Chapter 11

Yi jung's POV

Yi Jung's day had started off on the wrong foot when his mother tried approaching him during breakfast. Usually he would eat alone since none of his parents cared for that. But his mother decided to join him for the first time in years. It wasn't hard to figure out why since the only time she acknowledged his existence was to talk about his father. Sometimes she would be hysterical and destroy everything within her reach. Others, when she was feeling more grounded, she would try small talk first. As if trying a more gentle approach would give her the outcome that she wanted. Accept that his father will never love her was something too beyond her reach to understand, and Yi Jung had to suffer because of it.

Sick of his mother, he had tuned her out while eating his breakfast hoping she would stop talking about his father. Either too desperate to notice him ignoring her or pestering him anyway, Yi Jung couldn't tell which was worse. After finishing his breakfast he left the table, not bearing to look at her as she was starting to complain again about how cruel he was. Like his father. She would try to gain his sympathy. To make him guilty and give her anything she wanted, and when that didn't work, the hysteria would start. He made sure to leave before that. No use looking at precious pottery being destroyed.

He had thought about skipping school that day, but he didn't have anything better to do at 7:00 in the morning. So he had to endure tedious classes waiting for the night. That was when he could have his fun. And today he deserved it. That was his reward for having to tolerate such a day.

At their break, he had to listen to Woo Bin gloating about getting two models' number. At least he saved Yi Jung the trouble of choosing who to pick tonight. No one of their friends would be joining in on their fun, and they didn't have to ask. Jun Pyo was already too involved in everything that had to do with Jan Di, and Ji Hoo was too immersed with whatever that goes up his brain. No one tried to disrupt his bubble. He had his headphones on probably to tone out the noise of Jun Pyo and Jan Di talking. He had to sympathize. Ever since they had started going out, their breaks at their lounge were anything but peaceful. No one had to guess what they were arguing about.

"This is the first time you've agreed to my plans without any hesitation." Jun Pyo said. Yi Jung couldn't tell exactly which plans since he wasn't listening from the start.

"Well, I've been having a lot of free time now since Ga Eul barely spends anytime with me. We only ever talk at our shifts now. All because of someone." Jan Di said, shooting Yi Jung a dirty look.

"I only helped your friend. I don't deserve that look." Yi Jung said. Jan Di didn't seem convinced as she turned her head talking to Jun Pyo again. "Anyway, I'm free today."

He had zoned everyone out after that as he thought of a little trip he would make before going to his usual club.

It had been three weeks since he had last seen her or heard anything about his new car. It was Jan Di that reminded him about the car else he would've forgotten about it completely.

Arriving there wasn't the problem but the place itself. From the moment he stepped foot into the garage, he was taken aback by the abundance of stimulus on his senses. It was like going into shock. From the loud ear-ringing music to the masses of tools hung everywhere on the wall beside him, and most over-bearing of all was the smell. Gasoline, chemicals and he was sure other things as well were hanging thick in the air. The stench was too strong to ignore, and he took out his handkerchief to cover his nose. His eyes traveled to the narrow floor in front of him with only little space to move with a brown couch in the way taking up most of the space. Making way around it, he reached the stairs leading down to the actual garage where he could see a car taking up most of the space. And the head of a girl frowning and inspecting a piece of metal he could hardly understand what it was.

She didn't lift her head up or notice his presence even with the stairs announcing a guest with every step he took on it. Maybe the heavy metal music was too loud for her to pay attention or she was too focused on the piece of garbage. He would've bet on the latter.

"I didn't know you were a metal fan." He shouted over the music. With that she turned her head and saw him. She was surprised for two seconds before got up from her chair and turned off the music like she was expecting his visit. Her hair was tied in a bun and her shirt was stained black.

"It's not my music. It's Jin Woo's. He also works here."

"Now it makes more sense." Yi Jung said.

"What brings you here?" She asked, but he could tell she wasn't that curious. She emptied out a seat from the other end of the garage so he could sit on it. He hesitated a little before he made himself comfortable. That was his best option considering everything looked like it would stain his clothes permanently.

"I came to see my new car." He said. After taking a good look at it, new isn't what he would call it. She hadn't been exaggerating when she called it ancient. There was no other way to describe it. Not only that, but it looked like it had a pretty bad accident before its trip here. The car was crumpled from the front. It looked like it was rotting away. Even the color, which he assumed was orange since she told him before, was now murky.

"As I told you, it needs work. It's an okay model, but it's clear it's been sitting in someone's garage for years, rusting. And when used again, it had a violent accident. It's not impossible to fix, but it's going to need a lot of time and money which I think you have." Ga Eul said, taking back her seat.

"Okay. Take your time." He said. She started working again, ignoring him while he stared at his surroundings. There were pieces of metal, tools and screws everywhere even on the ground. Ga Eul didn't seen bothered by any of it.

"So, who's Su Pyo?" He asked. He knew it was a lie. Well, everyone knew except Jan Di and Jun Pyo, but nobody said anything. No one was interested enough to know why she lied except him. While he didn't expect a reply, he wanted to ask either way. To see if he got out anything from her.

"You lost the bet."

"That bet was null and you know it." He said, agitated by the sudden reminder of his rejection.

"No, it's not. I stated clearly you had to get her number by the end of the trip and you both didn't." Ga Eul said.

"That was because we got distracted by Jan Di and Jun Pyo."

"You did try to get her number before and failed miserably. Just accept your loss." Ga Eul said.

"Agree to disagree."

"Why are you so interested in finding out who he is? It's weird coming from a guy who's never not seeing someone." Ga Eul asked.

"I'm just curious to know why you lied." Yi Jung said directly, not caring to beat around the bush anymore. It was too obvious of a lie.

"It's none of your business." Ga Eul said. But she didn't look as serious as she did before when he first brought up the fictional Su Pyo. He would've expected her to get offended like she always did when he tried to talk about anything related to her. However, she seemed relaxed. He knew she had no intention of telling him anything, yet she still wasn't as defensive as before.

"Is it a crazy ex boyfriend or something?"

"Maybe things would've been easier if he were." Ga Eul said.

Yi Jung felt like he should stop prying any longer. If anyone knew about secrets, it would be him, and it felt hypocritical of him trying to dig them up for his own sense of accomplishment. For the first time since he came, Ga Eul looked up at him properly. Her eyebrows creased a little. "You know I only got you these arm warmers as a joke, right?" She said.

"And I'm willing to be your punchline." He replied, realizing he was wearing his arm warmers today. He had been wearing them more often than anyone's better judgement. But no one could pull off such atrocity other than him. Something about them was comforting, and that was a feeling he wasn't used to. It was more about the memory tied to it rather than the actual material. He had far nicer things.

"Whatever, but these don't go well with your fancy suits. It's just a suggestion. I have no right to talk about fashion." Ga Eul said. That reminded him of their time in New Caledonia. He had packed her suitcase with dresses. The most extravagant and luxurious ones he could find, and unlike Jan Di who looked icky and uncomfortable in her new unfamiliar dresses, Ga Eul seemed to have no problem with them. Nothing about their trips or their lifestyle surprised her much. She held more of an appreciative gaze at her surroundings. Like a customer speculating their buy rather than the look of dumbfound on Jan Di wherever they went out.

Yi Jung doubted her financial status was as bad as Jan Di. There was no way Ga Eul came from the same background as Jan Di. No matter how close of friends they were. Because Ga Eul always knew what to do. Whether using the right cutlery while eating or having a more refined manner than Jan Di.

"Don't you have something better to do other than watching your new metal clump being fixed?" Ga Eul asked.

"Don't call it that. I'm sure it's going to be as good as new when finished." Yi Jung said, trying to sound hopeful when he had no actual interest in the garbage metal even if it wound up being fixed.

"You sure do have a lot of faith in me when you've never seen what I've done before." Ga Eul said.

"I put my trust in your enthusiasm. Jan Di tells us you've been working a lot on it." Yi Jung said.

"A lot of things are proving to be a challenge, but there's something in particular that's not working for me. That's why I've decided to toss pride aside for a minute and ask for assistance." Ga Eul said.

"I thought you were working on it with someone."

"I was yes, but then you bought it, and I assumed you wouldn't mind if you spent a little more time in getting it done, so I decided to work on it alone. You know, getting more experience, and the other guy working on it was a little busy working in the other workshop, so he was happy to let this one go. But, it turned out I'm going to need some of his assistance." Ga Eul said.

"There is another workshop?"

"Yes, this is just a small relic left by the owner. That was where he started before he bought a bigger more equipped one. He keeps this one for nostalgic purposes and recruits amateurs like me. Jin Woo, the guy I told you about, comes and goes between workshops since he's more experienced than me." Ga Eul said.

"So moving to the other workshop is like getting a promotion?" Yi Jung said.

"Something like that."

"That's why you want to work on it alone?To prove yourself worthy?" Yi Jung asked.

"No, the other workshop is far too much work and commitment. I love this workshop more. Since no one works here but me and Jin Woo, and he's barely here, I can work alone here. It feels like I own the place." Ga Eul said.

Yi Jung took another look at the place around him, and failed to see what Ga Eul saw in that place. It was suffocating to say the least. He wondered how she could stay there hours at a time.

"You look like you're going to faint at any second, so just leave. I'm sure you've gotten your share of entertainment today." Ga Eul said.

"Maybe I'm innocently interested in watching your progress."

"You only bother me when you're in a bad mood." Ga Eul said.

With that Yi Jung shifted a little in his seat, surprised by the pattern he himself couldn't see. "Aren't you just assuming things? You can't flatter yourself too much." Yi Jung said.

"I would've believed you if you were a better liar."

"You barely know anything about me. As you clearly pointed it out before, I'm nothing to you." Yi Jung said.

"Now you're just being petty. I already apologized. And I know you're lying because you have a tell." Ga Eul said.

"What is it then?" Yi Jung asked.

"I don't know how to describe it exactly but your eyes shift. There's a clear difference when you're lying or pretending and when you're not." Ga Eul said.

Again ,for his own good, Ga Eul was too perceptive. He knew she was telling the truth. He knew he was so transparent for her to read, but contrary to before, he couldn't feel the anger he felt back on the trip because something had changed. She wasn't ridiculing him anymore. She simply looked bored of playing mind games.

Taking another look at it, she had been more accepting of him than ever. Not even phased a little by his sudden visit. Like it was something he casually did. She looked more relaxed and lenient than he'd ever seen her, and he wondered if it was rooted from guilt, or she was too occupied with the car to be defensive.

He found no energy in him to oppose her anymore. It was fruitless and more importantly unnecessary. He had no reason to debunk her. He didn't have to impress her or try to save face. In the end Ga Eul was a friend of a friend. She held no importance to him in the slightest.

Breaking the silence Ga Eul asked, "Are you hungry? I'm ordering a pizza and if you're staying you might as well order with me."

Yi jung looked at the Rolex on his wrist. If he wanted to, he'd have to leave now. Woo Bin had to be waiting for him at the club. Not bothering to think too much into it, Yi Jung realized he could make his friend wait a little longer. He liked his company right now.

"Pepperoni would be nice." He replied.

After clearing up a small table, Ga Eul laid the open pizza box and sat next to Yi Jung on the brown couch on the first floor.

He hadn't realized how how hungry he was until he saw the pizza in front of him. He reached out to take a slice trying to keep up with Ga Eul as she munched down on her slice with unbelievable speed.

"You're going to get an indigestion like that." He said.

"Can't help it. This is my first meal of the day."

"Your first meal at 7 at night? How were you even functioning?" Yi Jung asked.

"I was too preoccupied. I'm sure you can relate."

"Still. That's inhumane." Yi jung said, but she just shrugged him off.

Seeing Ga Eul so distracted by the food gave him the opportunity to relieve his curiosity.

"How did you know who I was when you first saw me?" He asked.

"Everyone knows who the F4 are."

"But Jan Di didn't." He replied.

"Jan Di is a special case. She's always too busy. Your photos and everything is all over the internet. It wasn't that hard to figure out who you were." Ga Eul said.

"You seemed more familiar about me though. Not just some photos on the internet." Yi Jung said.

"You and Woo Bin have quite the reputation. Word travels fast, and I used to hear a lot."

"It seems like I dated one of your friends before."

"Something close." She said.

That was all the confirmation he needed. Like Ga Eul said, Jan Di was a special case. It wasn't everyday that a girl in her status could even catch a glimpse of one of the F4 let alone date one of them. Ga Eul had to be more close to his financial status than Jan Di's.

"How did you become friends with Jan Di? You two seem so different from each other. I can't see how you ended up being so close." Yi Jung asked.

"It was during kindergarten. I was a lonely kid, and she kind of adopted me ever since. There wasn't anything special. She stuck with me all this time without any reasons to."

"Sounds like Jan Di." He replied and Ga Eul cracked a genuine smile. "Why did you buy the car?"

"Are you still hung up on that?"

"I'm not trying to start a fight or anything. I don't understand why you did it." Ga Eul said.

"You looked so invested in it. Reminded me of when I get hit by inspiration so suddenly that I can't stop working on a pot. I know that feeling so well, and felt it would be a shame for you drop something like that."

"I never thanked you properly." Ga Eul said.

"You can always thank me by answering my question."

"No way."

"Just a little hint. Was it the guy you got into the car with when I saw you before?"

"Yes. That's all I'm going to answer about this matter. Now can you drop it. I don't want Jan Di or anyone on my back about it." Ga Eul said.

"Fair enough."