A Century waiting for you - Part 2

The mysterious man, now known as Lord Jung approached from her slowly and walking elegantly, he stood before her. She looked at him with slightly hanged open while he bowed gently like a true gentleman, introducing himself with class:

“I am Jesse Jung. I’m charmed to meet you… again, Lady Stephanie.”

He says with a charming smile while reaching her hand and kissing gently as if she was the most fragile being in the whole world. She was too shocked to reply since shivers ran by her spine and her heart pounded furiously inside her chest. Her face was flustered for sure, so she had to look down to avoid his intense stare. Who is this man? And why he makes her feel this way… so cold, yet so hot at the same time?

A smile tugged in the corner of his lips almost if he could read her thoughts. Then, looking back at him, she was about to regain her composure as her father asked curiously:

“Again?  You mean you already met Lord Jung before, Stephanie?”

Widening her eyes in shock, she glanced to the Lord Jung immediately, almost if she was begging for his help with her eyes. She couldn’t let her father know that her life was in danger yesterday. Realizing her father’s inquisitive stares, Stephanie sighs and opened to speak, when Jesse’s smooth voice interrupted politely:

“I’m terribly sorry, Sir Hwang. To be honest, I just mistook Lady Stephanie with a lady that I saw in the city yesterday. Or else…” He stopped briefly as he stole a glance of Stephanie’s flushed face and he continues sincerely with a small grin:

“I would definitely remember of such beautiful young lady like your daughter, with all respect, sir.”

Suddenly the middle aged man smiled proudly as he brushed his beard and looked back to his shy daughter:

“Well, indeed… she is beautiful as her mother and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Unconsciously, Tiffany smiled shyly and ducked her head before such pleasant compliments; even more with the fact of this Jesse Jung noticed and praised her beauty. But the point it’s… why she was so affected about what he says or thinks? While the mood was silent between them, Mr. Hwang tapped his lap, speaking delightedly:

“Well, I must go to my office. Oh and Lord Jung… it was a pleasure to meet you, feel comfortable to visit us whenever you like.”

Jesse bowed his head in respect, but gratefully as he shook the man’s hand. Then, he adds wisely with a grin in his face:

“The pleasure was mine, Sir Hwang. Oh and calm me Jesse, I would appreciate it.”

Mr. Hwang nodded with a smile as he tapped Jesse’s back friendly and took a last glance on his daughter:

“Understood… Lor-- I’m sorry… Jesse. Farewell and Stephanie, take care of yourself and rest, dear”

He placed a caringly kiss in his daughter’s head as he finally waved at them and left the house. Suddenly, the mood was silent again; seeing that her father already was far, she turned her attention to her new ‘neighbor’ and politely bowed her head in appreciation, speaking honestly:

“I really appreciated for not telling my father about the previous incident. If he knew, he would be deadly worried for sure...”

She stopped briefly to look at the Jesse’s face, who was smiling, how can be someone have such a beautiful and enthralling smile like this?  Recomposing from her thoughts, she was tending to speak soon since she was tempted to stare at his face once again:

“But what I wanted to say it’s thank you, Lord Jung. I really thank you for saving me. And I really wanted to thank you personally, but when I turn around… you already were gone.”

He chuckles at her naïve tone, and then he nodded his head and speaks sincerely:

“I apologize to leave on that way… it is just I had to solve some… problems. However, I am more than happy to see that fate brings us together once again, don’t you think so, Lady Stephanie?”

A coy smile crept in her lips as she had to turn around, or else he would see her flushed cheeks for sure. Breaking her train of thoughts, she felt his eyes on her back as he speaks into an inviting tone:

“Didn’t I tell that… we should stop the formalities, Lady Stephanie?” She chuckles and shook her head as Jesse walked to her. She couldn’t help to speak into a clever tone:

“Says the one who still are calling me a lady.” He smiled since he was ‘caught’ as he shook his head in defeat. Now, standing before her, he looked deeply in her eyes as he dared to reach her hand and hold gingerly as he whispered into a warm tone:

“And a very beautiful one *chuckles* I couldn’t agree more… Stephanie.”

It was music to her ears when he heard him calling her by her name, it was an amazing feeling. Yet, everything stopped when she felt his soft lips touching the back of her hand into a respect, but endearing gesture. He raised his head to be at her eye-level, well, with his head lowered since he was taller than her; so he whispered with a charming smile one more time:

“I am delighted to see you again… Now, if you excuse me, I must return to my home. Farewell.”

He bowed his head politely as he slowly removed his hand from hers and walked to the door. Stephanie was with hanged open and dumbfounded, yet out of sudden, Jesse spoke into a quiet tone without turn around:

“Well… since I am new at town… I was wondering if you would like to be my personal guide? But only if you are not bus-“

“Yes! *Ahem*… I would love to... Jesse.”

Her heart acted quickly than her mind as she hurriedly answered and added with a bright smile and blush in her cheeks. They stared each other meaningfully and she requested while fidgeting her finger timidly. Suddenly he smiled warmly as he adds:

“Can I visit you by the afternoon? Tomorrow?” Stephanie dumbly nodded as he held a deep stare for last time before leave the house. He couldn’t help to utter tenderly as they locked a gaze:

“I’ll be looking forward to see you again... Stephanie. And please, take a good rest.”

She nodded feeling warm with such caring stranger, well not anymore. As soon he left the house, she couldn’t help to smile to herself as she was reminding their earlier meeting and now, their conversation. But the most important, who was Jesse Jung? This name sounded so familiar, but she couldn’t remember properly; still, the most important fact was doesn’t matter how hard she tried… she couldn’t stop smile whenever she remembered him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

On the next day, Stephanie was extremely anxious to her future meeting with a certain lord. There was she having lunch with her father and humming happily, Mr. Hwang noted his daughter’s hyper state and chuckles to himself in awe. She realized his subtly laughing as she asks with her brown raised:

“Hmm father… May I ask you why are you laughing?” He quickly waved and smiled:

“Nothing, my dear… These young hearts *chuckles*”

Feeling confused, she decided to ask again, but only to be interrupted by the bell ringing at the front door. Stephanie jolted in surprise and felt her heart beating fast again… “He is here…” she simply knew and smiled unconsciously as she excused herself from the table:

“I’m sorry, father. If you excuse me, I… I have an important appointment to attend. I’ll be back before the sunset, I promise.”

He just waved and spoke into a content tone: “Very well, dear. Have fun.”

She nodded and rushed to the door, but not before to look herself in the long mirror and straight herself into the perfect look. Taking a deep breath, she reached the knob and opened the door a little too fast only to be stunned with the charming man in front of her. Her neighbor, well, Jesse was smiling warmly as he bowed and offered his right arm delicately towards the young lady:

“Shall we?” She opened a wide smile as she nodded and accepting his arm gladly:

“Of course.”

They walked to the Jung’s elegant carriage which Stephanie was slight agape. Jesse chuckles at her reaction as he momentarily removed her arm gently from his grasp and opened the door as he extended his hand to her to help her enter to the carriage. Her cheeks were a little flushed when she accepted his hand and thanked him:

“Thank you.” He bowed his head charmingly and entered in the carriage as well to go to their destiny. However, the trip was awfully silent since both of them were a little too shy to start a conversation, yet all of sudden, while looking to outside Stephanie asked politely:

“Well… Lord Jung… which place would you like to see first?”

At first, he frowned, but his expression softened when he turns his attention to her. Feeling his stare, Stephanie almost stuttered due his serious stare, and then she heard his soft chuckle as he continues warmly:

“I told you to call me just Jesse… Mr., Lord or Sir Jung makes me feel old… to you… well, to be honest I was more interested what you recommend… your personal likes and everything.”

She was flattered to know that he cared about her opinion, but she couldn’t be delusional. So, trying to look more nonchalant as possible, she honestly speaks with a weak smile:

“Actually… there is nothing important at all… I love simple things like books, flowers, music or go to a museum and theaters … that’s pretty boring just like me *giggles*”

He placed his hand to support his chin and a smile crept in his lips as he shook his head, saying truthfully:

“I’m afraid that I have to disagree… there is nothing boring about these simple things… and frankly… you are not boring at all and your opinion it is quite important to me.”

Once again she was left wordlessly; certainly this mysterious Jung had a sharp tongue. Yet, she couldn’t help to smile gratefully with his observation. However, gathering her allowance, Jesse smiled and called the coachman:

“Goo! Bring us to the museum, please.”

The coachman nodded as he directed the carriage to their destiny. And slowly, the mood inside the carriage started to get warm as them both started a healthy talk and exchanging some smiles. However, in the streets, they could listen the newspaper’s seller cry to the people:

“Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Unknown beast strikes again! Another victim! A wild monster killed 10 young ladies on the past week! Be aware!”

For some unknown reason, Stephanie felt a shiver only to listen to this news, her heart tugged unconsciously with a intriguing feeling. Nonetheless, once she stole a glance to the young man at her side, she could see that Lord Jung was quite uneasy with the news. But more than that, something in his heart showed concern and sorrow… What was truly happening? From that moment, Stephanie decided to brush this thought away from her mind… for now…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Once they reached the museum, Stephanie was dumbfounded or rather, pleasant surprised again with Jesse. Although she would be the museum guide for him, it was just the opposite… She was the one who couldn’t stop staring him in awe as every time they saw an old painting or some kind of relic, he knew a major part of the story behind those objects. She was mesmerized as he told the past stories so well like if he was there, telling every single detail.

Now, they were in front at a huge painting of Eros and Psyche about Greek mythology, watching the art in appreciation. Suddenly, Jesse started to tell the story as Stephanie stared at him in awe, absorbing every single word. The way he told the story it was different, she could feel the passion and kindness as he described the love story. Once he finished, she still find herself staring at him deeply as she smiled bashfully:

“I wouldn’t ever imagine it that they passed though some much only to stay together… certainly they really loved each other.”

Jesse simply chuckles, but his laughing subsided as he turned his attention to Stephanie and spoke seriously while looking into her eyes:

“Well… I believe that it doesn’t matter how hard you fight to protect the one you love… because in the end you will see that everything was worthy only to stay with your beloved.”  

They held a meaningful stare after his soft words; however, Stephanie had to turn around or else this young man would see her flushed face. She felt her heart racing inside her chest as she placed one hand to calm the pace:

“Oh my God… I never felt this way before… but… this feeling… it’s so… warm.”

After feeling calmer, she cleared as she turns around with a bright smile in her face:

“So… which place you want explore… Lord Ju--- Jesse?” She creased her eyebrows in confusion when she saw Jesse with a troubled and worried semblance as his eyes were slightly widened. When she was about to turn around to see the reason of his concern, he quickly reached her hand as he gingerly pulled her out of the gallery. But not without she steals a glance and catches a glimpse of the threatening aim… an old noble family portrait with a royal emblem from the past century? Hmm this was odd, why would Jesse be so in hurry to leave that place and to not see that portrait?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The way back to her home was silent, every time she tried to open to speak, Jesse kept looking to outside by the window with a disturbed expression. She only realized that she arrived in her home when the carriage stopped. Then, Jesse quickly opened the door and hop down as he extended his hand to help Stephanie get out of the carriage. Before she could speak, he cuts her as he uttered with his head lowered:

“I’m really sorry, Lady Stephanie, but I must go back to my home… I am not feeling very well.”

“But if you let me, I can hel-“ She tried to help him as she placed her hand in his shoulder. He quickly shook his head and stepped away from her as he speaks quietly:

“No, don’t worry about me, Lady Stephanie. I really appreciated your company today. Farewell.”

She felt a tug in her heart when he called her in such formality, but she gave in as she could see he was really tense. Yet, as soon he turned to the street to get back to his carriage, Stephanie realized that she still was with his handkerchief. Shooting her eyes up, she realized that she should give him back. However, before he could enter in his carriage, she ran to him without look at the street as she held the corner of her dress:

“Jesse, wait! You forgot this!”

“WATCH OUT!”

Stephanie froze when she heard someone yelling at her, as soon she turned to the booming voice, she widened her eyes in shock to see a misgoverned carriage without coachman running to her direction. Gasping shock, she knew it… it was her death and she wouldn’t have time to escape this time. Closing her eyes tightly in fear, she waited in horror… However, in a snap of seconds, she couldn’t process what happened, she only could say that she felt someone pulling her and hugging her with an immense strength and speed. 

Once she peeling her eyes opens one by one, she realized that she was against a concrete wall with someone hugging her tightly. When she studies the face properly, she gaped in surprise to see that it was neighbor, Jesse. His face was in the crook of her neck as his arms were firmly wrapped around her waist. Out of sudden, she noted that his breathing was heavy as she felt his body really tense and stiff. Soon, he slowly pulled from her neck and she could catch a glimpse of his blazing yellow eyes once again. Blinking a few times, they were hazel again… she couldn’t understand. Maybe was the shock… she must be imagining things… yes, she must be…

Seeing this, Jesse gulped deeply as he quickly let go of her and ran to his carriage saying in hurry:

“I must leave now. Please… be careful, Stephanie.”

“Jesse!”

But no use, he rapidly entered in his carriage and order to the coachman leaves that place for once as the sun settled. Yet, his eyes never left Stephanie at a small open between the courtliness. When she was out of sight, he closed his eyes tightly remembering her inviting scent… the vein was pumping hard in her milky neck and against his thirsty lips. He could feel how fast her heart beat against his chest, it was unbearable… he barely could hold himself on that moment…

When he arrived in his mansion, he rushed to the living room and ordered to his butler:

 “Kim! I need a double dose now!”

“But master, this is too much—“

“Now! … Please, Kim. I need it.”

The young butler nodded when he saw his master blazing now orange eyes. He rushed to the kitchen and came back brining a silver tray with a glass with water and two red pills. As soon he placed in a table and in front of his master, he dropped the red pills in the water to dissolve into a red and dense liquid. At the sight of the red liquid, Jesse could feel his canine tooth looming as it shone due the moonlight reflect.  

He took the glass in his hand and quickly drank the liquid in one gulp. He closed his eyes and felt his body relaxing as the fresh liquid ran by his throat. Opening his eyes, he thanked the butler and dragged himself to his room. The butler keeps staring him from afar with sympathy and worry as he whispers:

“Master never felt his way before… I wonder what made him feels so eager… for his feeding… or rather… for blood…”

Back to Jesse, the latter stopped before his window to stare the moon. He let a big sigh as he shook his head and burrows his head in his hands, thinking:

“I almost ruined everything today… I must do something or else… she will suspect about my true identity… she can’t know for now… but… I can’t lose her… I can’t…”

He stopped his thoughts briefly when he saw no one less than his esteemed neighbor leaned on her porch wearing a white silky gown and watching the moonlight absentmindedly. He smiled sadly at the sight; if only his heart was alive… it would be beating fast only to watch her from afar. However, he frowned  when he saw her with a sad and lost expression, he couldn’t make up what was concerning the young woman… yet, his smile widened when his caught a sight of Stephanie holding and thumbing his handkerchief gingerly.

Faster than an arrow, an idea popped in his mind as his eyes never left her. While he watched from afar tenderly, one thought runs by his mind in anxiety at the sight of the lady hugging herself due a sudden cool breeze:

“How I wanted to hold you so much right now…”

He rushed to his elegant black piano and started a beautiful symphony as his hand touched the keys slowly.

Back to the young woman at the porch, she stared the sky trying to understand why Jesse acted like this way. Why was he in such a hurry to leave? Did she do something bad to him? She couldn’t understand why he was so tense, and those yellow eyes… she nibbled her lips trying to remember if they were really yellow or if she was just imagining things. However, she couldn’t stop think on him as heart flutters only to remember how marvelous was the feeling to be inside of his safe arms.

A shiver runs by her spine as she rubbed her neck, precisely the spot where his lips were pressed “accidently”. Unconsciously, she looked at the mansion and once again she felt like if someone was looking at her, but this time… it wasn’t a bad thing, on contrary… she felt… like she was being… protected. However, her train of thoughts was stopped when she heard a melancholic, yet beautiful symphony coming from her neighbor’s mansion.

She felt her heart light as she closed her eyes to appreciate the soft and warm music. Although she couldn’t see the one who was playing the piano, she smiled and felt her stomach fluttering since deep inside her being, this song was for her. Then, she found herself leaned on the railing with a hand supporting her chin as she appreciated the sound echoing in the night.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Oh, my beloved cousin! Don’t be selfish! I know you are having some extraordinary encounters lately!”

Stephanie rolled her eyes and shook her head as she took a sip of her tea to hide a smile on her face. Her younger cousin came from England by the morning and already was storming her with questions. However, Stephanie almost chocked with her with her shorty cousin naughty sentence:

“By the look of your face… I can tell that this mysterious person it iss VERY important for you or else you wouldn’t be so flushed right now.”

“LEE SUNKYU!” Stephanie quickly scolded her older cousin, but she failed since what her cousin said was the true… now her face was even redder. The older one sulked and crossed her arms like a child while mumbling:

“Ya! This is not fair! I’m away just for one month and you don’t tell me anything! I thought we were best friends, HWANG MIYOUNG!”

Stephanie couldn’t help to chuckle at her cousin childish like semblance. Sometimes she asks to herself if her cousin is really older than her, the girl is like a child for God’s sake! So, the younger girl stood up from the table and walked to the older one as she brushed her hair gingerly, saying with a smile:

“*Deep sigh* All right, you won. But just because you are lovely.”

She younger eye-smiled to her cousin and just like a bunny, she dragged her cousin to the living room, precisely at a elegant seat as she keep tugging Stephanie’s hands playfully:

“Oh please, please! I need to know! And don’t forget the details!”

When Stephanie was about to start, they were interrupted by the bell echoing in the front door. Thinking that it could be Jesse, Stephanie was getting ready to rush to the door when her cousin stopped her with a teasing smile in her face:

“I go get it!”

Stephanie was with hanged open, but lowered her head in defeat as she chuckles inwardly. However, when her bunny cousin opened the door, she was greeted by a young boy who looked almost a child due his soft features, yet she couldn’t help to feel enchanted by the younger boy dressed in a butler uniform. The butler was with his head lowered in a bow, yet when he raised his head slowly, he gawked with the sight of the beautiful and cheerful in front of him.

That time, he nearly forgot the reason he was here. Yet, when he saw the young lady smiling shyly to him, he widened his eyes and felt his heart pounding hard in his chest. Nonetheless, he took a deep breath and sputtered the words politely:

“I am so-sorry but is this Lady Stephanie’s house?”

Slowly, her smile faded away as she called her cousin sadly with a pout:

“Steph, it is for you…”

“Ha… thank you, milady.” He bowed his head as he could see her nodding into a depressing state. He couldn’t help to chuckle and thinks: “She is really adorable”. Soon, Stephanie came from the living room and when she saw him, she creased her brows in confusion as she asked gingerly:

“I beg your pardon… but can I help you, sir?”

The butler smiled and bowed, answering politely:

“Yes, milady. I’m Master Jung’s butler. I’m Kim Tae, pleased to meet you.”

At the sound of his name, Stephanie couldn’t help to smile as her eyes shone:

“Oh. I’m pleased to meet you too, Tae. Well, I believe that you already meet my cousin Lee Sunny.”

He turned his attention to the sulky girl and wide smile formed in his lips as he bowed gently:

“I believe yes, mistress. I’m really pleased to meet you as well, Lady Sunny.”

His words created a shy smile at the younger lady’s face as she answered happily:

“Yes, the pleasure was all mine… Tae.”

Stephanie raised her brows playfully as she saw the warm mood between the shorty people. All of a sudden, Sunny excused herself and quickly whispered at her cousin’s ear:

“Please tell me that he isn’t the one you were about to tell me… Am I right?”

The eye-smiling lady couldn’t help to laugh at her younger cousin visible despair. Soon, she shook her head and whispered back teasingly:

“No, Sunny. Feel free to let him court you hahahaha.”

Sunny flushed immediately as Stephanie turned her attention to the butler Tae and asked gently:

“I’m sorry for my energetic cousin, Mister Tae. I’m not being rude, but there is anything I could help you or you wanted to talk with me?”

Suddenly the butler snapped his fingers and smiled sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head:

“Oh, yes. But first, you don’t bother yourself to call me mister, Lady Stephanie. I am merely a butler, and a very proud one. I’m here because Master Jung asked if Mistress Hwang would like to accompany him this afternoon for an appointment.”

At the same time she smiled at Jesse’s request, she wondered to herself why he didn’t asked by himself since this wasn’t a problem for him:

“Before answer, Tae. Could I know why he didn’t asked by himself?”

Suddenly the butler smiled and nodded his head as he spokes:

“Oh right, Master told me if you asked this, the answer would it be… that he making his last preparative for your surprise. And I can tell that he was really diligent to make the best for you… *chuckles* I know, my Master major flaw it’s to be very perfectionist.”

Unconsciously a wide and bright smile formed in Stephanie’s lips as she bowed gratefully. She eyed to her cousin and the butler and suddenly, she ran by the stairs excitedly yelling:

“Just wait a minute please while I’ll prepare myself!”

The dandyu couple looked at her and chuckles at the hopelessly girl, and soon they exchange some longing stares. Yet, only to avert their eyes quickly since they were caught staring each other; however they couldn’t help to smile to themselves. Back to Stephanie, while the latter was searching for a perfect outfit, she couldn’t stop smiling as she asked to herself:

“I wonder what he is planning… although… he never fails to amaze me.”

She reached the handkerchief at her nightstand and thumbed the fabric gently only to recall their previous moments together. Suddenly a longingly whisper escaped from her lips:

“Jesse…”  

TBC ???

Replies:

@eyelovegg: Hey friend! How are you? Hahaha nope, I laughed actually lol, thanks for the joke XD. Thank you for comment! Really? Omo, thank you, I am trying my best hehe there is a lot to improve ;)

@shajanie: As you wish, a LONG CHAPTER lol see? I didn’t forget you, I promise I’ll try my best to conclude this story. But I can tell the main reason that I returned to write this fic… it was you and other readers here. Thank you! JeTi … THE REAL ROYAL COUPLE ;)

@budhakz_marshie: Yup, certainly, my friend. Hmm stalker? Hahahaha you will know in the future lol. I bet Fany wont care either hahaha. Thank you for comment!

@SoneSoul: Thank you. I’ll try my best to keep this story interesting. Thank you for comment!

A/N: Well, here I am, after so long T.T I am so ashamed of abandoning this fic, but sometimes, the author lose his inspiration when no will read it. BUT, I am here because I cant disappoint my dear friends/readers. Sorry for the long chapter and all the grammar erros since I making the editing by myself. Anyway, I really thank all of you that didnt give up on this fanfic and wanted to know the rest of the story. I'll keep writting... but with one condition... only you, readers.... can tell me or give me a feedback about this story? Interesting?  Boring? I need to know your opinions , I am all ears. Take care and God bless all of you! Enjoy the chapter! Oh and.. THANK YOU SUBSCRIBERS AND READERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE AND COMMENT! YOU GUYS ROCK! =D

See ya!