Chapter 19

Yi Jung's POV

Yi Jung woke up rolling around the bed, hearing it squeak beneath him. His mind registered his surroundings when he inspected the room he was in behind half-shut eyes. Ga Eul had taken his words like a command yesterday, and she brought him to a house far away. A vacation house. He wasn't sure where they were exactly. He had hazy memories of last night. Only of Ga Eul parking in front of the house and guiding him inside. He didn't have the energy to venture inside. Just enough to make him go up the stairs into one of the bedrooms.

He started looking around the room. It was eerily clean and proper for a vacation house. It was like Ga Eul had prepared for his visit beforehand. His hands reached for a glass frame sitting on the vanity. It was of a toothless Ga Eul laughing in the water while hanging on a float. His lips formed into a smile looking at it. She couldn't have been older than five in that photo. Other than that photo, the whole room was empty. Even the white walls.

He sprung open the tall curtains revealing a glass wall window in front of the bed. He gasped as he took in the view of the waves beneath him. It was late at night when they arrived, so he hadn't realized his surroundings. The house stood on a small cliff overlooking the sea.

He made his way downstairs and saw Ga Eul in the open kitchen making them breakfast. Without lifting her gaze from the sizzling pan before her, Ga Eul said, "You're up earlier than I thought."

"How long was I out for?"

"I don't know. Maybe six hours."

"Wow" Yi Jung exclaimed.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Much. Thank you." He said, smiling.

"Take a seat. I'm almost finished." She said, glancing at the small kitchen table.

He sat down looking at Ga Eul humming while finishing their eggs and putting them on the table with sausages and two cups of coffee.

"Where are we exactly." He asked Ga Eul taking a seat before him.

"We're in Jeju. My parents' vacation house."

"Do they still go here?" Yi Jung asked.

"Definitely not."

"Why is it so cleaned up?"

"Stupid sentiment. We used to love it here. Of course, we stopped visiting after Chun Ja's death, but they still have someone to take care of the place. It's pathetic really." Ga Eul replied.

"And how would you know they take care of it?' He said, smirking.

"Because I'm just as pathetic." She said, laughing. "Eat your breakfast before it gets cold. I'm no Jan Di, but it's manageable."

"I'm grateful either way."

"Yeah yeah."

"I didn't know you would take graduating this much to heart." She said, sarcastically.

"Who would've thought?" He chuckled. "My parents came to the graduation."

"And that's a surprise?"

"Normally, yes. Graduating from school isn't a huge milestone." Yi Jung said.

"Oh, so you didn't know they were coming."

"No, I knew. But I wish I was still saved from the embarrassment. It was humiliating to be seen with them. Everyone knows about my father's affairs. But, alas, the damage has already been done." Yi Jung said.

"It's okay. If anyone can feign indifference, it's going to be you. No one would remember what happened."

"I would remember." Yi Jung said.

"I can make you forget." She suggested, mischievously.

"And how could that be?" He asked.

"Just finish your food first."

The backyard of the house was small with a mediocrely-sized pool overlooking the beach. There were stairs etched from the stone of the cliff leading down towards the beach. And that's where they were heading.

The beach was empty except for them. But he could tell why. The house was isolated away from any signs of life, and according to Ga Eul, it was half an hour away from the buzz of the island.

"Before my parents bought this house, there was nothing but stones and rocks on the cliff, but they managed to dig them up making the ground smooth enough for a beach. It was like a little private beach for us." Ga Eul said, climbing down the stairs.

"It's so peaceful." He said, looking at the deep blue waves. However, the waves didn't look friendly.

"I saw a photo of you in the room I was sleeping in." Yi Jung said.

"That was my room."

"Is that why it was so empty?"

"Observant." She said.

"I used to swim here a lot when I had something on my mind. It may help you." Ga Eul offered.

"Are you sure it's safe? The waves look pretty vicious."

"That's the fun of it all. Take a dip." Ga Eul said.

"I don't have any swimwear with me."

"I'm sure I can find you something to wear up in the house. Just trust me, okay?" She said, pushing him onto the beach near the water.

Taking off his shoes, Yi Jung stepped into the water, his steps hesitant. He didn't stop until he could barely hold his weight against the current. His arms were flailing around him, trying to keep him afloat, but like a huge slap, a wave engulfed him whole. He felt the sting of the saltwater in his nostrils as he got pushed and sucked by the water. In a moment of calm, he emerged his head from the water above, breathing deeply the newly acquired supply of fresh air.

A pair of humorous was watching him by the shore, and he found himself laughing as well.

"Won't you join me?" He shouted over the waves.

"I'll just watch for now."

"Come on, it was your idea." Yi Jung pleaded.

"I don't know about that, Yi Jung."

"Take your own advice for a change."

"Oh, fine." Ga Eul surrendered.

He could see Ga Eul take the first shock of the cold water, but soon after her shoulders relaxed, and she was swimming towards him. He smiled when he caught her shoulders to steady her as she bumped into him by the force of the water. Ga Eul grimaced, "I'm sorry it's been a while since I last swam."

"It's okay." He replied before a sudden wave took them both, violently crashing into them.

"Oh god, this is worse than I remember." Ga Eul exclaimed, disoriented while submerging from the wave that took them down. Yi Jung laughed at her, and Ga Eul took the opportunity to splash water into his mouth. Yi Jung's laughter was haltered by a choke. "Hey, what was that for?"

"If you want to get back at me, you'll have to catch me." Ga Eul said before diving her head into the water and swimming further, willing him to accept her challenge.

The air was crisp by night on the deck outlooking the grass yard by the front door. Especially so when Yi Jung's hair was still dripping wet from showering. His breathing was getting slower, overwhelmed by sleep and comfort. After spending the evening swimming, he and Ga Eul took refuge in the house.

He was quickly by Ga Eul with two mugs of hot chocolate in her hands.

"We need to warm up a bit." She suggested.

"Thanks." He replied while taking a sip of his own mug. "I don't want to go back. Not yet."

"Then we don't have to. We can stay here as long as you like." Ga Eul replied with a comforting smile.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. Whatever you need." Ga Eul reassured him, squeezing his hands. "Although I do have to talk to Jan Di, and tell her I won't be in Seoul tomorrow."

"Okay. Take your time."

When Ga Eul left him, he did something he had wanted to do for a long time. Earlier that day, his curious hands were looking for a charger to his phone in one of the drawers of the house when he stumbled upon an old camera. He didn't know why, but he had felt compelled to open it, so he hid it in his room, charging it, hoping he could revel in its secrets in his own sanctuary.

Taking it out from its hiding, Yi Jung was glad that it was still working. He was surprised to see thousands of pictures, and memories, tucked away in that little device. He knew he was breaching her privacy yet he couldn't stop himself from wondering. There was still so much, too much, that he didn't know about Ga Eul, and his curiosity got the best of him. He knew it wasn't fair play when he still kept secrets hidden from her, but when it came to Ga Eul, it felt unnerving not to know even the slightest detail about her.

The pictures were mostly of one person, and it didn't take long for Yi Jung to figure out it was Chun Ja. Ga Eul hadn't been lying about Chun Ja before. She was breathtaking. Probably someone that would've caught his attention. He felt ashamed at the thought he would've been one of the people that entertained the idea of being with her. However, not for long. Skimming through the pictures, he could see what Ga Eul had meant. Her eyes looked malicious. Just like he could—can—be. He would've gotten bored of her soon enough. Just like Selene.

After what felt like aeons, he finally came across what he wanted. Pictures of a younger Ga Eul at a birthday party. Chun Ja's. She was holding a bottle of beer, looking mildly tipsy. Another of her, Chun Ja, and a guy. He was the one taking the picture with the back camera. He was the owner of the said camera in his hands right now. Hong Joon.

If Ga Eul hadn't told him that he was Chun Ja's fiancé, he would've never guessed. He looked too—normal. A bit hyper maybe, but altogether boring. Many photos were taken that day. Unlike any other occasion. Photos of Ga Eul dancing with Chun Ja swarmed his eyes in surprise. As if that wasn't Ga Eul, his best friend. Even when the camera's focus was on her, she looked hidden in plain sight. Maybe it was because she knew. Even when the camera was on her, it truly wasn't. But that was because the person behind the camera was biased.

Yi Jung's mistake was opening one of the videos without lowering the voice. The sound was too loud in a silent house. That didn't go unnoticed for long. A few seconds later, Ga Eul opened the door to his room suddenly.

"You're spying on me now?" Ga Eul asked, leaning on the door front, annoyance clear on her face. "You know you could've just asked me."

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to ask you in case you weren't ready to open up."

"That's her birthday, right?" Ga Eul asked taking a seat beside him.

"Yes."

"She was so happy that day because she was going to ruin someone's life. She did get what she wanted in the end, but not after her day got ruined."

"I'm not keeping up." Yi Jung said.

"She ordered some of her lackeys to beat a girl up. One of her friends. She made them do it in school at night, but Hong Joon forgot to handle the security footage. It was all sorted out in the end."

"She was like me." Yi Jung softly admitted.

"Not entirely. Chun Ja was power-hungry. If she had half the power you hold, she would've done much worse than you."

"I wouldn't say that, Ga Eul. You don't know the things I've done."

"You're not fundamentally bad. A bit frightening in some aspects, but not altogether a vicious person. You can never be like her."

"I'll take it as a compliment."

"You should. She deserved to die." Ga Eul said, harshly.

"How did she die?"

"A car accident. She had been drinking before and slammed herself into another car. I believe it was karma. That someone who hated mistakes that much ended up making one that took her life. She had always seemed invincible, but not enough to evade death, I suppose." Ga Eul said.

"It's silly when you think about how little control we have over our lives. Think about all her victims. How little she must've made them feel. And in an instant, all that horror and terror that a single person held over them was gone. It must have been a relief." Yi Jung said.

"Her death wasn't a relief to everyone. That girl, Chun Ja ordered to beat up, was at her funeral. She cried more than me. She believed that she could've helped her friend become a better person. It was so fucked up."

"I guess not everyone can be cruel and unforgiving. I know I'm not." Yi Jung scoffed.

"But, what is better? Being naïve and oblivious, or being aware and full of grudge." Ga Eul asked.

"It would've been easier if I was a little naive. Maybe I would've been a better person. Maybe I wouldn't have resented my parents this much."

"How about we try doing something different today? Instead of a movie?" Ga Eul suggested over dinner. It was their third day at the vacation house, and they spent all their days swimming, cooking and watching movies, trying to hide away from life back in Seoul.

"Something like what?" Yi Jung asked between bites, intrigued.

"There's this club that's a 35-minute drive from here."

"I thought you hated clubs."

"A little change of scenery here and there wouldn't hurt. And I know you love clubbing so why not?"

"Are you sure about this?' Yi Jung asked.

"When have I ever gone back on my words? Although it won't be as fancy as what you're used to."

"It's okay. I have learned to accept your societal inferiority." Yi Jung chimed, smirking.

"Oh, how generous of you, Yi Jung." Ga Eul replied, rolling her eyes.

"But, you can't expect me to go there with these rags on me?" Yi Jung asked, his eyebrows raised, referring to the oversized clothes on him. That was all they could find in her father's closet.

"I'll help you style something out."

"It's easy for you to say. All your clothes are here."

"All my old clothes. I don't wear them anymore." Ga Eul interjected. He bit down his response, clearly treading on sensitive territory. But, that didn't stop him for long. Even though he knew better.

"Is it because of Chun Ja?" He asked.

"Yes, she used to pick out my wardrobe. Every single piece of clothing I owned held a little bit of her."

"Then why, Ga Eul?"

"I don't have any other clothes here." She replied.

"You know that's not what I meant. Why did you bring me here? I know it's not easy for you to spend your days here. We could've gone anywhere else."

"That was the only place that I felt that you would be safe in. You needed a place far away and that's the only house that came to mind. If you had anywhere else that you would've felt comfortable in, I would've gone there." Ga Eul said.

"But it must be so hard for you to be here." Yi Jung said, guilt eating him up.

"I thought it would be like that at first, but it's not the case. I find myself braver and safe by your side. I'm not miserable if you're asking me." Ga Eul said, with a soft smile on her lips. Just for him.

"How about this one?" Ga Eul asked, holding a pair of trousers from her father's wardrobe.

"I'm in physical pain looking at this atrocity."

"Save me your theatrics, and just choose something. We've been here for an hour." Ga Eul pleaded.

"Fine, I'll go with the first pair you chose."

"You are insufferable." Ga Eul huffed in annoyance and sat beside him on the bed.

"Do you think we should return back?" Yi Jung asked, dejectedly.

"I don't know. It's all about how you feel."

"These past three days may have been the best days of my existence. But, I can't live a life running away. We have to go back, right?" Yi Jung asked, hoping she would refuse. Hoping they could stay just a little while longer.

"We can't stay hidden here forever no matter how much I wish that."

"We can still travel together again this summer." Yi Jung voiced his hopes out loud.

"Definitely."

Ga Eul was right when she said that the club wouldn't be on par with his standards. It was sketchy, to say the least. The stench of body odour and alcohol triggered his gag reflex. It should've been illegal that so many people were stuffed inside the compact-sized club.

"Relax. It's going to be fun." Ga Eul shouted over the music.

"In which way possible would this be fun? Half of the people here look like they've been convicted of murder before." Yi Jung said, glancing over the crowds of people covered in full body tattoos, and harbouring a few scars here and there visible by the faint light.

"Don't be so judgmental. This is way way more fun than your pretentious clubs."

"At least mine include enough oxygen supply." Yi Jung retorted. Ga Eul chuckled and grabbed his over to the dance floor.

"This is our last day here. Go with the flow." Ga Eul said, taking his hand while trying to twirl him around on the dance floor. Yi Jung burst into laughter as he complied with her.

"I'm going to get something to drink. Should I get you something?" Yi Jung asked her between breaths. He was getting tired from dancing, and his throat was getting parched. With a shake of her head in disapproval, Yi Jung went to the bar to get him some beers which looked like the only viable option out of the drinks there. He was starting to get used to the place. He had started to build his own rhythm to the unknown music playing. And best of all—everyone there minded their own business. He was used to flaunting himself before, but no one here cared about anyone. He was free to do whatever he pleased. And that included wearing horrendous dad clothes to a sketchy club with Ga Eul.

Pushing through the crowds to get to Ga Eul, he found her with someone. A clingy someone.

"I already gave you my number." Ga Eul shouted.

"I'm not some idiot. You wouldn't give your phone number out so easily." The guy replied, smirking.

"I already have a date. There he just came back." Ga Eul said, looking over at Yi Jung.

"You're with that pretty boy? Come on, you and I both know that you could do better." The guy said, looking Yi Jung up and down. Yi Jung could feel his patience thinning, and he tried to muster down his anger.

"Let's go, Yi Jung." Ga Eul said, grabbing his arm, and urging him away. He knew why. The guy looked dangerous and sober. He was playing with her consciously. He wasn't just a random drunkard. He was almost Yi Jung's height with a hefty amount of muscles on him.

Yi Jung took her grip and started leading them away when the creep halted them. "Leave the girl." He sneered, getting impatient. Yi Jung found himself fuming. He knew that his next move was so irresponsible, but he couldn't control his fist until it landed on that guy's face. And again. That took the guy by surprise just enough to buy them time to run away.

They held each other's hands for dear life as they stormed through the crowd with the creep hot on their tails. He chased them out of the club into the streets. The adrenaline rush was enough to make them run this far without getting caught. They could sense their chaser getting tired, so Yi Jung took the chance to take a curb and hide in a small space between two buildings.

They both looked at each other in fear until they could hear their chaser's footsteps scurrying away. Yi Jung took the risk and stepped outside of his hiding to make sure they weren't being followed anymore. They weren't. He finally sighed in relief.

"That was crazy." Ga Eul said, exasperated. They both shared a look and laughed.

"That was very reckless of you." Ga Eul said as they walked away on the streets, only faint street lights guiding them.

"I got angry." Yi Jung sighed. That wasn't good enough of an excuse, and he was aware of that. He never had to lift a finger if someone pissed him off. He was far more civilized than that. But that wasn't just a minor tick that he could brush off. What he had felt there was pure anger, and his trigger was when the creep referred to Ga Eul as "the girl". It felt so dirty.

"Still. I'm capable of handling these situations myself."

"He wasn't going to let you go." Yi Jung said.

"It's not the first time I come across a creep nor the last time. I don't fix these situations just by punching every guy that comes my way."

"Next time, I'll keep myself in check." He said, smiling.

"I hope there won't be a next time." Ga Eul said, bumping her shoulder into his as they walked down the street.