Chapter 18

Yi Jung

If there was one thing Yi Jung hated more than talking about his parents, it would have to be being in their presence. Even more so if it had to be in a public event. It left a bad taste in his mouth how much he had to lie, pretend and act. It was futile. Everyone knew about his father's affairs. Their family's reputation was down in the mud because of him. He couldn't help his nerves getting the best of his hands while he was wrapping his tie around his collar. It was his graduation day, and he had no patience for such a thing.

It was a fine morning, and he despised that. For what he was feeling, he had hoped the world would be angry like he was. He wanted to bathe in his rage and wear it proudly. Instead, he wore his ironed suit and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked perfect. He looked the part of a rich guy from a stable family. That was the least he could do in order to look somewhat convincing. If he didn't have it, he might as well look like it.

At that moment, he had wanted nothing more than to get his graduation over with. He didn't need a useless graduation to give a false sense of achievement. From Shinhwa High School to Shinhwa University, that was indeed an accomplishment, he scoffed to himself.

The only bearable thing about tonight was the after-party. Thought of Ga Eul made him smile. Recently that was the only thing that gave him happiness. She never confirmed to him that she was coming, but he knew she would. She always did.

Strapping the watch on his wrist, he knew he was ready. One final look at his mirror before he went out of his closet. Ready to be conquered and destroyed.

It felt like a haze to him. He had tried as hard as possible to convince his mind that he was somewhere else. It would've been more convenient if he had a flask in his hand. Not that he hadn't thought about it, but he didn't want to risk being drunk. It all went by so quickly. Corny speeches and students getting receiving their certificates, so happy being blinded by their false hope of a better future.

His parents were waiting for him like the rest of the other parents on the school premises. His mom's arms were hanging on his father's arm. She looked so content in that moment. When he had to accept her clingy and persistent grip on his arm. Yi Jung couldn't feel more disgruntled looking at her. So foolish. So in love. She had probably looked forward to that day just so she could play housewife again.

"Yi Jung, darling. We're so proud of you. Aren't we, honey? She said, but her eyes were beaming at her husband, not her son.

"How couldn't we?" He replied, playing along with her. His father wasn't abhorrently dismissive of his mother which was even worse. He didn't care enough for her to even hate her. To him, she was just a piece of meaningless decor. Not even worthy enough to be a part of his precious pottery. When he felt like it, he went along with her whims.

Soon they were joined by an eager mother. He couldn't exactly pinpoint her name. She probably was no one important. He barely acknowledged his colleagues.

"What a beautiful day, Mr and Miss So. It's not every day you see your children graduating." She said, her voice squeaked.

"Well yes of course. It's such a pleasure seeing you again, Miss Kim." His mother replied. He forced a sneer from showing up on his face. She sure had studied hard for this day. The thing about socialites in his school was that they were like flies compared to the F4. Flies were useless and annoying that's why they liked buzzing off with rumours everywhere they went.

"I must say I didn't expect to see you here. It's such an honour. You must be incredibly busy." Miss Kim said. And there it came, Yi Jung thought, the sting of her hints on his mother's face. Her grip on his father's arm tightened if that was even possible. Her smile became more forced.

"Nothing is more important than our Yi Jung." His mom replied.

It was taking a toll on him listening to her rambling. She was humiliating them. She had no reason to pretend in front of a flying pest like the woman standing in front of them. It didn't matter what people thought of them. Either way, they were above everyone. Their word was law, and yet his mom still had to entertain these worthless flies. Only Yi Jung's parents came to their graduation while the other F4 parents found way more important things to handle. His mother was trying too hard to prove they were okay.

He could tell his father was beginning to feel squeamish being held hostage all that time. Yi Jung decided to end both their misery and embarrassment. "I reserved a table for us for lunch to celebrate. You don't want us to be late, right? He told his mom, his tone respectful and gentle. "We're sorry for hauling you all this time." He said to Miss Kim.

"Oh, please. If anything I was the one taking too much of your time. Now, please excuse me." She said, her cheek flushed with embarrassment. He couldn't believe even a woman her age could still have these kinds of reactions towards him. She withdrew from them like a shy teenage girl. It revolted him sometimes how everyone seemed to think of him as nothing but a player. As if every word he could ever spill out of his tongue was only meant for pursuing women. He had barely said anything to the woman, perhaps even insulting her, and she had managed to blush under his gaze.

"What restaurant have you reserved for us?" His mother asked him. He couldn't believe she actually believed that meek lie.

"I only said that to get that Miss Kim out of my face. Now the only courtesy I'll offer you is that we'll all return home in the same vehicle in order to honour whatever nonsense you have been playing at the whole time."

"How could you?" His mom said, her eyes watering and her voice rasping.

"Oh, keep it in until we get in the car." He said, before turning his back on them and heading for their car. He couldn't bear to see the effects of his cruel words, but he wanted to slap a reality check into his mother. Even if it meant being heartless. He could predict where his words would lead his mother to later that day.

Yi Jung felt stiffened by the tie around his neck, but even more so by the girls surrounding his table. Their constant banter was enough to make him gulp down three glasses of Champagne in one swallow. He stood by his table waiting for the girls' rambling to die down, but it never did. He wanted, pleaded, for a quick escape from this torture. He knew that was bound to happen because this party was the last night of their school life. No longer could he escape his classmates in the comfort of their own lounge at school. Here, everyone was gathered in the presence of the F4 without constraint. However, he knew that girls would swarm around him far more than his friends. Jun Pyo was already taken, dancing around with his girlfriend on the floor. Ji Hoo was too intimidating to be approached, and Woo Bin had no trouble being approached. That set his reputation more than Woo Bin. Yi Jung had always been more selective and calculating when it came to his conquests. That made him more alluring to girls. Being seen with proved a point of being worthy enough of his company.

In truth, Yi Jung preferred having more control over his relationships. Whom he would choose, and how far he wanted the relationship to go. Something he had no control over when he was younger because it was expected of him. He was his father's son after all. The apple never fell far from the tree.

Normally, women had more restraint went it came to him, but now they were blinded by the alcohol and the feeling it would be the last chance to conquer him. His eyes kept glancing out of the glass wall of the venue. It was dark outside, and the night seemed so quiet compared to the music inside. Only Jan Di and Jun Pyo looked like they were having fun. Their smiles were beaming wide enough to see in the darkly lit room.

He kept tucking at his cravat hoping for some kind of relief when his eyes noticed a certain brunette, with a clumsily knit bun and a black dress, made her entrance. Her eyes kept roaming the place until they met his. A smile met his own, and he went out of his way from his table to greet her.

"Looking good in a suit." She said, smirking.

"Not as good as you." He said, taking in her appearance. She looked exquisite. Not that he had ever expected anything less than her usual heartwarming beauty.

"Did I take you away from your crowd? I could hang with Ji Hoo and Woo Bin until you finish." She said, eyeing the girls he was just with.

"Not at all. You actually just saved me." He said, genuinely smiling for the first time today.

"Let's go join them, then." She said as they walked over to Woo Bin and Ji Hoo.

Ji Hoo looked rather entertained for the first time tonight, and he held a satisfied grin as if he had just won something. Yi Jung couldn't figure out what made him smug upon Ga Eul's arrival.

"I didn't know you were coming tonight." Woo Bin said, surprised.

"Well, Yi Jung invited me, and I figured it would be a good chance to congratulate you guys." She said, smiling.

"That's very nice of you, Ga Eul." Ji Hoo replied.

"Where's Jan Di? I can't see her around here." She asked, craning her neck on the lookout for her best friend.

"She's with Jun Pyo. Probably having a private celebration." Woo Bin said.

"Too bad. I wanted to see her all dressed up." She said, shrugging her shoulders when they were joined by a tall dark haired woman—Selene. Yi Jung was especially familiar with her. Him and Woo Bin for that matter. Yi Jung had dated her for a good six weeks before he broke up with her, and she was now Woo Bin's on-and-off girlfriend or rather a companion. Someone latched on his arms for events like what she was doing right now.

Yi Jung wasn't particularly fond of her, but he respected her intelligence. She kept him entertained enough to date her for six whole weeks. He usually lasted about a week before he got bored. Whether he thought it a good idea that Woo Bin kept her around was something he had no business commenting on although he did feel like their relationship was train-wreck waiting to happen.

He could see her head tilt ever so slightly in confusion at Ga Eul.

"Hi, I'm Selene. Woo Bin's partner for the evening. And you are?" She asked, respectfully while holding out her hand.

"Oh, I'm Ga Eul. I'm Yi Jung's friend." Ga Eul replied, taking her hand.

"Yi Jung's friend? I didn't know Yi Jung could ever have girl friends." She said, her lips curling around the opening of her glass, her eyes mischievous, before taking a sip of her champagne.

"We've recently become friends." Ga Eul said, her eyes were bored. Selene only hummed her response as if not caring to hear about Ga Eul's words.

Somehow he felt a tinge of irritation at Selene's words. He knew that it was a jab at Ga Eul or them both. Either way, it ticked him off. He was already hanging by a fine thread as it is. Couldn't this day end peacefully?

"I didn't think Yi Jung was capable of holding friends outside of the F4. Let alone a girl. Don't you think it a bit risky taking Yi Jung as a friend, Ga Eul? When Yi Jung gets bored of you'd have no one to blame but yourself." Selene said, her amusement never faltering.

"Does Yi Jung have a habit of harming his friends?" Ga Eul asked, playing along with her.

"No, but he does have a habit of making enemies," Selene replied.

"You sure have a harsh view about me, Selene." Yi Jung said.

"I'm just warning an innocent girl. Don't you think playing the role of her friend to seduce her is too low even for you?" Selene asked.

Before Yi Jung could get the chance to utter his insults, Ga Eul's chuckle halted his tongue.

"Laugh all you want, but don't say you weren't warned when you come crying in the end, dear girl." Selene said, clearly agitated with Ga Eul for not taking her seriously.

"I'm glad my naivety seems to entertain you well." Ga Eul said, through a knowing smile. "But don't you think it's a little presumptuous to talk about Yi Jung like that so easily? If I'm not mistaken, you don't seem to be close enough to Yi Jung to insult him in front of his friends easily. You don't seem to believe in your own advice." Ga Eul added this time her tone mocking.

"A little girl like you should know when to watch her tongue. Don't think Yi Jung would be there to protect you forever."

"Thank you, Selene, for the advice, but if there is one thing I do know for sure is not to take advice from drunk strangers."

It was astonishing how fast Selene's smile dropped. Yi Jung had felt no remorse for her. It took great lengths to get Ga Eul to taunt someone with their greatest flaws.

It was true that Selene loved her liquor a little too much, but of course, no one knew that except people close to her. With Ga Eul being the exception. Whatever Ga Eul's sharp eyes noticed, she usually kept to herself. That was until she was pushed. Yi Jung was no stranger to her ways.

He couldn't help but smile in satisfaction to himself as Selene walked away, her mouth at a loss.

"Now I have to look for another date." Woo Bin huffed his annoyance before leaving their table.

"Tell me." Ga Eul commanded, in a hushed voice.

"What?" Yi Jung replied, confused.

"You look like hell, and you have your phone turned off." She answered. Ga Eul knew. There was no doubt she knew when he felt horrible. No one could see him as she did.

"Ouch."

"Someone had to say it."

"Let's get out of here first. I'll suffocate if I spend another minute." He said.

"Where?"

"I don't know." He answered.

"You wouldn't mind if we leave you alone." Yi Jung asked Ji Hoo.

"Not at all. Take your leave." He responded, still with that smug smile on his lips. I'm

They ended up going in circles while Yi Jung was driving in unfamiliar streets. The car ride was silent. He didn't know how to begin. What was it like to speak up? He thought to himself. He felt trapped, his words not coming out. He was so angry, so frustrated at everything yet he couldn't utter a single word of anger. His knuckles whitened around the stirring wheel. He only felt compelled to stop the car when they reached further into the thickness of greenery surrounding them. He parked near the edge of a cliff. He could tell that they were on the outskirts of Seoul. Checking the watch on his wrist, he found out they had been driving for an hour and a half.

Ga Eul looked at him with understanding and empathy. She gave him a tired smile and placed a soft grip on his hands still wrapped around the wheel.

"Why don't you rest? I can take us back home if you want. You don't have to think anymore. Just sleep." She suggested.

"What difference would it make?"

"Sometimes when I sleep, I can pretend that all my problems don't exist. For a while, your brain can go quiet. Your eyes look so tired. Just listen to me." Ga Eul pleaded.

"I don't want to go back. I can't stand it."

"You don't have to talk. You don't have to explain it to anyone. You also don't have to go home. Tell me where you want to go, and I'll take you there." Ga Eul said, softly.

"Take me far away from here." He said, his eyes getting heavy.

A/N: sorry for the late update. Hope you enjoy ;)