‘Oh, Mr Baek…’

‘Jihyo-ssi. Can we talk for a while? Follow me.’ The guy requested, and turned to walk away. Jihyo got out of her chair and followed the man without a word, leaving Gary alone with the plates of ddeokbbokki. Gary just poked at the food mindlessly, while his eyes were fixed on Jihyo and Baek Chang Joo, the CEO of Jihyo’s agency. There had been rumors before that he had a crush on Jihyo, and Gary was worried. With Jihyo’s back facing Gary from a distance, Gary could only see Chang Joo talking non-stop, while Jihyo kept nodding. Gary then saw Chang Joo grab Jihyo’s thin wrist with his hands with force, and Gary jolted out of his seat, wanting to go to Jihyo’s rescue. However, just as he was about to dash to Jihyo, Chang Joo let go of Jihyo and left. Jihyo turned around and saw Gary looking worried, rubbed her eyes, and went back to Gary.

‘Jihyo-ya, what happened? He-‘

‘Oppa, I’ll tell you when I get home. Can you fetch me home now? I feel really tired…’

‘Sure Jihyo… Let’s go’

The car ride home was a quiet one. The silence was unbearable. Jihyo closed her eyes throughout the whole ride home, and Gary saw tears coming from her eyes, but didn’t want to ask her what happened, afraid he would make things worse. His heart was burning and hurting. He was in pain, seeing Jihyo hurt like this, but yet he was helpless, he didn’t know what to do.

‘Jihyo, we’ve reached already. Let’s go up.’

‘Okay, oppa.’

After reaching Jihyo’s house, Jihyo just sat on her couch and looked mong, but with sadness in her eyes. Gary went to the kitchen to make a cup of hot chamomile tea, hoping it’ll make Jihyo feel better.

Gary brought the tea to Jihyo, and sat down with her on the couch, without saying a word. Jihyo leaned against his shoulder. What Jihyo needed wasn’t for Gary to talk or say anything, but for Gary to just be there for her. Gary then used his free hand and gently caressed Jihyo’s smooth face, and then gave her a tight, assuring hug.

‘Jihyo, I don’t know what happened just now, but the way that you’re crying and not making a sound. It makes me worried. Please tell me what happened, please let me share your sadness. Let me make you feel better. Jihyo… Please, talking about it will make you feel better. Seeing you hurt and not being able to do anything makes me feel like a useless man. Let me carry your burden with you.’ Gary begged Jihyo to share what happened to her just now.

Gary then broke away from the hug, and gave Jihyo a deep, passionate kiss. This was also what Jihyo needed the most right now, to feel Gary’s love for her, and to know that Gary was there to support her.

‘Oppa, CEO Baek warned me that my contract states that I am not able to date, and that if I get caught by the public, my contract may be terminated. I cannot let the career that I have worked so hard to build up to just get ruined by this.’

It was Gary’s turn to feel sad now. He felt like Jihyo was trying to hint that she wanted to break up with him, after 1 day of dating. He felt useless, not being able to let the woman who loved him, love him normally.

‘A-arasso Jihyo. I understand wh-what you me-mean…’ Gary was on the brink of tears.

‘No oppa, no you don’t. I cannot let my career go down the drain, but I cannot let you go even more. I guess.. we just have to be extra careful. We can’t go on too many public dates, but we can still hang out in each other’s house. Gary oppa, I cannot lose you.’

‘Jihyo, thank you for letting me share your burden and sadness. Whatever happens, I’ll be here for you alright? Don’t worry too much. We’ll just be more careful next time!’ Gary reassured her.

‘Are you still hungry? I am, I’ll go whip up some of my best dishes! Go get a bath and relax in the bath!’ Gary shifted to mood to a lighter one.

‘Alright oppa, hope you’re going to cook this time and not buy takeaways like this morning!’ Jihyo teased Gary and rushed into the bathroom.

‘Yah Song Jihyo! You-‘ Gary shouted, but stopped as he realised other people may have been able to hear him.

Gary cooked up some simple but home-cooked food, and placed dishes on the dining table in about an hour, while Jihyo was still taking a bath. The food didn’t look like it was cooked by a restaurant owner, but Gary was still confident of his skills.

After he finished cooking, he went to the bathroom door to inform Jihyo.

‘Mong Ji~ Dinner is ready, come out soon!’

Gary then sat on the couch and flipped open some magazines, and took 15 minutes to flip through 3 magazines. Looking at his watch, he realised Jihyo had spent about an hour and a half in the bathroom. He then remembered what happened just now, and all the images of Jihyo doing silly things rushed into his mind. He rushed to the bathroom and knocked furiously on the door.

‘Jihyo! Jihyo-ya! Jihyo!’

There was no response.

‘Ah whatever! I need to get the key to unlock the door. What if Jihyo…’

Gary rummaged through the drawers and cupboard, and finally found a key labelled ‘Bathroom’. He rushed to the door and fumbled with the lock. After unlocking the door, he opened the door with a bang, and saw Jihyo staring at him in the bathtub with her cheeks so red, and she was unclothed. Gary instantly blushed and covered his eyes, and kept saying ‘Mianhaeyo, mianhaeyo.’ He then ran out of the bathroom while Jihyo quickly clothed herself and went out of the bathroom. She saw Gary on the couch, gulping a big cup of iced water to cool himself now, his blush still not subsided. The atmosphere was awkward, and Gary broke the silence by asking a question.

‘Why didn’t you respond when I knocked the door and called your name so many times? I thought something happened to you, and so I barged in… I’m so so sorry, Jihyo.’ Gary asked without looking at Jihyo.

‘Oppa, I was listening to music this whole time. I always do that when I soak in my bathtub to relax. I guess I couldn’t hear you. Sorry to have made you worried oppa…’ Jihyo replied also without looking at Gary.

‘Ah okay, let’s treat it like nothing happened, the food is getting cold, let’s dig in! Wait till you see how well I cook!’ Gary plucked up the courage to look at Jihyo again.
 

‘Okay oppa! Let’s eat! Thank you for the dinner!’ Jihyo chirped and started eating.

Throughout the dinner, they talked about happy things, with no mention about the Baek Chang Joo incident. Gary said all sorts of corny and cheesy things like the Gary we see in Running Man, just to make Jihyo laugh and feel loved, and they also talked about their favourite moments in Running Man, both being Episode 16, when Jihyo acknowledged the Monday Couple. After dinner and washing up, Jihyo and Gary cut some fruits together, and watched some television programmes while eating fruits.

‘Ah it’s almost 11pm… I still need to finish up some work at the studio. I guess I’ll go first Jihyo… even though I want to stay here forever...’ Gary whined.

‘Ah oppa it’s okay, work is important! Go now and finish up quick, and sleep early! We both had a tiring day today…’ Jihyo replied with a smile.

‘Alright, I’ll go first. I’ll text you later, my love. Annyeong.’ Gary said and gave Jihyo a peck on her cheek, and then her lips.

‘Kang Gary annyeong!’ Jihyo replied sweetly as sent Gary to the door.

‘Aw.. can’t you call me ‘my love’ too? Calling me by my name is so unromantic…’ Gary whined again.
 

‘Yah Kang Gary you little kid, go to your studio now! Annyeong!’ Jihyo playfully slapped him, and Gary went to his car after saying a final goodbye.

As Jihyo was preparing to go to sleep, she received a text.
 

Gary: Yeobo, I’ve just reached my studio, finishing up some work now while missing you so much. Don’t think too much of what happened today. Your Kang Gary will be here for you, always. <3

Jihyo: Gomawo oppa, you really make me feel so safe. Gomawo, I’m going to sleep already, finish up your work soon and go home to rest early! Good night oppa!’

Gary; Good night, we just have to be more careful next time Jihyo! Annyeong!

Gary oppa... how can I tell you what Baek Chang Joo told me without worrying you? Besides warning me, he told me… that I was his woman and no one else will have me except for me. Oppa, eottoke…