Yi Jung stared blankly at the slab of clay, lying in front of him, on his workdesk.  

He had been attempting to mould something concrete the last hour, but had not been able to set his mind on any particular object.

His eyes drifted to a golden envelope, that was on top of a short silverish-gray cabinet about two inches away from where he was seated.

He sighed, realizing that whatever efforts he tried to exert on the clay now, would be absoluely futile.

He stood up as he pulled a white cloth lying at a corner of the workdesk, over the clay and stride over to the entrance of his workshop to collect his winter coat from the hook, and headed out.

~*~

Ga Eul had all her attetion focused on the stack of papers, that she had on the clipboard in  front of her, as she and her colleague alighted from the bus and headed to their destination. Joong Ki looked around the area, observing the people who were playing around, shouting and running about.

Yi Jung exhaled, and watched the smoke of breath appear in front of him, and couldn't help but turn his attention on the couples, who were skating in the rink.

Flashbacks to the days before they were an item, played before his eyes.. as he remembered that pair of innocent eyes that he stared into.. 

He turned his eyes towards his right, looking out of the rolled down car window and spotted a head of familiar long brown mane, adorned with a red hairband. His eyes widen a little in surprise, could it be?

Joong Ki and Ga Eul were now,  both looking at the skating rink, observing the place and noting down possible safety concerns.

 "Ga Eul-ssi, I'm going to talk to the person in charge, could you survey the places around here for a good resting spot? I'd meet you at the bench over here, when I'm done.. since I'll probably take longer than you." 

Ga Eul was about to walk away from the bench when she spotted the man in front of her, and stopped in her tracks. 

~ 

The two sat on the bench, facing the skating rink, with a big gap and a paper cup of hot coffee between them.

The physical distance seems to signify the emotional distance, that now stands, between them.

"Ga eul.... I've always wondered about something... "

She turned to him, a questioning look on her face. 

"..did you stop believing in soulmates? Or was that all, just a lie?" 

A temporary frown set across her forehead, vanishing as soon as it came, as a look of hesitation flashed across her brown eyes as she turn to look at him, in surprise. It wasn't a question she had expected. 

 They spent the next few seconds, looking into each others' eyes, she; wondering about his intent, behind the question. He, wondering about the thoughts running through her mind, hoping to glimpse some truth from those familiar eyes.

"Ga eul-ssi, I've spoken to.." Joong Ki's voice broke the quiet atmosphere between the two as he walked over towards them, head bent, typing on his phone, not realizing what was going on, until he raised his head, right in front of the bench. 

Ga eul came to a realization before Yi Jung did, and stood up abruptly to face Joong Ki, feeling slightly guilty that she had forgot about the official work she was here to accomplish. 

Yi Jung turned to look at the man, who had now got her attention, slightly peeved at the distraction but more pleased at the fact that he finally had a proper chance to talk to her.

Ga Eul turned to Yi Jung and bowed politely, "Sorry, I need to get to work now.." 

Yi Jung nodded, before Ga Eul and Joong Ki turned to leave.

~*~

[That very night]

The sheer beige curtains billow slightly upwards as the wind kissed Ga Eul's face as she stared out the window, from behind the white desk, that she was sitting at.

She couldn't help but wondered about the question she didn't manage to answer that afternoon. 

If Joong Ki had not interrupted, what would she have told him? 

She couldn't help wondering about it, again and again,  because, it was a question, even she herself could not answer.

Soul mates, huh.. 

End of Chapter 18

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A/N: I thought of making Ga Eul's solo section much longer, but many times, our deepest thoughts feel like that -- silent, unfathomable and in this case, to show that she can't even grasp her own thoughts, therefore the lack of POV, to increase the mystery of her thoughts... which also means less words to read... sorry for another short chapter, I hope you all will still enjoy it!! Thanks for everyone's support, especially for those who commented, I read them all and it motivates me the most! :) Arigato!! Kamsamhamnida!