Thank you all for reading and commenting. It means so much. I really love reading your comments and guesses so much. I wish I could answer you're questions but I think it will ruin the mystery elements of both the characters and the plot.
It was Monday Morning.
A cloudy Monday morning where the trees were filled with people holding dark umbrellas that would add to the dark charm of the city. Jandi, holding her umbrella and covered with her waterproof coat, had caught her bus on time. With the 6-hour sleep she got thanks to the fundraiser last night, she seemed to be the only one with an active body as she walked into the empty campus. The students that usually didn't arrive early on Monday mornings, even the student council were dismissed for today. All members, including Jihoo, needed an additional hour of sleep and he had canceled all meetings and work for today. All her stuff placed in her locker; she had stopped by his office to notice he wasn't there before she headed to the library. She had forced herself to ignore the fact that she had cared to look and noticed how none of the F4 boys were there. They never arrived this early anyway, but why she had to notice their parking space, this was new.
Her favorite corner on the 5th floor of the library, she focused all her attention on her book, but a minute later, all her thoughts would be focused on her new favorite person she met yesterday. Seo-hyun. The girl she met once the auction wrapped up, Jandi, went through their whole interaction, from the first second to the last.
" This is Jandi," Jihoo had introduced her after calling Jandi to come to their table when the auction was paused for a break.
" Ohh, I have heard so much about you" Seo-hyun extended her famous smile Jandi's way turned all her attention to the girl that looked like one of the staff members.
" Oh," was Jandi's response as she tried to stop her eyes that were admiring every inch of the magnificent face in front of her. The woman she had been looking at all night looked even more magnificent from up close. Although she wasn't looking for one, Jandi couldn't find a single flaw. Not even a single wrinkle or pimple, on the gorgeous face that was glowing.
" Jihoo told me so much about you. I heard you slapped Jun Pyo," her smile getting even bigger, Seo-hyun whispered, leaning close to Jandi. The girl she had heard so much about, Seo-hyun, was startled that Jandi didn't look like what she expected. She wasn't expecting a happy-go-lucky person but may be a bit livelier than the one she was looking at. This one looked a bit emotionless as she stood there looking at her. The way Jihoo described her, Seo-Hyun expected a friendly and easygoing person, but no. Nor was she cute, as Jihoo says. She was beautiful in a very scary and intimidating way. It was mostly her sharp eyes. Seo-hyun slowly scanned Jandi from the walkie-talkie tucked into her black pants to her hair.
" It wasn't
"I am sure he deserves it," she interrupted Jandi before she even said anything; Seo-hyun gave another smile as she sent her right hand that landed on Jandi's shoulder. She removed it the moment she noticed how Jandi's eyes had stayed on her hand they wanted off of her body. Reading the cue, Seo-hyun removed her hand and brought it back to herself. This girl is a bit odd. Odder than Jihoo had described her. The fact that she had dared and slapped Junpyo wasn't even the major factor that made her interesting to Seo-hyun, it was how much Jihoo talked about her. The smile on his face, when he talked about her, had been what had grabbed Seo-hyun's attention and her excitement to meet this girl.
" You did that right thing, and that brat deserved it" she added, finally getting a tiny first smile from Jandi who was realizing why everybody loved this girl. Anybody that had bad things to say about Junpyo was automatically given positive points in Jandi's book. Seo-hyun had received several as she seemed happy at the thought of Junpyo being slapped.
" Noona, when are you going to stop
" When he stops being a brat and grows up," Seo-hyun quickly becomes an exciting person the more she attacks Junpyo. She had interrupted Jihoo from defending his best friend, Jandi smiled. It was that and her warm and welcoming eyes that looked so serene and kind, that got Jandi. Even she couldn't help but be added to the millions of admirers this girl has.
" If he gives you trouble, please let me know '' Leaning even closer to Jandi, Seo-hyun whispered. Her little wink had forced her eyes to twinkle. It was thanks to the golden light coming from the chandelier above and the golden eyeshadow that were perfectly blessed to highlight her captivating eyes.
" Please don't, " Jihoo stepped in, requesting that Jandi not take Seo-hyun's words to heart.
" She doesn't need your help. She can handle herself" Jihoo reminded both women that Jandi wasn't the type that would need support to attack Junpyo. What she had done with that laptop and her slap against his best friend was still fresh in his memory.
" It seems like she can handle Junpyo '' Jandi wasn't as focused on their words but on their arms, as Seo-hyun's right hand crossed and rested on Jihoo's left arm. She didn't need another proof of their closeness, but she was getting one. The number of times they touch each other, hold each other, and the comfort they found in each other's spaces, Jandi just accepted as another thing to add to the list of things that made her such an oddball. All of these things are close to impossible for her and it has to be her that was the odd one out. Everybody seems to be fine with doing all of this but her. Why does she have to be such an odd creature?
"To be honest, he seems to be scared of her," Jihoo added; this one getting a smile out of Jandi. What Jihoo said was a lie. Junpyo is not scared of her. Not even close. At least, that was her observation. The way he stares at her, talks to her, how calmed his body was when he was around. She had observed again and again to know he wasn't scared of her. Why he wasn't scared of her while knowing she attacked Woobin was where she focussed rather than how she could tell if he was scared, angry, or calm by just observing his body language. Junpyo wasn't scared of her. Not even close. Maybe the fact that he didn't slap back was what Jihoo was basing his assessment on. She questioned, trying to find an explanation of why Jihoo thought his best friend was scared of her.
"That would be hilarious. '' Seo-hyun's laugh brought Jandi's attention back to the two people in front of her.
" There is only one person Junpyo is scared of"
" Junpyo is not scared of his sister, he just respects her" Jihoo corrected what Seo-hyun was about to claim.
"Every time I see him around her, he acts right" Seo-hyun shared why she assumed Junpyo would be scared of his big sister. And just that one sentence has made Jandi curious to see the big sister and how Junpyo acts around her.
" He is rude and a spoiled brat, but he's not like that once you get to know him," Seo-hyun brought Jandi back into the conversation. Seo-hyun didn't realize that she had just lost some points for what she just said, which had turned Jandi's face back to its regular blank state.
" I don't plan to," was Jandi's response, which Jihoo clarified.
"She hates him," Jihoo explained the resentment that was present in Jandi's eyes. He doesn't know much about what is going on between the two people but he knows enough to be aware of how much this girl resented his best friend. Sometimes he couldn't help but question, considering it was Woobin who had given her the most headache but she doesn't even mention his name.
" He bullied her, and she also doesn't like rich people, and guess who is the richest of all?" he added with a smile. His hand sent to his glass he took a sip of his drink.
" I don't hate rich people" Jandi corrected a bit annoyed by Jihoo, who kept claiming she did.
" Junpyo's a soft baby; that hard and bad guy thing is an act" Seo-hyun's words that interrupt the two exchanging looks, seem to have removed the smile from Jihoo's face. Jandi, always observing every change, has been the only one to catch it. Why is he bothered by what she said? Jandi questioned as she focused her eyes on Jihoo who did not look happy about what Seo-hyun was saying and kept sipping his drink.
" He is just bored out of his mind and doesn't let go once he finds something interesting," she added, not even realizing what her words were doing to Jihoo, who still has a fresh memory of what happened years ago. His drink he was enjoying in silence, Jihoo sat back against his chair. It was so clear to Jandi that Jihoo can't even hide his feelings from his face. Maybe it was the alcohol he had been consuming that made him so honest with his reactions.
" He is softhearted and easy to break. '' Seo-hyun's smiles were doing more damage to Jihoo than Jandi who turned her focus to Seo-hyun who was leaving her even more amazed by how quickly people defended Junpyo. It didn't matter to her what people said about him. She had already made up her mind about him. If Jandi wasn't too occupied being mad at people defending him, she would have recognized how she was being handed clues on how to break the person on her hate list. The people that knew him the most have been sharing clues here and there but she was too focused on her anger to catch it. Unlike Jandi who has already made up her mind about who Junpyo was, Jihoo knew what Seo-hyun was saying was true, but it irked him to hear it come from her lips.
"She doesn't want to know him," He quoted Jandi's words seconds ago.
"He is the leader of F4, " Jandi asked, waiting to hear how Seo-hyun would explain that one. The smiles faded away, and even the look in her beautiful eyes changed as Seo-hyun turned her gaze to Jihoo.
" Are you all still doing that? Her face turning serious, Seo-hyun asked, facing Jihoo.
" Huh,' Jihoo didn't answer but just sighed. His silence was the response. Seo-hyun swallowing her anger turned her fake smile to Jandi. She needed a minute and both Jihoo and Jandi gave her the time as they waited in silence.
" Did they do anything to you? She asked to take a step closer to Jandi. She might not know her well but Jandi knew something had just shifted even in her voice. Not knowing what is going to happen but feeling all the tension, Jandi turned her eyes to Jihoo. She needs some signs on how to proceed.
" Did he do anything to you?" Seo-hyun noticed how Jandi was looking for a sign from Jihoo, grabbed Jandi's shoulders, and turned her whole attention to her. Her warm and kind eyes had turned angry in a few seconds, and that was the first thing Jandi recalled as she ordered her body to calm down from the hands holding it. She seems very angry. Just the thought of something happening to Jandi, a stranger she just met, has made her this angry. Jandi couldn't help but realize once again why Jihoo likes this girl. She was like him in this way. Or he was like her.
" Jihoo?" Seo-hyun not turning her eyes from Jandi asked by calling his name. This was serious. Jihoo sending both his hands to his hair did not respond again. Jandi knew he was very protective of his best friend. He wasn't going to say anything. But he didn't need to. Seo-hyun could read his face like an open book and she got her answer just from that.
" I swear to God," Seo-hyun, letting go of Jandi's shoulders, started walking away. Her quick steps were like a march as her anger was all sent to her legs.
"Noona, I don't think" Jihoo followed behind and was silenced by her scary eyes that turned back and looked at him. That was one of the things the two women had in common, being able to silence him with a look. A scary look that he has come to recognize in both.
" Follow me" Seo-hyun ordered Jandi, who didn't have much to lose and a lot to gain by watching what would go down. She didn't know where they were going or what was about to happen but the tension felt chaotic and she was up for seeing what Seo-hyun, the girl that had Jihoo's affection, was like when she was angry. That was what Jandi was focused on. Her eyes had caught Jihoo following behind Seo-hyun who had pulled out his phone and started frantically texting. Ignoring him, she turned her curious eyes to the most fascinating person to watch. She is so beautiful even when she is angry. And still nice, Jandi observed as they walked into the lobby and Seo-hyun was still giving people smiles as they walked by. Jihoo on her left side had done the same as well. They were in sync, Jandi observed. Her bag was handed to Jihoo, Seohyun walked into the elevator, and they both followed her steps and got in.
" Nonna, please"
" Jihoo, do you want me to do it at school? She asked, her anger-filled eyes focused on him. Jandi knew whatever she was about to do, school was never the best option. There were too many witnesses and cameras in that school. Whatever it was, it was better to be handled where they were headed. Where are they headed? Jandi finally questioned. Why was she even there?
" What number?" Seo-hyun asked as her right hand extended to the elevator buttons.
" Jihoo, what number?" Seo-hyun asked again. As Jihoo whispered the number, Jandi was sure that it wasn't the same number as the hotel room he had booked and where he changed his clothes.
Where are they going? Jandi asked to immediately get her answer as they stepped out of the elevator and she caught the three girls walking into the elevator next to them that had just opened. Her quick mind was able to connect their faces to the images she saw hours earlier. While she turned around and tried to catch another glimpse of their face before the elevator door closed, she also caught how fast they were trying to button their coats and zip their jackets. They look in disarray of course they would be. From the looks of the picture ...oh God! Her thoughts paused as she remembered on whose phone she saw them. Her eyes turning to the front she caught the door Soo-hyun opened and walked in. Her steps might have slowed down but Jandi had made sure to follow and walked into the luxury suite door that was left open for her. She made sure to close it as she walked into the living room. The alcohol bottles and cigarettes were all across the table, Jandi ignored them as she focused her attention on Seohyun who crossed her arms and was staring at Yijeong who was dumping a bunch of stuff into the trash can by the corner.
" Oh Nonna, what are you doing here?" Yijoeng, giving her a big smile, sent his hands to his pocket. It was easy to tell he was informed about her presence as the cloth he just put on was a mess and his face said it all. Seo-hyun turned to Jihoo; she knew he probably let them know she was coming.
" Where is he?" Seo-hyun asked. All eyes turned to the other side of the room and Junpyo standing by the fridge, enjoying the water he pulled out from the fridge. The alcohol he had consumed, he needed some water to dilute it and keep him conscious of what was about to happen. The few minutes the boys had to clean up, they did as much as they could before the girls were kicked out and they arranged their clothes.
"What did I do now?" placing the water bottle down on the counter, he asked.
" What did you do to her?" Seo-hyun pointing at Jandi forced all attention on the girl standing steps away in front of the door. Jandi's anxious hand went to her back, and her eyes stayed on Jun Pyo. His jacket was off, and Jandi didn't spend much time focusing on his t-shirt but on the lipstick marks, she could make out on his neck, even from here. Why that had to be the first thing she noticed when he brushed his hair, she hated it.
"What did I do to you?" he asked, crossing his arms. Even when he was intoxicated, his eyes were in control as they stayed on the girl who looked more anxious than anybody here. She looks a bit different than when he saw her an hour ago. Her hair was a bit more messier and she looked a bit tired, the dark circle under her eyes was visible. Her weekend was filled with so much to do, Jandi was operating on 5-hour sleep nights since Wednesday night and it was finally showing. But it was only the drunk Junpyo that had recognized it. She looks tired.
" Are you trying to intimidate her?"
"Does she look intimidated?" Junpyo didn't lift his eyes away from Jandi for a second as he responded. Jihoo tried to come up with a way to defuse the situation, it was only the tipsy Yijeong that sat down on the sofa and focused his eyes on the two people staring at each other. From the moment he heard this girl had slapped Junpyo, Yijeong had found her to be beyond fascinating on top of his claim that she could be possessed or haunted. There was something about the air around her. He had been the first to notice it and call it out. There was something off about her and while she stood by the door, staring at his friend. Finally, he was provided the opportunity to observe her and figure out what it is about this girl that rubs him the wrong way.
" What did I tell you about bothering the scholarship? '' Her words started getting muffled as she walked to him, and Seo-hyun's right hand started attacking him. Junpyo, trying to avoid her slaps against his body, was accepting her gentle slaps, which he knew weren't meant to hurt him physically.
"Aww,'' his first cry was when her right hand landed against his shoulder. There were only two women who dared to do this to Junpyo it was Seo-hyun and his sister. The connection between the two, Yijeong would make later on as Jandi gets added to the list of women who were allowed to attack him without any retaliation. It would be Yjeong who would make the connections and realize why Junpyo has a weak spot for strong women who do not tolerate his bullshit. His careful observation of the girl that was enjoying every attacking landing against his friend. Yi Jeong laid down on the sofa and focused his eyes on her. The joy she sound in what she was watching was clear to see.
" It was woobin and I already apologized. '' His steps to get away from Seo-hyun had led him to walk away from the open kitchen into the living space. Seo-hyun following him behind hasn't stopped her attack as her right hand landed slaps on his back. It was easy to read the relationship between Seo-hyun and F4. She was like a big sister to all considering how all were acting around her.
" I doubt you apologized ?" her right hand didn't stop landing slaps against his back as Seo-hyun grabbed his shirt to hold him still. Jandi's eyes were pulled to follow his shirt which was lifted to expose some of his back, which Yijeong caught. Her sharp eyes had stayed examining his skin exposed thanks to the black shirt lifted, Yijeong crossed his arms as he found it hard to understand the look in her eyes. She was a puzzle and he was being added to the list of F4 members that found her fascinating, which by now were all four, but all for different reasons.
"She already slapped me and kicked me" Junpyo shared, not knowing being kicked by Jandi was brand new information to all.
" Wait. You kicked him?" Yiejong asked as all turned to Jandi. Her lack of response was the response Yijeong needed to be serious with his curiosity and questions about what was happening with this girl and his friends. Leaning back against the sofa, he turned his eyes to Junpyo just like Jandi did. Had he missed something? Since when does Junpyo tolerate being treated like this by people, let alone a girl like this? Since when does Junpyo even interact with people other than his doesn't even talk to people.
" She curses at me every chance she gets too," Junpyo added, giving another shock. Seo-hyun's startled eyes; Jihoo was the one that explained.
" I told you. She's not scared of him and doesn't like him," Jihoo added, walking towards the sofa across from Yijoeng and sitting down. Jihoo was the only one that had some background information to explain why the girl he had seen slapped his friends wasn't scared of Junpyo and didn't need somebody fighting for her. Junpyo deserved it and it seems like Junpyo knew it too since Jihoo hadn't seen Junpyo do anything about it. He had accepted his punishment.
" She hates me," Junpyo whispered. His faint voice was only caught by Seo-hyun standing next to him. Her right hand was still on his back while her left was holding his shirt so he didn't run away. A moment of silence was needed as all accepted what was just shared. The silence, Seo-hyun disturbed as she sent her left hand that let go of his shirt and grabbed his hair tied into a ponytail.
"That's because you bullied her." Grabbing his hair, her right hand continued slapping his back.
" Aww," his cries for his hair getting pulled Junpyo tried to protest, but his drunk body was at a loss, and there was no way he would fight back. It was Seo-hyun. There were a handful of women in his life that had special places. It was the women in his family and Seo-hyun. That was why she could get away with pulling him by his hair and beating him in front of people.
" I said sorry" In between his cries, Junpyo went on trying to escape.
" Did he?" Seo-hyun turned all focus to Jandi. Even Junpyo, hiding behind his hair that was being pulled, was looking past the dark strands of hair covering his view to see if the girl would say anything. Jandi, quietly enjoying watching him beat them down like he was a little boy, needed a second to calculate how she sounded to answer. She wants the beating to continue and have a front seat to it all. Although Seo-hyun's attack seemed more friendly than what Jandi could have done, Jandi enjoyed watching him be pulled and attacked. But he apologized. He had said the word sorry. Jihoo was a witness, and he was here to catch it if she chose to lie.
" Yes," Jihoo whispered when Jandi stayed silent.
" He said it twice after being slapped back to back," Jihoo added as he sat back, enjoying the angry look he got from his best friend. Everything she was hearing about this girl was leaving Seo-hyun more stunned and understanding why Jihoo can't stop talking about her. She was bold. Bolder than Seo-hyun had assumed. The way she was looking at Jun Pyo, standing there, was enough for Seo-hyun to know Jandi wasn't scared of Jun Pyo. At Least in the type of fear she thought about. Both JIhoo and Seo-hyun had no idea why Jandi was scared of Jun Pyo, it was all because of what he knows and nothing else. The girl who wasn't scared of death, She wasn't scared of Junpyo who she would drag to hell by herself if she had to. The only reason she tolerated hsi bullshit was to keep her secrets which she wasn't sure why he was keeping to himself. That was what made him so annoying. Why can't he just tell his friends and get over it.
" Why did you even bother her the first time?" Seo-hyun landed another slap on his shoulder as she started walking, still holding his hair.
" Awww '' Junpyo, trying to escape from her grip, couldn't help but follow behind. His hair is pulled, and the dynamics between the two were only causing negative emotion to Jihoo who was forced to take in the dynamics between his best friend and Seo-hyun that doesn't seem to have changed in years.
" I apologized" Junpyo, trying to free his hair, finally accomplished that goal. Both his hands were sent to his hair as he ignored her hand that was still slapping him.
"And what is this?" She landed one more slap on his shoulder as she pulled him lower and questioned the lipstick mark on his neck. Junpyo, brushing some of the hair that couldn't be tied back, turned his eyes to Seo-hyun standing right there, holding his shoulder as she focused on his. With the silent looks the two were exchanging, Yijeong couldn't help but shift his focus from the two to Jihoo. The tension between the two had always been there and Yijeong wanted to see how Jihoo was making sense of this interaction.
" You have a girlfriend," Seo-hyun asked her golden marked eyes looking deep into the dark eyes of Jun Pyo.
" He is in an open relationship" Yijeong, trying to add more fuel to the fire, added.
" Really?' Seo-hyun asked, her eyes asking a full-sentence question which Junpyo's dark eyes responded to before he had glanced at Jihoo. He only needed one look to know Jihoo was bothered by what he was witnessing.
" Why do you care?" Junpyo, trying to free himself from her grip, whispered as he chose to not send his eyes back to hers. He can't look at her anymore. At Least until their bodies are separated by some distance. The last thing he wants is an angry Jihoo. Seo-hyun was marked with red lines he couldn't cross. There are things he can't do if he wants to keep Jihoo as his friend and this girl was one of them. She was off limits. Even looking at her at times was a no-no for Junpyo.
" What?" She landed one more slap against his back before he removed his shoulder from her side and took some steps away.
" You should worry about him. '' Junpyo had whispered only to her as he walked past her and headed back to the kitchen. He needs some water. That was when Seo-hyun's eyes finally landed on Jihoo sitting arms crossed. That minute-long interaction was the only thing Jandi needed to know something is up with the two best friends and Seo-hyun. Her eyes from the two exchanging looks shifted to Junpyo adjusting his shirt. He picked up the water bottle and started drinking. His eyes as they landed on Jandi she switched her eyes to Jihoo.
" So rather than donating to fundraising you are here drinking and smoking," Seo-hyun asked, pushing Yijeong's feet away and pointing at the table. She knew how to redirect the conversation.
" Well, I donated already," Yijeong protested.
" Junpyo pays for their tuition so he already did his part too" It was intentional as Yiejong pulled Jandi into the conversation by reminding her that Junpyo's family pays for all the things she enjoys at that school. All knew what he said was wrong. It wasn't false but felt like the wrong thing to say in front of the girl they all turned their eyes on. Even Junpyo.
" Don't you think that's more than enough?" Yijeong asked, crossing his arms. His eyes focused on her and Jandi knew he was asking her. What she needs to figure out is where the curiosity behind his eye swerve is coming from.
" He is a billionaire " Seo-hyun jumped to defend the girl she felt was wrong by even being asked that. Jandi, being defended for the third time, shifted her eyes to Seo-hyun who smiled at her.
" Don't listen to them, they are drunk," Seo-hyun added, pointing at the table filled with alcohol bottles.
" They are bored out of their minds and don't have better things to do so just let go in one ear and out the other" she added as she slapped Yi Jeong's leg so he could fold them.
" Does that include dear Jihoo who is her friend' Yijeong trying to retaliate for being slapped added
" we aren't" Jandi parted her lips and silenced herself. It was better to let it go and let them assume they were friends.
" Well Jihoo is the nicest sweetheart so no" Seo-hyun walked to the sofa Jihoo was and sat beside him.
" Wouldn't you agree?" Seohyun asked, turning all focus to Jandi. Yijeong interested in the answer, sat up while Junpyo placing the water bottle down, stood with his back against the counter and his arms crossed.
" He is," Jandi whispered, leaving Yijeong stunned that she could talk.
" he is the sweetest '' Seo-hyun, sending her hand to Jihoo's hair, started playing with it. Junpyo zoomed his eyes on Jandi. Even when intoxicated he was able to notice the uncomfortable look in her eyes that stayed on Seo-hyun's hand that went to Jihoo's dress shirt and started adjusting his bowtie he had opened up. Whether he was her friend or not , it was easy to tell Jihoo was something for Jandi that couldn't even hide her emotions from her sharp eyes and the way they were looking at Seo-hyun touching Jihoo. It wasn't surprising. Everybody liked Jihoo. Jandi was just another person, another girl added to the list of those who adore Jihoo. No matter how odd and puzzling she seemed, she was just like everybody else in how quickly she was charmed by Jihoo. Junpyo's dark eyes didn't hide away how they had caught her looking when Jandi turned her gaze his way. He looks more menacing when he stands still and looks at her without even blinking.
" That one is the rudest and this one is the sweetest," Seo-hyun said pointing at Junpyo at the other end of the room and then back at Jihoo. Her description was for the new person in the room, Jandi who had smiled at the perfect assessment of the two. Junpyo never hated being called the rudest, only hated why he had to be compared to jihoo. It didn't matter what he did, they liked Jihoo and would pick him every time any way.
" I know," Jandi added, proving she was already aware of the fact. Her eyes shifted from the two sitting next to each other to Junpyo had caught his little smile as he moved, walking to the window next to him. His right hand brushing his hair away from his eyes, both his hands were sent to this pocket as he stood, his eyes focused on the glamorous view of the city and the nice breeze from the open window. That's what she hoped would be the last time she saw him that night as she excused herself claiming there was work to be done and left the hotel room.
" You don't have to do any of the cleaning stuff " Jihoo, more worried about the work she was using as an excuse to escape, pointed at everything she was holding.
" If the auction documents are clear, then everything else is on them. Just leave," he added as he pulled out his phone. He needs to make sure nobody else is staying to do any extra work.
" It was great fundraising. You all did a great job, Jandi" Hearing her name caught Jandi a bit off guard as she gave Seo-hyun a small bow.
" If Junpyo ever does anything' Seo-hyun's words forced Jandi's eyes to return to the man standing by the window that didn't even turn when his name was mentioned.
" Let me know," Seo-hyun added while getting a smirk out of Junpyo which Jandi noticed. His hair flying thanks to the cool air brushing against him, his eyes stayed glued to the city view while his smile was caught by the girl that just got another defender against him. The warm smile on Seo-hyun's face was still present as Jandi left the room hoping that would be the last time she saw him for the evening but the universe had other plans.
Following Jihoo's orders she headed to the small locker she was assigned, where she had placed all her stuff. It took only 10 minutes to wrap everything and head to the front of the hotel. She needs to walk to the next block where Bom was waiting for her. Her hand was busy typing, she hadn't noticed the person walking her way in the hallway towards the elevator she just left. Scanning her head to toe, Junpyo's driver only needed one good look to realize this was the same girl that was in the house on Friday.
" Nice to see you here" the voice she heard brought her eyes from her phone she was busily texting up. With his wide smile, she quickly connected to the image saved in her memory from the house whose garden she has been dreaming about.
"Hello," Lowering her phone down she responded. Her eyes busily looking around trying to find anybody that looked familiar. Who is this person? Who does he work for?
" Were you here for the fundraiser?" he asked. Jandi remembered the name tags she had taken off ; knowing she had no clue that indicated why she was there. She wasn't dressed nice enough to be considered as part of the event so it would be confusing.
" I worked, student council," she explained in short. The nod she got did not lift his smile away. He seems to be happy to see her. What she couldn't figure out was why. It wasn't creepy. She could easily pick up when older men looked at her creepily, his smile didn't look creepy or perverted. He looked happy.
" How did it go?" he asked. He looked happy to see and honestly curious about what he just asked.
" Well," she responded. She was only engaging with his questions so she could also ask her own and get her answer as to why he was talking to her.
" Did he buy anything?" he asked, leaving her even more confused. Is he asking about Jihoo?
"Who?" she asked for her answer to be provided for her as the elevator that was next to them opened up. Her eyes from the man followed his eyes to the elevator doors that opened and the only person standing in the back. She got her answer as she noticed Junpyo, standing against the glass wall. His drunk eyes hidden behind his messy hair and the clear glasses, she didn't need to see his face to figure out it was him, she was used to noticing his body she could pick from a lineup. Junpyo looked up and didn't even glance at his driver, all his focus was on Jandi. The girl staring at him, startled as though she was surprised to see him.
" You're late, '' Junpyo whispered as he brushed his hair with his right hand and walked out. His eyes got a clear view of the girl now wrapped in her coat. The driver took a step back to get a better view of the two. He needs some answers and tonight might provide him some clues. The shock on her face, the driver observed for a second as she looked at Jun Pyo. He wondered where it came from. He wasn't aware that she didn't know the house she was at was Junpyo's. That was the realization Jandi was making. That this man worked for Junpyo and that means the house she was admiring was his.
" Happy now?" Junpyo asked as he took three steps and came standing in front of her. The minutes of beating she witnessed him get, she knew he was asking about that. The alcohol had finally hit him, she could easily tell thanks to his red eyes. The driver needed only the looks being exchanged to know he had missed some important things. This wasn't just one of the F4 games. Her shape eyes staring right back at Jun Pyo did not even look intimidated let alone scared. This was new. This was very new. Considering that she was a girl, this was shockingly new and the driver had found another reason to like the girl that, if he had to guess, looks angry while staring at the young master of his. She did not respond. She just stared in silence. A daring silence. His fascination with this girl started as the driver realized he needed to start paying attention to what was happening in that school.
"ugh,'' Junpyo sighed, turning around and starting to walk across the lobby leading to the front entrance where the car was waiting for him. His hair he brushed away was brushed back to his face he wanted to hide from the people in the lobby. He doesn't want to talk to or see anybody. His drunk mind only needed his bed and some meds. His lovely evening disturbed, all he wants now is a good shower and some sleep.
" It was nice to see you again. '' The driver, still smiling, gave her a bow which she returned. He took a step which he took back as he walked back to her, leaning even closer
" Fighting, '' the driver whispered as gave her a big smile. The quick step he took to catch up to Junpyo, she had caught how he turned around and gave her one more smile.
Jandi focused on the fact that she was admiring his house days ago and was occupied with her anger as she removed what just happened from any of her thoughts and headed to the exit. Of course,it had to be his house, she accepted. The heavens that never gave her anything, of course,the house she was admiring and the garden she wanted to walk through would be his. Her anger at that was quickly released as she recalled all the slaps he was getting from somebody who she had come to adore in just hours of interaction, Seo-hyun. The girl that had defended her and beat Junpyo. Of course, Jandi would find her to be a kind person. The warm and kind person she met yesterday was what filled her mind as she sat in the library thinking about it all. The bell rang to bring all students to their classes, she had caught the missing F4 cars as she walked into her building and headed to her first class.
The boring class enjoyed silence, she was looking forward to the student council that didn't have any meetings today. Most of the council members were even present today. Jihoo that had arrived minutes before class started had texted her an interesting task as she was assigned to record all the people that bought items from the fundraising. Jihoo attending a meeting with the school director, Jandi was told to use his office as she finished her lunch and headed to the student council office. One of his texts warned her not to worry about finishing all the information that needs to be entered today. Jandi was relaxed and enjoyed copying every file to her flashcard as she double-checked and kept a record of everything for herself. Ctrl Alt will go over every file tonight. Before she got to the anonymous buyer that bought item 25 that had all her attention, which she will be interested to know, she was lost when she got to item 15 and the name of the buyer didn't match the last name. Confused by the error message she was getting back to back, she texted Jihoo about what to do.
Cross-check with the donor list from the last one- he had texted her along with where the file for the last auction was kept. Jandi, who wasn't even aware of the fundraising documents that were separately kept, was granted access to a new file. After entering the passwords he provided, she started looking through the list to find the first name but was caught off guard when she read two names that sounded familiar. Beyond familiar. Trusting her six senses she made sure to copy the encrypted document. She knew Ctrl Alt would find a way to decode it. Maybe it will be worth their time, she doubted. It would be ridiculous for them to be this lucky. This mess of a school was one pill of a waste of time and she had given up on hope so she didn't even think much about it. The file that took quite some time to copy had wasted her time and by the time she had gotten to item 20 from the fundraiser, the school bell had rang bringing students back to their class.
Four-afternoon classes were spent on her books and not on whatever the teachers were talking about. The council member's office she went to after class Jihoo told her he had finished her task and zipped all documents with the passcodes before the documents were sent to the director's office and removed from his computer. She spent the afternoon working on other tasks while Jihoo, who needed a rest, left early. By the time she decided to leave, she was left with the same question that started her day. The morning she started wondering where the F4 boys were thanks to their cars that weren't there she got her answer in the afternoon as she wrapped her day and was set on heading home. The elevator doors she pressed had opened as her eyes from her steps lifted to the all-black dressed figure to find Junpyo standing at the back. His black hoodie lifted to cover his hair and his black shades, it was easy to tell it was him. Why he had shown up to school after 6 pm, she didn't know and didn't care. With the comfortable sweatpants and hoodie he had on, he looked like he came from home and was heading back to his home.
Why? Why does she have to run into him daily?
"Ugh," she sighed as she got in the elevator and chose to stay in front. The elevator already pressed to the lobby, she chose to keep both her hands in her jacket pocket.
" Are we good now?" his raspy voice filled the elevator, forcing Jandi to glance back. His messy hair covering his face she wished he would brush away as her annoyance was then turned to his eyes hidden behind the black shades that reflected her annoyed eyes back to her. Why just his voice triggered such a reaction, an angry reaction was a puzzle on its own. Or why his luscious hair always pulls out the anger in her hands that want to grab it and smash his head. They were instant reactions.
" you hit me, had her hit me" he added to remind her what happened less than 24 hours ago. As her eyes returned to the front, Jandi didn't say anything. Just stood there in silence, which he was used to.
" What's next?" he asked with a smirk.
" Am I going to end up in a hospital bed too? '' he asked, her eyes turning back at him. He was expecting an answer but he didn't get any as the elevator opened and she walked out. With her quick steps across the long hallway, Junpyo was right behind her with his easy steps. Thanks to his long legs he doesn't need to take quick steps to catch up to hers. His eyes scanning her had focused on her new boots which were a quick reminder of the boots he had burned which had been the major instigator of it all. Would it be all better if he gets her the boots he had burned? He didn't even know why he considered that. His eyes from the confusing notion that crossed his mind focused on some of the looks she was getting from the students which she didn't seem to care about. Her eyes that stare at him, didn't seem to even look up at the students as she continued her walk. His hands sent to his pocket, he focused his attention on the puzzling girl that had become such a figure of confusion, eating at his curious mind that needed answers to close the interesting chapter she had opened in his boring life. Seo-hyun was right, they were bored out of his mind and Junpyo had found something fascinating to liven up his dull and repetitive days. When they walked into the driveway was when he decided to say something that would force her to open her lips.
" Jihoo doesn't know about Woo bin does he?" Junpyo smiled as he caught how she stopped walking and turned back to him. Giving her a small smirk, he continued his walk past her and headed to his car parked in front. Most students had left campus, his car was the only one in the driveway that didn't have a single student.
" What do you want?" she asked her two steps following him, which only Junpyo had caught. She had just taken steps towards him, he didn't know why that was something he had to notice or be happy about. Her pure anger-filled voice forced Junpyo to turn around and stop the last step he took which forced them to be a step away from each other. Junpyo was the only one made of their closeness as he got a clear view of her face. She looks rested. The last image he has of her face is from last night, she looks rested. Maybe it was the cold air attacking her skin that had forced the tiny hint of pink hue on her cheeks, or her anger
" Why can't you leave me alone?" she asked, looking for a direct answer. His eyes hidden behind the shades that only reflected her image, she wouldn't notice how they were looking at her, scanning every inch of her face in his view. It made it easier. The shades have made it easier to be as curious as he wanted but he knew nothing beats looking at her dead in her eyes as she calculates how to answer his questions. His eyes she could read, he knew it was easier to communicate that way.
" Why do you hate my guts?" he asked as he took his glasses and finally gave her access to the eyes she was asking for, which she regretted immediately. She knew she had to answer his question if she wanted an answer to hers. She can't walk around it anymore. The face she wanted to slap again, Jandi knew she was filled with anger and resentment that needed to be managed better. The bubbling emotion forced her hands to want to grab him by his hair and land his face against her knees. She should have recognized how her logical mind was compromised by anger, and anger wasn't the right emotion to make decisions from.
"Huh," Jun Pyo stood there startled and confused about what was happening as she pushed his shoulder aside and walked past him heading to his car. The force that pushed his shoulder aside was ignored as he turned around and watched her steps to his car. His paralyzed state only lasted a few seconds as he decided to follow behind and started walking to his car. Getting the second shock of the day, Junpyo's leg stopped as he saw Jandi walk around the car and head to the driver's side. The anger on her face, that was what he caught as he continued his walk. No words had to be exchanged as he understood what was about to happen. He was a more than willing participant in whatever was going to happen as he smiled at how he was glad he came by school today. Every interaction with this girl was a new experience but this was different. Nobody drives his car. Mainly because he doesn't let people but she didn't even ask. She didn't even say anything as she had decided she could do it. She didn't need his permission. Not even his agreement was needed as she opened the door and got in. There was being bold and there was this girl. How can he not be puzzled by her? Who she was, and where she came from? Where she get her guts to do all these things? It was all beyond fascinating as Junpyo let her get away with another thing no other person is allowed to do, yet again. His glasses placed back on, he headed to the passenger seat.
Her bag placed in the back seat, she was adjusting her seat as he got in and closed the passenger door. The passenger seat not fixed from when he was sitting on it on Friday, Junpyo was reminded how this was the second time she was behind his steering wheel while he sat in the passenger seat. His seat belt buckled, he leaned his left hand her way and pressed the power button to start the car. That was the only thing she needed from him as she sent her hands from the rearview mirror she adjusted to the steering wheel. Junpyo, sitting comfortably, sent his eyes her way the moment she stepped on the gas and left the driveway. How much he can't predict her behavior was one thing but her boldness and confidence, it was her boldness that always leaves him stunned. His car heading straight to the main entrance of the school, Junpyo hadn't missed how smoothly she was driving as she stepped on the gas and sped them up.
" Where are we going?" he asked as he crossed his arms ignoring the security guard that gave the car a small bow. Focused on noticing if cars are coming from the other direction of the road she has to join, Jandi didn't answer his question. He knew she wasn't going to tell him so he didn't ask again. Leaning back and laying down, he focused his attention on the road. It didn't take long before he was left admiring her driving skills as she made smooth transitions between lanes and the nice right turn she had made. His car was built to be handled by somebody who knows how to drive and Junpyo was getting a tiny test of the skills the girl next to him had. It was one of her many skills that makes her such a badass that even her neighborhood hyung's are in awe whenever they witness her behind the wheels. Some of them had minor crushes on the girl that could out drive any of them on any given day but they knew not to cross that line. For one and one reason alone, Bom. He wasn't somebody anybody wanted to deal with. Unlike all of them , the boy sitting next to her was only getting a tiny test of her amazing skills but was still left stunned by how effortless she makes it seem. Quickly, he was reminded of the important fact he had learned about her yesterday.
" Do you drive race cars?" he asked, turning his eyes from the lane she effortlessly merged into, to Jandi. He wouldn't be surprised if she did but it will make her even more interesting than she already was.
" No" was her short answer
" Have you ever?" He had a follow-up.
" Your money pays for my school, do you think I have money to race cars?" she asked, turning her eyes his way. Her question was sent to silence him; she enjoyed it when he didn't respond but looked back at her in silence. He looked a bit uncomfortable, her sixth sense had picked up but she ignored it.
" If not for your gracious generosity, I might not even have food to eat let alone cloth to wear" she added, realizing how effective this was in making him quiet. Her guarded heart was too dense to feel any type of way about the claims she was making. She didn't mind making herself dirt poor and as miserable as possible it would make her even more disgusting to the people that don't even want to touch her, which is one thing about their reaction she clearly remembers. How they act when even the thought of touching her comes up. Her eyes returned to the road after she noticed him turn his eyes away from her while his right hand heeded to his hair. His right hand brushing his hair, Junpyo needed a minute to figure out how to take in what she just said. It felt odd. He didn't like it when Yijeong said it and now, coming from her lips, it sounds worse. It was demanding a reaction out of the boy that didn't even know why it felt odd and a bit hurtful to hear what she said. He chose to stay silent. He didn't know what to make of what she said and needed minutes to digest it. The silence they drove in went for about twenty minutes before Junpyo broke it.
" Is this how you talk to Jihoo?" he asked, breaking the silence and nice drive.
" Jihoo is not an asshole jerk" Her response was quick as the car returned to silence. He doesn't need anything else coming from her lips. Sitting with his eyes on the road, he let the silence take over. The freeway they were driving through, he didn't question as she was heading to neighborhoods he hasn't heard of, let alone be in. But he wasn't worried. He couldn't be even if he wanted to. His mind was focused on the last thing she said which aligned with what Seo-hyun had said about him. It was the same thing Jihoo had been saying about him for months if not years. When it had become such a common thing to say about him, he wasn't sure. He never cared about anything to pay attention to when he started being considered a jerk by the people that knew him the most. His overdue reality checks were just the warning stages of what was coming for him. The girl sitting next to him was the main agent of that reality check that she was willing to start today. While she drove out of the freeway and across the part of the city he has never been in, Junpyo was lost in his thoughts to realize where they were headed. Even as they drove into the parking space, he had failed to recognize it. But his eyes had read the Hospital logo they drove past. Choosing the premier parking spot, Jandi parked the car in the first-floor parking spot.
Her backpack paced on her back she quickened her steps across the parking spot. Junpyo, following behind her, was busy scanning the cars in the parking lot and the people he saw walking.
" Why are we in a hospital?" he asked as they walked into the elevator and he caught the hospital signs and health warning. She didn't answer but pressed 7. As he stood back, reading the signs, her right hand had extended his way handing him the parking ticket which he will need to pay on his way out. He accepted with no question and placed it in his pocket. He stayed quiet as they walked through the hallways. His attention was on all the people around them anyway. Jandi, walking next to him, was enjoying his confused mind. She would have loved to see his eyes as they were taking this but they were hidden behind his shades. The luxury hospital rooms she remembers Woobin in, she could bet good money Junpyo was confused and surprised by what he was seeing. This wasn't even a bad hospital but a great one most working-class people can't afford without savings. His head turning left and right, she knew he was getting a view of the world he probably only hears about on the news. The people looking at him, Jandi hadn't considered how it was the people looking at him that were making him uncomfortable. His uncomfortable body language, she read as his disdain for being around people like this and not at being looked at. As usual, it was easier to assume that to keep hating him.
As they turned left and headed to the room in the coroner, that was when he took his glasses off, which he placed in his pocket. The room they were going to walk into, Jandi's right hand holding the handle needed some seconds to decide if this was the right decision to make. Her eyes turning his way, she stood deciding on her answer. This was it and she opened the door. She walked in followed by Junpyo. Her eyes from the person on the bed landed on the old lady standing by the table. Returning her eyes to Junpyo, she waited for him to realize what was going on. He didn't seem like he knew anything, he looked more confused than ever.
" Oh, this smells good" Their eyes switched to the older lady who was mixing the soup on the table. The old lady Junpyo couldn't clearly see thanks to the soup her eyes were focused on, and was left beyond confused about what was going on. The lady that had seen Jandi once or twice when she came to visit her son, Junpyo was the only person new in this room.
" Who is this?" the lady finally looking up and turning to Junpyo asked. Her hands were still busy mixing the soup. The answer she didn't get from the two people standing by the door, her smile slowly started fading as she turned her eyes to her son lying in the hospital bed and his terrified face looking at Jun Pyo.
" Here is your why?" Jandi whispered leaning closer to him as Junpyo turned his eyes to the boy on the bed whose face had immediately turned petrified. The boy he doesn't recognize, Junpyo, was left even more confused as to why the boy looked beyond scared of him. His confusion would be multiplied and mixed in with other emotions as he heard the lady's voice.
" YOU" the loud voice of the lady was followed by the pot of soup that swung his way and landed on Jun Pyo. Thanks to his quick reflexes his face had turned, letting the hot soup land on his hoodie-covered head and neck and all over his shoulder. Jandi, standing next to him had stepped aside as the ladle took the steps between them and sent to her right hand holding the wooden ladle to his head. Before he even recovered from the shock of what just happened, let alone the warm liquid that was sipping through the thick hoodie and shirt he had on and starting to itch at his skin, the wooden ladle had started attacking his head covered by his hoodie. Junpyo beyond shocked to even look up, let alone say anything, wasn't ready for all the items that were being thrown his way and the label that kept attacking his back which he tried protecting with his right arm, it was a natural reaction to protect his head and neck.
" YOU"
" YOU" " was the only thing the lady could shout as she picked up the table and threw it his way. Junpyo's back, accepting the table that landed against it, wasn't ready for the lady that took the steps separating them and started pulling at his hoodie. His tall figure being brought down, the lady went on attacking with all the force she had. As Junpyo, being pulled down by his wet hoodie, landed on his knees, Jandi slowly walked out of the room. She had done her part.
Her earphone plugged into her ears; she pressed play on the music as she stood by the door she locked. She needs to ensure nobody enters the room for at least a minute or two. Only one of her favorite songs had played from beginning to end as she decided she was down with her task and let her feet follow the beat of the song as she started cruising through the lobby and heading to the elevator. With her hands in her pocket and her head bumping to the rhythm of the song, a small smile escaped her lips as she reminded herself of the body she was leaving behind.
This was fun.