Chapter 32

Ga Eul had fallen into a simple routine of spending her nights at Yi Jung's place after her shifts. She needed a quiet place to study since her exams were nearing. She didn't experience the same stress as others as they struggled to keep their stress at bay for the exams. They had taken a special toll on Jan Di who halted working most of her part-time times. Ga Eul covered most of her shifts at the restaurant, and with Jin Woo's bike keeping her mind occupied, she barely had any time to unwind. Except for when she would go back home and share her day with Yi Jung. They would watch movies on the couch until both fell asleep. She didn't realize that most of her stuff was now littered around the penthouse. Or how natural it became for Yi Jung to call her every day to know if she'll return late, or not so he could wait for her.

Ga Eul felt more fulfilled than she ever had in her entire life. Sure, the days were daunting and Jan Di's absence made her lonely, but she had the privilege of being by Yi Jung's side. After coming clean about Eun Jae, life had been peaceful. Almost.

The matter of Hong Joon persisted. His harassment had gotten so out of hand that she contemplated going to the police. But if she did, Yi Jung would know right away. God knows what he would do if he found out.

She was going to tell Jan Di as the situation had gotten worse ever since the photo of her and Yi Jung spread online. But each time her tongue got stuck. Jan Di was stressed enough as it was, and the mention of Hong Joon would activate her into protective mode. She didn't have the time for that. And she didn't trust any of the F4 to keep their mouths shut, so instead she had been trying to survive on her own. She tried changing her phone number, but that only worked for a week before he found her again. She couldn't risk changing her number again, so they wouldn't notice a pattern. It was a miracle she kept his messages a secret all that time while living under the same roof as Yi Jung.

She forcefully tugged her phone in her pocket as Hong Joon begged to meet her once. He believed she owed him an explanation. She would've scoffed at him if she had the chance. What more damage could he do? When would enough be enough? He needed help, and Ga Eul wouldn't be the person to do it. She had her fill of his misery.

Jin Woo kept to his promise and helped her now and then when he had the time and today was no exception. He hadn't come with his hands empty. He had brought new parts with him. Not everything could be salvaged from the scraps. She handled the shiny new muffler in hand.

"I see you're not sparing expenses." She remarked. She was surprised by the quality of the new parts. Of course, it didn't compare to when she had an unlimited budget while fixing the Pony, but it was impressive.

"Working in the other workshop has its perks." He shrugged.

"I see."

"It's not just the pay that's enticing. I have a friend there, and I told him about you fixing my bike. He's interested in meeting you."

"Does he want something fixed as well? My hands are kind of tied right now."

"Not that. He wants to ask you on a date."

"What?" Ga Eul asked laughing. "You setting me up on a date was not on my bingo list."

"So that's a yes?" He asked.

"No, that's an I'm taken."

"No way. How come I don't know?" He feigned being offended.

"You didn't ask."

"I didn't believe I had a reason to ask. Who's the lucky man?"

"You met him."

"No, there's no way in hell." His eyes betrayed his shock.

"I was surprised to see him here before, but I thought you guys were friends. Although it sounded suspicious before."

"We were friends before. I didn't lie."

"Well, good for you. Here I felt bad not paying you when you have a billionaire as a boyfriend."

"We're not entirely official yet, so don't go all excited on me."

"I don't care. You made it in life."

Ga Eul laughed. Talking about Yi Jung's wealth sometimes made her uncomfortable. It felt like a punch to the gut, knowing the difference between them was stark. But she knew Jin Woo didn't mean harm. She was glad he found humour in the situation and didn't get offended she rejected his friend.

Her phone kept buzzing in her pocket insistently. Hong Joon was being especially stubborn today. She would've turned off her phone but was expecting Yi Jung to call her.

"Your phone's been ringing non-stop. Maybe it's your rich boyfriend."

"That's not him. That's somewhat of a lurker." Ga Eul spilled out. She was dying to tell Jan Di, but Jin Woo was her second-best option.

"Ga Eul, that's dangerous. You should tell your boyfriend."

"I don't know about that. I don't want the situation to get out of hand. He might have an extreme reaction."

"Rightfully so. How long has this been happening?"

"A while now."

"I know if my girlfriend wasn't telling me about something like that, I would lose all my shit."

"I don't what I should do anymore."

"Look, I'm just giving you advice. Do whatever makes you comfortable. Just don't hesitate to ask for help. I'm here if you want."

"Thank you, Jin Woo."

Ga Eul gave Jin Woo's words a thought. It wasn't a matter of right or wrong, but which action would have the least dire consequences? She did need to tell someone whether the idea scared her or not. Saying the words out loud made things real. It made her fear of Hong Joon real. It made what he did to her at that party real. Till now she had been able to survive by denying the truth in her mind. However, that never meant the past didn't happen. She was humiliated in front of tons of people. She was seen in the ugliest sight by Jan Di. She's been made fool of and stomped on.

It wasn't just Hong Joon. Her parents. Chun Ja. Everyone that surrounded her life ever since she could open her eyes to the world. She had thought that she left that world behind, but at Hong Joon's party, she was reminded of all that had happened. She had avoided everything since Chun Ja's death, but the sting of feeling inferior and small again made her realize that she hadn't gotten over anything in her past. She happened to forget.

Maybe Hong Joon had been smart to lure her into his life even after Chun Ja's death, but he wasn't smart enough to let her stay. That was something her parents could easily do. Running away had always been as easy as breathing. But no one ever hid away forever. Like with Hong Joon, she had to face her parents. Something she thought she never had to do. All matters considered, she had been paying them a favour by her disappearance from their lives. She could've begged for forgiveness for mistakes she hadn't committed. No matter how they could've scorned her, she could have clung to them like a leech. But she didn't.

She wasn't naive to think her presence would matter after Chun Ja. Their disregard and hostility were to be expected. What she couldn't have imagined was their leniency. Their too generous allowance after months of entirely cutting her off from all her resources came to Ga Eul as both a surprise and an invitation to seek shelter back to their house after fighting the cold alone on the streets and sometimes Jan Di's home.

They cared enough not to let her fend off for herself. That had to count. They could have not.

The shred of gratitude she felt years ago for their generosity had now turned to fear. They still remembered her. And now no doubt they would be interested in her again. She hadn't gone back to her house ever since she started living with Yi Jung. She never had to go back. The few important possessions she had were on her when she started gradually moving in with him. Other trivial necessities were taken care of by Yi Jung who offered to buy her everything she could ever need. He knew she was afraid to face her parents after the photo got leaked. But some things Yi Jung couldn't buy with money.

She had to go to her parent's house once and for all to gather all that still mattered to her. Her passport and some tokens of the past like old photos of her and Jan Di. Memories of her uncle—the only family member that shared time with her. He was a man of few words, but he still chose to include her in whatever scrapes of a life he had. He had always been a lonesome man. No wife or kids. The black sheep of the family. Whether he liked Ga Eul or not remained a mystery even after his death. He could've taken her in because she reminded him of himself. It could've been like blowing a punch to his brother. Teaching his younger daughter how to be more like his screw-up of an older brother. Her uncle was by no means a good man.

She opened the door to the house, knowing that would most likely be the last time she ever stepped foot in that place again. She was graduating soon. It would be time for her to leave. It would be time for her to live and not survive. And all that place was or could ever be was for survival.

She took her measured and calculated steps into the house and on the stairs to the upper floor. It was like a dance she memorized to make the least noise possible. It was a fun game as a child and a sad realization as an adult.

Her room was clean and proper. Ga Eul knew what that meant. Her room hasn't been cleaned for years. Gritting on her teeth, she got to work quickly. She had kept everything that she could need in specific places for her to remember. Her old photos were hidden at the back of her closet behind all her old clothes, her passport beneath the mattress and her uncle's keepsakes scattered inside various picture frames. She didn't want to put all her eggs in one basket.

After gathering her stuff in her backpack, she silently closed the door behind her. She was close to being successful. So close. Until she saw her parents sitting in the living room. They hadn't done that since Chun Ja. They hadn't done a lot of things since Chun Ja. For example, exist. They were waiting for her return. They wanted to talk to her. Her steps subconsciously slowed as she took in their hardened looks.

Her father was sipping his coffee as if the situation they were in was normal. Ga Eul had wondered if they intentionally hid from her presence as if she were a vulture when she was in the house, or if they did nothing in life anymore other than work and sleep much like her.

They eyed her in obvious disdain. Her attire was anything other than what they considered proper. She looked extra dishevelled as she had returned from the workshop. In contrast, they were dressed to the nine as they always had.

There could be no denying the intense staring contest between the three of them still Ga Eul decided to get a move on. She turned her head as soon as her foot hit the floor.

"Take a seat. We need to talk." Her father casually said. Ga Eul was tempted to keep walking away, but she felt her anger seeping in. Turning around, she took a seat on the couch opposite them. She hadn't looked them in the eyes for years.

They looked old now, somehow more frail than what Ga Eul remembered them to be. Her mother's shoulders were a bit hunched and tiny wrinkles were beginning to spread around her eyes. Her father had held better over the years. He had the eyes of a beaten-down man, but he still had that flame of expecting obedience when talked to. Ga Eul found her anger simmering down into pity. In the end, they were parents who lost their child.

"We're not going to beat around the bush here. We want to talk to you about the nature of the relationship between you and So Yi Jung." Her father said, setting the coffee on the table.

"What we mean to say is that it is your responsibility to us to make us understand. People around us have been talking. We must know how to respond to such photos as your parents." Her mother continued.

"If it is a mere fling then it's our right to stop you from seeing him immediately. We aren't deluded enough to think someone of his position would go for a family like ours. Your relationship makes us look like subservient leeches. We have our dignity to maintain, so don't think for a second about tarnishing it because of foolish puppy love. You won't be the first nor the last." He said before her mother sent him a warning look. While she wasn't any less strict than him, she knew how to choose her words much more prettily.

"You should tell us if we are misunderstanding. We are willing to help you both if it's a serious relationship. But only if you are sure of his intentions. We would have to set a meeting together to see how best we could move forward with that."

Her father scoffed, clearly not in favour of such an idea. Probably doubting their relationship could bring them any fruition.

Ga Eul took a deep breath. She was expecting this conversation to take place. They only decided to acknowledge her again when they thought she could bring them any benefits. Something they couldn't believe she could ever do. It was clear that they were willing to take advantage of the situation whether they approved of her method of rising on the ladder or not. It was a meek last attempt, trying to reap anything from her. Foolish hope that Ga Eul had somehow managed to succeed at something, so they didn't have to live in the shame of her existence. So they didn't feel so much loss at Chun Ja's death.

"Thank you for your concern, but I have to disagree with what you said. I don't believe I owe you any explanation regarding my relationship with So Yi Jung."

"Watch your tongue. You are already treading on thin ice." Her mother warned.

"I haven't said anything. If you find the rumours going around now distasteful, you could always deny my relationship with you. I'm honestly surprised you have chosen to speak to me after all these years about something so trivial. In hindsight of the recent years, I have every reason to believe that I may as well have been disowned. So if the matter of me being your daughter poses any threat to your reputation, you could officially cut me out of the family tree. You have made it clear that my existence repulses you." Ga Eul replied, making sure her face remained stoic despite the frenzy she felt inside.

"Who do you think you are, little girl? We will take any action we deem fit. Do you think I need advice from the likes of you? After all these years, you haven't changed. You are still the dull useless child you were born to be." Her father raged.

"I'm sorry to disappoint." Ga Eul said, standing up and bowing to them for the final time. She turned her back on their stricken faces.

She was crying on the way home. When she got back to the penthouse, she didn't look twice as she made her way to her room. She muffled her sobs with the pillows. Her head felt like exploding as she wailed. There was something more painful about ending her relationship with them as they reopened her wounds. It would've been better if they had left things as is. Maybe she could've deluded herself into thinking they missed her. But it was evident they didn't.

She was glad Yi Jung wasn't home when she came. She needed to let out all her pain. Why did it hurt the same all over again? Why couldn't they have admitted their neglect? Almost as if she deserved it. Like that will all she ever be worth.

She had wished for closure, but what happened earlier could hardly be called anything as such. They wouldn't grant her even that. Cutting her out years ago was already bad enough, but talking to her again like nothing had happened hurt worse.

She wrapped the blanket around her body as her broken sobs turned into soft whimpers before she drifted off to sleep.

Ga Eul pressed two cold spoons on her eyes to lessen their puffiness. When she got out of bed earlier, Yi Jung gasped as he took in her state. She released big breaths as the cold spoons' temperature froze her fingers to the bone. She quickly let them fall on the kitchen table. Yi Jung winced as he watched her pain.

"They're much better now, but I think you should hold them to your eyes one last time for good measure." He said, inspecting her eyes.

"I don't think I can. It's so cold." She whined.

"I know, but I'm worried. Your eyes are still bloody red."

"Once the eye drops arrive, they'll be okay." She reassured. As if on cue, the doorbell announced someone on the door. Yi Jung left her to get the eye drops he ordered.

She had briefly told him about her encounter with her parents earlier in the day. He came home late the day before and was worried when he saw her face. He didn't seem too happy about the conversation that took place, but he kept his comments to himself out of respect. He listened to her as tears threatened to pour out of her face again. She felt relief as she talked to him, but she couldn't help the part of her that hated how understanding of his position. She hated how familiar he was with that kind of pain.

She tried not to blink away as he poured the foreign liquid into her eyes.

"All done." He said as he scooted away from her. Through her foggy vision, she saw Yi Jung looking at her with a sad expression.

"How about this? You put on any kind of music you like while I make us lunch. It's way past breakfast time."

"You don't like my music."

"I like you. That'll do as I suffer."

"Hey, that's not fair."

"You listen to noise music."

"You sound like a grandpa." Ga Eul chuckled.

Yi Jung's POV

Yi Jung was making them Italian pasta as Ga Eul hung around him. He didn't fail to show his distaste for her choice of songs now and then. She would roll her eyes and turn on an even louder song just to piss him off.

She noticed a bottle of fancy wine sitting lonely on the kitchen counter. It was for the pasta sauce. Ga Eul couldn't help her hands as they wrapped around the open bottle and took a sip. Yi Jung wasn't paying her much attention at first until he noticed the crimson liquor on her lips.

"I thought you didn't drink."

"I don't. This is just for today." She shrugged.

"Okay, but don't get drunk on me."

"Ironic coming from you."

"Play nice. That's an expensive bottle for you to be chugging like beer. So uncultured."

"Let loose, old man." She snickered.

He watched her dance around him as he cooked. She took the occasional chug and somehow sang louder than the music. He laughed, watching her go from side to side, making him dizzy. She was tipsy alright, he thought to himself.

"Can I ask you a question?" She said, leaning her body on the counter beside him.

"Depends." He smirked, knowing he was going to answer whatever she asked.

"Who was your first girlfriend?"

"An older girl. I was fourteen then, and she was the hottest sixteen year old in our school."

"No way. Yi Jung, you're into cougars? I don't have much of a chance now." She giggled.

"A sixteen year old wasn't much of a cougar. But I have to fess up. I was pretty nervous. She was much more experienced than I was. I guess she liked me back then because she could tell through my facade that I was only a fourteen year old boy. Not the young master as I was called back at home."

"So how long did you two date? Before you got bored of her, of course. This one had to have lasted longer than the others. She was your first love after all." She gushed.

"She wasn't my first love, nor did she last long. We dated for three weeks."

"Why if she was so pretty? I doubt fourteen-year-old you had any set preferences, yet."

"Like I said before, she was much more experienced than me. She wasn't just my first girlfriend. She was my first everything. Except love."

"Oh my, did you get dumped?"

"I was the one who did the dumping. She was only with me because she saw my naivety. She wanted to be the first to covet my innocence. She knew she would've had less of an impact on me if she waited while I was a bit older. I wasn't taken, yet. She wanted to be the first. She imagined that being with me first made her special since she was expecting what I'd turn into as I got older. She probably didn't understand the damage she was making, like many others. I realized a week after it that I felt used. Disgusted, I dumped her."

"Yi Jung, that's horrible. I can't imagine." Ga Eul gasped, putting a hand over her mouth.

"Don't worry, I don't stay the victim for long. She was a receiver of the red card shortly after. She didn't last long in Shinhwa."

"I've never been more relieved at hearing someone getting the red card." Ga Eul said. He darkly chuckled.

"That's why it's always been important to set ourselves apart from others. It's not about classism, but more about following the natural order of things. The red card kept many in check. I don't expect you to approve of the method, but it was a matter of self-preservation. In a way, we ruled over them since birth. We spoke the language they would get."

"I don't know what to say, Yi Jung. The pain. I can't imagine."

"It's all in the past now. But I want you to understand something. I don't want you to feel bad about our differences anymore. I know it weighs on you. I won't promise it will be smooth sailing. However, I want you to understand my side better. It sounds like I'm justifying my actions, but I only want you to know me better."

"It's okay. I am so sorry, Yi Jung. I am sorry I brought it up. If only I knew."

"It's okay. It's fine now. I swear."

He poured himself wine that went well with the pasta. Ga Eul looked at the table in awe and pride despite laying only the dishes on the table. She slid her glass towards him if he could pour her some.

"Only a little." He said while pouring a small sip into her glass.

"It's too early in the day for you to be tipsy."

"You're no fun." She glared at him. She took a fork full of the pasta and squealed.

"That's the best thing I have ever eaten." She said through a mouthful of food.

"You're like a different person when alcohol is in you." He laughed.

"How so?"

"You're much more unreserved. I wish I could see more of that when you're sober. I wish nothing held you down."

"That's very kind of you. Do you know you're the warmest person I know?"

"Me?"

"Yes! It baffles me you don't know how wholesome you are."

"Wholesome would be the last word to describe me."

"To me, at least. You're wonderful." She whispered, a blush covering her cheeks.

He couldn't help but feel mushy over her adorable face. What more sides could Ga Eul have had, had they not been hidden away by the need to survive? He swore to himself that he would have Ga Eul enjoy every bit of life he could offer her.

His phone buzzed beside his table as his older brother sent him a message. He quickly made his phone silent so he wouldn't be bothered.

"Why aren't you replying?"

"It's nothing."

"You look troubled."

"Not troubled." He quickly refuted. "I was thinking you and I would have dinner with my brother and Eun Jae tonight. He has wanted to meet you for a while now and has been meaning to officially introduce Eun Jae as his fiancée. He got more when he knew that you and Eun Jae were acquaintances."

"What's the holdup?"

"I saw how you looked today. It's not the right time."

"Nonsense. We should meet up today."

"You should rest. We can do this any other time."

"Believe me, this would be better than sitting here and eyeing the bottle of wine like a pervert on the bus."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, we have to sober me up beforehand. I don't want their first impression of me to be a drunkard. It would be rather unfair since I'm more sober than you have ever been in your entire life."

"Again, I don't enjoy the jabs on my drinking habits."

"It's too damn bad."

"Do you have any warnings before I jump into this blindly?"

"Don't drink any wine there."

They both laughed.

Yi Jung felt foreign talking with his brother again so casually. He barely got the hang of them texting, but it was a whole other step to have a formal dinner with him and Eun Jae.

Insecurity gnawed at him. What if Ga Eul has second thoughts after this dinner? There was an uneasy feeling letting Ga Eul meet them. They saw him in a very different light than Ga Eul. She might be influenced by their opinion. He knew it was ridiculous to think that way. As if Ga Eul didn't have many opportunities to see the ugly in him and she still stayed. But his brain had a hard time registering that fact.

He took her hands in his as they entered the restaurant. She was sober after a cold shower and a cup of coffee woke her up. She was wearing a black dress of his choosing along with a tiny emerald necklace around her neck. He kept the fact that he bought this months ago a secret. He was waiting for the right time to gift it. Although Ga Eul wouldn't be aware that it was a gift. That was the only way she would accept it from him.

Yi Jung took out the chair as Ga Eul sat down. She gave him a quick nervous glance, so he gave her hand a light squeeze.

Eun Jae and Il Hyun were sitting opposite them and eyeing them with curious gazes.

"Ga Eul, I heard wonderful things about you from Yi Jung and Eun Jae. I'm excited to finally make your acquaintance." Il Hyun said.

"Me, too." Ga Eul replied, smiling.

Yi Jung was worried that their table would be swarmed with thick tension, but as they settled in and their orders were set in front of them, he could feel the air being cleared. He could tell Ga Eul was also feeling more relaxed.

"So, how did you two get together?" Ga Eul asked Eun Jae as she cut into her steak. He could tell Ga Eul was looking out for him. She knew he hated how he found out about their relationship, but it didn't bother him anymore. Ga Eul, on the other hand, felt like the relationship had a sour taste on her tongue. She didn't shy away from dropping hints that she felt it was a betrayal on their part.

"I happened to stop by his coffee shop by accident. I was surprised to see him, and then we got to talking under the pretence of catching up. The rest is history." Eun Jae was beaming, probably thinking Ga Eul's question was an attempt at getting close to her, not recognizing Ga Eul's accusatory tone. Ga Eul never let things slide if she wanted to. He could swear that she could be worse than him at times.

"And you guys? I never thought I'd see the day Yi Jung settled." Il Hyun asked.

Before Yi Jung could get the chance to reply, he noticed something from the corner of his eye. A tick in his jaw formed. How could they have known? Ga Eul followed his trail of gaze to see his mother linking her arm to his father's.

"Did you invite them?" He asked Il Hyun in a cold tone.

"Invite who?" He asked confused as he craned his neck.

"I have been in touch with Mother for a while, but I swear I didn't invite them." Il Hyun said.

"It doesn't matter. Either way, the damage has been done." He replied. At this moment, he contemplated taking Ga Eul's hand and storming out of there. But that could turn the situation into worse.

"Hello, dears. I'm so happy to see you all. When I heard you were having a gathering, I knew me and your Father had to join." His mother said, hovering around their table. He could tell his Father had no clue about the situation beforehand. She gave a passing waiter a warning look, demanding him to set their seats.

He was tapping his forefinger against his knee, counting the seconds until this disaster could end. He never wanted to put Ga Eul in this situation. He gave ll Hyun about scornful look. Maybe Eun Jae had the privilege to go unscathed after this, but he couldn't say the same about Ga Eul. Il Hyun should've known better than to spill his guts about something so delicate. Now, he wanted to reconnect with them after years of radio silence. Yi Jung couldn't predict what scene his manic mother would put up.

"I'm sorry, dear, I can't say I have met you before. Could you introduce us, Yi Jung?" His Mother asked. Silence had roamed their table after they had joined them.

"She's Yi Jung's close friend. Her name was, what was it, Yi Jung? She was named after a season as I recall. Chun Ja?" His father guessed.

"She's called Ga Eul, Father." He quickly corrected him. He couldn't tell if it was some sort of sick coincidence, or if he looked up Ga Eul's background. Ga Eul remained stoic beside him, but he knew that his words were like a sting to her.

"I didn't know you had any friends outside of the F4. It's a pleasure to meet you." His mother said.

"Likewise, madam." Ga Eul replied.

"Oh, drop the formalities. I can tell we will see more of each other soon."

"I wouldn't count on that, Mother." Yi Jung said.

"That's inappropriate. I know your female friendships don't tend to last long, but pay some respect to your friend."

"It all depends on what Ga Eul decides not what I choose to do."

"Be careful, honey, Yi Jung is very protective over Ga Eul." His father said. Immediately, his mother's face dropped. Maybe Il Hyun hadn't told her about Ga Eul, and she merely thought of Ga Eul as a plus one, but he wouldn't tolerate any disrespect from any of them.

"It's been so long since I have met you, Mrs. So." Eun Jae said, trying to divert the conversation.

"Yes, I have missed you dearly. I can't tell you how proud I am to have you as a daughter-in-law. Yi Jung may have been blind to let you go, but I'm happy Il Hyun learned from his brother's mistake. It seems Yi Jung is a lot more like his Father than I thought. They wouldn't know how to recognise true gems if they looked them in the face." She said the last part looking at Ga Eul.

"It's all in the past now, Mrs. So. We were all children." Eun Jae said.

"Whatever you say, dear." His Mother replied.

"Don't let us interrupt your conversation. Continue what you were saying before we came." His Father said.

"Yi Jung was just telling us about how he met Ga Eul." Il Hyun replied.

"That sounds exciting. Do tell, Yi Jung." His Mother encouraged.

"We met through common friends. She's Jun Pyo's girlfriend's best friend. We happened to meet a lot due to them until we got closer."

"Gu Jun pyo's girlfriend? Do you mean the girl who got into Shinhwa on a scholarship? I always thought they were baseless rumours. Although some said he officially announced her as his girlfriend during his birthday party. I do pity his mother."

Yi Jung took a sharp breath, already on his last straw.

"Yes, Jan Di has been dating Jun Pyo for well over a year now. But I don't reckon why you would think it a pity, Mrs. So."

"No offence to your friend, but people like Gu Jun Pyo, like us, shouldn't get involved with the likes of her. We have a reputation to maintain."

"You mean her social status."

"What else could it be? Don't worry, I am of course not including you in this conversation. You wouldn't mind me asking what your family does?"

"They're both lawyers. They own a law firm."

"Wonderful. And you plan to take it on?"

"I wouldn't think so. I'm not planning to go to university."

"Is it because of money? Yi Jung could finance your education if you want. He seemed to have already started doing so." His mother said, looking at the necklace on her neck.

"No, on the contrary. My family can finance my education entirely. It's a matter of personal choice."

"People can't do whatever they like on a whim. There are responsibilities to be held. Just like my Yi Jung. He's working, not just to inherit his museum, but also his family's legacy."

"Yi Jung chose to bear these responsibilities. It was his decision. Not because he was born into it." Ga Eul replied, her voice simmering in anger. Yi Jung held her hand under the table. He was grateful that she was still defending him after all the insults she suffered because of his poor planning. He should've known better than to agree to this dinner. Nothing could ever change.

"Spare me the advice, little girl. No one has the liberty to do whatever they please. Pottery is his life. His mission. No matter what his choice. It was what he was born to do."

"I didn't know you were close enough to Yi Jung to speak on his behalf." Ga Eul replied, her sarcastic tone not missing his Mother's ear.

"You think you're special now because he's by your side, but in the end, he'll leave like he did to all the others. Yi Jung is a replica of his Father. Take what you will of that."

"Mother." Il Hyun pleaded.

"What? I haven't said anything but the truth the whole evening."

"This is enough. I have no patience to humour any of you longer than this. You have insulted me and Ga Eul more than enough. That warrants our leave. Excuse us." Yi Jung got up, taking Ga Eul's hand in his.

"Sit down. Both of you. We're going to continue this dinner like civilized people." His Father ordered.

"I am not the one who lacks civility." Yi Jung said.

"Do you think you can fool us? What are you trying to prove? That you're old enough to go against us? Or that you're better than me? If that's what you want, then you win. Let the poor girl go, and stop dragging this out longer than it deserves. You're only hurting her. Don't you think it won't be long before you get bored of her after she has fulfilled her purpose? You're stooping so low, son."

"You might be his family, but you don't know the first thing about your son. You're lucky to call him your own, and if you feel guilty about being not good enough for him, then start acting like you care instead of trying to bring him down with you. Let's go, Yi Jung." Ga Eul said, tugging Yi Jung's arm and leading him away from them. From the restaurant. She was fuming beside him. He had never seen her that angry before. He would've felt proud hadn't that dinner left him so broken.

His father could be right. What if he hurt Ga Eul? He couldn't live with himself. He was afraid. Her hands in his felt like a privilege he didn't deserve. She stood up for him as his soul got crushed. How could he be strong enough not to hurt her? Not to hurt anyone?

"Yi Jung, give me the keys. You're in no position to drive." Ga Eul ordered. They were standing outside beside his parked Lotus.

"I'm fine." He replied, not bearing to look in her eyes. "I'm not going home. Take a taxi back home."

"Where are you going?" She asked, worried. The wind was ruffling her hair, and he couldn't help but think how beautiful she was. He would've played with her hair as he loved but his hands remained like steel next to him.

"I'm going to the club."

"Yi Jung, you can't be serious. You're not going anywhere. Not like this."

He ignored her as he got into the car, turning the engine. She got into the car after him, slamming the door shut.

"I'm not leaving you."

"Do as you please." He replied. He wanted her to leave. He couldn't help himself. He couldn't help her. They were right. He only knew how to destroy. He was nothing but a means to an end. To continue their legacy.

It was loud. He kept bumping into people on the dance floor as Ga Eul followed him, trying to talk to him. He was holding a bottle in his hands. He didn't want to hear her voice because he knew he would cave. She would make him believe that whatever his parents said were lies. He didn't need that right now. He needed to feel the guilt. The hurt. It was what he deserved.

They were always right. Who did he think he was getting into Ga Eul's life so freely as if he wouldn't hurt her? She didn't need someone like him. His Ga Eul. His lovely Ga Eul was now stuck with him. He made sure she would be by his side, but why hadn't he considered that he might screw up? That was all he knew.

A hand pulled his shoulder back. He recognized her grip right away. He was hoping that she would lose him in the crowd.

"I'm not letting you go. Talk to me." She shouted over the music. Her eyes were terrified looking at him. He wanted to hide away in her embrace, but he didn't know if he deserved it.

"Come on, Yi Jung. Let's go home. Then we'll talk. We'll be okay. Please, you're scaring me." She pleaded, holding his hand in his.

She was getting pushed by the crowds as she held onto him for dear life.

"Let go." He pushed her hand away.

"Yi Jung, I won't leave without you." She got angry, forcefully pushing her way to follow him. Before he could turn his back on her, a guy pushed her onto the floor.

"Watch where you're going." He yelled at her while she lay on the ground, holding her arm in pain. She stood up quickly, shooting him a death stare, but she ignored him, looking for Yi Jung through the crowd.

He locked his eyes with hers. She was still fighting for him. Even when she got hurt. Something about seeing Ga Eul on the ground set something alight in his chest. He could feel his heartbeats in his ears louder than the music.

He started rushing towards her, and for a second Ga Eul looked relieved until she understood what he was going to do. In what felt like a flash second, he held the guy, who knocked Ga Eul on the floor, by the collar and threw punch after punch on his face.

"Who do you think you are, you piece of shit?" He shouted, veins popping off his neck. Ga Eul tried to get him off the guy, but he wouldn't budge. The guy fell to the ground as Yi Jung landed him blow after blow.

"Yi Jung, let him go." She shouted as people crowded around them, curious to see the ongoing fight.

He heard the man's wails as he felt his jaw break under his fist. Blood was tainting his hands, but he couldn't see straight. He was hurting. He wanted to hurt anything. Anyone. Especially someone who hurt Ga Eul. Despite Ga Eul's loud protests.

Before any more damage could be done to the guy's face, someone pushed Yi Jung off of the guy, making him fall to the ground. Dizzy and not oriented, he tried to get himself up.

Until he felt a blinding pain in his hand. He let out a wild shriek as the pain manifested itself in all of his fingers, he could almost hear the bones break. Looking at his hand, he found it under the mercy of a guy's foot.

Ga Eul rushed to his side as his body curled upon itself in pain and fear. What was going on around him? His hand. Anything but his hand. She was shouting over his body. Second, after second, Yi Jung found it hard to concentrate as the blinding pain took over his body, making his eyes heavy.

He tried to open his eyes. He did as Ga Eul was crying and shaking, trying to wake him up. Then darkness took over.

A/N: Hello, everyone! I just want to tell you that our story is nearing its end. I can't estimate how many chapters are left, but we're well over its mid point. Brace yourselves people.