Chapter 8
Ga Eul regretted giving him that gift. In fact, she regretted ever meeting up with him outside of that trip, because for the two days after seeing him, she had her usual nightmares, except they had something different, which left Ga Eul in fury and confusion—Yi Jung was in them. No one outside of her family, Hong Joon and Jan Di ever appeared in them. Only people close to her.
Her nightmare played out the same each time with Ga Eul behind the wheel and her sister beside her. She would be driving fast—way too fast on a deserted road that everything around her was a blur. As if the world around her couldn't catch up to her lightning speed. But she was never satisfied as she pushed her feet harder on the accelerator. Her sister never complained. She never talked, but she was there. Always there.
A strong bright light flashed in her eyes, blinding them. Ga Eul never made out what it looked like exactly, but she knew it was a full-sized truck. In that crucial moment, she should step on the brakes, but she never did. Even if she had stepped on them, it would've been too late given the speed at which she was going. But Ga Eul never even tried to stop. She just accepted that the truck was coming at her and surrendered. Deep down she was glad of ridding herself from her sister as she accepted both their fates.
The clash would be so strong and violent that it felt real. Their car was up-rusted, overturned, in the air. Ga Eul could even see the gleam of the broken window glass, reflected from the truck's headlights, as it cut her face. As the car fell down, inverted on the ground, she would turn her head to the side, and see Chun Ja's head leaning on towards Ca Eul's side with blood spilling profusely out of her forehead. Her mouth open agape, and lifeless eyes open staring at Ga Eul. Her face was barely recognizable as shards of glass slivered her face. There was blood. So much of it, that it was soaking the car, and Ga Eul's white shirt.
Only after seeing the contorted remains of her sister's body, did she realize what she had done. Guilt and fear settled in, and took over her as she despairingly climbed out of the car, struggling.
She had been unscathed except for a few cuts on her face. She would run away, the remnants of the truck and the car behind her along with her guilt. The road was dark surrounded by a forest, and she had no where to go. Still, a bloodied Ga Eul ran for her life, having no thoughts in her mind but desperately leaving everything behind. That was when someone would appear out of thin air on the road.
Her mind liked to keep her on her toes every single time as someone different would appear. Sometimes it was her parents, together or separately, or Hong Joon. Worst of all it would be Jan Di. Her uncle rarely appeared, but it did occur. Whoever that person was, they always caught her. Disgust and hatred so fierce, she could feel them cutting through her. Always saying the same repetitive dialogue while placing a tight grip on her arms. But a different guest had appeared. The new change made her feel the dream events even more.
"You murdered her." Yi Jung snarled. "It should've been you. How could you steal someone's life like that? It should be you lying dead in that car. You are nothing without her. You will never be." He said, shaking her violently. Tears would fog up her eyes, and she would say nothing to him, unable to speak because she knew it was true. His grip got tighter until she felt like she would combust in his arms.
That was usually when she woke up in a cold sweat. And that was what happened the past two days as Yi Jung visited her in her nightmares.
Ga Eul barely kept herself in check after suffering from her nightmare two times in a row. Her mind was noisy and riotous with images of the dream so vivid in her mind. It was foolish, but she felt so much anger and hostility towards Yi Jung. She knew it was just a dream, but no outsider had ever entered her nightmare before. She couldn't control her anger and confusion. Jan Di noticed her extreme change in mood, but Ga Eul blamed it on the workshop. That was another thing that held her down. After spending so much of her effort, investing her passion and undivided attention, the customer backed out so easily—not even giving a reason. Ga Eul knew that fixing a car like that was unfruitful and senseless, but he had been the one to come to them for help. He even spent so much money on new parts, but now not only did he back out, but he wanted some of his money back. Such a ridiculous request. Something that couldn't be asked of a mechanic.
He had been coming to their workshop ever since, pestering them for money. So when it came time for her shift at the workshop after school, she was bracing herself for his encounter. When she arrived though, she found Jin Woo. He also worked at the workshop, but their shifts rarely overlapped. He was two years older. Ga Eul liked him well enough. They never interacted much for Ga Eul to have an opinion on him.
"Hey, how are you doing?" Jin Woo asked.
"I'm fine. I'm sorry about what happened to the old car. I know you worked hard on it, too."
"Wait, the boss didn't tell you? The problem's been solved. Apparently some guy bought off the car from our old customer. Said it was a vintage, and wanted us to continue our work." He said. Ga Eul could guess who the "guy" was, but she wanted to make sure.
"What did he look like?" Ga Eul asked.
"See, he didn't come here in person, but he sent someone. He seemed mega rich though." He said. Ga Eul got all the confirmation she needed.
"I'm sorry to ask you this, but can you stay here a little longer. I have to do something urgent, but I could run a little late."
"No worries. I was actually planning to help you today. I have some free time on my hands."
"Thank you." Ga Eul said as she hurriedly went out of the door. She knew where she had to go.
On the trip to the F4's den, Ga Eul was enflamed. She gripped the edges of her seat on the bus, trying to control her anger. When she arrived, she ran quickly over the stairs down to the den. The scene before her was almost the same like her last time except for the addition of Ji Hoo. As if they hadn't moved since last time. All eyes travelled to her, including the three girls Woo Bin and Yi Jung were courting, but her gaze was settled on Yi Jung who looked at her with curiosity and amusement, clearly not seeing the rage in her eyes.
"You have to stop coming into our den like that. How does she even get in? Is the security guard doing his job properly, letting everyone in like that." Jun Pyo said, annoyed, from the comfort of his couch. Ga Eul didn't even spare him a glance.
"Yi jung, I have to talk to you." Ga Eul said, serious.
"My hands are full at the moment." He said smiling, and tilted his head to the girls.
"I don't have time for this."
"Neither do I." Yi Jung said, this time catching onto her tone, and his posture became a bit defensive.
"You want to do this here? Fine. What the hell did you do? Who asked you to buy that car?" Ga Eul said angrily.
"Oh, that. I told you that I like vintage cars, and the color was to my liking. I happened to know it would be abandoned, so I bought it." He said, looking a bit relieved as if the matter was too trivial for him to get riled up. He turned to the pool table, and grabbed a cue stick. He leaned down, and placed his head on the table, and gently stricked a ball. His nonchalance made Ga Eul even more tense.
"Don't joke around."
"I'm not."
"Are you being serious right now? You know damn well that car was garbage. There is no reason for you to be interested in it. So why the hell did you do this for? I didn't ask you to do this." Ga Eul shouted.
"Who are you to know where my interest lies?"
"Could you please just stop acting? I don't what made you think it was okay to buy this car, but don't you meddle in my business ever again. You have no right to do this. You are nothing to me nor will you ever be. Is that clear?" Ga Eul sneered at him, reciting similar words to what he said to her in that nightmare. She didn't know why she did it, but it gave her a sense of control over him. When she had seen his face, the image of him screaming at her popped up in her head, and feelings of resentment washed over her. That wasn't about the car. Him buying the car was just the trigger for her leashed anger.
She didn't wait to hear his response nor did she remember his reaction to her cruel words as she left their den so quickly afterwards, feet stomping in anger.
The next day, after her anger cooled down, Ga Eul felt a smidge of guilt towards Yi Jung. Calling what she did an overreaction was an understatement. It was true that he had overstepped his boundaries, but she could've handled the situation better than that. She knew that now Yi Jung would hold onto the car more than before. She did tick him off though. Greatly. She knew that she had to apologize to him sooner or later. He did buy the car, and he'd have to bring it up. She wasn't sure why he bought it. Given his character, he might've done it for his own entertainment, but why did he think Ga Eul was amusing, was the million dollar question.
They did have some fun back at the baseball court, but that was about it. No matter how fun it was, they both shared a bit of hostility towards one another. They were both guarded and cautious with what they shared about themselves, and Ga Eul doubted that could make them friends. And him trying to woo her with his money was out of the question. He might've tried to flirt with her upon their first meeting, but that was just to make her warn Jan Di. Other than their first encounter, she could tell that he was never interested in her that way. He didn't try to appeal to her, and show off his charisma. On the contrary, he tried to rile her up. Make her flustered or embarrassed. Ga Eul was sure that was not how he got his women.
Yi Jung was uncannily similar to Chun Ja. No one that knew them both wouldn't be able to point out the similarities. The charm, the easiness and grace with talking to people. Moreover, and most importantly, the mind tricks and manipulation. People like them could get whatever they wanted from anyone with no questions asked. She didn't see him long enough around other people, but with the tiny glimpses of what she'd seen, and other people's stories, she was certain that was the case. He was easy to read for her. She'd lived around her sister long enough to be able to figure someone like him out. Still, Yi Jung was more lethal. He had far more power. More power than she could ever imagine, and with a brain like his, she knew that hovering around him was risky.
It wasn't his similarities with Chun Ja that troubled her the most, although it did play a huge part, but her lack of common sense around him. If she had been thinking clearly, she would've known that antagonizing a guy like him was out of the question. And on regular days, that was what she normally did—use her brain. Even when people used to ridicule her and compare her to her sister, she had always brushed it off, so why couldn't she do the same with him? She wondered if his resemblance to Chun Ja made her act like that. As if she had known him before. Maybe his shared attitude with Chun Ja subconsciously gave her the freedom to say whatever she wanted.
Her mind was filled with different questions on the difficult position she was put in. She knew that talking to him, and seeing him again was inevitable. Every time she had tried to avoid him, he always showed up in front of her, so she decided not to fight it anymore. But she had to decide on how to act around him. She couldn't keep fighting with him like that. She needed to keep her balance until the issue with the car would be resolved. She hoped that her apology might make him change his mind, but that was wishful thinking.
Jan Di could see the burden on Ga Eul's face as she entered the store to join her on their shift. It was a Wednesday afternoon, and both had gotten off school to work with Ga Eul preceding her. Only one customer was at the store, and he was already finishing up his bowl. Jan Di took her red apron from its hanger, and urged Ga Eul into the kitchen to talk privately.
"Why the long face?" Jan Di asked, concerned.
"Nothing. Just a long day."
"Okay." Jan Di said, not convinced. "Anyway, Jun Pyo and the guys want to go to a ski resort, and he also invited you."
"Oh, when?" Ga Eul said, trying to sound interested knowing that she would reject later on.
"This weekend."
"You know I have work." Ga Eul said.
"So do I. I have more jobs than you yet I can still find time."
"Who's going to be there at the store. We can't both just leave." Ga Eul said.
"Yeah right, because how can Byun Sik manage one customer on his own? He won't die if we leave him for two days." Jan Di said.
"Wow. You've changed since you started dating. Where's the hard working Jan Di I know?" Ga Eul said, sarcastically.
"She's still here, but she needs a break. I can't keep working on the weekends just because my dad messed up. I'm still 17."
"I was just fooling around. Of course, I'm happy that you're having fun."
"Then, what? Are you coming or not?
"I'm not sure." Ga Eul said, running out of excuses.
"I'm sure it's not about your jobs, so it has to do with Yi Jung, right?"
"Jun Pyo told you, didn't he?"
"Of course he did. He tells me everything. Said you caused such a rauckous in their den, but he was more concerned with how you came in so easily. You're kind of blacklisted now by their guard." Jan Di said. Ga Eul chuckled softly, but there was no humor in her eyes.
"I was going to ask you what happened, but I waited for you tell me." Jan Di said.
"The car I told you about before, he bought it. I went there because I was pissed, and his aloofness put me over the edge."
"Why did he do that? You guys have a weird relationship. Ever since that trip, I've been suspecting something." Jan Di said. Her eyes suddenly widened, and she spoke urgently, "Ga Eul, please don't tell me that he's been flirting with you. Was he the guy that stood you up? So he bought the car as an apology."
"What? No. Definitely not. He's not my type nor am I his. It's strictly platonic. That was a different guy. I promise. I don't know why he bought the car either. Maybe he found me amusing or something I don't know."
"You're right. No one can truly guess what's on Yi Jung's mind. Even the rest of the F4. They like to throw away their money, so that might be why he bought that car." Jan Di said.
"That's plausible."
"In any case, you don't have any reason not to go. It's the perfect chance to apologize to him and spend some time with me."
"Who said anything about apologizing? Are you his friend or mine?"
"I suggested you come along because it would be easier for you to apologize. I'm your friend that's why I know you could say some, err, harsh words. What he did wasn't that bad as to cause a scene in front of everyone, so yes an apology is overdue." Jan Di said.
"I have to go, don't I?"
"I knew you'd come along." Jan Di said. Proud that she won.
They were both interrupted by the customer asking for them. Jan Di went to him while Ga Eul stayed. She exhaled a tired breath, not ready for what was to come. She was relieved that Jan Di didn't ask her further about the car, and how he knew about it, or she would've been cornered.