't waiting for her as usual. Looking at both sides of the parking lot, there was no car there except for Park Jun Seo's. Her home was blocks away from it, considerably taking her thirty minutes to get there. It wasn't a problem to her, even when Woo Bin had pick her up most of the time through four years, she still had her long walks from time time. Anyone could get used to it, or better to say had to get used to it when there was no car to afford. Park Jun Seo was another option she never used, or maybe it was because there was never an opportunity to use that option. But right now she wasn't in the mood to ask him and if he wasn't still out that meant there was work left to do. No, she didn't want to bother.
Along the way she checked the phone in the hopes for a new message or a missed call but nothing. It was really worrying her the situation yet she decided to call him when arriving at her home. The thought of being an easy walk changed little by little as all the notebooks and folders were becoming heavier to her arms. Also, the sweat wasn't helping much and every folder that was making contact with her skin was getting wet by it. The feeling was disgusting and she hadn't experience it in a long time. That made her meditate on how easier her life has been since having someone, or many people, be there for her at any need.
Suddenly, a black limousine slowly drive next to her until it stopped. Ga Eul knew she have been followed just a seconds ago. Wondering who could it be, the first thought that came into her mind was one of the F4 guys, but she was so wrong when another person stepped out of the limousine.
"Oh dear, would you like a ride?" it was the mother of Yi Jeong. She was as elegant as ever and impressively happy.
"Thanks but-" in the mid of bowing to apologize, Mother So grabbed her wrist and pull the commoner to get in. Of course, Ga Eul couldn't say no to this so she entered knowing the ride would definitely be awkward.
The door closed and Mother So sat across from the country bumpkin. Her eyes kept staring at her with such intense it made Ga Eul look down feeling very uncomfortable. "What are those?" out of nowhere she asked and that's when her head glanced up to meet her eyes.
"Oh, folders" she said very timidly. Mother So chuckled at this in disbelief.
"I know what they are, I'm just asking what are those papers about" she kept looking at them, a bit curious to make her interested.
"It's all the homework and exams from my kids" she smiled while taking a look at it.
"Your...kids?" her voice sounded a bit cautious on the way she asked.
"Yes. I love kids, that's why I became a teacher"
"I thought it was for the pottery" this took Ga Eul off guard. Mother So could sometimes know things she didn't understand how. Maybe that conclusion was obvious to her but not the country bumpkin?
"And that too. So I guess I'm lucky to have them combined" once again she let herself smile at this but didn't dare to look at her eyes in any moment after.
There was a silence then. Nobody speak, just eyes that took sight of the streets and the people walking from both sides. Her home was near at this point but it still seem far away as the seconds were painfully passing slowly when no one didn't talk. The folders were held tight against her chest, that was the cause of being nervous and having the anxiety to arrive home as soon as possible.
"Ga Eul" hearing her name shook all thoughts away and looked at Mother So. "Even though I didnt accepted you to marry my son in the instant I saw you, I have to say that you possess something quite unique" the words that come out from her mouth were soft and warm. She was speaking from the heart. A little rectangular white box was soon picked out from the inside of her purse. Ga Eul looked at it very attentively while Mother So kept talking.
"I still don't know what Yi Jeong found in you, but I hope someday I get to see it. In the meantime I'm honestly going to have the same thoughts about you that I always had since the beginning, but please give me time and be patient until I can adjust my way of seeing your social status" the sympathetic face of her soon-to-be mother-in-law impressed her so much and at the same time made her feel so happy about it.
The box that she was holding now was opened, leaving to Ga Eul's sight a beautiful golden necklace with the letter 'C'. It was simple yet it seem to possess a sentimental value. Mother So held it high and looked at it before glancing towards the commoner.
"I want to give you this" standing up from her seat to sit beside Ga Eul, she placed the necklace around her neck and smiled when it was perfectly hanging in the middle of her chest. The commoner couldn't stop herself from wanting to touch it.
"Why are you giving me this?" she asked very curiously while touching the letter 'C', wanting to know for what it stand for.
"A long time ago my true love gave this to me so I could always remember him. And every time I see this necklace, I see him. But of course, years has past and I'm getting old for this, so as a present for your wedding I wanted to give you something special, and here it is" she smiled at her as the car arrived in front of the building where the country bumpkin lives. Now it was all the way around, she didn't want to leave. This was the first time ever that Yi Jeong's mom was actually being nice to her, and that word got really short after she handed the necklace to her.
"Since it has the letter 'C' it can stand for Chu as in Chu Ga Eul, so I hope you fill it with memories, and that way when you get to my age you can look at it and will remind you of everything precious" after she said that, Ga Eul couldn't feel more grateful than ever as lots of 'thanks' were being said and even after she got out of the limousine. Mother So waved at her goodbye until they disappear from each other's view.
Right now her life couldn't go much greater except...the threats. Since that last thing she received there was no other threat, and that made her a bit relief. However, that didn't bring her peace at all knowing that at any moment the person could come back again with another threat. The detective hasn't communicate yet after the incident and that left her a bit anxious.
Thankfully those thoughts were forgotten when the hand of someone was waving at her from her window. It wasn't other than Jae Kyung, and judging by what she was holding on the other hand, she was at least putting neat the apartment.
Minutes later she gets to the front of the door and opens it to find her friend cleaning everywhere. The effort was big but the exception was that she was doing it all wrong. Instead of using the mop for the floor, she was taking out the dust from the walls and objects. The sponge was being used for the toilet while the table and seats were being used to hang the wet clothes. Ga Eul looked down at the last one mentioned and saw a puddle of water on the floor. She didn't even dare to ask with what she washed those clothes, but the smell was hitting here.
"What did you wash this with?" the country bumpkin was afraid to know the answer. On the other hand, Jae Kyung was very happy to help inside the apartment.
"Oh! With this" the bottle read in the front ammonia. "It really has a strong smell, so I didn't put much. But I don't understand how everyone can wash their clothes with this. Though no one's clothes has smell like this. Well, that's what I think, but I don't know. I never wear the same cloth two times" it was very typical of Jae Kyung to let escape from time to time comments like this.
"Yah!" Ga Eul immediately snatched the bottle from her hands and could see it was already empty, and that only could mean one thing. Going to the laundry room, she couldn't feel more horrified to see all the clothes piled up to the top inside the washer machine with that unbearable smell. Some others were already hung up but besides having that horrible smell, they were a mix of colors now. She pointed at them and waited for an explanation.
"Oh! Apparently, the chlorine makes it change. Fascinating, right?" the monkey grabbed one sweater with a mix of pink, purple and orange and placed it in front of her with a huge smile.
"I need a timeout" that's all the commoner said without wanting to explore more the apartment, or someone was going to die for this. Her eyes focused on just the door that lead to her room, once in there was another surprise waiting for her.
"HA JAE KYUNG!" she yelled her name very upset.
"Did you call me?" entering the room, she sighed happily of all the hard work made for today. Throwing herself to one of the two beds that were in the room now, she glanced up to the commoner who didn't seem happy at all.
"What have you done?" her bed sheets were changed into ones more colorful, sparkles couldn't be forgotten. There was a bunch of teddy bears and dolls around the room like if they were somehow surrounding the girls. Walls were covered with posters the most latest famous celebrities of Korea, except for the F4 of course. The desk that was once in the corner alongside the window had disappear and was replaced with a big karaoke machine. The closet wasn't left out from her remodeling as all her clothes were piled up together with Ga Eul's. Stickers were fixed in the inside part of the doors and the walls were purple.
A serious headache came right after seeing all that. It was like a total nightmare but this one was unfortunately real. Turning around, she saw the monkey lay back on the bed with a relax position and a wide grin while her eyes were closed. Even in that little moment she tried every single technique to calm down, from inhaling and exhaling deeply to counting from 1 to 10, but none worked out.
"Yah!" she screamed before throwing herself over Jae Kyung. Ga Eul wasn't definitely a girl of violence, and she realized it again right when she was on top of fhe monkey. However, a brilliant idea occurred to her as she grasped her hands tightly against the bed and made a weird sound with her lips. Jae Kyung suddenly got to know what she was about to do.
"Yah! Don't you dare!" she tried to act tough but was totally scared when the saliva was making its way to her face. Ga Eul suck it back to her mouth and sent her a devilish grin.
"Should I wash your face?" the country bumpkin asked and Jae Kyung shook her head vigorously, gulping really hard at what was coming next. Ga Eul let it fall down slowly this time and her friend tried to move away from it, but she acknowledge that shaking her body to the side would just make it worse, sending to herself the unwanted saliva.
Finally, after begging for mercy, the commoner let her go and threw herself to the side of the bed really tired. At last Jae Kyung could take a breathing, her heart was racing very fast and she touch her chest like if that would calm it down. Both stood silent for a moment while looking at the ceiling covered with star stickers, at least that was the only thing that looked nice.
"I really need to teach you how to do chores" Ga Eul said before sitting down on the edge of the bed. She looked around the room once more until her eyes stop to take a look at herself in the mirror.
"I don't know what I'm going to wear" first girl problems.
"Oh! I know!" getting up from the bed quickly, she disappeared down the hallway before coming back with something in her hands. "Now this totally goes with your skin color" Jae Kyung joked. It was a dress that was supposedly white but the washing machine made her the favor to add some yellow and green on it.
"Yah! That is...was my favorite dress" she pouted and look down to the floor. There was nothing decent to wear now, all clothes were ruined and the only saved were the ones she was wearing currently. The monkey took notice of this and felt immediately bad, it wasn't like she did it on purpose, she was trying to really help.
"Ga Eul" she called her name with a sorry voice and the country bumpkin raised her head to take a look at her friend. A hand was signaling her to get up and come, and it confused her, but after a couple of seconds Jae Kyung pulled her up from the bed to exit the apartment.
"Where are we going?" asked not knowing where she was planning to take her. She looked at the watch on her hand, they were late to get ready.
"The guys are gonna come in two hours" she urged to say but the monkey didn't pay her attention at all.
"We are gonna do some shopping" finally, after being inside the elevator and pressing the button to get to the first floor, Jae Kyung told her this was an apologize gift for the mistakes she made with her apartment and stuff.
"It's okay. I already forgive you" she smiled and hug her before almost pressing the button to get up, but her friend was fast enough to slap her hand away.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Ga Eul rubbed her hand softly when she waited for an answer.
"We are still doing some shopping. I mean, we have to impress them, right?" the grin that Jae Kyung let out was more than enough to make the country bumpkin change of mind and let her friend have it her way for now.
Being at the mall took them half the time they were supposed to be at home preparing for the date. However, being rich as Jae Kyung could make sometimes the situation easier and they were all dolled up at the stores they went to buy clothes. The hair couldn't be left out so they went to beauty salon. Pedicure and manicure were included and some chocolate treats for being VIP.
Thirty minutes and the guys were supposed to arrive. They were still out, the monkey have been interested on buying things for the apartment, always having in consideration the opinion of the commoner even when in times of hurrying her up. After many attempts on pulling her outside of the biggest temptation for Jae Kyung, they finally made their way back to the apartment ten minutes before the guys would come.
Exactly ten minutes past and a knock mas made on the door. The monkey was still checking every single bag with the items she bought when the sound alarmed her it was time to go, throwing everything to Ga Eul's room without even looking where it landed.
Opening the door, she found no other than Yi Jeong with a small bouquet of red roses in his hand. A smile was shot to her before giving the flowers, Ga Eul took it very carefully as if it could break.
"Thanks, sunbae" she said before noticing someone was missing. Taking a glimpse to both sides of the corridor, she looked at the Casanova for some explanation, but he didn't have any idea of where Park Jun Seo could be.
"Well, if he isn't coming, that just means you and me, right?" Yi Jeong getting pretty excited while hoping the male teacher wouldn't come. Ga Eul shook her head and glanced behind to meet her friend's disappointed expression, but when Jae Kyung saw that both were looking at her she immediately changed her gaze into a brighter one.
"Nope, that would just mean a girl date" she pulled the arm of the commoner from Yi Jeong's, separating them and bringing Ga Eul more to her. Nevertheless, someone appeared in the open front door with a big sunflower in his hand. It was Park Jun Seo and this brought a smile to the monkey, even more when the flower he was holding was for her.
"How did you know I love sunflowers?" asked while caressing it against her cheek.
"I did some...research" he looked at Ga Eul and give a quick wink. She responded back with a proud grin and a thumbs up without Jae Kyung noticing, however, Yi Jeong did and he didn't quite like it at all.
"How about we begin our night?" the potter asked and walked until the door to wait for his country bumpkin. A hand was offered to held hers and she didn't decline at all, taking it as soon as possible. Jae Kyung and Park Jun Seo followed behind feeling a bit awkward around each other. It was more likely to be the man who breaks the ice, but in this case it was all the way around as Jae Kyung was trying so hard to make him laugh with her silly jokes. It didn't work, it made the moment even more awkward that it already was. Ga Eul didn't pay attention to them for the first time and concentrated more on the Casanova.
"Are you nervous?" Yi Jeong asked all of a sudden when she was staring to the streets and the people walking on them.
"Huh?" she didn't know what he was talking about. If it was the date, that wasn't totally the case. The commoner was used to being around him, so what was the question really about? By the look on her face, the Casanova realized she was lost on what he try to meant.
"You know..." it was still hard for him to acknowledge that their future was about to change, and his imagination and fantasies were running loose inside the mind. "...our wedding" he tried to keep his cool and smiled at her before glancing to streets.
"Don't talk about it" that meant she was really nervous to even talk about the subject. That respond made him more happier than ever. This was the first time he was sharing with someone special the same happiness and joy for the same thing.
Finally, the limousine stopped at a place and everyone got out. Jae Kyung's eyes brighten by the sight of lots of movie billboards. On the other hand, Park Jun Seo didn't know if to follow her or stay behind as the monkey was admiring one by one every single movie that was displayed.
"Ladies choose" Yi Jeong said and waited for Ga Eul to pick one but her friend got ahead of her and select a horror movie. All heads turn to look at her like if she was crazy. It was supposed to be a fun and sweet not one filled with gore and masacres. Soon enough, she and the Casanova engaged into a discussion on what movie was the best election. The argument of Yi Jeong was based on having something nice to see and an excuse to be all cuddly inside the theater but Jae Kyung would bring her ladies-choose card to the discussion, leaving the potter without anything he could reply back.
The horror movie won by default and not everyone was as excited as the monkey. The tickets were bought and soon they entered to buy popcorn and nachos before it could start. The line was long as that night was the premiere of some other film, so to be patience they begin to talk to each other about random things. Yet, Yi Jeong would never direct a word to Park Jun Seo and this was upsetting the country bumpkin because they were supposed to have a fun time together, and he was doing the opposite by ignoring every single comment her coworker would make to the potter.
"Is it me or do I feel like someone is watching me?" looking around, there was no one suspicious that she could point at. Everybody was focused on their own thing, just some girls who would keep staring at the F4 member from far. What she sensed wasn't those girl's eyes upon them, but someone else. It really made her feel a little scared but after a few seconds she shook it off, believing it was just her imagination.
After fifteen minutes of waiting and being attended by the employees, they were finally in the big room. They sat down in the upper seats but not in the last ones. Not many were there, just a few people here and there, all scattered around the room. The commercials begun and thats when everyone paid attention to the screen.
Ha Jae Kyung didn't lose no time to start eating popcorn and same for Jun Seo, at least that could be taken as something in common. Yi Jeong wasn't much in a hurry, he cared to feed first his country bumpkin than himself. Plus, he was enjoying putting himself the food in her mouth while she didn't complain at all but blush.
The movie started and the beginning of it was really boring, at least to the monkey. There was so much talking and little to understand for her that she was about to regret having choosing it, but the action kicked in after thirty minutes that she felt wasted and people were getting killed by a psychopath. Each time a character would get murder she would laugh at it and people would stare at her, but it didn't take too long when she wasn't the only one being stare at and shush.
There was a louder laugh than hers in the room and it came from behind. Anyone at this point could have think both were in a competition of who could laugh harder at gory scenes where it wasn't to make fun of. Turning her head while eating popcorn to see who the person was, she found herself surprised to see the one and only Woo Bin. He was wearing a huge black jacket but his laugh and face, even in the dark, could be recognizable. At that moment he had forgotten the reason he went there and laughed throughout the movie like Jae Kyung. The couple looked behind and so did Jun Seo, and thats when Woo Bin noticed he was discovered.
"Yah!" everyone shush her again. When she couldn't talk, her hand signal him to come to her. Woo Bin gulped hard while Park Jun Seo didn't know what to do. Ga Eul kept staring at him, worried that with the Don Juan being present he would get all shy and uncomfortable again. Even when the monkey resulted to be a total pshyco for laughing with scenes like that, the male teacher was quite enjoying having someone different from the mass. And the most important thing was that she didn't care at all.
When the F4 member sat down beside Jae Kyung, she finally got to ask him what was he doing there. However, there was no immediate reply from him. Woo Bin was thinking too hard for an excuse but there was none that could be good.
"We have to talk, but when this movie ends" the first part was said seriously but then he turned to look all excited to the screen. Jae Kyung looked at him like she was upset, but when he recommended that, she shrug her shoulders and stare at the next scene while sharing her popcorn with him now. Both laughed in the same parts and it was getting really annoying.
"What its so funny about murdering people?" asked Yi Jeong very low so no one could complain about it. The two turned to look at him and then to each other before they chuckle.
"Isnt it obvious?" Woo Bin said like it was the easiest thing to figure it out, but the couple stood with the same confused expression.
"We are just laughing of how fake they act and it looks" the movie was considered one of the best of the year for its graphics and because the characters were played by very famous actors, so it was really weird to them on how both view the movie. They had to surely be the only ones who could see far more from what was played and act. Leaving them alone and ignoring their psychological problems, they tried to concentrate on the movie when a scene appeared that left Ga Eul with her mouth wide open. It didn't take too long when her friends noticed the same.
What do you think of this chapter?
Was Mother So being actually nice or was she faking it?
What about Jae Kyung and her remodeling?
What could they have possibly seen to be that surprised?
Leave your reviews and thanks. Sorry for the grammatical errors.